Meeting With Jenius

"Tell me, Rudeus. What's the highest tier spell you know?"

"Huh? What's that got to do with anything?"

"I happened to come across some very interesting news recently."

"You did? And what would that be?"

"You're acquainted with Seren, are you not? She's a fellow member of your special class."

"Yeah. I know Seren."

"It would seem that she thinks very highly of you. In fact, she's been bragging about your incredible exploits to professor Allison."

I couldn't help but let out a barely audible sigh when I heard this. Just what did that damn woman say about me?

"Rudeus, you listed yourself as a Water King magician on your enrollment form, but... according to the story I heard from Professor Allison, you had cast the emperor tier spell [Absolute Zero] with no incantation without so much as breaking a sweat years ago when Seren first met you on the Demon Continent."

While Jenius recounted this story he kept a keen eye on me, trying to see how I'd react. It was obvious he was trying to determine if this story was actually true.

"Normally, I wouldn't pay any heed to such exaggerated tales, but something is telling me this time might be different. The level of detail in which Seren described the encounter made it much more believable. In addition, the names of emperor tier spells and what they do are not commonly known. Even Professor Allison had never heard of the spell [Absolute Zero]."

"Even if this is true, what does it matter? Are you threatening to discipline me for potentially lying on my enrollment form?"

"Typically, that is a serious offense. Even the grounds for expulsion in some cases. But then again, we've never had someone lie to make themselves seem *weaker*. That doesn't make any sense. Any other adventurer would be shouting it from the rooftops if they could cast Emperor tier magic."

"I suppose I'm not like any other adventurer."

"No, I suppose you're not. I can assume then, that you're admitting Seren's story to be the truth?"

"I can tell you've already made up your mind on the matter anyway. There's no point in me denying it."

"Then, why? Why would you lie about it?"

"I suppose it's because I want to enjoy my time here at your school."

It was easy to tell from his expression that Jenius was surprised by my answer.

"Even though today is technically my first day enrolled here, I've visited many times over the past year to work on my research and to eat lunch with Sylphy and our friends outside the cafeteria. I can already tell how normal students give us a wide berth. They are simply intimidated by the special students. How much more will the problem become if they find out how powerful I really am?"

"This takes me back to my initial question, Rudeus. Just how powerful ARE you? How many emperor tier spells do you know? Do you perhaps... even know a God-Tier spell?"

"Truth be told, Jenius. The whole concept of spells having a 'rank' is outdated. Even a simple stone cannon, which you call an 'intermediate' spell, can have similar strength to an emperor tier spell if used properly. I think I proved that to you during my entrance exam."

"T-Thats... true."

"Is that all you had to ask me, then? If so, can I assume we are good? Luna will be allowed to sign up for 'Introduction to Swordplay'?."

Ignoring my questions, Jenius instead got a serious look on his face and leaned forward before asking me in a low tone, "Rudeus. Are you the Magic God?"

The question caught me off guard, wiping the smile off my face. After taking a moment to think however, my smile returned as I answered him.

"How did you hear about that?"

"Rumors have been flying throughout the school for about a year now that someone had claimed the title. As extremely talented as you are, I had never suspected it could be someone so young! T-this... This is fabulous! To think we have one of the Seven Great Powers enrolled in our Academy! This is groundbreaking!"

"Hey hey, calm down there. I just told you I wanted to enjoy my school life, didn't I? I don't want to draw any more attention to myself than I already have."

"What? O-oh. Of course. Yes, that's understandable."

"Thank you."

"What do you think you'll be doing after you graduate? Would you consider teaching at this Academy? I can assure you that your incredible skills and knowledge will be taken into account when we work out your salary."

"Eh, I don't know about that."

"Don't you want to pass on your knowledge to the next generation?

"Well yeah. I'll teach my children everything I know."

"Oh... you want to keep it a family secret..."

All of a sudden Jenius became incredibly sullen.

"That's not what I'm saying. It's more like... I don't know if I want to be a professor. I don't know if I would have any talent for teaching."

"Not to worry! We have courses for that! Courses specifically designed for teaching professionals such as yourself how to teach."

"I don't know..."

"Your graduation is a long way off! There's no need to make a decision about your career right this moment! Take some time to think about it. See if you like it here at our Academy. Perhaps the prospect of a career here will grow on you!"

"I'll consider it."

"Good! Good! And *cough* regarding your friend Luna. Once again, I'm terribly sorry about our scheduling mistake. I'll make sure it gets corrected right away."

"Right. Thank you very much for your help. Oh, and Jenius..."

"Yes?"

"Just one more thing. Please keep what we've talked about today between the two of us. I've already been challenged by the North God trying to reclaim his title. We don't want a bunch of battle crazed maniacs coming to your school looking to start a fight with me, do we?"

Jenius' face went pale at the thought.

"N-no! Definitely not. You're right. I'll make sure this stays between us."

"Great! Have a great day, Jenius! I'll see you around."

***** Lunchtime, the next day *****

Sylphiette and I ran across Luna as we were headed to the cafeteria and we got in line to wait together.

"So, how was your first day learning Swordsmanship?", I asked her.

Luna looked down at her hands as she turned her palms up, revealing several blisters on her otherwise soft hands.

"We spent half the class today in the classroom going over one basic stance and sword swing and then spent the next half practicing it. It was... a lot harder than I was expecting, but I'm not giving up!"

"That's great to hear! If you keep up the effort, you'll improve in no time. I promise."

"So how'd things go with Halfort?", I said as I gave her a sly smile and nudged her with my elbow.

"W-what do you mean!?", she said as her cheeks blushed. "We said hi, sure, but... I mean... he had his own practice to do, you know? I didn't want to bother him too much..."

"So I take it you're not upset anymore?"

"No. Everything is fine. Rose is probably going to make fun of me when I see her in last period, but you know what? I don't care. If she's going to be like that then I'll just ignore her!"

"Haha. That's the spirit. If she can't see how awesome you are then she's not worth your time!"

"Oh no! Has someone been bullying you, Luna?", Sylphy asked concerned. "You said her name was Rose? I'll go have a talk with her and..."

"Leave it be", I said, interrupting Sylphy. "Luna's fine. She can handle this."

"That's right", Luna agreed. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing."

'Luna really is a strong girl. In my first life, I could have never come back like that. After being embarrassed in front of the class I never managed to muster up the courage to overcome it. That's not the case anymore though. I, too, have become strong. I had to.'

Just then, a familiar face interrupted my train of thought. Cliff was walking past us to get in line himself when he stopped and almost fell backward in shock.

"B-B-Blessed Child!?"