The world was enveloped in light

Right then. So I'll be attending school.

A school that teaches magic… I'm genuinely excited! I haven't really used any magic other than Spatial Magic, after all.

Well, can't be helped since Spatial Magic is just too darn versatile.

Anyway, they said they'd arrange the test right away, so we headed to the school after breakfast.

Bergamot the warehouse keeper (who lives on the first floor of the apartment) saw us off, and we headed to the school by carriage—with Arthur pulling it as the horse, as usual. Rena took the coachwoman's seat. Honestly though, the carriage was overkill since it was within walking distance.

So why bother? Because Dea-kun was reluctant to stroll through the streets in a girls' uniform. How adorable.

Peering at the school through the carriage window, I took in a red brick building draped in climbing ivy. Wrought iron fencing enclosed the grounds, lending the place a refined air. Apparently it was forged with iron-manipulating magic.

The grounds featured sports fields and such, with plenty of exposed dirt in the open areas—reminding me of schools back in Japan. I suppose when you think about what education requires, the setup naturally converges. Probably. Maybe.

"It's more normal-looking than I expected?"

"Just because we're elves doesn't mean we want to be surrounded by nature all the time, you know?"

"I see. You do love mechanical technology with iron and oil too, Dea-kun. Like golems and such."

"Yes, Magic Tools are spiritually cleansing. Also, I've been learning all sorts of things from the Five Elders, so I honestly feel like school is redundant for me."

Well, our Five Elders are absolute masters at that sort of thing. Having all five of them give you private lessons? That's the kind of environment money simply cannot buy. But this time we're here to learn magic. So please cooperate.

We passed through the gate while still in the carriage. I flashed a smile at the guard as we entered the grounds.

Seemed like wearing the uniform meant zero questions asked. Pretty lax security, huh. Is that really okay? Isn't this supposed to be a school that royalty attends? Just as I was mulling that over, Rena received a memo. Dea-kun plucked it from her hand.

"It looks like Nee-sama made arrangements in advance."

"I see, that makes sense."

We only arrived this morning and everything's already sorted. You work fast, Kumin-san. The textbooks and supplies will apparently be ready by tomorrow too. What a capable woman.

"It says the test will be held at the Third Firing Range. Rena, please head that way."

"Understood, Ojou-sama."

Firing range. Makes sense if you're going to be slinging spells. I nodded to myself, mildly impressed, as the carriage rattled toward it. When we arrived at the firing range—which looked like a cross between a driving range and a batting cage—an elven man who appeared to be a teacher came jogging over. Picture an older gentleman with glasses and pointed ears.

Huh, are beautiful elves actually rare…? Or have I just been spoiled by Dea-kun?

"I-I-I-I'm s-sorry to keep you waiting… hah, hah…"

"Sensei, you didn't need to rush. We're the ones who made the sudden request."

"No, no… wait, hm? Where is Deasalt-kun? I could have sworn I heard his voice just now."

The teacher looked up and saw the utterly adorable Dea-kun standing there—but apparently failed to connect the dots.

"Lakto-sensei. It's been a while. It's me."

"Eh?! Deasalt-kun?! My word… You're more adorable than any of the female students here. I see, so Deasalt-kun was actually a girl all along. That explains everything."

"No. I'm wearing this due to certain circumstances, but I'm male. Please look the other way."

"…???"

This teacher shows promise. Yes indeed.

"Um, so then the human there taking the test today would be Karina-kun, yes?"

"Ah, yes yes. I'm Karina. Nice to meetcha."

"Yes, pleased to meet you as well. I'm Lakto Moon. Teachers here go by first names only, so please just call me Lakto-sensei."

"Got it. Nice to meet you, Lakto-sensei."

"Excellent. Nice and cooperative. Now then, let's begin the test."

With that, Lakto-sensei produced a crystal ball on a pedestal from his bag.

"First, let's measure your magic power. Karina-kun. Please place your hand on this crystal. It will glow according to your magic power."

"Ah, Lakto-sensei. Is this one of those things that explodes?"

"No no, surely not. This crystal ball can measure even a dragon's magic power, you know? No matter how impressive Karina-kun's recommendation from Kumin-sama might be, a human's magic power won't make it explode. Rest assured."

"I see." Dea-kun nodded sagely. "Yep, it's going to explode. Onee-san, watch out for the shrapnel."

"Yeah."

"Deasalt-kun???"

I quietly scanned and copied a duplicate into my Storage, just in case. It's for compensation purposes, so it's fine.

"Lakto-sensei. Please set it on the ground and step back a bit."

"Eh, what's this now, even Deasalt-kun? You're making it sound like this measurement crystal is some kind of bomb."

"It will explode."

"Eh?"

"With Onee-san's magic power, it will."

"Um, are you serious? This thing's quite expensive, you know? Using explosion magic to fake the results isn't allowed, okay? I can tell the difference."

Still half-skeptical even as the words left his mouth, Lakto-sensei reluctantly followed Dea-kun's advice and set the crystal on the ground.

"It's fine, I'll pay for it! I already made a copy!"

"Then we're all good. Go ahead, Onee-san."

And so, heart pounding just a little, I reached down and touched the crystal.

Poke… It hasn't exploded yet.

"After you touch it, please press the button on the pedestal."

"Ah, this one? Here we go."

The next moment—

The world was swallowed by light.