Chapter 5 – A Budding Star Right From Enrollment

The Ivory Tower for the gifted. The Other-Ability Academy. The Cradle.

There was one peculiar tradition there.

The ‘Initiation Ceremony’ for newly enrolled students.

Drinking games? No, nothing like that.

Establishing dominance? Please. Among ability-users?

As befitting the Other-Ability Academy. As befitting the ‘Cradle’ of ability-users.

The student body president would representatively test the new students.

That was the tradition existing within the Cradle – the Initiation Ceremony.

Of course, it only proceeded for those who volunteered.

The teachers would also observe and evaluate, and stand ready for any possible incident.

If one received recognition there, they were colloquially known as a ‘Budding Star.’

Right there, Deus caught the eye of Professor Tiamat.

No, more like all the teachers were focusing their attention on him.

‘The freshman who faced Neferti’s gale head-on.’

Neferti, top of the third year. Student body president. Her gale was like a well-honed sword.

Wind-type ability users were mostly specialized in mobility.

But Neferti had uniquely converted it towards combat.

Her unpredictable yet powerful strike left even the teachers speechless.

And that, that freshman named Deus had met head-on.

Furthermore, he hadn’t simply dodged or blocked it, but endured it with his body.

Was it ignorance? Or simply a constitution of such formidable strength?

That was the thought that crossed Tiamat’s mind as she observed from the sidelines.

“I knew it! Deus, student!”

— *Thwack!*

It was here, in this very place, that she finally found the answer to her musings.

“You’re the student I’ve been searching for! Finally, a flower blooms in the martial arts lineage!!”

— *Thwack! Thwack!*

Deus, without a flicker of expression, deflected the barrage of golden light raining down upon him.

The sight only fueled Tiamat’s excitement, her heart pounding like a drum.

No matter how much she increased her speed, no matter how much force she exerted, not a single opening presented itself.

It was pure, unadulterated *wu wei*, perfection itself. It felt like witnessing the very pinnacle.

Just where had such a prodigy been hiding until now, she wondered!

“You block this too? And this? Amazing!”

“…”

This feels like it’s escalating a bit too much. If I reflexively use a counter, this will turn into a problem.

Being a “black hair foreigner” is enough. I’d rather not add “student who assaults their teacher” to my list of attributes.

Carefully assessing the situation, Deus seized the first opportunity to create some distance.

— *Thut!*

“Deus, student?”

“I believe this is sufficient, Teacher Tiamat.”

*Teacher*. The honorific served as a subtle reminder that they were, first and foremost, in the middle of class.

Tiamat seemed to realize her mistake with a start. “Ah! Oh, my, my! So, so sorry! Everyone! This teacher got a little too carried away! Is everyone alright?!”

“N-not really, teacher. I’m not alright at all.”

“Wow, that teacher is scary… I miss our Deer teacher…”

“This is why you can’t just judge espers by their appearance!!”

Seriously. Guys. Why is it okay to judge *my* appearance like that?

Yes, I’m a foreigner with black hair, but that doesn’t automatically make me a barbarian.

“A-ha-ha! Alright, alright! Everyone’s paired up, right?! Then what we’re going to do now is… this!”

Tiamat pointed to the measuring device placed at the front, distributing something to the students.

“You’ll take turns hitting this device and recording each other’s scores! Of course, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t falsify records?! If you’re caught, this teacher will subject you to her special hell training!”

Deus stood quietly at the back, observing the so-called measuring device.

It’s just a typical punching machine you see everywhere. Just what *is* the deal with this world’s setting?

“Deus, student! This teacher will record your score. Come on over here!”

Teacher Tiamat was brimming with anticipation, having witnessed the true potential of this promising student.

Deus, on the other hand, was under the impression that he was being given special treatment as the “black-haired barbarian”.

“Don’t hold back! Go all out! Understand?! This teacher can tell just by looking!?”

“Sure, sure.”

She can tell by looking, my foot. She didn’t even notice I was holding back a moment ago.

After loosening his shoulders casually, Deus stood before the punching machine… or rather, the measuring device.

Just the lower body, unchanged. Just a little spin in the waist. That way it’ll look like I’m doing something.

The shoulder… best to pull it back just a touch? Give it a little snap when I hit. Better that way.

‘Moderately. Just enough to be acceptable…’

—Pweeeng!

In that moment. Teacher Tiamat and many students witnessed it.

—Kwaaang!!

A War God descending to earth.

*

“Oh. Teacher Tiamat. How was your first class today?”

In charge of the literature lessons. More often called ‘Deer Eyes’ by the students, Teacher Hunter.

At his question, Tiamat started off, “Aha-ha! It was magnificent!”

“These new students are promising, I feel it every time. This job really is the best.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

A pitch-black face, a body of pure muscle. Even wearing sunglasses, Teacher Hunter.

For such a man to bare his teeth in a wide smile…it almost looked threatening.

A newcomer seeing this sight might mistake him for a villain menacing a beauty.

“Especially! That…Deus. Was it? Teacher Hunter knows him, right?”

“I do. The student who just casually took the student council president’s Ability during the welcoming ceremony, isn’t it?”

“He’s a real gem. I could tell he was different from the start. It’s the real thing, though!”

“Oh-ho.”

For Teacher Tiamat, of all people, to say something like that.

If that’s the case, I need to find a way to get him into the martial arts club, no matter what!

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you react like this, Tiamat.”

“Surely not! I always enjoy seeing the new students!”

“Not that. I mean being this excited. Heh-heh!”

Slightly raising his sunglasses, Deer Eyes… no, Teacher Hunter continued.

“So. That student Deus. Among the promising new students this year, where would you rank him? Ah. First, I suppose?”

—Dori-dori!

“Huh?”

Tiamat shook her head. Teacher Hunter tilted his own in response.

Based on her reactions so far, it seemed like Deus was definitely the best among the new students?

Could it be that there was another outstanding student besides that boy?

“It’s not that, Teacher Hunter. In my opinion, he’s not just the best of the new students, but the best student in the entire Cradle!”

“Eh? No, surely not!”

What the students learn in the Cradle is a more refined and effective manifestation of their Abilities.

Therefore, there is naturally a difference between grades. That is why there’s a senior-junior relationship formed.

The fact that teachers have absolute authority over students also stems from the same principle.

But. A newcomer who just enrolled. A new student who has only been in the Cradle for barely two weeks.

To be such a great individual as to be ranked first, surpassing all the other students?

“It’s true! That’s why I’m even thinking of formally recommending that student Deus to the ‘Dispatch Squad’!”

“Is that all? Surely, the envoy requires at least the second-year’s top candidate?”

“Because he’s already reached that level! Deus is practically perfect!”

Good heavens. Not just anywhere, but even a recommendation for the envoy.

That meant he was within the top ten students in the entire Cradle!

“Oh my?! You don’t seem to believe me?!”

“Ahem! N-no, it’s not that.”

“Aha! It is so! Take off your sunglasses and look at me! Now!”

Tiamat demanding he remove his sunglasses. Teacher Hunter stubbornly refusing.

Eventually, Tiamat, unable to get her way, puffs out her cheeks.

“See! You don’t believe me, do you?! I’m right, aren’t I?!”

“Good grief. I told you, that’s not it.”

Ahem, ahem. Teacher Hunter clears his throat, quickly changing the subject.

“So.”

“Hm?”

“Here in the Cradle, Teacher Tiamat is known for her peerless mastery of martial arts-based abilities. If she is so impressed, and willing to write a recommendation for this ‘envoy’… what exactly did Deus show you?”

What exactly… Tiamat recalled the incident from earlier.

“…Hehehe.”

And then, she smiled.

As a master of martial arts, witnessing a man destined to become the strongest filled her with excitement!

*

The Cradle is protected by a barrier erected by the most skilled barrier-type ability users.

Strong enough to withstand attacks from both outside and within.

Thanks to this, the students can cause quite a commotion without any serious consequences.

( Except for certain areas undergoing expansion. A prime example is the cafeteria. )

—Fzzz…!

A section of that barrier was completely shattered. Requiring immediate repairs.

“Hahaha…!”

Teacher Tiamat couldn’t help but laugh.

The measuring instrument that had been beside her was now gone without a trace.

“Amazing. Truly, truly amazing…!!”

With shining eyes, she draws a line beside Deus’s name, where the measurement should have been written.

“Deus! Well done. You did so well!”

“Um… I’m sorry, Teacher.”

Tiamat, genuinely praising him. Deus, mistaking it for sarcasm.

“…”

And far off in the distance, Ulishia, so moved she covers her mouth in awe.

‘Deus.’

Appearing fearsome at first glance. Yet, inside, so very warm.

Someone who would go to great lengths for even those he’d just met.

She still remembered him carrying her on the first day of enrollment. ( She chooses to forget she was treated like a package. )

It was the first time anyone had ever seemed so magnificent.

Perhaps, he’d never feel it again.

Even that alone was tremendous. Overflowing with awe-inspiring charm.

Now, he was once again displaying a presence that left everyone breathless!

‘Me too. Me too! I want to be like Deus…!’

It was a first. This feeling of admiration for someone.

So intense. Rising from the depths of his heart.

‘I… I will only admire him.’

No matter how difficult or painful it may be.

Even if reaching him is impossible.

If I keep striving. Someday, surely.