The students gathered around the magic power measurement device murmured.
"ā¦."
On the other hand, Yorbi tightly shut her mouth, and the reason for the students' shock was clear.
On average, the age at which one begins to study magic is around 7 years old. Only after a certain level of cognitive ability is established can one begin to study magic.
And among them, a year is the time needed just to lay the foundation, not to perform proper magic. In other words, it's the process of barely taking the first steps.
Only after this process can one earnestly accumulate and refine magic power. In contrast, how about Damian?
'He's a genius.'
It's impossible to understand with ordinary common sense.
Perhaps they are of a different kind from the start.
Even if the time is the same, the growth of a wyvern and a dragon is different. From the beginning, the difference in their limits is vast, and the growth rate is steep.
The final magic power measurement result for Damian was as follows.
<Refinement Level: 9>
<Total Level: 67>
"Oh, is this a mistake?"
"No, it can't be a mistake. Why would a mistake happen now?"
It's not unreasonable for the students to think this way.
This is beyond the level of being outstanding for his age.
Not only the refinement level but also the total level, he has the potential to easily surpass Assistant Professor Yorbi in a few years.
'Assistant professors are ranked at level 6ā¦'
Even now, in terms of magic power and refinement level, he is on par with level 6.
Of course, there could be a difference in capability.
It's not just about the amount of magic power and refinement level; to reach level 6, one must accumulate a certain amount of merit. Experience is different.
Even so, his exceptional talent remains unchanged.
"Remarkableā¦ talent."
A somewhat suppressed voice escaped from Yorbi's lips. Of course, such an expression didn't last long. Or rather, it almost didn't.
If it weren't for Damian's words.
"Who are you?"
"ā¦."
Of course, he wasn't asking Yorbi, the assistant professor, but me. Damian, despite growing up beautifully, still knows his place.
I answered.
"Assistant Professor, that isā¦ teacher."
"Ah! Assistant Professor! Hello."
As Damian greeted her cheerfully, Yorbi nodded with a smile, though her face was subtly tense.
I could roughly understand her psychology.
'That's usually how ordinary people react to geniuses.'
Unfathomable achievements.
There's no way ordinary common sense can catch up with such brilliance.
Still, if one has a strong will, they will strive to improve themselves. But for those who don't, their psychology is easily shaken.
It seems Yorbi's will wasn't that strong.
'Is it envy, or a bit of inferiority complex?'
Either way, it's not my concern.
That said.
'Damian's magic power level is quite outstanding.'
I knew he was a genius, but the numbers far exceeded the average.
Seeing this, I could understand how the 'monster of the Brandau family' in my previous life was born. In other words, he was fundamentally different from the start.
At the same time, I thoughtā¦
'In my previous life, I really didn't put in much effort.'
'If the Brandau family hadn't fallenā¦'
If Hengji hadn't researched the New Heaven's Power and Deculan hadn't had a reason to attack Brandauāthus allowing Damian to become a seasoned magician.
Perhaps the map of the eastern continent in the next generation could have been reorganized with Brandau at the center.
'He might have even threatened Deculan's stronghold.'
The top magical family of the eastern continent.
Reclaiming that title.
'But they ultimately fell.'
Of course, this life might be a bit different.
No, I intend to make it different.
To prevent the Deculan family from obtaining the New Heaven's Power and to ensure the Brandau family remains a thorn in Deculan's side.
I intend to make it happen.
Just as I was thinking this, Yorbi's voice was heard.
"Is your name Damian? Indeed, your talent lives up to the Brandau family's reputation. However, don't be complacent. A magician's level is not determined solely by magic power and refinement level."
A magician's level is not determined by magic power alone.
'That's true.'
Yorbi's words, though annoying, were not wrong.
Magic power is merely fuel.
Having a lot of magic power or a high refinement level doesn't change a magician's level.
A true magician must have a deep understanding and application of magic, and must gain insight through relentless effort.
Howeverā¦
'Damian's insight is also outstanding.'
The only thing lacking is his own will.
"Yes!"
Damian answered Yorbi's words with vigor and then looked at me.
"Friend. Did you get measured too? How much did you get?"
"Not yet."
"Then, let's measure it!"
At Damian's words, the students moved away.
There were still many students waiting in the back, but the same applied to them.
It's not just because Damian is the young master of the Brandau family and they are intimidated by his reputation.
They are also curious.
Me, who travels with the Brandau family's young master. Though they don't know my exact background, they know I'm not from a prestigious family.
Yet, I defeated the second son of the Dolanpega family.
'They must be curious about my level.'
Yorbi seemed to be the same, leading me to the magic power measurement device. Her slightly tense expression suggested she was concerned.
"Shall we try it?"
I didn't ignore their interest.
After all, I have to measure my magic power at some point.
The sooner, the better.
'Howeverā¦'
I stood in front of the magic power measurement device and looked at the crystal ball.
Usually, one thinks,
'If it goes well, that's good.'
But it's troublesome.
All sorts of troublesome things will follow.
Let's aim for the middle.
Not really aiming to be just average, but to show the surroundings just that level.
"Student, what's your name?"
"Aster."
"Alright, Aster. Now, let's try to channel your magic power."
I nodded and channeled my magic power into the measurement device.
Fooling the magic power measurement device is a very simple task.
Or rather, it's simple for me and my comrades.
'So, let's seeā¦'
Adjusting the quality of my magic power appropriately.
I channeled the appropriate amount of magic power.
Ding, ding.
The sound of the device operating.
The circuits of the measurement device worked busily to determine the refinement level of my magic power.
However, there was one thing I overlooked.
'Or rather, why did they set the standard so low?'
Perhaps because the target is academy students, the standard for determining the refinement level was set too low.
As a resultā¦
<Refinement Level: 5, 6, 7ā¦>
The numbers kept rising.
<Refinement Level: 10>
It quickly reached level 10.
Beep!
A warning sound rang out.
The message that appeared read:
<Standard exceeded. Please reset the standard.>
"ā¦"
I was silent.
"ā¦"
Yorbi was also silent.
"What?"
"Standard exceeded?"
On the other hand, the M3 class magic students murmured in confusion. After all, they probably thought the maximum refinement level was 10.
However, that wasn't the case.
Originally, the magic power measurement device can be applied not only to people but also to objects. The levels vary depending on the set standard.
In other words, the same level 1 can have different meanings depending on the standard.
In short, my refinement level exceeded the value set in the measurement device.
Meanwhile, only Damian was excited.
"Amazing!"
Seeing a friend who is better than himself, jealousy should be normal, but Damian's admiration was pure, without a hint of envy.
I turned my head slightly and looked at Yorbi.
"It seems there's an error. We should probably measure Damian againā¦"
"Perhapsā¦ that's the case."
Yorbi nodded as if she understood.
Because it's impossible for an academy student to exceed this standard.
After all, even an assistant professor at the academy is at level 10.
However, Damian didn't agree.
"No, it's not."
Shut up.
"I know."
Shut up.
"It's correct."
Yes, Damian probably knows. A genius isn't a genius for nothing. He probably had an intuitive insight the moment he saw it, even if he can't explain it.
But Damian needs to understand this.
This world is full of ordinary people.
"Let'sā¦ try again."
"Yes, let's do that."
Yorbi, with a doubtful expression, reset the device.
Then, she measured Damian again, but his numbers didn't change. They were the same as before.
<Refinement Level: 9>
<Total Level: 67>
"See, it's correct."
Damian, with a somewhat sulky expression, grumbled.
But it's fine.
I can make it not match.
"ā¦"
I channeled my magic power into the measurement device again. This time, I was more careful and made sure to make my magic power more impure than my standard.
As a result.
<Refinement Level: 3>
<Total Level: 15>
I managed to perfectly match the numbers to the average.
"Ah, as expected."
"Was the previous one an error? That makes sense."
The students, who had been watching in silence, finally understood.
Of course, not all students were convinced. Mostly those who remembered my battle with Hixter reacted this way.
"Does that make sense? He defeated Hixter to that extent?"
"Didn't he make Hixter kneel with one magic spell?"
He never made Hixter kneel.
"Remember clearly. He used magic subtly, and Hixter fell. I heard he was covered in blood."
He never made Hixter bleed.
But regardless, doubt is just doubt. Once the numbers are out, they will eventually accept it.
"Hmm."
Yorbi, looking somewhat skeptical, tilted her head, but I just smiled and said,
"Now it's exactly right."
At that moment, Damian's voice was heard.
"Shit."
"ā¦?"
"That's what I call shit."
I tilted my head at the vulgar words, which didn't seem to come from Damian. After all, when did the well-bred Damian learn such words?