Chapter 176 - The Last Trial

Large turkeys, salads, chicken wings, vegetables, gravy, and all thing that one can take leisure to eat was just lying atop the long tables. The students were chattering as they ate. Fireflies that passed by sometimes landed into the back of their palms, imposing a warm, fuzzy glow into their meals.

This time Faustina wasn't being noticed by the people. Their mediums were put into another sequestered space—as the professors had called it. They said that the mediums would come back to them after they would be assigned their houses.

That was the star of the night. 

The assigning of Houses in each and every student. Everyone seemed to be excited about that, but they were famished. No one paid attention to other things other than the food, the academy's magnificence, and getting to know each other more. Soon, the entirety of the Great Hall was filled with an air as warm as firefly light. 

Faustina, at that moment, had her worries eased. All of her thoughts about earlier vanished as her head was filled with nothing but the present. 

"Say, the food is ten times more delicious here… or am I just hungry?" Leviticus asked as he munches on a drumstick. 

"Well, we did have our stamina decrease when our bodies' mana got replenished," Michelle stated as she ate the salad promptly. 

"Decreasing stamina?" Faustina asked.

"Yes. Although the teachers didn't say it, I examined my body to see the effects of the suddenness of our mana returning on their original state." Michelle exclaimed. "Since all of us came back to the academy with our wounds healing and even our clothes coming back to their unruffled state, I figured that there must be something that is decreasing in some place."

"Decreasing in some place?" Faustina tilted her head.

It was Leviticus who spoke. "You see, magic always has an equivalent exchange. For example, mana is required to convert elemental matter into magic. The same goes for darkness for black magic. Necromancy for life. At some point, there is something that is needed to 'increase' and 'decrease' to maintain balance." Leviticus said. "So what Michelle was saying is that there is probably an area in our body that had served as the 'decreasing' agent for the magic to happen."

"Oh… I see." Faustina exclaimed. "So, it's our stamina?"

"Yes. I realized that we were all famished afterward. This was why Magierstadt offered us a full course meal to make up for the decreased stamina we got." Michelle said. "But that's just my hypotheses," she then munched on her salad once more.

"Stamina… huh?"

Faustina was still in awe over magic. Back in the castle in Feuersturm, Orwell had taught her the ways of magic. The very basics. How the elements were converted into matter, the theories of magic by Goldenfag and Folkmanor. Faustina also remembered how Orwell had taught her how to float objects.

Faustina wanted to chuckle.

He basically taught her magic the level of a child…

But Faustina couldn't blame him. He was clearly not cut for teaching, considering he was more on the branch of research. Orwell Lotheringwood though, had helped her develop the foundations of magic in her mind. She was able to catch up this far because of his teachings. 

Faustina couldn't blame Orwell about her mana's surge. She didn't expect it herself, and neither could he. Faustina's mana, as Sheila had said, was 'sealed' and only a small amount was leaking. The leak was what enables her to use magic. Orwell said that the leak on her seal was insufficient to have her summon large-scaled spells. Of course, she believed this to be a fact. Faustina could only use wind magic to lift objects by that time. Despite this, however, Orwell still taught her how to cast stronger spells like a whirlpool and a slash. Faustina was only able to execute such spells into the dungeon, and she guessed—that maybe it was due to the sudden strain to her body which led her mana surging like crazy.

"Well, that's a bit far-fetched, actually." It was Stella, who was in front of them. She was drinking from the chalice. Putting down the cup, Stella glanced at Michelle. "I'm not feeling famished. What does it mean?"

"Er… I haven't considered the possibilities just yet." Michelle answered. "But it may have something to do on how much mana you spent… maybe?"

"There are other factors as well. Like how hungry the person is in actuality." Leviticus exclaimed. "Though there are other conditions concerning stamina like fatigue and sleepiness."

Even though Faustina could follow, she still couldn't think about theories of her own. She wasn't that smart, after all. Back at the cabin, she had only spent her time studying medical books. She had never even touched a magic book even once until the last few months. Faustina had thought about how time flew fast. She glanced towards Leviticus, who was talking to Michelle about her theory.

"You're very keen, aren't you, Leviticus?" Faustina said as she smiled. Leviticus blinked, turning towards her in surprise. Faustina glanced towards Michelle and Stella as well. "You too, Michelle. Stella."

"You flatter us, Lady Feuerlon," Stella exclaimed.

"Just Faustina is fine," Faustina says, waving her hand slightly.

Leviticus stared at Faustina who was talking with Michelle and the others. She seemed to be livelier now, compared to earlier when she looked confused and apprehensive. When she was able to defeat the undead maid, there were words the maid had mouthed. None of them understood what she had said, but Faustina, on the other hand—Leviticus felt as if she knew something. Even though it would feel like he was overestimating her, Leviticus knew that she could easily exceed his expectations.

"Faustina…"

Leviticus blinked as an unexpected person suddenly arrived.

"E-Ezekiel?" Faustina was as surprised as he was. In fact, all of those within the vicinity were.

Ezekiel Unsterblich had arrived and he was so dazzling as ever… so they say. Leviticus couldn't deny this, though. He had a distinct silver hair and a pair of amethyst eyes. None but those in Magierstadt, the country of magic, had these traits. And if his already striking features already weren't enough, Ezekiel Johann Usterblich was also blessed with a handsome face; the features were the semblance of his mother, Anna Unsterblich. 

His appearance alone made both boys and girls' eyes glued upon him. And the fact that he was the next schoolmaster made the nobles look at him with deep awe and fascination as well. 

So… the moment he came towards Faustina, all were intrigued to the highest degree.

"Congratulations on passing the exam," Leviticus exclaimed as he handed a piece of flower—similar to the color of his eyes—to her. Faustina marveled at the flower in Leviticus' hand. As she reached upon it, the flower changed color into that of a cyan-colored gleam.

"Ohh…" Faustina's chocolate-brown eyes were fixated upon the flower. "This is…"

"That is a flower that reflects the gems inside the hearts of those who touches them," Leviticus exclaimed. "They're kind of similar to mediums of magic, except these flowers are only made to look pretty."

Faustina blinked, accepting the flower which was glowing a cyan gleam.

"T-thank you…"

Ezekiel only smiled, and then went back to the long table where he belonged. 

"What was that!!!"

"Did you guys see that? Ezekiel Unsterblich gave her a flower!!!"

"But who's that girl, anyway?"

"I heard it's the Duke of Feuersturm's youngest daughter."

Faustina shrunk to her seat once again. She was receiving attention yet again and she didn't like it one bit. Although she felt a bit happier now, as she held the flower that Ezekiel had given her. 

**

Leviticus stared at Faustina who was slightly red in the cheeks as she held the flower Ezekiel had given her. Leviticus felt irate for some reason. He couldn't pin down what reason, though. He glanced towards the people who were all chattering about how Ezekiel was lovely and amazing even up-close.

"Are you alright, Faustina?" Leviticus asked.

"Y-yes," Faustina answered. "Thank you, Levi."

Leviticus narrowed his eyes at Faustina's blushing cheeks.

For some reason, indeed… he didn't like it one bit.

**

The students' chatters died down instantly when the teachers had called upon their attention. Professor Zoe Klein, who was the Dean for Charms, moved to the front. The food into the great hall began to disappear as the plates and chalices returned to their original state. 

Faustina straightened herself.

The awaited event was starting.

"So this is the moment of truth for us, huh?" Says Leviticus.

"I'm so nervous..." Michelle exclaimed.

Faustina took a deep breath as she stares into the bracelet that the professor had pulled from her sleeve.

"Now then," Professor Zoe Klein announces. "Let us begin the last trial—the assigning of your Ianuas!"

**

Chain's corner:

I honestly can't wait to write about the romance that is going to be in the later chapters. Anyways, I'm thinking of doing chapters with AUs or alternative universes. You guys can comment down below what universes you would like me to do on special chapters!