The teachers' office was unusually busy.
Normally, after class, teachers relax with tea or chat until the next class, but today, all the teachers were focused on analyzing a pile of documents.
These documents were application forms—many pages long.
When Siana returned from class, she was surprised to see the pile on the desk.
"Oh my, are all these membership applications? There are so many this week."
"Haha, it's the end of the semester. This happens every year around this time. You all are quick to catch on."
At the end of each semester, students are asked to write a paper on a topic of their choice, which they must submit before the new semester starts. However, because presentations at research meetings can count as performance evaluations, students who don't have research meetings often join study groups temporarily at the end of the semester.
Sade, who was helping, said:
"The students are just trying to take shortcuts. It wasn't like this before. They used to really care about their study groups and performance. But now, it seems like everyone is too focused on efficiency."
"Haha! Times have changed. Competition is tougher than it was ten years ago, so it must be stressful. They probably join study groups just to make time for personal study."
"That's true, but aren't they too obsessed with achievements? School days should have their own charm, too."
The teacher smiled bitterly, agreeing with Sade's words.
As he gathered the documents and was about to hand them over to the department, Siana noticed a paper that had fallen under the desk.
"There's one missing."
"Huh? When did you come in? Looks like someone left it behind during class."
"Haha, you must have been in quite a rush."
Siana quickly checked the application to see which student it belonged to.
She adjusted her glasses and looked at the name.
"Wait… Is this Shirone?"
The teacher leaned over to see.
"Ah, Arian Shirone. I didn't think he was interested in study groups. But I guess some students are using tricks to get ahead."
Sade frowned as he took the application from Siana.
"I don't think that's the case. This research group is well-known, right? It was like that when I went there, too."
"Let me see again."
After receiving the paper back, Siana looked closely at the name of the research group Shirone had joined.
It was indeed a famous one: The Society for the Study of Paranormal Psychic Science.
Thinking back to all the trouble she had with the local students in the past, she felt a headache coming on.
Wait a second…
Wasn't it true that most of the troublemakers in the Paranormal Science Research Society graduated last year?
That makes things even more annoying.
Anyway, she remembered hearing that the school had cut the funding for that group due to a lack of members.
The teacher smiled and spoke.
"Come to think of it, I heard Iruki is also a member of this research group. Maybe they just get along well?"
Sade let out a hollow laugh.
"I heard he's great at Speed Gun. They seem to be on good terms. That's surprising."
Siana rubbed her neck, looking troubled.
"Yeah, that's the problem."
If Iruki, who was just as skilled as Shirone, had been tricked, even someone as honest as Shirone might have changed his mind.
But Iruki was crossing a line.
I'm not discriminating against students, but if Shirone teams up with Iruki, there will be two problems. It's better to stop this cycle now.
Siana opened the file to see who was in charge of the Paranormal Science Research Society.
The two people who had been closest to Shirone recently… now she understood why Shirone had joined.
Nade's teacher is…
Siana checked the teacher list and, when she saw the name, she sighed and rubbed her forehead.
Of all people…
In the training center on the outskirts of the magic school, Ethela sat cross-legged, meditating.
The Carsis Monastery, where she trained, was the kingdom's most prestigious monastic order, with over a thousand monk trainees.
Every year, hundreds of children entered the monastery with their families, but only a few showed enough talent to become monks.
Ethela was one of the rare few who stood out.
She had become the youngest bishop, beating out many high-ranking nobles and even royalty.
Being a bishop wasn't just about talent—it was also about the qualities needed for asceticism.
Ethela had left behind wealth and fame to become a teacher at the magic school, with a strong sense of duty to help students complete their education safely.
She felt deep gratitude to nature for shaping her into who she was.
And it was her mission to share that gratitude with others.
At some point, Ethela's eyes sharpened.
Through her heightened senses, she felt someone approaching the training center.
Normally, it's hard to determine a person's gender from just their spirit zone, but Ethela had a unique ability to detect and manipulate the spirit zone.
She was a "Zoner," someone who could control the density and specific gravity of the spirit zone.
Imagine the normal spirit zone is like air—then, a zoner's spirit zone would be more like liquid. This allowed her to sense things much more precisely.
While she was making tea, the door to the training center opened, and Siana entered.
"Welcome, Mr. Siana."
Even though Siana had come unexpectedly, Ethela wasn't surprised by the greeting.
She knew very well how sensitive Siana's spirit zone was.
"You were meditating. Did I interrupt you?"
By the monk's robe Siana wore, Ethela could tell who he was. Still, she shook her head to signal that Siana shouldn't worry.
"No, I'm just finishing up. Please come in."
"Thank you."
Siana sat on the floor, though the cushions were unfamiliar to him. He accepted the tea Ethela offered, holding it with both hands.
Siana knew that the monks were supposed to drink their first cup in silence, so he didn't say a word until he finished the bitter tea.
Even though summer days were long, a golden sunset had already begun outside.
Wanting to speak before it got dark, Siana quickly drank the rest of his tea.
Ethela smiled and said,
"If you've come all the way here, it must be something important."
"Yes, I need your advice on something."
"I see. What's the matter?"
"Are you the teacher in charge of Nade?"
"Yes. He's a bright and energetic student. His grades are good, and he's very talented. He gets along well with the other students."
"Then do you know that he's also the president of the Paranormal Science Research Society?"
"Of course. Did he do something wrong?"
Siana leaned forward, speaking with more intensity.
"I'm planning to disband the study group he leads. I thought it would be respectful to ask the teacher in charge first, so that's why I came."
Ethela smiled gently and sipped her tea.
After thinking for a moment, she finally spoke.
"If it's your decision, I'm sure it's for the students' good. But I would like to hear your reasons."
"The Paranormal Psychic Science Research group has had many issues for years. It had a bad reputation even before I became a teacher here. Of course, they had some achievements, but things have changed. When I reviewed their records, I found that they haven't held a single official presentation in the last three years. Instead, they've done nothing but cause trouble that deserves discipline."
"But as you said, that's all in the past, isn't it? The current president is Nade. Can't you just wait a little longer? The Paranormal Science Research Society has been around for a long time. I know Mr. Mikea Goald, the president of the Tormia Magic Association, is from there."
Siana had anticipated this response, so he pulled out a card he had prepared.
"Shirone submitted his application for membership today."
"..."
Ethela fell silent.
"You know Iruki is part of the group, right? All three of them are students the school is paying attention to in different ways. I can't interfere with their socializing, but the study group isn't just a club. Many students are focused on their performance assessments, so if you join just because you're close to them, you'll fall behind," Sade said, reminiscing about his school days. But Siana thought differently.
What's he talking about? Students today are far more aware of the current situation. Times have changed.
Ethela chuckled and covered her mouth.
"That's typical of Teacher Siana. Well, the three of them are promising students that the school has high hopes for. If their grades drop, it'd be a loss for the school too."
Siana didn't disagree.
"I don't think it's a bad thing to nurture talented students. That's my educational philosophy."
"Yes, I completely understand," Ethela nodded with a smile. But Siana began to regret her earlier words.
What a kind person.
Now she understood why the students liked Ethela so much.
She's talking about the educational system in front of a teacher. I'm sure Ethela has her own thoughts. Maybe she understands what I'm saying more than I realize.
Siana sighed.
"I don't know. I don't really get it. Why do kids with limitless potential try to go down a different path? And why did Shirone end up joining something like that?"
Ethela didn't respond immediately. She just stared quietly at her teacup, lost in thought. She was the only one who knew about Shirone's Nirvana.
The reason she hadn't reported it to the school was because Shirone's life could change drastically because of it.
It's Shirone's realm, his choice. I wanted him to decide for himself, if possible…
Siana's passion for her students made her bring up difficult topics.
"Has Shirone been acting strangely lately?" she asked.
Siana blinked.
"Well, actually, there are a few strange things. It's all because he's been hanging out with those kids, and he joined the study group. I think Nade and Iruki tricked him into it."
"There might be another reason," Ethela said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?" Siana asked.
"I'm sorry I didn't mention this sooner, but something changed in Shirone during the speed gun test."
Ethela explained how Shirone had entered Nirvana during the test.
Siana's face turned pale.
"Really? That's an immortal ability."
It was impressive, of course. But reaching the highest level didn't necessarily mean everything was perfect.
From a realm perspective, there were times when someone less skilled or experienced could realize a deeper truth than a wizard. For someone like Shirone, who was still a student, this could actually be dangerous.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? This is a problem that goes beyond the school," Siana said, her voice urgent.
Ethela believed that no problem was too small or big. All depended on the mindset of the person involved, which was why she had left the decision to Shirone.
"Shirone already knows. Nirvana is the ultimate enlightenment, something I've never even touched. I thought no one should interfere with that."
"I understand how you feel, Miss Ethela. You can't impose something you don't understand on others. But what if it overflows? What if it becomes irreversible?"
Overflow happens when a talent awakens at a mentally immature age.
Some people say that the younger you are, the more likely you are to experience overflow, but Siana always thought such talk was just the ramblings of the privileged.
Siana herself had experienced overflow at the age of nine.
At that time, the world she saw wasn't full of curiosity—it was a terrifying, endless sea of questions. The more she learned, the bigger the question of why? became, until it turned into a monster that devoured her mind.
She was so scared, she couldn't bear it. She locked herself away in darkness.
Despite the school's attention, her condition showed no signs of improving.
Siana remembered that year-long darkness and the single ray of light that broke through it.
A boy with blond hair, seen through a crack in the door.
If he hadn't reached out to her, she wouldn't be here today.
"Miss Ethela," Siana said, snapping out of her flashback.
"I suffered from overflow when I was younger. I'm sure you did too, Miss Ethela."
It might have seemed like a foolish question.
The average age for a wizard to reach the official 6th level was twenty-eight.
Siana and Ethela were both twenty-six, and it had been six years since they reached that level.
Considering that it typically took 10 years to advance from Grade 6 to Grade 5, achieving such a rank was impressive, even among Grade 6 students.
"Yes, I first experienced it when I was seven. That's why I entered the Karsis Monastery. But thanks to meeting good people there, I was able to escape safely."
Though she was two years older than Siana, this wasn't something to be envious of.
"It must have been difficult."
The younger you are, the more terrifying the experience is.
"It was terrifying. If I hadn't joined the monastery, I probably wouldn't have survived normally."
This was possible because the Karsis Monastery was home to the world's greatest seekers.
"But why are you neglecting Shirone? I know he's a smart kid, but the immortal function must have affected his mind in some way. It's probably still influencing him."
"There's no one who can help Shirone. Only those who've experienced the immortal function can truly understand it. If you seek help early on, it might be okay, but rushing in could cause negative changes in his mind. For now, we can only wait and see."
Siana felt frustrated.
"But what if something irreversible happens? If there's a drastic change in Shirone's mind, it'll be too late. No one will be able to take responsibility."
Ethela set down her teacup.
"I don't teach students to take responsibility. I believe that Shirone will overcome this."
"But…"
"But," Ethela's eyes glowed.
"If the worst happens, I'm prepared to atone for Shirone for the rest of my life."
Siana fell silent.
Ethela's willingness to risk everything for Shirone's future was something only a true seeker—rather than just a teacher—would do.
Siana clasped her hands together, realizing that perhaps it was she who lacked the resolve.
"I understand what you mean, teacher."
The Society for the Study of Paranormal and Psychic Sciences
The iron door creaked open, and Nade and Shirone stepped inside, clouds of dust rising.
"Poo-poo!"
As Shirone waved his hands, trying to clear the dust, Nade flopped down on the sofa.
Iruki was busy playing chess.
He held the black and white pieces alternately, moving them without even thinking. As soon as one round ended, he immediately lined up for the next.
"Are you here? How was your day?"
"So-so. Nothing really fun happened."
Shirone sighed as he observed his friends.
Iruki skipped class every day to play chess, while Nade came to the study group only to sleep.
"Iruki, you missed your afternoon class again, didn't you? What are you going to do if you get suspended?"
"It's fine. I'll just raise my test score to make up for the missed attendance. That way, it'll be like I was there."
It was a cheeky answer, but it was hard to refute because Iruki was right.