"HRAAGH!"
A crisp thwack echoed from the Magic Tool¹-a device that looked remarkably like a standard punching machine.
"Sakaki Reo: Strength, E-Rank."
Well, at least it wasn't an F. Since F was the absolute rock bottom, I guess all that training actually paid off. I mean, I was still on the lower end, but progress was progress.
By the way, the protagonist, Todoroki... actually, calling him that was a bit weird now.
Rekka had stepped up to this same Magic Tool (I didn't even catch the name of it before it was in pieces) and absolutely demolished it, scoring an undisputed S-Rank.
"Hmph...!"
"Sakaki Reo: Speed, E-Rank."
This test was a sprint, basically a 100-meter dash. I was always better at long-distance running, so I considered it a win just to stay out of the F-Rank gutter. My record was 9.58 seconds; in this world, that wasn't exactly slow, but it wasn't going to turn any heads either.
"Uwoooooh...!"
"...Um, Todo-sensei, this is..."
"Hmm... No, I can't be the judge of this."
Standing on the magic circle, I held my hands at my sides to create an aura, just like the Z-Fighters² charging their Ki before a battle. As expected, the upperclassmen holding the measuring devices just looked confused.
"Sakaki Reo: Magic, F-Rank."
Figures. I totally saw that coming.
"No, I mean... You, are you holding back, kid?"
"Why would you even think that?!"
Todo-sensei said something terrifying, so I barked back reflexively. I'm giving this everything I've got, okay?!
"The people around you are all shattering records. They're definitely this year's aces. But when the guy at the center of the group turns in results like this, you can't blame me for being suspicious, right?"
Ugh... he had a point. From the outside, it looked incredibly fishy. But I really am just a Mob character, Todo-sensei...! That's what I want to screaaaam...!
"...(I get it, Reo. You're hiding your true strength, aren't you?)"
"...(I understand, Reo. Your power is far too great for a mere machine to measure.)"
"...(I understand, Reo-san. You must have your reasons for this deception, right?)"
"...(I see right through you, Reo. You're trying not to stand out, but you don't have to lie to us.)"
The protagonist's party was all watching me. I expected them to look at me with total contempt... Wait, what? Why are they all nodding like they're in on a secret? You guys did see my scores, right?
"Ah, the third group is starting their endurance test. You guys haven't done it yet, right? Go do it together."
"You got it, Professor! Alright, let's do this, Reo!"
"Heh... Shall we, Reo?"
"Ugh, I seriously hate running..."
"It looks like we pick our weights first. Reo-san, which weights are you going to use?"
Eh? We have to run with weights? An endurance test wasn't even in the original game, so this is uncharted territory.
"I'm not wearing any."
""""!?""""
Well, obviously. Unlike these guys, I don't have a drop of natural talent. Why would I make it harder on myself?
"Then I won't wear any either!"
"Yeah, I'll follow Reo's lead."
"No objections!"
"Let's do that, then."
Why?! Shouldn't you guys be wearing weights to boost your grades? At this school, high marks meant serious privileges—priority training hall access, free meals at the cafeteria... it's all super helpful stuff.
"Ho..."
Wait, Todo-sensei just smirked.
"...(Not bad, Sakaki. He's correctly read the intent behind this exam. Gravity magic is applied during the endurance test, and weights only multiply that burden. Sure, if you can finish with weights, your grade goes up... but if you can't finish at all, your grade won't move. The greedy ones will just sabotage themselves. This test is about survival. Those who don't have the stamina to judge their own limits don't last long on a battlefield. I was hoping to flush out their weaknesses, but...)"
I suddenly felt a chill. Like a shiver running down my spine.
"Oh, Sakaki-kun is in this group? In that case, maybe I'll join in too."
"Liesha-san!"
"You're..."
"Nice to meet you, everyone. I'm Liesha Edelheit from Class E. I'm also a friend of Sakaki-kun's. Glad to meet you."
"...Ah, I'm Todoroki Rekka (he/him)! Nice to meet ya!"
"Hmm... You clearly have some skill. As expected of someone close to Reo. My name is Hyouga Mikiya."
"It's been a while, Liesha-san. It's a shame we weren't in the same class, but I expect I'll be dropping by Reo-san's class quite often, so let's get along."
"I'm Doumeki Misuzu! If you're Reo's friend, I guess it can't be helped!"
They all seemed to accept her without any drama. I wasn't sure why I felt like a proud parent, but I'll take it.
We declined the weights from the staff upperclassmen and lined up at the start. Quite a few of the other participants were wrapping weights around their arms and legs. Man, everyone is so confident.
The signal flared, and we all took off. Looking ahead, I could see flickers of purple mana dancing across the track. Purple is the color of traps. In other words, if you touch those, some kind of trap will go off. What's more, they're packed so tightly that it'd be impossible to dodge them if you were just running normally.
Well, I can see them, so I'll manage. I sprinted through, threading the needle through the tiny gaps.
"Huff... puff...! (S-stunning, Reo. He's sprinting through this gravity like it's nothing...!)"
"Kh... (My eyes didn't deceive me. Reo, you really are...!)"
"Hah... hah... (This gravity is intense. And yet, even under this pressure, Reo-san is so calm... He's incredible.)"
"Urgh... I don't think I can... (It's not just me; even Rekka (he/him), Saionji-san, and Hyouga look like they're struggling, yet Reo is just cruising along. Is he a monster?! Magic buffs are banned, too-just how powerful is he?!)"
"Ngh... (You're amazing, Sakaki-kun. He's moving at a speed that makes it look like the gravity isn't even there...!)"
I kept running, and somehow, I ended up finishing in first place.
"Sakaki Reo: Stamina, S-Rank!"
""""WHOAAAAA!!""""
Cheers erupted from the crowd. Wait, all I did was run.
Looking back, the protagonist's party and Liesha arrived a little while after me. Oh, I get it. They must have run slowly on purpose to let me take the win. Everyone's so nice.
"Heh heh... I see how it is. I've finally seen through your power."
"Todo-sensei?"
"'The Evil Eye'³-that's your power."
"""""!?"""""
Wait, wasn't that a power unique to the Demon King?! None of the main characters or even the side-cast were supposed to have a skill like that. Does this mean I get to say cool stuff like, "Don't underestimate the power of my Evil Eye...!" now?! Maybe I can even fire off a 'Demon King's Dragon-Slaying Black Flame Wave'... though there's no way I could fire that with my pathetic amount of magic power.
"To think you'd dodge every single trap. Good grief. I was planning on taking everyone to see the teacher who uses 'Talent Discernment' after this, but... Sakaki, along with Todoroki, Saionji, Hyouga, Doumeki, and Liesha-you six, follow me now."
"""""!! Yes, sir! """""
By being called by Todo-sensei, everyone gets excited. After all, being called out by Todo-sensei during the Ability Measurement was proof in itself that you were a "special student." The problem was that, for some reason, I was called too.
Even though I was E-rank in strength and speed, and a measly F-rank in magic, I was being called just because of this "Evil Eye"? I mean, sure, the "Evil Eye" was a special skill in the sense that no one else had it, but I didn't think it was actually that good of a skill.
"Hey, Sakaki, hurry up and follow me."
"!! Ah, right!"
Everyone had stopped and was staring at me, so I hurried after him.
Summary:
Reo undergoes his ability measurement at the academy. Despite achieving low ranks in physical and magical stats, his decision to avoid weights during the stamina test allows him to effortlessly dodge magical traps. This leads Professor Todo to mistakenly conclude that Reo possesses a legendary 'Evil Eye'.
Trivia:
- Reo's Speed rank (E) and specific time (9.58s) are actually decent for this world.
- The endurance test was not present in the original game Reo played.
- The purple mana traps were invisible or difficult to see for others, but Reo saw them plain as day.
- The 'Evil Eye' is a power historically restricted to the Demon King.
- The 'Talent Discernment' teacher is the next step in the measurement process
Character Insight:
Reo's humility and desire to remain a 'mob' paradoxically make him stand out more. His friends' high opinions of him lead to a massive misunderstanding where they view his genuine average stats as intentional deception.
Behind the Scenes:
The 'Z-Fighters' and 'Ki' references are direct nods to the Dragon Ball franchise, common in the 'Narou' web novel style to establish a character's Earthly origins.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ Magic Tool: Artifacts infused with magical properties used for various utility tasks.
2 ↩ Z-Fighters: A reference to the protagonists of Dragon Ball Z.
3 ↩ Evil Eye (Magan): A high-tier ocular skill, often considered a cheat or cursed ability.
Notes:
• Reo - Reincarnated HS dude who grinded 'Brave Fantasy' 100+ times, now a bland mob in the game world—black hair, Class E #6 by the back door, F-rank stats but plot meta-knowledge + magic flow reading to sideline-support heroes. Lil' bro to Saki & Taku, survives as background bro.
• Liesha Edelheit - A student in Class E. Known as the 'Sword Saint' and the strongest sub-character. A young girl with S-rank strength and speed. She was saved by Todo Seiya in the past and blamed herself for his injury. She approaches Reo at the end of the chapter. Beautiful girl with silver hair that shimmers in the sunlight, long slender limbs, and an idol-like face. She admires Todo Seiya.
• Todoroki Rekka - Red-haired 'Brave Fantasy' true protag—hot-blooded, friendly Class A golden boy with sky-high phys/magic stats, 'Child Prodigy of East Middle.' Big Four member, body reinforcement magic ace, calls Reo 'buddy,' zero chill on personal space, popular frank dude with bottomless optimism.
• Hyouga Mikiya - The protagonist's rival known as the 'Ice King of Kitachu.' He has the ability to manipulate ice with extreme precision. Member of the 'Big Four'. A student in Class B. He can use 'Light Ice' magic. He has a prickly exterior but acknowledges the strength of others.
• Doumeki Misuzu - Blonde twin-tail main heroine and childhood friend of the game's protag, reppin' the 'Big Four' crew in Class B—classic LN childhood bestie with that iconic twintail bounce, ready for some feel-good romcom hijinks.