To be honest, I had already begun to realize it.
It must be because my status was 999. Maybe my job as a Great Magician also played a part. It really wasn't an error. I could really use magic, and it was far from normal.
"Hanaoka-san, I know that. That's not what I mean," the teacher said. "Why did it turn out like that? I've taught for quite a long time, but I've never seen anything like it."
"Ah, I think it's because of my status and job," I answered. "Sensei, you don't know my status and such?"
"There's no way a teacher like me would know such private things."
"Oh, really? Just between us, my magic-type status is 999."
"What!? What did you say? Say it again. Maybe my ears are broken."
"999."
"999?"
"Yes, 999."
"999..."
The teacher froze. After a long half-minute of silence, he acted as if nothing had happened and moved on to the next magic.
"Right, next is ice magic, 'Ice Bullet.' I'll show you first, so watch. Here I go. Spirits of the air, send out your cold breath. Answer my call and show yourself here! Ice Bullet!"
A block of ice appeared before the teacher and flew to the target, hitting it cleanly.
"Like that. Now each of you try."
We took turns chanting, just like before. Then my turn came. I was still a bit embarrassed, but since it was my second time, I felt I could let go of that feeling.
"A-hem. Spirits of the air, answer my call and show yourself here! Ice Bullet!"
A block of ice formed in front of me, then shot toward the target and hit it. But, just like with Fire, it was not normal.
A huge block of ice, about one meter wide, flew at the target and smashed it, stand and all, into pieces.
"Hmm... Hanaoka-san, I think you can stop now," the teacher said. "If we lose more targets, we'll be in trouble. Even a national school has a budget. Yes, Hanaoka-san, you can watch for now."
"Watch? But I need to train like everyone or I won't be able to use magic."
"I'll give you this textbook. Study alone so you don't bother others. And don't speak the chant aloud by mistake."
"If I don't say it, I won't know if it works."
"Well, I think you'll be fine, Hanaoka-san."
"Sigh..."
It was only my second day here, so his "you'll be fine" didn't help at all. We were supposed to be placed somewhere in three months, so there was no way they would keep me from real training... right? I hoped so. I knew I could use fire and ice, but I didn't even know about the others.
From then on, I really did only watch the practical lessons from the side. I just watched the other students try different magic.
At least I got the same textbook as the others, so maybe I could practice alone later.
A group of girls gathered to talk, and I felt their eyes on me now and then. Watching like this was a bit painful.
"Hey, hey, Hanaoka-san was amazing," one girl whispered.
"Yeah, I didn't know that could happen. I was shocked. Adults really are different~"
"I think Hanaoka-san will move up in the future, right? For sure. If he is already like that, then his future is set, right?"
"Maybe now is our only chance."
...Maybe because I had nothing to do, my body grew cold, and I felt a little chill.