Published: September 6, 2025
The efficiency of mana consumption improved so much that I couldn’t stop the mana by my own will anymore—it just kept overflowing with blessings uncontrollably. After messing up during the practical music exam, I passed the test but quickly called Richarda through Ordnance and fled back to the dormitory.
“What should I do, Richarda? Even if I try to stop the mana like before, it just won’t stop. I think it’s because of the Blessing Ritual…”
“Princess, I’m terribly sorry, but I don’t really understand that state. Back when I was at the noble academy, we obtained the stave after undergoing the Blessing Ritual…”
Richarda said with a troubled expression. Apparently, the old curriculum, which had students get their staves after completing their growth and receiving the divine blessings, had a proper reason behind it. I was at a loss, unable to think of any way to suppress the blessings or properly control the mana flow.
...Isn’t that why in the past they waited until after growth was complete and the blessing was received before obtaining the stave!? Aaaah! Who’s responsible for arbitrarily changing the curriculum!?
“I’m pretty sure even during Lord Ferdinand’s time, the stave was acquired after the Blessing Ritual. After obtaining the stave, there was no significant increase in blessings or drastic changes in mana efficiency. Since Professor Hilsure will be here tonight, why don’t you consult with him?”
“...I will.”
Dinner time arrived, and Hilsure came over. He looked like he had a headache, but my own head was aching just to greet him.
“Professor Hilsure, controlling mana became extremely difficult after yesterday’s ritual. I barely feel the mana consumption, and during the music practical, the blessings wouldn’t stop. What should I do?”
“I have no idea. If no one really suffers from the blessings overflowing, then just let them flow freely. For details, ask Lord Ferdinand.”
He immediately threw the problem back at me, saying he couldn’t solve problems caused by too much mana.
“Lord Wilfried, can we talk after dinner?”
“Hmm. To avoid confusion, I’ve had attendants prepare a room so only those involved can discuss. After dinner, let’s move there.”
Having a meal with the dorm supervisor present is not unusual in other dorms, but it was a very rare sight at Ehrenfest. Everyone was watching Hilsure, wondering what had happened.
Hilsure didn’t mention Ehrenfest’s mistake during the Blessing Ritual at all. Instead, he praised the students who had all passed the first day of the exam for two consecutive days.
“The academic lessons at Ehrenfest are excellent. Everyone has continued to pass on the first day, right? The teachers have a much higher opinion of Ehrenfest because its results have improved every year.”
Not only in academics but also in practical skills, the number of students learning and applying rosemine-style mana compression to increase their mana has steadily risen, so overall performance has improved yearly.
“I thought performance would drop sharply after Angelica, Cornelius, and Hartmut graduated, especially in practical skills, but the successors like Leonore, Matthias, and Laurenz are also improving as excellent students. The three lord candidates are all outstanding. I look forward to this year’s results as well.”
Recently, since Ehrenfest’s first-day passing has become expected, people don’t get too surprised anymore. Even when everyone passes on the first day, the response is more like, “I figured as much.”
That’s why hearing that teachers are raising their evaluations and that overall performance improves every year feels genuinely rewarding when coming from an outside perspective.
“Ferdinand’s demands are unreasonable. I’m giving my all to pass on the first day.”
These days, many students become mentally unstable if they don’t have goals to focus on. The first news of the purge arrived, but no further reports have come. Still, I have no intention of revealing information about the purge to Hilsure yet.