Alex pulled out his phone and tried to scroll through his messages, but most of them were either asking for magic lessons or proposing marriage. A few were from news outlets wanting interviews, which was baffling because he was just a student who'd thrown an apple core.
One message caught his attention: "From: Unknown Number - We need to talk about your background. Meet me at the old oak tree behind the library at midnight. Come alone. This is about who you really are."
Alex stared at the message. Who he really was? He was a guy who liked sleeping and eating and being left alone. That was pretty much it.
He was about to delete the message when someone sat down across from him.
"You're a hard person to find," said a voice.
Alex looked up to see a girl with short black hair and the kind of serious expression that suggested she was used to being in charge. She was wearing a student council badge and had a tablet tucked under her arm.
"I'm sorry," Alex said. "Do I know you?"
"Sarah Chen. Student council president. No relation, despite the name."
"Oh. Hi."
"I wanted to talk to you about the monthly assessments."
Alex closed his phone. "What about them?"
"I think you should consider not trying your hardest."
"What?"
Sarah leaned forward. "Look, I've been watching you. The apple core thing, the way you helped Emma, the way you manipulate mana like it's breathing. You're not average."
"I'm really just average."
"No, you're not. And if you perform at your actual level during the assessment, it's going to cause problems."
"What kind of problems?"
"The kind where government agents start asking questions about your background and training. The kind where other schools try to recruit you. The kind where you can't just go to class and eat lunch without being followed by crowds."
Alex looked around the library. Even here, he could see a few students at other tables pretending to study while actually watching him.
"I just want to pass the assessment and move on," he said.
"That's what I'm trying to tell you. If you dominate the assessment, you won't be able to move on. You'll be stuck in the spotlight forever."
"So what do you suggest?"
"Do well enough to avoid suspicion, but not so well that you break the ranking system."
Alex thought about this. "What if I just... don't try very hard?"
"That could work. But you have to be careful. If you obviously hold back, it'll look suspicious too."
"This is more complicated than I thought."
Sarah smiled. "Welcome to academy politics."
"I hate politics."
"I know. That's why I'm trying to help you."
Alex studied her face. She seemed genuinely concerned, which was more than he could say for most people who'd approached him this week.
"Why are you helping me?"
"Because I think you're a good person who got stuck in a bad situation. And because I hate seeing talented people get trapped by their own abilities."
"Are you speaking from experience?"
Sarah's expression darkened slightly. "Let's just say I know what it's like to be expected to perform at a certain level."
They sat in silence for a moment. Outside, Alex could hear the sounds of students preparing for their morning classes.
"I should go," he said. "Professor Stone wants to see me."
"About the assessment?"
"Probably."
Sarah stood up. "Remember what I said. Don't try too hard."
"I'll do my best to be mediocre."
"Good. And Alex?"
"Yeah?"
"Be careful. There are people who've been asking questions about you. People who aren't students."
With that, she walked away, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts and a growing sense that his simple plan of attending school quietly was not going to work.
He made his way to Professor Stone's office, which was located in the basement of the main academic building. The hallway was lined with portraits of famous academy graduates, most of whom looked stern and accomplished.
Professor Stone's office was cluttered with books, research papers, and what appeared to be several broken magical artifacts. The professor himself was sitting behind a desk covered in test papers.
"Ah, Mr. Chen! Please, have a seat."
Alex sat down in the chair across from the desk. It was uncomfortable and made squeaking noises.
"I wanted to discuss today's assessment with you," Professor Stone said, removing his glasses and cleaning them with a cloth. "I understand you may have some concerns about the process."
"Not really. I just want to get it over with."
"Yes, well, that's understandable. However, I feel I should warn you that today's assessment will be... observed."
"Observed by who?"
"Some colleagues from the advanced studies department. They're interested in your unique approach to magic."
Alex felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. "What kind of interest?"
"Academic interest. They'd like to study your methods, perhaps develop new teaching techniques based on your natural abilities."
"I don't have any methods."
"Of course you do. Your integration of practical objects into combat scenarios, your intuitive mana manipulation, your ability to simplify complex magical concepts—"
"I threw garbage at my roommate and told someone to relax."
Professor Stone smiled. "Exactly. Revolutionary thinking disguised as common sense."
Alex was starting to understand why Sarah had warned him about trying too hard. These people seemed determined to turn every normal thing he did into some kind of breakthrough.
"Professor, what exactly happens during the assessment?"
"It's quite simple. You'll be tested on various magical skills—combat magic, utility spells, mana control, and creative problem-solving. Each section is scored, and your overall ranking is determined based on your performance."
"And what happens if I don't do well?"
"That's highly unlikely, given your demonstrated abilities. But poor performance could result in remedial courses or transfer to a different program."
"What if I do too well?"
Professor Stone raised an eyebrow. "Too well? There's no such thing as performing too well, Mr. Chen."
Alex thought about Sarah's warning. "Right. Of course."
"The assessment begins at 2 PM in the main gymnasium. I suggest you prepare accordingly."
"How do I prepare?"
"For someone of your level? I'd recommend simply showing up and being yourself."
Alex left the office feeling like he was walking into a trap. Being himself was exactly what had gotten him into this mess in the first place.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of classes and stares. During lunch, Amy (his adopted cafeteria mom) packed him a special 'assessment survival kit' that included three different types of fruit and a juice box with a bendy straw.
"For energy," she explained. "You'll need to keep your strength up for all that magic."
"It's just a test."
"It's your big debut! I'm so proud!"
Alex ate his lunch in relative peace, mostly because Marcus ran interference with the more persistent fan club members. Emma stopped by to wish him luck and to show him her progress with healing magic.
"I've been practicing the relaxation technique you taught me," she said, healing a small scratch on her arm with perfect precision. "It's changed everything."
"That's great."
"I wanted to give you this." She handed him a small notebook. "I wrote down some thoughts about applying your teaching methods to other types of magic. Maybe it'll help with your assessment."
Alex flipped through the notebook. It was filled with detailed notes, diagrams, and what appeared to be a comprehensive analysis of his 'philosophy' of magic. The scary part was that it all seemed to make sense.
"Emma, this is really thoughtful, but I'm not sure I have a philosophy of magic."
"Of course you do. You just don't realize it yet."
"What if I'm just lazy?"
"Lazy people don't revolutionize healing magic by accident."
After lunch, Alex made his way to the main gymnasium. He could see other students heading in the same direction, all looking nervous and carrying various study materials.
The gymnasium had been transformed into a testing center. There were stations set up around the room, each one designed to test different magical abilities. In the center was a raised platform where students would demonstrate their skills in front of the observers.
Alex spotted the observers sitting in chairs along one wall. There were five of them, all wearing the same serious expression and taking notes on clipboards. Professor Stone was with them, pointing in Alex's direction and speaking in hushed tones.
"Attention, students," announced a voice over the intercom. "Monthly assessments will begin in five minutes. Please report to your designated starting station."
Alex looked at the slip of paper he'd been given. Station 7: Combat Applications. Of course.