Kira couldn't help but ask, "Dean Cornas, if I may, what's the admission rate for past enrollments at the academy?"
Cornas gave a knowing smile, her expression saying, I knew you'd ask that. Clearly, she'd answered this question countless times before.
"The assessments vary each time, and the quality of the applicants differs too, so the admission rate fluctuates. Since I became dean, the highest was around 10%, the lowest about 5%. We get four or five hundred kids applying each year, but no more than fifty make it through."
Old man Guran, also curious, chimed in, "So what's the first test like this year?"
"This year's first round is pretty straightforward—just a series of tests," Cornas explained to the three guests. She outlined the criteria: physical strength, magical power, endurance, attack, defense, speed, and magic proficiency. "These are all to evaluate the young mages' physical and magical foundations. I expect about a 70% pass rate."
Kira did some quick mental math. 70%? That doesn't sound too tough.
By the time they stepped outside, the first round was wrapping up. Leaning against the railing, Kira looked down at the kids below, split into two groups—one larger, one smaller. Their expressions gave it away: the bigger group had passed, their faces beaming with relief and excitement, while the smaller group looked dejected.
Soon, the testing area cleared out. An assistant, likely one of the dean's aides, entered the villa and handed Cornas a list. After scanning it, she looked up with a smile. "Over four hundred kids passed the first round. Looks like this batch has a lot of potential!"
Though only about fifty more kids passed than expected, the 70% pass rate was based on the average quality of past applicants. A 10% deviation meant this year's group was noticeably stronger than usual.
"That's it for today," Cornas said. "You three head back to the hotel and rest. I've got to prepare for tomorrow's tests."
After Kira and the others briefly glanced at the list of passers, Cornas led them out of the villa. "Oh, and tomorrow's tests will take place at the main venue."
Once they parted ways, Kira went to find the three kids he'd brought. He'd already seen their names on the list—along with Rufus'.
"Boss Kira, we passed the first round!" Ika shouted, charging toward him with uncontainable energy.
"Nice work!" Kira grinned, ruffling Ika's hair with a playful pat. "Two more rounds to go, so keep it up!"
On the way back, Ika walked with his hands behind his head, buzzing with anticipation. "I wonder what the next tests will be like. I'm so pumped!"
Kira said calmly, "I asked the dean earlier. They admit no more than fifty kids each year, so you've still got a lot of competition ahead."
"Fifty?!" the three kids gasped, stunned by how cutthroat it was.
Akas' face fell, her voice tinged with worry. "Less than 10% get in? Can we even make it?"
She pulled out her juice bottle and took a big swig, her bold demeanor already resembling Cana's in a striking way.
"Don't worry, Akas!" Sanmaru said, his tone steady and mature compared to the others. "No matter what happens, we just keep pushing forward!"
Kira gave him an approving look. "Well said!"
But man, this kid's got some serious wisdom for his age. He's throwing off the vibe around here—I'm not used to this! Kira thought with a silent chuckle.
Just then, Ika casually mentioned, "By the way, Boss Kira, I think I saw that kid from the other day."
"Hm? Which one?" Kira asked, playing dumb.
As expected, the boss was still the boss—probably forgot all about that blond kid already.
Ika's expression lit up. "You know, the blond guy you had tea with a couple days ago."
"Oh, you mean Rufus? Yeah, I saw his name on the list. He passed today's test too."
Ika's grin froze.
Kira turned to him, curious. "Why do you dislike him so much?"
"Hmph, he just rubs me the wrong way," Ika huffed. "He's not even that strong, but he acts like he's hot stuff. If I get the chance, I'll show him what Ika-sama's made of!"
"Honestly, you two seem about evenly matched. If you fought, it'd probably be a draw."
Kira was just being honest, but Ika clearly didn't want to hear it. He shouted in the middle of the street, "No way! If we fought, I'd totally win!"
Ugh, kids and their competitive streaks, Kira thought. Back at the orphanage, Ika never had any real rivals. Now that he's out in the world and meeting someone his age with similar talent, he's all fired up to one-up him.
Ika's fire magic was versatile, with a wide range of uses, kind of like Totomaru's fire control but more combat-focused, with even greater potential. Rufus, on the other hand, had elemental modeling magic—great for versatility but lacking in raw power. If he ever mastered Memory-Make Magic, though, his strength would skyrocket.
So, in the grand scheme, their skill levels were pretty close. One with fire magic, the other with modeling magic… Wait a second!
Kira stopped dead in his tracks, a realization hitting him. Fire magic, modeling magic, loud and brash personalities, always showing off, and now this mutual dislike? They're like a budget version of Natsu and Gray!
"No wonder these two feel so familiar. Is this fate or what?"
"Boss Kira, what's fate?" Ika asked.
"Nothing," Kira said, giving Ika a serious look. "Ika, I've got a feeling you and Rufus are gonna end up as best bud—er, I mean, great friends!"
Ika's voice shot up an octave. "Friends?! With that guy?! Boss, you better think twice before saying stuff like that!"
He even raised a tiny fist. "No way I'm becoming friends with someone like him!"
Kira didn't buy it for a second.
Back when Erza first joined the guild, Gray got a beatdown from her and swore, "I'll never accept someone like her as a guildmate!" Now? He treated her like a big sister. On Galuna Island, Gray had declared, "I'll never forgive anyone who messes with Ur!" Yet he ended up forgiving Lyon. And during the recent guild tournament, Gray claimed he'd used his ultimate move against Cana, only to pull out a brand-new one against Kira later.
Huh… why's it always Gray?
The more Kira thought about it, the more it hit him: Gray had a knack for making grand declarations that didn't hold up. Compared to him, Natsu seemed downright honest.
Kira' mind wandered, picturing Ika and Rufus bickering at the orphanage, Akas acting like Cana, Sanmaru channeling Elfman, the four of them causing chaos and tearing the place apart with magic.
Man, what a perfect scene!
Kira felt a warm sense of satisfaction. Whether it's spirit, magic, or daily antics, Fairy Tail's got a bright future with these kids!
Akas, ever perceptive, caught the subtle shift in Kira' expression. It was faint, but she didn't miss it. Why do I feel like Teacher Kira is thinking something rude… but also kinda proud? What's going on?
So weird! Teacher Kira is so weird! Cana-neesan's way more normal!
With that, Akas took another swig of her juice, feeling refreshed.
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