The Extra's Harem In Dead End Game

Chapter 53: Mana Sensitivity Test [1]

"The first test is a mana sensitivity test."

The students had various reactions to Professor Karen's words. Students from the Royal and Noble classes looked bored. On the other hand, the Common class students seemed relieved that they could easily handle the test.

'An expected reaction.'

Mana sensitivity is a fundamental ability for all magical studies.

That's why the mana sensitivity test was very familiar to the students here. Usually, the test involves hiding small balls filled with mana stones around a large area and having students find them within a set time.

It was a standard test that could evaluate both the ability and speed to sense mana. However, it was far from difficult. As a basic test, it was openly on the easier side.

That's why the students reacted that way. But.

'There's no way the test is that simple.'

I laughed to myself. If it were such an easy test, it wouldn't have become synonymous with failure and etched into the academy's history.

"Is it just a warmup at first?"

"It would be fun and nice to just sweep up the balls in order of arrival."

"Why would that be? Just quickly fill the quota and rest."

The students from the Royal and Noble classes felt more boredom than leisure.

Although it was a timed test, there was no tension since it wasn't particularly competitive or difficult. As long as the students filled the quota set by the professor within the time limit, anyone could get the highest score.

But it didn't take long for the atmosphere to change.

"Bring it here."

Clap.

As Professor Karen clapped her hands with a grin, the teaching assistants struggled to bring in something big in a sack. They were sweating and frowning as if it was quite heavy.

"Huh?"

"What's that?"

The students murmured with puzzled faces.

Regardless, Karen continued to speak. "Scatter them."

Soon, the assistants poured the contents of the sack onto the floor.

Thud, thud, thud!

A sound that felt heavy.

"Uh...?"

"Stones?"

Yes.

The contents that the assistants diligently poured onto the floor were stones. Not mana essence stones, where mana's essence is gathered, nor mana stones with a small amount of mana mixed in.

Just ordinary stones rolling around us. Literally, just ordinary stones that were everywhere.

"What the heck?"

The students' faces were filled with disbelief. It was inevitable.

The professor clearly said it was a mana sensitivity test. For that, even if not mana essence stones, at least mana stones were needed. It was obvious. You need a substance mixed with mana to feel and deal with mana.

But what the professor brought was just ordinary stones. What are they supposed to do with these?

"Quiet, everyone. Be quiet and listen to the explanation. Do you see the stones in front of you?"

They were very visible.

"That's just a stone."

So what...?

That was exactly the students' expression—a look of dumbfounded disbelief.

"Why do you all look like that? I haven't finished explaining yet."

Someone from the Royal class raised their hand at Professor Karen's words. Professor Karen nodded.

"Go ahead."

"Professor, wasn't it a mana sensitivity test?"

"That's right."

"Then we need mana stones, so why these stones...? I don't understand."

The student looked genuinely confused.

Professor Karen looked at the student as if to say, well, that can happen, and opened her mouth again.

"Usually, these ordinary stones don't contain mana."

She admitted it readily. Of course, it was also an obvious fact.

If stones normally contained mana, mana essence stones and mana stones wouldn't be treated as precious and sold at such prices.

"Then what are these stones?"

The student asked more confidently after the professor's admission. But she showed a relaxed smile and flicked her finger.

"Listen to the end. I said usually. I didn't say there's absolutely no mana."

She continued with a triumphant tilt of her chin.

"I personally gathered stones that contain mana. Oh, of course, most of the stones are ordinary without mana. Otherwise, how could we have a test to find them?"

"What? Are you saying there are mana stones among these?"

"No, no, not mana stones. Mana stones have a significant amount of mana, so it's not fun. It's too easy to find. That's why I personally brought these stones."

Fun.

That was a word that represented Professor Karen's personality.

She might seem like a nice and diligent beautiful professor, but in reality, she was a woman who lived for her own interests more than anyone else.

Why did she major in elemental magic? Because it's fun.

Why did she become a professor? Because it seemed fun.

That alone was enough to explain what kind of person she was.

"So, you're going to test with these stones...?"

"That's right. Now, sit down, sit down, it seems like the explanation is done, so let's start quickly."

Professor Karen took out a pocket watch.

"From now on, find three stones with mana within 20 minutes. Three per group. Now, start."

The test began, but the atmosphere was indescribably strange. Since the professor said so, there must be stones with mana, but nothing was felt.

"What the heck is there?"

"Exactly. I don't feel anything at all."

Students grumbled with skeptical eyes. Some even went a step further.

"It's a trap."

"What?"

"If you believe the professor's words and take the stones out, you'll get the lowest score right away. Because there are no stones with mana in reality."

"If there are no such stones, isn't it the professor's fault for lying? Why would you get the lowest score?"

"Because you just believed what others said and couldn't properly sense mana."

"Huh, that sounds plausible? Sh*t, then the first group to go out is screwed?"

Students seriously thought it was a trap set by the professor to test them. I just laughed, knowing all the circumstances.

What to do. The fire is about to fall on their feet.

"One minute has passed."

The voice of the teaching assistant announcing the time.

The first change in the situation occurred right then. Someone stood up and walked towards the professor. A beautiful woman with blue hair.

'She finally moved.'

I thought with a smile at the corner of my mouth, as if I had expected it. Elaine of Fire and Ice.