Ascension Of The Failed Mage

Pure silence and dread radiated the lecture hall.

The students trembled on amazement, as well as fear, upon feeling the bone-chilling aura of their new Homeroom teacher.

If there had been any doubt in anyone's mind, it was removed right there. Every student in the room couldn't deny it any longer...

... The man before them was very strong!

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"I will reintroduce myself, just in case. My name is Noir Novo. While I have gotten your names and basic information from the school's database, I'd like you all to introduce yourselves to me."

Noir continued by telling the students to tell them their ages and favorite parts of Magic.

In a class of forty-one students, it was easy for an individual to get lost in the mix. By giving them a sense of individuality, rather than simple names on a book, Noir thought he would be able to see them more as individuals.

'Only two students currently have my attention. One is Ciara, obviously. and the second...' Noir's gaze trailed in the direction of a female student seated in a corner.

A book was in front of her, but Noir felt her gaze on him more than a few times.

'It seems she also has an interest in me. That's good.' He nodded to himself.

"Let's start with the front row. The girl over there."

Since she was isolated at the front row, Noir decided to start with her.

"A-ah, me...?!" As expected, she appeared flustered while jumping to her feet.

Her pink face showed how flustered she was, and her incoherent glances depicted how jumbled up her thoughts were.

"Calm yourself, Mia. Take your time as well. I already have permission from your subject teachers to spend the entire day with you all. There's no rush."

Noir heard more whispers from the students, but he ignored them. Instead, his gaze was focused on the girl he diligently stared at.

"I... my name is Mia Helias Vendiel. My specialty is in Runes." She smiled shyly, swiftly returning to her seat as soon as she was done.

'I see...' Noir nodded and returned her words with a gentle smile.

"Thank you. Next." He spotted a frown on Ciara's face as he made to look at the next person to speak.

'She's not on good terms with Mia? Well, I can understand that.' Still, Noir didn't think that mattered to him.

Not only had he promised the Archmage that he would show no preferential treatment to Ciara, he also reminded himself of his mission.

'I don't need to concern myself with what she likes or not.'

Noir paid rapt attention to the students, ensuring to study their expressions and the mannerisms in which they spoke.

With that, he was able to know the confident students, the shy ones, the diligent ones, the lazy ones, the powerful ones, the weak ones.

Every student had categories, and it was his duty to ensure they all grew well.

"My name is Ciara. My special is Spells." The Class Representative rose, spoke quickly, and made to sit.

"Your full name, Ciara." Noir sharply mentioned.

"W-what? I don't think there's any need for that." She swiftly snapped, refusing to stand from her seat.

"There is. Besides, everyone here has done exactly as I said. Do not be the exception that disrupts order in this class... especially since you're the representative."

At this point, Noir narrowed his gaze, showing how serious he was. Ciara responded with a defiant look—one minced with worry.

'She doesn't want them to know of her family's status. She's of High Nobility, after all...'

There were only four Dukes in the entire Southern Empire, and she just happened to be the daughter of one of them.

Noir understood her apprehension quite well. However, for the sake of fairness, he had to maintain his stance.

"State your full name, Ciara. That's an order from your lecturer." Noir's cold voice echoed across the vast hall.

At this point, all eyes were on Ciara. They had thought it wasn't a big deal, but now it seemed a few were beginning to pick a hint or two.

Why would their Class Representative—the absolute rule keeper and teacher's pet—suddenly choose to defy their Homeroom Teacher?

Perhaps... just perhaps there was something of interest in her name.

"I... I have to go." Ciara swiftly made to leave the class.

Before her friends could reach out to stop her, she took to her heels and.left the lecture hall.

Noir watched all of this with an apathetic gaze. He thought it unfortunate that she had thrown away such a good opportunity to come out with the truth—especially after solidifying her position in the class and garnering everyone's trust.

However, he wasn't going to force her.

"Next. Speak."

Noir's gaze now fell on Serah, Ciara's friend.

From his unfettered gaze and his calm demeanor, it seemed as though he had already forgotten about the girl who had to leave.

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"Haaa... that Noir... what the hell is he thinking??!" Ciara mumbled to herself as she finally found a place to rest after running for some time.

First, he surprised her by showing up as their new Homeroom Teacher, and now he was trying to make her reveal her noble status.

'Why would he do that? He knows how much I want to keep it to myself!' Her eyes emptily stared into space.

"And now, thanks to his actions, I'm away from the class. Should I just wait until he is done with Homeroom? Ah, but he said he got permission to use the whole day. But... I..."

Ciara was now totally confused.

She pondered on what to do—whether to swallow her pride and return, or to skip classes for an entire day!

A class that Noir would be hosting!

"Damn it..." Ciara knew how stubborn Noir could get on certain matters

He was her teacher for months, after all. Plus, she also knew of his scary side—the part of him that she was slowly becoming.

'He won't budge on this matter.'

There was a first time for everything, but Ciara really didn't want to break her perfect record.

'Serah and the others will ask why I freaked out about my name, and I'll either have to lie or tell them the truth. I don't want to lie.'

Ultimately, it seemed her choice was already made

It was better to just get the truth over and done with so she could keep her perfect record and gain extra knowledge, rather than simply stalling for time.

At this point, the reveal of her Noble identity was inevitable.

"Damn it, Noir! You win this time."