As the magical reassessment concluded, the headmaster instructed Althea to close her eyes. She obediently did so, feeling an odd sensation as if she were floating. Suddenly, darkness enveloped her, and then, just as abruptly, she felt brightness and the hard impact of the ground beneath her.
"Ouch!"
She yelped involuntarily. Though the drop was only about ten centimeters, the combined surprise and her closed eyes made her land awkwardly, causing her to fall to her knees.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Siegfried rushed over, his voice filled with concern. He had been praying by the gate when Althea suddenly appeared beside him and fell to the ground. Though initially startled, his worry for Althea overshadowed his surprise.
Recognizing the familiar voice, Althea realized she had returned.
"I'm fine, really. I was just startled and messed up the landing a bit," she reassured him with a small, embarrassed laugh. Her smile was reminiscent of the mischievous girl she had been before enrolling in the academy.
"I'm relieved you're not hurt. Did you reach the headmaster's office safely? Was there any trouble with the reassessment?"
"Yes, I made it without any issues."
...Although it wasn't the headmaster's office... The location doesn't matter. I met with both of them... And Prince Siegfried worries like my brother. No need to mention the unnecessary details.
"The reassessment was conducted because they occasionally reassess the magical power of women with high mana. They examine the quality of the mana. For men, it's generally unnecessary as their physical training allows them to estimate the quality. By the way, they said my mana quality has developed well."
Siegfried noticed a brief hesitation in Althea's explanation. He considered interrupting but decided against it. Seeing her happy expression, he understood she had deliberated on whether to explain the reassessment's reason.
"I see. I was wondering why it was just you, but it makes sense if it was for quality confirmation. Anything else? What about the 'transparent mana'?"
Siegfried suspected the reassessment was primarily to check the status of her 'transparent mana' rather than just quality confirmation.
"They said it's still present. I couldn't see it, though."
"Couldn't see it? You saw it before?"
"Yes, previously I saw a transparent core surrounded by green wind and brown earth mana. This time, I only saw the wind and earth mana. When I asked, they explained that the refined wind and earth mana now envelop the 'invisible mana,' making it unseeable."
"So, you couldn't see it, but the Pope and the others could see the 'transparent mana' at the center?"
"Yes, that's what they said."
"Alright... Well, I'm just glad you made it back safely. There are no more scheduled departures today, and His Majesty should have arranged lodging for us. Let's head to the inn."
Siegfried donned his helmet once more, and together with Althea, they made their way to the church's lodging facilities in the duchy.
NOVEL SIMPLE 