William 02

Title: The Conversation

“Hey, Kou-kun. What’s your opinion on the Second Course Student system?”

Mayumi spoke as if unaware of the sharp gazes directed at her back. Only this time, the nickname she used had subtly changed.

However, after saying that, she instinctively glanced at Kousen’s face, eager to see his reaction.

But Kousen’s expression remained calm, leaving Mayumi slightly frustrated.

“My opinion—”

Kousen’s tone lingered slightly, not because Mayumi had suddenly changed how she addressed him, but because he was carefully considering her question.

“I can only say that the school has openly exposed something that should be private—labeling students as either exceptional or underperforming!”

“What do you mean?”

Mayumi set aside her fleeting thoughts; she now wanted to understand how Kousen’s perspective differed from hers.

“Then let me share my shallow view!” Kousen shrugged.

“Have you ever heard about regular schools, Senpai?”

Mayumi nodded.

“In regular schools, there are classes for high-achieving students and classes for average ones.”

“Students who perform better get taught by the best teachers in advanced classes, while those who struggle are taught by regular teachers in standard classes.”

“Isn’t that the same as our school?” Mayumi interjected.

“It’s true, but there’s a slight difference.”

“Regular schools don’t openly label students as high achievers or underperformers.” After saying this, Kousen pointed to the badge on his chest.

“I’m not against education for talented students, since educational resources are limited, and it’s only natural that higher-achieving students get better opportunities.”

“If our school were like regular schools, without these clear labels, new students could get along well, form friendships, and bond.”

“That way, even if they’re later divided into different classes based on academic performance, there wouldn’t be any hostility.”

“But because of these labels, when new students receive their First Course uniforms, they immediately align with the First Course faction, and when they get Second Course uniforms, they align with the Second Course faction.”

“After all, the environment shapes people. Senior First Course students teach the new Second Course students that they’re ‘trash,’ while senior Second Course students teach the new ones that First Course students have stolen the treatment they deserve, and it’s unfair.”

“As a result, both factions endlessly clash.”

Kousen delivered a long string of sentences, and his throat suddenly felt dry.

Noticing his condition, Mayumi thoughtfully pulled a thermos from her bag and handed it to him.

“Kou-kun must be thirsty. Drink this first!”

Kousen hesitated for a moment but took the thermos from Mayumi’s hand and drank a few sips.

“Thank you so much, Saegusa-senpai.”

After drinking, Kousen returned the thermos to Mayumi.

“No problem.” Mayumi shook her head, taking the thermos and putting it back in her bag.

“More than that, I’d rather hear how Kou-kun would solve this issue.”

Mayumi looked at Kousen with hopeful eyes. After hearing his analysis, she was now deeply curious.

She felt a pang of regret. Since starting at the school, she had been deeply dissatisfied with the Second Course system. However, the system had been entrenched for a long time.

That’s why, until now, she hadn’t known how to address the issue. Now, she wanted to hear how Kousen, from his perspective, would tackle it.

“There’s a way!”

Kousen showed no sign of surprise at Mayumi’s request.

He paused briefly before continuing.

“I said I’m not against the system of educating talented students, right, Senpai?”

“Mhm!”

“Our school’s entrance exam determines a student’s status for all three years, correct?”

“We just need to tweak one rule to make our school more like a regular school, Senpai.”

“Could it be…”

After all, Mayumi came from the Saegusa family, and her father was renowned for his strategic planning, so her IQ was far from low.

She naturally caught on to what Kousen meant by “tweaking something.”

“Exactly.”

Kousen smiled and nodded.

“Don’t we have end-of-semester exams? Second Course students with high grades move up to First Course, and First Course students with poor grades drop to Second Course.”

“That way, First Course students will fear being overtaken by Second Course students, worried they might become the ‘Weeds’ they once mocked, so they’ll study magic diligently.”

“Second Course students will work hard to shed their ‘trash’ label, striving for better treatment and fighting to become First Course students.”

“What do you think, Senpai?”

Kousen spread his hands and smiled at Mayumi.

Mayumi’s expression gradually shifted from thoughtful to excited, then after a moment, back to calm, before she shook her head.

“Kou-kun, a magic school is different from a regular school.”

“Regular school students can achieve results by working harder than others, but magicians are different. In the magic world, talent determines everything.”

Indeed, in the magic world, talent is everything.

However, magical talent is fragile. Students can easily drop out if they suffer an accident and lose their ability to use magic.

That’s why the Second Course system exists. Second Course students are there to fill the gaps caused by such accidents.

That’s the origin of Second Course students being reserves for First Course students.

“So, it’s nearly impossible for Second Course students to become First Course students. Cases that happen only every two or three years aren’t convincing.”

Kousen raised a finger and wagged it. “Saegusa-senpai, you can’t possibly be unaware of a few little tricks, right?”

“What do you mean?”

She wasn’t sure if her senpai was playing dumb, but she didn’t think Mayumi was someone clueless about handling such matters.

Kousen sighed, glancing around to ensure no one was nearby.

After all, this wasn’t something that could be carelessly overheard, so it was better to be cautious.