"Absurd... Can this truly be a human's record?"
Rosenhart's gaze swept over the documents.
In his eyes, even awe beyond disbelief flickered.
"Yes! Father. Taesan's records in both strength and speed are at the A+ level of last year's entrance exam. Though he has no magic score...?"
"Indeed, with scores like this, he could be admitted in the top ranks even without a magic score."
Professor Lifedimer, who was standing beside him, was also left speechless.
On his face, scholarly curiosity and bewilderment were strangely intertwined.
"If we look at ability values alone, even if his total score is a failing grade, an opportunity might arise through special admissions. It's absurd. The impact force of a pure punch alone is at the level of 3,500 kg."
"Is this not the level of a dragon?"
"My Lord, look here. His speed instantaneously reached 150 km."
Their conversation gradually grew heated.
I feigned nonchalance, cleared my throat, and averted my gaze.
My earlobes were burning hot.
'I just ran on the treadmill a bit and punched the sandbag a little, that's all.'
Was it because the laws of physics here were too light?
Records I had never even imagined back on Earth came out so effortlessly.
"Heh... I had it all wrong. It's merely that he lacks mana—his bone structure is at the level of a dragon, the rarest among top-grade summons."
Rosenhart set down the documents and looked at me.
The initial doubt had completely vanished from that gaze.
"This much certainly makes it worth attempting."
His gaze pierced sharply beyond the documents.
"Have you finished adapting to the laws of physics in this world?"
To be honest, I was still far from perfect.
If not for the 'Gravity Reinforcement' and 'Friction Amplification' magic Yustia had cast on my shoe soles, even now I would be floating around like an astronaut walking on the moon or crashing into walls with every step I took.
The sensation of my body springing out like a spring whenever I let my guard down even slightly was still unfamiliar.
But there was no need to reveal a weakness.
"Yes. I have adapted to some extent. Enough so that it does not interfere with daily life."
I answered with feigned composure, but Yustia, who was beside me, quickly cut in.
"The speed measurement is still only stable on the straight track. On curved sections, occasionally... um, sometimes his body fails to overcome control and springs up into the air or slips. But the strength part is certain. During every striking test, he consistently records the same values without any margin of error."
At Yustia's honest report, Rosenhart stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.
"Strength is a definite A+ rank. Taking into account the unstable control, speed is roughly a B. Assuming magic is F...."
His gaze turned toward Professor Lifedimer, who was standing beside him.
"Professor. In this case, at what level must the summoner's intelligence test score be to enter the safe passing range?"
"Considering the usual passing line and competition rate, if the summon possesses such overwhelming physical abilities... the summoner's own intelligence test only needs to be B0 or higher. Eternoa Academy has traditionally emphasized practical ability, after all."
"B0."
"Yes. Considering Lady Yustia's usual academic achievements, if she simply doesn't make mistakes, it is a score she can comfortably reach. No—if luck is on her side, she could even aim for entering as the top student."
The moment the professor's assertion fell.
Rosenhart's expression still wore a stern mask, but beneath the table, his dangling fist could be seen clenching tightly.
"To be honest."
Rosenhart paused for a moment and let out a deep sigh.
"Before seeing this record, I had even considered preparing her for another academy's exam. Rather than tarnishing the family name."
He trailed off and glanced at me.
That gaze was now filled not with doubt but with conviction—and expectations beyond that.
"But now, anticipation outweighs worry."
Rosenhart's gaze returned to Yustia.
His expression remained stern, but the gaze with which he looked at his daughter had softened considerably.
"So, are you fully prepared?"
"Yes! I've packed everything without missing a thing."
Yustia nodded confidently.
Her voice was clearly filled with excitement.
"As you know, Eternoa Academy advocates thorough meritocracy. No matter how high-ranking a noble's child may be, you cannot bring along personal servants or maids who see to your private comforts. It means you must resolve everything on your own."
"I know. It's no problem at all. I'm a proper adult now! I can handle most things on my own."
Yustia thumped her chest and boasted confidently.
But Rosenhart shook his head as if still unconvinced.
"Yes... it is a commendable mindset, but."
He paused for a moment, then added with a deliberately solemn expression.
"Nevertheless, the family intends to assign you a maid."
"What? T-that's not necessary! If others find out I received special treatment, it will definitely become a problem."
Yustia waved her hands, revealing a flustered look.
But Rosenhart cut her off decisively.
"Students cannot bring maids, but summons are a different story."
His eyes flashed.
"A summon is strictly a valuable asset and a combat force. Since it is an important, high-value item—no, a living being—I have confirmed that having specialized personnel for its systematic management is amply permitted under school regulations."
Rosenhart sent a signal toward the door.
"Enter."
At his call, the heavy door opened and a familiar face appeared.
"Nnngh... hnngh...."
It was Yurika.
She was entering, groaning as she carried travel bags that looked bigger than herself in both hands.
"Y-you called for me... my Lord...."
As Yurika barely raised her head, gasping for breath, luggage piled up like a mountain behind her swayed precariously.
***
Dawn, before the sun had fully risen.
The air was cold.
Amid the white mist rising, the silhouettes of people moving busily could be seen.
I rubbed my still-sleepy eyes and began carrying luggage.
But then...
"They get this big?"
Seeing the creature standing before me, I unconsciously swallowed my breath.
Horses were big on Earth, too.
But having trained in combat sports for a long time, I was a large man exceeding 190 cm, boasting a build that wouldn't feel too intimidated standing next to a horse.
Some of the smaller horses had even been roughly at eye level with me.
But the horses here were on another level.
Its muscular nape, seeming plated with steel, rose far above my head, and the steam spewing from its nostrils with every breath was like a steam locomotive.
A single hoof was the size of my face.
An overwhelming sense of intimidation washed over me.
"Big, isn't it? It's my father's fourth top-grade summon, 'Iron Mane.'"
Yustia stroked the horse's mane proudly.
"If we were going by carriage with a regular trained horse instead of a summon, we would have had to leave last night, but with Iron Mane, we can leave now and still arrive on time."
I could roughly understand the status of summons here.
"So I'm like this too?"
"Hmm... who knows? At least on the outside."
She pondered for a moment, then tapped her lips with her index finger.
"You're muscular and very tall, but your appearance is unmistakably human. So at first, there was no sense of intimidation at all, but now, how should I put it, a little?"
She trailed off and burst into a refreshing smile.
"A little, I do get a feeling like a wild beast. Like this, rawr! biting."
Yustia raised both hands, curled her fingers like a feline beast, and playfully imitated a bite.
Then, from afar, a strained groan was heard.
"Uugh... hnnng!"
It was Yurika.
She was walking unsteadily, carrying two bags as large as herself, one in each hand.
Her posture was precarious, as if she might topple forward at any moment.
"Give them here."
I strode over and snatched the bags from her hands.
"Ah! L-Lord Summon?!"
Without even replying, I lifted the bags with one hand in a flash.
It was a size I wouldn't have been able to lift like this on Earth, but thanks to the lighter gravity here, it was as light as lifting a styrofoam box.
Thud—
I lightly tossed the bags into the carriage's luggage compartment, and the carriage swayed.
"Wow...."
Yurika looked up at me with her mouth hanging open.
It was a gaze mixed with awe and bewilderment.
"To think you've already been trained to this extent, from carrying luggage to looking after the master's convenience... The young lady truly is a genius!"
She exclaimed and clapped her palms together.
"Huh...?"
I turned to Yustia with a dumbfounded expression.
Yustia also seemed flustered, rolling her eyes and deliberately avoiding my gaze.
'Hey, trained? It's just manners, manners.'
Yurika quickly rummaged through her apron pocket.
"Here, good boy! You did your errand well, so you deserve a reward."
What she pulled out was that damn dried jerky again.
Yurika smiled brightly, waving the jerky in front of my mouth as if giving a treat to a puppy.
"Yurika. Lord Taesan is a rational being. How many times have I told you not to treat him like some trained animal and give him rewards?"
"Ah, I apologize, my lady. But according to the summoning manual, an appropriate reward system fosters loyalty...."
"That's for low-intelligence magical beasts! Lord Taesan... uh, um, I mean...."
Yustia stammered, then subtly gauged my reaction.
"Just saying 'thank you' verbally is enough. Right?"
At Yustia's words, Yurika tried to put the jerky away with a sullen expression.
Unknowingly, my gaze persistently tracked the jerky's trajectory as it moved away.
My hand half-reached out before stopping in midair.
"Ah, is that so...?"