Reincarnated with an SSS-rank Tamer System: My Harem of Villainesses-Chapter 52 – Magic Theory
Adam entered the classroom just as Professor Vane was finishing writing something on the board, receiving only a brief look of acknowledgment before the man gestured for him to take a seat without interrupting the class.
He slipped into his usual spot beside Piers, who gave him a welcoming smile before turning his attention back to the front where the professor had already begun speaking.
"As I was explaining," Vane continued as he turned toward the class with a piece of chalk in hand, "magic is divided into four fundamental levels of mastery that every mage must know and aspire to reach."
He wrote on the board in clear lettering:
LEVELS OF MAGIC:
Basic
Intermediate
Advanced
Master
"The Basic level is where everyone begins," he explained while pointing at the first item. "Basic knowledge, little mana control, simple spells that anyone with an active core can learn."
He moved to the second point.
"The Intermediate level represents a huge leap in power. This is where magic becomes truly powerful, capable of producing controlled explosions, complex elemental manifestations. Most Rank B mages you will encounter in the real world operate at this level."
Adam listened attentively while mentally placing his own level. He was probably between Basic and Intermediate considering his lack of control, although his raw power might place him higher.
"The Advanced level," Vane said in a more serious tone, "is something very few manage to reach. It requires years of practice and dedication. Those at Rank A+ and some at B+ generally operate at this level."
Then he pointed to the last item with particular emphasis.
"And finally, the Master level. Also known as advanced regeneration magic among other high-level specialties. This is an unprecedented domain that very, very few mages in history have reached. It requires not only raw power but absolute mana control at a cellular level."
’That’s what Alice mentioned she wanted to learn,’ Adam thought, remembering the earlier conversation. ’Regeneration magic. Higher Level.’
Professor Vane erased the board before beginning to write something new.
"Now then, all of this is directly related to the rank of your mana core," he said while writing a longer list. "The ranks go from F- up to, theoretically, SS."
CORE RANKS:
F- / F / F+
E- / E / E+
D- / D / D+
C- / C / C+
B- / B / B+
A- / A / A+
S- / S / S+
SS
"Ranks F through C are relatively common," Vane explained as he went down the list. "Most people with magic operate at these levels. Rank B is less common but can still be found regularly among competent mages."
He stopped at Rank A.
"Rank A is where things become exceptional. These individuals are considered geniuses or prodigies in their fields. The leap between B+ and A- is significant."
Then he pointed at Rank S with a serious expression.
"Rank S is... different. Only the most powerful mages who have ever existed in history have reached this level. We are talking about individuals whose power could change the course of entire wars on their own."
Adam felt a strange sensation upon hearing that part, for some odd reason.
’Seraphine is Rank S,’ he clearly remembered the conversation he had had with her. ’My sister possesses a level of power the professor is describing as something only the most powerful in history have ever achieved.’
It was... unreal.
He knew Seraphine was strong, obviously. But hearing Professor Vane describe it in these terms put her power into an entirely new perspective.
’And she still has room to grow to S+ or higher...’ he thought while watching the board. ’When she turns nineteen and comes to the academy... how strong will she truly be?’
"And what about Rank SS?" someone asked from the back of the classroom.
Vane smiled faintly at the question. "Rank SS is more rumor than confirmed reality. There are no verifiable records of anyone reaching that level, though there are legends and theories about its existence. Personally, I consider it more of a theoretical limit than something attainable."
He paused before continuing in a firmer tone.
"However, I want to make something very clear," he said as he turned fully toward the class. "Although magical power is important, it is not the only thing that defines a complete warrior. Swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, tactical strategy, real battle experience... all of these things are equally crucial."
His gaze seemed to linger briefly on Adam before continuing.
"I have seen Rank A mages lose to Rank B swordsmen because they underestimated the importance of physical combat. I have seen warriors with no magic whatsoever defeat powerful spellcasters because they had better strategy and experience. Raw power is not everything."
Adam nodded internally at that. His fight against Kael had proven that exact point. Kael probably had better magical control than he did, but in a fight without magic Adam had the advantage due to his real combat experience and willingness to fight dirty when necessary.
"True strength," Vane concluded, "comes from the balanced combination of all these abilities. Magic, sword, hand-to-hand combat, strategy. Master them all and you will be truly formidable. Rely on only one and you will eventually find someone who exploits that weakness."
The class continued for several more minutes with the professor explaining specific details about how to train each aspect of these abilities before finally ending the session.
***
Adam was walking through the hallways beside Piers after classes ended, his mind still turning over everything Professor Vane had explained.
’Rank S,’ he thought as his footsteps echoed faintly against the floor. ’Seraphine is at a level only a few in history have reached. And I’m barely at A+ with poor control.’
The gap between them was... significant.
’System,’ he called mentally as he continued walking. ’I need to see my updated stats after the fight.’
He waited for the usual response from the system with its characteristic sarcastic tone.
But nothing came.
’System?’ he tried again with some confusion.
The translucent blue screen finally appeared before his eyes, but instead of showing his stats or some comment from the system, it only displayed the same thing he had been seeing for days:
[Tamer System - UPDATE IN PROGRESS]
[Loading...]
Adam frowned. ’The seventy-two hours have already passed. Why is it still frozen?’
The screen did not change; it simply continued to display that loading bar that seemed completely stuck at the same point where it had been since the update began.
’Great,’ he thought irritably as the screen disappeared. ’The system decided to break right when I need it.’
"Adam?" Piers’ voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Are you okay? You look... distracted."
"I’m fine," he replied automatically while pushing those thoughts aside to deal with them later. "Just thinking about what the professor said."
Piers nodded in understanding before beginning to talk about something related to class, though Adam was barely really paying attention.
That was when he saw Alice in the distance approaching them with that characteristic smile on her face, her green hair tied in her usual ponytail as she walked.
Adam looked at her without changing his neutral expression, still partially lost in his own thoughts about magic ranks, his sister, and the apparently broken system that was supposed to be functioning by now.
Alice raised her hand in greeting as she drew closer. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Adam simply waited to see what she wanted this time.
