episode_0002

In the academy, outstanding individuals in each field of magic were often referred to by titles rather than names. For famous figures or those with various rumors surrounding them, their titles were more familiar than their names. Even in our year, there were many individuals who had received unusual titles. There were rumors that some individuals didn’t like their titles and changed them to what they wanted, and one of those individuals was this person.

She was the youngest princess of the Kingdom of Araleria and perhaps the most outstanding user of flame magic in our year. Her display of flame magic on the first day couldn’t be erased from memory. With that level of skill, one might wonder if attending the academy was even necessary for her.

Her appearance was striking. It was natural to assume that she inherited it as a royal. Her dark black hair was obscured by the darkness, but even so, it seemed to sparkle as if emitting light. Her eyes were so crimson, as if made of coagulated blood, and her face, how incredibly fair it was. Perhaps it was due to her dark hair making the light stand out more, but it seemed as though her skin was shining on its own.

“I didn’t know the Princess of Flames had such a hobby.”

“… Do you happen to know that name, are you from the academy?”

“Surprisingly, we’re in the same year, Your Highness Seresria.”

As he greeted her, covering his chest with his right hand and smiling slightly, her expression twitched slightly. Of course, it was to be expected; students of the academy were not allowed to leave for the city at this time. That was the rule, unless there was a special reason for not obtaining permission. There was no reason for a princess of a country to work, so she must have sneaked out of the dormitory.

There were rumors that nobles and royals had separate dormitories, but it was unlikely that they would be in the city. As I was about to think that, her pupils turned a deep crimson.

And at that sight, I quickly raised both hands and said, “I surrender, I surrender. I didn’t even pick a fight, yet you look at me as if you want to kill me. How am I supposed to speak?”

“The problem won’t arise if you catch the violator of the rules, so at this time, students of the academy are prohibited from entering the city.”

“I have permission.”

Then I rummaged through my pocket, took out a small piece of paper and showed it to her, and only then did she gather her mana and take a step towards me.

“What’s your name?”

“Astan.”

“Astan… Astan… Why is that name unfamiliar? If you’re lying to me now, I’ll burn you so no one can find the body.”

“Because I’m not someone who sticks in people’s memories.”

Saying so with a smile, she looked at me, pushed down the hood of her robe, and spat out words at me.

“Forget what you saw today.”

“I only saw a cat behind the store.”

“…I see.”

And she hurriedly started to run away, and as I watched her go, I smiled at the cat she had missed and said,

“I saved you, didn’t I?”

Taking out the groceries requested by Aunt Toa from the warehouse behind the store and carrying them in both hands into the shop, my colleagues approached and spoke to me.

“What happened back there? We heard strange noises.”

“There was a cat.”

It was a cat, all I saw was a cat. I have no intention of fighting the magician called “Nero” in my grade.

Breakfast is a time when almost all students of the academy gather. Some eat in their rooms, but most students come out to the dining hall, eat breakfast, and chat with each other. Ironically, there was no one around me. I don’t particularly enjoy eating with others, but this scene felt a bit awkward for me, who used to eat with family every time.

Just as I quietly dipped bread into the soup for breakfast, when I heard someone sitting in front of me, I looked up and found Sharen there.

“There’s no seat, but can I sit here?”

“Do you want to hear what I said yesterday again?”

“I don’t have that hobby.”

Sharen then gave me a faint smile. Even that sight made me feel a twinge of jealousy at how good-looking he was. I scratched my head, thinking, “Are those who are loved by the gods really different?” and started eating again. Even in the quiet mealtime, I could feel the gazes around me, making me think that the guy sitting in front of me must be quite annoying.

Maybe it’s the same for others with titles? Is that why? People with titles weren’t visible during breakfast. They were probably eating in their rooms or not eating and sleeping.

“The first class is Mana Theory.”

“The second class is Alchemy.”

“You seem like you wouldn’t know.”

“You’re not that much of a delinquent, though.”

When I said this with a slight smile, Sharen also smiled at me. He laughs a lot, too much of a human being, just like my younger brother back home. What is that guy doing? Is he sulking because he doesn’t like farming? As I cautiously entertained such thoughts, I heard a small murmur in my ear.

“Hey, look over there.”

“…Why is she here?”

“She’s really pretty…”

When I turned my head slightly at the voice, I saw a woman standing there receiving her food. The academy has a total of 5 grades. Among them, most of the 4th and 5th graders either go to the tower, are affiliated with the country, or if not, they are wanderers. Therefore, it was natural to think that the final grade of this school is actually the 3rd grade.

That’s why the insignia on the academy uniform indicating the grade was all white for the 1st year, yellow for the 2nd year, and blue for the 3rd year. It’s really rare for people to remain in the academy.

This woman was one such case. Recognized for her talent, she stayed at the academy to study magic, teach students, and lead. It seemed so ironic to see her having a meal there, as the only time you’d encounter her at school was when she caused an incident.

The beauty was so evident that it didn’t need to be put into words. The person seemed as if my breath would stop as soon as I saw them. Their silver hair flowed gently down to their waist, and their eyes were blue. Their face shone with a clear, bright blue like Sharon’s, and their features were so delicate, their eyes so large, that one might think they were a sculpture rather than a human being. I began to doubt whether that person was really the same species as me.

“The fifth grader’s aura is black.”

“I heard the fourth grader’s is red.”

“How fascinating.”

Sharon murmured those words. A fifth grader, what an intriguing person. I don’t think I’ll stay at school, and I’ve heard they don’t pay much… If they don’t really intend to teach students, they won’t stay.

I will quietly return to my hometown. Live quietly in my hometown, farm with my family, get married, have children…

Is that really what I want?

“Mana exists around you and within your body.”

As the familiar lesson began, drowsiness seemed to overwhelm me. Looking around, I saw students concentrating and others not, though the professor probably noticed everything. Nonetheless, the professor continued the lesson without interruption.

“Some people are born with a lot of mana, while others are born with less. Can you increase the amount of mana? Yes, but there’s a limit due to innate talent. So, how do we bridge this gap? Let’s find out.”

In truth, I already knew about this method from reading books. It was natural to have many questions, and I was well aware that I had less mana than others.

If there’s a lack of mana in your body, there are ways to absorb mana from your surroundings or to use natural mana directly as a medium for magic. But if you want to use these methods…

However, in this case, the affinity for mana must be high. Using primitive mana directly is no different from touching a hot flame with bare hands. Even if one has a high affinity for mana, it is still impossible to manipulate all of nature’s mana. Therefore, it is necessary to absorb the primitive mana into the body and swiftly purify it.

It was a difficult theory and a difficult task. Even now, within this classroom, mana flowed, and absorbing that mana directly into one’s body was no different from suicide. Could it become possible through continued practice?

“Now, focus. Let me show you something light.”

The professor’s voice drew the attention of all the students. The professor extended both hands and gathered mana in them. A restless clump of mana in the left hand, without altering its properties, and a calm clump of mana in the right hand. That was the only difference. Even their colors were the same.

“Which of these is the mana flowing in this classroom?”

The answer came to mind immediately. The answer was the right hand. Naturally, the mana of nature would exhibit faster movement, but no one had directly demonstrated that. I was certain I had gotten the answer wrong at least once.

“If you try to guess the answer based on movement, that is a foolish act. Use your eyes well.”

Use your eyes.

Carefully focusing the mana within my body into my eyes, I peered at the clumps of mana and noticed a difference in density. One side was less dense, while the other was denser. In that moment, I was sure of the answer.

The answer is the mana in the right hand.

“If you’ve figured out the answer to this extent, let’s conclude today’s class here. Before the next class, each of you should research and bring in methods for purifying natural mana. That’s all.”

At that, a sigh escaped from my lips. For students who didn’t even know how to evoke natural mana, what an unreasonable assignment, professor.