Ch.42Chapter 42: Clue.

After the question time ended, Riemann handed out an item to each student.

The pinnacle of Imperial Mana Engineering.

A communication bracelet issued to enrolled students.

Its official name is the Growndtgram Armlet.

It can be powered by the user’s aura or magical energy.

It has many useful functions, such as allowing students to communicate with each other or check professors’ announcements.

“You only get issued one, so be careful not to break it. If it breaks, you’ll have to buy a new one with your own money. And it’s expensive. It’s sturdy, but don’t expect it to provide any defense.”

Size adjustment is a basic option. When Valt puts on the armlet, it activates by drawing a small amount of magical energy.

A hologram similar to a status window appears as the magic activates.

“It displays your unique magical wavelength as a twelve-digit number. Each of you should submit your armlet number to me.”

‘It’s like a cell phone number from Earth.’

Valt finds it fascinating how magic and science can look so similar.

After everyone submits their numbers, Riemann announces the end of the schedule.

“That’s it for today’s agenda. You’re free to use the rest of your time as you wish.”

This concludes the first day’s academic schedule.

From now on, everyone can freely explore the school, train, or do whatever they want.

Valt is thinking of visiting the library or meeting with a magic professor.

But it seems Riemann has some business with Valt.

“Valt Gerungtu, a moment please.”

Valt follows Riemann into the hallway outside the classroom.

“The professors want to meet you in person. Do you have any plans later?”

Though he has plans with Irene and Seirun, they can be postponed.

“Nothing special.”

“Good, then come to the professors’ lounge in 30 minutes. You can check the location on your armlet.”

This works out well.

Valt was planning to meet the professors anyway, and now they’re interested in meeting him.

His abilities have piqued the professors’ interest.

“Understood.”

“By the way, are you getting better at what I taught you?”

Though he couldn’t apply it perfectly, Valt has successfully used the aura control method Riemann taught him to increase the power of his unique magic “Giant Arm,” which makes his arm swell.

“It’s not perfect, but I’m still practicing.”

“Heh, I see. Alright, see you later.”

During the 30-minute wait, Valt and his friends exchange armlet numbers.

Lisa takes the initiative to create a group chat and invite her friends.

“Gram Talk! Everyone can chat here now!”

Valt is amazed by the magical technology. It’s truly impressive.

In Gerungtu, they typically use one-horned hawks called Ikakuou for communication during wars.

But no matter how fast a hawk might be, it can’t compare to this magic.

This would be good to bring back to Gerungtu.

“They have everything here.”

***

“Hmm! What a truly remarkable physique.”

Despite wearing the Growndt Academy uniform, Valt’s physique couldn’t be hidden by such clothing.

The uniform is, of course, provided by the Academy.

It has decent defensive magic and automatic size adjustment magic, allowing even Valt to wear it comfortably.

As expected, it can be activated using the wearer’s magical energy, and since armor might need to function when the user has no magic, it can also be powered by mana stones.

Professor Tobias Perch recognizes the impressiveness of Valt’s physique.

As a martial artist himself, he can’t help but be interested in physical capabilities.

And the head professor, Professor Marcel, also expresses admiration.

“I saw you at the tournament… but up close, you’re even more massive. Is this why you can emit magical energy with such an item? Valt, could you show us that technique where your arm swells?”

At Professor Marcel’s request, Valt activates Giant Arm.

Poof!

As his arm instantly swells to about 1.5 times its original size, Professor Marcel reaches out his hand and says:

“May I examine it?”

“Go ahead.”

Professor Marcel is an 8th Circle Master. He can see how much magical energy is gathered with his eyes, but touching it allows him to gather more information.

“My… this is surprising. To withstand this much magical energy with just arm swelling.”

Curious, Valt asks Marcel:

“What’s strange about it?”

Professor Marcel laughs at Valt’s question.

“Strange? Hahaha, of course it’s strange. The magical energy gathered in your arm is just raw, unrefined magical power. Isn’t that right? It’s not arranged in complex formulas like magic, nor is it precisely controlled like aura. You’ve just stuffed in a lump of energy.”

“That’s correct.”

Professor Marcel continues his explanation:

“The fact that your arm can withstand such rough energy is only possible because your body is so sturdy. How could that not be strange? Using magical energy in this way is probably unique to you.”

Watching the situation, the magic professor Janet Koel asks a question:

“That wind magic called Matouhou. Could you show us one?”

After saying this, Janet creates a barrier in front of Valt.

Whoosh!

Valt extends his palm and unleashes Wind Fist.

Crack!

As expected of a 7th Circle Wizard’s barrier, only Valt’s magic dissipates.

“My goodness… So you really don’t need incantations? You visualize the natural flow of magical energy through will and mental power alone? This is truly…”

Valt continues his conversation with the professors.

Professor Marcel begins to explain why Valt can’t use aura:

“You don’t have aura roads in your body. It’s quite fascinating. Or rather than not having them, the mana is stuck to every cell in your body. That must be why Gerungtu bodies are so strong.”

This is news even to Valt.

This is something only a Master-level expert would notice after careful examination.

“Does that mean I can learn to use aura?”

“Well… There are countless ways to use aura, but if you trace back to the origin, it’s all about the circulation of aura through aura roads.”

Professor Marcel continues:

“Even the aura blade that Masters emit is ultimately about how strongly you can refine and circulate aura. Aura is a flow; it must keep moving.”

“Then I…”

Marcel says with a regretful expression:

“Whether it’s a racial characteristic or not, the mana in all your cells is fixed. This is immovable mana. For you to circulate aura, you would need to control each and every cell. Can you do that?”

In Valt’s opinion, it’s impossible. The parts of the body that can be moved by human will are limited.

The aura control method Riemann taught him only worked for one arm, so he could only imitate it to a degree.

There was a reason why he couldn’t improve no matter how much he practiced.

“A strong body is an advantage, but this means you can’t learn aura. You might be better off choosing magic.”

In conclusion, learning aura would be difficult.

The only option left is magic.

Janet’s assessment follows:

“It’s certainly an interesting magic, but it’s created from a dragon’s toy. It has clear limitations, and you know that, right?”

It can only be used for attacks.

And while Valt might not know, now that he understands how rare physical force-to-magic conversion items are, it would be difficult for his people to learn it.

“Is there any other way to convert physical force into magical energy? I ask because contacting dragons seems unrealistic.”

Janet ponders Valt’s question.

“Hmm… it’s difficult. Conversion… conversion magic… it’s not my specialty…”

Janet continues to mutter to herself.

“Aura-to-magic conversion isn’t necessary… and the energy that can be converted to magical power is very limited to begin with. Even with my knowledge, only life force perhaps…”

Catching Janet’s muttering, Valt asks:

“Life force? Can that also be converted into magical energy?”

Janet nods at Valt’s question.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“What’s the clear standard for life force? Are you talking about lifespan?”

Janet makes an ambiguous expression.

“While we call it life force, I can’t definitively say ‘this is it!’ It refers to all the energy needed for life activities. Simply put, it’s that something necessary for life activities that, when completely depleted, results in death.”

This is it. If this is possible, Valt’s dream can be realized again.

“Is that also 10th Circle? Does it involve creation magic or something similar?”

“No, not really. Life energy is ultimately related to mana.”

This means it doesn’t need to be converted to mana like physical force.

“What kinds are there?”

“Well, a representative magic would be blood magic.”

“Blood magic?”

“Yes, the blood magic used by vampires. Blood is one of the mediums overflowing with life energy.”

An excited Valt asks Janet:

“Could I learn it?”

“Strong body… strong life force… there’s definitely a connection, but I can’t be certain.”

“We won’t know unless we try, right?”

Janet looks intrigued.

“There should certainly be materials on blood magic in the Growndt library, but blood magic is almost exclusive to vampires. Learning from them would be fastest. But you know what vampires are like, right?”

In fact, vampires are so similar to humans they could be classified as a similar race.

But coexistence is impossible.

They crave human blood.

So while they’re similar to humans, they’re also classified as monsters.

But there have definitely been humans who have interacted with vampires.

“I’ll have to meet them.”

That was the moment Valt’s next destination was decided.