EP.173 Braver and Nightmare (3)
A new semester has dawned.
Students move according to their pre-arranged schedules. The once quiet academy is now buzzing with energy after two months of silence. And watching all this from a distance is a certain individual.
“……”
The Fourth Princess, Ayla.
From her dorm room, she looks down at the scenery outside, recalling the information she heard a few days ago.
“The Braver, Kelharlem, has arrived in Apuria.”
This information came from the Hound stationed secretly in Apuria. “So, the time has come,” Ayla mutters, biting her lip.
The meaning of the prophecy whispered by the Star is still unclear.
However, it was certain that the situation requiring that prophecy was drawing closer by the minute. Whether it will be tomorrow or the day after, she must never let her guard down.
“…Trust no one.”
Everything must be treated with suspicion.
Ayla sharpened her nerves. The Star remained silent, leaving Ayla to fend for herself. Steeling her heart, she steps out of the dorm.
Another day begins without the Star.
In the midst of strangeness, Ayla takes a deep breath.
—
2.
A guest has arrived in Apuria.
They were introduced as a talented mage from a faraway land. Along with that, a warning to keep your distance from him if possible.
“He detests being interrupted in thought, meditation, or anguish above all else. Try not to speak to him or hover nearby.”
This was Dean Aaron’s recommendation.
“In any case, don’t get close!”
It was the first time the usually gentle Dean had made such emphatic remarks, so the students and faculty stayed away from the guest unless something unusual happened.
Only rumors trickled through occasionally.
“I saw him walking in the garden of the academy, and I saw him sitting on a bench, staring blankly at the sky…” Some even reported that he’d spoken to them, asking something.
The students perked up at those tales. They felt a thrill at the thought of a guest who had come from another world.
They did not know his identity or name, but he was someone to whom Dean Aaron showed great respect. There were rumors about the Dean sweating profusely and bowing respectfully to him.
Interest and curiosity.
And it kept growing.
A young mage appearing to be in his mid-twenties.
A mage the Dean respects.
From an unidentified foreign land.
—
When the students were starting to take notice of this mysterious individual, an announcement was posted on the academy bulletin board. It was about a short special lecture to be held at the beginning of the semester.
“Utilization of Elemental Magic”
A special lecture on elemental magic that Wizard Class students specialize in. There weren’t many details about the lecture. Even the professor in charge was only mentioned in a single line.
“Instructor: External Guest Lecturer”
Unknown origin. Unknown name.
Only that one line was written. But it was enough.
“It must be him!”
Curiosity and excitement about the guest, leading most of the Wizard Class students to sign up for the special lecture.
“Wow.”
And it wasn’t just students signing up.
Standing in front of the bulletin board, a certain professor let out a short exclamation while fiddling with his chin.
“How interesting.”
The Ashen-Haired Professor.
Rania van Trias nodded slightly and pulled down a lecture application form that was attached beside the announcement.
“…Professor Rania?”
The professors who witnessed this swallowed dryly.
What they recalled was an incident from the last semester.
“Purpose: Reference for teaching methods.”
That one line had been presented as though it were a challenge in every class. Those who remembered that incident gulped down anxiously.
“What is she up to now?”
Some professors had received her challenge and ended up demoralized, taking several days off. Many of them shot dubious glances toward Rania.
Ashen-Haired.
Now a color symbolizing nightmares.
Yet, Rania, the target of all their gazes, simply walked down the hallway with a light step.
—
The Ashen Master, Resti Elenoa.
She had been incredibly busy.
Balancing between Summoner and Wizard classes, her schedule was significantly tighter than the other students.
Two majors.
On top of that, the special lecture from Professor Rania.
And the various small tasks from the Tower along with personal research.
Resti managed to juggle all of this at once. Even TAs, who were already sacrificing sleep, would shake their heads at her grueling timetable… Yet, Resti herself showed no signs of struggle.
“This is just how it’s always been.”
Recently, she had even signed up for one more special lecture.
Resti was on her way to that lecture. Walking through a bustling hallway, she noticed a classroom filled with a gathering of students.
“That person is…”
“Yeah, the one who came from elsewhere…”
Many students were peering through the small window of the classroom. Pushing some aside, Resti stepped inside.
Creek.
Upon entering, she saw a man in a neat robe standing at the podium. Resti met his gaze. He was a surprisingly young mage.
“This is the one from the rumor…”
Ashen eyes and dark hair.
For some reason, his first impression reminded her of Professor Rania. A young professor who radiated a mysterious vibe.
“……”
Resti slightly bowed her head in silence.
When she raised it again, the professor on the podium was still looking at her. There was an uncomfortable feeling emanating from his gaze for no apparent reason.
“Ah, Resti.”
At that moment.
“You applied too?”
A familiar voice lingered in her ear.
Resti turned her head. The person she expected stood behind her.
“Professor Rania?”
“Yeah. Why are you standing here? Go take a seat.”*
Rania half-pushed Resti towards a back seat. As they passed by the professor at the podium, she mumbled something.
“…Be careful.”
The man seemed to have heard her mumble and responded shortly.
Resti, who didn’t catch it, tilted her head.
“What did you say?”
“Huh? Nothing. Just sit down.”
After both took a seat, about five minutes passed before the bell rang. The ringing bell signaled the start of class.
“Nice to meet you.”
His voice was emotionless.
“First, I’ll explain the overview.”
As soon as the bell rang, the class began. Not a second of delay, he announced the start.
“I don’t know how much you guys know about elemental spells. I won’t have the time to fully grasp your levels, so I will use the short time efficiently.”
And so, he continued.
“If you’re in the Wizard Class, you should know the limitations of elemental spells. I will discuss how to overcome those limitations.”
He picked up chalk and began writing on the board.
Pointing at the written text, he said.
“I define the limitations of elemental spells like this.”
Affinity.
“Affinity is the limitation of elemental spells. No matter how powerful the spell is, there is always, inevitably, an affinity.”
With his right hand, he drew a circle.
With his left hand, he drew a triangle.
He manifested spells in each hand. The double casting flowed smoothly, and the students held their breath.
“Fireball and water orb. The most representative examples.”
He waved his fingers.
Fire and water collided in mid-air. Despite giving them the same amount of mana, only water remained. An obvious result. He focused on that obviousness.
“Fire is to water, water is to ice, and ice is to fire. This is the most basic cycle of elemental affinity. Even if the grade of the spell is low, if you match the affinities, you can respond adequately.”
The spells manifested again.
This time, a smaller water orb still engulfed the fireball.
“This is the shortcoming of elemental spells. Most wizards specialize in one attribute. This is because significant time is invested in exploring a single attribute.”
That’s why the Wizard Class is often criticized for efficiency. True wizards who can handle all attributes fluently are rare.
“A top-class mage who has mastered a single element can lose to a third-rate mage who can handle two elements moderately. So, is it really good to learn various attributes indiscriminately?”
He posed a question.
It was an age-old dilemma. A subject that remains unresolved among those studying the Wizard Class.
“Is it right to master one attribute to the extreme?”
Or,
“Should one handle various attributes equally, rather than to the extreme?”
“The answer is no.”
He reached a conclusion on an unresolved topic.
Students frowned at the conclusion. Some professors observing the class wore similarly uncomfortable expressions. Ignoring that, he continued his explanation.
“Explore one element to its fullest. However, do not merely think of its power; explore how to utilize it…” Affinity can be ignored as much as possible.”
“Explore utilization.”
Swinging his finger, he said.
“Utilization is a means to overcome limitations.”
In one hand, he held the smaller water orb, and in the other hand, a fiery circuit was inscribed.
“Think.”
But the formation was different from before.
“Even if you can only handle one spell, if you know how to utilize it to the fullest, that person is superior to a mage who memorized hundreds of spells.”
A stroke.
He halved the circuit of the fireball.
“The utilization of spells doesn’t just stop at adding and fixing circuits.”
A second stroke.
He halved the halved circuit again.
“Fixing and adding can be done by anyone. The answer lies in what no one else can do.”
One circuit became four.
“Split it.”
Mana seeped into the four circuits.
“Divide one spell.”
The circuits were quartered, but the spell remained one.
“And bind it.”
Two split strokes, with his finger resting in the middle, he pulled the divided circuits. Spinning it like a sling, changes began to occur in the mana-infused circuits.
Fwoosh.
A spark ignited.
Around one point, four small fireballs began to spin. He lightly tossed the rotating fireballs.
The water orb clashed with the fireball.
It was the same experiment, yet the outcome was different from before. The fireball emerged from the water orb.
“Ssssss.”
While the two fireballs disappeared, the remaining two fireballs continue to spin. A spell that pierced through the affinity. The students’ eyes widened in amazement at the unprecedented method of utilization.
“Do not be bound by given rules. Magic is the most free-spirited study.”
He lightly dusted off his hands.
The fireballs melted into the air.
“Though I wrote about the utilization of elemental spells in the lecture introduction, it could also be considered as the utilization of circuits. In any case, what I will teach you is just this.”
With the students in silent awe, he continued speaking.
“…I’ve been hearing some amusing remarks lately.”
His expressionless face maintained a monotone voice.
“It is clear that there are limitations to elemental spells. Those limitations cannot be overcome, so it is better to switch to the Battle Mage Class. I’ve been hearing statements like that.”
Battle Mage.
At that word, a professor sitting in the audience flinched and shuddered. Regardless, he continued speaking.
“I acknowledge that the Battle Mage is an efficient class. However, to escape due to an inability to overcome limitations? Those spineless individuals soon meet a wall. They are not worth interacting with.”
Bang, he declared as he struck the blackboard.
“The majority of Battle Mages lack foundation. Do not forget your roots.”
Unbeknownst to them, the students of the Wizard Class, who had been suffering blows to their pride, listened intently. Their eyes seemed to sparkle at the professor’s words on the podium.
“No matter what anyone says, the foundation of a mage is Wizard.”
Some professors nodded in agreement.
The Wizard Class students felt a growing fondness for the professor standing at the podium. They were also proud that their class was recognized by such a capable mage.
“I will continue.”
With the atmosphere softening, the lecture proceeded.
—
3.
“Look. There are various methods of utilization. Today, I will address three major utilization methods…”
The lecture continues.
The level is high, and the explanations are smooth, yet… Rania’s ears are not picking it up.
“Spineless individuals.”
That single phrase lingered in her ears.
Rania trembled slightly, her head bowed. Even though she hadn’t been aware, it was her own class, after all. It felt as if someone were disparaging her own child.
“Who do you think you are to talk about foundations, you bastard? Have you fought the Four Heavenly Kings? Huh? Have you?”
Those words surged up her throat, but… she could not utter them. It wasn’t because there were many students around. She could have spoken at the end of the lecture if she wanted to.
“Damn it, damn it!”
However, she didn’t feel that urge.
“Battle Mage? That spineless class?”
Rania had some conscience.
Remembering the things she had said herself, her face flushed crimson. Of course, it was said before she knew the full context… But the fact that she had made such statements remained unchanged.
“What kind of idiot made that class?”
Idiot.
Rania’s shoulders trembled with rage.
She slightly raised her head to glare at the man standing at the podium. In that moment, the name “Kelharlem” engraved itself on her kill list.
…When faced with fact-based criticism, petty individuals often disparage the one who made that criticism.
“You, you’re going to pay for this one day.”
The petty mage gritted his teeth.
