The Madman of the Academy
Romeln Academy. It was an institution named after the great progenitor of magic, the first to lay the foundations of the arcane arts. Unlike ordinary people who could not wield magic, this educational facility had been established for the chosen—those blessed with the gift, such as mages and the empowered. Its graduates were renowned for occupying the highest positions in society afterward. It was known as an exclusive school for the upper class, and in truth, it was exactly that.
Everyone was impeccably dressed, and an air of refined leisure flowed through the halls, befitting their well-educated status. Yet a man who looked nothing like he belonged in such an atmosphere appeared at the main gate—a crude, swaggering thug in every sense of the word.
He wore a hospital gown, his skin deeply tanned, and cheap, flashy accessories dangling from his body. It was Dayman.
"So this is the academy or whatever it's called?"
His voice clashed violently with the elegant surroundings. Dayman strode forward, glancing around with wide eyes.
"I'm a student here now, huh? Look at this place—shiny as hell! We didn't have buildings this fancy back in my day. Whoa... how big is that one over there?"
Just as he was about to step inside, marveling at everything, the staff guarding the gate approached him.
"This area is restricted to authorized personnel only. Please present your student ID."
"Ah, student ID? Just a moment."
Dayman frantically searched his pockets, but there was nothing. That damned fool. What kind of student doesn't even carry his ID? Calion wanted to curse, but he gave up. There was no point in demanding sense from someone who clearly lacked any.
"It... seems I don't have it."
As he mumbled, a voice called out from behind the staff.
"Isn't that Dayman?"
The staff member stiffened and stepped aside at once.
"Professor Akampelt!"
"Good work. This young man is indeed a student. I'll take him in. Is that all right?"
"Of course!"
"Follow me. Meeting you right at the gate—how fortunate."
A female professor with a dignified air had come to his rescue. Dayman followed her gratefully. Professor Akampelt led him to her office, and the moment the door closed, she let out a sigh so heavy it seemed to drain the air from the room.
"Dayman Calid... No, that's not it anymore. Dayman Calidos, was it?"
"Yes, that's... right."
Dayman hesitated, unsure how to address her.
"...Professor?"
At the respectful title, Professor Akampelt's eyes widened. She had never expected such courtesy from this notorious rebel who ignored every adult's words and defied authority at every turn.
"'Professor' is sufficient. Please, have a seat."
"Ah! Yes, Professor! So that's how people address you these days. Haha!"
His tone suddenly sounded like an old man's, and Professor Akampelt frowned briefly before her expression turned serious.
"Dayman, you've already been held back twice."
"Held back... what does that mean?"
"......It means you failed to advance to the sixth year and remain in the fifth. Are you joking with me right now?"
"If I don't know something, I say I don't know. Why would I pretend otherwise? So, is my situation that bad?"
Professor Akampelt narrowed her eyes. She had heard about the accident, but this was far more than a change—it was as if an entirely different person stood before her.
"Yes. It is serious. If you fail the midterms in two months, you'll be expelled from Romeln Academy after your third retention."
"What? I don't want that! There are so many things I still need to learn here!"
"That... is a relief, at least."
She couldn't hide her confusion. Had he always been this proactive?
"I refuse to be held back! What do I have to do? The midterms—how do I get a good score? Don't tell me I have to take some test using the kind of knowledge people learn these days. That would be... difficult for me!"
"......Calm down, Dayman. Your speech is strange today. Very strange."
"Yes! After the accident, I've become a completely new person! Let's just say that! Haha!"
Dayman made up the excuse on the spot. There was no way she would understand if he claimed his personality had changed overnight. Professor Akampelt stared at him suspiciously for a moment, then sighed deeply.
"Dayman."
"Yes, Professor."
"Your body... is a gift from birth."
"I know. It's a body blessed by the gods—mana circuits, blood vessels, even mana capacity. To think I've been wasting it all this time! After the accident, I realized what a terrible waste it was. I must have been an idiot before!"
"......Yes. Thanks to that body, you somehow made it to the fifth year, but as a knight department student who still cannot wield Aura Blade, your situation is dire. Most students here manifest aura by their third year."
"Aura? What's that?"
"......Are you joking with me again?"
"I really don't know. Could you explain?"
"It's the technique of expelling condensed mana through a sword, Dayman."
"Isn't that sword aura? Why are you using that odd name for Eastern martial arts?"
Professor Akampelt's eyes widened. There was no way this fool had paid attention in history class. How did he know aura originated from Eastern martial arts?
"After the Great Human-Demon War, the West acknowledged the superiority of Eastern martial arts to some extent. They began incorporating parts of those techniques, which knights now study and practice."
"Ah, I see! That's wonderful! Haha!"
Eastern martial arts are excellent. I told those Magic Empire knights over and over not to rely solely on their blessings and to learn Eastern arts alongside them, but they never listened. Only after I died did they finally accept it. Those damn hero party bastards. They probably rewrote history to claim they were the ones who first proposed it.
Dayman ground his teeth in silence.
"So, if I manifest aura, I won't be held back? Professor?"
"No. It's already too late for that. The Knight Department and the Combat Mage course in the Magic Department are evaluated strictly through practical combat. You'll be assessed by fighting professors directly and demonstrating your skill."
"Ah... Aaaah! So I just have to beat the professors into the ground? Through combat?"
Dayman's eyes lit up as he spoke. Professor Akampelt slammed her desk, visibly irritated.
"Dayman!"
"Why are you hitting the desk? What is it?!"
"......Do you think this is a joke?"
"No. I'm just happy."
"About what, exactly?"
"I'm confident in fighting! There's probably no one in this land who can beat me one-on-one right now—professors included! I'm the best at fighting in the world! I thought I'd have to study and take some test, but if it's combat, I've got nothing to worry about! Hahaha!"
Professor Akampelt was so dumbfounded she forgot how to even react. What kind of arrogant nonsense was this? She was known as the most good-natured professor in the Knight Department; anyone else would have exploded in rage at such absurdity.
"Dayman, the chances of passing the midterms without even being able to use aura are—"
"You said two months, right? The midterms? I'll knock that professor opponent flat by then! Don't worry at all! I'll pass with flying colors and avoid retention! Ah, by the way, Professor."
The fact that the academy's lowest-ranked student—the one who was even crushed by first-years—was speaking so confidently left Professor Akampelt speechless. But what came next erased even the last shred of her composure.
"Can I switch departments?"
"......What?"
"I don't want the Knight Department. I want to become a combat mage. That's my specialty."
"Dayman, you've never even studied magic. How could you possibly—"
"Being a combat mage is simple! You just need to master the five practical magic systems useful in real combat. The rest is just grinding through practice! And I've had plenty of that. With the right equipment, I can tear through anything!"
His confidence was so absolute that Professor Akampelt forgot what she had been about to say. Dayman smiled brightly at her.
"I'm confident, Professor! Please let me switch departments. There are many things I need to learn in the Magic Department. My true expertise lies there, not in the Knight Department. I have every intention of becoming the strongest combat mage!"
Professor Akampelt let out a hollow laugh. What on earth is wrong with this guy? After the accident, he's become a completely different person. The idiot turned into a full-blown lunatic. She decided not to waste any more time on this madman.
"Romeln Academy operates on a free major system. Even if you're in the Knight Department, there's no rule preventing you from taking Magic Department classes. If you want to attend those lectures, go ahead."
"Ah! Is that so? What a splendid system! Thank you! Be ready to be amazed at the midterms! Hahahaha!"
"Yes, Dayman. I'm looking forward to it. I hope you achieve the results you desire."
"Thank you, Professor! Ah, one more thing. Where can I get a wand or staff?"
"Inquire at the academy's workshop."
"Haha! Thank you! I can check that with this... smartphone thing, right? That map app is really something!"
Professor Akampelt no longer felt anger—only pity. Now she understood why he had been expelled from the Calidos family and why his engagement to Lady Bamona had been broken. He's gone mad. How pitiful...
He had tried endlessly and possessed a gifted body, but his innate talent had been so abysmal that he achieved nothing. In the end, he had gone astray and lost his mind. He was one of the most tragic students she had ever taught.
With a somber expression, she forced a smile.
"Dayman... I hope you find the strength."
"Of course I will. I have so much to do! My body's young again—I'm going to enjoy everything I missed! Hahaha! I'll be going now!"
As Dayman closed the door and left, Professor Akampelt could only stare at it with a heavy heart.