Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: As Expected, a World Where Only I Have No Mana is Wrong
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The lecture ended, and a flood of people poured out all at once. Amid the crowd were four figures.
"That professor was annoying. Should we terrorize his lecture evaluations?"
"I agree. Want to do it together, Kainel?"
"Be careful."
"Ugh, even Fox Slimes don't attack people."
Ariel was still shuddering as if goosebumps lingered. Kainel checked on her condition by her side. Then there was me and Mardol.
Anyone looking would think we made for a pretty odd quartet. How could there be zero overlapping vibes?
We walked in step.
"Oh, Licht, you're heading to the central hall, right?"
"Probably. I need to apply for admission."
"I'll come with you, Helmet Guy. Kai's coming too, right!"
"I'll follow."
Why are you coming? If this keeps up, flags might snap, and we'll drift off course. I tried steering the conversation elsewhere as best I could.
"By the way, Mardol. No interest in the swordsmanship club?"
"Nah. Already know it all."
Ah, more than two words this time.
The empire was famous for its swordsmanship,
especially the renowned Granasia-style techniques passed down from the imperial family. No need to learn that anywhere else.
"So you want to learn swordsmanship from me?"
"Aerial combat... weak."
True. The emperor doesn't care about distance—he's a madman. I'd forgotten he was one of the Ten Heroes.
The Wolf King who conquered the continent with a one-handed axe. Lucky I hadn't died meeting him.
"...Isn't that enough?"
"No. Not enough."
Breaking my promise with the crown prince like this would spell disaster. I racked my brain, recalling the character's backstory.
Locke Granasia, the emperor.
'He cherishes his family fiercely.'
That's why in [Black Heart], refusing the crown prince from the start or threatening him brings the imperial guards immediately. His personality was shaped by the war.
"Hmm... Are you joining the magic club, Mardol?"
"What about you?"
"I can't use magic, so I'm counting on Professor Dennis's help. You know that."
I answered honestly.
My cover was already blown. More lies would just put me at risk. Mardol might call the guards over something like 'How dare you ruin my mood?' I stuck to the plain facts, no hiding.
"Right."
"What? Licht, you can't use magic...? What the hell have you been eating to get by?"
"For real? Something happen, Helmet Guy?"
I pressed a hand to my forehead. It wasn't something happening to me—you guys are the weird ones.
I'd never told these two about my mana-less body.
'Anyone would struggle after starving for days.'
They recharge magic like eating radioactive bananas. No matter how much I ate, I never felt that fullness.
Five years in, this was definitely a problem.
"I've had some issues..."
"Gasp, sorry. Sensitive topic, huh? Poor Helmet Guy."
"Wait, even that swordplay with me back then? Was that a no-mana technique?"
"You... lost first?"
Ariel covered her mouth with both hands. The redhead narrowed his brow. The crown prince hung his head. Things were starting to twist into something serious.
"I just have a unique constitution."
I'm not the pitiful human you think. Stop—no, I'm not someone who skips meals for days. I had to smooth things over fast. Waving my hands, I reassured them.
"I believe you, Licht. But if you're hungry, just say so. I'll buy you food."
"Helmet Guy... Academy cafeteria food is cheap and tasty... Why...?"
"...Hungry?"
"That's not it! I swear, I eat properly!"
My face felt beet red. I wanted to crawl into a hole from embarrassment. Was this the protagonist couple's banter? Their teamwork was suffocating.
Then suddenly, two of them looked at me and laughed.
"Got it. Can't even take off your helmet, so that must be it. Kidding. Just kidding."
"Kai, this is why it's fun. Should we tease Helmet Guy next time too?"
Kainel, Ariel—you knew all along and played along. You've grown. I'll lock in a 50% Love Meter boost for next time. I smirked inwardly.
"..."
Mardol seemed to have cut ties with comedy entirely. Talk about zero social skills. Raised like a flower in a greenhouse?
What the hell happened in those nine years up to [Black Heart]?
"...We're here."
Chatting away as we walked, we'd arrived at the sign reading [Magic Club] in front of the central hall.
I opened the firmly shut door.
There, a blue-haired young man was watering yellow flowers.
"Well, if it isn't the students from my lecture? What's brings you here? Don't tell me—admission applications?"
"That's right, Professor Dennis. Long time no see."
I bowed immediately in greeting. From [Knight Heart] to [Black Heart], his face was so familiar it felt nostalgic. Slipped and said 'long time no see.'
"I'm still young enough not to know students like you, Licht."
"You know me?"
He sipped his coffee and smiled.
"Old man Drake bragged about you endlessly. Gave some minor warnings, though."
"That's surprising."
A man with piercing white eyes. He needed constant intoxication just to hold his mind together, and he offered a tipsy handshake. Up close, it was intriguing.
"Hello, Professor! Remember me?"
"Ariel, right? How's your magic formula practice?"
"Yep! Thanks to you! Here for admission!"
"First students in ages. Usually, folks find guys like me scary and stay away."
"You're handsome, though? Not as much as Kai..."
Bright as ever, Ariel. She tossed her red hair, laughing. Great with people even on second meetings.
Cat-level affinity.
"Kainel here. Want to practice channeling mana into my sword, so applying."
"That's a holy sword. Must've been tough."
"...You know it?"
"Of course. Seen it, broken it, tried destroying it countless times."
The man looked wistful. Dennis always valued lives highly, so he leaned toward eliminating holy swords.
He'd supported founding this academy too.
"Raise heroes and champions right."
He shaped the liquid in his coffee cup into a sphere and wrote words.
A simple single sentence.
"That was my original pitch for Grand Hearts Academy. Brother Locke hated it, and Headmaster Laplace shot it down."
He twirled his finger lightly and continued.
"You're that delinquent truant from back then."
"Hello."
"Don't be late to lectures next time."
Oh? He could speak normally after all?
Maybe protagonists connect somehow. Why short answers to Kainel, though? The Light Hero bowed his head.
"Anyway, enough chit-chat. Welcome to the Magic Club, everyone."
No sooner had he spoken than rainbow water droplets began layering before our eyes.
"As I said in basics lecture, I aim for extremes."
The droplets formed lines, swirling in a ring around his hand. Magic booze? Smells like alcohol.
'Cocktail, probably.'
As I sniffed, the crown prince's armor beside me twitched.
Wolf senses sharp? Nice detail.
"Now, show me your magic."
He grinned at us.
The desk had somehow expanded enough for five.
But I couldn't. Uneasy, I raised my hand with a question. Better than interrupting lecture.
"Professor Dennis."
"Yes, student Licht?"
"I can't use magic."
"...Joking, right? Even Drake manages some."
I shook my head. No readout on the issue. Drake loved misfit types like me. The old man had weak mana too.
"Worse than that geezer, and he got into the academy...? Swordsmanship sweep? No way?"
"Yes. Master Drake told me to."
"He really needs self-control... No wonder the exam proctor looked beaten."
Everyone stared at me.
You could do it too. Easy with old man Drake.
"Me crossing swords with this guy—am I sane? Ariel? We passed, but still."
"I'm a bit scared now, Kai..."
"...Unique as ever."
Two eyed me strangely, the crown prince piercing like he saw through me.
Felt like he could see my muscles under the clothes, but I brushed it off.
"Let me check you out, Licht."
Dennis deployed a magic circle.
Oh, pure water droplet magic circle. Refreshing vibe.
"You know magic's three elements, right, Licht?"
"Mana, magic circuits, incantation."
"Incantation's optional. Weaker, but do this and it strengthens again."
「Beer Gold.」
⟨ Beer Gold ⟩
The magic circle turned golden, dozens blooming around me.
Beer scent filled the clubroom. The circles glowed for dozens of minutes.
"This... is rough."
"What's the problem, Professor Dennis?"
He dispelled the magic, ruffling his hair—his body screaming the situation was dire.
"You're no good."
For real? Even this fails? Water magic pinnacle Dennis? I made an incredulous face.
Helmet hid it, but I tried.
"Magic circuits all tangled. Like yarn balls... What did you do?"
Game possession.
"Just eat well and sleep well..."
"Mana lack is fixable—eat more..."
He sighed again. Eating was fine, as expected. Relief my stomach was normal.
"This needs total circuit overhaul."
"Wouldn't that kill a person?"
"Yeah, but upside: resistant to magic attacks."
"Not bad. Downsides?"
At my bold question, Dennis shook his head pityingly.
"Healing won't work. Injuries are fatal."
"...Bad news."
So potions and sleep left me sore. Five years to unravel this body mystery. Figures.
"Even old man Drake heals with potions..."
"Sad. No other way, Professor?"
"Way beyond my field, Licht. That's why Drake took you as disciple."
He sat back, sipped coffee, returned my paper. Kept others' applications.
"Admission denied. Sorry."
"..."
Didn't see this coming.
No—where's my happy magic romance academy life? Gotta watch Ariel and Kainel too. Brainstormed countermeasures.
"...Professor. Ever heard of 3D Magic Circle?"
Dennis's ultimate from [Knight Heart].
This might work.