New Semester (4)
Even after entering the second year at the Academy, the class content hadn't changed dramatically. They were simply learning how to use more difficult spells, in more varied environments, and with greater proficiency. The problem lay in that very phrase—"more difficult spells."
Magic professor Neville Brix spoke in his usual expressionless tone, one that made it impossible to tell whether he was a person or a doll. "Chrome Midas. It seems your mana control hasn't improved at all."
"Ah, um. I'm sorry." Chrome nodded reluctantly at the pointed remark. In the original story, mana control improved automatically just by using mana-related functions. Why isn't mine changing?
Mana capacity. Mana control. Mana refinement. There were three elements to mana talent, and aside from innate gifts, they could all be strengthened through effort. Generally, increasing capacity was considered the most difficult, while improving control was seen as relatively easy. Methods to enhance mana capacity all required rare and expensive materials, whereas control naturally grew more proficient the more one handled mana.
But Chrome's case was the opposite. Thanks to his past-life knowledge, he knew various special food combinations that boosted mana capacity, allowing him to raise it significantly. However, his mana control remained stubbornly stagnant. The original spendthrift character reached intermediate mana control without much trouble, so why can't I even escape the lower grade?
He wasn't entirely ignorant of mana tools that improved control, but such items were rare, and they were usually meant to push upper-grade users into the supreme grade. Using them to advance from lower to intermediate grade would be far too wasteful.
If given to Ligret, the efficiency would increase even more. Fiore could extend her recovery or defense range further. Pino or the Pendebig siblings could use higher-tier spells. As for Lyla, the princess already handled multiple upper-grade spells in parallel, so her priority was lower than Chrome's in a different sense.
Still, it's a problem if my mana control stays this low. Chrome's main strength was throwing Attribute Stones, and since most of his alchemy spells were physically inscribed, low control didn't prevent him from using them. It only made the process more complicated, as he had to handle physically what mana control should have managed. More than anything, being unable to use intermediate spells—the proper way to utilize his abundant mana capacity—was deeply frustrating.
While Chrome was lost in thought, Neville Brix suddenly asked, "You show signs of artificially increasing your mana capacity. And quite substantially. Did you find a Blue Iksir colony before enrollment?"
Chrome felt a jolt inside, but outwardly he shook his head as if baffled. "If I'd found something like that, wouldn't I have eaten it myself?"
Blue Iksir was a blue flower resembling a thornless rose. Its roots were used for potent poison, while the stems and petals enhanced mana. The capacity increase was significant, and its convenience—simply eating it without special processing—made it the ultimate tonic in its field. Because it was so famous, harvesting and trading it were illegal, though that rule was rarely followed. There was even a saying that Blue Iksir only appeared through official channels when offered as tribute to the imperial family or granted as a reward—never otherwise.
Neville's words were essentially asking, "Didn't you just commit a crime?"
"A single bloom would change someone's life. Naturally, I would have presented it to the Spero royal family."
"The Spero royal family. Given your family background, it wouldn't be strange if you took it directly to the imperial palace."
"……"
Chrome fell silent, and Neville continued flatly. "Well, it doesn't matter how you increased your mana. If artificially expanding it were a crime, over half the students in my class would be in prison. What's important isn't that—it's the fact that your increased capacity is interfering with your control."
This was another bolt from the blue. "Wait a second. I'm not the only one with high mana capacity and low control, am I?"
"You know your facts. It's true that high mana capacity hinders control, but numerically speaking, the effect is minimal. Most mana users wouldn't even notice it."
However, Neville added, "Drawing one cup from a vast lake makes little difference, but pouring one cup from a kettle creates a noticeable change in both weight and water level. For someone like you, whose control was already poor to begin with, even that small difference is fatal."
Chrome wore a reluctant expression. What could he do if this was a side effect of eating too many good things?
"Blue Light dramatically improves mana efficiency when casting spells, but no matter how well a horse runs, if the coachman is incompetent, the carriage won't move properly. The empire's magic still has a long way to go."
"……"
Would I get away with hitting him right now? Chrome seriously considered it.
"But simply saying something is impossible doesn't qualify one to be a professor. There are still a few methods left."
"Oh, as expected of Professor Neville Brix! I knew I could count on you!"
"Your eyes looked like they were pleading for violence."
"……"
Academy professors never changed. After successfully suppressing his rampaging tongue several times, Neville continued. "Honestly, your mana control sense can't be called excellent even as flattery. You might manage a small fishbowl's worth of mana, but controlling a pond-sized amount is far beyond you. In that case, you simply shouldn't control it."
"What do you mean by 'shouldn't control it'?"
"You're taking alchemy classes, so you should have some knowledge of magic tools."
When Chrome nodded, the explanation continued. "Magic tools are largely divided into two types. One uses mana stored within the tool itself, while the other uses the user's mana. It's hard to say which is superior. The former doesn't rely on the caster's ability at all. Even someone with no mana can use it, but the effect size and number of uses are fixed. The latter is more selective about users, but if the conditions are met, it displays tremendous power."
Chrome nodded. He could understand what "shouldn't control it" meant.
"So instead of casting spells directly, just pour mana into a magic tool. That's what you mean."
It was one of the methods Chrome had already considered. However, there was a reason he hadn't chosen it immediately.
"But if your mana control is low, the tool can't properly suppress the mana it's taking in, so it risks going out of control, right? I thought that's why internal mana storage is preferred over external supply types."
At Chrome's point, Neville looked puzzled instead. "Is that a problem? Every endeavor carries risk. As long as the return is greater, it doesn't matter."
"……"
Because Istal Levenstein is so exceptional, I keep forgetting the other professors are just as insane, Chrome thought, reminded once again.
"As for other methods… there are two. And you'll experience both soon enough."
Experience? What kind of experience? Had anything happened around this time? The Academy had been quiet for a while after the second-year semester began. Had something changed again? With countless question marks floating in his mind, Chrome asked, "What are we doing?"
"One is the opening of a new subject. It was originally scheduled for the middle of this year, but orders from above moved the start date forward. An announcement will be made soon, so apply if you wish to take it."
"Oh?" Thankfully, this is something I know about. Recalling the black butterflies he'd seen during the entrance exam, Chrome felt relieved. Though the schedule had been moved up compared to what he remembered, taking this class wouldn't be a bad idea.
"And the other?"
"Field training. Since mages who focus only on theory lack practical response skills, you need to move your body to avoid becoming mere desk scholars."
It was the kind of statement that would horrify students who'd already been thrown into forests, shot spells at each other, faced armies, and taken on requests in the special class. But Chrome didn't react much. No matter how much the students had been through, he'd been through far worse.
"Training is important, sure. But what does that have to do with my mana control? Are you saying I'll figure it out through real combat or something?"
"The blessing of Maokseong has the effect of enhancing mana abilities. It will increase not only mana control but the other two aspects as well, so there's a high chance you'll improve compared to now."
"…?" Chrome tilted his head. Something about this didn't add up. "Why are we suddenly talking about Maokseong?"
Neville Brix answered, "Of course, the direct connection between Star Land and Star's Blessing hasn't been proven yet. However, considering various legends, we judge there's a fairly significant possibility."
Leaving the student petrified by the shocking hypothesis that had just formed in his mind, the professor who didn't understand human hearts said, "The next practical training class will be held in Star Land."