Dracula's Test
Really, a great man? Murasaki, who had a police chief for a father, had developed a visceral hatred for two things from a young age thanks to his father's influence. One was the Japanese nobility who strutted about as though they stood above the law. The other was Koreans, a race that refused to respect law and order. Even Murasaki, rebellious by nature, had played the ringleader of delinquents and committed his share of mischief since childhood, yet he could never forgive anyone who belonged to either of those two categories. And he had already been humiliated twice by people who fit those descriptions.
The first had been a noble. Damn it, that Shimazu girl……! He had suffered the indignity of being slapped by a mere girl in front of his own gang. But there had been nothing he could do. The Shimazu ducal house wielded enormous power even in the homeland, so even Murasaki, son of the Jongno Police Chief, hadn't dared to retaliate. All he could do was swallow his rage alone. It's infuriating…… so infuriating! But there's nothing I can do about the Shimazu girl!
As if that weren't enough, he had also been humiliated by the second type he despised: a Korean. That arrogant Korean bastard……! The fact that the boy was Korean was already enough to make him a thorn in Murasaki's side, and the fact that he was friendly with the Shimazu girl made it obvious he was riding on her family's coattails. Worse still, the arrogant Korean was himself the son of a Korean noble who had received a baron title. Korean nobles weren't quite on the level of Japanese nobility, but they still existed somewhat above the law. At least the Shimazu girl was a true superior citizen by bloodline, so Murasaki could force himself to endure her. But a mere pseudo-noble Korean?
I can't forgive this……!
Baek Chulyeon was the living embodiment of everything Murasaki could never accept. The thought that such a person had slapped him and then stolen the squad leader position right out from under him was something Murasaki, as a boy of the Japanese Empire and a true man, could never tolerate. But this humiliation would end today.
Finally, today, I settle things with that bastard.
The Korean had been strutting around, puffed up by his noble status and Shimazu's influence, but his actual swordsmanship was bound to be worthless. There was no way a Korean could defeat him. Swordsmanship class was scheduled for this very afternoon, the first day of lessons. The sparring match the Korean had so boldly proposed would become his grave.
"This is a really great spot."
I muttered as I stepped out of the building, which occupied a rather impressive location among the academy's many structures spread across the foothills of Bukhansan. Climbing up and down was a hassle, but the view from this spot made it worth it. I turned to Song Byeong-o, who was following behind me.
『It's already fourth period. What's next?』
In the first-year curriculum, mornings were common classes for everyone. After the first period, I had been moving around with my squad members—except for Lee Yuha, who had gone to the infirmary with a fever, and Murasaki, who stuck with his own group. Song Byeong-o, who was carrying our schedule, pushed his glasses up and answered.
『Let's see…… "Basic Magic Theory." Magic Building, Room 103. Professor Kurobe Sanosuke.』
『Basic Magic Theory, huh.』
It was probably a lecture on mana manipulation. Likely theory only. We'd already sat through three periods, but the first day had mostly been professors introducing themselves and their courses. Typical.
『Hey hey, Shirabayashi-kun! Do you know? Do you?』
While Song Byeong-o and I were talking, Yang Bok-ja suddenly sidled up and asked.
『What are you on about now?』
『The professor for Basic Magic Theory next period—Professor Kurobe! You know, right? I heard from some seniors that his nickname is Count Dracula!』
How had she already gotten so friendly with upperclassmen on only the second day? Her social skills were something else. Still, the professor's nickname being Count Dracula……
Cute.
Students everywhere loved slapping childish nicknames on their teachers. I asked casually.
『Why? Because of how he looks?』
『No no! Well, that too, but…… they say his lab always reeks of blood!』
Blood?
『Professor Kurobe has been working on some research for years…… I don't know what exactly, but they say he dissects magic beasts for practice every single day! That's why the smell of their blood never leaves his lab!』
『Eek……』
Aikawa, who had been listening nearby, clasped her hands together in alarm.
『But you know what's even scarier? The magic beasts that come out of his lab after being disposed of…… they say all their blood has been completely drained……! That's why they call him Count Dracula……!』
『Kyaa……』
Yang Bok-ja lowered her voice dramatically, and Aikawa let out a small shriek. Yang Bok-ja burst into giggles at the sight.
『Kyahaha! It's just a rumor, though! But what is true is that he's been stuck on the same research for years with no progress, so he's apparently extremely irritable!』
Hmm. The students had some wild rumors floating around about Professor Kurobe, but from what I'd heard, I could already guess what kind of research he was doing. A magic theory professor dissecting magic beasts was probably trying to prevent mana from evaporating from the magic stone after death. Draining all the blood was likely to measure the effect of vital energy on mana retention……
The problem was that stopping mana evaporation required complex mana engineering techniques. As we'd seen with the iron stake barrier the other day, current slapdash mana engineering simply wasn't up to the task. That explained the years of stalled progress.
While I was thinking, we arrived at Professor Kurobe's classroom. Lee Yuha was already seated in one corner. She must have rested in the infirmary for about three hours. I approached and asked quietly in Korean.
"Feeling any better?"
"Ah…… I'm fine now."
She smiled faintly. Her complexion did look better than before, so it probably wasn't anything serious. Just nerves from the start of the semester, most likely. We exchanged a few words in Korean, but as class time approached and the room filled with students, continuing in Korean became risky. I was about to return to my seat when something occurred to me.
"We should probably switch to Japanese soon. ……Ah! Can you say 'I'm fine' in Japanese? That's lesson two."
"In Japanese? Um……"
Lee Yuha thought for a moment, then stammered, 『Daijoubu desu……?』 and chuckled.
"Calling my lady a 'great man' feels rather odd, even coming from my own mouth."
In Japanese, "daijoubu" meant "I'm fine." She seemed amused by the literal meaning. 『Right. Pay attention in class.』
I went back to sit beside Song Byeong-o. There weren't assigned seats, but somehow the classroom had split down the middle—boys on the left, girls on the right. Soon, the professor entered through the back door.
So that's him.
Thud, thud.
In the silence, the professor crossed the empty aisle down the center of the room. As he took his place at the lectern, I studied his first impression.
Now I understand the Dracula nickname.
Even though it was early April and not particularly hot, he wore a long black frock coat that reached his knees, with the collar turned up. His unkempt curly hair, which looked like it hadn't been cut or washed in ages, hung limply over his gaunt, sallow face. But the most striking thing was the intense, almost menacing gleam in his eyes above the heavy dark circles. Between his gloomy appearance, the rumors, and the way he spoke to students, it was no wonder he'd earned that nickname. But having attended university in the 21st century, my first thought was pity.
Professors who get buried in research with no results for years usually look like that……
When the professor stood at the lectern, Aikawa—who had been thrust into the temporary squad leader role due to attendance order—stood up and shouted.
『A-attention!』
Scrape, scrape.
Chairs scraped as the students rose in unison.
『Salute! ……Bow!』
They bowed toward the professor, then sat back down at the command of 『At ease!』
After a moment, Professor Kurobe spoke in a hoarse, raspy voice.
『I'm Professor Kurobe, in charge of the common Basic Magic Theory course. I also teach Emission-type Magic Studies in the major courses. Some of you will probably end up taking my classes later……』
He paused, then continued.
『But don't get your hopes up. Most of you will be trash, as usual.』
A murmur rippled through the room. Between his gloomy looks, the rumors, and his attitude, he wasn't exactly winning anyone over. Ignoring the students' stares, Professor Kurobe wrote "Basic Magic Theory. Part 1 - Measurement" on the blackboard and went on.
『This course will give you a general overview of how to properly manipulate your individually resonant mana according to your combat tendencies.』
『To do that, you first need to know exactly what kind of awakening ability you possess……』
『However, not many of you are likely to fully understand your own abilities yet.』
『So today, we will determine what awakening abilities each of you possesses.』
Up to this point, it might have seemed strange that people who had awakened and even entered the academy didn't know their own abilities. But as the professor said, awakening didn't automatically grant complete knowledge of one's powers. For example, I had only recently discovered my passive poison resistance. While a Status Window or mana engineering devices could immediately reveal one's abilities through mana pattern analysis, relying solely on personal experience or guesswork made it impossible to know for certain.
At this point, I felt a twinge of doubt—and curiosity.
The current level of mana engineering seems pretty crude…… How exactly are they going to measure this?
There was no visible machinery in the classroom. Professor Kurobe spoke.
『Squad leader.』
『Y-yes!』
Aikawa answered.
『Hand one of these out to each student.』
『Yes!』
Aikawa picked up the stack of papers on the lectern and began distributing them one by one, walking around the room. It would have been easier to just give them to the front row and have them pass them back, but she either lacked the knack or was too timid. When I received mine, it was about the size of colored paper and stiff, as though it had been soaked in paint. Once the last student had a sheet, the professor spoke again.
『The paper I handed out is a Werner-Boyle test sheet…… Squad leader.』
『Yes?』
Aikawa, who had just finished distributing them and was about to sit down, looked up again. The professor said,
『Read the first paragraph of "Simplified Measurement Methods for Awakening Ability Types" on page 17 of the textbook.』
『Um…… You mean the Basic Magic Theory textbook? We haven't received our textbooks yet……』
Professor Kurobe tapped the lectern a few times with his pointer, offering no further explanation. The poor temporary squad leader Aikawa had no choice but to stand again, pick up the textbook from the lectern, and begin reading the indicated section.
『Um…… Simplified Measurement Methods for Awakening Ability Types…… While the subject is channeling mana, place your palm 5 cm above the test sheet coated with Werner-Boyle indicator, then observe the changes in the sheet after 5 minutes……』
『Continue.』
『……The Werner-Boyle indicator changes color according to physical and chemical changes caused by mana energy, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, or electric current…… This allows us to determine whether mana is being emitted and which type it belongs to.』
The explanation was long, but in short, this scrap of paper detected mana to measure the type of awakening ability.
I wasn't expecting a talking hat or anything…… but I thought they'd use something more novel than this.
Song Byeong-o muttered from the next seat.
『It's like the litmus paper we used in elementary science class!』
Yeah. Exactly that feeling. Litmus paper. The science experiments from elementary school. Scientific-seeming yet not quite modern—that subtle, halfway feeling. I placed my palm over the paper and focused my mana. Sure enough, the paper changed color, but……
Well, this is pointless anyway……
The student I was possessing, Baek Chulyeon, had Aura Blower as his main ability, along with mana sensitivity and the passive poison resistance. Besides, the Status Window would be restored tomorrow anyway, so there was no need to go through this test.
『Oh! It changed! It changed!』
Before long, several students were making a fuss. It did feel a bit like a science experiment, and it was novel in its own way. Then—
『Hmph……! I'm going into the swordsmanship major anyway, so I don't know why we're doing this pointless crap.』
A male student grumbled from the back of the classroom. It was the delinquent Murasaki.
『This kind of thing is only needed by magic users, isn't it? People born as real men who use magic instead of swords are all cowards…… Heh heh.』
He was snickering with the Japanese students around him when Professor Kurobe quietly approached.
『Stand up.』
Murasaki rose awkwardly. The professor glanced at his name tag and said,
『Student Murasaki Kenji.』
『……Yes?』
Smack—!
Professor Kurobe raised his hand and slapped Murasaki across the cheek. Oof……!
『Sit down.』
『Yes……』
Murasaki sat back down with a face like he'd bitten into something rotten.
Serves him right.
Why would you say something like that in front of a magic professor? Idiot.
Professor Kurobe glanced at the clock on the wall, then returned to the lectern.
『Measurement is over. Write your names on the test sheets, submit them at the lectern, and leave. Results will be out tomorrow.』
Everyone stood up with their sheets, placed them on the lectern, and filed out. Then—
『Um…… Professor.』
A female student who was still seated raised her hand. Silver-haired with a long braid—Lee Yuha. Professor Kurobe slowly turned toward her.
『When addressing a professor, use "sensei." And do not add honorifics to titles. What is it?』
『Well…… I'm sorry. I think I'll need one more test sheet.』
The professor's eyebrows twitched slightly. He walked over to Lee Yuha's desk. When I looked as well, I saw that her test sheet had completely frozen to the desk.
……Frost emission!
She had only meant to channel mana, but her condition must have made it hard to control, causing her to emit frost openly. Professor Kurobe studied her for a moment, then checked her name tag.
『Student Ri Ryuka, is it.』
『Ah…… Yes, that's right.』
『Much better than that trash student from earlier. Leave the test sheet as is and go.』
After the suffocating Basic Magic Theory class ended, I left the classroom with my squad members—excluding Murasaki, who had gone off with his own group—and strolled across campus.
『That was suffocating.』
『Yeah. Count Dracula really lives up to the name.』
『Still, we're lucky! We only have to take that professor's class in the morning……』
That was true. Mornings were common classes, but afternoons were major-specific. Students like Lee Yuha, who majored in magic, would have to keep taking his classes, but the rest of us didn't.
I asked the squad members who had been with me during the common classes.
『Anyone taking swordsmanship?』
I already knew the answer would be no. Song Byeong-o was in marksmanship, Lee Yuha in magic, Yang Bok-ja in telekinesis, and Aikawa in healing—everyone had different majors. Murasaki was in swordsmanship with me, but he wasn't here. Well, I'd just have to go to class alone, then.
Once the squad members scattered, I approached Lee Yuha. Even though she claimed to feel better, her complexion was still pale. If anything, it looked worse after she'd forced out that frost emission earlier while already in poor condition.
"You're really okay, right?"
"I already told you in Japanese that I was 'daijoubu.' Why do you keep asking?"
Well, if she insisted she was fine, there was nothing I could do.
"Alright then. I'm off to afternoon class. Bye."
After parting with Lee Yuha and the others, I headed for the swordsmanship training hall. It felt more like a gymnasium or dojo than a regular classroom. Students knelt in rows along both sides, and at the head sat an elderly man with white hair wearing a haori. Despite his advanced age, evident from his white hair and beard, he had a larger build and more robust physique than most of the students. The white-haired old man slapped his thigh sharply and bellowed.
『Right, let's begin! I'm Genryu Gonzaemon!』
He was Professor Genryu, in charge of swordsmanship.
『Now then! This is a swordsmanship class, but…… some of you may be holding a sword for the first time, while others may already be skilled with one!』
Professor Genryu looked over the lined-up students and continued.
『So for today's first class, we'll start by having skilled students demonstrate sparring so you can get a feel for swordsmanship! I'm looking for volunteers to serve as the demonstration pair. Anyone want to show off their skills—』
『Sensei!』
Before the professor could finish, Murasaki thrust his hand up and shouted.
『Student Murasaki wishes to spar with Student Shirabayashi!』
『Murasaki…… Ah, you're the son of Chief Inspector Murasaki from the Jongno Station, aren't you?』
『Yes, sir!』
『And Student Shirabayashi would be…… Ah! The student from the Onigumo incident the other day! Very well. Both of you, come forward.』
With Professor Genryu's permission, the sparring match was arranged. I stepped into the center of the dojo and faced Murasaki at a distance. Professor Genryu spoke.
『In this match, neither of you may use your awakening abilities. The outcome will be decided by pure swordsmanship alone. Understood?』
『Yes!』
『Yes!…… Wait, excuse me, sensei. I have a question.』
I had no choice but to ask. The swords prepared for the match were actual shinken—real blades made of stainless steel, sharpened for training use.
I thought we'd be using wooden swords for sparring……?
I asked Professor Genryu.
『These are…… real swords, aren't they?』
『That's right. All swordsmanship students use these blades. Is there a problem?』
Taking advantage of my question, Murasaki sneered.
『Heh heh……! Having second thoughts? Scared?』
The truth was, I was both uncertain and afraid. I wasn't confident I could control my strength, and I was terrified of accidentally injuring him. …Saying this might make me sound arrogant, but it was actually because my skill level was ambiguous that I couldn't swing safely. The swordsmanship I'd learned by cutting through monsters wasn't something I could wield safely against people. If it's a real sword, even without infusing aura, it's dangerous……
Of course, even in 21st-century swordsmanship training, real swords were often used instead of wooden ones. But those were shinken with dulled edges. A springy steel rod was actually safer than a rigid wooden club. There was probably medical staff somewhere on campus, but that didn't change the fact that live-blade sparring was dangerous.
Typical of the Empire. Disregard for human life is standard!
Well, if using real swords was the rule, there was nothing I could do. I'd be as careful as possible, but if he got hurt, it wouldn't be my fault.
『Seigi shoubu (fair and square)……』
Professor Genryu stood at a distance and extended his hand toward the space between Murasaki and me, signaling readiness. A moment later, he raised his hand sharply.
『Hajime (begin)!』
The instant the signal fell, Murasaki drew his sword like lightning, kicked off the tatami, and charged toward me.
『Whoa! Look at Murasaki's movement!』
『He's fast!』
Someone exclaimed in admiration at Murasaki's speed. It was certainly quick for his size. But I drew my own sword at leisure and thought as I watched him charge.
Slow.
After everyone had left for their major classes, Lee Yuha lingered near Professor Kurobe's classroom. Baek Chulyeon's constant worrying had made her feel burdened, so she'd claimed she was fine, but the truth was otherwise. Her body felt drained, and she'd been slightly chilled since morning. The symptoms had improved a little after resting in the infirmary, but they'd worsened again after Professor Kurobe's class. She probably shouldn't attend afternoon classes.
It would be proper to inform the professor.
Lee Yuha's afternoon major class was magic studies, taught by Professor Kurobe. If she was going to skip, she ought to give notice first. With that thought, she headed back toward his classroom. But the room was empty. It was nearly lunchtime—perhaps he'd gone to eat. Just as she turned to leave—
『Student Ri Ryuka.』
A hoarse, raspy voice called out. She turned to see Professor Kurobe standing in the doorway—the very man she'd been looking for. He looked at her and continued.
『If you don't mind, come to my research lab for a moment.』