Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: What Should I Do If the Silver-Haired Beauty Student Council President Offers to Buy Me Food?
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Harisha Whitepost was the current student council president of Merhen Magic Academy.
The figure most respected by the cadets, and one of the most promising mages at present.
By the end of her first year, she had already been lavishly praised for surpassing cadet level.
Yet such a girl had been greatly startled by a freshman.
A diligent freshman practicing magic from early weekend morning.
Having achieved her current skill through bloody effort herself, Harisha found such kids all the more admirable.
However,
"Um, it took me about 50 minutes."
The male cadet named Ian had mastered the imagery for [Waterfall Targeting Only a Single Being] in just 50 minutes.
'It took me four days?'
[Waterfall Targeting Only a Single Being] was a spell commonly used by beginners for imagery practice.
But its difficulty was absurd, with some taking over a month to grasp the imagery.
Even though it was merely a 2nd-circle spell.
Even Harisha, who had grasped it unusually quickly, had taken four days.
And he did it in 50 minutes?
Moreover, what was that spell from earlier?
A spell that emitted an immense light, like a star exploding.
She had never seen such magic before. But it didn't seem like an ultra-high-circle spell.
'Could it be... imagery internalization?'
No way. That couldn't be. It was impossible.
Imagery internalization was a phenomenon so difficult and esoteric that even many professors hadn't achieved it.
Of course, Harisha herself had never done it, only heard of it.
But if it really was imagery internalization...
Harisha stood there dazed, watching Ian practice, and eventually became convinced.
It was indeed imagery internalization.
No, even if not, his skill was absurd.
Upon seeing such talent, she knew exactly what to do.
'...Recruit the talent!'
When I said it took 50 minutes, Harisha froze with her mouth agape.
What was up with this girl? Was she shocked because it took too long?
No matter how long it took, ignoring someone like this was too much.
Well, 50 minutes to compute a simple 2nd-circle spell was pretty surprising, I guess.
Still, for a first imagery practice, this reaction felt a bit hurtful.
"...President?"
"Ah, y-yes. 50 minutes? Really just 50 minutes?"
"That's right."
After I confirmed, Harisha stared in shock for another long while, frozen.
Having someone stand right in front of me like this was starting to feel awkward.
Could the student council president openly ignore a cadet like this?
I couldn't just ignore the student council president and leave, either.
With no choice, I turned to the gallery.
Subject: So you're saying this Muggle bastard internalized imagery on his first try in just 2-3 hours?
Author: Wandering Battle Mage
Wasn't that 3rd-circle magic circle from earlier just a puny little sun flying out?
But why did it feel like a goddamn supernova exploded with eye-candy visuals?
So basically, this kid achieved internalization that even high-circle mages can't do, in just a few hours?
Si, imagery isn't hard; internalization is hot soup easy ;;;
If that's real internalization, it's insane. Even triggering that level of insight from a basic 3rd-circle spell is impossible.
Still, a spell like that has enough elements for internalization to potentially happen, right? Though actually pulling it off is impossible.
;;;;;; It's true, Lulu-chan is shocked too ;;;;;;
As expected, Emperor Muggle doesn't disappoint;;
But where'd this nuke-thrower go? Why hasn't he shown up?
He asked if he could teach the spell to others; I said the first one was fine, but haven't seen him since.
'Internalization?'
It seemed the gallery folks were shocked over this 'internalization' thing.
But what even was internalization?
Subject: What the hell is internalization, you otakus?
Author: Kim Muggle
Stepped out cuz you guys are talking in your nerd lingo again.
What the fuck is this internalization that's got you all riled up, otakus?
Wtf;; Kim Muggle's personality;
Did it without even knowing what internalization is lol
Season 3421 edition: This guy's no Muggle;
That eye-candy you did earlier was internalization, aka 'imagery internalization.' Basically, it's going beyond standard imagery and grasping an even deeper meaning.
I ain't never done that.
This dude really did it unconsciously.
Isn't he basically a sage?
Did he do it while fapping and regretting? Lmao
You did it even without realizing. 'Imagery internalization' means internalizing the spell formula's imagery with your own personal meaning. You've expanded what each component signifies in your own way. The spell's manifestation changes based on your insight. Usually, it takes massive insight, hence the huge changes like you saw.
What were you thinking while casting? Spill.
I just thought of it as hurling a fireball beyond 'fire clump'—like a mini sun. But then I realized the sun's just a type of 'star,' so I pictured hurling a star, and a massive giant star image popped up, so I launched it. But isn't that just normal thinking?
Lmao
Not something everyone does? Total bs
Anyone smart might think that, sure. But imagining it as imagery is a whole different realm. Connecting that tiny formula to such a grand image ain't easy.
One thing's for sure: your imagery affinity is ridiculously high. Doesn't always happen, though. Keep practicing.
Oh; I did have wild daydreams a lot as a kid;
Anyway, it seemed like a big deal.
Imagery was the act of envisioning the image and meaning.
The lower the circle, the shallower the depth of meaning embedded.
They were shocked because he drew such profound insight from that shallow depth.
Sure, thinking "the sun is a star" seems obvious,
but apparently, that's different from embodying that insight as imagery in the spell formula.
"If you have nothing to say, I'll keep practicing."
Even while I checked the gallery, Harisha remained dazed.
At this point, she must want me to ignore her. Leaving Harisha be, I resumed practice.
Sure enough, either luck from before or whatever, no internalization happened with other spells.
I tried [The Pull of a Very Small Sun] a few more times, but it only triggered once more.
Was insight something fleeting?
I thought it was easy since it was just imagining, but fully embodying and internalizing it was another level.
Still, I felt like I'd grasped fragments of it.
And most importantly, achieving internalization like that let even low-circle spells pack serious power.
For low-circle me, it meant one more way to resist enemies.
After practicing for a good while, hunger hit, so I headed out of the training room.
But right as I was leaving, I saw something terrifying.
The student council president who'd been spaced out earlier was still standing there.
Staring right at me...
'Did she watch me practice this whole time?'
It felt like four or five hours had passed.
Standing in one spot that long?
She's pretty, but from afar, her pale skin makes her look ghostly and scary.
"Hiya! Yah! Hngh!"
Meanwhile, on the other side, Elrim was practicing magic vigorously.
Sweat pouring, on the verge of collapse.
Not just practicing—making a huge show of it, like showing off.
Why yell "hiya!" for magic? It just distracts from computation.
"Gotta get some food..."
Too hungry for snarky comments at that scrub.
Time for some pork belly.
But,
"...Where are you going?"
Harisha turned her head to look at me as I tried to leave the training room.
Her eyes wide like a maniac's, with a slight smile.
Why ask so creepily?
"To eat."
"Oh? Done practicing?"
"Yes."
"Then, how about I treat you? Come along?"
"...Pardon?"
Suddenly offering to buy food?
Did she wait for this? For 6 hours?
Sure, seniors treating juniors is cliché.
But usually to this extent? 6 hours? Past lunchtime, since I was so focused.
A bit scary, but not the chilling vibe like with taboo mages.
When clueless, best to...
Subject: What Should I Do If the Silver-Haired Beauty Student Council President Offers to Buy Me Food?
Author: Kim Muggle
Earlier during imagery training, this silver-haired beauty showed up and talked to me.
It flashed during that internalization thing, she asked what I was doing, I said imagery training and showed her the waterfall spell.
Said I did it in 50 minutes, she gaped and stared without a word.
Felt like she was ignoring me cuz she's skilled, so I ignored her and practiced.
But creepy part: practiced 5-6 hours, and now she's been watching me the whole time;
Even creepier: as I'm heading to eat, she comes over and offers to buy food.
What situation is this?
Heard seniors treat juniors sometimes,
but wait 6 hours to do it?
Student council president shows up here?
Your dead-fish eyes are legendary?
What is Muggle life?
Silver-haired student president? Kinda cliché-ish.
Queen character here and it's approved.
Hooooooook?!
No, she wasn't ignoring; she froze in shock at 50 minutes lololol dumbass saying ignore lmao
This guy's just clueless lmao
Normal kids take a month for first imagery, right? Took me days lol
What? She was shocked because I was too fast?
Does it really take days? Even if imagery's hard, it's just 2nd circle.
Anyway, since her reaction wasn't ignoring, I revised my view a bit.
Waiting 6 hours? Stalker much? Sketchy. Anything else off? Maybe tied to those taboo mages.
Yeah, nothing like that. Eyes a bit weird, but no taboo mage chill.
Just a psycho bitch then.
But that's scarier than taboo mages.
Obsessive yandere vibes?
Fuck no obsession;; first time seeing her today.
Should be fine? Not taboo mage. As president, can't cause a scene even if shady. Might learn something, so go carefully.
Exactly hooooooook!
If bad vibes, run. Otherwise, probe her. Knows academy well as president.
How to handle silver-haired prez lol
Haaah so hot wanna XXXX hoooooook—
Crazy bastards. Just simping for silver-haired beauty, huh.
Her looks were unreal, though.
Silver hair to her waist, porcelain skin, generous personality, plus those long legs peeking from short gym clothes, firm thighs...
No, what am I thinking? These pervs like Orgasm are rubbing off on me.
Anyway, following cautiously seems fine.
No taboo aura from Harisha.
Luckily, afternoon now, lots of people around.
If she heads somewhere secluded or suspicious, bolt.
Might even know something about the chancellor as president.
"Got it."
"Good choice. Got a great spot, follow me?"
"W-wait! Hold on!"
Right as we left the training room, Elrim came running over panting.
"I-Ian? Where?"
"What, scrub? Why call me by name suddenly."
"Huh? What're you talking about, Ian? We're besties. Going somewhere with President?"
What was with this scrub's tone?
Looking closer, Elrim was peeking at Harisha nervously, flashing an exaggerated smile at me.
"Oh? Ian's friend?"
"Y-yes! Elrim Shuskalra, President! I-I was just heading to eat too, heh, ahem..."
Wants to tag along?
Oh yeah, she mentioned student council during club talk before.
Said joining makes you academy famous.
Freshmen can join from second semester, so building rep now for next term.
Attention whore as always.
"Ah, is that so? Hmm... Ian's friend... Wanna join for lunch? You okay with that?"
Harisha asked me.
Hmm. Annoying that this attention-whore scrub's using me to network with president.
But handy as meat shield in danger, so bring her.
"Yes. If you're okay, President, she'll come too."
"Hehe. Alright then."
"Th-thank you, President!"
Elrim bowed 90 degrees excitedly.
Thus, Elrim and I followed Harisha somewhere.
"...Um. Cafeteria's that way, though?"
But Harisha passed the cafeteria I aimed for, heading to another building.
Academy has multiple cafeterias, but others are a hike.
"Don't worry. There's a spot only seniors know."
Harisha chuckled and kept walking.
Still on main paths with people, so far so good.
Worst case, ditch Elrim and run.
We kept going.
Passed several buildings, arrived at the one with club rooms from before.
Sure, weekends still full of cadets here, so probably can't pull anything overt...
"C-could it be, President? Heading to student council room...?"
Elrim asked then.
Student council room was here too, apparently.
"Hehe. Yes. I'll order something tasty there."
"R-really? An honor, President!"
Elrim the opportunist, weak to strong, strong to weak confirmed.
Calls weaklings "scrub" daily, but bows nearly 170 degrees to president.
"But do they deliver here?"
"Of course."
Delivery, huh. Didn't know. Should've ordered to dorm.
We climbed the stairs to the student council room.
Harisha opened the door.
P Peeked inside before entering—no bad vibes.
Meant no taboo ties inside, at least.
But still safe to enter? Even if not taboo mage, maybe involved.
Or my senses missed taboo aura.
Nah, unlikely.
After facing chancellor, taboo aura etched in memory.
High affinity lets you sense it, they said. Dunno why mine's so high.
Some concept post explained it—instinct reliable.
Yeah. Maybe overthinking.
She showed normal intent on the way.
Maybe I'm paranoid.
Flip side, chance to build connections.
Chat on walk: she's direct lineage of 8th Archmage Duke family.
No way a true demon lord peak Archmage Duke direct's a taboo mage. Family'd disown early.
Yeah. Relax a bit.
No taboo mages inside—
Shhh—
That instant, chilling aura from behind.
Definitely that aura. Taboo. Distinctly unpleasant as it approached.
Gallery right—instinct confirms taboo aura clearly.
Experiencing it again, I slowly turned my head.
"Hohohoho..."