Mage + Swordsman = Magic Swordsman
"No way. You mean she used magic good enough to fool Karnaroff's eyes?!"
"Beats me."
"Karnaroff's not on a level that can be tricked! A 6-Rank Archmage—you think you can fool him!? Say something that makes sense!"
But the facts right in front of him were ice-cold.
The girl—Yumia—had completely fooled his eyes.
Shell game? No, there were too many silver coins for that. Hidden in her clothes? Again, too many silver coins. Anyway, just too damn many silver coins.
"It wasn't even magic to begin with."
"How... how the hell did you do it?"
"Beats me? Why don't you guess."
Yumia spoke in a teasing lilt, flashing a meaningful smile.
He'd first thought her suffocatingly beautiful, but now...
'All I can think is how much I want to punch her.'
He was actually a hard worker, surprisingly enough. Money was just a means to growth. What really mattered was his own skill and grades.
That's why he'd diligently trained in his family's unique magic and forbidden attack spells, plus everything else.
In fact, he'd been the first to grasp the feel for basic attack magic.
'And I've mastered basic attack magic now.'
He'd gotten the hang of it in just a week. He'd even understood the magic formulas enough to tweak the magic circles to some degree.
That foundation came from relentless effort and support. He'd poured elixirs into boosting his mana capacity and invited renowned mages to practice mana control.
It was possible because he was the sole heir to the famous Carter Trading Company.
Before entering Reinhardt, his goal had been to top the school. In the practical exam for handling natural mana, he'd scored just shy of perfect. And he'd pulled over 40 points on the written test.
But.
'Surpassing the top spot in a year... impossible.'
Cloudy eyes upon entry, then a perfect practical score. Over 50 on the written. And that mana capacity that no student should have.
It was talent. A wall.
So someday he'd aim for the top, but for now, he'd set his sights on second place.
Yumia looked like she had barely any mana but lucked into second by some fluke. He figured he could surpass her.
But... this brat had casually fooled Karnaroff, who was on a whole other level.
'Does she have some connection with Professor Karnaroff?'
No. The way Karnaroff looked at Yumia said otherwise. Pure murder in his eyes, like 'Just give me an excuse.'
Yet even with Karnaroff's grudge, Yumia stayed utterly relaxed.
A 6-Rank Archmage. A monster said to brush the heavens. She'd fooled him and pocketed silver coins to boot.
There were even rumors she'd been in and out of that dangerous West Forest.
And... her mana was still low. But it carried a strange quality, and it had definitely grown since first sight.
'Isn't she the higher wall?'
Robert sank into confusion.
But what he had to do now was clear.
'Get on her good side first.'
Can't do anything without getting friendly. But as he walked beside her, Yumia had vanished.
"...What the? Where'd she go?"
***
Heh heh. I was in a great mood.
My pockets were loaded.
And I'd gotten rave reviews. How'd you do it, you bastard? The line that hits best when gaming. The tone was different, but same diff.
Robert, my man. A solid dude. The 10 silver he provided would go to helping the less fortunate.
"So you're using it to eat at the A-rank cafeteria?"
"Yup. ...What? No nagging? I took kids' lunch money."
Aris hadn't come along. Not her style to solve homework like that anyway.
But no scolding? Maybe someone else wearing Aris's skin.
Of course, I had a rebuttal since it was legit pay for honest work.
"I gave up on the small stuff. Just... don't do anything dangerous, please."
"Nya? Don't give up on me."
She had nagged me that morning about not stripping in the dorm and tossing clothes in weird places.
Just seemed like proper habits were hardcoded into her.
Aris.
Hmm. But the A cafeteria wasn't anything special anymore. I thought as I eyed the goat steak, milk, and sausage I'd gotten.
The steak was just salty. The sausage smelled off. The milk was at least fresh and drinkable.
Of course, the cooks' skill made it tender and edible, but...
'Three silver for this? It reeks of game.'
Lack of spices? Bread and salads were fresh and fine. The meats were the issue.
Maybe import pepper or thyme in bulk later? I asked Aris on a whim, and got this reply.
"Ah... spices. Those are crazy expensive."
"Why?"
"They come from outside the continent, and the oceans are super dangerous because of sea dragons anyway."
Yeah. This world's seas seemed a few times deadlier than Earth's.
And spice-growing spots were rare, so prices were jacked up.
"Then just grow spices on the continent, no?"
"Doesn't work. Climate issues. There are places using magic to simulate environments, but..."
"Then do that."
"How much do you think a mage with that level of control gets paid?"
"Ah."
Mages here cost a pretty penny. Forgot since they're everywhere.
Wait.
"Couldn't I just import them?"
"Pardon?"
"Nah, nothing."
Not about making money, but if it meant tasty food...
Hmm... table it. I barely know beyond pepper, and even on Earth, fancy spices were pricey. Some cost more than their weight in gold.
"All your classes have started now, right?"
"Ah, yeah. Just Professor Isabel's Potion Studies left."
I had a bunch of minor lectures. Magic Repair, Basic Magic Circles, Empire History, etc.
Empire History nearly bored me to death.
'What prof is pickier than Karnaroff?'
And this insane school had different start dates per subject. Schedules all over the place.
Only consistent things were term start/end and finals. Midterms optional.
'What a mess...'
No afternoon classes today.
"Anyway, Yumia. How much did you make?"
"What! You after my money too?!"
"As if! What are you even saying? Seriously."
Had to hand over some hard-earned silver to fool Karnaroff's eyes.
My silver...!
"Just thought the School Market might be good. Yumia, you'll get disciplined for uniform violation like that."
"Ah."
Right, dress code. Karnaroff barely commented. The nitpicky Empire History prof said a few words.
But the dorm warden would complain if ignored...
School Market? First time hearing it.
"What's the School Market?"
"Pardon? You don't know the School Market?"
"Nope."
"Think of it as a market selling stuff students need. It's outside school, but you can go with a permit."
"Oh? Let's check it out then."
"No classes tomorrow, so let's go quick today!"
Aris sounded excited about heading out. Then, as if it just hit her:
"But wait. If you don't know the School Market, where the heck did you get those items from?"
"Huh?"
"Reinhardt's hundreds of miles from the nearest city?"
"Was it?"
Something like that. But I'd escaped outside school anyway.
"...Where exactly did you escape to..."
No. Too dangerous to say more!
I yelled, shrinking back a bit.
"That must've been the School Market I went to before! Let's go! To the School Market!"
Getting outed as from another world—who knows what'd happen. Might get branded a devil worshipper and shunned for life.
***
The School Market had everything. Seriously, everything.
The scale was nuts.
'Nya. This ain't a market, it's a whole town.'
Wooden buildings lined up, even an inn. For visitors staying over, apparently.
Wandering the market...
"It's cheap?"
Hardly anything over 1 silver. Mostly coppers and bronzes.
"They don't jack up prices for students, which is great. Shipping's covered by donations too."
"Ooh..."
"Student cafeteria’s run by their guild too!"
"But the food there's ridiculously expensive?"
"Pardon? The cafeteria's expensive?"
"Tastes like crap but costs a fortune?"
"A diner's like what I eat at home... B diner's better than commoner food, I heard."
...That was supposed to be good? No wonder it felt off.
Keep in mind for tower runs later.
I checked my funds. About 60 silver in inventory.
Over half our grade used my service.
"Why sell swords to aspiring mages though."
I muttered at the swords displayed outside a big building.
Shortswords to greatswords, all types on a stand under the window.
Aris knew why.
"Ah, there's Lunaris Knight Academy nearby. Rivals with Reinhardt."
"But why swords..."
"Thinking of buying one myself."
"Eh... we're mages though?"
"No law saying mages can't use swords."
We drew eyes as we entered. Spacious inside.
Sign read [Sword Millia Trading Company]. Swords only, as named.
"Welcome!!"
"Whoa, super cute girls."
"Pretty..."
"Kinda frail—Reinhardt students? Newbies?"
"What's with Reinhardt kids here?"
Ignoring them, I inspected the swords. Definitely cheap.
Flicked one with my finger.
...Solid. Good rebound, perfect balance.
Tempted to buy one.
Hmm. Test spot.
[Want to test a sword? 30 coppers here!]
Spotted an open area. Straw dummies. 30 coppers per swing.
Pricey... but oh well.
Then some busybody chimed in.
"Don't bother, don't. Cute miss. Sword newbies can't even cut dummies properly."
Bulky guy with ripped arms. Choppy beard. Hammer in one hand, file in the other. Lecturing me.
"That's one tied extra tough for knight academy kids. You'll just waste coin."
Then from across:
"Hey! Pretty! You'll get hurt! Go buy a staff instead!"
Whistle and taunt. Knight academy student. Pretty boy type—would score in Itaewon back home.
Figures. Rivals for real.
"...Sh-should we go?"
"Why would I back down?"
"Huh?"
Pretty confident in swords. Swordsmanship's been researched to death back home.
Pre-gates, pre-guns, it was king. Evolved with magic, but I topped training with close combat.
Still swing 'em for fun.
Drew the sword. White blade gleamed.
Dummy in sight, stomped the ground.
Focus.
'This ain't a training doll. Someday it'll be a monster crashing your lines!'
Instructor's voice echoed in my head. That nagging jingle repeated thousands of times.
Stepped into footwork, glided to the dummy.
Done. Arm moved on instinct.
Dummy's head sliced clean off.
Thud. The rowdy vibe died instantly.
Turned around. Everyone's stares had changed.