Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Club Activities (2)
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With the princess's introduction over, she promptly left the classroom following Professor Ardin.
It seemed she hadn't completed the full enrollment procedures yet.
The classroom buzzed with murmurs.
Though no one moved since the next class was coming up, the place grew noisy after she departed.
Everyone looked flustered. Honestly, I was too. Who would've thought the empire's Second Princess would say something like that?
"I wish for you to treat me like any other student."
Second Princess Regina was a strategist briefly described in the original story.
The imperial family generally didn't interfere with events inside the academy, but Regina was a special case.
Despite her exceptional intellect and combat prowess qualifying her for the academy, she was a witch who had refused entry.
This wasn't a novel. Even if the plot had already derailed, this was the world I had to live in.
That meant I couldn't just exclude the imperial family like in the original and focus solely on academy life forever.
Even remembering extras who never appeared seemed advantageous.
'Especially a princess.'
The short break ended, and a different professor entered the classroom.
Judging by his dark circles and disheveled, brittle hair, he hadn't even washed up properly.
I instinctively grimaced a little.
This was a professor I'd never seen before. Professor Ardin had handled most classes so far, so that might explain it.
"You've probably heard from Professor Ardin, but your probation period is over. Accordingly, the subjects you'll study have increased."
During probation, we'd learned basics like combat styles and positions from Professor Ardin, plus some foundational knowledge.
If that was all there was to it, I wouldn't have come to the academy.
And Iliad Academy wouldn't deserve its prestigious reputation.
"Some of you may know me, others not. I'm a specialist in magic studies. Currently at the 5th Circle."
The professor wrote his name on the blackboard as he spoke.
Ludwig Evrun.
An unfamiliar name, as expected. I committed it to memory.
"Did Professor Ardin explain about the clubs?"
"Yes."
"Good, that saves time."
The professor adjusted his glasses slightly.
"After this class ends, seniors from various clubs will come recruiting. With so few freshmen this year, they'll be here even sooner."
He let out a yawn. He looked dead tired at a glance.
"You can create or join clubs, but one thing is forbidden: not participating. Every club requires activity—it's essentially supplemental coursework."
I twirled my mana pen while listening, considering creating one but eyeing a particular club I'd always wanted to join.
It'd be even better if the person I wanted was there.
"Any questions? No? Class starts now."
The classroom fell silent. The professor nodded to himself and spoke again.
"For our first lesson, a simple overview of the history of magic..."
I'd gotten off on the wrong foot from the start. That was my first thought after the professor's class.
Watching Agnes carry on Lenoc's legacy, I'd assumed maintaining the unique magic swordsman form was the only way to utilize both.
Even with mana as the common medium, aura and magical power were entirely different concepts.
But Ludwig denied that notion.
The common knowledge I'd known up to now was crumbling in this novel's world.
Something not even mentioned in the original.
'The fusion of mage and warrior.'
The method to make it possible slumbered within my body.
According to the professor, a normal human body couldn't fully accommodate both.
That was why Lenoc was a genius. He'd found a partial solution.
Yet even Lenoc had to abandon one—sword or magic. Prioritize one, subordinate the other.
That's the approach Lenoc took.
'Arxius.'
[What, kiddo?]
A magic swordsman fundamentally required immense computational ability. Calculating spells while wielding aura.
Impressive if your head didn't explode.
'Those incomprehensible languages you used.'
[You mean Dragon Tongue?]
'Yes. Can I learn it?'
Normal mages compute spells mentally, shape them with mana, then incant.
The Dragon Tongue I'd seen bypassed that.
No mana gathering, no mental incantation.
Just muttering a few unintelligible phrases, and the spell formed.
[Impossible.]
But Arxius rejected my request.
[Dragon Tongue isn't called that for nothing. If it were so easy to teach, it wouldn't be legendary.]
'Fair enough...'
Was I being too greedy?
Arxius paused before muttering an alternative.
[I can shape something similar instead of Dragon Tongue.]
'How?'
[Can't say yet. You need to reach mid-upper intermediate level first.]
Arxius's Proposal
The Black Dragon Arxius says he can use magic in another way instead of Dragon Tongue. This is an undiscovered method, advancing beyond magic swordsman. To comprehend it, reach mid-upper intermediate level.
📍 Condition: Achieve mid-upper intermediate rank
🎁 Reward: Fragment of Arxius's Inner Core
⚠️ Penalty on Failure: Permanent Seal on Magic Incantation
?
Permanent seal on magic incantation. I nearly shouted at the horrific penalty listed.
If permanently sealed, my life...
I was already using cooling magic intermittently to chill my body. No air conditioning in the academy, after all.
Had to use bits of my mana to stay cool.
Without magic, I'd swelter under the summer sun without relief.
Definitely die of heatstroke.
No heating spells in winter, no cleaning magic to dispel dust.
Like this, I'd grown accustomed to weaving magic into daily life.
'I must succeed.'
No matter what. For my comfortable spring, summer, fall, and winter academy life.
And to take one more step forward.
With that resolve, I stepped out of the classroom.
Sophia slowly looked around. Placards for various clubs lined the academy corridors.
Swordsmanship clubs, newspaper club, even an occult rituals club.
But none caught her interest. She'd decided on her club from the start.
'Magic Club.'
Her passions had always been limited to magic. If not for Professor Ludwig—the one from earlier class—it would've been perfect.
Iliad Academy's Magic Club had quite the reputation. Rich in tradition, rumors said even the current dean had been a member.
A club that produced an 8th Circle mage—Sophia hurried toward it, brimming with anticipation.
As a historic club, its facilities were impressively large.
Considering the swordsmanship club owned a training hall and the occult club could roam anywhere with permission, it showed how much the academy supported club activities.
"Hello?"
The Magic Club owned a lab—ideal for potion or spell experiments.
But the moment she opened the door, Sophia sensed something wrong.
The room that should sparkle with magic was shrouded in darkness.
Curtains drawn tight, as if rejecting all light. Barely enough to see ahead.
"Ughhh... Who opened the door?"
A voice like a rotting zombie. Sophia got chills. Was this the Magic Club or a zombie research den?
"Isn't this the Magic Club?"
"It is... Who're you?"
"I want to... apply to join."
At "join," the zombie's eyes snapped open, vitality flooding them.
"Join? Freshman? For our Magic Club?"
"Uh? Yes..."
Perhaps from the shout, corpses stirred around her. Sophia seriously questioned if this was a zombie lair.
"Freshman? For real?"
"Oh gods, granting us hope at last. Let there be light."
"You're an atheist."
"So? I can convert now."
Chaos. Sophia's head throbbed. Were the rumors wrong, or was she misinformed?
"Fill out this application with your details first."
"Ah... Okay."
Sophia filled it out, firmly sensing something off.
After submitting, the senior flashed a beaming grin.
"Welcome to the Magic Club! Ol... er, freshman!"
"Did you just say ol..."
"A slip of the tongue!"
Something was definitely wrong. So thought Sophia.
Clack.
At the sound of heels on the corridor, she peeked out.
It was Deron.
Leaning on his cane, he approached with unwavering poise.
Despite the cane, his bearing was impeccable.
His looks made him stand out sharply against the seniors inside.
He practically glowed.
Watching him draw near, Sophia smirked inwardly.
'Guess he's joining the Magic Club too.'
Walking into this zombie pit willingly—what an idiot.
Forgetting she'd joined the zombie pit herself, Sophia waited for Deron.
"Magic Club, huh... Tough luck, Sophia."
But Deron shattered her expectations and walked past.
His eyes held mockery and pity.
"Arrrgh!"
Sophia tore at her hair, realizing he'd teased her. And that there was only one idiot here.
Thus, the future great mage became Professor Ludwig's slave.