Who Decided That?
The class wasn't that difficult.
According to Iris's explanation, magic is divided into two main stages.
First, determine the attribute with the elemental formula.
Fire, water, earth, air, light, and darkness—totaling six.
Using the fire elemental formula makes it fire attribute, water makes water attribute.
Mixing different elements or overlapping the same to create new attributes is also possible.
A representative example is overlapping water to create the ice attribute.
Air and fire combined make lightning attribute.
“Elemental formulas can only be mixed up to two?”
“No. Three or more is possible.”
Iris drew three elemental formulas side by side on the paper.
“For example, mixing water, fire, and earth creates a rock attribute.”
“Water and fire are in there, but rock comes out?”
“The properties of the elements don't stay the same. During the combination process, they influence each other and change into a new attribute.”
“Really?”
Mixing flour and egg to make bread isn't just flour and egg taste.
It's roughly like that.
But adding too much isn't always good.
If you nest elemental formulas more than necessary, mana loss increases, and more complex combinations require more calculations.
Ultimately, it's most efficient to add only as many as needed for the desired attribute.
“And once the attribute is determined, the rest are all magic formulas.”
Then, magic started to look a bit more familiar.
Propulsion formula for the force sent forward.
Direction formula to decide which way it flies, coordinate formula to set the target point.
Shape formula to create shapes like spears or orbs, output formula to control size, power, and number generated.
With trajectory, maintenance, compression, and so on, basic magic formulas number around twenty.
It looked tedious to memorize all of them, but the principle itself was simpler than thought.
Decide what attribute to use with the elemental formula.
Decide how many magic formulas, what shape, how and where to shoot with magic formulas.
That was all.
“Magic formulas can be combined to create new formulas.”
Iris combined propulsion, direction, and coordinate formulas.
“Combining these three makes a direction change formula. And connecting a trajectory formula makes a continuous trajectory formula.”
“Ah.”
This was a familiar name.
Used when piercing targets in sequence in the training ground, and applied simultaneously to thirty Ki-Blasts when fighting Lich.
At the time, the AI composed it automatically, so didn't know how it worked internally, but upon breaking it down, the structure was simpler than thought.
“So, it makes it go along the predetermined trajectory while continuously changing direction.”
“Yeah. Accurate.”
Iris nodded.
Additionally, there is a way to nest the same magic formula multiple times to enhance specific functions.
“Representative example: lightning magic and high-speed attribute magic.”
“How?”
“Lightning magic creates attribute with air and fire, then nests propulsion formulas multiple times. The most basic lightning ball has about three propulsion formulas.”
Air and fire. Plus three propulsion formulas.
“Um... interesting.”
After high school, I pretty much gave up on studying, but I didn't expect to understand this well.
Maybe I wasn't bad at studying, I just didn't do it.
...Still, better to make a summary.
Because memory of people is unreliable after a day.
Basic magic theory summary.
Elemental formula = Determines the attribute of magic.
Magic formula = Determines functions like count, shape, output, speed, direction, coordinates, trajectory, etc.
If elemental formulas are nested more than necessary, mana efficiency decreases.
Basic magic formulas can be combined or nested.
Nesting the same magic formula enhances the function.
I pointed to the propulsion formula drawn in the book.
“Um... so if I attach ten propulsion formulas, it would be super fast.”
“...”
Iris paused for a moment.
“It's a good idea, but... such magic doesn't exist.”
“Why?”
“...”
The guy who was thinking for a bit said it as if it was obvious.
“Such magic doesn't exist.”
“Who decided that?”
“...Huh?”
“No, that's not it.”
I pointed to Iris this time.
“Your main magic is ice spear, right? That's it?”
“Ice window.”
“Yeah. That. How was that made?”
“A grand mage who researched the ice attribute system established the theory hundreds of years ago. Then, various mages improved it, and the current spell―”
“That was hundreds of years ago.”
Iris's words cut off.
“The person made it too, so why can't we?”
I tapped the propulsion formula written on the paper with my finger.
The more I thought, the stranger it was.
Basic parts are all set, and combining them makes new magic, so why use only pre-made ones?
“Not only that. You can make an enormous bomb by adding a lot of output and compression formulas to the fire attribute.”
“Adding too much isn't always good, but...”
“Then calculate appropriately.”
That's what the AI would do well.
“Or, there's that lightning magic I mentioned earlier. Adding three propulsion formulas to air and fire.”
“Yeah.”
“Then, if I add dozens more propulsion formulas there, I could make something like an extremely fast lightning cannon, right?”
Iris didn't answer.
I was the only one excited.
But this is more interesting than I thought.
In the original world, I could just say what I wanted.
Fire. Water. Light.
Then the AI would automatically make appropriate magic, so no need to wonder about the inside.
But now that I've seen each component directly, the feeling is a bit different.
Try attaching, if not, remove.
If adding something else makes it better, use that.
“In the end, I could even spit out black flame dragons from my hands or something?”
“...Black flame dragon?”
“There is such a thing.”
It's the magic word that every boy says at least once around fifteen.
But Iris has been quiet since earlier.
“Iris?”
The guy was just staring at the magic formulas spread on the desk without answering.
After a while, Iris murmured low.
“...The spell is neat. Like just repeating what others taught without thinking.”
“Huh?”
“What my sister said.”
Iris stared at the magic formulas she wrote herself for a while, then slowly stood up from her seat.
“That's it for today's lesson.”
“Already?”
“Yeah. And...”
The guy looked at me.
Then suddenly bowed deeply at the waist.
“Thank you for imparting enlightenment, Lord Leon.”
“Suddenly???”
No, I was just listening to the lesson?
Why is the teacher bowing to me?
“Don’t do that kind of thing.”
“But what Leon said just now―”
“I was just rambling what came to mind.”
“...”
Iris quietly looked at me.
The eyes that come out when interpreting my meaningless words grandiosely, which I've seen several times since a few days ago.
“Again, what misunderstanding is this?”
Since it's obvious it won't listen even if I explain, I didn't respond.
Instead, I pointed to the books stacked on the desk with my finger.
“By the way, you'll teach me a lot tomorrow too, right?”
“...Yeah.”
“Then, please take care of me, teacher.”
Iris's eyes widened a bit.
Then she smiled brightly.
“...Yeah!”
Cute.
Enough to make my heart skip a beat.
Basic magic theory summary.
Elemental formula = Determines the attribute of magic.
Magic formula = Determines functions like count, shape, output, speed, direction, coordinates, trajectory, etc.
If elemental formulas are nested more than necessary, mana efficiency decreases.
Basic magic formulas can be combined or nested.
Nesting the same magic formula enhances the function.
When the class ended, the sun had already set completely.
My current location is the Central Plaza of the city.
Today, I had money.
I was going to do something I wanted to do once in my eighteen years.
“...Decided. Here.”
A restaurant that stands out even in the Central Plaza.
From the entrance, gold decorations sparkled, and even a chair visible through the window looked quite expensive.
A place I've been passing by and casually smelling the aroma.
The signature menu of this shop is sea turtle soup.
Price: a whole gold coin.
To me, who was counting coins to buy a hard bread, it was a food I would never eat in my lifetime.
But now, the story is different.
My hand was holding a whopping two thousand gold coins.
“...Still, it's a bit expensive.”
One gold coin.
If one gold coin can buy how many hard breads, it shows that the beggar life has deeply ingrained.
“...Just eat that and go out.”
Just the sea turtle soup.
Is that enough?
Thinking that, I was about to grab the door handle when I suddenly heard an odd voice in my head.
“Ah, too clumsy. The way to release desires.”
I am a different entity from the user.
“Guek...”
I covered my face with one hand.
“Stay quiet, you other me...!”
“Huhu... Luxury is not something to do a little at a time. When you do it, do it properly. The uneaten foods will keep flashing in front of you...?”
...Thinking about it, that's right.
If I've starved for eighteen years, eating until my stomach bursts for a day is okay.
Since I have money, I can spend this much, right?
“...Don't you think so too, AI?”
The user's logic does not hold.
“...Will you say it's correct...?”
[.........]
[Wow... you really hit the core...]
[Your words really echoed like a declaration.]
“It's been a while since you've said something right.”
With a clinking sound, the door opened.
And naturally sat at the table.
“Here, serve all the menus here.”
The employee's expression hardened.
“...All of them?”
“Yeah.”
“If we order the entire menu of our shop, it exceeds thirty gold coins.”
“I know.”
The employee looked at my face once.
Then awkwardly smiled as if soothing a child.
“Haha. Kid. If you mess around in a place like this, you can't use it. You should come with your parents―”
I took the money pouch from my pocket and threw it to the employee.
“Eek!”
The guy hurriedly caught it.
Inside were thirty-five gold coins pre-counted.
“Thirty gold coins are for the food.”
I leaned back on the chair and said.
“Five gold coins is tip?”
“...”
The employee alternated looking at the money pouch and my face.
After a while, the waist was bent exactly in half.
“I will serve you!!!!!!”
Money is good.
Before long, the wide table was filled with food.
Roasted meat, sea turtle soup, whole roasted fish, and unfamiliar meat stew.
Then pasta, bread, and unknown foods kept coming.
“Ha... such gloss...”
I put a bite of meat in my mouth.
Before chewing, the meat juices softened smoothly.
“Waguwagu.”
The sea turtle soup was salty yet oddly savory, and the pasta with red sauce was spicy, salty, and sweet.
Even though I put three foods in my mouth at the same time, it was oddly harmonious and delicious.
No, I don't need to explain, just saying it's delicious is enough.
“Guek...”
My eyes got a bit teary.
“I can't cry...”
Too delicious, damn it...!
For eighteen years, I've been eating soaked hard bread and digging through discarded food behind restaurants.
On the day I eat a bowl of soup with meat, my mood is good all day.
But now, there's meat left over.
I can eat it, and no one will take it away.
Moreover, all of it was bought with my own money.
“Maybe... I could die without regrets like this.”
The possibility of death from overeating is low.
“This guy always ruins the mood at the best times?”
I picked up the meat again.
At that moment.
“So... I came here because of my family's persuasion, I have no intention of getting entangled with you!”
Familiar voice from somewhere.
I put the fork in my mouth and turned my head.
A bit away.
Beyond a large flower pot, familiar silver hair was visible.
“...President?”
It was Celia.
Instead of the usual robe, she was wearing a quite flashy dress, and on the opposite side, a man I didn't know was sitting.
The man with neatly combed blonde hair was tilting his wine glass and smiling leisurely.
“Hahaha. The way you keep bouncing is too beautiful, Lady Celia.”
Is this a blind date?
I picked up a cookie and slightly leaned my body to the side.
The flower pot was covering my view appropriately.
It would be fun.
I have to tell Iris later.
“Originally, I have no interest in such engagements. The timing of our family's busiest period at the White Magic Tower is regrettable.”
“Is that so?”
The man placed the glass down casually.
“Hearing that the training ground of the White Magic Tower was destroyed due to an accident, right? To handle the repair costs, a huge budget would be needed.”
Ah, that's my story.
A bit sorry.
Celia's expression hardened immediately.
“...Where did the information leak from.”
“Just passed by. The whole building was gone.”
“Ah.”
The man laughed.
“If it's someone who will surpass grand mage and get the title of archmage, that amount is a very small sum.”
“I don't want to...!”
Celia cut in immediately.
“Originally, I have a boyfriend!”
“Haha. You don't need to lie. The person who refused the hand of anyone for thirty years and was called the White Saintess, to have a boyfriend?”
President is thirty years old?
Younger than thought.
More than that...
“Dirty fun.”
It's like watching an afternoon drama that I usually ignore.
If it goes like that, the president will have to pour the water in the cup on the man's face, completing the scene.
I chewed the cookie again.
“Crumble. Crumble.”
“R-really!”
“Haha. Then I'll believe it.”
Not at all believing expression.
“However, if you continue to reject me, the support fund we send to the White Magic Tower every year from our family may have to be cut.”
Celia's mouth closed.
“I hope that doesn't happen either.”
“Guek...”
A bit dirty.
I picked up another cookie from the plate.
Celia turned her head with her mouth closed.
And exactly our eyes met.
“...?”
I chewed the cookie and quietly looked at her.
Why are her eyes so wide open.
“W-wait! You came so fast?!”
Oh. So there really was a boyfriend.
I quickly looked around.
But something was odd.
On the left, no one, on the right, no one looking at Celia.
“Why are you avoiding my gaze like that...?”
Celia forced a smile and waved her hand.
“Come this way quickly~”
“...”
I looked at Celia again.
Her gaze was precisely fixed on me.
“...?”
What? Me?