Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Group Guided Sparring
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Sisly Empire was rare enough for vibrant crimson hair, golden eyes nestled within upturned corners.
And an outfit in an exotic style rarely seen in the empire, boldly exposing swaths of skin here and there—yet despite drawing every gaze in the place, a relaxed smile played on her lips.
That was my first impression of her.
'……A foreigner?'
I had no memory of a woman like that in the original story. Well, Houser Academy was so prestigious that it made sense for exchange students from other countries to attend.
'But isn't that skirt way too revealing? She came to the training grounds dressed like that?'
Even if it was a magic class, wasn't this a bit too careless?
Or was it confidence that she could handle the lesson without moving much?
'Whatever.'
From Elric's perspective, it wasn't his business anyway. Nice eye candy, though. Ahem.
It wasn't just him, either. All the vigorous young men around were stealing glances at her while pretending not to.
They were all late teens to early twenties, right in that prime age, so it was hardly surprising.
Elric neither approached her nor chatted with the others, simply standing there quietly.
As the saying goes, the one who listens silently without speaking learns the most.
It applied to Elric as well.
"What's that lady's name?"
"Asuka Sirun. She's the lady of the Sirun Ducal House from the Keshan Kingdom."
"Whoa, Keshan Kingdom? The one in the East?"
"Is that their Eastern style of dress?"
"The amount of fabric…… ahem."
"If she's here, she must be a mage, right?"
"But she's got a sword at her waist?"
"A magic swordsman, then?"
"Whoa, first time seeing red hair like that—it's really pretty……."
"Her face is no joke. Exotic vibe, but straight-up beautiful."
A crowd buzzed excitedly about Asuka Sirun.
Asuka just smiled faintly, giving no sign whether she was listening or not.
'Wow, her mental game's tough. Everyone's talking about her, and she doesn't bat an eye.'
Well, she must have steeled herself for this much to come from another country.
Speaking of which, the Sirun Ducal House……
'One of the guys who falls for Chloe Fabian, right?'
No doubt about it. Kasis Sirun, from the list I'd checked in classes 1-1 and 1-2 before.
As far as I knew, he was a mage. Looking around, sure enough, there was Kasis, sighing as he approached her from no great distance.
"Sister, what is this outfit?"
"Oh, Kasis?"
"This is the Western Sisly Empire. Dressing in such an alien style will make everyone feel alienated."
"Hmm, but I like this outfit?"
"……Haa, do as you please."
She must be pretty stubborn, because Kasis nagged a bit before giving up. The guys around cheered inwardly.
'If she keeps wearing stuff like that from now on…….'
'Yeah, magic class is gonna be my favorite subject.'
'Wanna talk to her…….'
A mix of thoughts swirled among the crowd.
And soon, the magic class began.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Asel Hershe, in charge of first-year magic."
A few claps echoed after Asel Hershe's brief introduction. He swept his gaze over the students and continued.
"Up until now, none of you have properly learned magic. At best, a tutor or hired mage."
A few bristled at his blunt words. They'd spent anywhere from a few years to over a decade learning, only for him to dismiss it as "not proper."
But he wasn't wrong. Truly skilled mages either taught at academies like this—offering research funds, lodging, and steady pay—or holed up in magic towers, taking on tough commissions for fees before vanishing to research.
Even nobles weren't exempt. The highest-level mages they could directly access were still two or three tiers below academy professors or tower elites.
"In that time, you've picked up bad habits and misconceptions. Our academy will uproot them all."
This was straight-up provocation. Fists clenched, glares turned his way.
Amid it all, Elric simply watched Asel calmly.
'……He's doing it on purpose?'
The words were harsh—too much for any ordinary mage to endure.
Yet Asel's eyes held no disdain or contempt.
Just calm, matter-of-fact delivery.
And saying it so politely somehow made it even more infuriating.
"No more words, then. All of you, come at me."
Silence fell over the training grounds at Asel's sudden declaration. They exchanged glances, confirming what they'd heard.
"You heard right. Sparring's the best way to gauge your skills. Even at full power, you won't kill me, so attack as you wish—no holding back."
A few let out hollow laughs.
Everyone here was a genius in their circles—family, neighboring houses, nation, or even the continent.
And young, to boot. With Asel repeatedly scratching their pride, their reactions were natural.
Meanwhile, Elric—slightly older from his past life—calmly analyzed the professor's words and responses.
The conclusion was simple.
'Yeah, definitely on purpose.'
The original story didn't detail magic classes since the heroine wasn't a mage.
And Kasis probably never mentioned it.
That he, and everyone else, got utterly crushed by the professor.
Tell the girl you like you lost? Better to die.
Elric focused mana in his eyes to gauge Professor Asel Hershe's mana reserves and spell level.
Then scanned the students.
'No contest. Unless he goes easy, everyone falls in one exchange—three at most for the best.'
Kasis Sirun and a few others might last three.
Most would shatter in one full-power hit.
"Hah—!"
"Hup!"
But the students, of course, saw none of that.
As soon as Asel finished, most pulled up mana.
Properly provoked, they unleashed their strongest attribute spells, aiming at him.
Fire, ice, water, wind, plants, metal—various magics surged toward Asel.
Those holding back were likely non-combat types like healers or buffers,
or Elric, just observing.
'Gotta see how far he's planning to take this.'
Then I can decide my stance.
Besides, "Elric" wouldn't charge in emotionally.
Professor Asel impassively eyed the incoming spells.
Then raised both hands, drawing up mana,
and clenched his fists.
Bang—
Collision sounds rang out nonstop,
and all the students' magic vanished.
"Huh?"
"M-Magic's gone? What the……."
"D-Dispel?"
Students stared blankly at Asel.
Elric analyzed coolly.
'Not a shield or dispel. ……He collided his own mana directly with their spells, nullifying them.'
Mana was raw material; a completed spell was refined.
Same amount? Raw mana loses to spell every time.
Refined vs. raw.
Yet he'd erased everyone's spells without a trace.
'……Impressive.'
Asel's mana volume and control far surpassed the students.
But his expression didn't flicker.
"Many of you held back. Again."
Just those words.
"Urgh……!"
"Hah—……!"
Not everyone had gone all-out first time, so more snapped at his words.
Naturally, far stronger spells poured out. Buffers now boosted standouts like Kasis.
But the result?
Bang—
Same.
Asel clenched, and magic vanished again.
"H-How is this……."
"Haa…… haa……."
"What the……."
Students panted, eyes wide in shock.
Impossible. First wave, maybe—but second? Many had gone full throttle. Some collapsed from mana drain.
How was Professor Asel unscathed?
Asel scanned the sprawled, gasping students.
"Healers, could a few tend to them? I can't. I'll judge your skills on this."
"Y-Yes, yes!"
Total shift. From faint hostility to swift obedience before overwhelming power.
And then.
Asel turned, locking eyes with Elric.
"One still remains."
"……."
Elric nodded slightly. Asel spoke in his usual flat tone.
"Caution is good. But this is guided sparring. I need your full power to decide how to teach you."
"……Yes."
"Attack with everything."
Elric cracked his knuckles, preparing.
'……Full power?'
Fine.
Professor said go all-out, so complying is proper student conduct.
Elric surged mana from his body in one breath.
"Hup—!"
Space around Asel roiled violently.
Clearly beyond the others in mana volume and spell scale.
A crack finally appeared on the impassive Asel Hershe's face.