Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: Old Comrades
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I check the round clock above the entrance to the grand hall. It feels like I didn't cover as much of the lecture as I'd planned, but two hours have already flown by.
It was time to wrap things up.
But my personal greed got the better of me just a little.
When would I get another chance to see students this focused? I didn't want to interrupt the flow right now.
"Once again, just as every human has mana, every soul contains mana as well."
That was why I planned to ride this concentration with a simple wrap-up at the end.
The students—and even the professors—sense that I'm about to finish and focus intently on the summary.
This is the moment where I highlight the most crucial points from the lecture.
"However, as I mentioned, what fixes mana in a soul isn't the body, but a kind of will."
That's where the difference arises.
"That's why evil spirits' power levels often vary based on their will. I used the term 'will,' but you could just as easily call it 'resentment' or 'attachment.'"
Gulp.
The students swallow hard in tension. It seems memories of their first-semester ordeals are resurfacing.
"As you've all experienced, regular magic doesn't work on those entities."
This time, the professors let out groans of agreement. They'd fought so many times against the evil spirits that had overrun the academy—they understood completely.
"Simple fireballs, water projectiles, lightning bolts. Even though they're made with mana, they're ultimately designed for physical damage."
On the other hand.
The blue flame igniting at my fingertips.
The special magic known as the necromancer's flame.
"Black mages have ways to damage insubstantial things like this. However."
I thrust my hand straight into the flame, startling the audience.
But my hand only feels a sauna-like warmth—no burns.
"It's hard to damage things with physical form."
Of course, such spells are rare among black magic. After all, humans are the usual opponents, so spells targeting them dominate.
The necromancer's flame clenches in my hand and scatters away like smoke.
"Today, I covered the background and theory in brief. Starting next class, we'll move to practice."
Silence falls for a moment.
Knowing their concerns, I address them preemptively.
"I'm a black mage, but I have no intention whatsoever of teaching you black magic."
The students look puzzled, wondering what I mean. They'd probably come prepared, assuming they'd learn black magic by attending my class.
But this isn't a subject you can study with half-hearted resolve.
Not like Dante or the Black Necromancer.
You need absolute commitment to walk that path.
"I plan to teach you detection and countermeasures for black magic, evil spirits, yokai, and the like. How to protect yourselves from them. That will be the core of future lectures."
That way, the academy won't be taken so easily again.
And as this teaching spreads from young students across the Griffin Kingdom, the realm—vulnerable to black mages and spiritual phenomena—will gradually gain the ability to defend itself.
The evil spirit of Griffin, a black mage, created this warped structure. So, as a black mage myself, it's only right that I restore the balance.
As I prepare to end the lecture, one student shoots up their hand.
Time's already well over, but with no objections from others, I point to them.
"Speak."
"Professor, I heard you solved several unsolved cases over summer break."
"That's right."
Most of Griffin Kingdom's cold cases involved evil spirits or yokai.
"So, will related content appear in class? Like using those incidents as examples in lectures."
A solid question—and exactly what I'd been mulling over thanks to Erika's advice yesterday.
Tying lectures to real cases I'd handled would boost focus and excitement far more than dry knowledge dumps.
Of course, I can't share every case out of respect for victims. I'd pick lighter ones.
"Yes. In fact, I was planning to weave in actual incidents for the next lecture."
The hall buzzes again.
If anything, it's like a seasoned detective sharing their case files.
Sounds intriguing.
"Thank you!"
The student sits with a satisfied smile. I take the mic one last time.
"Finally, any student who learns about the Black Necromancer can come to me anytime. But one chance per person—choose wisely."
No point in them wasting my time with guesses. The students seem to get it—no big reactions.
"That concludes the lecture."
I exit the hall.
* * *
The impact of Deus Verdi's black magic lecture didn't stop at Robern Academy.
Black magic, long outright denied and suppressed by the kingdom.
Parents were furious about a lecture teaching it to students, and church bishops watched closely.
Ready to swoop in at the slightest suspicion of corrupting the youth.
But truly.
Deus Verdi was teaching pure countermeasures against black magic.
Even volunteering as the practice dummy.
"Hup!"
Elenoa channels her mana, erecting a green barrier around her body.
Black Necromancer flames pour over it.
"Urgh!"
Her hands tremble, head throbs, but the Black Necromancer holds back enough for Elenoa to barely block.
"Hah! Hah!"
Sweat pours.
She'd cast mana-draining spells plenty, but this dual mana-and-mental-strain magic was new.
She never imagined the vague concept of mental strength could feel so tangible.
To counter thought-forms, you need equivalent will from the defender—that's Deus's method.
"Well done. Next."
"Th-thank you."
Elenoa wipes sweat, grins shyly, and rejoins the line.
Next student steps up.
"First-year Leorus."
A boy with striking blue hair. Spear master, future tank for Aria's party.
[Whiiiine! I don't wanna do this anymore!]
The Black Necromancer grumbles, playing opponent, but Deus ignores it.
She unleashes flames anyway.
"Argh!"
Leorus topples backward. The dual mana-mental concept still overwhelms him.
"Enough. Next."
Leorus actually held up decently. Only standouts like Elenoa or Aria earn praise—most get nothing positive.
Lectures proceed mostly via practice; theory draws from Deus's experiences.
Both formats prove popular. After last semester's evil spirit chaos, it's stamped essential at Robern.
"Eugh."
Another student fails against the flames, makes a sour face, steps aside.
Next.
"Please."
Protagonist Aria Rias stares at me, brimming with confidence.
[......]
The Black Necromancer's face hardens. She hits Aria harder, flames surging.
But Aria blocks calmly, barrier steady.
Like her ironclad will.
"......Well done."
"Yes!"
Even light praise lights her up. Aria beams, spins away.
She joins the line for next round. Ahead, classmates defeated by the Black Necromancer.
"Aria, how do you do it so well?"
"Wow, amazing."
"Can you teach us later?"
"Not bad."
Her friends: unique looks, solid skills.
Leorus, Happy, Florensia, Jin.
"......"
All first-playthrough comrades.
As mentioned, Leorus the spear expert always tanked frontline. His water magic made him great for barriers too.
Happy the archer. Handled firepower from rear with Florensia; synced well with Clock Republic gear.
Florensia the mage.
Party's core: healing and bolstering Happy's output. If she fell, the team crumbled.
Jin the dual-dagger assassin. Plays quiet student now, but his ancient assassin clan marks him as heir—who joined the party anyway.
Scouting, traps, ambushes: versatile guy.
Memories flash: campfire chats.
- Man, wiped out.
Frontliner Leorus grumbles, wiping sweat with water magic.
- Makes me miss academy days.
Happy grilling meat, nostalgic.
- We're still technically students.
Florensia preps meat, awkward reply.
- It's burning, idiot.
Jin sighs, snaps at Happy's cooking.
A scene Aria saw often.
Post-adventure: gathered round fire, talking.
Talks often turned to academy life.
Back at academy now. Never returned in prior loop.
Is this return enough?
Aria ponders.
Throb!
Headache hits; she winces, steadies breath.
"W-What's wrong, Aria?"
"You okay?"
"Sh-Should we get the professor?"
"Breathe deep."
Sweat beads forehead; classmates worry at her sudden change.
Aria grits teeth, snaps at old comrades.
"Get lost. Enjoy the academy life you loved so much."
Fierce hostility; fists clench.
Don't need any of it.
I'll protect only the professor. Never waver between you and him again.
Even if that moment comes.
"I'll always choose the professor."
She whirls and leaves. No desire to stay with them.