The Professor's Demonstration
You have won the Lunaria Blessing Lottery. (2)
"Is something the matter?"
While Leisa and I kept deferring the practice order to each other, Professor Giphotes had already approached us and asked the question. A quick glance around the classroom showed that every other student had already begun their practical exercises.
I had been wondering how to get Leisa to try a staff instead of a wand, and his timely arrival felt like the perfect opportunity. As a half-elf, Professor Giphotes possessed a far longer lifespan than pure humans. Thanks to that, he had participated in the ongoing 'Eclipse Crusade' multiple times over the past two centuries and earned great merit. During those campaigns, he must have encountered mages from various eras and witnessed firsthand the evolution of the staves they used. If I could leverage that experience, perhaps I could change Leisa's fixed notions.
With that thought, I tore my gaze away from the flustered Leisa—who was still stammering in response to the professor's sudden question—and answered him.
"We haven't decided who goes first yet. To be honest, neither of us feels confident about the mana application practice. Could you perhaps demonstrate for us, Professor?"
The moment I spoke, the previously noisy classroom fell into complete silence. Everyone was clearly eager to witness the renowned Professor Giphotes display his magic.
"Hmm... I see."
Professor Giphotes glanced at Leisa and rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. It seemed he was already aware that she struggled with mana control. With his half-elf features, he was strikingly handsome. Perhaps because of that, Leisa's cheeks flushed slightly as she fidgeted under his gaze, twisting her body in embarrassment.
Hard to believe that pure-looking girl will become the kind of woman who has the hero wrapped around her finger seventeen years from now... I guess women really can transform completely.
"Though it differs from the academy's contract, I do owe a debt to the previous Marquis Lumiere. I'll provide a demonstration."
After saying this, Professor Giphotes gently asked Leisa, "Leisa, could you lend me the staff you're holding? It would be best to demonstrate using the very staff you'll continue to use."
Leisa nodded as if entranced and handed over her staff. Receiving the wooden staff, Professor Giphotes gave her a soft smile, then stepped back and swung it through the air with the rhythmic grace of an orchestra conductor.
A vibrant mana flow began in his palm, spiraling up the handle like a coiling serpent. It traced a helical pattern toward the tip until the entire staff was enveloped in a layer of mana.
"As I explained earlier, the most crucial aspects of mana utilization are attribute conversion and form conversion. The type and quality of magic depend on what attribute is shaped into what form, and how precisely and solidly it is constructed."
So King's Crown magic worked that way? The game never explained it in this much detail, so I never knew. Drawing on Leon's memories, it seemed even he had only memorized the basics without truly understanding them.
Professor Giphotes continued explaining various aspects of magic while simultaneously altering the properties and shapes of the mana emanating from the staff, showing us each change in detail.
"This principle doesn't apply only to mages. It holds true for any weapon that channels mana, including swords. In actual combat, how quickly, skillfully, and creatively you apply this knowledge can determine life or death."
With that, he flicked the staff through the air as if shaking off dust. The mana that had bristled like a hedgehog's spines shot upward before dissolving into the air like cotton candy dropped in water.
Getting hit by that directly would turn you into a pincushion. Apparently, I wasn't the only one thinking that—everyone who had been watching his masterful mana control let out sounds of admiration.
The students began staring at Professor Giphotes with sparkling eyes, silently begging for more. Leisa was no exception; her emerald eyes gleamed as if they might shoot lasers.
Perhaps feeling burdened by their gazes, Professor Giphotes cleared his throat with a slightly troubled expression, trying to shift the atmosphere. The classroom fell into a brief silence.
Sensing my chance, I raised my hand. Professor Giphotes looked mildly pleased as he asked, "Leon, do you have a question?"
"Yes, Professor. You've taught us a lot about mana so far. So, I'm wondering—if the type of staff changes, could it affect the mana itself? For example, if an ancient mage's staff were used to replicate exactly what you just showed us, would there be any difference in the mana?"
Professor Giphotes widened his eyes slightly at the unexpected question, then smiled with interest, his eyebrows lifting.
"Haha. I suppose as a knight aspirant, Leon, you're more interested in the staff as a weapon than in mana utilization itself. Still, it's a good question—and one that touches on a fundamental aspect of mana."
He spun the staff in his right hand with a single, elegant 180-degree turn so the handle faced outward, then returned it to Leisa. Several female students, including Leisa, let out small squeals at the stylish gesture.
Paying them no mind, Professor Giphotes continued answering my question.
"Hundreds of years ago, most mages used staves because they offered excellent protection for the body and allowed for greater quantities of mana to be handled at once. However, after Archmage Alhazard developed 'magic chain,' which allowed multiple mages to combine their power into spells rivaling the destructive force of nature itself, mages began favoring wands for their portability and precise, rapid mana control. Having experienced both types, I believe each has its merits... but given the flow of time, it seems staves will no longer see use. I always find that rather regrettable."
Oh! The professor really knows his stuff! I looked at Leisa expectantly. What I saw instead was her dazed expression, completely ignoring the staff and focusing solely on the handsome half-elf professor's face.
Professor Giphotes himself seemed to notice that several students were more captivated by his appearance than his words. He furrowed one eyebrow slightly, then smiled as if struck by a good idea and introduced a rather intriguing topic.
"Do any of you know about the legendary staff said to have been used by Archmage Alhazard?"
"Yes!"
"I know about it!"
"Me too!"
The students showed great interest in this story, each eager to prove their knowledge. Once their attention returned to him as he wished, Professor Giphotes continued with visible enthusiasm.
"Scholars believe that the legendary staff the Goddess Lunaria personally bestowed upon Archmage Alhazard as a blessing must have taken the form of a staff, given the era in which it was created. Unfortunately, the staff vanished from the world after Archmage Alhazard passed away... but if a true successor who can properly inherit it appears once more, that mage would surely be recognized by Goddess Lunaria as the great archmage of this age, following in Alhazard's footsteps."
Ding— Ding—
Just then, the bell tower rang to signal the end of the morning lecture. Sensing the students' attention scattering at the sound, Professor Giphotes quickly concluded the class.
As students filed out of the classroom, debating what to eat for lunch, several female students with obvious ulterior motives gathered around Professor Giphotes, who was tidying up at the front, begging him to buy them lunch.
"Haa..."
Leisa watched the scene from a distance with a sigh. Now I knew exactly how to win her over.
I quietly approached the sighing Leisa and whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
"So our junior has a crush on Professor Giphotes, huh?"
"What!? Ah... no... How did you know, senior...???"
Her face turned beet red as she stammered. Anyone could see it plainly. Love was always something the person themselves understood last—I knew that from experience.
With an understanding expression, I dangled the bait like a devil tempting its prey.
"I happen to have an absolutely brilliant plan that could help you get together with the professor... Want to hear it?"