Counseling Time: Brain Pickled in Sticky Mana ♥
Siana conducted the class from behind the lectern.
"…Mana was discovered by the first wizard, known as Siria Ni Asriel, right?"
"Yes~"
The students chorused their response. Mari answered the teacher's question as well, then glanced at the seat beside her. It was empty again today. His name was Leon, wasn't it? He'd always slept through class with his head down, but he never skipped. Lately, though, he hadn't been showing up much.
I wonder if something happened?
Whatever. Even if something had come up, it had nothing to do with her. He wasn't a friend or anything. The teacher hadn't said a word about it either. They sat right next to each other, but they'd barely exchanged a few words. At first, she'd tried striking up conversations a few times herself, but after he ignored her, she'd given up on getting close.
His face was handsome, though.
Early in the semester, lots of girls had been drawn to his looks and approached him. But when he responded with nothing but indifference, as if they were a nuisance, everyone lost interest. Truth be told, Mari didn't like him either. Just a pretty face. He didn't study, only slacked off.
Some people can't even come here if they wanted to.
She thought of her childhood friend back home, in the rural village far from this place. She and he had studied day and night to get into the Tower of Balance. But their families weren't wealthy enough. It had taken the whole village pooling their money just to cover her tuition. In the end, she'd left him behind and come here alone.
With the tuition scraped together at such hardship, she had to study hard and repay them. Graduate with top grades. Then return home and confess to him.
We promised each other when we were kids: grow up and get married…
They were apart now out of necessity, but it was fine. When she went back, she'd live prosperously with him as a mage. She'd make sure no one in the village ever went hungry again.
But that guy in the next seat… From what she'd heard, he was born into a wealthy merchant family, yet he had no dreams or passion. She had no idea why he'd even enrolled in the tower. He couldn't properly use a single spell as a mage. He just went out carousing every day.
Born with everything handed to him on a silver platter. Of course he could live doing whatever he wanted.
No way someone like that could appeal to her, who'd clawed her way up desperately. Opportunities for success should go to those who truly yearned for them.
Mari shook her head to clear the stray thoughts.
Exams are coming up soon. Focus on class.
For now, the immediate test was what mattered. She emptied her mind and refocused on the lesson.
"…However, do you know there are various debates regarding the first discovery of magic?" Siana posed the question, scanning the classroom as if asking if anyone knew.
The initial discovery of mana and magic. It was all in the textbook. The teacher hadn't covered it in class yet, of course. But she'd previewed the material beforehand, so she knew. Glancing around at the other students, they all seemed clueless. They were just watching each other or flipping through their books. Looked like she was the only one who knew.
Mari shot her hand up.
Siana nodded at her, as if she'd expected it.
"As expected of you, Mari. I knew you'd know. Why don't you tell us?"
"Yes. It's well-known that the first discoverer of mana was Siria Ni Asriel, but there are several opinions on the first discovery of magic. Even whether it was a 'discovery' or an 'invention' is hotly debated, and among them…"
Ding-dong-dang—
She stood confidently, in the middle of her presentation, when the bell signaling the end of class rang out.
Siana raised a hand to cut her off.
"Ah, Mari. Sorry to interrupt when you were explaining so well. Class is over, so shall we continue tomorrow?"
"Yes, Teacher."
Mari stopped and sat back down.
She's such a kind teacher, as always.
Other teachers often dragged class long past the bell. But Siana always ended right on time, respecting the students' break. She said proper rest improved study efficiency. As expected of the teacher Mari admired most—she truly valued her students.
"That's all for today's class. Head back to your dorms carefully, and don't wander around late at night. See you all tomorrow!"
"Yes~ Thank you~!"
After the closing remarks, just as Siana was about to leave the classroom, she called out only to Mari.
"Mari. Could we have a quick counseling session?"
"Yes, Teacher! I have plenty of time!"
Counseling with Siana? She welcomed it anytime.
"Thank you. It won't take long. Shall we head to the counseling room together?"
Mari followed Siana out of the classroom. The teacher walked ahead, her long straight hair swaying gracefully, and Mari trailed behind. Siana always smelled of nice perfume. Today, it was mixed with something like squid? No, probably from somewhere else, not the teacher.
Siana spoke to her.
"Thank you for always participating so eagerly in class. Teaching feels rewarding thanks to you, Mari."
"No, it's because you teach so well, Teacher! Everything just sinks right in!"
"Heehee. Thank you. That question I asked in class today—you'd already previewed it, right?"
"Yes, I always preview the night before."
"Mari really is diligent."
Mari smiled bashfully.
"Hehe… I get anxious if I don't study ahead."
Siana passed right by her personal staff room.
Huh? We're not doing counseling in the staff room today?
They usually did it there. Must be somewhere else today.
"Mari, it's important to live diligently, but sometimes you should focus on your happiness in the present too."
"Yes. I'll make sure not to overdo it. Thank you for worrying."
She must be concerned about her burning out from studying too hard. But she was taking plenty of rest—no need to worry.
Siana's footsteps finally stopped at a quiet storage room.
This was a place she knew wasn't used much. Why here?
"Are we doing counseling here today?"
"Yes. Today's is a 'special' counseling session, so we'll do it here. Sorry it's such a shabby spot."
Siana gave a wry, apologetic smile.
"No problem. Location doesn't matter."
"Thank you for understanding. Then, shall we go in? You open the door."
Siana didn't enter first but stood by the door. Following her words, Mari stepped up, gripped the handle, and turned it to open.
But Siana stopped her.
"Oh, I forgot to ask if you had plans this evening. Calling you suddenly like this—I should've been more considerate."
Mari reassured her.
"I have nothing tonight."
"Good. That's a relief."
Siana smiled brightly, then gestured for her to hurry inside.
As Mari turned the handle, she thought.
Oh, I forgot to ask what this special counseling is about.
What kind of session required a storage room? Well, she'd find out once inside.
Mari opened the door as instructed.
Screeech—
She turned the knob and pulled the door open. What lay beyond was no ordinary storage room. The interior design was utterly different. No, was "design" even the right word? It didn't look like a storage room at all.
Mysterious magic circles were etched all over the walls and floor. Even with the lights on, the depths weren't clearly visible. A thick, dense mana filled the space.
Huh…?
She'd never felt mana this thick and sticky before. Mana usually wasn't perceptible unless it was extremely concentrated. Why hadn't she sensed this much mana before opening the door? Come to think of it, they'd learned something similar in class about magic traps…
"Teacher Siana, did we get the wrong room…?"
Mari turned in confusion to look at Siana, but just then, Siana's hands pressed against her back.
Whoosh.
She was shoved inside.
Wha…?
Stumbling into the room, Mari inhaled sharply. The sticky mana invaded through her nose, mouth, eyes, and ears, muddling her brain, nerves, and senses.
Her consciousness rapidly faded.
Turning back at last, she caught sight of Siana, smiling as she pushed her in.
"Sorry, Mari. But I'm sure you'll like it too."
Teacher…?
She tried to call out, but her mouth wouldn't move. Her arms flailed uselessly in front. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor.
Siana moved to close the door from outside.
Why…?
In the incomprehensible situation, Mari clung to her fading awareness and reached desperately for the door.
Thud.
The door shut anyway. Her pitifully outstretched hand sliced through empty air.
The thick mana swiftly overwhelmed her. She lost consciousness and crumpled to the floor.