The Ideals of the Four Kingdoms
The continent was home to four nations, each embracing an ideology shaped by its own distinct character. The Fan Empire prized competition. The nature-rich Yggdrasil valued obedience. The Frozen Tundra of Tyrfing stressed survival. "And finally, the ideology this nation emphasizes is 'education.'"
Unlike the Fan Empire, which culled the weak through survival of the fittest to elevate a small number of strong individuals on the backs of the many, or Yggdrasil, which demanded total submission while a single Empress exercised absolute dictatorship over the entire realm, the Ellemental Kingdom believed that learning was the very foundation of national progress. Precisely because of this conviction, every citizen was granted the opportunity to study—unlike other countries where education remained the exclusive privilege of the elite. As a result, countless academies had sprung up naturally across the kingdom.
From fine arts, music, literature, commerce, media, medicine, and business management, the variety and number of academies within the kingdom were almost impossible to count. Even when narrowed strictly to the category of magic, more than thirty institutions existed, including Benedict Academy.
"The Academy Tournament can be described as the gathering where students from these various magic academies come together to test the achievements they have attained through their studies."
Learning, by its very nature, means drawing wisdom from everything the world has to offer. It does not entail blindly rejecting anything that differs from one's own views. If another nation's ideology or philosophy possesses merit, it is willingly adopted. This flexible and open-minded perspective was the great strength of the Ellemental Kingdom, which was why its people incorporated parts of the Fan Empire's competitive system without the slightest resistance. The Fan Empire's ideology had simply been too extreme; competition itself was not inherently evil. On the contrary, it carried the clear advantage of igniting rivalry that could drive even greater growth.
Appropriate harmony and competition. Within the small world of the academy, the four students who had earned the highest scores through internal rivalry would step out into the wider world to compete against students from other academies they rarely encountered. It was a place of exchange where they could objectively measure exactly what level they had reached. That was the true essence of the event known as the Academy Tournament—or the Exchange Competition.
"Just as he spread the importance of learning throughout the kingdom, the one who first established the Academy Tournament was none other than the Majoan."
He had always said that the opportunity to learn must be given equally to everyone. Before his appearance, magic had been a far more secretive and closed discipline than any other field of study. The reason it had become so remarkably open was that he had revealed every piece of magic worthy of being called his vision to the world. Following his example, countless high-ranking mages had generously disclosed their own secret techniques for the sake of their successors. As a result, the overall level of mages across the entire Ellemental Kingdom had risen dramatically.
Having overturned the kingdom's general perception with such radical actions, there was no chance he would commit the error of confining students within the small well of the academy. Anyone pursuing scholarly excellence needed to accumulate a wide range of experiences. Observe. And awaken to the vastness of the world. In this world, there are countless people greater than you, and just as many who fall short. An academy is, quite literally, nothing more than a small society. Do not limit your own world by trapping yourself inside such a narrow well.
"In that sense, it could be considered a form of integrated education provided to a select few graduates before they leave the academy."
That was precisely what made it so special. It was highly unusual for first-year students to participate in a competition originally intended for graduates. Such exceptional cases had been extremely rare since the Academy Tournament began.
"I personally consider this Academy Tournament one giant interview hall."
The academy's ranking was certainly important. The higher a graduate's grades, the exponentially greater the number of places that would seek them out. Yet there was no reason to fall into despair over a lower ranking. Students who occasionally displayed outstanding performances would receive scouting offers from the Magic Tower and various corporations. Given the tournament's long history and generous sponsorship, every participant would have prepared with everything they had in order to earn recognition.
In such a situation, just as Julia Evergreen had said, if Jeon managed to achieve good results in this competition, it would not be unreasonable to say that entry into the Special Investigation Unit would be all but guaranteed.
"It means everyone—not just you—is approaching this tournament with genuine sincerity. Therefore, if you wish to win, you will need to invest even more effort."
Well, that should be enough to spark their motivation, shouldn't it?
Having explained the meaning of the Academy Tournament and the resolve its participants carried, Professor Karlsen swept his gaze lightly over the students watching him. Marily had maintained the same bored, expressionless stare from beginning to end, but both Arina and Togun showed a visible change in their eyes. Satisfied that he had provided suitable motivation, Karlsen set five slim paperback books on the desk with a sharp thud.
"These books contain the types of events to be held in this year's Academy Tournament along with their respective rules. Read them whenever you have time and make sure you understand them thoroughly."
There was no need to memorize everything immediately. In Karlsen's view, what mattered most to them right now was developing their individual capabilities rather than focusing on group training to improve teamwork.
"When I say develop your individual capabilities, I am not suggesting you should expect miraculous growth in just a few months."
It was a harsh thing to say to Marily and Togun, but he held no expectation that a few months of effort would make them overwhelmingly stronger than they were now. Arina and Jeon, on the other hand, could show noticeable growth in that time, yet both had only just reached the level of 3-star proficient mages. At present, rather than pushing forward, it was more important for them to pause and achieve perfect adaptation to their current stage.
"The difference between knowing and not knowing the limits of the power you can wield is truly enormous."
What people commonly called self-control. Knowing the boundaries of one's own abilities versus remaining ignorant of them. The gap was as stark as the difference between perfection and imperfection.
"The reason we are not conducting teamwork training at this moment follows the same logic. Once those two fully adapt to their new stage, any teamwork we might have built would simply fall apart."
While there were no exceptionally outstanding powerhouses among them, the team's average ability level was remarkably high for first-years—so high it was hard to believe. If their goal was simply to reach the upper ranks rather than claim first place, it could be achieved with surprising ease. Their balance was perfect as well. Unlike other teams composed entirely of four mages, this group had a highly unusual combination: two mages, one magic researcher, and one martial artist.
"Marily."
"...?"
At Professor Karlsen's call, Marily—who had been flipping through the rulebook with her chin propped on her hand in a clear 'why are you calling me' posture—lifted her head.
"I heard the reason you're participating in this tournament is to use practice as an excuse to skip classes. Is that correct?"
At those words, Arina swiftly turned her gaze toward Marily as if to ask what that was about. Marily subtly avoided her friend's eyes and began to whistle. At the same time, she ground her teeth inwardly, wondering why he had to bring it up in such a public setting.
"Marily does not require personal lessons. While the other students are attending their individual training, feel free to come to this clubroom and rest. You may use my name if necessary."
Yet at Professor Karlsen's next words, her anger melted away like cotton candy in water.
"Instead, I would like you to occasionally monitor how much the other students have grown and keep track of their progress. Based on that, I would appreciate it if you could also help decide which members should participate in each event."
In other words, the command center. He was entrusting her with the sort of duties normally handled by a magic researcher or a professional team's tactical coach. It was work that should have fallen to the dedicated professor in charge of the tournament participants, but Karlsen was nearly certain. Marily was better suited for the role than he was.
"Well, that much is fine."
Marily did not deny his assessment.
"Arina."
Having assigned Marily her task, Professor Karlsen now turned his attention to the girl beside her.
"What you lack is clear. You are aware of it as well, yes?"
"Yes."
Arina nodded without hesitation.
Indeed, what she lacked was the spell-formula aspect. When it came to handling mana, Arina surpassed everyone present, yet in applying it she still showed certain shortcomings even when compared to the rest of the first-year class.
"To be honest, my own abilities cannot fill that gap."
Although he served as a professor at Benedict Academy, his true nature was that of a dark mage. Unlike Kain, who had reached the pinnacle of dark magic and learned other disciplines to a respectable degree, Karlsen was a pure specialist who had devoted himself exclusively to dark magic. The manifestation mechanisms of dark magic and ordinary magic were fundamentally different.
"That is why I have already asked Professor Magnus to assist with that area."
Spencer Magnus. A master of spell formulas whose reputation extended far beyond Benedict Academy to the entire kingdom. He would undoubtedly be able to provide Arina with tremendous help. Moreover, given his personality of never withholding opportunities from those who reached out first, he was unlikely to turn away a struggling Arina with the Academy Tournament looming.
"Yes! Thank you!"
Arina broke into a bright smile and bowed deeply. Receiving her thanks, Karlsen's gaze shifted to Jeon.
"Unlike Arina, Jeon does not have any particularly outstanding strengths or glaring weaknesses."
Everything about him sat above average. In a way, he possessed the most ideal and perfectly balanced profile.
"For that reason, I intend to help Jeon adapt to his current stage through real combat experience. I will be the one assisting you with that."
Throughout the ongoing discussion, Karlsen's eyes curved gently as he regarded Jeon, who had been forced to stand with aching legs the entire time. His gaze seemed to say: Frustrating, isn't it? Especially after you fell on your backside earlier. Your legs hurt, don't they?
"...That sounds quite promising."
Receiving the playful provocation, Jeon forced the trembling corners of his mouth upward. In short, he was being given a legally sanctioned chance to beat the professor—if he was capable. The message was clear: use this irritation as fuel and burn with the desire for revenge.
"Lastly, Togun."
"Yes!"
Togun answered energetically at Professor Karlsen's call.
"I'm sorry to say this, but I must ask you to wait just a little longer."
Karlsen scratched his cheek with an awkward expression.
"I made the request, but I was turned down rather harshly."
It had not been a simple refusal. He had been cursed out thoroughly—asked why he should bother with such a troublesome task, scolded to the point where his stomach might burst from sheer fullness. If the old saying that being cursed leads to a long life was true, his lifespan might have increased to near immortality.
"I will ask again tomorrow. If I am refused once more, the next option will be to approach Professor Scape."
Natilda Scape. If Professor Magnus was the authority for spell formulas, she stood as the foremost expert in enhancement magic. One would have expected her to be the first choice, yet she was listed as second.
"Yes, I understand."
Togun tilted his head briefly at the puzzling statement, but soon nodded. Professor Karlsen would never assign him anything harmful.
"In any case, for the time being focus on raising your individual capabilities. Once that is reasonably settled, we can coordinate our teamwork inside my Inner World."
Professor Karlsen scanned the four students once more. Observing their complexions, he gave a satisfied nod.
'The output seems about right at this level.'
They had remained here for quite a long time talking, yet none of the children showed any signs of fatigue. He had worried slightly since he had never used his Inner World in quite this manner before. Thinking that it had turned out well, Professor Karlsen smiled brightly and spoke.
"Then let us conclude today's strategy meeting here. We will begin proper training tomorrow. Togun, once the professor who will instruct you has been decided, I will inform you separately by text."
See you all tomorrow~
Professor Karlsen's bony hand waved from side to side like a reed. The Inner World slowly grew faint and vanished. As the space returned to normal, Jeon glared at the spot where the professor had been and scowled fiercely.
"...He ran away."
Along with the disappearance of the Inner World, Professor Karlsen had vanished. He must have fled in a panic, afraid Jeon might try to grab him. The sound of teeth grinding echoed softly from Jeon's mouth.
"Then we shall take our leave as well."
In contrast, the moment Karlsen disappeared, Marily sprang up from her seat as if she had been waiting for exactly that. She seized Arina's wrist and dashed out of the clubroom.
"Come on, let's go! Tteokbokki seemed like too much, but I've got to try the tanghulu at least once!"
"W-wait!"
The two vanished amid a small commotion. Togun, who had been watching them and Jeon in turn, approached his friend and spoke cautiously.
"Shall we head to the gym?"
"...Might as well."
With Togun leading Jeon out of the clubroom, the club activities on the first day of the new semester came to a close—leaving the promise of the real training that would begin the following day.