Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Meeting Your Nemesis in a Required Course
“No, I said I’d do it—why involve someone else…?”
‘As if saying it’s not someone else’s problem. Well, with that shady look in his eyes, it’s natural to hesitate. But I can’t say that here.’
Idnia carefully skirted the issue so as not to offend the petty-minded Gibbs.
“Oh, it’s simply because I don’t want to trouble you with personal matters, Master Gibbs, while you’re busy managing the Academy’s various affairs. Since Hyeukrang buys my items anyway, that’s one thing, but you’d have to go to unnecessary shops. And the heavy lifting—how could I ask you to carry that to the Academy? Isn’t that usually handled by the living armors?”
“Well, the living armors will carry it anyway… hmm. Ah, right, time.”
Regretting that he hadn’t gotten Mari’s signature, Gibbs waved the lantern to signal the servants.
“Now, servants, take your leave. Students, move your belongings to the dormitory and then gather in the auditorium!”
“Then I’ll head off. See you tomorrow, Master.”
Hyeukrang took the list of needed items from Idnia and Mari, mounted Hyeukpae, and departed.
Once the servants delivered the luggage and left, course registration began.
Since this was the preliminary registration before the main courses, and changes were allowed for a month, Idnia decided to enroll in everything she could.
‘Come to think of it, at Betelgeuse they said magic isn’t taught early… that’s strange.’
Idnia had always believed that starting physical or academic training early was beneficial, so she was curious why early magic instruction was prohibited. That curiosity was answered in the first class.
“Welcome to the Basic Mana Training class. As you know, I am the Baroness Bulem. Please address me as Baroness.”
The basic mana training course, recommended for beginners who hadn’t done prior study, was taught by Baroness Bulem.
‘Ah, so the professor I was warned about is starting her class immediately.’
Idnia felt the gaze of Baroness Bulem, as Hyeukrang had warned. The baroness gave Idnia a disdainful look and cleared her throat.
“In this class, you will learn to sense mana, move it with your will, and methods to augment it. It is the most fundamental course for becoming a magician. In other words… your future as a mage depends on my guidance at this very moment.”
“….”
It felt as if she were speaking directly at someone.
“Those of you who have studied magic in advance, please step forward.”
Students with prior magic training stepped up, including Crown Prince Rudolph and Isolde Polzen, the daughter of the imperial consort, along with descendants of various rulers.
In a room filled with wealthy, prestigious families, Idnia stood alone as a high noble who hadn’t advanced—an amusing sight.
Baroness Bulem instructed the students on the fundamentals of mana control.
“Focus your mana through intention. Anyone familiar with aura?”
Some students raised their hands, but she shook her head.
“No need to raise hands.”
She explained further, using aura as a comparison.
“If aura spreads from the dantian throughout the body, imagine mana starting at the crown of the head and flowing down the spine to the limbs. Organize your breathing and direct your will throughout the body. Think of it as a network of nerves, distinct yet akin to blood vessels, and consciously perceive each connection…”
‘Hmm…’
Idnia attempted to follow, only to become flustered. Meditating naturally invoked the Paewang Jeolgi technique and manipulated aura, a habit she’d developed, which interfered with controlling mana. While she struggled, other students seemed to handle mana well, some even radiating a faint mystical energy Idnia could sense.
‘This is bad… if this continues, I’m completely…’
She was on track to fail.
Baroness Bulem assessed the students with prior study.
“Mana is life energy generated by a being’s spiritual activity. It accumulates in all living things, even in non-living matter as natural energy. The problem is that mana naturally grows through human spiritual activity… without proper guidance, one cannot fully utilize it, and may even waste it. That’s why the Academy discourages prior study.”
Christian Dupont raised his hand.
“Even if we were taught by Academy graduates?”
“The Academy graduation… it merely sends students out after finishing basic classes. Anyone truly capable of advancing magical research would already be in the research hall.”
“….”
“Think about it: tutors outside the Academy focus on immediate results. They train students to perform adequately now, not to develop their full potential. Your mana grows shallow, merely circulating near the skin rather than emanating from the soul. Sadly, we see this with many students already.”
Baroness Bulem clicked her tongue, noting the students’ deficiencies.
“Students with prior learning often fail to use mana deeply, sometimes worse than beginners. That’s why novices may be better—they have no bad habits. Using the analogy of breathing: proper breathing uses the diaphragm fully. Many of you learned intensive exercises without knowing how to breathe correctly. You just gasp quickly, seeming capable, but relying on the upper lungs leads to quick limits. Correct breathing and proper mana guidance are essential as your spiritual vessel grows.”
“….”
The faces of the advanced students darkened—they realized their costly prior study had backfired.
In contrast, Crown Prince Rudolph was perfect in the Baroness’s eyes.
“Oh, perfect. Even mastered aura—truly a genius.”
“Is learning aura alongside mana a problem?”
“Usually, mastering aura makes deep mana control difficult. The energies derive from the same source but operate inversely. Only geniuses can excel in both.”
“….”
Students who had learned aura were dismayed. However, Lorenzo of Mazdari and Carl of Oxbach had successfully integrated both into their mana pathways.
“Truly the children of distinguished families. As expected of the founders’ lineage.”
“Then what should we do?”
“You can rebuild your mana pathways with diligent effort. Unlike aura, mana pathways can be reconstructed from scratch. With focus, you can create your own heaven. At Dunais Academy, it’s not impossible. But…”
“But?”
“It requires a 200-siling summer course.”
“….”
In short: money. Plus, it’s during summer break, not at home, and there’s no guarantee the course will fully correct mana pathways.
‘Why is this Academy so obsessed with money? 200 silings… that’s like 20 million won in Korea. They’re really milking students dry.’
Idnia marveled at the Academy’s obsession with profit.
‘And now I learn that aura training interferes with magic… can I even do magic properly?’
Students, recognizing the Academy’s ruthlessness, asked questions.
“So, what kind of training will we do in this class?”
“To increase your total mana, the first method is frequent magic use, which you’ll endure in other classes. Here, the second method is to enrich your emotions and cultivate proper will—patriotism, devotion, and other guiding virtues.”
“Excuse me?”
“During class, you’ll interface with the illusion crystal to experience visions. These experiences enhance your emotions, instill loyalty, dedication, love, and pride—thus increasing mana.”
“…Isn’t that brainwashing? Illusion magic is usually…”
Students were wary. Illusion crystals embed continuous, precise illusions, and misuse often leads to neglecting food, sometimes death. Ownership is forbidden by law—but the Baroness would use them in class.
“Oh-ho-ho, rest assured. Only illusion crystals approved by the Imperial Senate and Academy of Arts are used.”
She divided students into groups and activated the crystals. For Idnia, she offered a cold smile, then silently started the crystal’s effect.
-Dan-da-da, dan-dan-dan!
The trumpet of a marching band blared, designed to excite.
-This illusion has been approved by the Imperial Senate and Academy of Arts.
The scene began: a young man in a rural village receives a letter.
The dubbed voice did not match his expression, resembling a 1960s film.
“Mother, I’ve received the military draft notice. Demons are invading the border, and I must serve in the militia.”
“My son, no—you’re our third-generation heir. How can you go?”
“Don’t worry. The country must exist for me to exist. I must fight on the front to protect our home.”
“Oh, my son, such thoughtfulness.”
“…”
Watching, Idnia felt her brain practically burning.
Was this truly meant to inspire patriotism? And now she was forced to witness it? The agony made her grit her teeth… and suddenly, the vision cut off, returning her consciousness to reality.