Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Accidents during class are an everyday occurrence
“Hm. The saint’s magical power is immense, but she wastes far too much of it.
It feels like writing characters with a brush meant for fine calligraphy, but instead dipping it heavily in paint and using a very thick brush. The magical power leaks out in all sorts of irrelevant ways. Illusion-type magic doesn’t suit her well. However, domination-type will work fine. She can simply overpower everything with overwhelming magical power.
Still, if she wants to develop her skills in the long term, she’ll need to be able to control her power with fine adjustments as well.”
“On the other hand, this girl, Isolde? Her overall proficiency is quite high. She must have been learning magic up to this point already. The mesmerize spell—if you learn it somewhere other than an academy, it would likely violate the law. So she must have learned magic illegally. She seems quite determined.”
“Fiona. This girl… hmm. Her magic pattern resembles that of an envoy from the Holy See.”
The cardinal of the Trinity Order operates his own direct unit, the elite corps, and selects capable individuals among them to serve as envoys.
These individuals become witch hunters who hunt criminal mages or spies who gather intelligence from various places, remaining loyal to the Order…
Interestingly, the magic Fiona of Northos uses carries a strong trace of those envoys.
“While the saint’s magic can also be said to belong to the same lineage as the envoys, her level of mastery isn’t quite the same as this child’s. Interesting. Then what remains is…”
Sadia frowned as she watched Idnia’s spell.
“If you don’t mind, could you cast it once more? Student Idnia?”
“Ah… is there a problem?”
“I was analyzing the other students’ magic, and the effective duration has already passed.”
A low-level command spell merely forces a single word. It is magic that compels obedience to just one word without resistance, which is why in games the command “Drop it!” is commonly used.
In combat, it forces the target to drop what they are holding—such as a magic wand, sword, or weapon.
Although they can pick it up again immediately, simply dropping it wastes considerable time and mental effort.
Since such a spell has such a short duration, there is naturally insufficient time to analyze it properly after casting it even once.
“Understood. Then… is that alright? Bolson?”
“Ah. Yes. That’s fine. Please proceed as much as you like.”
Bolson prepared again.
“I command you, drop it!”
Idnia cast the low-level command spell.
Bolson let out a short gasp and dropped the magic wand he was holding.
And that wasn’t all. As if it were not enough, he began rummaging through his pockets, throwing down his wallet, then his dagger, and one by one casting everything he had onto the floor.
“…Huh.”
Sadia was genuinely impressed.
Normally, a low-level command spell only compels obedience for a fleeting moment, so it should end at making the target drop only the wand in hand.
However, Idnia’s magic clearly exceeded the duration of a typical low-level command spell.
She had completely seized Bolson’s nervous system, inducing confusion and forcing him to discard not only the wand but all his valuables.
“She didn’t even extend the duration through spell modification… and still managed this? Remarkable. In terms of spell structure and magical proficiency, Isolde is higher, but this child’s magic… how should I put it? It strikes exactly where it hurts the most. That’s possible because of her exceptional understanding of the nervous system.
Holy See envoys are known for their strong understanding of the human body since they capture and dissect people, which allows them to excel at anti-personnel magic, but this child’s anatomical understanding seems even greater than theirs.”
Sadia analyzed and marveled at why Idnia’s magic was so exceptional.
If Isolde excelled at magic itself, Idnia’s magic felt like it precisely understood the opponent’s body and struck the most vital of vital points.
It was like the difference between arrows—one person shoots casually and hits the torso, while another’s arrow ends up entering through the nostril or directly into the mouth.
“Indeed… impressive. Have you perhaps dissected a human before?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Idnia felt a chill run down her spine as she watched Sadia analyze the effects of her magic.
She had never performed an actual dissection, but it was true that she had studied physiology, chemistry, and anatomy after joining a biotech company.
“I did study anatomy itself, but I don’t have a medical license and have never done dissection practice, so this answer should be appropriate. Of course, compared to this world, Earth’s anatomy textbooks and physiological research are on a completely different level, so perhaps that’s why…
It’s frightening, Sadia.
How can she figure this out just from a small low-level spell?”
Idnia felt fear, as if her past life might be completely seen through.
“Idnia, Isolde, Fiona. Each of the three students is awarded one point.”
Sadia awarded points to the female students who successfully cast the low-level command spell.
“Now, next is the male students’ turn. Let’s unify the command as ‘Drop it!’ Cast it immediately!”
The male students cast their spells all at once. Bolson also attempted to cast the spell on Idnia.
However, the spell was too difficult, and he failed even to complete the incantation while forming the spell.
“Kgh?!”
Sparks flew from the tip of Bolson’s magic wand, and he staggered backward.
“It’s a complete failure. I’m sorry.”
“No. Hmm. May I offer some advice?”
“W-what? Idnia-sama will?”
“Yes. First, practice constructing the spell structure. Only use the incantation after the structure is complete. The moment you speak the incantation, the constructed spell is pulled in and activated immediately.
Right now, the spell structure wasn’t complete, but you used the incantation anyway, which triggered the wand’s safety function. It released the magical power outward and caused it to burst.
Ah, because of that, the wand’s durability has slightly decreased.”
“Th-that’s terrible. If the wand gets damaged, I don’t have much money to replace it.”
“Well, it’s not damage that affects its function, so you can continue using it carefully. Let’s try again.”
Idnia worked together with Bolson, examining why his spell had failed and how to reduce mistakes.
In the process, Idnia herself was able to further study spell construction.
By helping each other, they improved their skills, making group-based classes meaningful.
“Hmm. Good. Very good. As for a romance that transcends social status… I don’t see much possibility of that here.
The boy seems to have some feelings for the girl, but the girl isn’t paying him any attention at all.
Ahh. So fresh. Quite pleasant to watch.
I almost feel like awarding points for this.
Though giving points for this might be a bit much.”
Sadia watched Idnia take care of Bolson with satisfaction.
“Professor. We’ve successfully cast the spell.”
“Ah, right.”
Sadia checked the status of the male students.
Lorenzo of Northos, Karl of Boreas, Athos of Eiros, and Persifier had succeeded.
On the other hand, Crown Prince Rudolf had failed due to an unfavorable matchup—the spell itself was properly cast, but it was resisted.
Marie of Astraea had exceptionally strong magic resistance.
“Hm. Those Elector house fellows have all come prepared. Crown Prince Rudolf’s proficiency is not inferior to Isolde’s, but the matchup is simply unfavorable.”
Marie’s high magical power placed her in a constant state similar to protection.
Because of that, the class had been scheduled after alchemy, and Marie had extracted power via Idnia to adjust her average output, holding herself just slightly above average.
Compared to the other students who had expended their magical power in the morning, Marie remained relatively relaxed, and her formidable resistance allowed her to withstand Rudolf’s well-practiced low-level command spell.
As a result, several Zephyrus students, despite having enough skill to succeed, deliberately failed their spells, perhaps unwilling to surpass the Crown Prince.
“Hmm. I originally didn’t want to award points to those who had prior training… but I dislike those who hide their true ability, so I’ll give them points. Lorenzo of Northos, Karl of Boreas, Athos of Eiros, and Persifier each receive one point.”
After awarding points, Sadia projected a different spell structure onto the blackboard.
“Next, we will use this spell.
It is also a low-level command, but this one is a domination-type rather than an illusion-type. It is much easier than the illusion-type, so if your magical power is strong enough, you should succeed. However, be aware that it consumes far more magical power than the illusion-type.
Now, female students! Cast it!”
“Yes!”
The female students cast their spells simultaneously.
“Hmm, I’m tired.”
Having depleted her magical power during the dormitory extraction competition, Idnia carefully attempted the domination-type command.
Even though she used only a small amount of magical power, Bolson was unable to resist and again began throwing away whatever he could grab.
But then…
“This is bad!”
“Ahh?!”
Suddenly, commotion broke out.
The domination-type low-level command spell works by converting the command into a powerful psychic wave and directly implanting it into the target’s mind.
Its structure is simple, and if the caster’s magical power is strong, they can easily control the opponent.
However, precisely because of that, it is also easier for the opponent to resist.
Because the target can clearly perceive that someone is trying to control them.
The illusion-type spell, when cast covertly, feels like an inner voice, or like a revelation from a god or angel guiding one’s body.
However, the domination-type spell, even if cast secretly, establishes a mental link at the moment of impact, allowing the target to recognize who the attacker is and what command is being given.
Because of this, it strongly stimulates the target’s will to resist, allowing them to fight back with their full capacity.
“Judging by their mastery of illusion-type spells, Isolde of Zephyrus, Fiona of Northos, and Idnia of Eiros should have no trouble succeeding.”
As Sadia had predicted, the three female students succeeded easily.
The problem was Marie of Astraea, the saint candidate.
“Myunghanoni drop it!”
“Ugh!”
When Crown Prince Rudolf was struck by Marie’s psychic wave, it felt as though fireworks had exploded inside his brain.
As if trapped at the center of a fireworks blast, his surroundings flashed violently while immense power ravaged him.
He tried to resist, but Marie’s magical power was too vast and overwhelming.
Crown Prince Rudolf dropped his magic wand, then took out his pocket watch—an item of great value—and threw it aside, followed by his wallet and other possessions.
Even so, Marie’s command to drop things only grew stronger.
What else should he discard?
So. Are you my son?
Suddenly, the cold gaze of Emperor Franz appeared in Rudolf’s mind.
Hmm…
The Emperor looked at Crown Prince Rudolf and smiled.
I intend to accomplish the great enterprise of a thousand-year empire.
You, my son.
Become the cornerstone of this empire.
But if your abilities are lacking…
Then offer your life.
Give up your position for someone who can take your place.
Rudolf trembled at the memory of his father that surfaced in his mind.
It was not something that had ever happened. These were scenes and stories that did not exist in his memory.
But when Rudolf turned his head, he found countless… other Rudolfs, piled up like broken dolls.
When his eyes met the lifeless gazes of those Rudolfs, Rudolf screamed and shuddered in terror.
As the frightened Rudolf stumbled backward, he collided with something.
Turning around, he saw a young Idnia, Idnia Katze Betelgeuse, looking at him with a cold gaze.
“Your Highness. I return your excessive gift, and your excessive engagement.
This girl humbly finds herself unworthy of the position of Empress of the Empire.”
The exact words Idnia had spoken when she once ended their engagement long ago…
But she added one more line.
“And you are likewise unworthy of the position of Crown Prince of the Empire.”
“Aaa… Aaaahhh!”
Crown Prince Rudolf screamed as something within his body began to move.
Suddenly, a surge of violent magical power erupted from him, violently dispelling the low-level command spell that had bound him.
Centered on Rudolf, now freed from the spell, pure magical energy began to swirl, distorting the surrounding space.