Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Cold chain is the foundation of distribution
“Do not misunderstand. For a mage, brewing is a fundamental form of alchemy training.
Failing at that brewing and producing garbage liquor merits 1 penalty point. Drinking it and causing a disgraceful scene merits another 1 point.
If you become a mage and still make such trash liquor, fail to filter it, drink it, and consider that manly, then reflect on yourselves.
That is neither manly nor mage-like behavior.
And as for Karl, as the dormitory leader, he holds a position of responsibility, which is why he has been given 2 penalty points. Do you understand?”
Professor Deneuve was rebuking Bolson, but her words were essentially a rebuke to all Boreas students.
However, the Boreas students focused more on blaming Bolson than on the professor’s reprimand.
“Bolson. You idiot.”
“You’re dead.”
As a result, Karl’s penalty stood at -7, and the entire Boreas dormitory at -29 points, firmly holding the number one position in the penalty rankings.
The atmosphere grew tense.
If all this wave of resentment were to be directed solely at Bolson, it could easily lead to something serious.
‘Hmm. The situation seems severe.
Boreas is too rough. Someone with a gentler temperament like Bolson would have a hard time enduring it.
I suppose I should look after him a bit.’
Concerned, Idnia approached Karl.
“Lord Karl, may I have a moment?
Ah, this is bread we baked. It’s made by reprocessing something not particularly good, so I’m not sure it will suit your taste, but please accept it generously.”
Idnia handed Karl the newly baked bread made by crushing biscuits and re-baking them as a gift.
“Ah, such a precious thing…”
It was a comical scene—heirs of imperial electors and ducal houses treating bread made from recycled stale biscuits as a precious gift.
But Karl was sincere.
What could be more valuable than bread that is good to eat when hungry?
Especially when even the Eueros students didn’t have enough to go around.
“So, Lady Idnia. What brings you here?”
“Bolson is also my assistant, so I was concerned you might still be angry because of this incident.”
Idnia directly and openly requested that Bolson be treated leniently under her protection.
It might seem overly blatant, but trying to handle it subtly could have caused more complications.
‘I am a ducal daughter, after all. If I don’t recognize the weight of my status, that itself becomes a problem. I’m a bit worried they might resent it, but I suppose I’ll have to accept being somewhat disliked….’
However, an unexpected reaction occurred—one Idnia had not anticipated.
“Oh, is that so?”
“In that case, very well.”
“We should honor Lady Idnia’s request.”
“Well, drinking oneself flat after alcohol is just everyday life for northern men. Hahaha.”
The moment they heard Idnia’s request, the hostility the Boreas students held toward Bolson melted away like snow.
Although she had made the request herself, the ease with which things resolved left her slightly taken aback.
“Eh? A-are you sure that’s alright?”
“Ah, yes. It’s not like we’re going to get overly angry just because some mediocre illicit brew was confiscated.”
Karl said this with a hearty tone.
‘No—just moments ago they were ready to nearly beat Bolson half to death out of anger, and now their attitude has flipped so effortlessly?’
Northerners placed great importance on honor and dignity.
When someone of value like Idnia asked them to spare Bolson, that act alone elevated their sense of pride and dignity.
Bolson’s mistake was outweighed by the honor gained through Idnia’s involvement, and so they were willing to forgive him.
In other words, Idnia was a person of considerable value to them.
‘The Duke’s daughter Idnia is not only beautiful, but her character and conduct are exceptional.’
‘An admirable individual. Whether as an ally or an opponent, she would be a source of pride.’
Without any underhanded schemes, she advanced through her abilities alone, and all of the North held her in quiet admiration.
Thus, when Idnia asked them to forgive Bolson, they gladly did so.
‘Hmm. Simplicity has its advantages. But people like this, if they turn into enemies, can be frightening precisely because they are so straightforward and passionate.’
Feeling the wave of praise directed at her, Idnia instead resolved to be even more cautious in her actions going forward.
“By the way, Lady Idnia. Are you acquainted with Professor Vulemhyde?”
“Ah, yes. Not so much acquaintanceship as having briefly spoken while forming a circle.”
“I see. In that case, I’d like to gather and meet together sometime.”
“As it happens, we’ve already established a club room, so we’ll visit together. However, this morning’s preparation time is insufficient. After one morning class, there will be time before lunch, so we can meet then.”
Idnia set the first activity of the Wizard Ball club for before lunchtime that day.
“Hm. Vulemhyde…”
Karl repeated the name, a meaningful smile forming on his lips.
The next class was Baroness Vulem’s basic magic theory lecture.
Baroness Vulem was visibly excited.
“Yes, everyone. Today’s magic is truly what you could call the crown jewel of everyday magic.
If you learn just this one spell, you would have no worries about making a living in the South for life. There are so many makeshift mages who somehow manage to get by using variations or imitations of this magic that proper, orthodox practitioners are actually quite rare.
Now, a magic that is popular in the South and has countless pseudo versions or similar effects—what could it be?”
As Baroness Vulem posed her lively quiz, Lorenzo raised his hand.
“Yes. Lord Lorenzo? Please answer.”
“Cooling magic.”
“Yes, correct! That’s right! I’ll award 1 merit point to Lord Lorenzo.
Ah, as expected of a noble from the South—you are well informed.”
Baroness Vulem tended to maintain class engagement by posing quizzes and rewarding correct answers with merit points.
Moreover, when selecting respondents, she would primarily focus on those of high status, such as prominent nobles or imperial princes, giving them priority attention.
‘Hmm, I really dislike this method. But cooling magic…
That’s exactly what I needed.
Why teach it at this timing?
As if it were meant to help me…?’
Idnia felt a slight sense of suspicion, but still entered the cooling magic lesson with a positive mindset.
Cooling magic would be essential for refrigerating crops harvested from her garden and preserving various creations.
“Now, orthodox cooling magic is difficult, so please follow carefully. Unlike what you’ve studied so far, this is not a spell you can immediately understand and cast.”
Baroness Vulem began her lecture with great pride.
And she had reason to be proud.
As she unraveled the structure of the spell, an endless cascade of text appeared.
If previous spells filled two or three chalkboards at most, this one spanned the equivalent of two entire books.
So many phantom chalkboards lined up densely that only the front was visible, while the rest were obscured.
“How do we even read this?”
“Each of you sees a different illusion. Try applying simple telekinesis to your wand and move the board as if pushing it.”
Following her instructions, one student moved their wand and gasped.
“Ah?! The illusionary board moved. I’m sorry, Your Highness. I moved it without thinking.”
“Hmm? To me, it appears unchanged. Didn’t you say each person sees it differently?”
“Eh? That’s possible? I’ve never heard of that.”
“I’ve heard of it, but seeing it in person is astonishing.”
Rudolf the Crown Prince said this and also raised his wand to move the board.
The illusionary chalkboard responded to Rudolf’s telekinesis, yet others could not see it move.
An illusion visible only to a specific individual responding to that individual’s magic—how complex and precise must such magic be?
“Wow…”
Compared to other professors, Baroness Vulem had a noble-oriented demeanor, tending to flatter high-born students and be mindful of their reactions.
Unlike the Five Prisoners of the Empire, who threatened to kill students, she appeared more like an ordinary private tutor, which led many students to look down on her internally.
But this illusion magic was extraordinary.
Everyone realized that a professor at Dunaise Academy was by no means someone to be underestimated.
‘This illusion magic is impressive, but the cooling magic itself is even more remarkable. It contains far more precision and depth than flame magic.’
Idnia flipped through the illusionary chalkboards, studying the content.
At that moment, Baroness Vulem began her explanation.
“As you can see, it looks quite difficult.
Naturally, ordinary merchants who make a living by producing ice using cooling magic in the marketplace do not use this kind of spell.
They usually summon ice spirits from the ice spirit realm…
Or call upon the cold winds of the ice spirit realm to lower the temperature.
For those with low affinity for spirits, an explorer may install a beacon at the summit of Mount Norheim in the north, open a gate to that location, and draw in cold air that way.
Those without talent in gate magic or summoning magic may resort to contracts with Anacari—ah, I apologize.
‘Demon’ is a somewhat discriminatory term. Using a more neutral expression, they contract with Anacari to absorb heat and act as intermediaries for opening dimensional gates.
Because cooling has so many applications, numerous workarounds exist to achieve it.
However, orthodox cooling magic literally annihilates heat itself.
This is called primordial cooling magic. It is considered one of the great magics.”
Baroness Vulem continued her introduction and began rapidly interpreting sections of the illusionary chalkboards as she flipped through them.
It was far too fast and somewhat rough.
Everyone tried to summarize and take notes but soon gave up.
“Um, Baroness. It’s too fast. Could you slow down a bit…”
Several students raised their hands to request a slower pace, but Baroness Vulem ignored them.
“Ah, Your Highness the Crown Prince. If Your Highness speaks…”
The Zephyrus students turned to Rudolf for help.
Since Baroness Vulem seemed unable to oppose high-ranking nobles, perhaps she would comply if the Crown Prince spoke.
However, Rudolf stopped them.
“Wait a moment. It seems Baroness Vulem does not intend to teach this magic to you.”
“Pardon? What do you mean…”
“She appears to be demonstrating that at higher levels, such things exist.
That too is a fine educational approach.
After all, students of Dunaise Academy tend to be somewhat overconfident and arrogant.”
At Rudolf’s words, everyone felt embarrassed and put down their pens.
However, Idnia continued writing diligently.
‘Incredible. This is a physically impossible kind of magic. Truly magic—and this can be considered a great magic.
Negative momentum… and the various methods to implement it are all preserved here.’
Idnia marveled at the depth of the magic and continued taking notes.
While others had stopped, her pen continued to scratch across the page.
“Goodness? As expected of Lady Idnia, she is remarkable.”
“It seems as though she alone comprehends the profundity of this magic.”
“As expected of the Duke’s daughter Betelgeuse. Perhaps she possesses talent far beyond us.”
“Indeed, her merit points are extraordinary as well. One cannot help but be impressed.”
Isolde’s friends muttered in sarcasm as they watched Idnia diligently taking notes alone.
Though they spoke quietly among themselves within Zephyrus dormitory students, Idnia could still hear them.
However, she was too occupied with note-taking to pay them any attention.