This Contract is Null and Void!!
This contract is null and void! Null and void!!
"Haa..."
I'd done it in a fit of anger, but now my head was throbbing from the mess I'd gotten into. Originally, I'd planned to just demonstrate a few spells to prove my skills. Who could've guessed it'd turn into a mock battle in the Medeia Academy magic arena? And against none other than the renowned three-attribute mage and one of the top fingers of the Imperial Court Mage Corps, Professor Layered Pilot.
I'm screwed. Things had gone so sideways.
Okay, let's think this through step by step. My opponent has three attributes. I'm attribute-less. The elemental matchups favor him. So, I have to counter with pure mana. Overlaying attributes would just highlight my weaknesses.
How much mana would it take to knock down Professor Layered with raw power? I'm confident in my mana reserves, but Master warned me not to overuse them, so I needed some restrictions. He'd probably block mid-to-high-level spells if he saw them coming. So, start with feints and strike when his guard's down. Yeah.
"Ready. Begin!"
At President Jania Pieris's signal, I glanced up at the sky. First, a magic circle way up high. 'Satellite Beam.' Ahem... Placed it super high, so he shouldn't notice, right? Oh, did he? I snuck a peek at Professor Layered. He'd cast his signature spell, the one he could unleash at lightning speed: 'Charging Bolt.'
Good, he hadn't spotted my spell. Probably testing my strength with that. Yeah, that makes sense. I raised my staff to block, but after four days of forced march, my exhausted body nearly fumbled it. I barely gripped it right, but couldn't cast a defense spell in time. Instead, the basic defense magic circle engraved on the staff activated and blocked the Charging Bolt.
Whew— that was close. No good. Dragging this out is risky. My body is screaming for a wool bed! But the Satellite Beam was cast too high up; it'd take time to arrive. Time for a feint spell. He'd block it easily anyway...
As I pondered how to cast the feint, I felt a massive mana flow from above. Glancing up, it was one of Professor Layered's favorites: 'Thunderclap.' An advanced lightning spell—technically lightning mixed with water, but whatever. Blocking this would be a pain... Oh, right. Lightning gets drawn to tall metal objects, yeah? And since it's mana-based, a long mana rod should work like a lightning rod. Perfect.
I squeezed my eyes shut against the flash. Flash!—Even with eyes closed, my vision went white. Whoa... As expected of Professor Layered. Even a probe was insanely powerful.
Okay, my turn for a light feint. I created three attribute-less mana orbs, burning 40% of my mana. 20% for the Satellite Beam, 20% for these three orbs... Master... I haven't even used half. Sob sob, this is your fault, Master.
Anyway, I overlaid fire on one, water on another, wind on the third, mashed them together... Uh. What to name it? Gotta say something spell-like... Eh, whatever. The fused orb became a pure mana sphere blazing with blue flames. That should do.
No way I could overpower his spell head-on, but scattering flames to distract him? Perfect. Go!
"Funeral Pyre of Doom!"
Aimed straight at Professor Layered ahead! I adjusted the speed to sync with the descending Satellite Beam. Focusing on mana control after so long was making me drowsy. Four days of march really took it out of me. Ah, screw control... It's just a pure mana blob, and he's Professor Layered. One big boom should do it, right?
Look at that—full serious mode. Pulling out all three attributes. True advanced mage...
A bit more focus. Professor Layered chanted.
"Electronic Protection!"
Ooh, advanced magic barrier! Years in the field paid off; he picked the right one. Specialized for blocking pure mana shots, electrically sticky with wind control wrapping it tight.
The spells collided. My flame-wrapped mana orb enveloped the 'Electronic Protection,' but slowed. Knew it. Master!!! What now?! No choice! Satellite Beam, accelerate!!!
Noticing it, Professor Layered smirked at me, like asking if that was all. Tch... Out of options? Time for the third... But hey, I wanted to say this.
"What about the second one?"
Politely pointing at the Satellite Beam too. He'd probably block it now that he knew, but I had to try! I forced a grin. Please!!! Take some damage!!! Honestly, at this range, even an advanced mage would get hurt, right? Please, victory!!!
That instant, Master appeared in front of Layered. Huh? Master? This wasn't planned. Tag team? Why's Master subbing in? Who's subbing for me? Master... Do you hate me that much?
Seeing my crestfallen face, Master murmured lowly.
"Miriel. You're going too far... Didn't I tell you time and again to hold back?"
Eh? Master...? What're you saying? I held back on speed, used minimal mana... Not even half...
I'd added feints for a quick finish, but you stepping in... Wait. Is that not it? No way?
A question flashed in my mind. I checked Professor Layered—beyond him, a faint mana distortion, like from failed control. Tilted my head. Oh, field fatigue maybe? Makes sense if he's worn out like me. But still...
"Can't block this either? I fired it weakly..."
Really, I did fire it weakly. But Master shook his head and stepped forward. Uh uh...? Master? You're still too much for me...
Ignoring my thoughts, Master quietly raised his staff.
"Void Severance Barrier."
Black light from his staff erased the Satellite Beam outright. Stunned by the new spell, I stared. Whoa... The power. With Master around, the original game plot would've ended in a second... Wait, no.
Master? Why the sharp glare? Did I do something wrong? Why sub in?!
"No! Don't block it for me!! What about my win?!"
I clutched my staff in despair, glaring first at Master, then Layered. Yeah, it was that tired Professor Layered's fault! Right, that's the issue!
Even so, fair and just President Jania declared my victory.
Yay—yay...? Huh? This... good, right?
Submit lecture title and syllabus for next semester by January 20th.
I got scolded by Master but was so beat I crashed right there. More precisely, I passed out the moment victory was declared. I was that sleepy...
Anyway, after sleeping like the dead, I woke to the sun high in the sky.
"Yawwwn..."
They'd given me a private dorm room for professors only. No interruptions, perfect rest. Supreme wool bed... The best...
As I rolled around, Bianca floated in with a tray.
"Yeah, Bianca. It's just you, huh. Sob..."
In this vast, lonely space, only my creation Bianca thought of me... But the tray had no apple juice—just a note.
"Huh?"
President's handwriting.
Er... Um... So, what day is it today?
As if answering, Bianca fetched the calendar and projected light on a date.
"Today... January 17th...? 17th?!"
I yelped in shock; Bianca nodded up and down in confirmation.
"No way!! I slept for five straight days?!"
Suddenly, midday panic hit like fire on my feet. Knock knock.
"Come in, disciple."
With Master's permission, I cautiously opened the door. Heh heh—entering Master's bedroom (office) at this late hour (noon)! What could it be...
"Miriel. How's the academy?"
Master, neatly groomed beard and hair, greeted me with a kindly, dignified face. Ooh... Hair and beard really make the man. Bet he broke hearts back in the day.
"Not bad at all. No—it's the best! Heaven! No paradise like this!"
Yeah yeah. Supreme wool bed. Truly supreme. Farewell, mountain hermit life. Hello, new rolling-around life here...
"So, what brings you?"
Master nodded, satisfied, and asked.
Only one thing...
"Uh, the president wants a lecture plan..."
"Ho ho. I see. Have you submitted? Best to tie it to my classes. Assistants support full professors, after all. Though you or I could be full professors easily... No experience teaching, so assistant's good start. I'll back you fully. So, questions about your first lecture?"
Master's eyes sparkled with expectation. Oh no. I did nothing...
And assistant vs. full professor is like that?! Why no heads-up?!
(Not true. He explained in the carriage. You slept.)
"Uh... well..."
"Hm?"
Master's face turned odd. Ah... Pretty sure I'm doomed.
******
Staffs in both hands, arms raised sky-high.
"Ow. Arms hurt..."
"Punishment. Endure. Good grief, sleeping five days straight upon arrival?"
"Ah, Master!! I did use some mana, y'know?"
"Enough to completely drain yourself?"
"Er... Not quite..."
Yep. Being punished now. For doing nothing but sleeping five days.
Sob sob. Who knew I'd crash that hard? Blame the supreme wool bed...
Ow, arms aching—wanna go back to sleep... Thwack!
"Ow!!"
Huge pain on my head. Glaring at the culprit, Master looked mildly angry.
"Pen's idle. Time's short—hurry."
"Ugh... Master... Let me lower my arms at least..."
"Why learn magic if not for this? Take punishment, use magic on the pen."
Uwaaa!! Master! I didn't learn magic for that!!! Thwack!
"Ow!!"
"Hurry, or your class opening fails."
O? Not bad? Fail the class, roll between supreme bed and top restaurants all semester? Yes! Fail it is!!
"P.S. Fail the class... and 'those who don't work don't eat'—no dorm, sleeping in the plaza."
"Wha—what?!"
No! Master!!! You didn't say that!! And if I fail, you sleep outside too, right?!
"Me? Full professor, plan submitted. Fine. But assistant Miriel? Plaza it is."
Uwaaa!!! Discrimination!! My rolling life!! This contract! This job!! Null and void!! Null and void!!!!