Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Field Training That Decides the Outcome (2)
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"All magic operates on the principle of arranging spells within the domain governed by the three primal elements. In the case of the most representative elemental magic, this manifests as Fram Mobile and Terralia depending on their properties."
It was nearing the end of the first semester. Adella, attending Professor Roilen's Basic Magic Engineering class, felt a complicated mix of emotions about the changed gazes people directed at Louis lately.
Her biggest worry was the caliber of people showing interest in him—especially the women. That one girl was the undeniable top of their year, and the senior she'd met at dinner yesterday—and once before—was none other than Pharenchia's lord.
"Every phenomenon occurring within this mathematical yet irreversible field must be strictly controlled by the mage's calculations. Throughout this semester, you've ingrained the most fundamental principles of magic engineering into your bodies."
In contrast, she herself was still a half-baked mage who couldn't properly wield her unique magic circuit. The prestige of the Roshiar name had already been digested along with yesterday's bread.
"Next will be second-semester material. The final of the three primal elements is the Tree of Sephirot, which represents the caster themselves. In truth, magic isn't activated solely by calculation. There are times when more primal emotions draw forth greater power."
Professor Roilen's explanations weren't registering properly in her head. She kept recalling the proposal Louis had received from Darling yesterday.
It was closer to an official request than a mere invitation to a ball or salon, but losing Louis to her was the same either way.
She had nodded reluctantly when he asked her to mind the canteen for him that evening.
"In such cases, controlling emotions is important, but they can also be harnessed in reverse to pioneer new realms. Adella?"
"Y-Yes?!"
"Could you give an example of someone who elucidated the Tree of Sephirot as I just described?"
"Uh, th-that is..."
Unable to focus on the lesson at all, Adella froze at the professor's question.
Professor Roilen tapped her staff on the podium in mild exasperation before pointing to another student.
"Kal?"
"Yep. One sage who emphasized magic manifestation driven by innate mana sensitivity and emotion—the caster's will—over deliberate calculation is the lord of Duve Magic Tower, the Five-Colored Duke, Oliver Scarlet."
"Correct. He's a master of elemental magic, yet he also stated that magic is never purely in the realm of perfect calculation."
The most crucial point in Basic Magic Engineering was that magic never activated in just one way.
Especially the utility of spells that could be cast without drawing diagrams in the sky above or on the ground below was maximized in real combat.
"We're covering this today because a test tailored for you all is about to begin."
"A test?"
"Yes. In four days, the entire first-year class will undergo field training in the western forest."
Field training. The grand finale of the semester, where they entered the forest to face monsters head-on. It replaced final exams as the most important class, but it was also the dangerous stage where injuries first started piling up.
"Starting today, form your teams. Pair up with someone you get along with and sync up well."
Looking at a few students—especially Adella, who still looked puzzled—Professor Roilen offered some advice.
"They'll be the only ally watching your back out there."
What Darling had asked me to do was none other than preparing the western forest in advance for the first-years' field training.
Heading out the west gate from Pharenchia's central square, countless burrows appeared as you moved away from the city.
Traces left by monsters retreating during the Monster Wave seven years ago.
They varied greatly in size, and the larger burrows could evolve into dungeons over time.
Dangerous places where monsters bred continuously, requiring adventurers to be dispatched to clear them.
Moreover, if monsters were corrupted by karma, they became魔獸. These evolved beasts grew more ferocious, stronger, and could spew dangerous substances like poison.
It was rare in purely natural occurrences, but that didn't mean regular monsters were weak.
In real combat, anything could happen, so they pre-investigated the dungeons in the western forest every year.
"Ah, I really want to die..."
"Long time no see, and you're already looking this rough. What's up?"
As evening fell and torches lit up the west gate, I arrived to find Pharenchia Academy's guard captain Mark grimacing and grumbling.
"Put yourself in my shoes. I get beat up by a Roshiar knight, groan in pain for days, come back to find sand mixed in my pay. I complain, and suddenly I'm dragged to the temple for investigation as a reactionary element. And now, of all things, I'm roped into the western forest survey this year, suffering like this at night... Haa."
Come to think of it, it must have been a turbulent year for the academy guards.
"You wouldn't get it, Louis."
"You wouldn't get it either, Mark."
But was I any different? Just a week ago, I'd been fighting a dragon in the Rabier Mountains.
Moments later, preparations complete, the guards and Pharenchia soldiers lined up together. As I pondered whether to join their ranks, a young attendant approached.
"Are you Louis, sir?"
"Yeah."
"The lord calls for you. Seems you'll travel by carriage."
"Ahem..."
I averted my eyes from Mark, who shot me an envious glare beside me. Of course. There had to be a reason Darling summoned me.
To fill Bill's spot, probably managing those folks.
"Hah, some of us win medals and still slave away like dogs, while others get picked by noble ladies just for their pretty face and sip honey..."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Louis."
Thud.
"I thought you were my comrade."
Receiving irrational envy and jealousy, I slipped out of line and spotted the carriage at the gate. The attendant knocked, the door opened, and four folding steps extended down one after another.
Darling, seated inside, frowned at my gaze on the steps.
"What are you staring at? Get in already."
"..."
"Canteen owner."
"Yes?"
"If you've ever added even a single centimeter to my height, say so now. Otherwise, I'll shut the door."
I boarded silently and closed the door. Like anyone, Darling didn't take kindly to discussions of her stature.
A closer look revealed thick cushions only on her seat.
As I headed to the opposite side, she patted the spot beside her.
"Over here."
"Didn't you summon me in Bill's place?"
"Bill always sat beside me, so come here."
Really?
Well, having served her long, they might've been casual like that.
As I sat beside her, she leaned slightly against me. Her white-gloved hand fell near my knee.
"Yawn... I'm tired, so wake me when we arrive."
"Then couldn't you just send the soldiers?"
"Absolutely not. Everything there must fall under my direct oversight."
In case her parents' remains were found, no doubt. That was why she'd boarded the carriage so late, after finishing her duties as merchant lord, viscountess, and academy business.
Quite a crowd had gathered in the forest: the lord's direct soldiers, academy guards, and additional hired adventurers.
Professor Marco, overseeing this field training, explained their tasks to the group.
"Ahem! Under your superiors' command, enter the dungeons marked on the map. Eliminate any classified as high-risk by the adventurers—they're threats to the students. Report any nearby monster nests to headquarters. My lord?"
"Mm, begin."
To ensure safety, the training area became a controlled zone.
As soldiers advanced slowly, I grabbed a nearby torch to light the way.
My reason for the carriage wasn't just to oblige Darling. I regularly sourced materials for the canteen from the western forest.
Like staves made from yagim wood.
Or magic stones and hides from monster corpses—all useful.
I hoped to stock some new items for the canteen this time, but suddenly Darling tugged me back.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To the dungeon, obviously."
"A butler leaving his master to enter a dungeon? Nonsense. Come here."
She led me to a small building in the outpost scouting the western forest. It had luxurious sofas and half-drunk wine, a frequent haunt of hers apparently.
Fresh forest night air wafted through the window. Darling lifted her glass and nodded at me.
"Pour."
"..."
"Canteen owner?"
I pressed the wine bottle's bottom lightly against her crown.
"Gaaah—!? Don't press my head!"
"Who said I was here to serve? I thought you needed help with something."
"F-Fine, just stop pressing my head! My height's shrinking!"
Do whatever.
"What about the carriage?"
"Already sent back."
"Thorough as ever. So why'd you call me?"
"Well..."
—My lord!!
As I irritably rose, a shout calling Darling came from outside.
—My lord! May I enter!?
Probably because she was the overall commander here. But no response came from beside me.
"What're you doing? Answer them."
"..."
"Viscountess?"
Wondering what was up, I moved the bottle aside. Darling had gone pale, hands clasped tightly, lips trembling as if dreading news from beyond.
"What's going on out there!?"
—Ah, well... Sir Mark Vauterval says he's got severe stomach pains and wants to rest at the rear...
"Tell him to fuck off and get to work!"
—Yes, sir! Understood!
Haa.
A small sigh of relief leaked from under my hand. I yanked the cork out with my teeth and draped an arm over her shoulders.
"Scared? Of seeing with your own eyes what you've been searching for?"
"...Not at all."
"And it's true Bill was always with you?"
"...Yes."
No wonder she nagged me like that. It wasn't for nothing.
I leaned back on the sofa and took a swig. Darling visibly relaxed.
"How long do I have to stay?"
"The work wraps in a few days. Field training starts soon after."
"Good."
"When word comes from Peckda Magic Tower, I'll withdraw too, so it won't take long."
"Peckda Magic Tower? Why there all of a sudden?"
"Didn't you know?"
Regaining some composure, Darling explained the field training rules, saying she'd done it last year herself.
"First-years cross the forest in teams to find and explore the small dungeons set up by the hosts. Defeat the monsters inside, retrieve the marker at the end, and you're through."
But it wasn't just monsters ahead. The real focus was adaptability in unfamiliar terrain and hunting beasts that knew only instinct.
And—
"The marker guardians are selected from second-years. Most are back from magic training, so assignments are set. Peckda's the only one lagging..."
Interpersonal combat. Much like magic duels.
"They'll arrive soon enough."
Darling's words brought to mind Liv returning from the tower soon. And Adella waiting at the canteen.
No way. The odds of those two facing off in the same dungeon.
"Canteen owner?"
"No, nothing."
Shouldn't be high.