Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: The Researching Mage (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-Things seem pretty rowdy around there. Did something happen at the academy?
I replied to Vice-Captain Albert's worried voice in a calm tone.
"It's nothing major. I just tested a communication crystal we made in Magitech Department practice class."
-...So why test it on me?
"I didn't want to bother you either, Vice-Captain. But it connected automatically. What could I do?"
My perfect plan to take a break from contacts for a bit was utterly shattered.
-Haa... Miss Lunaris, I'm a busy man too. This is troubling.
His deep sigh carried a mix of relief and exhaustion.
Vice-Captain must be getting ground down lately, right on the cusp of promotion to captain.
This is exactly why I didn't join the Imperial Mage Corps.
-I thought another incident had broken out. Anyway, since we're connected, I did receive the report you sent yesterday.
"How was it? Is that enough for the report? No issues, right?"
-I was a bit surprised. Uncharacteristically thorough and well-organized for you, Miss Lunaris. Please keep it up from now on.
Yeah. I'll keep handing all the reports off to Club President Sylvia. That's the way to go.
-By the way, the academy classes seem to move at a blistering pace these days. Making freshmen craft communication crystals already?
"It's not exactly that... More like advanced elective study, or something."
-Fair enough. Teaching someone like you would outstrip the standard curriculum anyway. No other business, so I'll disconnect.
"Sure thing. My mana was hitting its limit anyway."
"And submit that practice-made crystal to the Mage Tower through the academy admin office. Using unregistered communication crystals is illegal."
With that, the crystal's glow faded.
A brief silence followed.
Then explosive applause filled the classroom.
"The sound quality is crystal clear!"
"And the connection time? Insane!"
"A true craftsman doesn't blame their tools..."
"As expected of Magitech's star! Top duo indeed!"
Amid the flood of praise came a hem-hem, a throat-clearing cough.
"Heh heh. In all my years, first time I've seen someone make a communication crystal out of a toy Magitech experience kit."
The professor, who had been fast asleep moments ago, was now awake and approaching us.
"For a second there, when your mana surged, I thought the whole classroom was gonna blow."
What? You were awake since then? Well, it was pretty noisy, sure.
Then why pretend to sleep instead of helping?
"You think I'd blow it up on purpose? What, am I some academy serial bomber now...?"
"You're already infamous, student. That magic lab building you wrecked is still under repair."
"Cough cough!"
The professor pointed out the window.
At his fingertip lay the construction site in plain view.
Most of the first-years flinched. They'd been on-site when the building ended up like that. Looked like they still had PTSD.
"Well, you two have nothing left to practice today anyway."
The professor eyed our communication crystal with sparkling interest.
Were those the same sunken, half-dead eyes from before?
"No clue how many weeks' worth of progress you crammed in one go. Estelle Myers, Lunaris Evermoon pair. Perfect score. You're dismissed."
Sending us home early? Now that's my kinda professor.
"Estelle-senpai, shall we head out?"
No reply.
Puzzled, I turned to look beside me.
"...Senpai?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Let's go."
Estelle-senpai jolted and nodded vigorously.
Her expression was off.
Not her usual beaming smile, but a vaguely dazed look.
"You feeling okay?"
"No, it's not that... Just thinking. Haha."
Estelle-senpai gave an awkward laugh, twirling her hair around her finger.
Then she suddenly grabbed the communication crystal in front of us.
"Mind if I take this? I'll compile the report and submit it to Department Head Lilliana together."
"Fine by me."
Suits me perfectly. Someone handling the hassle for me? I never turn that down.
At my nonchalant response, Estelle-senpai dipped her head slightly.
Her eyes looked slack, probably from fatigue.
Makes sense after hours of nonstop focus. Her brain must be frying.
Lifting her head again, Estelle-senpai flashed a smile like nothing happened.
"How about a celebration party before we go?"
"...Huh?"
"C'mon, our first team project was a success! Can't just let it pass without fanfare."
"I... I just wanna sleep..."
I'd already burned through today's energy—no, this month's energy.
Being uncharacteristically proactive, swinging my arms left and right to fix mishaps, had drained my motivation straight through the floor into the basement.
After-party on top? No way. Absolutely impossible.
"Don't be like that~ Pretty please?"
But my opinion didn't matter.
The moment I grumbled, Estelle-senpai had my hand in her grip.
Our pure-hearted senpai's grip strength was working overtime today too.
"Let's go! My treat—something delicious. Fuel up and ace the rest of our assignments too!"
*
To me, magic is murder.
Other days aside, at least on Thursdays, it is.
Last week, I learned a harsh lesson from my magic duel with Department Head Raymond.
Honestly, I was a bit complacent that day.
Soft. Pampered.
I hadn't truly grasped what it meant to challenge someone stronger.
I should've gone at it like real combat—desperate, with genuine intent to kill.
Not that I'd have hurt him even at full power. Worry about the one worth worrying over.
So today, I steeled myself.
I woke at dawn, eyes snapping open on their own.
Even without the maids waking me. Good job, me.
All for sucking honey the next four years—this one day's sacrifice.
Half-asleep, I slapped my cheeks to stay alert.
"Ouch! Stings!"
My cheeks stung. Too much pep, too much force.
But it chased sleep away. Solid morning condition.
I perched on the bed's edge, waiting for Department Head Raymond.
My heart pounded with adrenaline. Palms slick with sweat.
"This time, for sure. Start by shattering his arm."
Gritting my teeth inwardly, repeating my resolve—
-BOOM!
The firmly shut door ripped clean off its hinges.
I hadn't even locked it... What the—
About to complain in disbelief—
"...This has to be a joke, right?"
I muttered, half-dazed, at the sight of Department Head Raymond in the doorway.
He gazed down at me with his usual elegant smile.
One difference, though.
Trailing behind him were spirits of every hue, all four primal elements: fire, water, wind, earth. Full collection.
"What is th—ghk!?"
Before the shock faded, an invisible colossal force pinned me down.
Crushing pressure choked the breath from my body.
No magic, no technique.
Just brute mana smashing me flat.
Pinned to the floor, I couldn't budge.
I barely rolled my eyes up to Department Head Raymond.
His lips moved.
Straining my ears, I caught his low murmur.
"I don't care much for this teaching style either... but today, no choice."
I was dumbfounded.
This wasn't teaching... It was pointless violence... Cough!
"W-wait... This is straight-up cheating..."
"Hah, you think I want to? It's all for your sake, student."
Tried shoving space with telekinesis, bursting mana—nothing worked.
Thus, I was swiftly subdued by Department Head Raymond's all-out ambush.
*
How much time passed?
I opened my eyes to a sorry sight.
Wedged between mattress and floor, immobile.
Of course, I could escape if I tried.
But I couldn't move rashly.
"Urgh... Taking the bed hostage...!"
This vicious setup screamed: move, and the mattress pops first!
Calculated. Cruel. Ruthless.
How did he know I couldn't survive a day without Linea Hall's bed...!!
Grinding my teeth, I barely craned my neck to survey the room.
In the center, Department Head Raymond sat elegantly, sipping tea like it was his own room.
Graceful at a glance, but his raised pinky trembled faintly.
Mild mana shock from expending too much too fast.
...Wow. How serious was he?
"Even if we agreed no holds barred, don't you think this is overkill?"
This isn't instruction.
Just bullying.
Student rights okay like this? Time for a protest.
"No other way. To minimize damage, I truly couldn't hold back."
Department Head Raymond bowed apologetically at my grumbling.
"Go easy, and Linea Hall—barely repaired—crumbles again. Or worse, I'd be the one hurting."
He sighed briefly and continued.
"You were geared up to beat me too, right?"
Seeing me perched on the bed made his heart sink, he added with a wry smile.
"Still, ambushing like this is cheap and petty. Not embarrassed?"
"Embarrassed... Heh heh. Well said. My dignity and face hit rock bottom last week."
Suddenly, Department Head Raymond's expression turned fierce.
"Know what happened last week? Patrolling the academy like some grunt professor, filling out dozens of dense incident reports..."
A total mess, he laughed bitterly, resentment oozing.
"These days, I'm too ashamed to show my face."
His voice rose.
"Do you even grasp the humiliation?!"
"Uh, s-sorry...?"
Face flushing, he huffed furiously. That intimidating aura yanked an apology from me.
He'd been stewing more than me all week.
He was more desperate(?).
That was my defeat's cause.
"Well, I did eat some crow, got a bit heated..."
Department Head Raymond cleared his throat awkwardly and went on.
"Truth is, I came in hot today because I have a message for you."