Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The Mage of the Magic Exchange Match (1)
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"This! This is utterly unbelievable!!"
The glass windows had shattered into pieces from the explosion, and scorch marks blackened spots here and there on the walls and ceiling.
Even amid the chaotic wreckage, Department Head Raymond paced the room, unable to hide his excitement.
"To draw in and use the mana dissolved in the air directly... This was only thought possible in theory!"
The department head's attention was solely fixed on the spell I had just fired off.
"Miss Lunaris, this is an academic revolution! Even those snobbish folks at the Mage Tower would flip out if they saw this!"
I blankly stared at the department head's fervent display while clutching my blanket tightly.
No, why was this such a big deal?
"Telekinesis magic already renders space manipulation meaningless on a magical level. It's no different from downgrading an advanced spell to intermediate."
"What matters is that this is the first instance of properly utilizing natural mana!"
The department head strode toward me and proposed in an enthusiastic tone.
"How about it? Let me help you compile this achievement into a research paper. We have to record it!"
"...Too much hassle. No real desire to write it either."
I burrowed deeper into my rolled-up blanket. I was the ultimate Linea Hall shut-in.
"Then come with me to the Mage Tower! Letting a monumental discovery like this be buried would be a loss to academia—not hot sauce for those who ignored my mentoring skills all these years, but a true loss!"
Huh? Something sincere slipped out there for a second.
Of course, the department head's true feelings meant nothing to me.
"My sleep deprivation is a bigger loss than academia's."
"Aaaargh!!"
Raymond, head of the Magic Department, clutched his head with both hands and screamed.
He'd seemed the most charismatic during the interview, but his image had crumbled in less than a month.
Watching him, I felt a strange pang of pity.
Then, suddenly, the department head's eyes gleamed.
He looked like he'd just had a brilliant idea.
"Oh, right—next Monday is the Magic Exchange Match!"
I poked my head out from the blanket and gazed at him.
"Magic Exchange Match? What's that?"
"...Don't you know? We definitely announced it during Integrated Magic Practice class."
I shook my head calmly at the astonished department head.
"I skipped practice class, so I didn't get the notice."
"Another unexcused absence? Miss Lunaris, attendance is important..."
"No. I was exempted from that class for the entire semester."
His expression hardened at my words.
"What? Who exempted you from a whole semester on their own?!"
I shrugged lightly at the department head raising his voice.
"After I blew a hole in the practice building wall during a magic demo, they told me not to come anymore."
It was a bit embellished, but not entirely wrong.
"Well... Teaching a fully mature advanced mage like you through the academy's standard curriculum doesn't make sense anyway."
Raymond shook his head in resignation after staring at me incredulously.
"Wait. You didn't get exempted from morning theory classes too, did you?"
"No, not that."
I yawned hugely and waved him off.
"I'm out this week for external activities."
"That's a relief, at least. Anyway."
Raymond let out a short sigh, then met my eyes and spoke firmly.
"You must attend next Monday's Magic Exchange Match class. And there, demonstrate that natural mana spell for everyone, just like you did."
"...Do I have to?"
Honestly, I wasn't keen.
You know how when someone pushes you to do something, it makes you want to do it even less?
That was me right now.
"They said I'd get full marks on practice even if I skip..."
"The Magic Exchange Match affects both theory and practical grades."
"Practical probably weighs more anyway."
I was ready to toss minor points aside.
At my lukewarm response, the department head finally dangled a condition.
"If you participate properly in next week's Magic Exchange Match, I'll excuse you from one week of my classes."
Oh, now that's tempting.
Yeah, now it felt worth negotiating.
"One week's a bit skimpy... Yawwwn..."
In the end, he's the one who'd lose out.
I grinned and continued.
"Next week plus the week after. Excuse me for two weeks, and I'll consider it."
"No, Miss Lunaris! Do you know how many people drag wagons loaded with gold coins begging for one-on-one sessions with me?!"
Raymond thumped his chest in frustration.
"And yet you...!"
"Take it or leave it."
I exaggerated a huge yawn on purpose.
"I lose nothing either way."
Then I pulled the blanket back over my head. Negotiations broken.
After a brief silence, a deflated voice came from beyond the blanket.
"...Fine. I'll excuse you for next week and the week after."
Feeling the power imbalance now?
Only then did I peek my head out.
Turning, I saw the department head staring at me with completely drained energy.
I chuckled awkwardly and averted my gaze, then suddenly realized something crucial.
I still had no idea what this "Magic Exchange Match" actually was.
"So, what exactly is the Magic Exchange Match?"
The department head opened his mouth with a long sigh.
"The Magic Exchange Match is..."
"So much has happened... I'm exhausted, really..."
After dismissing all the maids and guards.
Princess Celestina collapsed onto the bed without even changing clothes properly.
It was an undignified pose unfit for a princess, but whatever. No one was watching.
More importantly, she lacked even the energy to fix her attire.
Elterion Academy's semester was drawing to the end of its third week.
Days dragged endlessly, yet looking back, time had slipped away in a flash.
What she'd realized during her time here was that the academy was essentially a microcosm of the imperial palace.
Given her status, she inevitably mingled with students from the Political Department—offspring of high nobility.
Every conversation left her breathless.
True to their elite upbringing from childhood.
They showed utmost courtesy to her as a princess on the surface, but every word carried a subtle edge.
Everyone knew.
That she was the weakest of the imperial family.
That coming to Elterion Academy was little more than running away.
Especially facing Miriel Adrian, top of the entire second-year class in Political Department—her breath caught completely.
House Adrian had already publicly declared support for the Second Prince.
To Princess Celestina, she was no different from an enemy.
She desperately wanted to avoid her, but couldn't openly dodge.
In a way, it was a battle of wills.
The first to flinch or shrink back lost.
Miriel seemed to know this well, inviting Celestina to tea parties and salons under every pretense.
Excuses piled up endlessly.
As part of the Political Department curriculum.
To maintain her grades, she was being greedy.
She owed the princess a great debt.
Sugarcoated words, but the intent was obvious.
Princess Celestina knew it was all subtly restricting her movements.
"Good thing I didn't go to Political Department after all..."
She smiled faintly, thinking choosing Magic Department was a godsend.
Of course, she wasn't particularly gifted in magic.
Generously, a bit above average?
Without her imperial background, admission might have been impossible.
Still, no regrets about Magic Department.
During classes, she could forget her status and immerse herself in the joy of learning as a student.
"Right. Since I'm at the academy, focusing on studies as a proper student has meaning too."
She resolved quietly in her heart, checked next week's schedule, and soon frowned.
Monday had the Magic Exchange Match.
"Of all days, Monday again..."
Magic Exchange Match.
A significant practical exercise where Magic Department students faced off against Ma Engineering Department students in mock battles.
The format pitted second-year Magic against first-year Ma Engineering, and second-year Ma Engineering against first-year Magic.
For first-year Magic students, it provided real combat experience against novel opponents.
For second-years, it taught the concept of "guidance."
As for Ma Engineering? To them, treated as Magic's second string, they were mere extras for the main team's learning and show.
The key point: this event was, in a sense, a team showdown—Magic Department vs. Ma Engineering Department.
Audience seating was divided by department, naturally.
Meaning she couldn't sit next to Lunaris from Ma Engineering.
"Pursuing natural encounters is this hard?"
Reflecting, Lunaris was one reason her academy life had gotten so tangled.
She ran into uninterested students constantly.
Yet the one she most wanted to meet always slipped away.
"She's definitely avoiding me on purpose..."
She muttered to herself, then shook her head vigorously.
No point fueling her own anxiety.
"Yeah, this time I'll take the initiative more actively."
Lunaris would surely shine brightest at the Magic Exchange Match.
After practice, approach naturally and praise: "That was an amazing spell."
Strike up conversation, let it flow organically.
A perfect plan.
Only one hitch.
"N-No way she'd skip the Magic Exchange Match too, right?"
To prevent that, she'd even spent her own money arming Linea Hall's maids thoroughly.
...Still, an uneasy feeling lingered unavoidably.