Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Mage of the Magic Exchange (2)
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Magic classes were usually held in classrooms located within the main building of the Magic Hall.
But today's Magic Exchange was apparently taking place in Elterion Hall, the largest of the academy's three major multipurpose buildings.
I had no idea what a Magic Exchange even was, so there was no way I could've known the location had changed.
If I'd tried to find the classroom on my own, I definitely would've gotten lost, but luckily, I had my attendance-helper maids. Thanks to them, I made it on time.
...Yeah. As usual, I'd tried to sneak in a bit more sleep, but I ended up losing to the combat maids.
Lately, my win rate against the maids has been pathetically low.
Not only do they overwhelm me with superior gear and numbers, but they always time it perfectly for when I'm at my most vulnerable, smashing through the door. There's nothing I can do.
I need to come up with some countermeasures, or I'll end up turning into a diligent person at this rate.
Anyway, the inside of the Elterion Hall training ground is ridiculously huge.
As expected of the imperial academy meticulously maintained by the Empire—the facilities are spotless.
In the center stands a spacious square platform where students duel with magic.
Circular spectator seats surround it in a rising, tiered arrangement.
It felt just like stepping into an arena or the Colosseum.
The seats were already packed with people.
It wasn't just students from the Magic Department and Magic Engineering Department, or their affiliates.
Right in front of me was a student who'd propped up a gleaming sword next to them like it was on display, and I spotted a few others who didn't feel like they had any mana at all.
Students from other departments had skipped their classes to sneak in and watch.
Lucky them. Ah, I'm so jealous.
I want to skip class and go hang out somewhere else too.
Everything just pisses me off.
Being dragged out early in the morning and sitting here is annoying.
The pointless noise all around is getting on my nerves.
And above all, seeing that my turn is dead last, yet I have to sit here holding my spot from the crack of dawn—this reality makes me furious.
I sat on the stone steps, hugging my knees and curling up, before slowly flopping over sideways.
A chill seeped up from the flat stone.
The hard, uncomfortable sensation wasn't exactly pleasant, but once I lay down, it wasn't all that bad.
"This... a stone bed?"
The unpleasant cold started feeling like a refreshing coolness, and before I knew it, my eyes drifted shut.
The constant chatter of voices seemed to fade into the distance.
"...Guhhh, guk!"
My consciousness gradually slipped away.
*
The Magic Exchange wasn't just a simple magic practice class.
It was one of the first official events at Elterion Academy after the entrance ceremony where they allowed limited outside visitors on a weekday.
A kind of showcase to solicit donations and sponsorships.
With it being a chance to display the talents of the Magic Department students—the flowers of Elterion Academy—to the world, it naturally drew a lot of attention.
This year's Magic Exchange had even more people than usual.
Especially from the Mage Tower, the highest authority in the mage society, they'd sent representatives.
"I hear this year's freshmen are on a pretty high level."
"Raymond had to make a fuss about it, huh."
"Speaking of, is the rumor true? One of the freshmen is an advanced mage."
"It's true. But apparently, not from the Magic Department—from Magic Engineering."
"Well, as long as it's not the Swordsmanship Department with those sword-obsessed maniacs, it's fine."
"...An advanced mage in Swordsmanship would be disastrously bad in its own way."
As such conversations floated around the spectator seats, a one-sided battle played out on the platform.
It was only natural for a second-year Magic Department student to overwhelm a first-year from Magic Engineering.
They called it guidance, but really, it was just about cracking down on the freshmen.
But it was a bit unexpected for the Magic Engineering second-years to get utterly crushed by Magic Department first-years.
"Lost again?"
"Impressive, those magic elites."
"Still, shouldn't at least one or two have won...?"
Of course, the Magic Department was superior overall, but a year's difference shouldn't be ignored.
This year, Magic Engineering was especially helpless.
Every match so far had ended in victory for the Magic Department students.
"Boring. I don't get why I have to watch these rookies prance around."
A mage from the Mage Tower, watching from the VIP seats, clicked his tongue quietly and grumbled.
"Other than confirming the Third Princess's magical achievements, this has been a total waste of time."
Disappointment laced his voice.
"What can you do? The Magic Engineering kids are generally low-level. Our Magic Department students knock them out before they can even show their full potential."
"Still, calling it a golden generation or whatever seems like hype."
"Ah, just wait. The real stars haven't come out yet."
Raymond, head of the Magic Department, spoke with a strange conviction.
As the Mage Tower mages frowned skeptically, the magic practice professor's voice boomed out.
"Next: Magic Engineering second-year Estelle Myers versus Magic Department first-year Edwin Belka. Come up to the platform."
The moment Estelle's name was called, the previously silent Magic Engineering students erupted in cheers.
"Looks like that student's their hope."
"Bad matchup, though. Of all people, the Belka kid."
"Top against top... This magic duel should be worth watching."
Estelle was the hope of Magic Engineering.
The 'Star of Magic Engineering,' trusted not just by her peers, but by seniors, TAs, and even professors.
As Estelle took her place at the center of the platform, the cheers reached a fever pitch.
"Estelle, you got this! Win for us!"
"You're our only shot!"
"Show 'em Magic Engineering's power!"
Estelle beamed, waving both arms wildly, egging on the crowd.
Across from her stood Edwin, the top freshman of the Magic Department.
Inheriting the blood of the renowned magic family, Count Belka's house, thicker than anyone, he'd been hailed as a genius since childhood.
Even at his young age, the aura he exuded surpassed Estelle's.
His jet-black hair slicked back, his eyes sank coldly.
"If only I could've faced Lunaris instead."
His gaze wasn't on Estelle, but beyond—to the spectator seats.
Amid the noisy crowd, the little one snoring away with a drawn-out "guh-pyuuu~."
That gray-haired witch who dealt him his first humiliation was the one Edwin truly wanted to crush.
Not this so-called Star of Magic Engineering in front of him.
At the professor's signal, Edwin swung his arm first.
A wave of black mud engulfed the platform.
Estelle promptly deployed a defensive spell, as if she'd been waiting.
A transparent barrier shoved the mud back with force.
Edwin's eyebrow twitched.
He hadn't expected it to end so easily, but being blocked this cleanly was outside his predictions.
Shaking off his surprise, he chained into his next spell.
Mid-level earth magic: Earth Spear.
He was a proper mid-level mage who'd long surpassed the academy's basic curriculum.
The black spear flew at high speed.
Estelle swallowed dryly, calmly chanting another defensive spell.
-Thung, thuung!
Each time the earthen spear struck the translucent barrier, Estelle's body was pushed back.
Still, she held firm somehow.
The one-sided pressure continued.
Edwin's spells rained down relentlessly, while Estelle exploited the wide battlefield, dodging and weaving with defensive magic.
Edwin's face twisted in frustration.
He firmly held the offensive initiative, pressing without pause.
But with no hits landing effectively, his head was starting to heat up.
"You just gonna keep running and blocking, senpai?"
Irritation was building.
Magic duels should have dignity.
Refined mana and restrained will clashing in each person's best-prepared spell.
Confirming achievements and gaining new insights from that—
Scrambled running around to win somehow lacked a mage's noble grace.
"Well, you never know when an opportunity might come if you hold out, right?"
Estelle exhaled a ragged breath, forcing a weak smile.
"Ugly and pathetic or not, I have to win somehow."
A lot was riding on it.
Her casual quip aside, Estelle's eyes still gleamed sharply.
Endurance was a strategy too.
Just one moment.
Estelle was waiting for that single opening.
Edwin sneered, raising his hand high.
Several rock fragments floated up behind him.
They began spinning in midair.
Estelle's eyes sparkled.
Her fingertips traced a crimson magic circle.
Estelle moved first.
Flames burst from her hands, hurtling toward Edwin.
Edwin sent the floating rocks behind him flying.
Shiiik— The fragments pierced the flames with a air-tearing screech.
And detonated right in front of Estelle's face.
-Kwaaaang!!
A massive explosion scattered flames and dust everywhere.
Shrapnel and smoke obscured vision.
As the smoke cleared, the scene on the platform emerged.
Edwin stood with legs spread wide in front of Estelle, who knelt coughing nonstop.
"So much for the Star of Magic Engineering."
Edwin snorted, straightening his collar and turning away.
As if he had no further interest in the fallen girl.
Staring at his back, Estelle bit her lip hard, then let out a weary sigh.
Followed by an awkward laugh.
"Ahaha... Guess not, huh."
Estelle slowly rose, stumbling down the platform.
Magic Engineering students applauded her sympathetically.
So close, good job anyway.
"As expected of a child from the magic noble house, Count Belka."
"That Estelle girl wasn't bad either. Too good for Magic Engineering, if you ask me."
The Mage Tower mages seemed somewhat satisfied with this duel.
"Not bad for underclassmen, but nothing shocking."
"For all Raymond's hype... Tsk tsk!"
Of course, opinions that it wasn't worth a personal visit from the Mage Tower still dominated.
"N-next! The next one's the real deal!"
No sooner had Raymond finished than the professor called the next names.
"Final match. Magic Department second-year Kaisel Arveria versus Magic Engineering first-year Lunaris Evermoon. Up to the platform."
The word "final" drew all eyes to the arena.
Magic Department second-year top student, Kaisel, ascended first.
And from the opposite side.
"...Lunaris? Lunaris Evermoon. Where are you?"
No one came up.
Murmurs rippled through the seats.
Where is she, no-show like at the entrance ceremony?
As the buzz grew, the professor coughed awkwardly.
He'd said practice was optional.
But he assumed she'd show for the Magic Exchange, tied to theory class.
Skipping this?!
"Lunaris Evermoon!"
Calling louder, a pathetic "eek!" yelped from somewhere in the seats.
The far back, dim corner out of sight.
A girl with disheveled gray hair blinked dazedly, like she'd just woken.
Half-lidded eyes scanned around, then she yawned hugely.
Stretching limbs with a "nyaaah~."
"Ugh... Doesn't feel like I slept at all."
Her body ached from curling up on the stone floor.
She rolled her neck, twisted her shoulders, loosening stiff muscles.
"Kuh... Nyak! Ow, my back..."
Lunaris pounded her back with a fist, then finally noticed the stares.
Awkward for a second, she scratched her cheek and muttered.
"Oh, my turn...?"
Her voice still thick with sleep.
Lunaris stood, hopping in place to warm up.
Then leaped straight toward the platform.
"Kyaaak!"
"D-dangerous!"
"Jumping from that height...!"
Before the screams faded, Lunaris's fall slowed. Telekinesis magic.
On landing, she wobbled, flailing arms to steady herself.
"Ugh... Gotta end this quick and go back to sleep."
Kaisel's expression hardened at Lunaris's grumpy complaint.
He felt utterly dismissed.
"Fine. I'll end it quick, like you want."
Anger laced his low voice.
Kaisel glared at Lunaris and added,
"Full power from the start. No holding back."
Tension thickened when Raymond, Magic Engineering head, suddenly shouted,
"Lunaris! You know, right? That thing from last week!"
Lunaris shrugged, murmuring low,
"Was planning on it anyway."
At the professor's start signal.
Space warped around Lunaris's right arm instantly.
Natural mana coiled around her small palm.
"Magic Missile."
A streak of light struck Kaisel too fast to see.
...Right in the worst spot.
"Guhk?!"
With a choked scream, Kaisel foamed at the mouth and collapsed face-first on the platform.
No time for a defensive spell.
In the blink of an eye.