Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: A Demonstration of Magic
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The vision of the tree was essentially a death sentence for him and the Union.
The Union's death meant the death of the kingdom and the continent, the end of the world, and the extinction of humanity.
"Ten years."
He wasn't distraught or grief-stricken.
Instead, a sense of defiance grew within him, and he recalled the vision's starting point.
The human tree.
A product of black magic that connected humans, turning them into something other than human to extract mana.
Those who became sacrifices were literally standing with one foot in the world of the living and the other in the world of the dead.
On top of that, someone's powerful will—likely the one trying to pierce his chest—had overlapped, creating an incomprehensible phenomenon where uncertainty had intervened in time.
Perhaps that was the true nature of the vision he had seen.
It might be a prophecy, or it might not, but connecting and comparing the scenes made it clear that each was a cause and effect of the other.
*‘I have to assume that every scene before my death is a cause.’*
He didn't know exactly what they were, but he could change them one by one.
If he saved Sophie, Lucas, and Sienna, who died before him, the following scenes would become false. Wouldn't that allow him to change the prophecy, or the future?
*‘To do that, I must start with myself.’*
In any case, with the hole in his chest, he couldn't tell what rank he was.
Would he remain a Runner with a silver badge like Sienna, become a Seeker with a gold badge like Vice-Commander Oscar, or perhaps become the commander of one of the seven divisions, wearing a self-luminous meteoric iron badge?
*‘Whatever the rank, it’s all an uncertain future until I see it with my own eyes. I can’t judge if it’s true or false.’*
It was like being unable to be sure of anything before awakening the black stone. You only knew what was inside, or if anything was inside at all, after awakening it.
By that logic, the type of badge he wore was meaningless.
To bring about a more certain change, he had to change the framework itself.
*‘Either I don’t become a member, or I become a Bureau employee and wear a red suit, or I don’t remain a member who wears a black suit.’*
Achieving just one of these three would, at the very least, reverse the truth or falsehood of the final scene.
And so, Loan.
*‘I’ll have to wear the white suit.’*
He made the incredibly arrogant vow to become the leader of the Union.
Of course, for him, this was not a vague dream but a clear goal.
*‘To become the Union’s leader within ten years...’*
He placed this core objective at the center and mapped out the other necessary goals in a radial pattern.
Then, he established concrete plans by thinking of the minor goals needed for those goals.
Even down to trivial details like ‘Don’t be a picky eater with broccoli’ and ‘Wash hands and feet before sleeping.’
*‘Done.’*
Only after he was satisfied with his life plan, which had swelled up as complex as a magic circle, did Loan.
*Creeak-*
He opened the window, cooling his heated head with the fresh air.
* * *
The next day.
"Professor Daphne said you should stop by the faculty office as soon as you get to school."
"Just me?"
Loan asked back, and Lucas tilted his head in confusion.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Isn't this your first day back in a while too?"
"She didn't say anything to me."
"..."
"See you in class."
Seeing Loan visit the faculty office alone, Head Professor Daphne's face lit up as she asked.
"Loan, are you feeling better? You still look a little pale. You should have rested more."
"I'm fine now. I heard from Lucas. Thank you for marking it as sick leave."
As Loan expressed his gratitude with a polite bow, Daphne knelt to meet his eye level.
She had a look of genuine concern for Loan.
"Electives are just that—elective. You can drop them anytime. Should I adjust your schedule a bit?"
"No, it's fine as it is. The classes have all been fun, and I'm really looking forward to the ones I haven't taken yet."
"I was worried you collapsed from overworking yourself... I feel bad about it."
"I'm really okay. I'll be more careful from now on."
He said it with such bright, clear eyes that he seemed utterly trustworthy, as if one had to believe him.
Daphne nodded.
Having been won over once, doing so a second time was no trouble at all.
"Alright... If you ever feel overwhelmed or have any trouble, you must tell me. Understood?"
"Yes. Thank you for your consideration."
Loan let out a small sigh as he left the faculty office.
Thankfully, the Head Professor hadn't tried to break his stubbornness.
*‘I have to take as many classes as possible.’*
In fact, he had considered dropping all his electives.
He wondered if it would be better to focus his time and energy on training.
However.
*‘I can train as easily as breathing, so it's fine. Rather, right now…’*
Loan walked on, lost in thought.
Recalling the ten-year life plan he had made the night before.
Before long, his steps had carried him to the classroom.
"Loan!"
When he opened the door and entered, a group of children led by Sophie surrounded him, expressing their concern and relief.
They had only spent a single day together, but had they already grown fond of him?
They were kind children.
That's why he hardened his resolve even more.
*‘I won’t let my friends die anymore.’*
The visions he had seen were close to an apocalypse.
To prevent them from coming true, to make what he had seen into lies, it would be better if not a single person around him died.
Loan looked at each of the children, taking them in with his eyes while also examining their mana.
He thought he should help them grow and develop even a little ability to protect themselves.
The reason to take as many classes as possible.
He wanted to at least see his classmates often, keep them close, and prepare for the future together.
"Um, everyone. If it's okay, could you do me a favor?"
"Huh?"
The children were bewildered by Loan's sudden but very polite question.
Yet, they felt a strange emotion.
A desire to help him no matter what. A desire to experience the joy of helping.
As everyone steeled their resolve and watched only Loan's lips.
"First... Isidore, Mirsa, Lien, Kerstin, Edurin, Darion, Tirik, and Calitos, I believe you aren't taking the swordsmanship class. Is that right?"
As he called them out one by one, looking at each of their faces, the children blinked in surprise.
They were surprised that he had suddenly called their names, that he knew their names and faces, and that he knew they weren't taking the swordsmanship class.
The children who thought of it as a sign of interest even began to blush.
Loan then turned to the other children.
"Flora, Sebastian, Epona, Dimas, Sabrina, Wella, Audron, Varis, Lara, Peggy, Theodosios, Maxime, Botro, and Mika. And I think Lucas isn't taking Basic Magic Studies. Right?"
The children whose names were called were surprised but pleased.
Most of them had been worried he might forget their name and face.
He hadn't missed anyone.
Sophie said.
"That's amazing. To remember everyone's names in just one day. But... why swordsmanship and magic studies?"
"Uh-huh. While I was resting for a day, I realized I wanted to spend more time with you all..."
He said something so blush-inducingly direct in a very simple, straightforward way.
Some children even wondered if it was a small, sad wish born from an incurable illness.
The children swallowed dryly and waited for him to continue.
"Both the swordsmanship and magic studies classes are great. For those of you who aren't taking swordsmanship, would you like to take it with me to build up your stamina and train your bodies?"
The words ‘with me’ struck a chord in the children's hearts.
Many of them nodded without realizing it.
"And as for magic studies... I understand why you all call it a break time, why it's become like an unnecessary class. But I was wondering if we could think about it a little differently."
"How so?"
Lucas asked, his expression full of curiosity.
"Hmm, I think it would be better to show you directly. The magic studies class is before swordsmanship this afternoon, right? Would you mind coming to class today, just to humor me?"
He had even called them out by name; they couldn't outright refuse.
The children who hadn't been taking swordsmanship and magic studies flocked to the faculty office during break time to register to observe the classes.
Head Professor Daphne was taken aback by the sudden rush of first-year students.
Loan, who had come with them, spoke on their behalf.
"I encouraged them. After missing class because I was sick, I thought it would be a good idea to take the swordsmanship class to build up physical strength."
"And the magic studies class?"
"Um... that one, I just said I wanted to take it together."
"..."
The explanation was flimsy, but the answer was incredibly persuasive.
* * *
Around the time the post-lunch drowsiness set in, the magic studies lecture hall was filling up to an unprecedented degree.
To Loan, who entered last.
"Ooh, Loan. You're here. Are you feeling better?"
Professor Arthur, Head of Magic Studies, showed an unusual amount of fuss and interest.
"Thanks to your concern, I'm feeling great now."
Loan bowed deeply to the old teacher who was bending down to peer at his face, expressing his thanks.
"I heard you encouraged your friends to attend the magic studies class. It was true, then?"
The question followed immediately, as if he had been waiting.
Arthur had been inwardly flustered by the number of students.
That's why he was so curious about Loan's answer.
"Ah, yes. I wanted to show them that magic isn't so distant."
"Not distant? Ho, hoho."
An unexpectedly bold answer came back.
What could he have realized during his day of rest?
Arthur felt a strange sense of impatience.
"Not distant, you say. To contradict me head-on from the second class, hah. I'm quite curious to see how you'll show them."
"Oh, really?"
Arthur's reaction made Loan's face light up.
"Then, may I come up to the podium for a moment?"
A sound like a gasp escaped from the mouths of the children, shocked by a question that was akin to challenging their teacher's authority.
Arthur himself, however, couldn't suppress his magician's curiosity and accepted the proposal with a hearty laugh.
"Haha, of course. Try whatever you like. Just don't overdo it."
With that, Arthur moved to one side of the platform, and Loan took the teacher's place, looking out at the children.
The lecture hall filled with murmurs at this unexpected development before the class had even officially begun. At that same moment.
A small commotion was also stirring in the hallway leading to the magic studies lecture hall.
"For the busiest man in the Union, Director Lazaros of the Management Bureau, to come to the school this early in the morning, it's quite an event."
"Head Professor Daphne may not be aware, but I've always taken an interest in the school."
"Is it because of Loan, after all?"
"Haha, I came for several reasons. Looking after the Union's resources is part of the Bureau's job, after all."
"And Runner Sienna? You're off duty, why come all the way to the school?"
"The mission given by Vice-Commander Oscar is not yet complete."
"It's also surprising to see Professor Diego observing a class other than swordsmanship."
"Well, I was just curious since everyone suddenly took an interest in magic studies."
"Then, the principal..."
"How could I pretend not to notice when the Bureau Director has come to visit?"
Exchanging flimsy excuses, the group that had once gathered at the dormitory arrived in front of the magic studies lecture hall.
"Please, let's just observe quietly so as not to disturb the class."
After giving a light warning, Daphne knocked gently on the door, but there was no response from inside.
"Hmm, shall I open it?"
She eased the door open, and the uninvited guests streamed inside as if they had been waiting.
And at the same time.
They saw a crimson flame floating in the air, heating the atmosphere as if it would explode at any moment—
A child with an incredibly beautiful smile, his hand outstretched toward that blazing fireball—
And Arthur, maintaining a barrier of blue flame around the podium, all creating a single magical scene—
"..."
And like everyone else in the lecture hall, they were momentarily captivated.