Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: A Genius's Perspective
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Loan's ambitious plan to call Lucas up and demonstrate the magic together had fallen apart before it could even properly begin.
*‘I made it simple enough for Lucas to do… but the other kids didn't seem to understand either. Even Sophie.’*
Loan was utterly confused and, moreover, disheartened.
Watching his expression, Lucas didn't feel at ease either.
He was ashamed for not being able to do it properly, and seeing Loan's face made him feel inexplicably sorry.
Just then, amidst the strange silence surrounding the platform, the Dean of Magic and the Director of the Administration Bureau exchanged glances.
Arthur tapped the shoulders of the two boys standing on the platform.
"Loan, please try to understand. This is Lucas's first magic class."
With a benevolent smile, Arthur sent Lucas back to his seat and then asked Loan.
"So, with that said, how about you teach me instead?"
An unexpected proposal.
The sight of a first-year student instructing the dean was an unbelievably novel scene.
Curiosity once again filled the eyes of the onlookers.
Loan reluctantly nodded.
"I understand the incantation, but may I see the formula?"
Loan mumbled something, then immediately began writing on the chalkboard.
"Whoa..."
The children gasped in awe at the sight of the chalk floating in the air and writing on its own.
Arthur, realizing this was what he had felt during the last class, was surprised anew.
"Ho ho, my my. To think you can even use telekinesis."
He quickly regained his composure and began reading the formula.
*Clack-clack-clack.*
As the sound of chalk tapping against the board continued, Arthur's expression alternated between dark and bright, and his head tilted to one side.
This behavior seemed to be contagious, as Lazarus, who was standing to one side of the platform, mirrored his actions.
"I'm finished."
As soon as Loan finished writing, Lazarus went so far as to climb onto the platform and press his nose to the chalkboard, examining the formula closely.
Though it was a very rude act, Arthur did not stop Lazarus.
This prompted the other curious observers to also come up onto the platform.
The area quickly became crowded.
"Hmm... I suppose there's no other way."
Arthur softly chanted in an ancient language, then spread his palm and waved it slightly forward.
An invisible, pale blue curtain made solely of mana flow spread around the platform.
It had a different feel from the barrier before.
Inside the curtain were only Loan, Arthur, and the observers.
Arthur asked.
"Loan. Where did you see this formula?"
"Uh... I didn't see it anywhere."
Loan answered hesitantly, noticing how the sound waves were blocked by the curtain and echoed back.
"Then?"
"I... looked at the formula you wrote for me, Professor Arthur, and in my own way..."
"This is more than just a change."
"Yes. As I worked on it, I thought it would be better for me to do it this way."
"Are you saying you created it?"
"..."
Arthur's eyes seemed as if they would pop out.
He let out a sigh that was almost a gasp without realizing it, then looked back at Lazarus.
"What do you think, Director?"
"I thought the incantation was quite peculiar, but seeing the formula, I understand a little now."
"Doesn't information from beyond this world pass through your eyes, Director? Have you ever experienced anything like this?"
"I couldn't say unless I opened the Primal Eye, but then it would no longer be my experience. In any case, even if I had, we would have to go back quite a long way."
"To the age of the Great Mages."
"Yes. The age of creation and establishment."
"No wonder it seems so unfamiliar."
"This is a first for me as well, so I'm not sure how to react."
The Dean of Academic Affairs, Daphne, who had been listening to their cryptic conversation, gently interjected.
"It seems you have more to discuss in depth. Perhaps it would be better to find a separate place?"
Her question was asked with Loan in mind.
Whatever they discussed would affect the boy, for better or worse.
At the dean's suggestion, Arthur knelt on his stiff knees to meet Loan's eye level.
"Thank you for showing me the formula, Loan. Let's talk about this magic again soon."
"Yes..."
"It won't be easy today with so many visitors. Hmm, you there, the Runner. What is your name?"
Arthur suddenly turned his head to look at Sienna.
"Sir? I am Sienna of the Faith Division."
She greeted him, placing a fist on her badge.
It had been bothering her that she hadn't been able to properly pay her respects to Arthur, a senior from long ago.
"Hmm, Sienna. Might I ask you to take over the remainder of the class?"
An unexpected request. Sienna's sharp eyes widened.
"Pardon?"
"Whether it's self-study or teaching swordsmanship, I don't mind."
"Yes... Understood."
As Sienna reluctantly agreed, Diego chimed in.
"Sienna, my class too, then. It's right after this, so you can handle it inside or take them out, your call."
"Yes... sir."
Once things were forcibly settled, Arthur lightly waved his hand and dispelled the curtain surrounding the platform.
The murmuring voices of the children rushed into Loan's ears all at once.
"Well then, shall we go?"
At the Dean of Academic Affairs' gesture, the observers and Arthur left the classroom.
Sienna, who had abruptly become the master of the magic classroom, sent the slumped-shouldered Loan back among the bewildered children.
The children were busy asking questions and exclaiming in awe about the amazing things Loan had shown, and the classroom soon became as noisy as a marketplace.
The only ones who were quiet and dejected were Loan, Lucas, and for some reason, Sophie.
Sienna grimaced before shouting.
"I am Sienna, a Runner of the Faith Division! I'll be taking over the rest of the class temporarily!"
"..."
A brief moment of silence, and then the commotion returned.
An active Runner had come to be their teacher, but the children showed no interest at all.
Sienna's already pale face turned completely white.
* * *
In the Union Academy's grand conference hall, the head teachers of each subject, the Dean of Academic Affairs, working-level officials from the Union Administration Bureau, and the administrative staff of the 7th Division were seated.
This was thanks to the "Emergency Committee Convocation Order to Discuss the Management and Administrative Procedures of Union Academy," issued by the Director of the Administration Bureau.
"We haven't gathered like this in several years, have we?"
"This is my first time."
"I only found out this kind of thing existed after looking through the articles of incorporation."
Prepared materials were quickly distributed to the murmuring attendees.
There were quite a few pages.
The documents contained densely packed information about Loan collected by the Administration Bureau and the circumstances leading to the convocation, most of which was hard to believe.
Reactions of "I'd heard the rumors, but I had no idea it was to this extent" came from all around.
Director Lazarus of the Administration Bureau, who was presiding over the meeting, spoke.
"Yes. Today's meeting is to share our esteemed opinions on the educational direction of Union Academy. Before that, let's start by addressing the matter of young Loan, who prompted this meeting."
Arthur continued with a supplementary explanation.
"Fireball is a standard spell. It's already been established, yet he interpreted it in a completely different way. It seems close to a unique magic; its destructive power is weak, but the mere fact that he reconstructed the formula is unprecedented."
"Is that even possible?"
Arthur quickly shook his head in response to someone's question.
"It's difficult to discuss this in terms of common sense. That's why the word 'genius' exists. He has already proven it, and all of you here have confirmed it with your own eyes."
"The Administration Bureau will need to look into it more and analyze it, but for now, it's reasonable to assume he approached it with a new concept."
With even the Director saying so, there was nothing more to add.
A heated debate soon followed.
"Even if he's an unprecedented genius, he's still just a first-year. An age-appropriate education is essential."
"Don't geniuses require an education befitting a genius?"
"Are you suggesting we provide specialized education for one person? How can you call that public education?"
"It's time we admitted that we could lose talented individuals that way. The Union's power isn't what it used to be."
"Yes. At the very least, the academy should be able to accommodate any child."
"Do you really think that's possible here, with all the political constraints?"
"Then how about having him join the Union early..."
"Be reasonable! Is the Union a place that only looks at skill?"
"In any case, we've all felt the need to transition to proper practical training, but..."
Union Academy is a public educational institution that teaches common sense and culture appropriate for its students' age, but it's also a contradictory place where a significant number of students aim to become members of the Union.
It was, in a way, natural for children aiming to join to skip elective classes and focus on their family's individual training or private tutoring.
In such a situation, the common goal of recruiting a once-in-a-lifetime genius into the Union transcended their individual interests.
"He is a child who will become an important asset. Other nations and groups will take an interest."
"Is there a need for the academy to manage him?"
"Are there any other peculiar things we should know?"
Arthur drew everyone's attention with a small cough and then spoke.
"There may be an issue with his character."
Many were surprised by the unexpected answer.
"His character? The rumors say he's a very polite child. That he has an excellent disposition."
"That is true. However, he seems to need a bit more consideration for the feelings of other children."
Arthur's reason for specifically mentioning Loan's character was, in fact, born of consideration.
If he could just get into the Union, there would be nothing to worry about.
He was sure to stand out in a group that was thoroughly meritocratic and performance-based.
The problem was getting in itself.
He would likely pass the second exam, which tested individual abilities, without a hitch, so the final hurdle would be the interview that decided final admission.
Because the thing *that person* valued most was 'character'.
"Loan mobilizing all the children today... his intentions were good, but it could have created a sense of alienation."
As Principal Gregor added his comment, several more concerns were raised.
"Hmm. I heard he's a very charming child. Even so, if something like today happens again..."
"Lucas, despite his attitude problems, is a child who could be called gifted. If even he was like that, it will surely have a negative impact on ordinary children."
"Yes. The skill level needs to be appropriate for them to grow constructively together, but the gap is too large right now. He's a child who creates magic, after all."
"But I wonder if it's truly right to discuss the character of a child who's only ten years old."
"How about we interview him again?"
"Then let's call Loan in and hear what he has to say."
A moment later, after a consensus was reached.
Sienna, having finished substitute teaching consecutive classes, entered the conference room with a haggard-looking Loan.
The Dean of Academic Affairs, Daphne, guided Loan to a seat.
"Welcome, Loan."
His steps were listless.
Loan was already feeling quite down, so even though he was a child surrounded by many adults, he didn't feel any more intimidated.
Arthur spoke.
"You look glum. Is it because Lucas couldn't perform the magic earlier?"
"Yes."
"You must have had high expectations."
Loan nodded and replied.
"Not being able to gauge my friends' abilities... it's very frustrating."
"Indeed. Teaching magic is no easy task."
His words seemed to carry a sense of regret.
The elderly mage and the ten-year-old boy shared a mutual understanding of the difficulties of magic education.
"For now, it would be good to reflect on whether the standards you're thinking of are too high."
"Yes. I'm thinking about various things. I've even formed some hypotheses."
"Hypotheses? What are they?"
Everyone waited for Loan's answer with curious expressions.
Loan hesitated for a moment before carefully revealing the thoughts he had been secretly harboring.
"I suspected that the children might have a tendency to give up easily on things they don't feel like doing. I overlooked the reason why Lucas has been a first-year for so long."
"Hmm, one could see it from that perspective. And?"
"Or perhaps, because he started using a sword so early, his brain might have developed only in that direction."
"..."
"I also wondered if maybe he had problems at home or personally, and I failed to consider that when I told him to focus his mind."
"..."
Neither the one who asked the question nor those who were quietly listening could muster a response.
It was hard to call his answers malicious, yet they were strangely awkward to hear.
Loan didn't stop.
"Or... I really hope this isn't the case, but the thing that keeps bothering me is..."
"Hmm, what else is there?"
"I'm worried that Lucas and the other friends might have some kind of illness... that maybe they're congenitally sick. That's what I'm most worried about."
As if genuinely concerned, Loan let out a deep sigh.