Chapter 30
Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: An Academic Exchange
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After Lazaros and Arthur made their pact of silence, two seasons had passed.
It was now autumn.
Diego, the swordsmanship instructor at the Union school, urgently convened “SOLA,” short for the “Society of Loan’s Admirers.”
His voice was low and somber.
"While this is a matter within my discretion, it is not mine alone, so I felt I must inform you."
"..."
The attendees waited for him to continue.
Diego went on calmly.
"The school will no longer teach Loan movement techniques, physical arts, martial arts, or swordsmanship that use mana."
It was a declaration bordering on dereliction of duty, yet his expression was confident.
Some seemed to understand immediately, while others were puzzled.
Reading the room, Diego elaborated.
"Loan is resolute in his goal of joining the Union. If his training is for practical application anyway, it would be better for him to learn the fundamentals from the ground up there."
Arthur, who had been listening with his eyes closed as if in meditation, spoke softly.
"Are you saying this is to allow him to focus on magic?"
"Above all, he himself wishes to become a mage."
"You're more magnanimous than I thought. He is a talent one might be tempted to covet."
"I did not become an instructor to satisfy my own ambitions. From now on, in preparation for his future, I will focus solely on pure physical training."
Daphne, the head of academic affairs, a language teacher, and Loan's dedicated counselor, asked.
"Instructor Diego, aren't you Seeker-rank? I don't quite understand giving up on advanced training..."
"Advanced training is for the ordinary."
Answering in his stead was Lazaros—Director of the Union Management Bureau, a board member of the Union school, and chairman of “SOLA.”
"The Union has specialized units, each optimized for specific purposes and missions. There are even differences in how they use their bodies. It's better for him to find his aptitude and start from scratch in a new environment, according to His plan."
"His plan..."
Arthur trailed off before nodding.
"The Director is right. Loan is a child who grasped Fireball in a single day. His talent for physical combat would be better honed in the wider, deeper world of martial power."
Sienna, who had become a member not because of her rank but because she was someone Loan had opened up to, asked Diego.
"Senior, how do you assess Loan's current level?"
"He could pass the first round of the entrance exam just by drawing his sword."
Sienna was surprised, but Lazaros was no less so.
His eyes widened. So much so that it seemed a third eye might open between his brows.
"Is he truly at that level?"
"Yes. He has an innate sense for it. His destructive power is lacking, however. Though that will improve over time."
"So you're saying now is not the time to instill anything new in him."
"Correct. I've already reached an understanding with Loan on this. Instead, I plan to set my immediate educational goal on raising the average skill of the entire grade."
"The average?"
"To a level where they can pass the first round of the Union entrance exam."
"So you're not without ambition after all."
Lazaros clicked his tongue at the end of his sentence.
Considering past precedent, it was a truly reckless plan, but Diego merely pressed his lips together and gave a small, firm nod, as if to say he would genuinely make it happen.
This time, Daphne asked Arthur.
"As a mage, what level has Loan reached now?"
"There is nothing left for me to teach him."
"..."
One said he would not teach him, the other said there was nothing left to teach.
This was less than two years after Loan had enrolled in the school.
* * *
Now in his third year, Loan was no longer disappointed by the slow progress of the other children's skills.
He had accepted that, at this rate, it wouldn't be easy for them to enter the Union together.
*I was too greedy.*
There were aspects of an individual's talent that simply couldn't be changed.
While it was true that some things could be overcome with effort, a proportionate amount of time was also required.
*I guess five years was too short for my friends.*
The fortunate thing was that his friends' swordsmanship skills were improving meaningfully.
It meant Diego was putting in that much effort, and thanks to him, Loan decided to focus solely on his own achievements.
*For the remaining three years, I must immerse myself in the interpretation and understanding of magic.*
In truth, just doing that made the days fly by like an arrow.
The world of magic was that vast, and each of its branches was infinitely deep.
There were over several hundred types of magic divided by class, each with complex and extensive formulas that required one's full effort to master properly.
Each class of magic was distinguished by the amount of mana consumed, but in reality, the ability to interpret vast formulas and understand the methods of implementation were more important criteria.
The reason even a swordsman with powerful mana could not easily cast spells was their complete lack of understanding of the formulas.
Just as Arthur had said, intellectual ability became more crucial as one delved into the realm of high-level magic.
Thus, the higher the class, the more complex and vast the magical formulas became.
But to Loan, they were nothing more than enjoyable playthings.
As a result of his diligent efforts.
Loan could freely cast all 1st Class spells, and he could cast all 2nd Class spells by accepting penalties such as reduced size and destructive power.
From 3rd Class onward, he focused on magic of the manipulation, harmony, and combination branches, centered on the four elements of fire, water, wind, and earth.
The more he deconstructed the formulas of every spell, the clearer his thoughts became.
*No matter the spell, none of them deviate from the principles and logic of the world.*
No matter how wondrous or destructive a spell, when broken down to its smallest constituent formulas, it always led back to the questions of how to handle mana, and what mana even was.
The irony was that the more magic he encountered and understood, the more he focused on and contemplated mana itself.
Loan's interest shifted ceaselessly between the macroscopic and microscopic worlds.
* * *
Studying, training his body, and studying again.
Amidst this routine, Loan's school life flowed smoothly.
None of his peers or seniors bullied him or made him uncomfortable.
The school's unique ethos was strict, but the very fact of attending a Union school had a very positive influence on the children.
Therefore, even if their juniors were more skilled than them, the seniors did not resent it.
From the world's perspective, having such a brilliant talent among the juniors was a welcome event.
This was especially true in the case of magic studies.
The seniors, much like Loan's peers, treated magic as little more than an elective, and the few who dreamed of becoming mages could barely conjure a flicker of flame at their fingertips.
Anyone who witnessed the magic Loan cast during joint classes felt a sense of pride in him.
"Loan will be participating in the special magical academic exchange with Schwerin."
Arthur's announcement that a third-year would be the school's representative was enviable, but entirely understandable.
Loan, however, tilted his head and asked Arthur.
"It doesn't seem to be a regularly scheduled event. I'd never heard of it before my second year."
"That's right. In the past, whenever an issue concerning magic arose, we would meet to exchange opinions. As the age of magic waned, such exchanges became unnecessary."
"Then the reason it's suddenly being held this time is..."
"Your guess is correct. You are the cause."
Loan nodded silently.
The more magic he learned, the more he realized that his concept of magic was different from the conventional one.
He had also subconsciously felt that an ability bordering on miraculous could not be hidden, no matter how hard he tried.
"The school's security is not as tight as the Union's. No, no matter how careful we are, it would be difficult to prevent news about magic from reaching Schwerin."
Of the seven nations, Schwerin was the only autonomous duchy that still maintained a Magic Tower and cultivated magic as its main strength.
Because the Tower Master also served as the duchy's leader, it was somewhat isolationist.
"You're from Schwerin too, aren't you, sir?"
"I trained up to 3rd Class high magic at the Magic Tower before joining the Union."
"You took the entrance exam?"
"There were political reasons, but the process was the same as for everyone else."
He had been dispatched according to the wishes of Schwerin's Tower Master, who sought to solidify a cooperative relationship with the Union.
Later, he joined the Committee of Honor, and while carrying out his duties, he gradually came to sympathize with the Union's cause, eventually putting down roots here.
In this day and age, with the lineage of magic barely surviving in Schwerin, Arthur still served as a bridge between the Union and Schwerin.
Loan asked.
"What does Schwerin want?"
"Curiosity, first and foremost. I don't know how much information has reached them, but assuming they know everything that is publicly available..."
"..."
"Something along the lines of 'A 4th Class mage has appeared at the Union school.'"
"But I'm not a real 4th Class."
"Is magic something to be discussed based on power alone?"
Arthur put on a stern expression.
He understood it as a sign that he should take more pride in his magic.
"...Yes."
"Their primary objective for this conference is to witness an unprecedented talent with their own eyes. They will also seek to gain something from a purely academic magical perspective. That is why you have no choice but to be the representative."
"What if I don't go?"
"In some ways, that might be better. There's no need to show your hand when it's not yet fully developed. However, Schwerin has offered a condition that is difficult to refuse."
Loan's eyes sparkled as he waited for Arthur to continue.
"They've offered an Elixir, on the condition that we arrange the schedule and provide the venue."
"An Elixir?"
Loan's eyes went wide.
It was a panacea said to instantly restore the energy and mana of the dying, and to temporarily—or sometimes permanently—enhance a portion of one's physical abilities.
Among the elixirs with proper names, it was the most widely known.
This was because, while rare, it was not unique.
"Did they figure out my constitution and...?"
"That's impossible, so don't worry."
Items exchanged always carry some meaning.
An Elixir was a very universally applicable yet precious gift, one whose underlying calculations were difficult to discern.
"So. They're just going to give it away?"
"It is not a competition to fight with magic, but an academic conference to discuss the interpretation and understanding of magic. It's about debating theories with magical formulas, like a sword debate with words."
"So we're competing with magic through words and writing."
"On the surface, it can be seen as a venue to discuss the understanding and interpretation of magic, to gain enlightenment from one another—in short, a contest of intellects."
"They'll give an Elixir for winning a war of words... Ah, but sir, if I were to take that Elixir..."
Loan trailed off.
He realized he was getting ahead of himself when the person giving it away hadn't even considered it.
He glanced at Arthur, who soon replied in a cheerful voice.
"If you go as the representative and you win, wouldn't it be yours? Hoho."
Arthur seemed to be in a very good mood.