chapter 11
chapter 11
No More Frailty 2
Lucia’s unclear words did not reach her. Rosaria sat upright, staring ahead like a mannequin, unmoving, as if she were looking at the board or the professor.
At that moment, a beam of light streamed through the large window and traced along Rosaria’s profile. Lucia watched her for a while, then soon turned her head away.
Dragging the hem of her robe embroidered with white floral thread, the red-haired professor entered and stepped onto the podium.
“Today’s lesson is about duels, incantations, and timing.”
For Lucia, whose temper was already rising, it was a fitting topic.
The professor paced back and forth, explaining in detail how the flow of mana should form elegant and beautiful trajectories, as well as the relationship between magic, incantations, and rhythm.
“Then, when your opponent deploys a high-level defensive circle, at what timing should we begin our incantation to interfere most elegantly?”
Before the question even finished, Isadora, seated in the front row, raised her hand.
“When the opponent’s mana reaches its peak and forms the most beautiful trajectory, the essence of magic is to layer our incantation without disrupting that flow, maintaining elegance.”
She spoke leisurely, as if she already knew the answer.
“It is like a conversation—blending mana, gently enveloping the opponent’s defense and collapsing it.”
“As expected of Isadora! The future of Valenti is bright. What a charming answer—elevating magic into art.”
At the professor’s praise, Isadora lowered her head modestly.
Wait for the opponent to finish? Gently envelop it? Isn’t that just a duet…?
Lucia still couldn’t understand this romanticized magic.
The professor scanned the room with satisfaction and continued.
“Magic is much like music. You must carry the most elegant tone suited to the incantation and chant as if singing. Only then can refined magic worthy of a noble manifest. Who would like to demonstrate basic light magic with their own unique tone?”
“Professor, me!”
“Oh, Miss Catherine. Please come forward.”
Lucia expected Isadora again, but instead saw a girl with bright golden twin tails tied with pink ribbons. She looked cheerful but walked with slight hesitation.
“I will begin!”
With each step, her ribbons and hair bounced lightly.
Standing at the center, she clasped her hands and sang in a soft, lively voice.
“O fragments of a shattered galaxy, transform into noble breath that caresses the light!”
As the words fell, she opened her hands. Golden particles rose in gentle curves, scattering like snowflakes.
It wasn’t powerful, but it was beautiful.
“Excellent! You added rhythm to your incantation.”
As the praise continued, Lucia stared at the girl thoughtfully.
Did she wake up early just to style that hair…?
That effort alone was admirable.
“Hmm… Lucia of Castiya, would you like to try?”
Did he not hear that I can’t use magic?
Lucia stood quietly, planning to just produce golden haze from Asel.
Compared to Catherine’s, it should be similar enough.
“Why even go up when you can’t use magic? Short-sighted.”
Rosaria’s mocking voice followed her.
Lucia shot her a glance and walked forward calmly.
“Ah… Lucia, there’s no need to push yourself…”
The professor tried to stop her, but the gazes of Rosaria and Isadora were already on her.
Better to show it than retreat in pity.
“No. I’ll do it.”
Lucia straightened her posture, lifting her chin.
Holding Asel upright, golden haze rose from its handle to its tip, spreading like mist. Even without incantation, it pressed down on the space.
“Oh… it differs from typical magic, but it is quite dignified. That’s sufficient.”
“Thank you—”
“Is that sufficient?”
Isadora cut in.
Her eyes fixed on Lucia.
“No incantation, no technique—just golden smoke. Can that truly be called magic?”
“Then what about Catherine?”
“It’s different. She created her own magic.”
What a ridiculous person.
The professor tried to mediate.
“Magic can be artistic. Lucia’s form has its own dignity—”
“That’s not magic. It’s smoke.”
“It’s not smoke.”
“Any proof? No circle, no incantation.”
Lucia had no answer.
“Such incomplete forms will only confuse students.”
What a joke.
Lucia ignored it and turned to leave—
“Your body is weak.”
Isadora continued.
“You can’t chant.”
Her gaze followed.
“And it’s not even elegant.”
She looked around for agreement.
“Something that belongs in the barbaric Valencia Alliance.”
The room froze.
But Lucia was thinking.
Do I even need to pretend anymore?
Rosaria already knows.
And here too?
Lucia slowly looked between Isadora and Rosaria.
Her decision settled.
“Are you speechless?”
“No.”
“Then answer.”
“This academy values equality. Titles don’t matter. And yes, I produced mana.”
“And the circle? The incantation?”
“…I didn’t.”
Laughter echoed.
“See? She admits it.”
“Decide whether you’ll speak formally or not.”
“…That’s my choice.”
“Fair enough.”
Silence fell.
Then—
“Why not admit it’s not magic?”
At those words, Lucia’s thoughts cleared.
“Then confirm it yourself.”
“…What?”
“Let’s duel. I’m not sick anymore.”
“What nonsense—”
Lucia lifted her chin arrogantly, resting Asel on her shoulder.
A faint smile appeared.
“Scared?”