Physical Magic Is the Supreme Art

The students in the lecture hall tilted their heads at my announcement.

“Alright. Everyone, gather at the training grounds.”

I crossed my arms and continued, “Are your ears broken? I said gather at the training grounds.”

“I have a question.”

A student who looked every bit as rude as his face suggested raised his hand high. When I jerked my chin, telling him to speak, he fired off his question without a shred of hesitation.

“Are we really doing practical training today?”

It wasn’t surprising that he reacted that way. The Elric I’d possessed had never once held a practical class before. He’d only ever droned on with boring theory lectures.

“That’s right. We’re doing practicals. So go change into your training uniforms right now.”

With that, I turned on my heel and headed straight for the training grounds.

A short while later, I arrived at the training grounds only to find another class already there. It was none other than Class B, the neighboring class.

“Hmm? Professor Elric von Vandesar? What brings you here?”

Veil von Artu, the dedicated professor of Class B, noticed me and approached while adjusting his scholarly glasses.

“Yes. My class is also scheduled for practical training today.”

“Pardon…?”

Jukchang-i was stubbornly denying my words again. I ignored the cheeky weapon and turned my gaze back to Veil.

“Why do you look so surprised?”

“Ah… Ahem. My apologies. I simply never imagined that you, of all people, Professor Elric, would be conducting practical training.”

It wasn’t just Veil. The students from the neighboring class were also staring with wide eyes. Soon enough, Veil’s lips curled into a sly smile as he made a suggestion.

“Since things have turned out this way, how about we hold a joint class?”

“Hmm…”

In truth, this situation was exactly the same as the previous round. Back then, I hadn’t prepared properly and ended up skipping the practical entirely.

'What should ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I do?'

I slipped a hand into my pocket and gave the ring a firm squeeze. Jukchang-i let out a small groan.

Veil narrowed his eyes, clearly misunderstanding something. At the same time, Jukchang-i was screaming inside my head.

'Hmm. Should I accept?'

In the previous round, I had refused. I knew Veil disliked Elric, so I assumed he had some ulterior motive. But the current me could confidently declare that I could beat a professor like him. After all, I had Jukchang-i, the techniques I’d honed, and real combat experience.

'Beating a professor is as easy as drinking cold porridge.'

Jukchang-i finally realized her mistake and apologized. I thought with a generous heart, 'A magnanimous person like me should forgive her. Of course, of course.'

As expected of my weapon, she knew her master well. Anyway, although we’d gone off on a tangent, I was more than capable of defeating a professor. However, if we held class together…

'The heroines might grow suspicious.'

Just as I accepted Jukchang-i’s praise, Veil asked in a sharp voice, having run out of patience.

“Professor Elric von Vandesar, what is your decision?”

I answered his question.

“Yes. A joint class doesn’t sound bad. It might even help with the next practical. Do you have anything in mind?”

“Hmm. I haven’t decided on anything ye—”

“Then how about the two professors give us a demonstration match?”

The student who had asked me a question earlier made the suggestion. When I turned my head, I saw that all the students from my class had gathered at some point.

“I don’t mind. How about you, Professor Veil?”

Veil raised the corner of his mouth in a clear provocation. It looked like I’d need to give the professor a proper “education” before the students.

“Yes. I have no objections either.”

And so, my first lecture unintentionally turned into a duel between professors.

Unlike Veil, who had his own dedicated weapon, I had nothing. I rummaged through the weapon storage with a thoughtful expression.

I followed her gaze. When I saw the weapon that came into view, the corner of my mouth lifted.

'Not bad.'

I smiled and had Jukchang-i transform into an identical copy of that weapon. Then I left the weapon storage with her in hand.

As Elric emerged from the weapon storage, Veil looked at the weapon he had chosen and nodded in understanding.

'A magic staff, as expected.'

The Vandesar family was a magic household, after all. So even if he was a good-for-nothing, it was only natural for Elric, born into that family, to choose a magic staff.

'Finally, I can reveal his true nature.'

From Veil’s perspective, there wasn’t a single thing he liked about Elric. Rumors said he had used connections to become the head professor. Considering the power of his family, it wasn’t strange. The Vandesar family held the greatest authority after the imperial family.

'From the start.'

Looking at his behavior so far, the conclusion was obvious even without speculation. All he ever did was theory lectures, and his reputation among the students was terrible.

'Teaching him a lesson today doesn’t sound bad at all.'

With that thought, the two men faced each other inside the training grounds. Soon, one of the students lowered his hand from above to below.

“Then begin!”

The moment those words ended, Veil instantly cast a spell with ultra-fast chanting. Then—

Whoosh!

Mana surged out of his body through the circuits. The students’ eyes widened at the sight of his mana.

The students’ eyes sparkled as they watched Veil’s magic circle. It was only natural for them to be shocked. The magic he was manifesting was high-grade—on the level used by court mages. It was a rare sight for students.

Listening to the students, I shifted my gaze forward. When Veil saw Elric standing there leisurely, his eyes widened involuntarily.

'What the…'

Normally, the outcome of a duel between mages was decided by chanting speed and magical power. Yet Elric wasn’t releasing any mana, let alone chanting. The relaxed expression on his face made Veil feel strangely ignored.

'I’ll make you regret this.'

Having finished his chant completely, Veil glared. The time it took him to complete the spell was barely a second. The moment he activated the magic—

Whoosh!

A massive fireball flew toward Elric.

'What? Why isn’t he dodging?'

Although they had put on barrier bracelets before the duel, taking a high-grade spell head-on would still cause serious injury. So he should at least show some sign of moving…

While Veil and the surrounding students were puzzled by Elric’s lack of movement—

Step.

He slowly began to walk. But instead of dodging the fireball, he was walking straight toward it.

'What?!'

Veil wondered whether he should cancel the fireball. At that exact moment—

Crunch!

Elric swung the staff in his hand and erased the fireball in a single blow. At the same time—

“Ugh!”

An indescribable pain engulfed his entire body. The only thing Elric had done was erase the magic. He hadn’t done anything else. Yet an excruciating pain he had never felt before suddenly assaulted him.

“What is this…”

“Tsk. As expected, hitting indirectly means he won’t pass out in one go.”

Elric clicked his tongue as he watched Veil’s reaction. By then, he had already closed the distance and opened his mouth.

“This is what we call physical magic!”

With that shout, he brought the magic staff down.

Thud!

The instant it struck, a pain on a completely different level from before tore through his brain and spread across his body. At the same time, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his vision went completely black.

Veil von Artu, knocked unconscious by righteous physical magic. As expected, no matter what anyone says, physical magic is the best.

At that moment, Jukchang-i demanded “that thing” as usual. I wasn’t sure if I had to do it right now, but if I didn’t, she would start whining again. It was better to just grant her request.

I let out a mental sigh and brought the magic staff to my lips. Then—

Lick.

The moment I licked it like always—

Jukchang-i began trembling with pure delight. At the same time, a message appeared before my eyes.