Professor Ferzen
Rain pattered against the classroom windows. Perhaps due to the sharp edge in my earlier words, the atmosphere in the lecture hall had sunk into complete silence. Not just Lizzy, but the other students too, were sneaking glances at me, quickly averting their eyes and bowing their heads whenever our gazes met. The only one facing me squarely without flinching was Laura.
"……I shall continue the lecture."
My throat felt a little sore from all the talking. From next time, I should bring some warm black tea.
"To reiterate part of what I said earlier, even if you all gain battlefield experience and understanding now, should war break out and you were to join immediately, your efficiency in interfering with manifestation rates would still be negligible."
Therefore……
"The experiential training you'll receive in collaboration with external parties will mainly consist of the kinds of experiences a typical conscripted soldier might have."
As I spoke, I wrote the ratios for the midterm, final exam, and assignments on the blackboard.
"The midterm and final will each account for 40 percent. Excluding the 5 percent for attendance, the remaining 15 percent will all be assignments. As I mentioned privately to Her Highness the Imperial Princess, starting from the third week, each of you will be assigned one corpse……"
"A c-corpse, you say?"
"Indeed. Once assigned your corpse, your first long-term assignment will be to raise your understanding and proficiency with it up to the midterm exam for evaluation."
"……"
"Of course, the amount of mana used for interference will be standardized."
In this world, where black mages held a fairly solid position, the trade in corpses was legally normalized. Procuring corpses from commoners or civilians was hardly a challenge.
"The overall lecture outline will likely focus on imparting to you all a 'common understanding.'"
"……"
"No need to overthink it. A skilled black mage must inherently possess a broad range of miscellaneous knowledge. Though I called it common understanding, some of it is readily accessible if you put your minds to it."
With no more need for the chalk, I set it down and smoothed out the sleeve I'd rolled up one fold, straightening it neatly.
"For example…… yes. Basic common knowledge between men and women."
"Pardon?"
"I would prefer you not take this indecently."
Standing casually at the podium, I cleared my throat.
"Fundamentally, you have all been raised with education on sexual knowledge, which falls under basic common knowledge between the sexes. Thus, when a woman manipulates a male corpse, or a man a female one, those educated in sexual knowledge exhibit better manifestation rates than the uneducated."
Even after warning them not to take it indecently, most students showed clear discomfort. Undeterred, I continued.
"Of course, from a black mage's perspective, basic common knowledge between men and women extends further—to experiences that men or women are bound to encounter at least once in life."
Even the corpses of exceptional elemental mages or Aura Knights ultimately belong to one of two genders: male or female. Thus, this was fundamental knowledge—verging on common sense—that any black mage must possess.
"Take women, for instance. At least once, when first wearing heels, the unfamiliar sensation might cause a sprained ankle while walking. After bathing, drying long hair can be a ordeal."
Of the fourteen students, five young ladies nodded faintly.
"And the periodic pain of menstruation varies greatly from person to person, while women with large breasts often complain of shoulder strain and discomfort."
"……!"
The noble young ladies flushed at my words, murmuring "Oh my……" and fanning themselves with their hands.
"For men, upon waking in the morning, they experience natural erections, and though it varies individually, phenomena like nocturnal emissions occur."
"Th-that is…… ahem……"
"Pathetic. I told you not to take it indecently. You are black mages pursuing black magic, yet so ignorant of the knowledge concerning the world's two genders."
"……"
"The ones who should feel shame are yourselves."
After casting a gaze laced with faint contempt, I glanced at the clock—9:45. Time had flown by already. I erased the writing from the blackboard, gathered the attendance roster, and continued.
"You could send a letter to your territory instructing servants to survey the locals, commission the mercenary guild, or investigate personally—there are various methods."
I planned to assign this as their first task.
"The deadline is next month, Monday, April 12th. Research experiences that men and women are likely to have at least once in life. You can skip it, but expect deductions. Furthermore……"
Education itself was a symbol and monopoly of the upper classes in this world. Proper textbooks were nonexistent. Private tutoring from renowned instructors was all there was, underscoring how stingy this world was with sharing knowledge.
"The assignments you submit, excluding duplicates, will be compiled with my own knowledge into a book—a textbook. Naturally, your names…… or rather, your families' names, will be listed at the end, so I expect your best effort."
"A t-textbook……?"
The unfamiliar term left the students perplexed.
"It will serve as a solid foundation for next year's incoming freshmen. Of course, since the textbook will be sold for profit, a portion of the royalties will be paid to your families."
At that addition, a spark of interest lit in the students' eyes. It was an honorable contribution to their house, a way to prove one's worth in succession struggles.
"Naturally, whether all your families are listed depends on the assignment outcomes—my arbitrary judgment. If dissatisfied…… well, come to my office during the grade inquiry period after finals."
9:55. Only five minutes until ten.
"Though I criticized current black mages' practices, I don't deem them wholly bad. Thus, week two will cover elemental magic, and week three, Aura Knights."
9:56. With the lecture ending four minutes early, I quietly exited the classroom.
Laura de Charles Rosenberg carefully rubbed her aching waist.
'More worthwhile than I expected……'
Rosenberg was a reasonably prosperous territory. Thus, Laura, doted on by her father since childhood, had naturally received tutoring from a renowned black mage—but she'd never heard the facts Ferzen revealed from the midpoint onward.
'Basic knowledge of the genders……'
Was that why he achieved such superior manifestation rates with her past life's corpse—Isabel Ron Pierre Genova's?
'No.'
As he said, it was merely basic. And she fully remembered her past life. That was an unbridgeable gap.
Still unable to comprehend that day's defeat, Laura cautiously stood.
'Week two is on elemental magic, he said?'
A bit odd. His knowledge of elemental magic couldn't surpass the other assigned professors'. Even if on par, they were taking those lectures anyway.
'He said "elemental magic," not "elemental magic studies."'
Any difference? She wasn't sure. Her past self had been an Apollyon-grade elemental mage, after all. She doubted she'd learn anything new in week two.
"Heard so many rumors, but seeing him in person, he doesn't seem that bad. I worried he'd use Brutein's authority to crush us, but the content was…… decent, I guess."
"Brutein wouldn't stoop that low. Hard to meet his eyes, though…… More than that, aren't these desks ridiculously uncomfortable? I'm big, want to push the chair back, but can't. Why install such garbage?"
"Right? Integral design aside, bolting them to the floor? Think we're thieves or beggars who'd steal them? Time before next lecture—let's complain at the department office in the main building."
The noble children, already acquainted, chatted. They felt the same discomfort? For Laura, "uncomfortable" was putting it mildly—the fixed desks were downright shitty.
So when she heard them heading to complain, quiet joy surged within. They'd articulate it far better than a stutterer like her.
'Hurry and go.'
Rosenberg was a hub of art and culture; the surrounding young ladies would surely seek her friendship. Stutterer Laura avoided conversations altogether, so she slipped out of the classroom quickly to prevent it.
'Next is ancient languages……'
Knowledge unnecessary unless one was an archaeologist or scribe translating ancient tomes—why was it a mandatory course? Laura couldn't fathom.
Screech.
Screech.
Walking the hallway, she turned at the wheel sounds behind her.
"Th-thank you……"
"N-no…… I-it's, n-nothing…… j-just this……"
Lizzy Paul Liana Claudia, propelling her wheelchair with a corpse servant. She expressed gratitude politely as Laura stepped aside.
A far cry from her insolent rebuttal earlier. If she could act this way, why the emotional outburst in class?
The Academy was an extension of high society before a place of learning. Antagonizing Brutein brought no good. Rumors spread fast in confined spaces.
Of course, with whispers of a betrothal between Claudia and Alfred houses, today's incident wouldn't lead to outright shunning…… but no one would associate with her to stay neutral. No one wanted to displease Alfred or Brutein.
Just for a rude rebuttal? Rumors always ballooned in retelling.
'Still young…… maybe that's it.'
Watching Lizzy descend the pristine ramp by the stairs, Laura slowly followed.