The Art of Witchcraft
"Kill me...."
I cut back on sleep to study, study, and study some more. What, a sexy, busty bombshell beauty? Couldn't care less—I was living like a total worm, rushing back to the dorms to wash up and hit the books. Was this punishment for being a country bumpkin swinging a sword in the woods while everyone else got early childhood education? It was beyond horrific; day by day, the gap widened, making it impossible to catch up.
Still, when friends didn't know something, I'd teach them, and we'd study together. But I was duking it out at the level of Elementary Basic Math while they tackled Advanced Applied Math. That's at least seven levels behind—what can you do? On the plus side, everyone knew the answers when I asked, so teaching wasn't much of a burden.
The math answer sheet I'd traded for a Transparent Cloak haunted my dreams, but I didn't want to cheat like that. Others might call me dumb or naive, but I couldn't bear to trample on hardworking people with unfair tricks. Plus, snapping my fingers to boost grades wouldn't actually improve my skills, right?!
"U, uwaaaaugh!"
My brain was stuffed to the brim, but I'd hit my limit. I puked and collapsed flat. Since I was studying in the cafe, the outer god working the counter neatly caught it in a bucket and cleaned up—no disaster.
"Why do I have to memorize other families' ancestors..."
"Dukes don't need to know that stuff."
"Still, you gotta know the royal family tree at least..."
"It's basic noble etiquette and manners~"
Noble family studies included imperial genealogy and lineage charts—pure agony. At least the Witchcraft family, being dukes, had no real family tree to memorize, but this crap wouldn't even show up on exams anyway.
"Wrong on basic cutlery. It's not 'fork and knife'—must be 'knife and fork'. And the salad fork and fish fork order is off."
"That's not a salad fork; it's a dessert fork. Goes above the plate."
"After eating, place utensils like this for the staff."
I just wanna go back to being a commoner chowing down bread with my hands. Beatus and Kali took turns teaching me, but tears wouldn't stop flowing. Legends, theology, world history—I slept through every class, buried in assignments. Military basics with Military Chess? Didn't know the rules, went 0-20. Economics, accounting, philosophy—thanks to our manager Tanaka from the general affairs department, I didn't hit rock bottom.
But overall, Wiyu Witchcraft was 100% guaranteed to repeat the year.
"Some things can't be overcome with effort alone... This is a matter of talent."
"Doesn't the genius prodigy arc usually kick in here...?"
"What are you talking about, lad? Even the first generation repeated three times."
"Aah..."
Mom... Is this why you didn't want to send me to the academy? Knew I'd take after you, be dumb, and flunk? Couldn't say you loved me but my head was a brick?
I was drained, the situation beyond pathetic—utter despair. Tears streamed down.
Grand Duke lapping up my tears was infuriating amid it all. Undeniable truth, though, so I gave up on advancing via exam scores. Extra points from other sources... Win school contests?
"Dungeon practicals? I'll ace 'em from now on—no problem!!"
"But that might be tough too, right?"
Meru Lume yanked the hope rope before I could grab it. Beatus and Kali pitied me with the same thought.
"First class, everyone used basic gear. Later, enchanted stuff, custom-made, weekend city buys—they'll gear up."
Yamucha soloed to the boss room last time. Once equipped and battle-hardened, my high dungeon scores would tank.
"I got no money!!"
"We know."
"Yeah."
Pity the poor noble scraping by on tuition. Even ruined nobles have more cash. As a commoner, I'd chill without money woes. But as direct Witchcraft duke lineage—low grades meant brutal reviews.
"...No choice!! Use my witch powers to craft artifacts and sell 'em!! Magic tools fetch big bucks... Duplicate money with Creation!"
"Didn't your senior warn it's forbidden?"
"Cliff-edge here, plummeting—priorities? With Grand Duke's Power of Change...!! I can make anything!!"
No matter how bad, not lending power for greatsword fights. Wiyu Witchcraft casually summoned Aether, devil's power, from her hand. Touching it corrupts life—everyone backed off, watching warily.
No materials decided, so poured out all power: karma from souls, cosmic 【Ars Magna】 and 【Akasha】.
"That in my left hand? Ars Magna. Pinnacle of intellect, wisdom—tech awakening the soul."
"""Whoa!"""
"Right hand? Akasha. Magic's extreme, principles, spiritual peak—cosmic enlightenment."
"How do you just use that stuff?"
"Shouldn't use casually, but does—that's the problem."
Sorry for jargon with Change. Simplified: radiation and mercury immunity—playing with poison. Friends got it—cross safety line, die—backed further.
"Selling unique creations... Profitable, sure..."
It took human shape slowly.
"Done!! All-purpose maid golem—helps with everything!!"
I marveled at my creation; others? Horror.
"Kill me meow..."
"It talks..."
Looked alive with personality—tragic. Beatus, complex origins, turned away in empathy. Rabbit ears, cat ears, human ears—six total. Hell's Change speechless at grotesque.
Not human-like uncanny valley—this abomination what?!
"Animal ears are cute, so all of 'em—artistic design, right?"
"Never dream of art. Better start world war."
"Meow meow......"
"Why meow?"
"Thought speech tic would be cute?"
Change feared second-gen's mind. This fucking chimera... Mercy to kill now?
"Uh, any special powers?"
"Eyes as monitors—run Doom."
Mitten gloves already creepy. All-purpose maid my ass—shouldn't exist. Recalled Wiyu sleeping in ethics; friends sighed, should've woken her.
"Creator, did I beg to be shaped from clay as human meow? Did I plead from darkness meow?!"
"Golems this eloquent normally?"
"Apologize to every technician in existence, you demon."
Granting golem personality crushed sleepless AI researchers' efforts...!! Change, beak trembling at pure evil, felt responsible—only one to fix. Shut eyes.
"Not artifact, life, lad. Born now... Creator, take responsibility!!"
"Urgh... Should've practiced... Tired, brain fried... Sigh... I'll raise her right."
Fix looks with powers; Change relieved. Need money? Witch powers make gold. Wing-wipe dry: I'd earn as familiar... Then.
"Raised lotsa animals—neutered first."
"Owner responsibility ain't that...!!!"
Eye-sparkle vanished—tragic. Hell's archdemon wept six tears. Hated powerless self...!! Fresh-born, self-aware, instantly neutered—maid golem shuddered. Crude but cosmic three-energies life...!!
"Kill you, meow."
Golem uprising against creator—transcendent!! Mittens to face; I screamed, tumbled back.
"Gahh! Grand Duke! Why berserk?!"
Cafe chaos: golem wailing why born. Surprisingly, few fleeing students. Humans adapt. "Witchcraft again?"—ordering coffee casually.