Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Crossroads (6)
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"This way."
Ash followed behind me, carefully scanning the surroundings.
As expected, the inside of the training hall was quiet. The door was open, but there were no students or teachers using the building.
No footsteps other than ours could be heard, making it feel like we'd rented out the entire building.
It should be... around here.
Passing the first-floor hallway and peeking through the windows, I spotted the place I was looking for.
Combat Practical Room.
A room with a high ceiling, and right in the center, a circular practical platform.
The platform was filled with hard-packed sand, and along the edges, magic was engraved for creating sand dolls.
Students often practiced combat spells against those sand dolls.
'So, what are you planning to research this time?'
Ash scratched at the sand on the platform a few times with his foot, as if intrigued, then sniffed it.
It wasn't ordinary sand.
A faint, weak glow emanated from it. This was sand infused with mana, designed to respond well to magic.
"Sit here. I'll explain."
I dragged a chair over and set it beside the platform.
Ash hesitated for a moment, shook his head slightly, then reluctantly shifted back to human form.
Thankfully, he was still wearing the outfit I'd conjured for him.
He straddled the chair in an awkward, uncomfortable posture.
"Did you hear the talk I had with my brother last night? About the recommendation for the Silver Moon Knights."
"...Yeah."
Ash's voice in human form wasn't all that different from his wolf one.
But hearing it through my ears instead of directly in my head felt entirely different.
I stood in the center of the platform and turned to face Ash, who was leaning sideways in the chair.
"What do you think? You were part of the Silver Moon Knights too. Do you think I could handle it?"
"I barely remember those days. But I agree—you're a good fit."
It was an answer that felt like it had read my mind.
I smiled.
"The danger's the issue. Teacher Luwen and my brother are both worried about that."
"Hmm."
Ash propped his chin on his hand and sank into thought for a moment.
I figured he'd have a different take...
"Prion isn't exactly safe either. You already know that."
"I've heard the barrier's on shaky ground. Saw it for myself last night, too. It's because there aren't enough mages to maintain it."
"No. If Grivis put his mind to it, a barrier like that would be meaningless. Prion or the outside world—the danger's about the same."
"Ugh, way scarier than I expected."
I forced a smile instead of sighing.
Come to think of it, Ash had always said Prion's barrier wasn't reliable.
His opinion hadn't changed from back then to now.
"That's precisely why I'm here—because I know the risks."
Ash spoke with his usual impassive expression.
"Stay in Prion or head out on the road—the contract stays the same. So... you'd be better off choosing the path that makes use of your talents."
"Thanks for saying that."
Whether I holed up in Prion or ventured outside, Ash would stick with me.
Just confirming that much made my resolve feel solid.
I took a short, deep breath and extended both hands forward.
As I began channeling mana, a breeze stirred, lightly tousling my hair.
"What're you up to?"
Circular magic circles began manifesting one by one, encircling the platform like a ring of wards.
I kept my focus steady as I replied.
"Appreciate the help, but I can't lean on you forever. I need to find a way to protect myself."
"With magic?"
"With magic."
Ash's face twisted in doubt. I gave a small smile.
"Yeah, I get it—it doesn't look promising. Magic drains stamina, and that's my biggest weak spot. But it's still the most effective way to shield this body of mine."
Flash! With a burst of blinding light, six magic circles unfurled symmetrically. The central control circle sat right under my feet.
I undid the spells binding my arms and shifted my stance a little—the control circle moved with me.
The circles flanking me on either side faded smoothly from view. Hidden, but the magic held strong.
Good... this could work.
"This is a basic tactical magic circle. Standard combat setup in imperial magic."
"How's it function?"
Ash narrowed his eyes, on guard.
"Think of it like a magical trap. Triggers when an enemy steps into position... Here, let me tweak the activation."
I brought the six circles back into view and altered the configuration spell.
Suddenly, five or six spears of hard-packed sand erupted from the floor.
Boom.
A deafening crash echoed as sand and dust flew everywhere.
"Ugh."
I coughed, shaking off the grit.
The tactical circle vanished, leaving sand scattered across the platform.
"...You alright?"
I burst out laughing at Ash's flustered tone. Nearly choked on sand from the shock.
The strewn sand flowed back together naturally, reforming on the platform—the restoration magic at work.
"I'm good. But honestly, that packed a punch. And it's just basic stuff."
"Sure, but real combat? Enemies won't politely wait for your traps."
"Fair point."
I headed toward the sand doll magic circle ringing the platform.
Seniors used it for practicals, but right now it lay dormant and silent. How to kick it off...?
"Tactical magic's mainly for wars, really. Sieges, defenses—it enables all sorts of strategies."
As efficient as it was brutal.
Flip the earth or summon fire pillars, and you'd claim dozens, hundreds of lives effortlessly. All while the mage stayed safely away, untouched by the carnage.
That ruthless tactical edge had secured the Troyan Empire's blood-soaked victories in countless wars.
"But we're not off to war..."
I mulled it over.
Imperial tactical was tested—time for smaller-scale combat spells.
"Haven't properly studied kingdom combat magic yet, but a few are worth a shot. First, though... how do I get this thing running?"
Ash and I stared hard at the spot where the sand dolls ought to spawn.
We spread the circle wide, pumped in mana.
Nothing. The dolls wouldn't budge.
Some activation condition I'm missing? Disassemble it, parse the spells line by line...
"Liberic."
"Yes?"
I'd been glued to the circle and looked up late.
Ash wasn't watching me—he eyed the door.
"Liberic Eldrian? What are you doing here?"
The woman's icy voice jolted me like a stab. I shot to my feet.
There, by the door: short bobbed hair, glasses.
Teacher Silvia.
My heart plummeted.
"Uh, well, you see..."
Tension locked my tongue.
Teacher Silvia lifted her glasses, puzzled.
"Isn't it vacation? Thought you got plenty of magic lessons."
"T-That's right, but... I wanted to test something..."
Was unauthorized use of the combat room a no-go? Especially as a non-third-year?
Dread of a scolding welled up.
Teacher Silvia drew near the platform, expression unchanged.
"Test something? But... who's that?"
Her gaze shifted to Ash.
He gave her a casual nod, face blank as ever.
Thank goodness I'd humanized him...
A wolf lounging in here? We'd be out on our tails.
"A brother figure I know... Helps me out with a lot.
Anyway, Teacher, I came to experiment with combat magic, but the practical sand dolls won't activate."
I waved it off vaguely, steering the topic.
"Hmm." Teacher Silvia peeled her eyes from Ash, turning to me.
Locking gazes, I braced for reprimand, heart pounding.
"Combat magic. Still as oddball as ever. Prepping for third-year practicals?"
"J-Just curious."
I flashed an awkward smile. Shockingly, Teacher Silvia smirked.
"Got it. Want the sand dolls, huh?"
"Yes..."
She stepped to the sand doll circle.
Good—no anger. I mustered courage.
"Teacher... is it okay for me to use the combat room?"
"You're already doing it."
Speechless, I clamped my mouth shut.
Teacher Silvia smiled faintly, drawing her wand.
"No issue. It's open for students during break. Second-years using it? Rare."
Her white, slender wand tapped the circle. The dolls I'd failed to rouse began to stir.
Eight sand dolls rose one by one, encircling the platform.
"Only teachers can trigger sand doll magic. Bit later, and you might've wrecked it."
"That... would've been bad."
I'd been seconds from dismantling it.
She pocketed the wand and faced me, glasses up, gaze sharp.
"Combat basics—where you at, Liberic?"
"Ah. Roughly covered engagement rules and Ruska-style incantations."
Class felt underway out of nowhere.
I reined in my jumbled thoughts, dredging up lessons.
"Engagement rules memorized? Recite."
"Maintain distance, anticipate next moves, self-protection first..."
The reflex spill surprised even me.
Whoa—last year's exam material. Still got it...
Teacher Silvia nodded, pleased.
"Good. Mages avoid combat when possible—burn that in. No Ruska practice yet. No aptitude test either.
...Hm. But you might have another angle."
I smiled noncommittally.
"Keep it moderate, head home. Dolls auto-deactivate—no fuss."
"Yes, thank you, Teacher."
Teacher Silvia nodded lightly to Ash too, then left with a "Well then."