Chapter 26
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【Twelve Star Cloud Fist】
Fist: Element Infusion (Undetermined state)
[Acquisition Condition: When 'Elemental Magic' is understood]
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Elemental magic.
As Margaret said in the previous [Theoretical Magic Studies], elemental magic is the most basic among the numerous magic schools.
It's an essential course that all magicians must go through and the most major magic.
The problem is that this doesn't apply to me.
'Understand elemental magic, huh.'
Of course, having played <Song of Sword and Magic>, I know well what elemental magic is.
Besides what Margaret taught, I even have the settings that are revealed later in my head.
But that's just knowledge I possessed in advance as someone who possessed this body.
If you ask whether I properly understand this world's elemental magic in reality, that's a different matter.
'It's not easy.'
Magic, a concept that doesn't exist in modern times.
How should one go about understanding a completely new concept they've never encountered?
If I could understand this, I could prepare for the duel with Apollon much more easily─
"Herak!"
My consciousness, immersed in thought, is awakened.
I turn my gaze from the status window I was looking at. There, classmates were surrounding me and looking at me.
Clear sky, pure white fluffy clouds.
Softly treaded grass and cool breeze.
The 2nd year Magic Department students gathered for the [Introduction to Elementology] lecture call out to me.
"What are you thinking about so deeply?"
"It must be about the duel, right?"
"You need that much preparation to face Apollon after all."
Their noisy chatter seems quite familiar.
These guys who were talking about me being the loser and whatnot until recently.
Now they're treating me without reserve.
After all, these guys are young.
'Students are all like that.'
They distance themselves and ostracize peers for trivial reasons.
It's not because they have any particular grudge.
They do so just because of immature thoughts like someone's grades being particularly low, or feeling embarrassed to be with them.
Conversely, this means their behavior can easily change too.
Just because grades suddenly improved significantly, or seeing something notably impressive that they want to learn.
Even with such insignificant triggers, their thoughts change and their attitude shifts.
A time when they make mistakes due to immaturity, and thus the possibility of growth coexists.
That's what being a student is.
"Herak. You're really amazing."
As I was quietly listening to what they were saying, someone among them asked with sparkling eyes.
What was her name again? Sophie, was it?
"How did you come to think of dueling Apollon? That guy, his personality might be rotten, but his skills are real."
"Well, I just had my circumstances. It's not like I'm a battle maniac or anything."
"Hmm. I see."
When I calmly stated the fact, Sophie nods.
As she does so, she exchanges glances with the classmates beside her, which was quite intriguing.
It felt like she was saying 'You know?'
After nodding to each other like that, they bring up a different topic.
"But can we come watch on the duel day? It's been so long since there's been a duel, I can't remember."
"I think we can go? After all, instructors from both departments will be there as judges. It shouldn't be a problem for students to go."
"Then I must go. It's a chance to put those Knight Department guys in their place after a long time. Should I bring popcorn?"
Duels at Olympia also serve as a form of entertainment.
You can tell from the fact that the previous Inter-year Exchange Competition was held at the 'Colosseum'.
All the members of this academy are obsessed with competing against and beating the other department.
It's understandable that these guys are excited.
"Herak. Are you okay with this? Ahem, it's a bit awkward for us to say this but."
As the conversation continued in excited voices.
Suddenly remembering their previous behavior, a student cleared his throat.
The guy called Samson.
"Well... you know, we treated you carelessly before. Ignoring you and all. Now it feels guilty to say we're excited and want to watch."
Everyone nods in agreement with Samson's words.
Some meet my gaze, some avoid it subtly.
But without exception, they're all ashamed of their actions.
"Do as you like. I don't care."
"...! Okay, thanks."
When I wave my hand casually with an indifferent tone.
They all sigh with relieved faces.
Then, as if their minds are much more at ease now, they start raising their tension.
"Ah, I really hope Herak crushes him. That unpleasant bastard."
"What's with that greasy long hair? And slicked back at that. Ugh."
"If he wins this time too, Herak will be the top student for the second semester, right?"
"Of course! He's consecutively defeated 7th place and the top student. It's guaranteed."
"Hm? What's all this commotion? Everyone, return to your seats."
Just as the decibels were rising.
Tap, tap.
The situation was wrapped up as Angelina, the instructor for [Introduction to Elementology], appeared.
*
"First, congratulations on all of you completing the previous assignment. You've done well just by clearing it within the time limit."
Angelina recites the introduction of the lecture in an elegant voice.
The assignment given from the first week, 'Rock Breaking.'
In reality, it was recognized even if you just made a scratch, but even that took a long time.
In the end, it's a good thing that everyone managed to at least make a scratch without failing.
"Of course, we can't deny that Herak's work was the most outstanding. Who would have thought someone would break the rock in the first week. Come on, everyone, let's give a round of applause?"
Clap clap clap... Immediately, a shower of applause follows.
The students enthusiastically clapped as if they had achieved it themselves.
Thanks to that, I ended up making a bitter expression.
'No, what's with this "let's give a round of applause"...'
It's been a long time since I've been lifted up like this at this age.
"Then we should move on to the next step now. The magic we'll learn today is 'Point Burst'."
After wrapping up the previous lecture like that.
Angelina lined up the students, then raised her hand facing them.
Then she simply waved her hand, creating dozens of holes in the grass.
Rumble... The sight of soil sinking.
"The element is fire, the rank is intermediate, and the property is explosion. As you've all become 2nd years now, it's time for you to learn intermediate magic."
"Oh...!"
The students' faces light up at Angelina's words.
They only learned low-rank magic in the 1st year, so their tension rose as the rank finally increased.
They must feel like they've become proper magicians.
'Well, there are those who handled intermediate magic even in 1st year, though.'
Mainly the twin-tailed girl who's the heir to the Magic Tower.
It would be painful information for these guys, so I kept my mouth shut.
"I'll demonstrate the magic, so please watch carefully. You can easily learn it just by watching closely and imitating."
Angelina extends her arm towards the soil pit.
She didn't make any particular movements like with Wind Gun before.
But something must be visible to magicians, as the students were watching intently.
Eventually.
"Point Burst."
Whoosh─ Boom!
Sparks flew in the center of the soil pit, then immediately there was a loud explosion and soil scattered everywhere.
Thud thud... She blows away the rising clumps of soil with wind magic.
"It's magic that causes a concentrated explosion targeting a specific point. It has many uses once you master it."
"Wow..."
The students let out admiring groans.
Looking at them with satisfaction, Angelina wrapped up the lecture.
"I'll give you several weeks again this time. Mastering Point Burst as much as possible within that time. That's this assignment."
"......"
"Everyone can do it, right?"
"Yes!"
"Good. We'll form groups for this assignment too. I've already arbitrarily arranged 4-person groups, so students, please listen carefully and gather."
A list comes out of Angelina's bosom.
She recites it in order, calling out the students' names.
"...Penel, Berry. Now, please gather."
"Ah..."
Penel makes a very disappointed expression as soon as she hears her group.
Her gaze, slightly glancing at me, is anxious.
She must have wanted to be in the same group as me.
"...Lastly, Samson, Thomas, Sophie, Herak. That's the final group."
"Um, Instructor."
"Yes. What is it?"
Thomas, who was grouped with me, raises his hand.
As Angelina gestures with her chin, he carefully opens his mouth.
"Isn't it a bit much for Herak to be with us? I think it would be better for his skill improvement if he was with Penel..."
Listening to his words, he seems to feel burdened.
He seems sorry that I, who's recently been called a promising student like Battle Mage or whatever, am in the same group as them.
He probably means to group me with the top student Penel to improve my skills more.
However, Angelina smiled gently and rejected his suggestion.
"That won't do. Herak originally can't use magic, so it would be similar no matter which group he's in. He's exempt from practical scores anyway."
"But..."
"And."
Angelina cuts off her words there and turns her head.
At the end of her gaze is Penel, sparkling her eyes with subtle expectation.
However, Angelina immediately changes Penel's face.
"...With a duel against the Knight Department coming up. Should you be wasting time on student relationships?"
"I-Instructor?!"
"Fufu. I'm joking. Friendship between students, right?"
Compared to Angelina smiling leisurely, Penel's face turns bright red.
She probably didn't expect to hear "Are you in that kind of relationship with Herak?" directly from the instructor's mouth.
She immediately waves her hands in surrender and retreats to her own group.
"......"
The training ground where such a strange atmosphere flows.
The expressions of the group members who belatedly gathered around me are as awkward as can be.
As I said earlier, there are their actions towards me until now.
It's not easy to just pretend not to know, as if turning over your palm.
But this is when small talk to break the atmosphere is needed.
Just as I was considering stepping up to say something.
Samson, Thomas, and Sophie, the three of them, stood beside me and gently leaned their heads in.
As if it were a topic that shouldn't be known to others.
"...?"
As I look at them with a puzzled feeling.
Sophie, the girl, whispered to me.
As if telling a secret.
"Hey, Herak. You know. Can you just tell us one thing?"
"What?"
"No, well. Ah, it's hard to say with my own mouth..."
She hesitates, twirling her hair.
She exchanges glances with Samson and Thomas from the corner of her eye, and they're nodding their heads resolutely too.
Finally, as if Sophie has made up her mind.
She asked me with a firm gaze.
"Are you two-timing?"
"What?"
"Are you dating both Penel and Berry at the same time? No, I'm sorry if it's a rude question. But I'm just so curious..."
...What nonsense is this now?