Chapter 27
Boom, Kaboom─
Explosion sounds shake the training ground.
Students are practicing magic in the soil pits dug by Instructor Angelina.
However, since Point Burst is an intermediate-level magic, not everyone is mastering it quickly.
"How is it? Have you got the hang of it?"
"No. I'm following the instructor, but I'm not sure."
Samson, Thomas, and Sophie, who are in the same group as me, were like that.
Watching them move their arms around checking their magic, I recalled the conversation we just had.
What? You're not two-timing?
That's really unexpected. The rumor was that you ended up dueling Apollon to save Berry.
Plus, Penel stroked your arm in [Theoretical Magic Studies]... Are you sure you're not lying?
I wonder how rumors about my relationships have spread.
The three who didn't believe my answer and denied it.
Exchanged glances with each other and nodded, then said this.
It's okay, Herak. I understand.
Yeah, heroes are supposed to be philanderers, right?
As a fellow woman, I'm a bit uncomfortable... but well, I don't have the right to interfere in others' love lives.
'Why are you drawing your own conclusions?'
I've never harbored any ulterior motives towards Penel or Berry.
Rather, I want to avoid getting close to them as much as possible, since they're likely to be entangled with the protagonist a lot.
I really wonder why everyone around thinks I'm flirting with them.
"...Wow. This isn't working. I'm going to take a break."
"I give up too. I'll try again later."
The group members return, seemingly not making progress in their practice.
They plop down around me to rest.
"Intermediate magic is really difficult. It's completely different from low-level magic."
"I thought I had already grasped fire magic, but I guess I was mistaken."
"Really. It feels like I'm learning elemental magic from scratch."
Since I can't handle magic, I have no reason to participate in the assignment.
Moreover, as I'm exempt from practical scores, the three were racking their brains among themselves.
There's nothing I can particularly do for them anyway.
"Elemental magic?"
However, one word stuck in my ear and I joined in.
"Hm? Herak, what's wrong?"
"Do you know elemental magic well? I've been trying to learn about it recently."
"Hmm. If you ask if we know it well, not really..."
Sophie looks around at the other two.
Samson and Thomas also have awkward expressions.
They weren't among the highest-scoring students in the 2nd year Magic Department.
Therefore, they might not be considered talented enough to teach me elemental magic well, but.
'No, that's not it.'
Someone too skilled might not understand the feelings of someone who can't do it.
Ordinary students like them might be able to adjust to me better.
"It's okay. Just tell me as much as you can. Like the fire magic you just mentioned."
"Well, if you insist, there's no reason not to tell you. What do you want to know?"
"How to handle 'elements'."
To learn the second technique of 【Twelve Star Cloud Fist】, 'Element Infusion', I first need to understand 'elemental magic'.
However, as someone who possessed this body, it's difficult for me to accomplish that right away.
It's right to first understand the concept of 'handling elements'.
"Hmm. Then since we're learning Point Burst now, I'll explain using the fire element."
Sophie nods at my question and rolls up her sleeve.
She extends her smooth arm and takes a stance, probably allowing mana to flow through.
"Herak, you can't feel mana so you probably can't see it well, but I'm currently releasing mana towards my arm."
"Oh."
"If I link this with the mana in the nearby air and transform it into flames, that becomes 'Fireball'."
Low-level fire magic, Fireball.
A small fireball flares up above Sophie's arm.
She extinguishes it again and continues her explanation.
"Just now, the instructor linked with the distant soil pit to cause a larger explosion."
"Anyway, the key point is 'transforming mana into flames'. You just need to understand that."
"Yeah. Other elements are similar. Turning mana into elements is what elemental magic is."
The three continue their explanation in a friendly manner.
Receiving their teaching, I carefully focused inward.
'Transforming mana into elements, huh.'
To be honest, I still can't feel it well intuitively.
But they taught me sincerely, so I should respond in kind.
I extend my arm. I assume the mana existing on my skin changes its properties.
If it becomes flames and burns...
"......"
Failure. No change occurred.
As I look down at my arm with disappointment, Sophie comforts me.
She probably thinks I'm disheartened.
"It's okay. Everyone's like that at first."
"That's right. And you can't feel mana, right? It's natural."
"Yeah. Even guys like us took a long time to do it. You too─"
Just as their encouragement was continuing.
Boom!
A noise that shakes the entire training ground is heard.
An explosion sound that's difficult to make with the students' immature skill levels.
It means someone has succeeded in casting magic, or at least their proficiency has risen to a comparable level.
"What? Who did that?"
"Already? How did they do it?"
The group members' heads turn immediately.
All the students in the training ground look towards where the noise came from.
There stood a woman with braided black hair.
"......"
As if even she herself was startled, covering her mouth with her hand.
Berry was the source of the explosion sound.
─How did she do it? She did it already?
─No. It's not as good as Penel. It's probably not a real success.
─But it's Berry? She wasn't that skilled before, was she?
Commotion arises here and there.
The students tried to analyze the situation in their own ways, but.
In the end, it was impossible to find the answer.
"How did she really do it?"
It was the same for our group members.
"Berry succeeded this quickly? Is it real?"
"She was similar to us... When did her skills improve like that?"
"Did she practice without us knowing?"
The three, who were in a similar grade range as Berry, tilted their heads.
It's a surprising situation for everyone.
Penel is one thing, but for her friend Berry to achieve such outstanding results too?
"...Hehe."
Perhaps pleased by such reactions.
Berry secretly raised a smile, then met my gaze.
"......"
It looked like she mouthed 'thank you'.
I nodded back, roughly guessing the reason.
"Hey. This won't do. Let's get back to it."
"Right. It's not time to rest."
"Herak. We're going."
Stimulated by Berry's growth, the group members leave to train.
As I was about to roll up my sleeve again, left alone in my seat.
Tap, tap.
Instructor Angelina, who had been going around giving advice to each group until now, approached.
"Are you resting well? Herak?"
"Ah. Instructor."
I bow my head in greeting.
She gently sits down beside me and speaks in a soft voice.
"I heard the news. You're going to duel the top student of the Knight Department, right?"
"Yes."
"Fufu. I'm sorry for keeping you in the lecture when you're so busy. Aren't you doing your usual exercise?"
"......"
There's expectation hidden in her subtle tone.
It means 'I'll overlook whatever you do during lecture time, so win the duel'.
These magicians are all so desperate to beat the knights.
But I don't particularly feel like exercising now.
Securing more stats won't widen the gap with Apollon anyway.
Rather than that.
"Instructor."
"Yes?"
"Could you give me some guidance? About the concept of 'handling elements'."
"Hmm. What do you mean by that?"
I explain the situation to Angelina, whose eyes are shining.
After hearing my story, she nodded slowly.
"I see. You're saying it's necessary for the duel."
"Well, to summarize, yes."
"Alright. I'm also quite curious about you, Herak, so as an instructor, I'll guide you sufficiently."
Angelina extends her hand.
She gently grabs my arm and slowly emits mana.
"Now. I'm currently holding your arm, Herak. Can you feel the mana being transmitted?"
"A little."
Even with 0 mana sensitivity, I can't help but feel it when mana is forcefully injected through skin contact like this.
"Focus on that sensation. From now on, I'll guide your mana to turn it into the fire element, so try to feel the flow."
"Okay."
Then the mana fluctuates according to Angelina's will.
The mana layer covering my skin, its properties change according to her intention.
The pure, colorless and formless mana puts on clothes.
That which became a red, shapeless substance.
Flare.
It became flames and burned on my hand.
"This is how it's done. Can you feel it?"
"Yes. It's amazing."
What Angelina has done for me now is to give me the 'sensation of mana turning into an element'.
Although it's not something I achieved with my own power, but succeeded with assistance.
Just feeling the first sensation is a big gain.
'But it's not enough.'
Still, this isn't the end.
The status window hasn't actually changed.
────────────────
【Twelve Star Cloud Fist】
Fist: Element Infusion (Undetermined state)
[Acquisition Condition: When 'Elemental Magic' is understood]
────────────────
"This isn't magic in the end. I've only made you learn the concept of handling elements, but actually casting magic is a different level of problem."
"How can I do that?"
While I'm at it.
Intending to squeeze out more, I ask, and Angelina smiles slightly.
"I don't know that far. I don't know what magic Herak can use."
"Ah."
"The concept of Battle Mage is still unfamiliar, how could I teach it?"
"I see."
Since I use different magic from other magicians.
She was saying that she can only teach me the sensation, but I have to realize the magic myself.
Yes. Even this much is a good result.
I'll have to figure out the rest on my own.
"Thank you. It's been very helpful."
"Fufu. Is that so?"
The tutoring ends with a warm conversation.
It was time for Angelina to leave, but.
She smiled gently and said to me.
The proposal that has led countless college students to ruin.
"Then would you like to come under me?"
"...Pardon?"
"I'd like to research a bit with Herak by my side. If you work under me, I can give you even more help than this. How about it, isn't it a good offer?"
"No. I'll decline."
To think it was a graduate school recommendation I had feared.
Since there's no way I'd do it unless I was crazy, I shook my head with a stern face.
Angelina left with a very regretful expression.
...That was a close call.
*
Robert, the 2nd year instructor of the Knight Department.
A student had come to his office after being summoned.
"Yes. I heard the news, Apollon. You're having a duel."
"Yes."
Apollon faced Robert with a relaxed expression.
While an instructor should be an object of reverence for students.
Apollon's attitude is utterly at ease.
This was because they were already in collusion.
"Your opponent is that 'Battle Mage' who's been making noise lately... You've chosen a strange opponent."
"Well, it's just to put him in his place since he doesn't know his position."
"Good."
Robert curls up the corners of his mouth at his disciple's answer.
This is why he liked Apollon.
This arrogant personality that looks down on the incompetent.
That's what makes him worthy of being the top student of the 2nd year he's in charge of.
"I'm looking forward to it, Apollon. I have no doubt that you will bring us victory."
"Thank you, Instructor."
"Of course, our Knight Department will provide corresponding assistance... You know what I mean, right?"
"Of course."
Apollon also twists up the corners of his mouth.
There's no way he wouldn't understand what Robert's words imply.
'Do as you please.'
Robert said this in a roundabout way.
...In other words, it means he'll cover up any mishaps that occur before the duel.
"You may go now. I'll be waiting for good news."
"Yes. Glory to our Knight Department, for sure."
Apollon bowed and left the instructor's office.
How long did he walk through the Knight Department's lecture building?
Before he knew it, his gang members were following by his side.
"Is everyone here?"
They were mostly those with high rankings among the 2nd year Knight Department students.
Among them was even a student who ranked 4th in the 2nd year.
Apollon, having gathered his gang members like this.
Issued orders with an arrogant smile.
"Interfere with him. Go find him before the duel and mess with him."
"To what extent? How much should we intervene?"
The 2nd year rank 4.
To the question of the one who leads the gang right under Apollon.
"Make him half-crippled."
Apollon ordered with a sinister smile.
It was a plot to make it impossible for Herak to even stand in the dueling arena.