(Continued)
“But you’re handsome? Maybe not as much as Kai, though…”
As expected, Ariel was as bright as ever. She smiled, her red hair fluttering, and greeted the professor like it was her second time meeting him.
Her friendliness was unmatched, like a friendly cat.
“I’m Kainel. I want to practice channeling mana into my sword, so I’m here to join.”
“That’s a holy sword, isn’t it? You must’ve had a hard time.”
“…Do you know about this?”
“Of course. I’ve seen it, broken it, and tried to shatter it countless times.”
The man’s expression grew complicated. From the start, Dennis was someone who valued human life greatly, so he often took actions aimed at destroying holy swords.
He had even supported the founding of this academy.
“Raise those destined to become heroes or warriors properly.”
As he spoke, he formed the liquid in his coffee cup into a sphere and began to write something.
Just a few simple words.
“That was the founding purpose I originally proposed for Grand Hearts Academia. Although Brother Roque hated the idea, and it failed because of Dean Laplace.”
With a casual twirl of his finger, he continued speaking.
“You’re that latecomer from back then, aren’t you?”
“Hello.”
“Make sure you’re not late for the next lecture.”
Oh, so he can speak properly after all? I guess protagonists have some kind of mutual understanding. But why was he so curt with Kainel? The glass knight lowered his head.
“Well, enough chit-chat. Welcome to the magic club, everyone.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than colorful, rainbow-like bubbles began to form in layers before our eyes.
“As I said in the basic lecture before, I aim for the extreme.”
The bubbles lined up and began to spin in circles within his hand. Was this some sort of spell? The scent definitely smelled like alcohol.
‘Must be something like a cocktail.’
As I sniffed the air, the armor of the Crown Prince beside me trembled slightly.
Maybe he’s sensitive because he’s a wolf? At least that’s historically accurate.
“Now, show me your magic,” he said with a sly grin.
At some point, desks had been arranged, enough for all five of us to sit. But I couldn’t use magic, so I raised my hand to ask a question, feeling anxious. At least it was better than speaking up during class.
“Professor Dennis.”
“What is it, Licht?”
“I can’t use magic.”
“…You’re joking, right? Even Drake can use a bit.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t cast anything. Drake, who admired me as a human being, was the same way. The old man also had a body that didn’t handle mana well.
“How did someone worse than that old man get into the academy… Wait, did you beat them all with swordsmanship? No way.”
“Yes. Master Drake told me to do so.”
“That old man really doesn’t hold back… No wonder the examiners looked like someone beat them up.”
Everyone else was staring at me after hearing that.
You could all do it too. It’s easy if you learn from old man Drake.
“Am I normal, having crossed swords with this guy? Ariel? Even though we passed, too…”
“I’m getting a bit scared. Kai…”
“…Truly unique.”
The two were looking at me with strange eyes, while the Crown Prince stared as if seeing through me.
I felt like he could see all the way through my muscles under my clothes, but I brushed it off as my imagination.
“Let me touch your hand for a moment, Licht,” Dennis said.
Dennis spread out a magic circle.
Oh, a magic circle made entirely of water droplets. Seeing it again, it felt somewhat refreshing.
“You know the three elements of magic, right, Licht?”
“Mana, magic circuits, and incantations.”
“Correct. Incantations are optional. It weakens the spell, but you can make up for that in other ways.”
「Beer Gold.」
Dozens of golden magic circles rose around me.
The scent of beer spread through the clubroom. For several minutes, the magic circles glowed.
“This… is going to be tough.”
“What’s the problem, Professor Dennis?”
He dismissed the magic. He tousled his hair, clearly indicating how serious this situation was.
“You’re hopeless.”
For real? Even Dennis, the master of water magic, couldn’t do anything? I wore an expression of disbelief.
It probably wasn’t visible because of my helmet, but I tried my best.
“Your magic circuits are completely tangled, like a ball of yarn… What did you do?”
I got trapped in a game.
“All I did was eat well and sleep soundly…”
“Mana can be replenished through food, that’s for sure…”
He sighed again. So, there really wasn’t an issue with my eating habits. I felt a bit relieved knowing my stomach was fine.
“Your magic circuits are so messed up that you’d need to replace your entire vascular system.”
“Wouldn’t that kill me?”
“Yes, but there’s an upside. You’ll be somewhat resistant to magic attacks.”
“That’s not bad. What’s the downside?”
I asked confidently, but Dennis shook his head in pity.
“You can’t heal. If you get injured, it’s the worst-case scenario.”
“…That’s really bad news.”
So that’s why I always felt exhausted, even after drinking potions and resting. After five years, I was finally learning the mysterious workings of my body. This explained everything.
“Even old man Drake can heal himself with potions…”
“That’s depressing. Is there no other way, Professor?”
“This is truly beyond my expertise, Licht. Now I understand why old man Drake took you as his apprentice.”
He sat back down and sipped his coffee. Then, he handed back the application form I had brought. He left the others’ forms where they were.
“Your club application is rejected. I’m sorry.”
“…”
I didn’t expect this.
No way. Where did my happy magic academy romance story go? I had to watch over Ariel and Kainel, too. I frantically tried to think of a solution.
“…Professor, have you heard of a three-dimensional magic circle?”
Dennis’ ultimate technique from <Knight Heart>.
If it was that, there might still be a way.