Chapter 32
"Is there a student who can tell me the three elements of magic use?"
The Advanced Introduction to Magicology lecture for the second semester, a continuation from the first, was filled with students who were serious about their studies. The professor giving the lecture was Rydel Remus. A female mage entering middle age, she preferred men's clothing to the point it was said she had never once worn a dress. Her hair, with its streaks of white, was roughly swept to the right and held with a pin, exposing her forehead, and her upright posture, which showed no sign of frailty despite her age, created a sense of tension in those who watched her.
Ethan knew what Rydel was talking about, but he refrained from speaking, thinking that the question was too basic and that it would surely be a source of ridicule for a student who couldn't even utilize those three elements to be the one speaking up.
Ethan gave Bien a look, signaling him to answer, but Bien, sitting in front of him, couldn't see Ethan's gaze. The one who raised his hand was Yezhov.
"The three elements of magic use are Mana Sensitivity, Magical Power Operation, and Magic Composition."
"Yes, that's correct."
Rydel explained.
"To use magic, one must first feel mana. Feeling mana is not simply an extension or variation of the five senses."
Rydel tapped her temple.
"Through much research, it is said that inside the human skull, within the organ we call the brain, there is an organ for sensing mana. It is not yet known exactly which part of the brain allows us to feel mana, but scholars have provisionally named that organ the 'Spire'."
Rydel continued by explaining Magical Power Operation.
"A being that can feel mana can also inhale mana, that is, bring external mana into its own body. In its natural state, most mana that enters the body will exit again, but if this mana is circulated in a special way within the body, it becomes more condensed and compatible with the human body. This is called magical power, and the internal route for changing mana into magical power is called the 'Pathway'. The term 'Circuit' has also been used a lot recently."
The last was Magic Composition.
"Magical power, when circulated in the lower body—here meaning below the neck—can be used to strengthen the body. Generally, renowned knights train their minds and bodies through lower body circulation. But mages are different. Mages perform upper body circulation. That is, they position magical power within the skull. We call that the 'Throne'. And the magical power accumulated there reaches the human brain, that is, the 'desire' possessed by human thought. What is it that humans desire? …It is truth. Therefore, magic naturally heads toward truth."
Spire, Pathway, and Throne. The mage's body was analogized to a kingdom, and their talent as a mage was determined by how prosperous that kingdom was. And by that standard, Ethan was practically a ruin. That he could barely use body enhancement magic was thanks to the Ruure's breathing technique Rebilton had taught him, but this breathing method, like other lower body circulation breathing methods, was useless for casting the true magic Rydel was explaining.
After the lecture, Ethan consulted with Bien.
∞
"There were twelve things in total to be tested on in Standard Magic Practice, right?"
"That is correct."
Bien explained.
"Accuracy, Transmutation, Lifting , Emission, Destruction, Summoning, Levitation, Illusion, Restoration, Creation, Control, and Transformation. Those are the twelve. The fortunate thing is, you do not need to pass all of them. Of course, for the sake of their own honor, students of the magic school will at least try to do everything they can. Among them are people like your sister, Ms. Arka, who pass all the tests and get 24 points, but most do not."
Ethan knew about that part as well. Unlike the benevolent measure of the Basic Magic Practice, which allowed one to continue attending until the second semester of the first year as long as they could use magic somehow, the Standard Magic Practice was a test that truly determined whether one was talented enough to attend classes at the magic school.
Still, since a magic school student did not need to master all forms of magic, the Standard Magic Practice offered a reasonable compromise. Each test was scored, and if a student earned above a certain number of points, they were recognized as having completed the Standard Magic Practice.
Bien said.
"First, let's talk about what's certain. Which of those do you think you can do?"
Ethan thought for a moment, then said.
"…Lifting ."
In other words, 'the test of lifting a heavy object high'. Ethan had used the same method in Basic Magic Practice. Moreover, Ethan had attended the school for another half-year while studying the Mazok because of Bien, and had taken the Standard Magic Practice then as well. He had succeeded in Lifting even at that time, so he would succeed this time too. While it was generally intended for mages who used enhancement magic rather than being a test of body magic, the examiner was not that strict.
Bien frowned.
"But that is only 1 point."
That was precisely the problem.
"You need to earn 7 points to pass the exam."
"I know."
"What about Accuracy?"
Accuracy was 'the test of hitting a distant target'. However, there was a restriction against using spear throwers, slings, bows, crossbows, and other tools that used similar principles. It was, after all, a test of magic, and the only one they were lenient on was Lifting . Still, if it was a 'principle the examiner does not fully understand,' it would be accepted, so normally, Ethan should have had some leeway in this test, but not now.
"I told you. The handgun is broken."
"Do you not think about future events?"
Ethan held up his palm.
"Stop. I did my best. There was no other way."
Bien shook his head.
"…In any case, that is 1 point lost."
"What about throwing a stone?"
"…If a sling is not allowed, do you think throwing with your bare hands would be?"
Ethan shook his head.
"Right. Let's think more about that part. Wait, yes. That's right."
Ethan said with a happy face.
"Emission! I have a magic tool that shoots a light much stronger than a light cluster spell. It wasn't broken."
"Hmm, good. Emission."
If Accuracy was a test for hitting, Emission could be called simply 'a test for shooting out'. It was known as a relatively easy test where passage was granted as long as you could project something, be it light, fire, wind, thorns, blades, dust, or poison. He could indeed use a magic tool, so Ethan was not mistaken.
"…That is 1 point."
"Total 2 points."
"Yes. 2 points. I feel even more miserable. I did not think 7 points would be this difficult."
Ethan tried to control his anger.
"How many points can you get?"
"Accuracy, Transmutation, Emission for 3 points. Levitation, Illusion for 4 points. Add Restoration and Creation for 6 points. That adds up to 13 points."
"Must be nice being so great."
Bien pretended not to hear.
"It is obvious that the 1-point tests are easier, but can't you do something about the 3-point tests with that black magic?"
"If I had to say, Creation is a possibility, and Summoning is also possible."
The 3-point test, Creation, was literally 'a test of creating something that didn't exist before your eyes'. However, one had to create a substance presented by the examiner, one that was generally used in the test. Unless Ethan happened to draw an item from the lottery that perfectly and accurately matched the examiner's request, it would be difficult.
'Still, the presented objects are usually simple things like water or soil or stone.'
And the 2-point test, Summoning, was 'a test of summoning a pre-announced object or creature before your eyes'. By this standard, Ethan could indeed summon any object given to him through black magic.
'But if I do that, it'll be too obvious that it's black magic.'
Even the firecracker, a magic tool that didn't seem like black magic at first glance, was eventually collected by Bien and sent to the Madowon. Since Dean Aincheler had told him not to openly reveal himself as a black mage, Ethan needed to act accordingly.
As Ethan explained, Bien nodded.
"If you do that, you can somehow secure 5 points and pass the exam. But the 3-point one has a low probability, and the 2-point one carries a heavy burden. In my opinion, it is better than being expelled from school one way or another."
"I agree. If I think it's absolutely impossible otherwise, I'll use it."
He judged that among the 3-point tests, Restoration, which required instantly fixing a broken object, Control, which required controlling a designated object, and Transformation, which required directly changing one's appearance, would be difficult even with black magic. Among the 2-point tests, Levitation, which required floating one's body in the air, and Illusion, which required showing the examiner an unrealistic image, were also difficult.
"In the end, the only ones I can manage through my own effort are Transmutation and Destruction."
Transmutation was 'a test of changing the state of a substance', ranging from freezing or burning it to completely replacing its composition with something else. It was a relatively easy test for a typical magic school student, but for Ethan, who lacked the three elements of magic use, it was a rather high wall.
Destruction was not easy either. In fact, not many students even attempted the Destruction test in Standard Magic Practice. It seemed simple as 'a test of breaking a scarecrow', but this scarecrow had a protection spell on it, making it nearly impossible to damage with ordinary magical power. The Destruction test was generally treated as a bonus, attempted after taking other tests when one had magical power to spare.
Bien pointed out.
"But didn't you say you had one thing worth betting on from black magic?"
"Ah, that."
Ethan muttered.
"...Actually, I used a B-rank lottery last time, and while what I got was amazing, it's completely useless right now. To be honest, I don't even know how valuable it is. Most of what my backer gives me is largely meaningless. And yet, is it right that I'm being cornered as a black mage like this...."
"Please stop grumbling and answer properly."
"I'm going to use it tonight, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up."
Bien said.
"Well, alright. Even if it doesn't work out, can't you, Ethan, know the future and prepare for it? Think positively."
Ethan agreed.
∞
That night, in Limbo, Ethan put his hand into the box held by Demi.
"For real this time, there won't be any more B-rank Lottery Coupons for a while."
"That is correct."
"So this time, you really have to give me something good."
"It is not I who draws it. It is a lot that the user chooses directly."
"What's the point of me choosing? It's not like I get to pick what I want to draw, right?"
"Nevertheless, it means you have no choice but to take responsibility. It is a principle."
"What principle?"
"Of everything."
Unable to understand, Ethan clicked his tongue, yet roughly drew a lot.
[You have obtained an item!]
[Item: DJI Gespenst V (B)]
[This is the flagship product of the drone manufacturing company DJI. It is a popular model that incorporates the culmination of DJI's know-how, including 4K video support, an ultra-wide-angle camera, a long flight time of over 4 hours, low-noise flight, automatic tracking, omnidirectional sensors, and a detachable robot arm. This model was praised for surpassing the limits of civilian drones, and as if to prove it, it was deployed in numerous conflict zones and small-scale battlefields that could not be supplied with military drones, killing many people.]