Chapter 19
Here’s the gist of what I gathered from Emily:
She’s skilled with ice magic.
“Hm.”
I had to listen to countless stories of experiments and research from Emily to get this information, but it was worth it just to hear the conclusion.
Besides, ice magic is quite advantageous in combat, comparable to fire magic. I wasn’t sure how advanced Emily’s abilities were, but if the Class Competition involved combat, her ice magic would be a strong asset for our team.
Elaine could hold the front line, Emily could restrain the enemy’s movement with ice magic in the middle, and Cynthia could finish off targets with her archery.
And me?
I guess I could just stand back and watch.
As I mulled over these thoughts, I found myself at Professor Amilion’s office door.
Knock, knock—
“Yes.”
I was snapped from my thoughts by Professor Amilion’s voice even before I finished knocking twice. It was as if she’d known I was coming and had her answer ready.
Click—
“Oh, Student Ryu.”
“Yes. I came about the Class Competition team.”
As I entered, Professor Amilion, looking even more exhausted than she had in the morning, glanced up from the papers she’d been reviewing at her desk. It reminded me of how I used to look before I dumped all my paperwork on Addy. The endless flood of approvals and documents needing review—that was my life back then.
Kind of pitiful.
“Oh, right. The team. How… is it?”
“We’re going with a team of four.”
“…Ahh.”
For a moment, there was a glimmer of hope in Professor Amilion’s eyes. But when she heard my answer, that flicker vanished almost instantly. With a long sigh, she tossed the pen she was holding onto her desk.
“Is… there a problem?”
“No, not at all. Procedurally, there’s nothing wrong. It’s up to the first-year representative to set the team size, there’s no minimum limit, and any consequences of our performance affecting the Class S advisors are of no concern to students, of course.”
“…I see.”
It seemed like the Class Competition had quite a few stakes attached.
“So, four members. You, Sinclair, Surplus. And who’s the fourth?”
“Emily Franz. She decided to join us!”
“I see, Miss Franz too.”
“Yes, so that makes four!”
“You seem… excited?”
“Me?!”
“…Sigh. Alright, fine. Four. I’ll report it that way. I think this will set a record for the smallest first-year team in the Class Competition.”
“Oh, that’s great. A record!”
“….”
Professor Amilion visibly paused, her hand almost forming a fist, but then she relaxed, running a hand through her hair.
Guess that wraps up the team formation. Time to head out.
“Well, I’ll be going—”
“Wait, just a moment.”
“Yes?”
Professor Amilion called out as I was turning to leave, pausing for a moment. It looked like she was simply watching me, but she was actually examining me closely, channeling mana into her eyes as she scanned me up and down.
What was that about?
“Do you have a bit of time?”
“Huh? Right now?”
“Yes. As your advisor, I’d like to have a student counseling session with you.”
“Oh… alright.”
I didn’t have any plans, so I agreed. With a refreshed expression, Professor Amilion immediately stood up, grabbed her robe, and gestured for me to follow her outside.
It seemed like she needed a break from all that paperwork more than she actually wanted to advise me.
Amilion had focused specifically on whether Ryu might have secretly brought in and used magical artifacts to bypass the academy’s security, but that was a dead end.
If Ryu weren’t a commoner, Amilion would have seriously considered taking him on as an apprentice.
“So, do you usually conduct student counseling sessions here?”
“…Well, it depends on the situation.”
When they reached the training hall dedicated to Class S, Ryu asked with genuine curiosity, and Amilion gave a vague answer.
“And what’s the situation now?”
“….”
‘This kid doesn’t act like a student, let alone a commoner,’ Amilion thought, recalling her first impression of Ryu. Most commoner students struggled to adapt among the academy’s many noble students, often ending up isolated. Some even dropped out due to the stress. Although the academy’s policies stated that all students were equal, this was little more than a formality.
Yet, Ryu was different. Despite being a commoner, he interacted easily with Elaine of the prestigious Sinclair family and even knocked Kane Hover unconscious. Not to mention, he responded confidently and sharply to Amilion herself.
It was as if he were a seasoned professional rather than a new academy student.
“Anyway, since you’re the first-year representative and will be competing in the Class Competition, I need to understand your abilities so I can better instruct you.”
“Oh? You’ll personally teach me?”
“Yes, along with the other three students in the Class Competition. Once the schedule is finalized, all participants will likely have training with me each afternoon.”
“Oh, that’s great news!”
“….”
Seeing Ryu’s mischievous smile didn’t even annoy Amilion anymore.
“I’ve reviewed the forms you submitted. You’ve listed ‘Mage’ as your desired role.”
“That’s right! Believe it or not, I’m a novice mage here at the academy.”
“…I see. But you used martial arts in the entrance exam?”
“Oh, yes, but since I’m at the academy now, I’d like to study magic properly and develop as a mage.”
“Magic as… ‘something to study?’”
“Oh, I mean, ‘Magic itself.’”
Amilion struggled to contain her rising irritation at Ryu’s casual attitude toward magic. In Arkaria, magic was the most revered and profound discipline. Anyone who truly grasped it would never speak of it so casually.
“Alright then. Let’s start the counseling session. You and I will be sparring.”
“…All of a sudden?”
“Don’t worry; I won’t initiate any attacks. I’ll just evade or counter your moves.”
“Hm, okay.”
“Do your best. I want to accurately gauge your skills.”
Originally, Amilion hadn’t planned to spar with a student for their “counseling.” She just wanted to observe Ryu’s spatial movement technique and measure his mana-infused strikes. However, the dismissive way Ryu spoke of magic had finally gotten to her. There was no point in holding back now.
“When you’re ready, begin.”
Amilion stepped onto the circular platform of the arena and looked at Ryu.
Though Ryu seemed hesitant, he shrugged and climbed onto the platform, rolling his shoulders and adjusting his stance.
Amilion began channeling mana, watching Ryu closely with eyes imbued with magic. As “The All-Seeing,” Amilion was known for reading her opponent’s movements and intentions perfectly.
‘Hm. His mana flow is impressively fast.’
Focusing solely on Ryu’s mana, Amilion noted how quickly and smoothly mana flowed through his body. As Ryu steadied himself, mana thickened around him, then spread evenly throughout his entire body. Amilion anticipated that Ryu would use spatial movement.
Only protection and spatial movement spells required this type of whole-body mana distribution at a student’s level. Amilion was certain Ryu would attack from behind.
‘If I sense mana behind me, I’ll dodge—’
“Wha—”
Wham—
Before she even finished her thought, Amilion instinctively lurched forward, barely avoiding Ryu’s punch as it sliced through the air with an audible whoosh.
‘What in the world…?’
Without giving Amilion time to process, Ryu launched another move, swinging his left fist right after his missed right hook.
Thud—
Amilion spun around to face Ryu, leaping backward.
‘What just happened?’
Amilion had kept her eyes on Ryu, yet hadn’t seen his move. It was an impossible situation to explain any other way.
“Wow, Professor! You’ve got a sharp instinct.”
Whoosh—
‘He’s vanished again.’
The famed “All-Seeing” eyes of Amilion had failed to detect Ryu’s spatial movement.
—
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