There was much deliberation on how to proceed with the Orientation.
After much thought, the conclusion was to start by informing them of the ‘dangers of the Barbarians.’
“How much do you all know about the Barbarians?”
Whether it was because the war had dragged on too long or because it took place outside the Empire’s borders…
The exact reason wasn’t clear, but most citizens of the Empire, except those near the border, were ignorant about the Barbarians.
They never even considered that these beings could threaten their lives.
“If anyone knows anything, please share. There will be extra credit for correct answers.”
At the mention of extra credit, students began to cautiously offer responses.
“It’s a coalition formed by various non-human races.”
“Correct.”
“I’ve heard they reproduce so rapidly that no matter how many you kill, they never seem to end.”
“Different races have varying abilities, but we’ll count this as correct overall.”
“They lack a unified language system and thus, despite being a coalition, act independently within each race without communication.”
“Incorrect.”
A student who gave the first wrong answer visibly flinched.
“The Barbarians completed their own common language exactly 15 years ago… two years before the war broke out. Therefore, they communicate without issue and fight together across races.”
I pointed out the contradiction in his information.
“To begin with, a coalition couldn’t form without a unified language system, right?”
The blond male student blushed, clearly embarrassed.
He should have been embarrassed—after such a long war, not knowing basic information about the enemy was quite extreme.
But this was the average perception of Empire citizens who didn’t feel the threat.
“Anyone else?”
In an instant, the lecture hall fell silent.
I wanted to applaud the fact that at least some knowledge existed—some people thought Barbarians were just goblins or orcs.
“Still, two students will receive extra credit. Anyway, it’s fine. After all, you’re here to learn…”
“I have a question.”
A red-haired female student interrupted me, raising her hand.
She was Amy Helios, proudly listed on the VIP roster.
“What is it?”
“This class is called ‘Survival Against the Barbarians.'”
“That’s right.”
“Expanding on that, I assume it means surviving against the Barbarians. Is that correct?”
“Correct.”
Amy asked with a look of genuine confusion.
“Could a situation arise where survival against the Barbarians becomes necessary?”
Though surprising, I maintained my smile.
“Hmm, why do you think so?”
“I believe the Empire’s magic legions are extremely powerful. A situation where Barbarians break through their magic and approach seems unlikely…”
“Is a mage’s mana infinite?”
I tried to hold back but couldn’t resist countering.
At my question, Amy seemed slightly startled.
“Mana can be replenished with mana potions. Using magical crystals allows mages to cast spells without consuming mana, and you seem to know the basics. So, theoretically, infinite mana is possible.”
“Then is a mage’s mental power infinite?”
Two things are needed to cast spells: mana, the energy required to activate magic, and mental power, the means to control it.
Even with sufficient mana, insufficient mental power either prevents the spell from activating or causes it to spiral out of control, potentially destroying the mage.
“Humans, unlike Barbarians, have fragile bodies. While we sacrifice our lifespans to stay awake for three days and nights, they can endure a week without blinking.”
Infinite mana might be possible, but infinite mental power isn’t—because mages are human.
“You asked if there would ever be a situation where survival against the Barbarians would be necessary, right?”
An image of a mage collapsing while spitting blood vividly came to mind.
Though I had much to say, I decided to stop here to avoid triggering PTSD.
“Yes. Such situations have occurred. Many times.”
Was it a fragment of emotion leaking out?
A chill wind lowered the temperature in the lecture hall.
“If you plan to live your entire life at the Academy or only in the capital, you don’t need to attend my class.”
The common point between these two places is that they are the safest locations in the Empire.
“If enemies ever step foot in these two places, it will likely mean the fall of the Empire.”
***
The fall of the Empire.
This vast continent’s sole Empire, Sirius.
No one can oppose it; no one dares to even consider opposing it. And yet, the professor said it would fall.
Such words from a professor could endanger his family.
However…
The atmosphere around Professor Allen, his background, and the strange energy that swept through the classroom earlier silenced the students.
Amy, who knew through Earl that Allen was a veteran soldier, suspected his words held truth.
“If the magic legions could defeat the Barbarians, the war wouldn’t have dragged on for so long, right?”
Allen’s statement was correct.
As intelligent as Amy was, having topped Minerva Academy, she felt something rising within her heart—a deep-seated pride.
“Isn’t it due to others’ incompetence?”
“You called them ‘incompetent,’ did you?”
Allen’s smile deepened.
“A swordsman kills one person per strike, but a mage can eliminate several with a single spell. The magic of an excellent mage can turn the tide of battle. Yet, dragging out the war against the Barbarians despite such asymmetrical power—isn’t it due to incompetent commanders?”
The House of Helios.
Inheriting the lineage of fire magic, they have produced great Archmages generation after generation.
It’s said that their ancestor Helios used magic like the sun itself to drive away non-human races and greatly contributed to the founding of the human nation, the Sirius Empire.
Perhaps because of this, the Helios family is excessively fixated on the omnipotence of magic.
Some members even look down on non-mages.
“If all troops were mages, or even if only the Tower of Magic’s forces were deployed, the war would have ended in less than a year. The Barbarians would have been completely annihilated long ago.”
A deep sense of pride flickered like flames deep within Amy’s emerald eyes.
***
From Amy’s rude tone, a nostalgic memory surfaced.
‘Earl was also a pain at first.’
Earl, dispatched from the Magic Legion, initially looked down on other soldiers, refusing to even converse with them, following only the commander’s orders.
His attitude changed drastically after a certain battle.
“Amy Helios, the only daughter of the House of Helios. Is that correct?”
Moving the podium aside, I questioned her.
“Yes.”
“I know someone well-versed in your noble house. He says you possess the greatest talent within your family.”
Amy nodded confidently upon briefly recalling her brother.
However, it didn’t take long for her proud expression to twist.
“I’m curious about the magic this person praised endlessly. Care to show it to me?”
“… What?”
Confused, Amy stared at me as I pressed further.
“Your amazing magic. Show it. To me.”
“… What?”
Silence again enveloped the lecture hall.
Did she not understand what I meant?
“Is my explanation unclear? Having magical talent doesn’t equate to high comprehension, does it?”
“… Do you want to die?”
Now understanding my meaning—or perhaps upset by my casual speech—Amy glared at me venomously.
I smiled lightly, tilting my head.
“If you can even leave a minor burn on me, you don’t need to attend my class. Your grades will automatically receive the highest score regardless of attendance. So stop stalling and shoot.”
Something I learned from Earl:
Stubborn mages need to experience reality firsthand.
And another realization:
“You’ll regret this.”
“Do you always drag out your words like this? Is this all the Helios family has to offer? Can’t even hit a stationary target with magic, huh?”
Sometimes, deep meanings can be conveyed without words—like when I smirked mockingly, lifting my lips.
“… This is on you.”
[Flame Magic: Whirling Mist]
Crimson flames erupted from Amy’s fingertips as she bit her lip.
“Amy, that’s…!”
Ariana’s pale face allowed me to gauge the power of the spell.
Feeling the heat approaching rapidly, I quietly activated my divine power.
[Divine Power: Forced Harmony]
“Green Blood Defense Skin Metaphor”
Instantly, my arm turned green.
Raising it just as the wave of flames engulfed me…
***
“Are you insane?! Using advanced magic on a professor, what were you thinking!”
Ariana grabbed Amy’s collar and shouted.
Amy roughly shook off Ariana’s hand and adjusted her clothes.
“I controlled the power. At worst, it’ll cause full-body burns. That can be treated easily enough.”
“Are you serious? Do you want to get expelled?”
“Shut up. It was his fault. They’ll probably just suspend him.”
No matter how high-ranking a military officer he might be, he couldn’t compare to a noble house like the Helios.
Especially since he provoked her first, which would likely be taken into account.
“If worse comes to worst, Senna can heal him.”
As the Holy Maiden, Senna’s healing ability was unmatched in Minerva.
Jokingly, it was said she could save anyone as long as they were still breathing.
“Uh? Well… Sure, we’ll do that, but…”
Staring blankly at the situation, Senna nervously muttered.
Ariana sighed in frustration, thumping her chest.
“Regardless of the professor’s condition, attacking someone is problematic!”
Then she murmured, shaking her head.
“Ah… Amy’s reign as number one is over now.”
“That’s…”
At that moment,
“It’s fine. If you all keep quiet, no one will know.”
The calm voice turned everyone’s heads instantly.
“Without any surveillance magic, how would anyone find out? No one will know.”
The wave of flames that covered the podium suddenly concentrated into one spot.
Before anyone could blink, Amy’s magic was resting on Allen’s palm, resembling a small sun.
“I don’t want unnecessary trouble either, so…”
As Allen closed his fist, the sun disappeared.
Despite taking a direct hit from advanced magic, not a single scorch mark marred his body.
His clothes remained perfectly intact.
“…!”
Everyone silently gasped in shock.
Allen grinned as if nothing happened.
The students began to fear his smile.
***
“Anyway, leaving that aside… Now you understand, right? Amy Helios.”
Among the Barbarians are races immune to magic, the most representative being the Blue Forest Giants.
These giants, twice or thrice the size of an average human male, cannot be harmed by ordinary magic.
“There are Barbarians magic can’t affect. Without magic, a mage is just an ordinary person.”
A brief explanation seemed necessary here.
Gathering mana, I swung my arm.
A translucent screen appeared in the air.
“Projection magic…?”
I showed the students my memories as they murmured in surprise.
The monstrous Green-skinned Blue Forest Giants.
Earl surrounded and attacked by them.
Me desperately firing sword energies to save him.
The scene was so vivid it brought back traumatic memories.
Glancing ahead, I saw Amy staring open-mouthed.
Her venomous attack was easily blocked—no wonder she’s shocked.
Still, it’s fortunate she doesn’t feel threatened.
Earl would have surely died if I hadn’t saved him then.
“There are Barbarians mages should face and Barbarians warriors should confront. If you don’t understand these dynamics and act accordingly, what happens?”
Thumbing my neck, Amy flinched.
“I’ll teach you everything about the Barbarians—their habits, weaknesses, countermeasures… until your body reacts instinctively rather than your mind.”
Recalling the moment of training clueless recruits made me chuckle involuntarily.
Raising my hand, I pointed to the classroom door.
“If anyone thinks my class is unnecessary after all this, feel free to leave now.”
No one stood up.
