# Chapter 48. Special Class (2)
“Sorry everyone~ I had to attend a meeting at the mage’s tower, so we’ll be starting the class a bit late. But don’t worry! I’ll make sure to teach you all thoroughly, so please look forward to it!”
Professor Claudia Magikelly, dubbed the idol of the academy.
Despite being in her early 30s, she maintained a youthful appearance similar to that of a student, and her bright, approachable personality made her immensely popular. However, as a hardcore magic otaku with little interest in anything other than magic, she remained unmarried.
In fact, the reason she postponed her first class to attend the mage’s tower meeting was none other than to catch a glimpse of newly unveiled magic.
‘Though her conduct may be questionable, Professor Claudia’s knowledge of magic is unparalleled! Coming to the academy was the right decision!’
Princess Estia, or simply Tia, felt a surge of joy as she attended her first introductory magic class.
“…and so, the key is thinking outside the box! The theories and practical aspects of magic can be learned through repetition and practice. You’ll eventually understand them. Those elements can be picked up anytime, but creative thinking is something you’re born with. Let me give you an example.”
During the class, Claudia reached beneath the podium and pulled out something.
Clatter-clatter-
“Ta-da~ Can anyone tell me what this is? It’s just an ordinary piece of wood, the kind you might find rolling around on the road. Now, let’s try a small experiment!”
A- Ah-
The mere mention of a test sent shivers of dread through all the students.
To students, tests are the ultimate nemesis. The word alone was enough to cause hives.
“But don’t worry, if you can just think creatively, you’ll solve this easily. You’re going to work in pairs to lift this piece of wood into the air.”
Students tilted their heads in puzzlement, thinking this task sounded suspiciously easy. Then Claudia added:
“Without directly touching it and without using wind or levitation magic, of course!”
At the daunting challenge, the students began moaning with despair, burying their heads in their hands.
How were they supposed to lift the piece of wood if they couldn’t even use their hands or magic?
“However, the first pair to pass the test gets to leave early. And the others will practice mana manipulation until the end of class.”
E-A-R-L-Y D-I-S-M-I-S-S-A-L!
The mention of this sweet reward was like manna from heaven. The students who had been slumped over their desks immediately perked up.
Of course, only two people would actually win this sweet prize, but early dismissal was so tempting that the trivial fact was instantly forgotten.
At the promise of an early end to the class, the students waited eagerly with bright eyes for their names to be called.
“It’s still your first class, so you might not know each other well yet. That’s why I’ll assign pairs.”
What was miraculous to Tia. Some students sighed in relief.
“The first pair will be Rayzee and Penthus… next, May and Heynela…”
As pairs were announced one by one, Tia grew more pale, dreading the ‘certain’ name that came with hers.
‘Surely not… Surely not… It can’t be! It mustn’t be!’
“And… Tia and Rab will be a team.”
“Eh?”
She was paired with the last person she wanted to work with.
Tia sighed and began looking around the classroom for Rab.
Fortunately, thanks to his legendary speech, Rab’s face was now well-known to everyone, and finding him wasn’t difficult. But…
“Hello, Mr. Rab Netoire, my name is Tia… Are you feeling okay?”
“No… it’s just a muscle ache…”
When Tia found Rab, he was lying on his desk, groaning.
Given his reputation, one might suspect he was faking it, but the pain and irritation clearly visible on his face suggested otherwise.
“Would you like me to take you to the health office if it’s really painful?”
“No… just leave me be. Muscles grow when you rest after training. This pain is also an opportunity to get stronger.”
“Ah, I see…”
The cryptic response left Tia utterly confused.
“Tia, correct? Nice to meet you.”
“Yes… Yes…”
Tia looked at him earnestly, but he seemed completely unfazed.
“So, what’s up?”
“…Didn’t you hear? Professor said we’re working in pairs to solve a practical task. We’re supposed to make this small piece of wood float without touching it or using wind or levitation magic.”
Rab, who had been too busy suffering from his muscle aches, straightened up and thanked her for the information.
“Anyway… Professor said the first team to complete the assignment can leave early. It might not be easy, but this academy truly is out of the ordinary.”
“…!”
The high-difficulty assignment of lifting the wooden fragment without using levitation or wind magic caused a stir among the students.
Everyone around was furrowing their brows, concentrating on the task at hand.
“It’s all settled.”
“What?! Hold on— How did you do that!?”
While Tia had briefly looked away, there was now unmistakably a small piece of wood floating in the air in front of her.
Stunned, she yelled out in disbelief, forgetting any semblance of poise.
“The test is over. Looks like the professor is out right now. Given my muscle ache, I think I’ll head out early.”
“Wait! How did you do that?! And so quickly?!”
“It hurts when you shout… it makes my muscles twitch. It’s painful.”
“Tell me!!”
Startled by Tia’s explosive tone, Rab finally revealed his method.
“I used ‘magnetism.’”
“Magnetism…?”
“Yes. What you call lodestone here? Those stones that attract or repel each other.”
“Yes, I know what you mean.”
“Exactly. I applied the same principle. Since we couldn’t use hands or levitation magic, I altered the properties of the desk and the wood fragment using mana so they both had the same magnetic properties. It’ll have a time limit since it’s artificially induced with mana, but nothing specific was mentioned about how long it had to stay floating.”
Though Rab made it sound simple, Tia was dumbfounded. He had effortlessly solved the problem that had her scratching her head.
‘Now that I think about it, he used an incomprehensible magic during the entrance exam too!’
Rab’s ability to manipulate resonance using magic.
Tia, who had witnessed this previously ungraspable phenomenon, couldn’t believe how far behind she was compared to him.
‘Despite my wounded pride… the knowledge and understanding of magic that man possesses surpasses mine! Even if I put my pride aside, I should ask him to teach me!’
If this continued, she would surely lose the top position in the faculty to Rab.
Then she’d end up in a meaningless arranged marriage.
‘If I humble my pride just this once and plead for his guidance… my magical skills will improve dramatically, and the top position in the faculty would be within reach!’
As Rab had already left due to his muscle pain, Tia resolved that she would use any means necessary to learn from him.
“I humbly apologize for the delay in reaching out.”
-Hmph. You’re long overdue. Did you succeed?
“…I apologize. There’s been a setback. The princess’s response was far from what you described…”
-Pitiful.
“I’m sorry…”
Clack… Clack… Clack…
-Do you even remember why I brought you here? Did you think I spent effort pulling you in for results like this?
“…I’m sorry to have disappointed you.”
-I don’t care if you don’t remember, but there’s a strange sense in my soul. Surely my grand plan succeeded, though I didn’t witness the end.
-It’s undoubtedly ‘her’ doing. That woman who despised me so strongly. Is this distortion her work…?
“That woman…?”
-You don’t need to know. She’s someone far above a person like you… Still, it’s curious that her vigilance seems lessened… This works to my advantage.
-It takes distortions to fight distortions… I brought you here to use some rare power to set things right, but if this keeps up, you’ll be nothing but a useless reject to dispose of.
“I’ll surely succeed next time! Please have faith in me!”
-Mm… All I ask of you is one thing.
-The child. Make that child yours. Win her heart, kidnap her if you must, but plant my seed within her.
-Bring me a child that can become the vessel for my body and strength, and you’ll attain everything this world can offer…
“I’ll remember this!”
-If necessary, I’ll provide support. I hear there’s someone interfering with my grand plan…
“Yes! That young man is making it very difficult for me to approach her!”
-So incompetent. Very well. I’ll inform my adjutant. He’ll arrange an opportunity to eliminate the boy. I’ll lend you some power and troops.
“Thank you! I recently learned that he’ll soon be going on a field training session. If we use that moment…”
-Understood. I’ll double-check. And remember… don’t disappoint me again.
Click.
—
The conversation ended as planned.
