7. Dark Jealousy (2)
Would a cow being led to the slaughterhouse feel like this? Emil was evidently reluctant to step forward.
With Albina watching, he couldn’t avoid it, yet gathering the courage to move still proved difficult.
“What are you doing?”
Frustrated, Karla finally spoke, prompting Emil to approach the podium with an expression of dread.
“Place your hand here and channel your mana.”
“Yes…I-I know it’s quite unimpressive…”
“It’s fine.”
As Emil placed his hand on the crystal orb, mana began to flow, causing the orb to softly vibrate with a low hum before projecting an intricate circuit diagram. The students murmured in astonishment at the sight.
It was an extremely convoluted circuit.
The complex circuit pattern visible even on Emil’s palm was almost incomprehensible. So intricate that even Albina seemed momentarily flustered. It was a convoluted structure that made even basic spells difficult to use, though paradoxically, higher spells might be slightly easier. Still, the overall utility was severely limited by the small number of potentially usable spells, making it a very strange structure indeed.
“Erm…Emil?”
“Yes…”
Even Albina was taken aback. Emil was completely deflated.
Looking thoroughly dejected, Emil had his shoulder gently patted by Albina.
“For now…this is quite complex to analyze immediately. Let’s study it gradually. We can’t determine the magical attributes just by this, can you explain anything about it?”
“Well…currently, I can only use latent magic…”
“I see…”
Emil’s expression was as expected.
Given that Albina used to be an officer in the magical corps, he had hoped – just a little – that she might decipher his circuit. That hope was dashed.
“Still, once your capabilities develop, this circuit will surely exhibit exceptional talent in certain areas. Don’t lose heart.”
Easier said than done…Emil returned to his seat with a clearly disappointed look as Regina’s turn came next.
“This is an exemplary…military mage circuit.”
All four sections are developed in perfect balance, allowing for dramatic expansion of magical range through the grand cross shape in the circuit. Additionally, there’s a loop form for compressing strong mana into a narrow range, making this nearly an all-purpose circuit useful in both small-scale local battles and large-scale front-line warfare.
“Judging from your attributes, the power that stops and crystallizes mana…is it crystallization magic?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I’m currently focusing on that area.”
“It will be especially useful in war, won’t it? What do you plan to do after graduation, Regina?”
“I intend to enlist in the corps.”
Regina answered with a blush.
Though perhaps a materialistic reply, joining the corps isn’t much different from revealing one’s ambition for advancement. Especially in this empire, where noble daughters have few options other than strategic marriages, success in the magical corps may well be the best choice for a daughter.
“I see, you have a promising future. Keep working hard.”
“Thank you.”
Regina returned to her seat with a bright smile and immediately asked Ivan:
“Ivan, what did you think?”
“Amazing! Even the instructor praised you.”
“heehee…”
While Regina giggled like a young girl, Emil looked on with envy. Meanwhile, Karla watched with a somber expression before clicking her tongue. The more complex the circuit, the greater its potential power once understood and developed. Karla knew well that Albina’s words were not idle platitudes. It was simply frustrating that Emil couldn’t see it himself.
“Next, Liam.”
When the towering Liam approached, even the classroom seemed to grow darker. Looking up at him, Albina couldn’t help but smile.
“Your father was already enormous, but you’ve grown even taller.”
“You know my father?”
“Yes, I was his junior.”
“Huh?”
Surprised, Liam asked and Albina nodded.
With Liam placing his hand on the orb, his circuit projected, prompting an even deeper smile from Albina.
“You’ve inherited your father’s not just in size but in magic. The battlefield variety of flame magic…the meteor shape indicates that, but with short lateral wings, it’s not the grand cross type, rather the developed loop form suggests you’ve been cultivating magical sword techniques, haven’t you?”
“Ah, that’s correct.”
“I see, it’s easy to understand since you resemble your father. While it could be problematic with other types of magic, flame magic allows for advantages even in close combat…for example, melting weapons or armor during skirmishes. You can be effective even in the front lines, not just the rear. Your father was the same, focus more on this area. It will be greatly effective.”
“Is that so? Thank you.”
“That’s right. Next, Karla’s turn.”
Karla stood up with a small click of her tongue.
Honestly…though reluctant, it was unavoidable.
Considering it might be better to get it over with quickly since it had to be revealed anyway.
Without waiting for Albina’s instruction, Karla approached the podium and placed her hand on the orb. Channeling mana, the orb softly hummed before projecting her circuit.
“This is…”
In severe cases, one section could be completely absent, but that’s an exceptional situation…
The exceptional case Albina mentioned.
Even though she described it as exceptional, here it was before her, leaving Albina momentarily speechless.
It was an entirely wingless state.
Missing one section is unusual, but an entirely wingless state was a form new even to Albina.
Karla was well aware of the reason.
Due to the offering ceremony ten years ago, she traded off her power and mana, resulting in this form.
“Such a form would make it impossible to emit mana outward. Karla, did you know about this?”
“Of course I know it’s my circuit. There’s no inconvenience.”
Though Karla responded indifferently, Ivan watching from behind was just as surprised.
Ivan remembered Karla’s circuit diagram clearly.
When she was young, she had secretly brought home the circuit amplifier and showed him.
Back then, it wasn’t this form at all. The lateral wings were clearly present. Ivan remembered that well.
That was ten years ago, during the ten years he hadn’t met her, something must have certainly happened.
“With the top and middle sections developed, it’s a typical thunder mage type, though…such an entirely wingless state is something I’ve never seen in my life, honestly speaking.”
Indeed, during her entrance exam, Karla never used any external emission type magic either.
Albina recalled Karla’s entrance exam.
From awakening to lightning, all her spells cast were based on her own martial art enhanced with thunder magic.
“Your keen observation makes me uncomfortable.”
Realizing Karla’s voice, she looked up to see the young woman calmly watching her.
Her cold, piercing gaze was like a warning not to delve deeper into the mystery, reminiscent of someone from the House of Cascata. Albina exhaled through her nose.
She was well aware that the House of Cascata pays unusual attention to Karla for some unknown reason.
Moreover, hadn’t there been recent contact from Lord Cascata himself, secretary to the current emperor and court mage?
While the Academy advocates equality ignoring ranks and families, even instructors have their limits, so Albina had no choice but to be mindful of Cascata.
“According to the instructor’s words, I cannot emit mana externally due to the lack of wings. My method is to encase myself in lightning or enhance physical abilities for combat. That’s all.”
As Karla finished explaining, almost taking over from Albina, she began to withdraw her hand, but Albña instinctively grabbed her wrist and said:
“That’s…that’s right. However, the other peculiarity is…due to the hourglass shape, commanding techniques…”
Ah.
Albina realized her mistake as soon as she spoke.
Commanding techniques…a Cascata wouldn’t possibly dabble in such things.
“Do you really think I’d use such methods?”
With a chilly voice and a sharp jerk, Karla pulled her hand away.
Embarrassed by her unnecessary comment, feeling regret for an unneeded remark, Albina laughed awkwardly and called out to Ivan.
As Karla stepped down from the podium,
And Ivan approached,
Karla clicked her tongue softly at their crossing point.
She also knew – Ivan’s circuit diagram was clear to Karla as well.
No sooner had she returned to her seat than Karla rested her chin in her hand and looked out the window.
Truth be told, she didn’t want to see.
With a soft hum and a chorus of “Ah-wah” sounds,
Karla firmly closed her eyes.
Above the crystal orb, Ivan’s perfect magic circuit must be projected by now.
– How much had it developed compared to ten years ago?
Jealousy churned her insides, but curiosity drove Karla to glance at the orb.
And words failed her.
All four sections were perfectly developed, each end marked by 31 fruits-like formations.
A magic circuit any mage would go mad to possess – so perfect a form.
Watching this, Karla bit her lip.
Alright, it’s fine, it’s fine…
Evenly developed as it is, for lightning magic and close combat, I still can…still can…
But Albina was strangely at ease.
Rather, she stood with arms crossed, nodding as if it were expected.
For Albina to remain so calm upon seeing a mage’s circuit any mage would marvel at was strange to Karla. She should have been amazed or astonished, yet her reaction seemed somewhat off.
“Instructor, theoretically, with a form like that, wouldn’t it be possible to use all types of magic?”
At Emil’s question, Albina withdrew her gaze from Karla and nodded.
“That’s correct. All four sections are perfectly developed with 31 points each, a complete form. Given human lifespan, it would allow the use of all types of magic.”
“Wow…Ivan is incredible…”
Emil’s voice was full of envy.
No need for further explanation.
“Continue to excel, Ivan. We’re counting on you.”
With Albina’s encouragement, Ivan returned to his seat with a sheepish grin.
Karla found everything about this scene strange.
Even the reactions seemed…off.
