A day at the Magic Academy is basically not much different from that of modern high school students.
In the morning, classes. Lunch break, afternoon classes.
Most of the morning classes consist of lectures.
And in the afternoon classes――.
“Everyone, quiet down. From today, I will be your instructor for close combat magic. I am Ansburna, a first-class magician. It is an honor to assist in the growth of the children of prophecy, who are renowned throughout the Empire.”
The Magic Academy is essentially a large residential area situated on vast land near the Imperial Capital.
Right now, I am in Training Ground No. 3.
Inside the dome-shaped building, it looks like an outdoor baseball field, as we would refer to it in modern times.
“I have heard that you have been taught the basics of magic control by the church in Holga Village. In my class, you will learn to manipulate magic power further and apply it to combat.”
We students had changed into combat uniforms instead of our school uniforms.
The boys wore easy-to-move half-sleeve shorts.
The girls wore a type of clothing that was a combination of a dress with slits and sportswear.
…Even though this is a fantasy world, the outfits have a strangely modern feel.
“The Empire has historically been a nation that has hosted many reincarnated heroes. It seems to have been greatly influenced by the cultures and technologies of other worlds.”
Seriously? It’s like a knowledge cheat from another world.
…Ruling the world with knowledge and culture from different worlds that lurks in the shadows of history…
An intellectual villain play! Is that a thing too? I want to do that!
“…Some people have their strengths and weaknesses. Player, your king’s fate does not rely on knowledge—”
Alright, I’ll think of some kind of knowledge cheat play when I have time!
Hehehe, I’m looking forward to it.
“……”
The navigator fell silent. I wonder what’s up.
Oh, I shouldn’t forget to focus on the lesson.
We, the reincarnated heroes’ class, are currently being lined up like we’re in gym class.
“Now then… Here’s a question. The uses of magical power can be broadly divided into two. First is the application of magic… a technique that triggers a series of spells divided into several sections to draw the desired event into the world. At this point, the use of magic can be considered fuel for the magic casting… But there’s another use for magical power; does anyone know what it is?”
Oh, amazing.
This is a magic education class in another world…!
I can’t really understand what they’re saying, but it’s still impressive!
By the way, that teacher has a really unique outfit.
A robe that looks like it belongs to a magician, and on their head, a knight’s helmet…
It even has four designs on the visor.
…I see, it might just be a pretty good design that’s totally my type.
And that big rock next to the teacher… It’s shining in seven colors.
“That’s a chunk of magical power stone produced in a dungeon. If it’s that big, it looks like it could provide enough magical power to run a magic locomotive for a month. But how did they transport it to this place? Its hardness and weight seem to exceed several tons at that size…”
Wow.
As expected of the Magic Academy; this place is incredible.
Someone raised their hand to answer the question from the knight-helmet-robed teacher, Ansburna-sensei.
Oh, it’s Nanasaki-kun, the classic handsome and popular guy.
“Yes, teacher.”
“Hmm… You are Mr. Nanasaki, aren’t you? I’ve heard you were very excellent in your basic education as a hero.”
“It’s an honor, teacher. As for the answer earlier, the other use of magical power is enhancing physical abilities.”
“Correct. I’ll remember your name for now, as you all have yet to undergo the dormitory sorting ceremony.”
As expected of a popular guy; he’s exceptional even in another world.
By the way, dormitory sorting?
Hmm, I didn’t pay much attention to that during the entrance ceremony since I was thinking about building a new skill tree. What should I do?
“Now then, as Mr. Nanasaki said, another significant use of magical power, apart from the casting of magic, is enhancing physical abilities. I will explain the details in the next lecture, but… A picture is worth a thousand words, so let’s demonstrate how physical enhancement using magic works.”
With that, Ansburna-sensei casually clenched his fist.
Then, he turned toward the large rock—a dazzling rainbow-colored chunk of magical power stone placed right next to him.
“Ha!!”
“「「「「「「「!!?」」」」」」」
Crack!!
It sounded like metal clashing against metal.
Ansburna-sensei’s fist pierced the giant chunk, and then—
Crack… Crack!!
In an instant, fissures appeared, and the towering rock shattered into pieces.
“Whoa…”
“W-What just happened?”
“Y-You mean to say he did that without using any gifts, just with magical enhancement?”
“I-It’s true that first-class magicians are full of monsters!”
The students buzzed, each praising the amazingness of the teacher’s magical enhancement.
“As you can see, even a fragile human body can crush magical power stones that can withstand dragon teeth… Hm?”
Wow! Wow! Wow!
That teacher was doing something skillful!
He covered his fist with magical enhancement and then released magic from the fist he thrust into the rock.
It shattered as if it exploded from the inside.
This is interesting; magical power has various applications.
“Now then, I’d like you all to do the same… but that might be a bit difficult for now. How about using your magically enhanced bodies to crush these fragments instead?”
“「「「「「Eh…」」」」」”
“Hehe, young ones. Do not be so fearful. You are already standing at the basics of magic manipulation. It’s not such a difficult thing. Those who finish their tasks, well… let’s have those who finish early demonstrate practical combat in a magically enhanced state.”
Following the teacher’s instructions, the students picked up the pieces of magic ore scattered on the ground.
The fragments were all about the size of baseballs, evenly broken.
It was probably not a coincidence; it was likely due to the teacher’s skill.
“Guh, gigi…”
“Oh. Hey, it’s not moving at all.”
“This is impossible.”
“I can’t do it without using a Gift.”
It seems everyone was struggling.
I thought about trying it myself. Can I do it?
I picked up a stone.
“Hey, look at that guy. There’s no way he can do it.”
“Why is he even in class without any magic?”
“Look, a guy without magic is trying to mimic a magician.”
I could hear their whispers.
They were the second-stringers, those who didn’t quite make the cut.
They should worry more about themselves instead of others.
…Hmm, in a mob play, it’s standard to not stand out too much here.
Right now, it’s a time when I need to catch the interest of the protagonist, Snow-san.
I wonder if there’s a way to subtly stand out while attracting Snow-san’s interest.
Crack!
“Ah, whoops!”
Squash!
I was lost in thought and accidentally squeezed too hard.
Whoa… Was it because of my farming work?
It felt about as hard as an aluminum can.
“…Eh?”
“Oh. Hey, didn’t that guy just crush it normally?”
“No way, that’s impossible. No one has succeeded yet, and a guy without magic is doing it.”
“No way… That guy crushed a fragment?”
Oh no, people around me started to stir.
To cover it up, I picked up another piece of magic ore…
“Wow!! Amazing! Kasuya-kun, have you already succeeded!?”
“Ah!”
Suddenly, cutting through the crowd was my protagonist, Snow-san.
Hmm, while I appreciate being noticed, it feels a bit too conspicuous…
“That’s amazing! How did you do it? I can’t even make it budge, no matter how much strength I put into it. Please tell me!”
“Ah, well, it’s probably just a coincidence. Like… the stone I picked up was fragile or something…”
“Oh, is that so? Hmm, since it’s a rare opportunity, Kasuya-kun, why don’t we do it together here? Aki is struggling too—”
Crack, crack, crack!
“Whoa! Amazing!”
“Aki-kun did it!”
“As expected from the knight of the border count family!”
“S-rank Gifts aren’t just for show!”
Cheers erupted.
And then, with a smile, a tall, blonde, handsome guy cut through the crowd.
It was Aki-kun.
Oh! Amazing!
In his hand, there was a shattered piece of magic ore… and it seemed like there was blood on it. Is he okay? He seems a bit out of breath…
“Ha, ha… Snow, look. I broke the magic ore. Oh, Kustani-kun is… hmm?”
Aki-kun froze as he looked at my palm.
Uh-oh, the piece I was holding turned to powder.
“Powder… no way, that’s impossible. I heard just now that even by chance, the magic ore broke? That’s great! Then you and I can head to the next class.”
Aki-kun glanced over at Ansbuna-sensei.
“…That’s right. I confirm that both Kustani and Aki crushed the magic ore. If you wish, you may proceed to the next class, which is the practical part of close combat magic arts.”
The teacher snapped his fingers.
Then, a square stone appeared on the grass.
It was just like a martial arts ring.
“First, to grasp the feeling, we will have a match between those of equal skill. No magic allowed; just a bare-handed match enhanced by magic is the next area.”
“Understood, Sensei. Kustani-kun, let’s have a match. But you crushed the magic ore without magic. You must have hit a really fragile piece. You’re lucky!”
Aki-kun looked down at me with a smile.
Maybe we could become friends!
He seems to be an acquaintance of Snow-san from a long time ago!
“Uh, Aki? Isn’t it a bit dangerous for Kasuya-kun to have a match…?”
“What are you talking about, Snow? He’s a talented guy. …You, who usually dislikes men, seem to be getting attached to him.”
“A, Aki…?”
Aki-kun, who patted Snow-san’s shoulder, turned back to me.
“Now, it’s class. Let’s start, Kustani-kun. Pair up with me and let’s do the practical combat class—don’t run away in front of Snow, okay?”
“…!”
As Aki-kun passed by me, he whispered quietly.
Then he took his place in the arena.
“……..”
The other classmates were strangely quiet.
Everyone was focused on us.
“Um, Kasuya-kun, I’m really sorry. Aki has been kind of rough on you for some reason… I really want to stop—”
“Snow-san, it’s fine.”
“Eh?”
When I smiled at Snow-san, she quickly looked away.
Oh no, I might have been too ugly.
Oh well, I followed Aki-kun into the arena.
Heh, I get it now, Aki-kun.
This is a trial.
A trial to enter the group of the top-tier real princess, Snow-san.
“…Oh, so you’re not running away.”
“Did you want me to run?”
“…You’ve got some guts.”
Dark magic was seeping from Aki-kun’s body.
Oh? Come to think of it, this feels a bit like a villain event, doesn’t it?
It might be a rehearsal for a one-on-one battle with a knight protecting a princess.
And…
“…Snow is special. Pure and sheltered. So maybe you’re a bit confused. It seems you don’t understand what kind of person you are.”
I’ve heard that you can make male friends by having a fight after not having any friends!
Hmm, maybe I can become friends with Snow-san, and along the way, I could also make male friends.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, the moment of betrayal that’s coming will become twice as delicious!
“So, let me teach you a little bit about reality. To Snow… and to you too.”
“I’m looking forward to it, Aki-kun.”
“…Please don’t call me that.”
We faced each other.
Ansbuna-sensei hesitated for a moment before, for some reason, looking this way.
“…Kustani-dono, please don’t forget to hold back.”
“…Oh.”
…This teacher might be stronger than I imagined.
The teacher stood in the center of the ring.
Raising his hand high, he declared loudly:
“Close combat magic arts, magic sparring—begin!”
This might be fun, my magical school life!
