Chapter 4 - Whereabouts
◆Days of Practice and Refinement
The Magic Academy located in the royal capital was, to put it modestly, a remarkable place. It boasted an archive filled with an overwhelming collection of books, and was staffed by competent and compassionate instructors. Even the high-ranking noble peers maintained their decorum, and time passed serenely. However, academics were not without their challenges. There was a vast amount to learn, and particularly when it came to internal mana and magic, I struggled significantly because it was entirely new to me, even in comparison to my previous life.
In my case, manifesting magic in the usual manner proved difficult. Instead, I seemed to possess an aptitude for utilizing it on objects. Spinning fireballs, summoning lightning, and conjuring water spheres—these visually impressive manifestations of magic were incredibly challenging for me. While I could produce small-scale effects, the output never matched my internal mana. After discussions with the instructors, we concluded that I had no choice but to achieve complete mastery over my internal mana and regulate the scale of magic I cast.
--- That was far from easy.
Furthermore, I continued consulting with the instructors. They took note of the fact that I was a member of a knightly family and that I had been granted Skills by God—a gift that did not manifest among high-ranking nobles. They focused on how certain craftsmen among the common people used Skills to create magical devices, known as magitech tools, which served as convenient instruments in everyday life.
My Skills were Craftsman and Soldier.
The manifestation of my magic wasn't straightforward, but it excelled in creating objects. For instance, holding a lump of iron and channeling my mana to alter its shape felt rather easy to me. Furthermore, as long as I was in contact with an object, I could make it spin or vibrate as I willed.
Truly, the instructors’ insight was remarkable.
On the other hand, my Soldier Skill was so unique that it initially defied understanding. The instructors experimented with various approaches, but to little avail. To put it plainly, direct combat techniques like martial arts, swordsmanship, or spear fighting showed no significant improvement in someone of my small stature.
Well, I could fight—that was about it. It was a level that even ordinary individuals could achieve. In truth, despite studying in the knight department at the Magic Academy, my grades were far from excellent. I had half given up, thinking, "That’s just how it is." However, it was in theoretical studies that my skill truly shone. Using past battles as examples, I demonstrated extraordinary memory in analyzing tactics, formations, logistics, and battlefield governance. The necessary conditions for achieving victory would effortlessly surface in my mind, accompanied by countless solutions, as if conjured by dreamlike visions.
"This is the perfect talent for a strategist of the royal army...or perhaps even a military administrator."
"In the frontier, as a member of a knightly family, I’ve always had to think in such ways... Could that be the cause?"
"That’s not the only reason. Though your family rank bars you from holding the position of a royal strategist... with diligent study, you might obtain a similar military rank. If your talent catches the attention of a high-ranking noble from a military faction, they might adopt and support you, aiding your rise. The brilliance of your talent is simply that extraordinary."
"You flatter me. I would be grateful just to return to our domain and assist my elder brothers."
"...A pity, truly a pity. But perhaps it is a path you must take. Due to your low status... your talent may bring misfortune upon you. However, in any case, while you are attending the academy, you will have unlimited opportunities to learn. We, the ones who guide the students of the Magic Academy, will provide all the assistance we can to every student. Be mindful, you are also a child of the kingdom. The pursuit of knowledge is endless and will never cease."
"I shall remember this. Knowledge and wisdom exist to protect the people and, by extension, serve as the king's shield to safeguard this nation."
"Very well. As a teacher, your determination is truly one I find commendable. Right... In that case, I shall grant you permission to view the forbidden books within the military archives. These contain matters that must be concealed in the history of this nation, and I will reveal them to you. I hope they will serve as valuable material for your studies."
"I am deeply grateful. I shall make the kingdom’s records of 'wisdom,' 'tribulations,' and 'bitter decisions' the sustenance to my learning."
The instructor nodded in satisfaction. Granting access to the restricted forbidden texts was undoubtedly a significant decision for him as well. My evaluation among the faculty was generally favorable. Thus, such special treatment would not meet opposition from other instructors or the headmaster of the Magic Academy.
Yet, there existed a reality beyond my efforts and diligence that significantly damaged my reputation. The proof lay in the shadow that fell across the instructor’s face. For even an instructor who had taken an interest in me to wear such an expression, there was clearly an undeniable reality tied to something associated with me. With great... great reluctance, the instructor began to speak, choosing his words carefully.
"...By the way, your fiancée... Can even you not rein in her behavior?"
I immediately understood what the professor was trying to say—the many misdeeds of my fiancée. With a sigh, the professor murmured, "As expected of the daughter of that lady from the Baron’s family." My fiancée's actions were completely unacceptable in noble society. However, even though I was engaged to her, in her eyes, I was nothing more than a stranger. Furthermore, she had no intention of listening to "my words," as they came from someone of lower rank than her. My attempts at reproaching her would not reach her, and, perhaps pitying me, the professor spoke more softly than before.
"I must apologize. It is due to my insufficient efforts..."
"No, that's not it. I'm not blaming you. This is a matter concerning that person. However... well, it has already become an issue among us. We've reported it to higher authorities, but there has been no response from their side. It seems they are either watching passively or perhaps observing the situation. They may be considering it a good test to assess the qualities of those drawn to that person. After all, what happens at the Magic Academy is seen as separate from what occurs after graduation. The academy is a place where mistakes are allowed. However, there are limits to this. If proper boundaries are set, it's considered acceptable as age-appropriate behavior, a kind of rebellious phase... before entering noble society."
"Is it... an observation period of disposition for the individuals involved?"
"That is an apt way to put it, yes. Observation comes first. What happens next remains unknown. Be vigilant in your actions. Stirring up unnecessary commotion could allow the situation to spiral out of control, like wildfire. Such an event could become a calamity that falls upon you and your family. Proceed carefully. Simply having made an attempt to offer advice or correction is enough."
"Your guidance is greatly appreciated. I will take care to resolve the situation as best I can."
"I expect no less from you."
From a discussion about my Skills, the conversation had turned to a deeply troubling matter. I had known about this. I had seen and heard rumors of my fiancée’s disgraceful behavior firsthand. Many times, I had offered her words of caution, even stern reprimands. I had even hinted at reporting the matter to both her family and her guardians.
All of it had been met with ridicule and outright dismissal. Worse yet, my actions seemed to provoke her further. Far from halting her problematic behavior, she had only escalated it. If I could not get her to change her ways, even my own safety would be at risk.
A sense of impending crisis and deep exhaustion steadily took hold of my heart.
I racked my brain, but no answers came. How could I convey my words to someone who refused to listen? I couldn’t find the method. Perhaps, in both this life and the previous one, I had been gravely lacking in the "ability to form meaningful connections with others".
In short, I might just be what you would call socially challenged.
There was no doubt that this had become my greatest source of stress in recent days. Perhaps this too was part of the life of trial bestowed by that god, who had deemed my previous life to be a wasted one. How was I, who had wasted my past life, to deal with this? How was I to build relationships with others?
It felt as if I was being watched…
--- I had even started to feel that way.
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