Chapter 24 – Magic Lecture

“Magical Power is said to be the force inherent in all phenomena, and through will, we can manipulate its form and nature to interfere with the world… The Spell Formulas we use when casting magic can be considered formulas and laws that clearly define the vaguely manipulated workings of Magical Power.”

Travis, the Life Magic instructor who introduced himself, spoke eloquently while slowly pacing back and forth across the lectern.

It was a careful lesson for Life Magic students, starting with the fundamental knowledge of Magical Power.

“However, the problem here is Magical Aptitude. Just as our physiques, hair and eye colors, and facial features all differ, the quality of our Magical Power… its quirks also vary from person to person. Therefore, even with the same Spell Formula, the results differ depending on the method and system of magical transformation. In other words, there are things we’re suited for and things we’re not.”

Magical Aptitude.

It meant different people excelled at different Elements, or even across Elements, the types of magic they were good at differed. To put it simply, it was probably their proficient Element?

If we used Ashley and Rosetta’s Magical Power quality as examples… they had Magical Aptitude with very little peculiarity, making it easy to adapt to others’ bodies and excel at magic systems that affect the physical body. In other words, they were skilled at healing magic across Elements.

As for me, I excel at output, so I can handle most attack magic. The truth is, I became too accustomed to various ways of handling Magical Power from the beginning, so I no longer really know what I’m originally good at.

During BFO, the Elements I used frequently felt like they were improving. Since my stance was that any attack magic would do, I played around using various ones.

As for Grace—it’s more of a racial trait than Magical Aptitude. To put it into words, she’s inclined towards Magical Power Erosion and absorption, transformation and assimilation.

“Life Magic requires little Magical Power to activate, and since its Spell Formula composition is simple, it’s easy to handle. While you’re still unfamiliar with handling magic, it would be good to use Life Magic to grasp the tendencies of your own Magical Aptitude and learn unfamiliar ways of manipulating Magical Power. Of course, as the original use of Life Magic, we recommend actively employing these in daily life.”

Incorporating magic into daily life is the philosophy of the Tower Magicians Guild, the mainstream faction of Magicians.

After finishing his preface in that manner, Travis had the students raise their hands through self-declaration and divided the attendees into two groups.

In other words, it was about whether they could perceive the Magical Power flowing within their own bodies.

If one could perceive Magical Power, it was safe to assume they could perform simple Magical Power manipulation. Or rather, in terms of sequence, it was about moving Magical Power with Spell Formulas to learn the sensation of manipulation… something like that.

In short, with something as simple as Life Magic, if you reproduced the proper incantation and movements, the Spell Formula would automatically reproduce the movement of Magical Power for you.

Chantless magic involved intuitively memorizing this movement of Magical Power and reproducing it without incantation or movement.

And Magic Circle involved releasing everything—incantation and movement—through Magical Power manipulation outside the body, drawing a Magic Array, and linking it with Internal Magic Power to activate the Spell Formula.

“Now then, I’ll actually teach you the incantation for a simple Life Magic spell. Those who can perceive Magical Power should try using Life Magic while paying attention to the movement of Magical Power within your own bodies. For those who cannot yet perceive Magical Power, I’ll provide individual guidance during that time.”

The three types of magic Travis taught were: a spell to create a kindling flame, a spell to gather water, and a spell to generate a gentle breeze.

Since the kindling flame spell involved handling fire, we were all taken outside to the courtyard for practical training.

Travis was providing individual guidance to the group that hadn’t yet perceived Magical Power. So the group that had already perceived it was essentially self-studying.

I should make an effort to learn this properly without cutting corners. If I don’t know the correct procedure, I can’t perform Chantless magic nor convert it to Magic Circle.

“Ah! Look! I did it!”

Ashley happily demonstrated the kindling flame spell.

A bean-sized flame was lit slightly away from her fingertip. Even when Ashley moved, the flame maintained a very stable form with no sign of extinguishing.

Ashley didn’t seem to realize it, but this was a skill level slightly beyond mere activation.

“Let me try too.”

I properly incanted and lit a flame at my fingertip.

Hmm. I can leave it to the Spell Formula without worrying about control or anything. It’s very easy. When lighting firewood at home, adjusting it was quite troublesome. Compared to that, this seems very convenient to use.

“Theodore-sama, haven’t you learned Life Magic until now?”

“Yes. Due to certain circumstances, I only learned attack magic.”

“…Is that so?”

Ashley slightly furrowed her brows.

“…No, it’s not that serious of a reason. I just learned it because I had the opportunity to.”

…It’s true that I wanted power and worked on constructing attack magic from scratch using magic textbooks from Father’s study. Although I achieved some form, ultimately almost all magic was acquired through BFO’s system, so there wasn’t any desperate reason or blood-sweating effort involved.

The others had also succeeded in activation, but since Life Magic is also for beginners, there weren’t many who had reached the point of maintenance.

Excluding us, only five people could do it. I’m not sure if that’s many or few.

Anyway, learning Life Magic itself is easy. But if possible, one should learn it properly at a proper place like this school. Precisely because it’s simple magic, arbitrary adjustments are often added to make it easier for each caster to use, which can lead to picking up bad habits.

“Hey. You.”

Talcott called out in a rough tone.

…Not to me, but to Ashley.

“What is it?”

I pretended to misunderstand that I was being addressed and stepped in front of Talcott.

“Not you. That one over there. I heard you’re the lord of Silun.”

Impossible. What is this? If he knows she’s the lord, he should show appropriate courtesy. Even though Talcott is from a Count’s family, he’s just a child of the house, while Ashley is a female Baron.

Earlier, Ashley apologized to me… but that can be considered a rare case.

“You—”

“Theodore-sama.”

I was thinking of lecturing him loudly about manners and making him back down, but Ashley gave me a look and stepped forward. Since she was the one named, she would handle it herself, I suppose.

I think Kennel’s education and Ashley’s actions are correct. But that’s only if the other party has common sense.

If anything happens, I’ll respond by blasting him away with an Air Bullet or something.

I secretly formed a Magic Circle in my hand, keeping it in a ready-to-activate state.

“Indeed, I am Ashley Rodias Silun. What do you want with me?”

“A while ago, my father should have sent a marriage proposal letter to your place. What happened with that?”

…Ah. This idiot… Is this really the place to discuss this?

There’s a rumor that about a year ago, Talcott failed to control his magic, injured his fiancée—the daughter of a wealthy merchant—and the engagement was broken off. The potential concubine candidates were also from that social circle, so they completely turned their backs on him or something.

The story was that the marriage was imminent. So his panicked father committed the additional disgrace of sending marriage proposal letters to unmarried noblewomen.

It’s not like shooting enough arrows will eventually hit the target. Who would agree right after such a scandal?

The story is that they don’t care about appearances because tax revenues have fallen and their finances are tight. He was probably planning to secure financial support by arranging a marriage with the wealthy merchant’s daughter, but since that fell through…

Even Ashley showed a bewildered expression. That’s understandable. This guy hasn’t even introduced himself.

“Wait a moment. Which family are you from?”

“Talcott of the Cardiff Count family. You don’t know me?”

Ashley probably doesn’t know. Kennel wouldn’t bother telling her about someone like this.

“I see. I’m aware of the Cardiff Count family’s name, but this is the first I’ve heard about a marriage proposal. There might have been some misunderstanding. Since this involves our families, I’d like to confirm with our territory first, then provide a formal response to the Count family.”

As expected, it seems Kennel had already turned them away. Knowing Kennel, he probably did respond, but Talcott must not have been informed about the individual outcomes. If he were told they were all rejected, he’s the type who might fly into a rage and unleash magic.

But well, Ashley’s response was perfect. It followed proper etiquette, avoided hasty replies, and didn’t give any verbal commitment. Although Kennel was somewhat overprotective and biased, his education itself was probably thorough.

Later, a formally reasoned rejection response would probably be sent once more to the Cardiff Count family, and that would be the end of this matter.

Perhaps Talcott finally realized from Ashley’s expression and response that it wasn’t favorable, as he clicked his tongue and then glared at me.

“I heard the lord of Silun has no fiancé. What are you?”

“I’m Theodore Gartner. I’m a friend of Ashley-sama, I suppose.”

So he’s trying to find the reason for the unfavorable response in me, I guess?

Well, that might be easier to understand.

“Gartner… Ah, a regional Count family? Upper rank? Lower rank?”

“Neither.”

Now, what should I do?

Maybe it would be good to pretend not to know and ask about his fiancée. As a regional noble, I could claim ignorance of central scandals.

If he gets enraged, I’ll have the excuse and justification that I was just defending myself. If he maintains self-control, he’ll probably back down.

“Did something happen?”

But before I could implement that, Travis returned from his guidance on the other side. Talcott clicked his tongue and moved away from us.

Ashley let out a relieved sigh.

“That was quite an ordeal, Ashley-sama.”

“No, I’m fine. It’s Theodore-sama who…”

When our eyes met, Ashley gave a wry smile.

This time, we formed several groups, with the advanced group pairing with the beginners to observe each other’s Life Magic. Then Travis would go around these groups providing guidance.

My group ended up with mostly younger children. Well… probably because we’re closer in age and Ashley is good with people. The girls went to Ashley, while the boys settled with me for guidance.

“Ashley-sama, how do you keep the fire going for so long?”

“Well, that’s… by slowly, thinly releasing Magical Power from your fingertip—”

“Theo, you’re good!”

“If you do the incantation properly, the Spell Formula will move the Magical Power for you. It’s best to learn maintenance gradually.”

So that’s how things progressed.

Travis said fairly serious things, but the lecture itself had a very relaxed atmosphere.

“Why can’t you do something that simple!”

…There was also someone who kept endlessly complaining about the magic of those in his group.

Travis gave him a slightly cold look but seemed to decide to ignore him and continue guiding other groups.

The reason Talcott is taking this lecture… is probably because of his magical outburst. I’ve heard the Cardiff head is quite terrible too, but it seems they couldn’t leave Talcott’s magic as it was after he dealt such a blow at a crucial time for the family.

If that’s the case, then Travis the instructor probably knows the full story. If so, when Talcott’s turn comes around, he’ll probably get thoroughly grilled… in front of everyone.

“Why do I have to mess around with such trivial magic… Me, who can even handle intermediate magic. If I show them for real, can I skip this lecture?”

Talcott was still grumbling complaints.

But the content carried on the wind reached my ears, making me look up in surprise.

Because Talcott’s complaints had unknowingly shifted from being about his surroundings.

This… is the Firestorm incantation!? What is this idiot thinking!?