The class recreation event was canceled due to injuries caused by the Hero’s outburst. The students didn’t object, so they proceeded to the next class. The Hero, by the way, was forcibly returned to the Mirai House and is now awaiting disciplinary action from the academy.
The Hero committed three offenses:
Because Absolute was harmed by these actions, he intends to pursue responsibility from the Hero and the Mirai House. The academy’s punishment will be decided based on the results of the settlement between the two houses. Even though he’s the Hero, his status is that of a commoner. If he insults or launches a surprise attack against a high-ranking noble, execution could be considered.
However, considering the intervention from the royal family, execution is impossible. This is because he is a descendant of the Hero who saved the Rainana Kingdom and possesses the Hero’s skill. The Hero’s skill is extremely valuable and powerful in this world. From a long-term perspective, he is an asset to the country and cannot be lost.
This time, finding a compromise is difficult, and Absolute is racking his brain over it.
The recreation event was canceled, the schedule progressed, and finally, it was time for magic studies. The purpose of magic studies is to deepen knowledge of magic and increase the number of spells one can use.
At this academy, magic studies are taught by a magician who works at the Royal Castle.
Absolute had already learned a fair amount about magic studies, so he sat in the back row, half-listening.
“In this class, we will explain the basics of magic. The magic we use consists of the four basic elements—fire, water, wind, and earth—as well as the two types, holy and dark. In the past, dark was referred to as evil, but due to discrimination and slander, it is now called dark.”
The magic attributes one can use are determined at birth, and one cannot use magic outside of one's own attributes. For example, Absolute can use fire, water, wind, earth, and dark magic, but he cannot use holy magic. By the way, the reason Absolute can use healing magic is that it requires either the holy or dark attribute and a massive amount of magical power. Therefore, its users are quite limited.
“That concludes the explanation of the basic attributes. Next, we will discuss the difference between magic and sorcery. Is there anyone who can explain the difference between the two?”
The teacher asked the students, and one of the students in the front raised their hand and answered.
“Magic is manifested using magical power suited to one’s own attribute. In contrast, sorcery is manifested using magical power and a skill. The presence or absence of a skill is the difference between the two, I believe.”
“That’s correct. You’ve studied well, Christina Zen. You may sit down.”
Because using sorcery requires a skill, the number of users is quite small. Around Absolute, Lady Cruel, one of his subordinates, possesses the 【Ice Magic】 skill. She uses her skill to enable sorcery using ice, which is not one of the basic attributes. In addition, the Hero’s 【Holy Out】 is also activated by the Hero’s skill, so it is classified as sorcery.
“There is also unique magic that is inherited in each noble family. Follow each family’s policy regarding unique magic. Its use is prohibited at the academy.”
The class, which felt long enough to make one sleepy, was finally approaching its end.
“Finally, I would like the top and second-ranked students from the entrance exam to demonstrate their magic. Christina Zen and… Absolute Ark. Please come to the front.”
Christina went to the front with her chest puffed out, while Absolute exuded an unpleasant aura.
I managed to conserve my magic during the fight with the Hero, so why do I have to show it off in a place like this? This sucks! Magic studies, die!
Even while hiding his cards, Absolute had to constantly display his power. Absolute headed to the front while considering how much of his ability to show.
“Now then, Christina, please use a spell from your best attribute.”
“Yes. Christina Zen, going now! 【Pillar of Fire】!”
First, Christina manifested a pillar of fire that reached the ceiling.
“【Wind Manipulation】.”
Next, she used wind magic to make the pillar of fire burn even more intensely. The firepower was as high as if oil had been poured on it, and it burned very well. Finally, she weakened the pillar of fire with water magic, surrounded it with earth magic, confined it, and extinguished it.
Everyone in the class was dumbfounded by the incredible magic.
“Amazing, Christina Zen. Four basic attributes, plus fire magic on par with advanced magic. As expected of the Zen Duke House, known as the Blazing Duke.”
The teacher was also full of praise.
Absolute was surprised in his heart.
Seriously… That Christina is pretty good. Oh, right, unlike in the original story, the Hero was super weak because Maria isn’t around, but Christina isn’t affected by that. So she has the same ability as Christina in the original story. But for someone this strong to die early on, what happened?
“No, this is nothing much. I’m sure it would be easy for Absolute-san, who defeated that Hero, right?”
Christina was picking a fight with Absolute.
Absolute glared at Christina at the sudden provocation. Christina returned Absolute’s glare with a smile. Absolute felt like it was a challenge.
What’s this woman picking a fight for? I’m thinking about what to do because I’m restricting myself in various ways.
As Absolute glared, a classmate who was watching added fuel to the fire.
“No, no, that can’t be right. You didn’t use magic in the fight with the Hero earlier, did you? I’m sure you’re not very good at it. It’s pitiful to raise the bar too high!”
Absolute, who was already irritated, became even angrier when fuel was added to the fire.
(…That guy was definitely one of Michael’s lackeys, Lloyd Familia. He’s underestimating me. Should I use him as an example too? If I’m going to be looked down on, I won’t show any mercy.)
Absolute manifested a pillar of fire just like Christina. But it was a pillar of black flame.
“Black flames?!”
The teacher exclaimed in surprise.
Absolute could change the color of fire with magic power.
It was the result of trial and error, imitating his father, Villain Ark’s technique called 【Black Flame Slash】.
Furthermore, like Christina earlier, he used wind magic to make the pillar of fire blaze. But the pillar of fire was larger, thicker, and burned blacker than Christina’s. It was like hellfire. Christina put water on it to weaken it and extinguish it, but Absolute moved the pillar of fire toward Lloyd Familia without extinguishing it.
“Hey! The pillar of fire is coming this way! Run!”
The classmates noticed the approaching pillar of fire and began to run away. Lloyd Familia also ran away, but the pillar of fire was chasing after Lloyd.
“No way… Why is it coming to me?!”
Lloyd desperately tried to evade it, but the pillar of fire was right behind him.
Lloyd realized that this wasn’t an accident, but intentional.
“S-Stop it! Help me!”
Absolute thought that people feel the most fear when they are being chased. He intended to instill thorough fear in him so that he would never speak disrespectfully again. This guy is an example. He could only hope that this would deter those who would reach out to the Ark faction.
The pillar of fire only chased Lloyd. Just as he was wondering whether to put it out or not, Christina and the teacher managed to extinguish it with water magic and earth.
“Absolute Ark, what do you think you’re doing?! It’s unforgivable to unleash magic of that power at a person!”
The teacher rebuked Absolute. He felt that lives might have been at stake as it was, and his anger grew.
“No, I didn’t unleash it at a person. It’s just that I was provoked by a classmate right before my magic manifested. As a result, my consciousness was directed toward that person, which is why the pillar of fire went there. It wasn’t intentional.”
That was a lie.
Absolute was definitely aiming at Lloyd Familia. To be honest, he didn’t intend to injure him, so he didn’t think it would be a big deal. But, unexpectedly, help arrived.
“Sensei, I confirmed that Familia was provoking Absolute-san when he was about to activate his magic. In addition, I think a considerable amount of magic control is required to dye that pillar of fire black. I think that it was because he was interfered with that it happened to go toward Familia. I believe Familia, who interfered so rudely, is responsible.”
It was Christina who defended Absolute, the one who had provoked him earlier.
“But Absolute Ark didn’t seem to be trying to put it out? Isn’t that evidence of intent?”
“Surely he was quite focused? I wonder how meticulous the control must have been to dye the flames black like that. Besides, no one was injured, so why don’t we settle it as a draw?”
What’s this woman planning? She provoked me, but then she defends me. I don’t understand.
“…I see. It’s true that the guy who provoked him when he was using high-level magic was also at fault. From my experience, there have been cases where things have gone out of control when precise magic is used and the user is disturbed. It’s not just Absolute’s responsibility. Let’s settle this with apologies from both Lloyd Familia and Absolute Ark.”
Urged by the teacher, Lloyd Familia faced Absolute. The black pillar of fire from earlier had traumatized Lloyd, and his body was trembling when he looked at Absolute.
Lloyd was the first to speak.
“I-I’m sorry. I won’t say it again.”
“No, I was the one who was wrong. It’s just that you said something so interesting all of a sudden that I lost control. Be careful next time, okay? Magic might come flying at you again if you say something again.”
((((((This guy is doing it on purpose?!)))))
The surrounding classmates were appalled.
Lloyd, who received Absolute’s insincere apology, gave a weak smile.
Lloyd vowed in his heart never to say anything strange again.
♢
The magic studies class ended, and the classmates began to leave the room.
Christina called out to Absolute as he was about to leave.
“Absolute-kun. I don’t think it’s good to go too far. I don’t think it’s like you to be swayed by those kinds of jeers.”
(…What is this girl? What does she think she knows when she says it’s not like me?)
Absolute ignored Christina and tried to leave the room.
“Ah, please wait. I just protected you! That’s a favor, okay!”
“…I’ve been told by a loan shark I know that I don’t have to return anything I don’t remember borrowing. I have no memory of it at all.”
“No, that person is definitely a loan shark! Don’t take what a loan shark says to heart. Wait a minute!”
Absolute managed to shake off Christina, who was trying to stop him.
What was up with her? Oh well, I have things to do related to the Hero and the Mirai House. I’ll go to Maria’s place, eat quickly, and go home.
Absolute headed to where Maria and the others were preparing the meal.
