Chapter 105: Growing Pains (4)

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There were undoubtedly things in the world that no human effort could oppose.

Time flowed that way, and the intersections of fate worked that way as well.

And the weekly return of the “Practical Magic Applications” lecture was also a natural law that even Laysis’ power could not stop.

“Ah, let’s begin the lecture. Everyone, please be quiet.”

With the calm voice of the professor, the lecture began.

Part one was usually conducted as a theoretical class in the lecture hall.

By the halfway point of the first semester, the students’ usual seats had been tacitly established.

Laysis cast a quick glance at Karl’s face sitting beside her.

“……”

Because they knew each other, they had been sitting next to each other since the first day of class.

Until recently, she hadn’t given it much thought, but now, feeling a slight discomfort toward Karl, Laysis twisted in her seat throughout the lecture, watching him carefully.

The emotions she felt toward Karl were a complex mixture that could not be explained clearly.

Partly, it was embarrassing because of the rumors from the practical understanding survival test, but mostly, it was because of Karl’s extraordinary strength she had witnessed during external practice.

‘He still keeps appearing in front of my eyes.’

The image of Karl fighting the Lich alone, not just evenly but overwhelmingly, stayed with her.

If it had been her, she would have collapsed after a few swings, but he cleared the dungeon without faltering and defeated the boss monster, the Lich, with ease.

It had been such an extraordinary sight that she still couldn’t fully grasp how to process it.

‘Of course, whether I accept it or not doesn’t concern Karl at all…’

It was simply something beyond common sense, making it slightly difficult to face.

“……?”

Feeling Laysis’ gaze, Karl tilted his head slightly.

Then, as if asking why, he smiled faintly and gave a slight tilt of his head.

Feeling like she was thinking something ill of him, Laysis quickly looked away.

‘How can he be so strong, and why is he hiding it?’

Her mind roughly understood, but the thoughts still became tangled.

“The key to magic, as I’ve mentioned, is cohesion and density. Even if you have opposing attributes or your opponent holds the advantage, increasing cohesion and density can change the outcome.”

Laysis shook her head slightly and focused on the lecture.

Her magic skills were still lacking since she had only recently started learning.

Wasn’t that why she had signed up for this lecture—to make up for it, even a little?

She cleared her mind, concentrated on the lecture, and carefully took notes.

“Now, we’ll take a short break. After this, you’ll practice based on the lecture, so please prepare yourselves.”

A brief break was given.

Laysis immediately went to the restroom, washed her face lightly, cleared her mind, and returned to the lecture hall.

She returned to her original seat, where she was waiting, just as Karl came back from outside along with the other students.

“Miss Laysis.”

“……Yes, Karl.”

“Is something the matter?”

“Something the matter?”

“It seemed like you were avoiding me.”

“Oh.”

Had it shown?

Laysis scratched her cheek with an embarrassed expression.

‘Well, there was no way he wouldn’t notice.’

Compared to normal, whether in the club or elsewhere, they had been crossing paths less frequently.

She was pleased that Karl seemed aware of her, but she didn’t know how to respond.

“……It’s just that my condition hasn’t been great recently. I have some matters to think over on my own.”

“If it’s because of that photo, you don’t need to worry. I told the seniors, and it’s all been deleted. There’s no risk of it spreading anywhere.”

“Thank you. It would have been troublesome for me if such photos circulated, given my status.”

At the academy, if a male and female student’s hearts aligned, dating was allowed.

But given her status as a foreign princess, there were many precautions to consider.

The gaze of the Empire, the gaze of Alforam.

Especially upon arriving in Bayern, she had received repeated warnings.

Her academy record was just a title, and she must not lose focus here.

She was told to act carefully so as not to cause issues with any future political marriage.

In that context, a photo of her leaning on Karl while asleep was critical.

Perhaps it was just fussing, but in the world of nobles and royalty, even such a trivial fuss could turn everything upside down.

‘I just want to go into exile.’

Laysis let out a long sigh inside her complicated mind.

“I understand. Noted.”

“It’s nothing. It’s not Karl’s fault. It’s just that my mind’s a bit unsettled. I made you worry, sorry.”

Laysis looked at Karl with a faint smile.

If he possessed strength beyond ordinary students, he might want to brag about it.

Yet he had already secured top scores from the entrance exam to the regular exams, dominating the theoretical side as well.

If he wished, he could easily surpass Nerian, the overall top student, and claim that unprecedented position.

She thought that his self-control was truly terrifying.

“Now, as announced, we will begin the practical session.”

Fwaaaah.

At the professor’s gesture, the scenery of the lecture hall began to change.

The interior space expanded significantly, and all the desks and chairs disappeared, replaced by a circular structure surrounding the area.

It looked like a circular arena where gladiators could emerge at any moment to engage in a bloody battle.

Thud. Thud.

Two pillars protruded from the center of the arena, appearing to serve as pedestals.

Seeing that, Laysis narrowed her eyes and deduced the contents of the practical session.

‘Is it a one-on-one magic duel?’

The lecture had mentioned cohesion and density in theory.

So it seemed that the practice would be conducted based on that.

To be honest, she still wasn’t confident.

Considering the level of students attending this lecture, she would definitely rank in the lower tier.

Thuk.

The professor stepped onto the protruding structure on one side of the arena.

He looked at the students in the audience, nodded, and called out a name.

“Student Hanes, could you assist me?”

“Yes.”

“You can go around below and then come up.”

Hanes immediately moved, descending to the area below the audience.

Soon, he appeared from below, entering the path into the arena, and, like Professor Breed, stepped onto the structure to face each other.

“Even on Walpurgis Night, this is an official event: Ice Breaking. Senior students may have seen it several times, and first-year students may have looked it up if they were curious.”

Walpurgis Night.

Every year at the midterm of the second semester, representatives of students from the Empire’s academy gathered to determine each other’s abilities.

This year, thanks to the first-year students considered the golden cohort, the dominant opinion was that they would overwhelmingly win.

“The method is simple. First, golems of random attributes appear on both sides.”

Kuwung.

With a slight gesture, ice golems appeared in front of the professor and Student Hanes.

The two golems soon began to slowly advance toward the opposing structures.

“Each person must use their own magic to protect their golem and hinder or destroy the opponent’s golem. However, injuring the opposing magician is strictly forbidden and results in immediate disqualification. Magic must target only the golem.”

Karl watched the golems advancing toward each side with a curious gaze.

‘Walpurgis Night.’

He had also had that event in mind.

As a theoretical top student in the upper ranks, he would almost certainly be selected.

Once the second semester began and participants were selected, special training would start to prepare for Walpurgis Night.

The academy, serious about Walpurgis Night, reportedly began special training immediately after enrollment, making it a very important event to determine the superiority of each academy.

“Now, Student Hanes.”

“Yes.”

Hanes extended his hand and cast magic at the professor’s instruction.

Rapid-fire Phantom Bullets hit the ice golem from the air.

Bang. Krawaang. Bang.

The powerful Phantom Bullets carved through the ice golem’s body, stopping its advance.

Professor Breed pointed to the scene and addressed the students.

“Any means are allowed. Dig pits, grow vines to bind its legs, melt it with flames—whatever it takes, you may use ‘magic’ to stop the opponent’s golem. At the same time, you must protect your own golem.”

Tuwung.

A barrier in the air blocked the raining Phantom Bullets.

At the same time, lightning struck the head of Hanes’ golem without warning.

Kwaaaang!

The destructive force made several students flinch.

The rounded head of the golem split in half.

Yet it could still move, continuing to advance.

“As you can see, golems have considerable resistance to magic. Therefore, instead of relying on a single powerful attack, it is more common to gradually wear it down or use debuff-type magic. In other words, even if you can’t use offensive spells well, clever tactics alone can turn the situation in your favor.”

Snap.

When Professor Breed snapped his fingers, a weakening magic enveloped the golem.

Its walking speed gradually slowed, cracks formed in its legs, and it split from the outside in.

The key to this match was how to use magic, and which combinations would create synergy.

“Some may directly intervene with the golem to increase its speed or create irregular movements as a variable, but as I said, due to its strong magic resistance, this requires considerable skill. That is slightly different from debuff-type magic.”

However, physical strikes were not allowed.

Karl showed a faint expression of disappointment at that fact.

No matter how strong the barrier, it would be impossible to withstand his sword’s strike.

Or perhaps he could try sending a wind slash like Phantom Bullets to chip away at the golem?

‘The question is whether anyone will notice.’

Martial arts subtly mixed into magic.

Since martial arts were an unfamiliar field in this world, most would not recognize it, but many had mastered magic.

If someone detected that anomaly and deemed it cheating, it would only harm himself, so further research was needed.

“Now, the explanation is sufficient, so let’s practice by taking turns.”

Thud. Thud. Thud.

At Professor Breed’s gesture, multiple structures appeared inside the arena.

They were designed so that several students could practice simultaneously.

“Pair up and go onto the structures. Inject mana into the front pillar to automatically create a golem. They are set to appear with random attributes like an actual match, so take turns practicing.”

The professor smiled warmly at the students and added.

“Of course, additional points will be awarded based on performance. Everyone, do your best.”

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