Chapter 34 - The Magic Otaku Experiences Magical Combat
"Ah, Saki-kun, perfect timing. I know you just got back to the dorm, but would you mind doing me a small favor?"
One day, after finishing my classes at The Academy and returning to the Gold Dragon Hall with Roche and Isak, I was cornered in the entrance hall by the third-year Head of Hall, Lug. It was almost time for dinner, so a fair number of students were in the hall. I could feel all their eyes focus on me at once.
"What is it, Head of Hall? A favor at this hour is a bit…"
I replied, perplexed. At this time of year, the hour before dinner meant sunset was near. It was rather late to be asking someone to run an errand. I glanced behind me, but Roche and Isak were slyly trying to distance themselves from me. You bastards, don't think you can pretend you're not involved just because he didn't call your names, do you?
"I need you to deliver something to the Red Dragon Hall right now."
Lug-senpai's words, however, were completely unexpected. The surrounding students, who had been eavesdropping, couldn't help but stir.
"But Head of Hall, the girls' dorm is off-limits to male students, isn't it? How am I supposed to deliver anything?"
"Hmm, I think you'll be fine, Saki-kun. In any case, could you come to my room so we can discuss the details?"
What does he mean, I'll be fine? Is it one of those things where it's okay for a little kid to wander into the women's side of a public bath? No, I'm pretty sure I'm too old for that now.
Still, I agreed with his suggestion to move. The hall was currently filled with students whose ears had perked up like an elephant's at the words "Red Dragon Hall" and "girls' dorm."
I shot a look at my friends, and they waved at me from a distance. I infused my gaze with a flicker of murderous intent before turning back to the Head of Hall. "Understood, I'll hear you out."
After inviting me into the Head of Hall's office, just one door away from the hall, Lug-senpai personally poured me a cup of tea. I thanked him and took a sip from the cup, waiting for his explanation.
"I actually went out today. Though it was just to meet with some of my sponsors."
Lug-senpai said, taking a sip from his own cup. So he went out. We first-years weren't allowed to leave The Academy grounds yet, but from the second year on, students could get permission to go out depending on their grades. By the third year, some were even allowed to stay out overnight or make temporary trips back home.
It seemed his outing wasn't for anything particularly fun, but for a first-year like me, who was only allowed to go between The Academy and the dorm, it was still enviable. They clamp down on you at first, then dangle freedom as bait to spur your motivation to learn. The Academy's methods were quite clever.
"Sponsors, you say? Was it an envoy from the royal family? Perhaps they came to check on your progress."
"I'm a third-year now, so I need to start discussing my future. They're recommending I join the military, but I haven't been able to decide yet."
Lug-senpai received a scholarship while studying at a preparatory school in the capital, but it's not like this country has a formal scholarship system. In reality, it was assistance from influential figures for students with excellent grades—in other words, patrons. In his case, the royal family was funding him directly, which was a considerable honor.
Officially, you're free to choose your career path even with a scholarship, but human nature being what it is, there are certain obligations. It sounds bad to say there are strings attached, but most graduates end up working for those who supported them or have their jobs arranged through them. Lug-senpai is skilled in magic, so joining the Royal Magic Corps is likely his most probable path.
"Now, here's the main point. When I met with them, they brought me a gift. The most popular pancakes from a famous sweet shop in this academy city."
"Ah, I've heard about those from Elisha-san. They're so popular it's hard to buy them even if you wait in line."
It was the potato pancake, the most popular item from the confectionery shop "Honey Pot," rumored to be the best in the academy city. Though called a pancake, it was somewhat similar to what I knew as a hash brown in my past life. It was made by grating potatoes and other vegetables, forming them into rounds, and pan-frying them in oil. You'd eat it with a generous amount of honey poured over top—a dessert that practically screamed, "Calories are justice!"
Though we first-years weren't supposed to be able to leave, Elisha somehow managed to procure these hard-to-get sweets quite frequently, using them as bait (literally) to invite other female students to tea parties in her room. My source for this information was, of course, Ruria, who couldn't resist the allure of sweets and often attended these parties.
"So, when I mentioned this to Mistress Idis, she pleaded with me to share some with her."
"What a treat before dinner. But in that case, wouldn't she be happier if you gave it to her yourself tomorrow?"
"Well, she demanded I bring it over right now."
"Ah, women do tend to change when sweets are involved."
As I said that, I pictured the dignified profile of Head of Hall Idis, whom I had only met once or twice. With a toss of her semi-long red hair, she had declared, "So you're the rumored heir to the Arcalai family. I hear you placed second in the entrance exam, right behind our Ruria from the Red Dragon Hall. Take good care of her." The same Idis-senpai who, in my past life, would have definitely been the captain of the girls' kendo club, was just another girl when faced with popular sweets. So it seemed.
Incidentally, Lug-senpai and Idis-senpai are an item. Apparently, being the heads of their respective halls gives them many opportunities to discuss things and work together, leading to many cases of them growing close. I'd heard Elisha cheerfully recount the tale of how several couples between hall heads had formed in the past.
For once, even Ruria, who was being held on Elisha's lap, sat still and listened intently. It seems that in any era, in any world, sweets and romance stories are a girl's favorite things.
"So, to get back to the original point, I—or rather, any male student—can't enter the girls' dorm. How am I supposed to deliver the sweets to Head of Hall Idis?"
"Ruria-kun's attendant is a servant from your house, right? How about we have her come out to the entrance of the Red Dragon Hall and you can give it to her there? Then she can deliver it to Mistress Idis."
"...I see, that sounds like it would work. Very well, I'll do it."
I left the Head of Hall's office for a moment and returned to my room to send a [Sending] spell to Ruria. [Sending] is a completely harmless spell, but it's good manners not to cast spells carelessly where others can see. I explained the situation succinctly, and a reply came back immediately.
'Give it a little time, then come over. I'll go to the entrance with Hanna and open the door from our side. Whatever you do, don't arrive early and knock on the door.'
One might not guess it, but this is how Ruria is with [Sending]. She's so talkative it's hard to believe how quiet she usually is. When I first learned the [Sending] spell, I was bombarded with so many messages from her every day that it was a little overwhelming. With my mana reserves, it was impossible to reply to all of them.
In any case, I didn't know the reason, but she said to wait a bit, so I took the opportunity to change into a slightly nicer robe for going out. It had my family's crest on the chest and a bit of embroidery on the cuffs and hem. There was a chance I might be seen by the older girls of the girls' dorm during the hand-off, after all. I had to look presentable.
I then returned to the Head of Hall's office and received the sweets from Lug-senpai. They were in a small hand-woven basket made of bark, filled with precious honey, and even to my eyes, they looked delicious. As I placed the matching woven lid on top, I spoke to the Head of Hall in a slightly teasing tone.
"Still, even if nobles and commoners are treated the same at The Academy, you must be the only person who would make the heir of a viscount family run an errand like this, Lug-senpai."
"Ahaha. But I thought you'd be happy to do it, Saki-kun. You like this sort of thing, don't you?"
"You know me too well. But that aside, you owe me one for this."
"Whoa, scary. But I guess I can't complain. I'm counting on you, then."
"As you wish."
I jokingly placed a hand on my chest, bowed dramatically, and left the Head of Hall's office as he saw me off. If I could put the Head of Hall in my debt for a simple chore like this, it was a huge profit. Being entrusted with the position of Head of Hall meant he was recognized for his good conduct and leadership. On top of that, his excellent grades meant he had The Academy's utmost trust. I could rely on him for various things while we were students, and he would become an invaluable connection after graduation. It was truly a good deal.
The entrance hall of the Gold Dragon Hall was even more crowded with students than before, and a good number of them followed me with their eyes as I headed for the exit. Are you guys really that interested in me going to the girls' dorm? Are you all adolescent boys? ...Wait, they are adolescent boys. My bad, forgive me. I apologized to them in my mind as I opened the front door.
Stepping outside the Gold Dragon Hall again, I found the evening dusk rapidly painting the surroundings. The winter sun certainly set fast. The Academy grounds were dotted with magical lights to assist the guards, so it wasn't too inconvenient even after the sun had fully set, but it was still not good for a student to be wandering around outside the dorms after dark. Once I'm done with this delivery, it's best to hurry back.
The Gold Dragon Hall and Red Dragon Hall weren't that far apart. As I walked across The Academy grounds, thinking about whether I should send Ruria a [Sending] to let her know I'd arrived, I spotted something I couldn't ignore.
A person. At a spot roughly equidistant from the Gold Dragon Hall, the Red Dragon Hall, and The Academy building, a human-sized glimmer of magical power was floating faintly. If that were all, I would have paid it no mind, but while I could see the magical light, I couldn't see a physical body—that is, a form or shape.
I remembered this state. It was the same as when Grandma had made herself invisible with magic while I was talking with Dad at our family's private academy. I believe it was the Second Tier spell [Invisibility]. I didn't understand the principle, but it was magic that made one invisible to others.
However, since Grandma and I can see the magical light others possess, the spell is ineffective on us. I heard later that Grandma had simply forgotten I could see magic. The problem was that there was a magic user right in front of me, hiding with a spell at this time and in this place. No matter how you looked at it, it was suspicious.
There was no doubt it was suspicious, but the tricky part was that I couldn't definitively say they were a villain. You know what? Mages are all a little strange. It was entirely possible this was some professor who wanted to experiment with a spell outdoors and hastily hid when someone came along. I couldn't rule that out.
What should I do? I can't just ignore it, but there's a chance they could be dangerous. Haaah, I guess I have no choice. Even in the worst-case scenario, I should be able to handle it. I approached slowly so as not to startle them, then called out from a safe distance.
"Excuse me, why are you hiding here?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was at the height of confusion, having been addressed by my assassination target, Saki Adoni Arcalai. He had undoubtedly recognized that I was hiding here. I had heard that some high-level spells could cancel the effects of spells cast on a target, but I had seen no indication that he had used such a spell. In the first place, such a spell was not something a student who had just entered The Academy could master, no matter how talented.
Calm down. I told myself. Just because he saw through my concealment didn't change what I had to do. I canceled the [Invisibility] spell I had cast on myself, revealed my form, and questioned him.
"You are Saki Adoni Arcalai, the son of the Viscount Arcalai, are you not?"
"...And what will you do with that information?"
The boy in front of me remained standing at a slight distance, not answering my question but asking one of his own with a wary expression. Impressive. He understood the meaning of me hiding in this place, the meaning of me asking his name, and was now inquiring about my intentions. I steeled myself, praying my voice wouldn't tremble, and delivered the decisive words.
"I have no personal grudge against you, but you will die here."
I raised my hands before me to begin chanting a spell. But the boy showed no particular fear, continuing to speak with complete composure.
"If you have no grudge, then surely there is no need to do such a thing? It appears you have some circumstances. Would you be willing to tell me? Perhaps I can be of assistance."
I instinctively lowered my raised arms. Unbelievable! For such a small child, facing a man who has declared he will take his life, to show concern for his opponent! A sharp pain spread through my chest, and a sob nearly escaped my lips. Since my wife and child were taken hostage, I had been unable to confide in anyone, my nerves constantly on edge, trapped between self-loathing and fear. The compassion shown by the boy who was supposed to be my target made my vision blur.
But no, it was no use. I had already stepped too far to turn back. Even if I were to cling to him now and seek the aid of the Arcalai family, my actions would be immediately reported to that masked man by his accomplice within The Academy, and my wife and daughter would be killed. There was no going back. I shook my head and raised my hands once more.
"I appreciate your words, but this is the only path left for me. I ask for no forgiveness. At the very least, I shall send you to the Goddess of Magic without suffering."
"So there is no other way, is there?"
The boy sighed as if in resignation, then met my gaze with determined eyes. Words flowed from his lips as if in song.
"I am the grandson of Ester Adoni Arcalai, 'The Witch,' and the son of Levi Adoni Arcalai, Royal Magic Advisor to Hanoku. I am Saki Adoni Arcalai, a 0=0 Neophyte of the magical society, the Holy Magicians' Order."
His arm rose, drawing a line from the top of his head to his solar plexus, from his right shoulder to his left, and the concluding words sprang forth.
"With light, I shall strike down the darkness that has fallen to the earth!!"
Faced with such a dignified declaration, I found myself holding my breath, my ability to think about what to do next completely lost. What? What am I hearing?! A moment passed before it finally sank in. My goodness, he is accepting my shameful act not as a common crime, but as a proper duel.
I could no longer hold back the hot tears welling in my eyes. He, Saki-dono, was treating me—a man on the verge of ruin—not as a despicable assassin, but as a fellow magic user. After being shown such grace, my sentimentality was meaningless. If I did not respond in kind, I would lose even the right to be ashamed of myself.
"Melek Halali, Second Tier magic user, disciple of Beni Mordecai, 'The Thunder-Glow Mage.'"
My name was not worth a single shred of dignity, but I had to state it here.
"Saki Adoni Arcalai-dono, I will take your life!"
And so, I threw myself into the first and last duel of my life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I did it. I actually said it!
When it comes to a battle between mages, it's a classic trope for them to announce their affiliations and ranks to each other. For me, that part was non-negotiable. The last line was just for dramatic flair. For something I came up with on the spot, it sounds pretty cool. I might even make it my Magical Motto.
Well, I never thought I'd end up in a magical battle before even experiencing a proper magical ritual combat, but that's fine. First, I need to focus on the fight before me.
The magic user I'm facing looks to be in his mid-thirties. I've never seen him around The Academy, so I can say for certain he's not a professor. He's probably a visitor from outside. I don't know who hired him, but to try and take the life of a child like me, breaking The Academy's strict prohibition on private duels... what a pain in the ass.
My opponent is a Second Tier magic user, which makes him a higher rank than me. But from the looks of it, I don't think he's very experienced in combat. I don't feel the same calm and intimidating presence that comes from experience, like with Commander Azadh or Nathan-san.
And then there's his expression. His brow is furrowed, but it's not a menacing look, and I don't see the brutish air common to those accustomed to crime. His responses since I called out to him have been gentle, or rather, lacking any sense of immediate hostility. If anything, he seems like a serious, middle-aged man who would have absolutely no connection to assassination.
Yep, this looks like the act of someone who's been cornered and driven to desperation. People this serious are often the type who can't run away from their problems or think about them from a distance. They try desperately to do something, and as a result, they end up doing something completely out of character and drastic.
I get that he's not doing this because he wants to, but that's no reason for me to let him kill me. Well, I have some insurance, so I can afford to be a little bold. And with that, I started running toward the enemy magic user.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Immediately after the battle began, the boy Saki charged toward me. I was caught off guard by his action, but I calmly focused on chanting my spell.
The basics of combat between magic users involve standing still and exchanging spells. Moving around flamboyantly disrupts concentration and adversely affects the activation of crucial spells. This is the first thing they teach in magical combat class, but as a newly enrolled student, he shouldn't have learned that yet. It may seem cruel, but reality is often like that.
It is often said that when facing a magic user on the battlefield, you must get close at all costs. This doesn't mean you gain an advantage by engaging in close combat. It's because you have no chance of victory if you can't get close, and in reality, getting close doesn't guarantee an easy win. In fact, just getting close is not easy at all. Just like this.
"[Magic Missile]!"
Just as the distance between us was halved, my spell activated. The speed of a [Magic Missile] is fast, impossible for a human to dodge. And its power is something a child not yet ten years old could never withstand. Ah, the duel is over…
THUD!!
A dull sound echoed as the [Magic Missile] I had fired exploded right in front of Saki-dono and dissipated into mist. And he, completely unharmed, continued to run toward me without stopping. A [Shield]?! Impossible, when did he cast it? From the moment he left the dorm until now, there was absolutely no sign of him chanting a spell. Could he have prepared it before even leaving the dorm?
He was already closing in on me. However, Saki-dono is a magic user, and a boy of only seven years at that. If he were a fully armed knight, it would be another story, but what does he intend to do by closing the distance like this? Somehow pulling myself together from the earlier shock, I began to chant my next spell. But then my ears picked up a small whisper from the boy's voice.
"[Shocking Hand]."
In the next moment, a tremendous shock coursed through my entire body, and my consciousness was swallowed by darkness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saw the [Magic Missile], cast [Shield]. Easy peasy.
Okay, I'm kidding, but the terrifying part is that what I just said is completely true. I've once again realized the power of Spell Gesture Omission.
As I charged at the magic user named Halari, he began chanting his spell. From the shape of the sigil drawn by his fingers, I guessed the spell he was chanting was [Magic Missile]. While running, I visualized the sigil and activated the [Shield] spell using gesture omission. And just like that, I successfully nullified the [Magic Missile].
Even though I cast my spell later, my [Shield] activated before his [Magic Missile]. That alone should tell you how insane a technique Spell Gesture Omission is. I can see why Grandma and the others told me to keep it an absolute secret.
And having successfully closed the distance, I activated [Shocking Hand], again with gesture omission. By this point, the enemy magic user hadn't even been able to start chanting his second spell. [Shocking Hand] is a spell very similar to a stun gun from my past life. By touching the opponent's body with a hand cloaked in electricity, you can pass a momentary high-voltage current through them and knock them out. It's the perfect spell for neutralizing an enemy without killing them.
What? Weren't you just lamenting the other day that you couldn't learn [Shocking Hand]? Yes, I was. I was so frustrated that for the next three days, I did nothing but practice [Shocking Hand]. And then yesterday, I suddenly became able to use it. Once I mastered it, using gesture omission was a piece of cake. I didn't change how I tried to activate it at all. The principles of spell acquisition are a real mystery.
Still, to think I'd experience actual combat not just before graduating from The Academy, but in my first year of enrollment... I'm aware I was being pretty reckless. I did have some insurance, or rather, a calculation that things would be okay. It's the transparent entity, like a vortex of air, that's still shimmering behind me. I'm pretty sure this is the magical guardian Grandma assigned to me. It's much smaller than the one I saw in Arcalai Village, though.
I figured it would back me up if things got dicey, and that through our magical connection, Grandma would know I was in trouble and notify Professor Azadh or someone. Otherwise, I wouldn't have just gone up and talked to a suspicious person. I'm going to do my best to ignore the fact that the result was the worst-case scenario I had envisioned.
Oh, the door to the Red Dragon Hall is opening, and Ruria and Hanna are coming out. This is bad. How am I going to explain Mr. Halari, who's passed out in front of me? More importantly, I should probably report to Professor Azadh that I was attacked on The Academy grounds. Ahh, this is going to be another one of those times I get yelled at for causing trouble. Even though it's not my fault.
Epilogue: I later learned that the guardian assigned to me was an [Unseen Servant], which, unlike the guardian in Arcalai Village, had absolutely no direct combat capability. The news made me turn pale. Also, the Honey Pot potato pancakes I was carrying for Lug-senpai had been tossed aside, basket and all, at the start of the fight, and all the contents had fallen onto the ground. This also made my face turn pale, for a different reason.
Here is Episode 32. I've been able to write at a good pace (for me, at least) with the last chapter and this one, so I hope to keep this up. I look forward to having you with me next time.
11/11 Correction: In this chapter, Saki identified himself as a "1=10 Believer," but this was an error. The correct rank is "0=0 Neophyte." This has been corrected.