Chapter 7

7. Class (2)

Everyone was astonished.

While everyone was in shock, Oliver, who seemed to notice something strange, asked in his characteristic hesitant manner.

"...... Did I do something wrong?"

"...... No, it's excellent. Isn't it?"

Joseph asked Andrew, who was watching from the back, and Andrew slowly nodded.

"Y... Yes, it's quite impressive. Really."

The chaotic atmosphere returned to order, and Joseph continued the lesson.

"Alright, what you just did is called extraction. It's the first step in black magic. There are two methods of extracting emotions. Who can explain?"

Mari raised her hand again. She seemed very shaken.

"...... The first method is extracting emotions from a vial, and the second is extracting them directly from a person."

"What are the commonalities and differences between the two?"

"The commonality is that both methods extract emotions from actual people. The difference is that one method involves pre-extraction and storage, while the other involves extraction on the spot."

"Which is more difficult?"

"The second method is more difficult. When extracting emotions directly from a person, there is resistance, making it much harder than extracting pre-stored emotions. If it's during a battle, it can be dangerous if not done correctly."

Satisfied with the answer, Joseph nodded and praised Mari.

However, Oliver found it a bit puzzling. Although he had only experienced it once, extracting emotions directly from a person didn't seem that difficult to him. In fact, it was even fun... at least for him personally.

Joseph spoke again.

"As Mari said, extracting emotions directly from a person is more difficult because even ordinary people resist instinctively. If done incorrectly, the extraction might fail, or you might suffer a backlash. That's why black magicians always carry a certain amount of stored emotions. However, a true black magician shouldn't rely solely on pre-extracted emotions. Not only is it a matter of skill, but emotions extracted directly from a person are of higher quality. Understand?"

"“Yes, Master.””"

"So, don't be satisfied just because you managed to extract emotions. Strive to become more proficient. And those who couldn't extract emotions, be ashamed and practice even harder. Time will not wait for you."

The children who couldn't extract emotions bowed their heads deeply. Inside their bodies, anxiety, fear, jealousy, and resentment flickered.

"Then, let's start the lesson again. Those who extracted emotions, follow me."

Joseph gathered black light at his fingertips and formed a circle, just like the first time they met. Although it wasn't as surprising anymore, everyone followed Joseph's lead and formed a circle with the extracted black light.

"Ugh..."

"Grunt..."

"Ooh..."

Groans came from all directions as they gradually formed circles. They were more like distorted shapes, but only Tom and Mari, the supervisors, managed to form perfect circles. Oh, and one more. Oliver.

Oliver compressed the extracted black light and formed a circle of the same size as Joseph's, a perfect circle without any wobbling or distortion.

Joseph then manipulated the black light to change the circle into a square. Tom and Mari managed to do it relatively easily, but the others couldn't and their shapes collapsed halfway.

Joseph changed the square into a triangle, then a cone, a star, a donut, and a Möbius strip. By this point, only the three supervisors and Oliver were left.

"Good, you've followed well. Now, the final task. Create the most difficult shape you can. The larger and more complex, the better."

Since the basics were already covered, it was now time to show off individual skills. Everyone clenched their teeth, determined to make a good impression.

The first to demonstrate was Tom. He was about to become a formal disciple and wanted to solidify his position by creating the most difficult shape he could.

He formed the black light into a cylindrical shape, elongated it, and twisted it into a coiled, bent pillar. Everyone was amazed by the sight.

Beside him, Mari, seemingly aware of Tom, tried to mimic the same shape but failed to maintain its form and it collapsed.

"Ah..."

Mari's disappointed sigh and Tom's smirking laughter were heard.

"Are you not going to try?"

Joseph asked Oliver, who was quietly standing at the back. Oliver thought for a moment and then, as if making a decision, looked at Joseph and asked.

"...... Can I make it large and intricate as I like?"

"Yes."

In response to Joseph's brief answer, Oliver, unlike the others, enveloped the black light with both hands. Everyone was curious about what he was doing and secretly hoped he would fail. Or rather, they wanted him to fail.

The black light in Oliver's hands trembled, like an egg about to hatch. After a while, it regained its stability and transformed into a perfect sphere.

"Just a sphere?"

At that moment, the stabilized black light suddenly shrank to the size of a bead and then expanded to cover the entire classroom.

Everyone was bewildered, unable to grasp the situation. Along with this, an unbelievable sight unfolded before their eyes.

A model of black light ivy vines covered the entire classroom. It was so intricate and lifelike that no one could easily speak. They just stared at Oliver in disbelief.

Oliver looked around his creation and said softly,

"Oh, it works."

***

The next morning. Oliver felt something had changed.

Not only the fellow workers who had belittled and ignored him until yesterday, but even the supervisors seemed more cautious.

Though they pretended otherwise, the light emanating from their bodies told the truth.

They were afraid of Oliver, and at the same time, jealous. A few even looked at him with admiration.

He couldn't understand it. In the orphanage and the mine, his treatment had changed at some point, but this was the first time it had changed so quickly... and he couldn't figure out why. He had just attended a class.

But after a moment of contemplation, Oliver dismissed it and continued his routine of cleaning the factory and eating, as he usually did.

For him, making friends or feeling superior was of no interest. His only focus was on learning black magic.

Perhaps because he had taken a day off for the class, the pile of meat was more than twice its usual size. Oliver carried the chunks of meat to the grinder.

The meat was large, heavy, and mostly spoiled, making it one of the most unpleasant tasks, but compared to the mine, it was quite comfortable.

Most importantly, it was simple labor, allowing him to work mechanically while thinking about other things, such as the lesson content from the previous day.

While working, Oliver continuously reviewed what he had learned, asking questions and seeking improvements.

For example, why was it more difficult to extract emotions directly from a person? What was the most efficient way to store emotions? Why were they inconveniently stored in vials? He questioned himself like a three-year-old, seeking answers.

Sometimes he found satisfactory answers, and sometimes he didn't. When he didn't, a frustrating, unscratchable itch would overwhelm him. He wanted to grab someone and ask.

"Hey... Do you need help? If you're struggling, I can help."

Surprised by the sudden voice, Oliver looked up. A worker was there.

"......"

Thinking Oliver hadn't heard him, the worker repeated,

"Moving the meat by yourself must be tough. Do you want some help?"

"Why...?"

Oliver asked, genuinely curious, not out of sarcasm.

"Well... It's tough to do alone, right? It's less tiring if we do it together, and... we're colleagues. Yes! Colleagues..."

Oliver knew he wasn't particularly smart, but he could tell something was off. The sudden offer of help from a colleague was suspicious.

Most importantly, the light was concerning. Though they were smiling, the light inside their bodies was twisted and cunning, like snakes. He had seen it before.

Yes, it was the light emitted by those who flattered the orphanage director and the mine supervisor to gain favor. But why were they doing it to him?

"That guy? Yes, that guy. He's been here for a week, and in yesterday's class... Really?"

"Mr. Andrew...?"

Feeling the annoying, mosquito-like voices and the light of caution and hostility, Oliver turned his head.

Some unfamiliar people were standing at a distance, watching Oliver. Their expressions and the light they emitted showed that they were wary of him, like a dog whose territory had been invaded.

Oliver's head started to hurt. He just wanted to quietly do his job and learn black magic. Why were these troublesome people sticking to him?

At that moment, Oliver noticed someone. It was Mari. Thinking he might get some help, he approached her, but she frowned when she saw him.

Not just her expression, but also the negative emotions of anger, jealousy, and anxiety she emitted made Oliver stop involuntarily.

Not knowing how to respond to this sudden change, Oliver was called by Andrew, who appeared from somewhere.

"Oliver?"

"...... Yes?"

"The Master is calling you. Follow me."

**

Oliver followed Andrew to the Master's room, which was in the factory basement, just like the classroom. However, it was far more luxurious than the classroom.

The neatly finished walls and ceiling, the giant bed, the citrus scent in the air, and the unfamiliar furniture... Yes, it was similar to the opulent office of the mine's administrative chief that he had seen by chance.

Fortunately, Oliver wasn't particularly interested in such things, so he didn't show much reaction. His only concern was why Joseph had called him.

"I've brought him, Master."

Oliver instinctively greeted Joseph. Joseph, sipping whiskey from a fancy crystal glass, replied.

"Yes, come in. How are you doing?"

Oliver tilted his head. 'How are you doing?' He couldn't understand the meaning behind the words.

"Um, yes, I'm doing well."

"Is that so? Really?"

"Yes... I just wish the classes were more frequent."

At this, Joseph, who had been frowning, burst into laughter. Andrew also laughed along.

"Yes, that sounds like you. Is there anything else bothering you? Any discomfort with the people around you, the food, or your sleeping arrangements?"

Oliver recalled the mocking and provoking colleagues, the same bread and soup every day, and the damp, moldy mattress.

"No, there's nothing. I am very grateful for Master's kindness."

He mimicked the words of the children who flattered the supervisors. Even if they knew it was a lie, everyone liked it, and fortunately, Joseph also seemed to think so.

"Good attitude. I don't know if it's a good attitude, but it's a good attitude. Excellent... Good boys deserve rewards. I have good news for you."

"Are you going to teach me more black magic?"

"No, instead, I'll give you an opportunity. The chance to become a formal disciple."