V3C5

The date is Maysecond, the day preceding the extracurricular lesson.

Tensionwithin the school has been accumulating ever since its announcement. Today, that tension finally peaks. A sense of grimness floats over the entirefirst year class. Also coinciding withthe announcement was an increase in after class, group, training ground,reservations. Even today, each area wasbooked in an instant. Furthermore, present circumstances havereversed the preferential treatment in ground reservation to favor firstyears.

Unlikethe outside world where one’s life is at risk, injuries at the training ground areconverted into mental damage. Not oncedo the hatchling magicians experience doubt over whether the actions theydevote themselves to practicing are the correct ones for returning homealive. Their training is free from suchanxiety.

Regardless,various complaints rose over the lack space for magic to be practiced. In response, the academy opened up more areasfor those students to utilize. Combatagainst other humans, however, is pointless for training to face off againstmamono. As such, that was the limit to howfar the academy would go to appease them.

Groupswere announcement the previous week. That led to an increase in discussion over topics such as tactics andcooperation. Lesson contents were alsoforced to undergo hasty revision in order to make mamono their core focus.

SinceTesfia and Alice are ranked at the top of the first years, they are not placedwithin the same group. In other words,the five man teams appear to have been created by taking the average of allfive members. That average is then furtheraugmented by the Director. She addressesthe anxiety dwelling within the groups by assigning top rankers from within theacademy to serve as their group leaders.

Everystudent’s expression is still filled with tension, but they are all noticeablymore relaxed in comparison. Arus isn’tsure if they were soothed by the addition of the upper classman to theirgroups, but doubts any of them have actually seen mamono either.

Atfirst, everyone’s expressions were stiff from anxiety. The students, having never experienced thethreat of mamono, were undergoing a crisis. As time wore on, that sense of crisis, whether for good or bad, woreaway.

Duringlunch, the usual four are seated around a table; Ferinellaisn’t present. Arus speaks as though he’d rathernot be talking. “Today’s training is cancelled so you can prepare fortomorrow.”

Hiswords are abrupt, but neither Tesfia nor Alice object as they refrain fromoffering a counter proposal. Unliketheir previous training where they simply manipulated their mana, using therods to suppress their mana consumes mana. Such practice leaves them fatigued the following day.

Tesfiasays, “That’s right. I also have ameeting with my group after our classes end. Attending that is probably important.”

Alicesays, “I agree! I also get the feelingthat is important.”

So that’s why they didn’t object.

Thenext day, the fruits of their training prove themselves more than what wasanticipated.

…

Oncethe lessons end for the day, no one returns home save for Arus and Loki. Tesfia and Alice, just like the otherstudents, remain behind in the classroom to prepare for the next day.

Arussays, “Tomorrow will be busy.”

“Yes.”

Allthat remains for them to do is meet with the Director in her office. They have been visiting her every day. As such, Arus can no longer see any of theanticipated improvements brought up during their discussions. However, because of the powerful incentivederived from their agreement, he doesn’t break away his support. Nevertheless, his cooperation isn’tflawless. As he first told the Director,everything depends on the competency of the students. All he can do is reduce the amount of harmthey will suffer.

Lokiis also well aware of her role’s importance. As a supporter with an abundance of combat experience, satisfaction isthe anticipated result of her work. Thesole concern is over whether her reinforcement units will turn outuseless. Even if the upperclassmenscreened for the role are excellent students, ninety percent of them lackactual combat experience.

Arusprecautions Loki over the possibility of her support units failing. “Loki, I’ll clean up after the others. You are not to leave your post.” His words also serve as a confirmation.

Loki’seyes hide her true feelings. Herresponse is spoken just like always, expressionless and free from tension. “Very well.”

Intruth, the likeliness of encountering a high ranked mamono is low. Furthermore, in the unlikely chance that aninvasion occurs, installed local detection magic will notice it. Its defensive line extends across 20km. There will be sufficient time to withdrawfrom the area even after completing the required confirmation.

–diamondline trio–

Arusand Loki reach the laboratory. Oncethere, it’s Loki’s responsibility to open the door. The panel identifies and confirms Loki’s manafrom her palm. Her mana signature was longsince registered in order to prevent the occurrence of potential inconveniencesfrom their cohabitation. The lock clicksthree times and the door eases open.

Eachtime she opens the door, the mirth from a deep, yet suppressed, laugh spreadsacross her face. Arus, intrigued by theact, once tactlessly asked her, “Is that fun?”

Thetone Loki responded with ended with a bounce of glee. “This is my duty.”

Thelaboratory’s interior has undergone great change over the past month. It was once those changes were finished thatLoki became fully settled. Simplepartitions were placed within a corner of the spacious laboratory. While the structure already came with abedroom, that room is too cramped for two people to share once Arus’ personalbelongs are taken into account.

Asimple room was made for Loki once the fact was pointed out by Tesfia. Loki too seems to have been dissatisfied withher conditions. Despite the room onlymeeting the minimal requirements needed to be considered one, she accepted itwithout reluctance. [1]

Thelaboratory, even with all the machinery staying as they were originally placed,is a room with too much space. Only thebedroom is small. Even now after a segmenthas been allocated to Loki, a sufficient amount of space remains.

Arusand Loki are usually frugal with their time. Any free moment they have is spend delving into research. Today is different despite their finalmeeting with the Director not being until later that night. Even though they possess plenty of time to setaside for research, Arus enters his room. From a corner he draws a hidden, jet black, case.

Lokistands behind him. She suppresses anycuriosity from showing across her face.

Arussays, “Never wanted to use this again.”

Althoughthat comment wasn’t meant for Loki, she follows it with a monotone question. She takes advantage of her question to tilther body in order to peak at what he’s holding all without breaking her postureand while keeping her back straight. “What is it?”

Arusbrushes his hand across the beautiful, jet black, case. Less dust than he expected gathered onit. He looks over it with a weary gazeas he says, “My AWR.”

“Willyou utilize it for this mission?”

“It’smy best option.”

Arus’feelings can be understood just by watching him. The amount of interest he shows towardswielding that weapon make them obvious.

Hehas his mana crawl around the fastener where it then unclasps itself with alight snap. From the case, upon beingopened by the practiced action, swings out an eerie knife attached to a chain. Those chains were stored inside a small gapwithin the scabbard.

Theweapon, however, bares a closer resemblance to that of a dagger than a knife.

Lokiis too overwhelmed by its blade to speak. The black luster edge pressures her with allthe mamono it has slaughtered. More thanthat, however, is her shock towards the blade itself.

“———!”

AWRare purposed with the task of transmitting mana. They are axillary weapons with the role ofmaking magic smoother to wield. Complexand arcane formulas are thus inscribed onto them for the sake of making highlydifficult spells easier to cast for their wielders.

Thoserequired inscriptions cannot be seen on Arus’ blade.

No, they are engraved. There are two letters. Loki doesn’t know what they mean, but is positive there is somethingunusual about them. As a weapon belonging to the strongest magician, there must be more toit.

Arusfrowns and grabs the chain. “The magicceremonies are inscribed…” He yanks itwhile adding, “here.”

Thechain clatters, unfettered by Arus’ rough handling, and spreads across thefloor.

Lokigaps as she taken aback by the revelation. “Would touching it be alright?”

OnceArus tells her with his eyes, “Doesn’t matter,” she scoops up the chain withboth hands.

“—— — —! This chain… the ringlets, aremagic formulas engraved on each one of them?”

“Yeah,it’s actually pretty easy to use. Eachspell just needs to be memorized first.”

Althoughmagic can be supported by inscribing formulas on AWR, only one system of magiccan realistically be supported. Themagical formula inscribed to support the selected system is the only section usedso that it may act as the core for all spell craft [2] . The versatility that method offers is thesole reason it is regarded as the most efficient.

Engravingmagical formulas of multiple systems isn’t recommended due to the rivalry createdbetween the systems. That act bringsmore demerits than anything else.

Theconstruction of a single magic formula is formed through a series ofcombinations. [Icicle sword] for example,uses the ice system as the core to its magic formula. Built up on top of that is convergence,anchoring, a coordinates system, strengthening, and shaping. [3]

Tesfiamost likely only succeeded in utilizing an AWR solely centered around a magic formulafor the ice system entirely because of her aptitude and effort. Ratherthan that, her’s is the norm.

Sinceonly the magic system’s magic formula is long, a suitable base for it to be engravedinto is required. That said, when onlythe formula for one system in engraved, then all magic belonging to said systemis supported. However, only the spell’scomposition process can be simplified. If the caster is inexperience and the lacking components aren’tincorporated, it will never be expressed as magic.

Whenfully inscribing the magic formula of a sole spell, extra space is needed toinsert the system + the components. Butbeing able to use a single spell isn’t a perfect replacement for discarding thechant. The merit is in drawing themagic’s original power. However,wielding it without a deep understanding of the magic formula won’t result inanything useful. Thus, the real problemlies in that even if magicians discard a spell’s chant for its original power,very few possess the required intimate knowledge needed to make it succeed. Therefore, due to there being more benefits tousing various spells during combat, no one inscribes the magic formula of asingle spell onto their AWR.

Loki’salways calm expression inevitably trembles as she says, “Is there a spell oneach chain-link?”

Thelarger the inscribed magic formula is, the greater the assists for the magicianin wielding magic. If the opposite isdone and smaller inscriptions are made, the benefits from making them becomeharder to receive. This occurs becausemanipulating magic is equivalent to threading a needle during the middle of abattle.

Amagic formula emits light as it receives magic and begins to construct itsspell. During that time, the magician mustkeep the framework of the intended spell in mind up until the moment when themagic formula can be substituted for process and the spell arbitrarily manifests. Also, since the magician needs to trace theprocess up until the spell’s materialization, an unskilled magician could haveone or two chants of the spell forced. [4]

Ifthe formula is shrunk, then even if the constructed formula channels mana, thespell produced would be inadequate. [5] Any benefits gained by omitting the chantwould be lost.

“Invokingmagic with this…” Loki refrains fromcompleting her sentence. It was engravedas such because it can be used. Whenconsidered from that angle, it becomes proof that the one standing before heris the strongest magician.

Shethen bows her head. Despite stoppingherself partway, she says, “Excuse me.”

Arusforces a smile. Receiving such a levelof respect from his roommate isn’t something he can get used to. However, responding to Loki’s slip of thetongue with something like, “Don’t worry about it,” would only deal her acrushing blow.

“Itisn’t a big deal.”

Loki’sexpression darkens, but maintains a hint of its shine. Arus’ response implies to her that she didn’tmake a slip of the tongue. She says,“That’s true.”

Thecorners of her lips rise at her conclusion, For the strongest magician, such an endeavorwould naturally be easy.

“Loki,even though you’re not being deployed for combat, be ready for it. We don’t know what can happen out there.”

Arus’worries are wasted on Loki due to her experiences in the outside world. She pulls out a throwing knife type AWR fromher behind herself while saying, “I am always prepared for combat.”

“………”

Loki’saction isn’t a big deal. It isn’t… except she’s in uniform. In other words, she modified her academy uniformso that she could hide a knife on her persona.

Arus,without realizing it, loses the opportunity to voice his thoughts.

…

Thepreparations Arus and Loki need for tomorrow do not require advanced preparation. Therefore, to reduce the amount of time beingstolen away from them, the two head to meet with the Director earlier thanagreed upon.

“Al,Loki-chan.” Alice calls out to themwhile on her way home.

Arusfeels something off with their encounter. Once he judges her close enough, he says, “It went on for quite awhile.”

Her voluntary overtime was almostas long as our training.

“Theothers are still there. Even Fia isstill at it.”

That’s what it was… Since Alice and Tesfia are always together, Arus hasbeen treating them as a set. Thus, hefound running in Alice on her own unusual.

Alicespeaks with a helpless tone. Her words,however, aren’t an assentation. “You’vebeen a pretty bad influence.”

Arusgives a wry, “Hahaa.”

“SinceFia ranks at 4000, there aren’t any other girls there either.”

“Thisis a good opportunity for her to understand my hardships.”

Lokinods from behind him while repeating, “That’s right.”

Alice,once more becoming aware of Loki, tries changing the topic. “Where are the two of you headed?”

Arusjudges that since Alice is already aware of their situation, there is no needto keep the truth from her. “To meetwith the Director.”

“Abouttomorrow?”

“Youcould say that.”

“Don’tstay out too late now, Al, Loki-chan. Tomorrow morning, we need to get up early.”

“That’lldepend on the Director, but we’ll keep it in mind.”

Arusis bothered by the large smile Alice forces despite her concerns. Regardless, he doesn’t offer her anythingconcrete with which to sooth her mind.

“I’mprobably in your way. Let’s do our besttomorrow… right…… Loki-chan?” Alice wasstaring at Arus when she started, but ninety percent through, concluded thatwishing him well would be rude. Unableto take back what was already spoken, she changed her target. Despite that save, she’s also aware thatthose concerns are unneeded by Loki.

““………””

“……”

Alice’swords usher in a silence which even she wavers over undoing.

Arusnotes that her behavior is different from usual. Herinsecurities are probably causing this. Aliceisn’t like Tesfia, she is much more delicate.

Thecombat ability of Alice and Tesfia aren’t at a level he needs tocriticize. He doubts either of themwould struggle against a low ranked mamono. However, even if he encourages her by saying, “Don’t worry about it,” hewon’t be able to relieve her dread towards the unknown.

Heresumes walking for the Director’s office, but upon passing by her side, speaksin a low tone. “Well, depending on whathappens, I’ll help out.”

Sincehe can’t take away her fears, he instead lends her his strength. Accepting to look after her is no big dealfor him. It’s only one extraresponsibility on top of his already existing duties towards resolvingtomorrow’s troublesome developments.

Despitehis feelings, Alice responds with a bright smile exactly as heanticipated.

“Thankyou.”

Her smile is free from all anxiety. Even if this relief is only temporary, not a speck of doubt clouds her heart.

T/N:Special thanks to M4L4DD1CT1ON for sponsoring this chapter~

Anyway,these technical chapters where magic is explained are interesting, but they area pain to translate. It was a smallchapter, but those small segments all on their own increased the translationtime by almost a week >.>

Iwant to say more about it, but nada. Hope you liked it,

Oh,for all of you who doubt me, nothing’s been dropped!!

~Gandire Alea

[1] テスフィアの指摘も受け、簡単な部屋を作った。ロキにも不満があったようだが、これは最低条件だと譲らなかったことで渋々承諾してくれた。

[2] 系統を補助するために刻まれる魔法式は魔法を構成するための基軸となる部分だけだ。

[3] 加えて収束、固定、座標、強度、さらには造形が含まれる。

[4] それも具現化までのプロセスをなぞる必要があるため、未熟であれば一・二節詠唱を強いられるわけだ。

[5] その式を縮小すれば魔法の構成式は組まれても具現化までのプロセスに不備が生じる。

<3.4 The Notification About the Extracurricular Lesson’s Implementation

3.6 The Preceding Day~ Bottom~ Resolving the Heart>