Chapter 48

"Hey, who's Louise's teacher?"

"Beats me? I haven't heard anything. What about Vell?"

"I can kind of guess, but I don't want to say it..."

"You mean that person, right?"

The summer break had ended, and the new semester, which was originally planned, had undergone significant changes. We were told that we had already graduated from the preparatory school and that we should focus more on training until we became adults, which led to the adults deciding that we would stay in the capital.

However, I didn't really have any complaints about this decision. Even if we were learning the same things, the education in the capital, the capital of a country, should be more comprehensive, and the quality of social infrastructure and entertainment is superior.

I didn't intend to waste my time, but I wanted to enjoy my breaks fully. In fact, the capital was more urban than Breichburg, and it was more fun to play around.

Comparing it to my hometown, which had almost no entertainment, would be presumptuous.

We had decided on a rental house to stay in, and we heard that the rent would be paid by the Margrave of Breihlader. After thinking, 'The noble territory disputes are tough,' a few days later, Vell and Louise were walking to the same place for some reason.

El was going to the castle to learn swordsmanship from Warren of the Royal Guard, and Iina was going to the same guard to learn spear techniques from a master. However, Vell and Louise were told to go to a military facility in a different location.

I'm a mage, and Louise, while also a magic user, can only use magic through martial arts techniques. I'm a versatile type, but she is classified as a specialized type of mage, which is a category that exists in a certain number.

People who have outstanding talent in one type of magic, like Elise, who can only use healing and holy attribute magic, are also considered specialized types.

There are also people who can only use magic for making magical items, those who can only use convenient life-related special magic, and those who can only use teleportation or communication magic.

This communication magic, which belongs to the wind element, is so useful that mages who can use it are highly sought after by the military and merchants.

When they become masters, they can apparently send their voices to other mages or dedicated magical communication devices over thousands of kilometers without any delay.

I should be able to use it, but I've never used it, so I don't know much about it. After all, a former loner like me has no one to communicate with over long distances. Moreover, communication can only be established if the other party can use the same communication magic or has an expensive magical communication device, so I didn't think there would be many opportunities in the future.

"Am I going to train with Vell?"

"Learn some fire magic?"

"No way."

For this reason, there was no reason for Vell and Louise to train in the same place. Louise specializes in close combat using martial arts techniques, while I specialize in long-range combat by casting spells from a distance.

Even if we were given the same training menu, it would be a problem for both of us.

"Excuse me, today..."

"Ah! You came! Well done!"

When we explained the situation to the gatekeeper of the facility, we were immediately led inside and to the entrance of a certain building. When we called out, we found someone we had met before. No, someone we had spent over half a month with during the summer break, who was supposed to be a top-notch and wonderful mage, but for some reason, only left a sweaty impression.

The Chief Royal Mage, who, during the monster hunt, seemed more suited to eating roasted monster meat than a bandit.

That person, who looked nothing like Elise's uncle, with his muscular build.

Vice Count Klimt Christoph von Armstrong. He was waiting for us with his usual sweaty smile.

"Is Vice Count Armstrong going to be our teacher?"

"Indeed! I was so excited that I couldn't sleep well last night!"

Even though he was wearing armor materialized by magic, he punched a dragon bare-handed. The so-called Armstrong instructor, who deviates more than half from ordinary mages, is our teacher, and I keep thinking of ways to escape. He might be excited, but I have a bad feeling about it.

Besides, I have plenty to learn from Blantrach. I didn't come here to learn how to punch dragons.

"(There's no way I can do that kind of magic! Besides, is that even magic?)"

The kingdom must have appointed Armstrong instructor as the Chief Royal Mage because of his magic, but I still feel a sense of discomfort.

"(There's no way I can master it... Wait, maybe Louise can.)"

I don't understand the difference between martial arts techniques and Armstrong instructor's combat magic, so it might be better for Louise to train alone. When I came to this conclusion in my mind, I spoke to Louise, who was speechless at the sight of the muscular Chief Royal Mage.

"Louise, I'm sure that combat style will be useful for you. I might be in the way, though."

"Eh? Just me? Vell is supposed to come too, right!"

I had told Louise about how Armstrong instructor used magic to materialize armor, moved around freely with high-speed flight magic, punched through dragon breath, and continuously fired concentrated magic blasts. When I asked if these were martial arts techniques, Louise firmly said they were not.

"Materialize magic? If you had that much magic power, no one would bother with martial arts training. Concentrated magic blasts aren't martial arts techniques either. The basics are fighting with magic-infused fists and feet. Martial arts are about efficiently using a small amount of magic to enhance combat skills. I have enough magic power for intermediate to advanced levels, but I can't use any magic, so I'm learning martial arts."

Armstrong instructor's combat style is overwhelmingly powerful but consumes a lot of magic, making it unsuitable for prolonged battles. However, he seemed energetic even after the battle, which probably means he has an extreme amount of magic.

He is indeed a rival to my teacher. Compared to my teacher, who is more refreshing, he is a bit too sweaty.

"No, I'm not into martial arts. I'm better suited for attacking and supporting from a distance with magic."

I had received basic sword training since childhood, but at the preparatory school, the instructors had stamped me as 'completely talentless.' My sword skills, which were around average when I entered, had dropped to the bottom of the class.

The basic training at the Baumeyer household only delayed the time when my poor sword skills would be revealed.

However, I was told I had some talent for archery and throwing knives, so I had trained in these along with magic.

"I'm no good with swords."

"Even if you're no good with swords, you might be okay with martial arts! Let's learn together!"

Louise was trying to persuade me, probably because she didn't want to train alone with the sweaty Chief Royal Mage.

"Why don't I just focus on magic training? I haven't reached my magic limit yet."

I was only twelve, and my teacher had instructed me to practice magic circulation and various magic techniques every day. Additionally, I was told by Blantrach to conserve magic, which is a lifelong training goal.

There were also experiments with new magic, improving the quality of usable magic, and documenting magic in my diary for future generations.

If I put my mind to it, I could be very busy.

"What! You already have more magic power than I do, and you haven't reached your growth limit yet!"

"Yes, so I..."

I was trying to leave Louise behind and go home, but it didn't seem to be that easy. The instructor, for some reason, was shedding tears of emotion and firmly gripping my shoulders.

"(My shoulders are going to break! My bones are going to shatter! I can't escape!)"

"Then, all the more reason to train with me. In magic circulation training, there's nothing more efficient than my magical combat armor. If you get used to fighting with enhanced physical abilities and high-speed flight, you won't need the advanced combat sense required for martial arts. I've never learned martial arts from anyone either."

Armstrong instructor's explanation made sense, and I missed my chance to escape. This muscular instructor apparently recreates his strength with a tough body and magic alone, which must be a remarkable figure to martial artists.

"Alfred, unlike me, who is a pure combat mage, was a genius at using a variety of magic skillfully, but he was terrible at physical strength. He said he had no talent, but if he had at least learned my magical combat armor..."

He might not have lost his life in the southern demon forest. Armstrong instructor was telling us this with a sad expression.

"Louise, what do you think?"

"You're right. It's premature to decide you can't do something you've never tried."

Since I couldn't hide my strength, I decided to accept the dragon hunt and the subsequent commendation.

However, this might make me stand out, and I might face various challenges in the future. Even a powerful mage with a lot of magic power might be attacked unexpectedly, and it's better to have multiple ways to protect myself when my magic power is low.

I decided to learn magic combat techniques from Armstrong instructor.

"You have talent, so you'll learn quickly."

"Thank you. But is it okay?"

My only concern was that Armstrong instructor, as the Chief Royal Mage, might be 'too busy.' I couldn't imagine him doing paperwork or managing subordinates, but as the Chief, he couldn't avoid such tasks.

That's what I thought.

"Don't worry, there's no need. I only go to the castle when called by His Majesty."

"Eh?"

"Think about it. What use am I in the kingdom's daily governance? As we saw in the last dragon hunt, the Chief Royal Mage is basically just for show except in emergencies."

A few mid-level mages from the Royal Guard and Royal Mages can handle the protection of His Majesty, and he has subordinates who don't mind paperwork, so there are no problems.

He only needs to show up at formal events regularly.

"However, His Majesty, who considers me a childhood friend, asks me to visit regularly."

I see, Armstrong instructor is a smart person, contrary to his appearance. He was a once-in-five-hundred-years mage in the kingdom, and he could have advanced in his career if he wanted to, but he chose to specialize in magic.

To distance himself from the nobles who see him as a thorn in their side, he pretends to be a useless, showy Chief Royal Mage who is only useful in emergencies.

My teacher, on the other hand, had fled to the south after struggling as an orphan in the capital and being tired of the people in the palace.

"(This person is quite dangerous.)"

Despite this, his loyalty to his childhood friend, His Majesty, is strong. I decided to avoid being used, though I wasn't sure if I could completely do so.

"Besides, this training is also for me."

"For you?"

"Yes. I haven't reached my magic limit yet..."

"Whaaat!"

Even now, Armstrong instructor, who is over forty, is still growing in magic power. Normally, magic power growth peaks in the early twenties.

This means Armstrong instructor is a special type of mage in terms of growth.

"Louise hasn't reached her magic limit either, so today we'll start with a magic resonance test."

In the end, that day, I performed a magic resonance test with Louise, Armstrong instructor, and dozens of apprentice mages he brought along.

A magic resonance test can raise your maximum magic power to the limit in one go if the other person's magic power exceeds your own. However, it can be shocking to learn your talent, and some people might lash out at the person who performed the test.

It's also a test of trust, like a teacher-student relationship. The rumor that it's better to perform the test with someone who has higher magic power is unfounded, but Armstrong instructor brought people who wanted to perform the test with me.

Of course, that rumor is not true.

There was another reason for this. In the past, a magic resonance test was performed on a baby with magical talent, and the baby gained a vast amount of magic power. The baby would use wind magic to destroy the room when crying, use magic to forcefully pull the mother for feeding, and use magic to take toys from other children when learning to walk.

To perform a magic resonance test, the other person must have a certain level of self-awareness and rationality and have done some magic training.

I might be an exception, but according to Blantrach, "Whether you're five or six, the test was performed because Al recognized it, and you don't have too much magic power. It's fine."

In my case, I'm an exception because I have an old soul.

"All of you will reach your magic limits in one go. However, don't be sad if the amount is small. While magic power is important, there are many other aspects of magic to train. In fact, you're lucky to have saved time on increasing your magic power."

I don't know where he brought them from, but Armstrong instructor explained this to those who were lying on the floor due to magic intoxication after the resonance test. Given that they all had at least mid-level magic power, they were likely future candidates for Royal Mages.

"But why doesn't Armstrong instructor get magic intoxication?"

Louise, while not as severe, was feeling a bit dizzy. She was sitting near me, and her growth was astonishing. Her magic power had risen to a level equivalent to mid to high-level mages.

She was indeed a talented individual who had recently started magic power enhancement training due to family considerations.

However, it was unclear if she could use other magic. That would be a future challenge.

"Is it the same for you?"

"Um... Maybe?"

Currently, Armstrong instructor's magic power is the same as mine. In other words, like me, he hasn't reached his magic growth limit. In fact, it's already more than twice that of my teacher.

At this rate, my teacher might no longer be a rival to Armstrong instructor.

"Hmm, the feeling of expanding my magic pathways and magic reservoirs through the resonance test is refreshing. How pleasant... Now, let's start with the magical combat armor."

"Are we really going to train?"

"Of course!"

Vell and Louise were so taken aback by the overly energetic Armstrong instructor that they almost collapsed on the spot. They could only hope that the legend of the strongest magic warrior, Wendelin, wouldn't begin.