Chapter 5

In the memorable first class, Eren, who had sent the teacher to the hospital, slumped his shoulders in disappointment.

(Oh, I did it again...)

He had thought that, after standing out too much during the new student representative speech, he would try to have a quiet school life for the time being... but that plan had crumbled right from the start.

"Still, I can't tell. Is Eren really that strong?"

"Hmm, it's too early to say. Maybe it was just that Professor Keynes was incompetent..."

"But still, the amount of magical power to overwhelm a 'Third' teacher... Isn't that a bit scary, honestly?"

"Um... let's put his evaluation on hold for now."

The classmates were watching Eren from a distance, whispering to each other.

In any case, with the teacher absent, the first period became a self-study session.

After a while, the second period began.

"---Everyone, congratulations on your admission to our school. I am Miliyue Anderson. My subject is the Yellow Path, and I specialize in high-speed movement spells."

Miliyue Anderson, thirty years old.

She had long brown hair that flowed back, and she was 170 cm tall. Her fashion sense was quite unique, with a flashy yellow dress and a spiral scarf around her neck, making her stand out even from a distance.

"For the next year, I will thoroughly teach you 'practical magic.' My classes are based on practical scenarios, so there will be very little classroom lectures. Unless otherwise notified, please always gather on the school grounds."

After giving the announcements, she immediately started the class.

"In modern magical warfare, 'mobility' plays a very important role. By mobility, I mean the three basic skills: floating in the air, high-speed movement, and emergency evasion. It's impossible to discuss practical combat without these."

Her clear voice echoed across the school grounds.

"Today, we will deepen our understanding of one of these, floating in the air. Everyone, please follow me. ---Yellow Path Twelve, Ascend."

As Miliyue activated her magic, her body floated up into the sky.

Immediately after,

"---Yellow Path Twelve, Ascend."

While the students of Class A effortlessly soared high into the sky,

"...Huh...?"

Eren, who had not yet learned the Yellow Path Twelve, was left behind on the ground.

"Now, I will release a large number of 'White Path One, Flash.' Please dodge them while floating in the air... Wait, what are you doing over there? Come up here quickly."

Miliyue scolded Eren, who was staring blankly at the sky.

"S-Sorry... But I can't fly..."

"Can't fly? Why not?"

"Well, I haven't learned the Yellow Path Twelve yet..."

"......What?"

Miliyue couldn't help but let out a surprised exclamation.

The Royal Third Magic Academy was a prestigious school. She had never imagined that a student who had passed the extremely difficult entrance exam, and even become the new student representative, couldn't use a basic Yellow Path spell.

Eren's declaration shocked not only Miliyue but also the other students.

"Hey, what's going on?"

"To think he can't even use such a simple spell... Isn't that a bit strange?"

"Ah, with such magical skills, it's impossible to be the top student. Actually, it's surprising he even passed the exam."

"Maybe the rumors about him cheating to get in are true..."

"But he did beat Professor Keynes so easily... Ah, I don't get it."

The stark contrast between his overwhelming magical power and his inability to use basic spells led to various speculations among the classmates.

"I didn't expect there would be a student who can't even float in the air... Well, there's no point in lamenting. For this period, please study the construction of the Yellow Path Twelve spell from this textbook. Understand?"

"Y-Yes, I understand..."

Eren then moved to a corner of the school grounds and read the textbook alone.

(...They look like they're having fun...)

When he looked up, his classmates were freely flying around in the sky.

(...I have to catch up with everyone as soon as possible.)

He shook his head and refocused, determined to learn the basics of the Yellow Path.

The third period arrived.

Originally, this period was supposed to be taught by Dahl, who would conduct a White Path class...

"Everyone, I'm very sorry. I just received an urgent call from the principal. Today's class will be self-study... but that would be too irresponsible, so I'll give you a simple assignment."

He quickly thought of a suitable self-study task for the first-year students.

"Pair up with a nearby classmate and activate White Path spells one through ten without incantation, competing for the fastest deployment speed. The rules and penalties are... let's see. The time limit is one hour, and the losing student will run ten laps around the school grounds after class... something like that. I'll leave you now."

After giving the minimum instructions, Dahl hurried to the principal's office.

"Ah, I was looking forward to Dahl's class..."

"Can't be helped. Let's just do the assignment quickly! The loser will not only run ten laps but also buy lunch for the winner!"

"Heh. I'll take that bet!"

"Hey, will you be my partner?"

"Sure, of course."

While the classmates quickly paired up, Eren was left behind.

(I have to... find someone to pair up with quickly...)

Feeling anxious, he looked around.

"---Eren"

A voice called out to him from behind.

"Ah, are you also left out---"

The moment Eren turned around with a cheerful expression, a black sphere passed by his face, slightly cutting his cheek.

(...Did I just get attacked?)

It took him a moment to realize what had happened.

"Um... what...?"

Standing in front of him was Zeno Roses, radiating strong hostility. He had ranked second in the entrance exam, narrowly missing the top spot.

"Hey, Eren... why are you, an incompetent like you, the new student representative?"

"I don't know... Why?"

He was more curious about it himself.

"I had to become the new student representative. ...You understand, right? I need the 'negotiation right.'"

"...?"

The right given to the new student representative---the 'right to negotiate with the principal.' Students with this right can negotiate with the principal of their school and make one request. The principal of the Royal Magic Academy has significant social influence and immense power, and most requests are fulfilled within a day or two.

There is a condition that the request must not violate the ethical guidelines set by the Magic Church, but the ethical standards of magicians are quite lax, and requests are rarely rejected unless they are particularly malicious.

Zeno desperately wanted this negotiation right, but Eren, who simply wanted to enjoy a peaceful school life with his friends, had hardly given it a thought.

"Royal Third Magic Academy General Regulations, Article 21, Section 3---'A student of the same grade who possesses the negotiation right can engage in a magical battle with another student. If they win, they can take the right.' Do you understand now?"

"Is that... a duel?"

"A duel. I'll beat you to a pulp and take the negotiation right!"

As he declared this, a dark magical power surged from Zeno's body.

"Wait, please! If you want the negotiation right, I can give it to you---"

"Shut up and get ready! ---Black Path Thirty-Three, Black Fan!"

In an instant, a black fan rushed at him at an incredible speed.

"...!?"

Eren took a large step back, barely avoiding it.

"Wow! The new student representative and the heir of the Roses family are going to fight!"

"This is a great match... definitely worth watching."

"Zeno is one of the top students in our grade... This will finally reveal Eren's true strength."

Instead of stopping the duel, the classmates started watching with excitement.

However, this wasn't entirely their fault.

In the world of magicians, duels between spellcasters are common. As long as there isn't an overwhelming power difference---as long as it doesn't become a one-sided punishment---there is no need to stop it.

(Ha... I have no choice but to fight...)

Faced with the hostile Zeno and the excited classmates, Eren reluctantly decided to fight.

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