Chapter 71

The summer vacation ended, and the second semester of the academy began.

I and Laura attended class in our school uniforms for the first time in a while.

"--- So, today's lesson is the new magic, Split Bullet."

These were the words of Filbus, standing at the front of the classroom.

The students reacted with an "Ohh."

There are many types of classes at the academy, but the most popular among the students is the study of new magic. As apprentices who want to learn as many spells as possible, this is only natural.

Filbus wrote on the blackboard with chalk.

After drawing a large circle, he drew arrows and then four smaller circles at the end of the arrows.

"Split Bullet fires multiple bullets in one activation. The power of each bullet becomes weaker, but being able to hit a wide area at once is not bad. It's a basic magic of the Split series, so learn it."

Filbus tapped the large circle he had drawn with the chalk.

"But don't misunderstand. It's one shot at first, and only one magic. It splits after activation. It doesn't split from the beginning. This is an important point. Don't get the image wrong."

The students nodded and took notes on Filbus's words.

In magic, the image of activation is important. If this is off, no matter how hard you try, you won't be able to learn it.

Then Filbus wrote various theories on the blackboard and explained them.

"--- That's the theory. Now, let's move on to the imprinting."

Imprinting refers to the process of learning magic.

I opened my magic book and turned to the page on Split Bullet.

There were three items listed there:

Incantation.

Magic Song.

Magic Pattern.

Learning magic means understanding these three.

Incantation:

Literally, the 'chant' used to activate magic. However, it can be omitted. Pre-chanting increases the success rate of the magic, so it's used when you lack confidence. It doesn't affect the effect, so it's generally omitted once fully learned.

Magic Song:

A song that evokes the image of the magic. It's separate from the incantation and is not spoken. It can have meaningful or meaningless phrases. The image created by these words must be imprinted in your mind.

Magic Pattern:

The pattern that constructs the magic. The shape varies but is a combination of geometric figures. Like the others, it must be memorized to activate the magic.

"Got it? I'll explain the meaning of the Split Bullet magic song. Don't miss it."

Filbus explained the content of the magic book.

Imprinting means thoroughly memorizing these three and literally 'burning' them into your body.

It's not just memorization; it's about truly engraving them deep into your body, which is a labor-intensive process.

Moreover, low-level magic is short and simple, but as it becomes higher, it gets longer and more complex, increasing the burden.

Learning a single magic is a significant task.

Only after understanding these theories and having the appropriate magical power can one use the magic.

By the way, I haven't done the 'imprinting' for Magic Arrow.

One day, I could suddenly use it.

This isn't a mysterious story.

Magic is something accumulated within the body. The three items mentioned above are a systematized way to learn it efficiently.

A certain magic naturally 'brewing' within the caster's body isn't that rare.

"--- That's the explanation for Split Bullet. I can only do this much. Now, let's start the imprinting. If you have any questions, speak up."

The students looked at their magic books.

Incidentally, probably no one will learn it within the class time. Even at a low level, it takes a considerable amount of time.

There's no time to waste.

That's why I decided not to learn the Split Bullet magic and looked away from the magic book.

I already know the result.

I can't learn the Split Bullet magic. I've known this for ten years.

So what I need to think about is---

How to use this stimulus to enhance Magic Arrow.

The reason I attend the academy, despite not being able to learn magic, is ultimately for 'stimulus.'

There are limits to what I can think of on my own.

When I receive information from the outside, like today, it becomes a challenge that stimulates my imagination.

Bullets that split into multiple.

Magic Arrows that split into multiple.

Each shot may be weaker, but the ability to sweep a wider area is not a bad effect.

Can my Magic Arrow evolve---

The class bell rang.

Filbus quickly gathered his materials and said:

"Well, learning magic doesn't happen in a day. You all know that. Daily, steady practice is important. Do your best."

Filbus left the classroom.

It was now break time, so I headed to Laura's seat.

"How was it, Laura?"

Laura pressed her head and groaned.

"My head hurts from the Split Bullet imprinting~"

"Didn't you learn it yet, Laura?"

"Yes, so it was a helpful class."

Laura's gaze fell on the open magic book.

"I'm not good at imprinting magic patterns."

"That's tough."

"If everything was as simple as Magic Arrow, it would be great..."

As she said this, Laura quickly drew the Magic Arrow magic pattern in the margin of her notebook.

It was a very simple shape, perhaps the simplest among all magic patterns.

But---

I spoke up.

"It's at the level of doodles. But if you try to draw it accurately, it's difficult. The thickness of this line is two-thirds of this one, and this angle is off by two degrees."

I pointed out the parts that bothered me.

Laura looked at me with wide eyes.

"Huh, I've never noticed that...? Isn't the Magic Arrow magic pattern like this?"

"Is it...?"

Actually, I noticed about twenty discrepancies at first glance. Is everyone's perception different from mine...?

At that moment---

"--- Hi, Albert Luminous. Can I talk to you for a moment...?"

Someone spoke to me from behind.

...It's rare for anyone other than Laura to speak to me.

Laura took a small breath.

Albert Luminous.

By calling me by that name---

When I turned around, two students were standing there. One greeted me.

"Nice to meet you, Albert Luminous. My name is Kilria. I'm from the Grandor Duke family."

Kilria smiled and continued:

"I'd like to talk to you for a bit. Is that okay?"