Chapter 7

There is a technique called attribute addition.

As the name suggests, it involves adding attributes to magic. It is a more difficult technique than non-attribute magic (a general term for magic that has no attributes), but because of this, it exhibits unique strength commensurate with the added attribute. Generally, the seven attributes that are said to be addable are: Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Water, Light, and Darkness. There are a few others that have been confirmed, but they can only be handled by certain special bloodlines among magicians, and their mechanisms are unknown. Therefore, I will limit my explanation to the seven attributes mentioned above.

Below are the characteristics and strengths and weaknesses of each:

Fire (Strong against Wind, weak against Water)

Specializes in offensive magic.

Not suitable for healing, defense, manipulation, movement, vision, regression, gravity, or binding.

Wind (Strong against Lightning, weak against Fire)

Excels in movement magic and is also good for attacks.

Not suitable for healing or regression.

Lightning (Strong against Earth, weak against Wind)

Excels in manipulation magic and is also good for attacks and movement.

Not suitable for defense, vision, regression, or gravity.

Earth (Strong against Water, weak against Lightning)

Excels in defensive magic and is also good for attacks.

Not suitable for movement, vision, regression, or gravity.

Water (Strong against Fire, weak against Earth)

Excels in healing magic.

Not suitable for manipulation, movement, vision, regression, or gravity.

Light (Weak against Darkness, no strength or weakness relationship with other attributes except Darkness)

Excels in vision and regression magic.

Cannot be combined with Darkness (it reverts to non-attribute).

Darkness (Weak against Light, no strength or weakness relationship with other attributes except Light)

Excels in gravity and binding magic.

Cannot be combined with Light (it reverts to non-attribute).

Of course, just because something is marked as unsuitable does not mean it is impossible to use.

For example, it cannot be said that fire attribute cannot use healing, defense, manipulation, movement, vision, regression, or gravity at all. However, it would probably only be practical for those who have reached the pinnacle of that attribute. The term "specialization" for fire also includes this meaning. In other words, each attribute has its own strengths and weaknesses.

And right now,

Mai's fist, wrapped in attack-specialized fire magic, was embedded in my stomach. The intense pain that sought to snatch away my consciousness, along with the sensation of floating in mid-air. Capturing Mai's shocked expression and the surrounding scenery in slow motion, my consciousness faded into darkness.

...How did it come to this?

☆

Lunch break was over, and it was afternoon class. Today's 5th and 6th periods were consecutive magic practice sessions.

While various sports facilities are concentrated on the left side of the school building, the magic practice dome is on the right side, near the student dormitories.

After changing, we headed there.

It's impossible to do this in 10 minutes during break time. However, it's not necessary to cut lunch break just because it's the afternoon. Magic practice is known to take time for changing and moving, and it starts 20 minutes after the usual class start time. This special arrangement is why magic practice is always scheduled for two consecutive periods.

"Hmm... It looks pretty good."

MCs are weapons that assist in the activation of a magician's magic, while magic clothes serve as protective gear for the magician. The clothes are woven with complex magic and function according to the magician's magical power. One might think any would do, but that's not the case. Each person has a specific way of weaving magic that suits them, and wearing something that fits them makes it easier to exert its power.

Therefore, every student possesses custom-made magic clothes.

Sho's black magic clothes. Seeing me in them, Shou nodded in apparent admiration.

"Yeah, it suits the name Seiya. The white hair stands out against the black magic clothes."

"Guess I got a fitting name."

Toru and Shuhei also nodded in agreement as they looked at me. I couldn't help but smile wryly.

I was abandoned because I could use magic. Such a parent's feelings aside, saying the magic clothes fit the name... Unfortunately, it just sounds like sarcasm towards my naming parent. Well, any feelings towards such a parent have long since faded.

"Shall we go?"

"Yeah."

We closed our lockers and left the changing room.

☆

"Let's begin the magic practice class."

Exactly 20 minutes after the start of the 5th period, the class began on time for magic practice. First, we formed a circle around the teacher and listened to their instructions.

"Until last time, we had classes on adding attributes to magic balls. Of course, it's okay if you haven't mastered it yet. In the first year, we focus on the stable manifestation of magic balls. In the second year, we add attributes. In the third year, we move on to advanced techniques. By the end of the second year, try to find and manifest your own specialized attribute."

...I see. It's no wonder Taizo is worried. In other words, you can't really use magic properly until the third year. Since Toru calls it a magic war, I guess Mai and Himeyuri are probably capable of using magic. From what I've seen, Shou, Toru, and Shuhei likely have considerable skills as well.

Still, they are just a handful in the entire class. And only that many can handle magic.

"...I didn't realize the magic education curriculum in Japan was so behind."

"Hmm? Did you say something?"

I must have muttered it unconsciously. When I replied that it was nothing, Shou returned his gaze to the teacher, saying, "Okay."

The elite private Seiran Magic Academy. I thought that even if a somewhat skilled magician infiltrated as a kidnapper, it might be manageable... It seems I was wrong.

"---So, let's try a little practical magic today."

"Hey, did you hear that, Seiya? Practical, practical!"

"Yeah, I heard."

I answered Shou's question half-heartedly. How hungry for battle are you?

"However, since we've studied the attribute addition technique, it would be ideal if students who can reproduce it in practice volunteer. I want those who can't yet add attributes to see how it's used in magic."

The teacher raised the difficulty level.

"Seiya, can you use attribute addition?"

"Yeah, I can, sort of."

By asking, he must be confident in his own abilities. He seems to be pretty good at it.

"Then, let's do it by raising hands. Any volunteers?"

The teacher looked around as he said this.

"Hey, then—"

"...Seiya, come to the front."

"Huh?"

Ignoring the excited Shou, I was about to raise my hand when I was unexpectedly called.

Mai, without paying any attention to the class, including me, who was flustered, walked calmly to the battlefield and stepped into the field enveloped in light without hesitation.

"What are you doing? Hurry up."

...

"Hey... Seiya?"

Shuhei nudged me, saying, "You're being called." Of course, I knew that.

But I had promised to practice with Shou first. Shou, who was looking confused, and Mai, who was already ready on the battlefield. I was thinking about what to do when—

"Teacher, I will do the first practice with Nakajo Seiya. Is that okay?"

"Ah, yes, that's fine."

She had taken the match upon herself.

"...What a troublesome guy, that one."

Mai's selfishness hasn't changed in two years.

Well, that's just like her.

"I'm going."

I told Shou, Shuhei, and Toru and stepped out. Seeing this, Mai smiled with her usual competitive grin.

But,

You're mistaken.

I had promised to fight with Shou and had decided to take it seriously. But if you're the opponent, it's different. If I take you seriously, I'll probably reveal a lot of my abilities. It's not just a matter of my transfer magic being exposed. It would interfere with my actual job.

I am a defective product that can't chant spells, and nothing more or less. I need to be seen as someone who can be ignored. With enemies lurking anywhere, it applies to everyone.

Stepping onto the battlefield and facing Mai, the classmates, who had formed a circle around the teacher, were creating their own viewing spots a little away from the battlefield.

"Seiya"

"What is it?"

"Come seriously."

...What?

"Do you know how you are evaluated by your classmates?"

"Let me guess. Do you know?"

"Ridiculous."

"I see."

I prompted her to continue.

"Even the conversation in the girls' changing room. You're quite pitied, you know."

"...You're listening in?"

"Just eavesdropping."

"Talk to them. That's why you don't have friends."

"Leave it alone."

Mai dismissed my advice with a single word.

"Such an evaluation is unacceptable, isn't it?"

"...As a student, I would say so. But from my position, I feel guilty, but nothing else."

"Lie!!"

Mai suddenly shouted. Although the other conversations weren't heard, this one reached everyone's ears, and the class started to murmur.

"...Are you okay?"

The teacher, acting as the referee, entered the battlefield.

"Yes, I'm fine."

Without looking at the teacher, Mai glared at me.

"I won't accept it. I'll crush that evaluation of yours."

"Crush it... Use more refined words."

Huffing, Mai turned away. It seemed she wanted to communicate through magic. I followed suit and moved to the starting position.

...I understand.

This is Mai's awkward kindness. Selfish as she is, her kindness is the same as before. I felt a bit relieved and happy.

But I know this kindness will be trampled on.

Still,

"...Sorry, Mai."

I won't take it seriously.

★

"Damn, I wanted to do it."

"Well, this is an unexpected turn of events."

Ignoring the groaning Shou, Tooru watched Seiya's back as he slowly walked to the battlefield and spoke to Shuhei, who had settled down on the opposite side to watch.

"Yeah."

"Huh? Shuhei isn't very interested?"

"No, that's not it."

"Your reaction is pretty thin, though."

"Of course, I'm talking about Seiya."

"Huh?"

Tooru, who looked even more confused, received a blank stare from Shuhei as he continued.

"Being called out by the Hanaen's young lady. Wouldn't you think he would avoid it? She's the daughter of one of the top five noble families in this country."

"...Now that you mention it."

Seiya had shown a troubled expression but didn't seem particularly intimidated. Tooru nodded, recalling Seiya's attitude earlier.

"If Seiya doesn't know the young lady's abilities, that would make sense. But they've known each other for a long time, haven't they? Even if not, Toru talked about the magic war during lunch."

"So what? Is Seiya actually pretty amazing?"

"...According to him, his only strength is his magic capacity."

"A skilled magician wouldn't need to chant, right? It might be tough for major spells, though."

Tooru's mutter was immediately countered by Shuhei.

"Being unable to chant isn't a disadvantage, is it?"

"It is a disadvantage, especially for us students. We're not skilled, after all."

"But you don't think so for Seiya, do you?"

"...Hmm. Well, we'll find out, won't we?"

Shuhei returned his gaze to the front. There, Mai and Seiya were standing at their respective starting lines.

☆

"The battlefield is not only shielded to prevent external effects but also has cushioning magic inside. I don't think I need to explain this again... Even if you receive a powerful magic attack, the cushioning magic will automatically activate to some extent and protect you. But only to some extent. It will still hurt. If you feel it's too much, immediately forfeit. Understand?"

The explanation was mostly directed at me.

Of course. The fact that I can't chant spells is already known. The opponent is not just an elite but the daughter of a noble family. The result is obvious, as Mai had said.

This is the evaluation Mai had of me.

...I'm not a capable person. I do feel annoyed, but that's a different matter.

"Then, let's get ready."

"Get ready" means to activate the MC.

With a characteristic mechanical sound, the switches on Mai's and my MCs were turned on.

Mai's determined eyes pierced through me. I'll engage a little.

...Just a little. If I go too far, I might get too excited.

"Start!!"

The teacher's hand came down with the start command.

At that moment,

Mai was behind me.

"Whoa!?"

I dodged the foot aimed at the back of my head by a hair's breadth.

"Too close!!"

She was trying to kill me just now!!

"I told you to come seriously!!"

"Don't overestimate yourself!!"

I kicked up my supporting leg, spun around, and blocked her foot with my elbow, pushing it back.

...She's pouring a lot of magic power into this.

Body enhancement magic.

As the name suggests, it enhances the body. It circulates magic power throughout the body to increase speed and power. This is not an easy magic to perform. At least, not many second-year students can manifest it. Mai did it instantly without chanting and launched a surprise attack on me.

And,

At this point,

I had already proven that I was a decent magician. I reacted to the speed of Mai's body enhancement magic and fought back. I also activated body enhancement in a split second.

There was no choice.

If I had taken that hit, my bones would have shattered.

"Phew!!"

"Whoa"

After exchanging a few punches, Mai jumped back to create distance.

"Roo-Rubra-Lyca-Linmack—"

She raised her hand to her MC and gathered magic power. ...Chanting, huh. What will she release? For now, I'll just watch.

The magic was quickly completed.

"Fireball!!"

Almost simultaneously with her chant, a magic ball enveloped in immense magic power appeared from her raised hand.

The attribute added was fire.

"...Starting with an attack-specialized attribute?"

I had planned to take a casual hit and lose casually, but that's not an option. Even with the cushioning magic in the field, it won't be a simple hit.

"...Huh?"

The classmates watching from outside the field were murmuring in surprise. I wondered what was happening but quickly understood.

Even from a student's perspective, this magic is quite advanced. I had seen this level of magic during my work with the master, so I didn't notice.

"Good nerve to look around!!"

With that, Mai swung her hand down. In response, the giant fireball, wrapped in fire attribute, came at me.

"There's no way it would hit me head-on."

I didn't need to use transfer magic (or rather, I shouldn't). I dodged it while keeping an eye on it and moved around to get behind Mai.

...I should be able to dodge this.

"Too naive."

Unless this magic is further enhanced.

Mai snapped her fingers. Instantly, the fireball exploded. There's no other way to describe it. The large ball of flame broke apart into smaller pieces and scattered in all directions.

"Whoa!?"

An unexpected attack from the fireballs I thought I had dodged. I dodged the numerous fireballs coming from behind using my enhanced legs. But being distracted by that was a mistake.

"Haahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh