Chapter 42 - About Chantless Magic
However, this demonstration seemed to have a considerable impact, leaving everyone speechless and staring at me.
"Aoi-sensei, just how far have you mastered magic? Could it be that you have reached the very truth of magic? The Abyss of Magic…" Fore said something strange, looking at me with sharp eyes.
The classroom was enveloped in silence, so I had no choice but to answer. "It's hard to say how far I've gone. But as a reference, I can perform all the advanced magic of every element without chanting. Additionally, I have created original spells for each element. However, I don't think I've mastered magic, and I’m still researching."
The students began to murmur, but Fore ignored them and continued his questions. "What more is there to research? What are you aiming for? Even stronger magic?"
He seemed exasperated.
I shrugged my shoulders. "My master is researching teleportation magic that will allow people to arrive at a target location in an instant. So, I hope to assist with that."
In truth, I was researching magic to return to my original world, but I hesitated to say that, so I mentioned Owen's research instead.
"… Teleportation. I see. It’s a fitting research for you. It might be a type of magic that only you can develop," Fore muttered softly while nodding to himself.
At that moment, the bell signaling the end of class rang.
"Well, that's it for today. Until next time, everyone, please refrain from using the magic you learned today on your own. I’m sure you understand why. There is a risk of it going out of control. Therefore, until I determine it’s safe, using it outside of class is prohibited… That includes you too, Principal Glenn."
I glared out the window, and Principal Glenn, who was excited by the discharge of electricity, hurriedly nodded.
Outside the window, he made an OK sign with his hand and smiled politely, but it seemed suspicious. Considering the mysterious localized heavy rainfall last night, it might be better to keep an eye on the principal.
No, that would be disrespectful.
After all, he was the principal of the world's most prestigious magic academy. He should know better.
With that thought in mind, I ended the day's class.
———
The next day, there was a buzz in the academy about a lightning strike even though there were no clouds, so I summoned the principal.
However, seeing Principal Glenn bowing his head and looking at me with eyes like a wet, abandoned puppy, I couldn't bring myself to scold him harshly.
So I simply gave him a warning. "The next time you don't follow my instructions, I won’t teach you any new magic."
"Oh…" Glenn dropped to his knees, his whole body drooping.
Was he feeling unwell?
Well, I guess the principal couldn’t escape aging either. I should be kind to him.
"Don't push yourself. I understand your curiosity, but it's okay if you can't attend my classes."
"No, no way…! That's too cruel! Please, don't do that! It's getting so interesting right now! If you stop me here, I won't be able to sleep at night!"
"Please don't cling to me. Sexual harassment is unacceptable."
"Wh-what?! I-I'm so sorry!" The principal hurriedly distanced himself and apologized.
It couldn't be helped. Saying anything more would seem like bullying.
I sighed, relaxing my shoulders. "It's okay now."
"O-oh…! Thank you! Thank you, Aoi-kun!" He expressed his gratitude exaggeratedly and left.
I prepared for the next class.
With permission granted, I came alone to a field that resembled an arena adjacent to the plaza.
Now, how should I design it? Perhaps it would be better to aim for automatic repair rather than maximum hardness.
The size needed to be reasonably large, depending on the type of magic. Six meters high, five meters wide, and fifteen meters deep. This should cover all but the large-scale spells.
"[Stone Barrier, Rock Wall]."
I imbued mana, creating a single stone wall. It was six meters high, five meters wide, and one meter thick. For a normal wall, it was more than sufficient, but as a barrier against magic, it was weak.
Then, while maintaining the barrier without depleting mana, I began to engrave a magic circle on the surface of the wall.
Maintaining the spell while drawing the magic circle was extremely challenging. Although it was not as difficult as during activation, I had to constantly make fine adjustments to the mana flow to maintain the wall's shape. If I failed in the adjustments, the corners might chip, or cracks might form.
While continuously performing this almost subconsciously, I carved a flat magic circle in the center of the wall.
It was a technique even Owen Millers found difficult.
"Simplify, maintain hardness, and automatic repair… Using the mana of those within the facility… No, if a child accidentally enters, they might lose consciousness due to mana depletion."
A moment of contemplation.
If I prepared some materials infused with external mana, it would cease to function once the supply was cut off.
Then, should I restrict access to who could use it?
"Let's make it so only those who can use advanced magic can enter."
This way, only those with sufficient mana could enter.
"Alright, it's complete."
Using the same procedure, I created walls on all sides. There was only one entrance. The door was a thick iron plate, making it difficult to open.
The walls formed a rectangular building of white stone. It stood out a bit, but it would blend in soon enough.
"Okay, let’s test it in next week's class and see what happens."
Satisfied with my work, I nodded and returned to the dorm.
When returning to the dorm, I encountered Eliza, who had the weekend off due to her class schedule.
Eliza looked at me with a startled expression and ran over to me at an incredible speed. "A-Aoi-san! Where have you been all day?! I've been looking for you! Let's go to my room… No, to your room! I have something to say…"
Being pushed by her, who had been lively since the moment we met, I tried to respond, but suddenly, a large figure appeared behind her.
The figure grabbed Eliza's head with one hand, making her freeze.
"Pi!?"
Glenora Nova Scotia suddenly appeared behind her. "You’re too noisy, Eliza. Be quiet."
"Y-y-y-yes!" Eliza trembled, stood rigidly, her back straight, then glanced at me and whispered, "L-let's move. Quietly, quickly…"
She bowed to Glenora, the dormitory director, who had silenced her, and then hurriedly guided me away.
At that moment, Glenora narrowed her eyes. "If you run, I'll kill you."
"Eep." Eliza made a strange sound and took me with her.
For some reason, instead of going to her room, Eliza came to my room and looked around the spacious room in high spirits. "As expected, the rooms of senior teachers are spacious! Someday, I’d like to be one too!"
With sparkling eyes, she admired the room, but then she quickly remembered something and turned to me. "T-that's right! I have a request to make!"
"Request?"
Eliza knelt on one knee and clasped her hands together as if in prayer. She looked like a praying knight, but with her childlike appearance, it was quite adorable.
"Please teach me about magic circles! Even a little, please teach me about magic circles, Master!"
"… Master?" I tilted my head in confusion. It was the first time I was called that.