10

Timing it just right, Kirishiya raised her hand and spoke.

“So, Ains-san… are you saying that magic basically doesn’t require formulas or incantations, and that formulas and incantations are only meant to supplement what would otherwise be insufficient to manifest magic?”

“That’s right. That’s why I said thinking memorizing formulas is supreme means you can’t distinguish means from purpose.”

Ains raised his index finger.

“First, I’ll correct one mistake written in this defective pillow.”

Ains read aloud what was written in the textbook.

In response, the students opened their own textbooks and followed along with their eyes.

“It says here, ‘Magic can only manifest one type at a time, and you cannot deploy multiple spells simultaneously,’ right?”

The students who read the passage nodded quietly. They had understood this even before reading it.

After all, humans had only one mouth, which meant they could only chant one spell formula at a time. Also, no mage or magic they had ever seen or heard of had been able to deploy multi-cast magic.

Moreover, attack magic—especially intermediate spells and above—was powerful enough on its own. There had been no need to multi-cast.

“Multi-cast is certainly a bit difficult. It requires you to accurately imagine multiple spells at the same time.”

But Ains continued.

“That’s where supplementary methods like incantations become useful.”

Ains deliberately extended his arm forward to draw attention to his left hand.

“Watch closely. This is the correct way to use a supplement.”

Ains silently deployed an Ice Spear in midair—and at the same time, snapped his fingers.

““No way!?””

Everyone was stunned.

At the same time the Ice Spear formed, a Fire Spear also completed. Multiple spells deployed simultaneously—so-called multi-cast.

“I’ll explain it clearly. First, this Ice Spear—I deployed it without incantation. Next, for this Fire Spear, I supplemented the elements by using the action of ‘snapping my fingers’ to build the image instantly.”

A supplementary action didn’t have to be an incantation. You could draw a magic circle, snap your fingers, stomp your foot—any action was acceptable if it helped construct the image.

“But if you do what this book says—mindlessly memorize formulas, never build the image, and get used to relying entirely on supplements—you’ll never reach this level.”

Ains dismissed the Ice Spear and Fire Spear, then picked up the textbook on the podium.

“You’re supposed to control magic freely, but you become desperate to memorize formulas instead. The mummy-hunter becomes a mummy—someone reduced to a slave of magic. I call that kind of person a ‘spellcaster’ who can merely use magic.”

He tossed the textbook carelessly toward Hanna.

The heavy hardbound textbook—called useless, worse than a cheap pillow—landed heavily in Hanna’s arms.

“Hanna Wills, can you truly become a ‘mage’?”

“…How can a mere servant pull off multi-cast! …Who in the world are you!?”

Hanna’s hand gripping the textbook trembled slightly.

The strength in her eyes was already gone. She feared the being before her—clearly above her in rank.

“I haven’t introduced myself yet, have I. I’m Ains. Ains Silvetas. I’m someone who works as a sorcerer. Oh—and Silvetas isn’t a family name or anything.”

Everyone was so absorbed in Ains’s lecture they forgot to take notes.

Yet through this lesson, everyone—including Seidel—revised their understanding of magic.

Just when it seemed the matter was settled, Kirishiya asked another question.

“Ains-san. That was very easy to understand—I felt like scales fell from my eyes. But there’s one thing I wondered about.”

Her perfectly balanced features—an almost finished beauty with a pale, budding allure—tightened as her brow furrowed.

“What is it?”

Ains immediately turned to Kirishiya.

“You said magic is natural laws and phenomena. If that’s so, why is Fire Spear—one of the Three Intermediate Types—floating in the air?”

Kirishiya was saying there was no natural law or phenomenon where a spear floated in midair.

Here, for the first time in the lecture, Ains showed surprise.

“…True. Kirishiya’s question is excellent! It’s right on the mark!”

Ains spread his arms, delighted by her question.

“S-so you called me ‘Kirishiya’ without honorifics for the first time…”

Kirishiya, however, was not focused on that.

In the middle of a discussion about magic, Ains unconsciously called her by name without honorifics—but for her, it was enough to make her cheeks redden.

“Kirishiya’s question just now is exactly the kind of question a mage asks. And both the question and the answer are necessary to see beyond magic, sorcery, and what lies ahead.”

But Ains shook his head.

“Still, no one here truly seeks that knowledge. So even if it’s you, Kirishiya, it’s a secret.”

Ains answered with a smile, waved to Laika with a “See you,” and left the classroom.

“…Oooh.”

“Ooooooh!”

The loudest roar and applause of the day echoed through the classroom after Ains was gone.

They had just witnessed the principles of magic they believed in get shattered right before their eyes.

They were students serious enough to attend the Sorcery Academy. They couldn’t help but get excited.

Beside them, Hanna sat down limply on the floor.

Kirishiya, cheeks still flushed, snapped back to herself and gave Seidel an order.

“Seidel, go after Ains-san. You know this place—so you can act as Ains-san’s guide, right?”

“With pleasure.”

Seidel said, placing a hand to his chest and bowing, then he rushed out of the classroom after Ains.

“Laika! Did you hear!? Ains-san called me ‘Kirishiya’—without honorifics! …Ah, Ains-san. The greatest magic skill and knowledge in this kingdom, and he looked straight into my eyes…”

Kirishiya seemed to be excited in a completely different direction from the other students.

Laika tried to soothe her with a strained “Yes, yes…” as Kirishiya shook her head vigorously, pressing her warm cheeks with both hands.

“…So, will the lecture after this even happen normally…?”

In the classroom where the cheering wouldn’t die down, Laika muttered with a sigh.