Chapter 35

There are also grades in magic.

Grades are divided into lower, intermediate, and advanced, while ranks are divided into elementary and high. Beyond that lies a realm only accessible to great magicians, the superlative high rank.

Carmelo, who had just become a high-rank magician, organized the research journals he intended to explore here and took out a blank sheet of paper.

‘With his level of calculation, he would pass through the academy with ease, so let’s exclude that part…’

What he was now preparing was a lecture curriculum. It was a rapid course, faster than the general level. Just learning the formulas to the academy admission standard usually took about three years. Excluding that part drastically shortened the time.

‘What remains are theory and practice. We can focus solely on these.’

The time it took for Hersel to become a magician was surprisingly…

“Goodness, to think it takes only this much time to become a magician.”

Four years.

* * *

I was tense, worried that he might ask me to solve another difficult problem. But for some reason, Carmelo said that the calculations were sufficient and suggested we move on to theoretical lessons. I didn’t ask why, fearing he might give me another brain-busting problem like yesterday.

Since it seemed I barely passed, skipping mathematics should be fine.

“Inserting the sum of opposite elements into a single formula is generally said to be impossible in most textbooks, but I want to tell you it depends on the situation.”

Carmelo explained while drawing a formula with his staff. I, intrigued by the practical nature of the theoretical class, naturally asked a question.

“In real battles, you can’t always draw the formula perfectly, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Sometimes, when using fire magic and failing to control the intensity, you can add a water-type formula to adjust the power. Ideally, you would erase and redraw it, but in a situation where the enemy is right in front of you, this kind of modification is the right decision.”

As he swung his staff, flames rose, and then steam surged.

Fsssss!

Watching the blazing fire transform into a moderate-sized candle flame, my mouth slightly gaped open. It really felt like I was learning magic.

“Though I don’t like it, these trashy textbooks are the standard for academy entrance exams. Just write the answers as indicated here and tear them apart after you get in.” ꭆᴀ

It became clear why Aria wrote in her letter that Carmelo was a highly skilled magician. The content he taught was more detailed and extensive than what was described in the textbooks. Besides this, I learned tips on efficient line composition and the manifestation and combination of elements.

On the fifth day, during a casual conversation, I realized that Carmelo was no ordinary magician.

“…You’re affiliated with the Magic Tower?”

“This is surprising. I thought you considered me a mere third-rate magician.”

“Well, who would imagine a magician from the Magic Tower would come here to tutor? Even you must find it unexpected.”

“Ha, research requires substantial funding. To secure a lacking budget, one must earn directly by working on their feet. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have come here.”

After the conversation, his expression remained unpleasant for days. Although his tone was harsh, he diligently completed the intermediate theory lessons required for academy admission.

Considering it took only three weeks, it was rather unsettling…

“The progress is so fast it’s suspicious. Isn’t there anything I’ve missed or need to learn more about?”

“……Are you bragging about being good at calculations?”

“Hmm? Speak up a bit louder. I can’t hear your mumbling well.”

“I said you understand all the theory I taught you immediately, so it’s fine.”

“Didn’t I say it more concisely?”

And then came the much-anticipated lesson. ‘Practical Application of Magic’ was the last subject. While calculations and theories were listening lessons, this one was about making a body capable of using magic. Calming my pounding heart, Carmelo cleared his throat. The real lecture was about to begin.

“Do you remember the five senses of mana sensitivity well?”

“Of course.”

Mana sensitivity involves feeling mana through the five senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste. A magician is recognized once even one of these senses awakens.

“Do you also remember the five talents of magic?”

“No. You said you’d explain that properly today.”

From what I heard briefly, there are five branches in magic, and everyone has an affinity for one of these branches. This is called talent.

“Ah, that’s right. I must have delayed it because there’s a connection between talent and mana sensitivity.”

“Connection?”

As I asked out of curiosity, Carmelo chuckled.

“Yes. Strangely, the first sense that awakens is determined by your talent.”

Thud!

Carmelo placed five books on the table.

“Then let me explain the correlation between the five talents and mana sensitivity.”

Without even opening the books, Carmelo pointed to one with his finger. It was a magic book of the elemental branch.

“For those who deal with wind, fire, lightning, and water, the magicians who first awaken the sense of touch are naturally talented. The proportion of magicians in this category is overwhelmingly high, and hence, the developed formulas are also the most extensive.”

Simply put, it seems to be a versatile talent. It’s common, but because of its prevalence, the number of developed magic spells is the greatest.

Next, Carmelo pointed to the book of the formation branch.

“The formation branch is a talent for those who first awaken the sense of sight. Illusion magic is commonly developed in this category, but if mastered, it can also create tangible objects or artificial life.”

When Carmelo swung his staff, a butterfly appeared in the air and landed on the book. Seeing the butterfly flap its wings as if alive, I hoped my sense would awaken through sight. With this, I might even be able to create gold…

“The next branch is curses. This talent is for those who first awaken the sense of hearing. It is rare, about one in a hundred, but because of the hateful world we live in, some develop this branch even if they are not naturally talented. Usually criminals, for instance.”

With another swing of Carmelo’s staff, the butterfly decayed.

It seemed to have died from a curse.

“Next is the breaking branch. This talent is for those who first awaken the sense of smell. It is the most valuable among the five.”

… I’d bet all the money in my pocket that this guy awakened through the sense of smell.

“In terms of rarity, it occurs in one in a thousand. The greatest magicians recorded in history mostly fall into this category. Because it’s such a useful talent, it also shines in other professions.”

Breaking seems to be a talent for understanding magic instinctively. Knowledge is power, as they say. According to Carmelo’s detailed explanation, this talent influences not just magic but other abilities, making it an all-rounder.

No wonder some magician characters in games are exceptionally versatile and skilled; they belong to this category…

“For example, a magic swordsman who nullifies spells by instinctively understanding magic.”

Carmelo’s eyes sparkled as he performed telekinetic magic. Another staff flew out of his bag and autonomously drew a spell.

Seeing the glowing air and the shapes of the formula, it was evident it was elemental fire magic.

Whoosh!

The fire surged toward Carmelo like a water cannon. But when Carmelo flicked his staff, the fire disappeared without a trace.

Being able to observe magic more precisely allows one to nullify the spell without any backflow, much like safely disarming a time bomb. This was just one of the many remarkable abilities of the breaking talent.

“Additionally, there are revolutionary researchers from the Magic Tower or alchemists who create magical tools by imbuing objects with magic, or those who preemptively find and disable traps in dungeons.”

“Enough bragging, move on to the next.”

Cutting off his boasting, Carmelo frowned displeasedly. He definitely awakened through the sense of smell.

“Ahem, finally, the peculiar branch. The first sense to awaken is taste. This branch gathers and classifies indeterminate types of magic. Telekinesis falls under this, as well as recovery magic or magic that lightens the weight of objects.”

Indeed, the telekinesis and recovery magic Carmelo mentioned didn’t fit into any of the previous categories.

“Though rarer than the breaking branch, this talent is paradoxically the least valued currently.”

Carmelo pointed to the thinnest book. It was clear what he meant.

“Because there are so few of them, there isn’t much developed magic?”

“Yes, exactly. Although the breaking branch is also small in number, it has extensive documentation due to the efforts of geniuses in the field, but the peculiar branch is different. Its ambiguous nature makes research difficult. The practical uses verified so far are telekinesis for convenience and recovery magic.”

In simple terms, it’s a field with untapped potential, but it’s not shining due to a lack of development.

“While research is active, it may take at least the next century to fully realize its potential.”

… I hope this isn’t my talent.

Carmelo, looking thirsty, emptied a glass of water and asked me.

“I’ve explained the overview. When do you plan to enter the academy?”

“Didn’t I mention?”

“No, but at this pace, you might reach your goal faster than you think.”

Naturally, it had to be next year, not the year after. To match the narrative of playable characters, I must enter the academy next year.

“Six months.”

“…Six, six months?”

Did I do something wrong? Carmelo’s face showed shock as he adjusted his glasses and glared sharply.

“Young master, do you think becoming a magician is like baking bread in a bakery?”

“Wasn

I inadvertently asked back, and Carmelo slammed the table and shouted.

“You’ve only just begun, and you speak such nonsense!”

Damn, that startled me.

“Even excluding the time for calculations and theory, it takes at least four years for the first awakening. The following awakenings take even longer. This is the normal speed. Six months? You must think a bit of fast learning has made you all-knowing!”

I didn’t realize magic took so long. Playable characters seem to enter just fine…

“If you really plan to enter next year, why not find a magician to take the entrance exam for you!”

“Ah.”

They were naturally talented geniuses, so they were exceptions. But I am not, damn it.

The situation was grim. If I missed this year’s academy entrance, I couldn’t match the timeline of the playable characters. Even if I learned magic and entered late, the world would already be doomed.

I waited for Carmelo to calm down and cautiously spoke, grasping at straws.

“…You’re a magician from the Magic Tower. Try to make me an intermediate magician within six months, somehow.”

With just one more subject to achieve, it felt too regretful to give up.

Carmelo, shaking his head as if there was no answer, suddenly made an intriguing remark.

“Well, there isn’t no way at all… but it’s rather… hmm.”

“What do you mean? Tell me.”

“There is an old hypothesis about a shock therapy to forcibly awaken senses. It’s a field I’m currently researching, but all the subjects…”

“Don’t beat around the bush, just tell me.”

“…all died.”

Human experimentation? This guy’s ethics are twisted. But thinking it might be a chance for revival, I decided to ask further.

“How did they die?”

“Shock death. Forcibly drawing 70 formulas into the body like tattoos, the body couldn’t handle it. The longest surviving subject managed 37 formulas but eventually became part of nature… It’s a pointless story.”

“Try it.”

Carmelo’s eyes widened in surprise at my casual remark.

“Pardon?”

“I said, try forcibly drawing the lines. If it succeeds, the senses awaken, right?”

“You want me to do that to you, the eldest son of the Tenest family?”

“Yes.”

“…If it fails, I will also die by the duke’s sword.”

When he raised an eyebrow and showed reluctance, I smirked and explained why it was okay.

“If I die, no one will know you were here except me. And did you know? I survived the breath of the giant bird. How about this body, different from the ones who died? Worth experimenting, right?”

His eyes widened momentarily before he grinned menacingly.

Many magicians are eccentrics. The Magic Tower selects the most extreme ones among them. It was natural for a magician from the Magic Tower, driven by curiosity, to accept.

“Indeed, that makes sense. But, don’t you need time to settle your affairs?”

“Is that necessary?”

A mere shock death.

Compared to what I’ve faced, it’s a laughable way to die.

“I know I won’t die.”

I figured it would work out somehow.

I have ‘1-second invincibility.’

***

It was already evening. We decided to start the experiment tomorrow, and I was on my way back to the mansion.

‘It’s suspicious that Donatan isn’t nagging me to practice swordsmanship.’

– I decided not to say anything more. Your desire to learn magic is so strong, how can I stop you?

Donatan’s nonchalant remark made me even more uneasy. The guy who constantly disparaged magic had suddenly gone quiet…

It seemed like he had some plan, but I had no way of finding out, so I kept silent.

As I approached the main gate, my legs ached, and I stopped walking.

‘I don’t know why I feel so tired lately. It feels like muscle pain too.’

– …

‘Just walking back and forth counts as exercise?’

– Indeed, your physical strength was so poor that must be the case.

I was narrowing my eyes suspiciously when Aol approached with a doubtful look.

“You’ve been going out a lot lately, Hersel.”

Recalling what Hersel might have said, I answered nonchalantly.

“I went to the red-light district, Father.”

Aol’s suspicious gaze softened, and he raised an eyebrow.

My answer was evidently convincing.

“…Ahem, I’m speechless because you’re so brazen. Well, fine. Once you enter the academy, you’ll have to live a celibate life, so play as much as you want now.”

“Then, I’ll accept your offer. Can you give me some allowance for gambling tomorrow?”

“… . . . .”

Without further proof, this cheat-like alibi would prevent anyone from discovering I was learning magic. The key was how shameless I could be.