IMPORTANT:
Edited Chapter 8
reasoning of Magic to principles of Magic
Edited Chapter 3
…with an Angel, a Spirit, or a Devil… to …with an Angel, a Spirit, or a Demon…
Devil’s temptation to Demon’s temptation
Not Yet
The Board Chairman’s office during the lunch break. All that’s placed in there is a worn-out sofa and a chessboard placed on the long table. It’s a remarkably simple arrangement, considering that it’s the room of the person with the most authority in Hogner Magic Academy. And then, along with the room owner, Lioar, they’re amusing themselves with Zale.
“Asch-sensei, as always huh”
The amiable old man makes an awkward smile with a speechless expression.
“Did I do something wrong?”
Asch opens his eyes widely and tilts his head.
“I do think you went way overboard”
Mira muttered with an indifferent expression.
“Hmm……education sure is difficult. I intended to point it out in a way that she can understand easily though”
Asch, who speaks of education composedly without any shame. By no means will the ill-natured Magician say that it’s for the sake of his own pleasure.
“No. Instead, I’m amazed at how easily you drastically changed your mind. It was such a marvellous lecture that I cannot imagine it came from the same person who said『……I don’t want to see the ageing you』three days ago”
“……truth, is always cruel, and something that one would want to avert their eyes from……『Gway＝Rooter』”
Asch casually says and flips two tarot cards over.
The Tower x Wands (II)
Lioar draws a detailed and intricate seal with gracious hand movements.
“……as always, it’s beautiful”
Naturally, it’s with zero thought.
In the first place, there exist principles for Seal Formation. If you abide by them, the seals will all be arranged beautifully, and as long as you grasp the knack of it, something like zero thought is possible for anybody upon training. Because the patterns are overly complicated, they may be principles that only the creators themselves understand though.
“By the way, can I have you reconsider about Lily’s matter? She is smart, and her capability as a Magician is also a cut above the rest. Besides, her actions derive from thinking of her best friend, Cis. For the price of that to be expulsion, is that not too cruel”
“……I see, the Inept is House Klose’s daughter huh”
“Eeh. However, I think Asch-sensei too will be surprised upon seeing her. For now, this is as much as I can say but……please, like I said. I implore you to revoke Lily’s expulsion”
Lioar bows deeply.
“There is no reason for you to ask me”
“……is my apology not enough”
“Don’t misunderstand. The match earlier, that was a draw”
“However, she did not form the seal. The activation was――”
“No……that seal will likely……activate”
“Which means……”
“Aah, it’s a New Magic(Original)”
At that moment, Asch desperately contained the goosebumps that well up. As the result of having her concentration pushed to its utmost limit from being cornered to a dead end, Lily drew a completely different principle.
“I may have held back, but our speed was the same. However, we don’t know that seal’s effect until we try to cast it. If it had the same effect, we would have the same points. That’s why, at the very least she didn’t lose”
“……”
Lioar thought.
‘In that case, you could’ve just said that both of you have the same points’
“Fuu, I am interested in it as well though. I too regard myself as a researcher, if not much of one. That New Magic(Original) does belong to her. Well, I’m not such a nice guy that I’ll go out of my way to tell her that either though”
Asch drinks his café au lait with a somewhat cheery vibe.
“……but, did you call me because she’s that House Schwarz’s daughter?”
“No way. I just thought it’d make for good experiences for the girls to experience Asch-sensei’s marvellous Magic skills. Your Magic is completely different from that of ours. Besides……the recent trend is deviating too much towards『Light』. Don’t you think so?
“Is that so. You were a balance advocate huh”
Magic is broadly classified into 『Light』and『Dark』. Elemental Magic that borrows the power of nature, Healing Magic, Spirit Summoning, and the likes are classified as『Light』Magic; making use of the deceased, Demon Summoning, and the likes are classified as『Dark』Magic. The ideology that focuses on Light Magic is called 『Sacred Faith Ideology』and the ideology that focuses on Dark Magic is called 『Renegade Ideology』, Asch is a Renegade Ideologist through and through.
More than 90% of Magicians have『Light』Magic as their forte and tend to keep their distance from Magic classified as Dark. In actuality, even in Hogner Magic Academy, the lessons are mostly spent on 『Light』Magic, and they pretty much don’t conduct lectures for『Dark』Magic.
“……the backbone of the country is even trying to work towards to forbidding『Dark』Magic entirely”
“Hmm……it’s a subject that doesn’t really have anything to with me”
Asch moved around various countries on the continent without settling down at a single spot. There had not been few instances where his extreme Renegade Ideology became the source of persecution, and he was driven out of a country, but whenever something like that happened, he changed the country and changed his residential.
“Hearing that you’ve returned to this country, I thought it was godsent, you know. Once you become a Board Chairman, even acting carefreely is difficult”
“How laughable. The famous Magician revered by the entire continent is, making a Renegade Ideologist take up the role of a teacher”
“……it is that person’s teaching after all”
“Is that so……Hazen-sensei……did he say something about me?”
“……yes.『Asch……that idiot』. The last time I met him was, three days before he ascended to heaven, but that was what he said”
“Fufufu……it’s just like that person. He sure was a strict person, up until the very end”
“Yes. However, it was a great angry face”
It was about 30 years ago when their Shishou, Hazen＝Heim, suddenly passed away. 180 years ago, Asch was banished as the『Taboo Magician』, and he was a Grand Magician who went after his life numerous times.
Up until the end……you, get angry with that scary face huh……
“……okay, I shall get on board your idea. However, I’ll also have you let me do as I like. Alright?”
“Of course, I’m thankful that I can have you say that”
“However……you better watch out. My『Dark』, may end up crumbling the balance that you desire”
“Hohoho……I will keep that in mind. Ah, also……come to think of it, we still have not gotten through with it”
“Nn?”
＊
The staff room located on the first floor of the school building’s east wing is, lined up long wooden tables vertically in four rows. It’s so cramped that a total of 50 teachers are competing day and night for space on those tables. It’s the lunch break, and standing up in front of the teachers, Asch’s self-introduction begins.
Rightfully, he was supposed to do it in the morning, but it was deferred to the afternoon because he had been completely late.
“Nice to meet you, everybody. My name is Asch＝Dahl. The is just one thing for you to remember.『Prodigy』, that is”
Before Lioar gets him to do his self-introduction, the ill-natured Magician, who declares that loudly, in the blink of an eye, gave the worst impression to the school’s teachers. However, although the first impression is, of course, the worst, Mira, the butler, knows from experience that it’ll worsen from here on out.
“Err……then, everybody, introduce your――”no need”
Asch disregards the Board Chairman’s thoughtfulness and walks straight towards a single woman.
“Nice to meet you, beautiful lady. May I ask for your name if you don’t mind?”
“Er……r. My name is Julia＝Shindle”
The Magic Physician in doctor’s robe answers in bewilderment. She’s a beautiful woman with slightly almond-shaped eyes whose long and supple brown hair leaves a striking impression.
“As I thought……the name of a beautiful lady is beautiful. I was woken up in the morning like a low-wage employee and felt the worst up until this moment, but your very existence saved me”
“……”
Lost for words. Never has she been so lost for words.
“Are you free tonight? I would like to talk all night long and reveal the secret of your beauty”
“……hii. Er, err, I am Aristo devotee, so having a meal with an opposite sex is slightly”
Julia answers fearfully. Indeed, a pious Arist devotee will not frivolously have a meal with the opposite sex. If it’s under normal circumstances, it’s the perfect phrase to turn someone down but……
“Fuu, love transcends all kinds of obstacles……no, it’s precisely because there are obstacles, that love can burn passionately……『Syskey＝Ridradolf』”
“……”
Lost for words again. An ambiguous phrase to turn someone down, doesn’t work on this narcissistic misunderstanding Magician.
“Now then, which restaurant shall we go. May I have the honour of escorting you? The quality of Donaskar region’s wine is excellent this year. It’d be great if it is to your liking”
Ignoring Julia’s trembles, he goes ahead with tonight’s planning.
“Er, err! Bu, but I……actually……have somebody I li――”
Before she finishes her sentence, Asch gently places his index finger on those thin lips of hers.
“Any more, and it will be boorish at a rundown location like this. Won’t you let me hear your special words, at a special time, at a special place”
“……”
Lost for words for the third time. Julia is already hesitant to even say anything.
“Asch-sama……it is almost time for lessons”
Mira, who couldn’t stand by and watch the stiffened Julia, and the teachers, informs the ill-natured Magician as such.
“……fuu. Time is such a boorish thing. For it to tear apart our marvellous conversation. Well then, I will excuse myself temporarily. Next time, let’s take our time to talk. Goodbye”
Bowing gentlemanly, the narcissistic Magician leaves the staff room serenely.
The teachers’ thoughts were all in agreement.
‘An outrageous fellow came’
A few hours afterwards, Julia left early for feeling under the weather.
