CH 25

Chapter25 - Bliss

“Excuse us, Headmistress-sensei!”

“Thank you for the treat.”

“Have a safe trip home, you two!”

Michelle and Olga waved happily as they left.

They were heading in the direction of the Magical Girls Academy.

Lou was told that there were dormitories on the grounds where he was shown yesterday.

He remembered it.

Michelle and Olga would be going back to that dormitory.

“Come on, Lou. Let’s go home too.”

Lou thought as Fran urged him to go home…

Fran had become much more beautiful than when he first met her.

Her shoulder-length, semi-long, blonde hair swayed, and her clear blue eyes stared at Lou.

Her small, cherry-red lips were down the neat line of her nose, and a series of cheerful words came out of them one after the other.

Her skin was translucent white, and her cheeks had a slight tint of vermilion as she spoke to him.

…So much so that all the men on the street turned for a second look at her.

Fran was glowing wonderfully now.

However…

A tall man was leaning close to her ―― it was Lou. 

The passionate looks at Fran turned into a look of envy and hatred towards Lou.

Lou walked as if to protect Fran from the gazes of these men.

When they eventually arrived at the mansion…

A young male knight at the main gate saluted.

Lou and Fran responded to the knight and went back to their respective rooms in the mansion.

***

One hour later…

The door of Lou’s room was knocked rhythmically.

“Lou, may I come in?”

A voice called outside the door.

The owner of the voice…Fran.

“Yeah, of course.”

Lou got up, opened the door, and Fran glided inside.

“Hey…I’d like to make a printout for the spring semester courses, which starts the day after tomorrow.”

“Sure, I’ve already read and memorized all the contents of the textbooks you gave me last night.”

“Eh?”

You’ve read all the textbooks?

Lou said calmly, but Fran was dumbfounded.

All the textbooks I gave you are…

I’m pretty sure there were more than ten of them..

Did you memorize them just last night?

Say, what?

Pardon me, but I still think Lou is ‘weird’…

“The foundation textbooks I gave you are Magics I through III.”

“I see.”

“Lou, you will help me with the spring semester for the new second year, C class, I’m in charge of. The class will be a review of what they learned in first grade.”

Every human being had the makings of a wizard.

These were the words of Louis Saleon, known as the Old Magician King.

From there, professional wizards were trained at the Royal Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry for Girls and Boys in Valentine, which was established separately for men and women.

Magical Studies I was the first textbook to be used in the academy.

In other words, it was the introductory textbook for all wizards in the Kingdom of Valentine.

It started with a section on relaxation to maintain mental stability, and how to train your concentration and imagination to activate magic…

Using the rudimentary magic formulas and learning the magic of life…

It described the process of determining each person’s aptitude for attributes.

According to Louis, the Magician King…

From the time people were born, they all have a single magical aptitude.

For example, Adelaide had an aptitude for fire magic and a semi-aptitude for wind magic, and so did her daughter, Fran.

Magical aptitude was directly related to the difficulty and effectiveness of the magic.

Any magic other than aptitude could be cast using a magic formula, but…

Magic without attribute aptitude is significantly less effective and would fail.

There were few all-attribute magic users, all-rounders like Lou, where all magic, including the four major attributes, could be activated with similar effects.

Incidentally, life magic was literally elementary magic that could light fire and generate drinking water.

“Reviewing is very important, but that alone isn’t enough, because some children may not be motivated to learn.”

Fran continued her explanation with a smile.

She said that only those who wished to take Magical Studies II, which they would be learning from now on, could take the course as a preparatory training for the “touch” part.

Magical Studies II, used in the second year, was…

It was a book that teaches applied magic, which was a further step up from life magic.

The premise was that each person’s magical aptitude had been determined through the activation of life magic…

Activation of intermediate offensive and defensive magic, using a magic formula.

Invoke basic summoning spells.

In other words…learning and practicing how to summon familiars and other knowledge.

And it was content to deepen the enlightenment of pagan magic and other forms of magic, including spirit magic.

Also, Magical Studies III, which was used in the third year, was…

It entailed the mastery of advanced magic, its practice, and the application.

After listening to Fran’s explanation, Lou almost understood everything.

“It’s not exactly how Grandpa did things in some ways, but I think this magical knowledge is a pretty good book. I learned a lot from it.”

“So, can you use any of the magic in Magical III?”

“Yeah, I’ve said it before. With or without magical chanting, I probably have no problem either way.”

Fran was no longer surprised.

It was because Lou was or had always been out of the ordinary.

She couldn’t believe he learned the contents of more than 10 textbooks in just one night, and that he could activate a magic formula without casting a spell…

“I also enjoyed the non-magical textbooks and learned all the magic in it. Now all I have to do is actually try to invoke it.”

“That’s not fair, Lou.”

Fran couldn’t help but whine.

She was pathetic, she thought.

She couldn’t help but feel the huge gap in talent between them.

Look spoke, as if to comfort a depressed Fran.

His expression was gentle and calm.

“Fran, you still have a lot of untapped potential in you. You can become an even greater wizard than you are now, including your magic power, so work hard.”

What?　

What did you just say?

I still have room for growth in my magic power?

The final assessment of magic power and the confirmation of attribute aptitude were performed at the end of the first year semester at the Magical Girls Academy.

This was because it was said that a person’s magical qualities were determined at the age of about 16.

Determining the extent of magic power and attributes…

It was said that the key was how to develop one’s talent through continuous learning and training.

Fran chewed on what Lou had said to her.

She also combed through her memories.

My current total magical capacity…

It hasn’t changed since I was 16 years old, when the magic power measuring device at the Magical Girls Academy measured mine…Why is that?

“Lou! H-How did you know that?”

“How?… I can tell by your magical aura…Rest assured.”

“…..”

“So, Fran, have confidence in yourself. I’m here to help you awaken all of your potential.”

Lou then tapped Fran on the shoulder. 

His carefree smile quickly erased Fran’s anxiety.

No!

Far from anxiety, Fran’s whole body was tingling with joy.

She began to feel wonderfully positive.

G-Gosh! 

This guy!

Why?

Why does he always say things that make me so happy?

Why!

How does he make me feel this happy?

Fran also felt like she did when he first rescued her.

Oh dear!　

I want to hug Lou so badly!

It’s fine! We’re in my house!

Not in school, but…here!

Fran looked at Lou and then hugged him as hard as she could.

She buried her face in his chest.

Lou, on the other hand, silently accepted Fran without saying a word.

Sniff-sniff…

Fran also inhaled Lou’s scent.

Lou…

Like a gentle breeze…

He smells like the sun…

What a relief.

He’s reassuring.

Strangely enough, Fran inwardly muttered exactly what that tailor, Elda, had said.