CH 9

“Uh, so… I don’t know either. I was following the professor… I’m going to enter the Magic Department this time, but it was only decided yesterday. So, the professor helped me because I didn’t have any preparations. Ah! I already got the robe though!”

Nathan said, like gibberish. Seeing that, Thionan gently touched her chin.

“Hmm, that’s weird. It’s rare for Melkiel to bring a student himself, but there are very few kids at this age who decide their aptitude, right?”

“…right.”

“I am not saying that there is little or nothing at all. Hm, what kind of magic tool would suit a novice…”

Thionan rubbed her chin, agonizing over her words. She opened drawers here and there to check the contents, but it seemed difficult to choose.

“Basically, you have to use what suits you. A lot of people like me and Professor Melkiel use wands like this. How about it, doesn’t it make me look like a very convincing wizard?”

Thionan smiled mischievously and posed nicely. The atmosphere, which had been a bit stiff so far, eased, and Nathan was able to smile naturally.

“Yeah, you look pretty when you smile. Smile a lot. You should laugh a lot at that age. Come on, let’s take a look together. Don’t worry, this Thionan will help you to decide the perfect one for you. The time given to us is very generous.”

“Yes, thank you, Thionan.”

The first thing Thionan showed him was various kinds of wooden wands. They were different in size and shape. Some were as tall as Nathan, some reached up to his shoulder, and some were the size of a pencil. Nathan’s eyes lit up as he looked at the objects in front of him. His heart was full of excitement.

“Have you ever used magic?”

“No, I haven’t.”

In addition, Thionan’s voice was always soft and friendly. Thanks to this, Nathan gradually relaxed and he was able to answer naturally.

“Magic tools are a medium. Actually, it doesn’t matter what it looks like. However, each person has a different personality, so you have to see, touch, and try many things. I’ll teach you a small spell.”

Is this really a spell that Thionan told him? Is what he wanted to say. Of course, that was also what he felt when Melkiel moved the boat. The next thing he gave out was a note as big as his hand. There was a very small, simple magic circle drawn at first glance.

“Now, hold the magic tool in one hand and clasp your other hand around it and shout!”

Nathan took the simple-looking wand he had been handed and shouted the spell Thionan gave him despite his doubts.

“Wa-water, become a flower that blooms in winter…!”

But the top of his hand was still. Nathan looked back at Thionan with tears in his eyes.

“…no-nothing happened?!”

“Of course! You didn’t put mana into your voice just now. You can’t just talk; you need to put mana in it too!”

Unable to ask Thionan, ‘What is mana?!’, Nathan opened his mouth and then closed it back. He, of course, had a vague idea of ​​‘mana’ by reading several novels. It was mentioned when reading <Hazard> and a detailed explanation was given, so he couldn’t help but notice it. However, it was ridiculous that Nathan, who had lived without any connection to the theory about it in his head, could use mana overnight.

After that, Nathan tried for a long time, but in the end, he never succeeded in magic.

“…Seems like you can’t. Take this first. It’s usually used by elementary and middle school students, but this will suit a child who lacks the basics like you.”

“…yes, ma’am.”

“Cheer up! The magic tool that is right for you should be adjusted later when you can freely use magic. This time, let’s settle with this.”

Meanwhile, Thionan handed Nathan a thin object that was the size of a forearm and made of oak wood, vaguely enough a wand. On the back, there was an emerald-like jewel the size of a little nail.

“Do you see the mana stone embedded here? If there’s a crack in this mana stone, come and see me.”

“Yes, ma’am…”

Nathan gripped the wand tightly. Nathan worked so hard that he sweated to unleash the magic that it didn’t work. The continuous magic practice was repeated until Nathan was exhausted and knocked out. In the end, Thionan also raised both her hands and feet. And in the meantime, Nathan realized that though Thionan was a genius, she was terrible at teaching others. Next to him, Thionan wondered, “Why isn’t this working?” and tried to inform him, but Nathan hardly understood what she was saying.

Nathan was worried inside that he might not be able to use magic at all. The wand in his hand was held tighter. Seeing Nathan like that, Thionan patted his head. It was because he was tall like a bald eagle, but his actions looked like a child, and his skinny, flat face evoked sympathy.

Tingling—

The bell on the door rang and Melkiel entered. It seemed that a long time had already passed.

“Did you find a magic tool you like?”

“……”

“Hmm?”

Melkiel looked at the novice wand in Nathan’s hand and raised one eyebrow, but he didn’t say anything.

“Shall we go now, Student Nathan?”

“…yes, Professor. Ah, this is… Can I take it now?”

“Yes. See you later. Melkiel, you too.”

“I’ll see you later.”

“See you later.”

The two went back the way they came, leaving <Linas> behind. Nathan was quieter than when he came, and the atmosphere was gloomy. After that, the two didn’t go back to the academy right away but went around to buy small things. When they arrived at the back gate of the academy after purchasing writing instruments, books, materials for class, etc., the sun had completely set. Stopped on the road between the student dormitory and the faculty quarters, Melkiel sighed.

“There’s nothing to be disappointed about. Rather, it might be just right for you now.”

Melkiel said as he looked at Nathan who was still fiddling with the wand and had a gloomy expression on his face.

“…will I be able to use magic even with this? I couldn’t do magic. Thionan continued to help, but never succeeded.”

“First of all, Thionan is not a good teacher. She’s good at making magic tools, but she’s bad at teaching anyone.”

“…that seems right.”

“As I’ve said, Student Nathan can’t use magic because you lack the basics. Well, I wish you could have succeeded at least once, but… it’s all up to experience. These experiences accumulate and later you can become a great wizard. You just have to take it slow, step by step.”

Melkiel patted Nathan on the shoulder.

“I wish you could learn the basics before high school started, but… perhaps because of the class preparation, us professors will not have time. When the new school year begins, you’ll have no choice but to get supplements after class. Do you understand what I mean? Well, it’s late today, so let’s go inside.”

“…yes, I understand.”

Nathan tried to send off Melkiel brightly. It wasn’t until after Melkiel had completely disappeared that Nathan went back to the dorm.

Squeak—

Nathan stood in front of it for a moment, holding on to the door. Then, he was reminded of his own situation again. This was the only place Nathan would return. It was very dark in the room with the lights off and it was enveloped in silence. The dorm room had three beds. One was a bunk bed, and a single bed was placed directly opposite it. There were also three desks for study. But there was no one in the room, only Nathan.

He didn’t know on the first day, but now he could tell. There was no one else in this room. The only luggage Nathan brought was the bag, and the only traces of people were the bed that Nathan had messed up in the morning. The cold air hovered by his shoulders. It was impossible to stand still in a dark room, so Nathan turned on the light, relying on the moonlight. It didn’t seem to use electricity, but he didn’t know what to call it, so he just called it a lamp.

Nathan was exhausted and tired, but not as much as yesterday. The bathroom attached to the room was small, but there was a small bathtub. He could use the water in the bathtub to wash up. Warm water quickly came out, delighting Nathan. It was a better room than he thought. The bathtub filled with water in an instant. It was a world where magic exists, so maybe this tool also had that kind of power? With that thought, he took off his clothes and hung them to one side. When he took off his clothes, what was revealed was his skinny body.

“Huh, I can see all the ribs… what’s with these arms. The legs are like that, too. That’s why I can’t walk for long.”

Nathan clicked his tongue at the poor skeleton reflected in the mirror. Fortunately, his face was not ugly. If he gained some weight, he thought it would be okay to look at it.

‘Isn’t a baron a nobleman? Nathan, he’s not elegant… He probably didn’t eat properly since he’s so skinny.’