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After wandering through the vast building in search of the head professor who would aid Shione with her magic enhancement, we finally located her private study.

“Epheana Alenarr… Ah, I think this is it.”

A wizard representing the Alenarr Marquis Family, rooted in the cold, cold North.

Siabel was close friends with the Marquis’ spear master, Aria. And Ainel, too, was someone connected to the Alenarr Marquis Family.

Perhaps this is why, despite the ambiguous relationship with the Kalia Marquis Family, the ties between the Count’s House and the Alenarr Marquis Family remained strong, even from afar.

Shione cautiously knocked on the door and spoke.

“I am Shione Shianella, accompanied by a guard, and I have come according to the letter. Head Professor, may we enter?”

No voice responded from within, yet the door opened magically, welcoming us inside.

As Shione and I entered, the door slammed shut behind us. Feeling nervous at the thought of seeing someone who could be called a friend of my mother before being a wizard to help us, Shione flinched adorably at the sudden noise.

She glanced around, trying to hide her fluster.

“Epheana Alenarr…?”

However, even her gaze failed to catch the presence of the wizard.

In this strange situation, I sensed the mana before Shione did.

‘The flow of mana is odd.’

Could it be a trick with magic?

The mana flow spread around the room felt strange. Unlike the usual sense of just floating and existing, it now felt like it moved with purpose, driven by the wizard’s will.

Even though I am an archer, I have some experience using spirit magic. I focused to detect her presence and couldn’t help but frown.

‘…What on earth is she doing?’

It seemed as if the presence that had vanished with magic was observing us from afar.

Right in front of Shione, it was staring at her quietly.

I moved forward silently, carefully looking down where the wizard’s eyes might be. Shione poked me from behind.

“Ray, what’s wrong?”

“It feels like there’s still magic in the room. Just to be safe, I’ll stay close.”

And it seemed my instinct was right.

The origin of the presence lurking in front of me headed toward a chair inside the room.

I stepped aside, allowing Shione a clearer view, and finally, the main character appeared.

‘Ash-gray hair unique to the Alenarr Family, and eyes even deeper than Aria’s.’

Indeed, she was unmistakably a child of the cold North.

As she revealed herself, she bore a resemblance to the impression I had of Aria during the arduous days when Siabel conveyed her stories.

Standing with her right hand barely resting on the chair, I could clearly see the frosty gaze she wore while sipping wine in the past, darting toward me.

Regardless of the field, she emanated a colder, more composed atmosphere than Aria, who seemed to have greater accomplishments.

“I’ve heard about the young lady and her escort knight. I am Epheana Alenarr. I’m still quite lacking, but I’m recognized as a head professor for my knowledge in combat and magic theory.”

With a husky voice, she approached Shione without hesitation and extended her hand.

“No need to be so nervous. I merely used a level of concealment magic that someone familiar with magic could easily recognize, especially since I’ve heard tales of your recent high-level magic. I may have jumped ahead a bit; if I startled you, I apologize.”

A sudden appearance.

If I were to pull such a prank on Shione, she would likely pinch my neck or give me some troublesome tasks till evening.

She seemed like someone who, unlike those from her family, was cute-looking. She didn’t struggle much with people sporting colder expressions. Immediately, I grasped her hand for a handshake.

“And this is… the knight who accompanied us. You seem to have a clear grasp of my position, but you are indeed knowledgeable about magic, as the rumors suggest.”

“I only dabble a bit in spirit magic.”

“A bit, you say…”

It’s definitely more than just a little.

Having gained much from the Great Forest, my abilities as a Spirit Mage had grown significantly.

It seems a wizard with a reasonable level of skill can roughly gauge another’s level of expertise.

Thus, our gazes collided in the air, but I calmly accepted her interest. Now that I am the Deputy Commander of the Knights’ Order, there’s no need to wag my tail in such a mutual, probing situation.

“…Interesting. My knowledge of spirit magic isn’t profound, but perhaps I might have insights that could benefit you.”

Following that were simple exchanges of pleasantries. Thanks to her consciously suppressing her fierce aura and speaking gently, our introductions ended amicably, and she briefly sought consent before turning her body.

Epheana headed towards the neatly arranged swords and staffs in the corner of the room. She picked up a sword and another staff, and I could instantly tell those were not ordinary weapons.

‘So she became a professor by being recognized for her combat and magic theory. It seems like the battlefield wizards I know are cut from the same cloth.’

For a wizard, a staff is filled with artifacts that assist in the computations of magical formulas. Depending on the magic granted, various effects like amplifying spells or reducing casting speeds can be observed.

Battle wizards are different. They’re not your typical mass combat wizards functioning in organized groups; they tackle missions as a small, elite unit.

Because if they relied solely on knights or guards mid-battle, they’d be vulnerable to sudden ambushes.

‘That sword must be an artifact of some kind.’

After all, wizards who primarily learn offensive magic wouldn’t need the prefix ‘battle’ before their title.

Though its effects might not match the superior mana-efficient staffs, wielding a sword crafted with consideration for a wizard’s martial arts and close combat implies she possesses the ability to cast magic while engaging in melee.

This seemed to signify that Epheana was indeed a wizard with ample battlefield experience.

“By the way, ever since I received the letter from Ainel, my curiosity has been piqued. Let’s cut straight to the chase. If possible, I’d like to observe your magic at my private training ground. Would that be alright?”

“Of course. However… casting more than three times is still difficult for me.”

“That’s more than sufficient.”

At some point, Epheana, equipped with a pen and a thick notebook, wore a deep smile.

“Let’s head to the training ground.”

The Marquis, who defeats colossal beasts with a spear.

Yet, she had reverted from wielding a spear to dedicate herself to scholarship and the miraculous arts.

Epheana was genuinely excited, just like other fervent wizards encountering new magic.

*

We moved to the annex of the Magic Faculty, guided by Epheana. She mentioned that this was where her private magic practice room was located and that the facilities were superior compared to those used by general students, making it a highly anticipated environment.

“Ray Karpel, you may join us for practicing magic while the young lady and I focus on our spells.”

“Is that alright?”

“Of course. The training area is large enough, so we won’t disturb each other. Your magic intrigues me, so it’d be beneficial for both sides.”

“If so, I’d gladly do that.”

I’ve heard that even the most aggressive spells hardly damage the training ground. Epheana mentioned she has rarely ever caused any harm there. Therefore, I believed I could conduct practice that I normally cannot.

I was also considering the prospect of not only archery but also playing around with magic after a long time.

“Epheana, I shall begin.”

“Good. I will start recording the spells right away.”

Watching Epheana let out a sigh at Siione’s spell being cast, I began to concentrate on my own magical practice. There wouldn’t be any profound insights arising from observing Shione’s magic right now, as I had already caught sight of it several times.

‘I’ll just swing my sword until she finishes her spell record.’

I drew my sword.

Just as a knight applies mana onto a sword, gathering and maintaining spirit magic upon it certainly proves advantageous for mana control.

I replicated the sword techniques I had seen Siabel and Diolia use, pouring mana into them.

The first attack, piercing through the neck, released the strong wind gathered at the blade’s tip. An attack sweeping in a crescent shape spread flames and expanded its reach by dispersing the wind.

Although it was considerably weaker than the magic provided by a spirit, the fun and visual spectacle of synchronizing the timing was perfect. While I spent time warming up, I noticed Shione and Epheana’s expressions turned incredibly serious.

Especially—

‘…Why does Epheana keep glancing at me?’

Once at the notebook she seemed to be recording Shione’s magic, then at my face as if something was on me—she continuously looked my way, and it was really getting on my nerves.

Even if my sword technique was a bit flashy, there was no need for her to regard me like I was some oddity.

Curious about her intentions, as I approached them, I could finally hear their conversation.

“It seems that the spell through which the young lady’s magic is formed is fundamentally about manifesting the ability rooted in her blood.”

“…The ability passed down from her ancestors.”

“Indeed. The core spell revolves around its manifestation, while the others seem to amplify and expand… Though elaborately refined, they align similarly with standard spells. Just a bit more tuning could allow for significant advancements—”

Epheana momentarily gazed at a particular magic circle she had meticulously detailed.

As if having cast some unique magic with her eyes, her right pupil glowed with a red aura.

That eye was now fixed upon the sword I had enveloped in mana not too long ago.

“Ray Karpel, could you cast this magic circle just as it is?”

With those words, Epheana bore an expression akin to a pioneer who discovered the unknown.

If I was to put it kindly, she looked like an explorer; if unkindly, she donned a vague smile typical of someone excessively absorbed in a new enigma.

I instinctively understood.

‘…There’s no way out of this one.’

Magic users are a strange breed.

Even with a visible sword and bow strapped to me, she still wanted to challenge me to comprehend this unfamiliar complex magical spell.

While Aria had a rough tongue, Epheana possessed an unfathomable way of thinking, filled with a peculiar madness characteristic of wizards.

 

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