Chapter 6: Felter-Cain
Shenley blinked, repeatedly confirming the scene before her eyes.
No, it wasn’t just Shenley.
The surrounding students, and even Eliza, who was supposed to be the teacher, froze in the middle of the lesson, staring blankly at a single point.
Meanwhile, Rocks, who was the center of everyone’s attention, just sat silently in his chair, looking straight ahead.
When class began and his name was called, he responded. However, there was a lack of energy about him.
Eliza occasionally glanced at his face as if to check on him while resuming the lesson.
“…Well then, let’s continue the class. Um, because earth has many variations in its properties, when trying to omit incantations or create new magic, this magical language meaning ‘rock’ cannot be changed. Conversely, when you want to change to a different property, if you gradually alter the rock part, you may eventually reach the desired property change.”
After saying this, Eliza composed herself and continued:
“However, if you’re unlucky, creating new magic can take years for any type of magic. While being a magic researcher is a popular job, those who choose it must do so with determination.”
As Eliza spoke a bit sternly, everyone adopted a solemn expression. It seems many students are considering the path of magic research.
Amidst this, Felter, who was sitting next to Rocks, spoke up.
“…I’m not interested in magic research, but I want to improve body strengthening magic to suit my needs. Right now, I don’t know what to do, so I’m taking all the classes I can. Any magic research will do. Will it be useful for improving body strengthening magic?”
Felter asked such an outrageous question, and Eliza hesitated, unsure how to respond.
“Um… well… Ah, I know. Let’s ask Sensei Aoi, who is the leading expert in magic research! I’m sure she’ll give a wonderful answer…!”
For some reason, Eliza turned to me with cold sweat, saying such things. Everyone’s gaze turned to me, and Eliza slightly bowed her head.
It’s a complete pass-off, but well, it can’t be helped.
With a wry smile, I use earth magic.
“Material Create: Mineral Processing”
Saying this, I created a fist-sized stone in my upturned palm.
Then, I began changing its shape.
“This magic simultaneously activates both shape change and material change. In a normal Rock Bullet, it only creates rock, but its incantation includes magical language for material fixation to produce the rock.”
While explaining, I changed the stone’s shape into a figurine. As a light payback, I made it in Eliza’s form.
Seeing this, the students let out sounds of amazement.
“The magical language for material fixation is linked to the magical language for material change. And this application can be used in water magic as well. For example, changing water to ice. As you can see, even different attribute magics are not unrelated.”
As I said this, Felter opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Eliza came running over with a voice of astonishment.
“W-wait a minute!? That magic!? Mr. Aoi, that magic!?”
Holding back Eliza’s head with one hand as she approached with tremendous momentum, I offered her the figurine.
“Here you go.”
“Wow! Thank you! Oh, it’s me!?”
Eliza was surprised by the figurine that looked just like her.
Glancing at her from the corner of my eye, I looked at Felter. Felter then opened his mouth again with a somewhat disgruntled expression.
“…Are you saying that this magic that changes the shape of stone is connected to improving body strengthening?”
“I can’t say for certain. For example, even within body strengthening, there are various types. Some increase strength, some increase leg power, some increase stamina… and there were also those that increase defense. How they relate depends on which one. Because there are many options, I can’t simply say this is the correct answer.”
When I replied thus, Felter furrowed his brow and nodded.
“If you increase strength, you become slower. If you harden the skin, you lose flexibility and movement becomes worse. The same goes for others. If you strengthen something, something else becomes worse in return. That’s why body strengthening magic isn’t used much, and why there are few researchers.”
After saying this, Felter stood up and walked towards me.
He went in front of Eliza and picked up the figurine she was holding.
“Hmph.”
Grunting, Felter crushed Eliza’s figurine.
“M-me…!? I’ve been crushed to pieces!?”
Ignoring Eliza’s scream, Felter looked at me.
“Having strength alone is meaningless. But if we could eliminate just the weakening parts, body strengthening magic should become the most combat-specialized magic.”
As Felter said this, puffing out his chest, Rocks reacted for some reason.
“Felter! You, how dare you be so disrespectful to a teacher…!”
At these words, even I turned back in surprise.
“R-Rocks?”
I heard Eliza’s astonished voice, but Rocks didn’t respond to it. He stood up from his seat and walked over.
“Felter, apologize. Within the academy, the rank of students is low. If you’re disrespectful to a teacher, even extreme punishment is possible.”
Rocks advised with a stern face, and Felter looked puzzled.
“…Are you really Rocks? The Rocks I knew was a strong man who didn’t suck up to anyone.”
When Felter said this, Rocks took another step closer with a serious face.
“Apologize. It’s not too late.”
As Rocks once again demanded an apology, a wrinkle formed between Felter’s eyebrows.
“…I only follow those stronger than me. I was acting with you, who are weaker than me, because you had a strong spirit that didn’t follow anyone. You, who tell me to apologize to a teacher weaker than me, are no longer the Rocks I knew.”
Unusually, Felter spoke with anger, and Rocks clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“You still don’t know true fear.”
Saying only that, Rocks returned to his seat.
“…Now, back to our conversation.”
After looking at Rocks’ back as if looking at something worthless, Felter turned around and said this.
“…Your willingness to learn magic is good, but your attitude towards teachers is indeed unacceptable. It’s important to have a respectful attitude towards everyone, regardless of who they are.”
“Why? If we fight, I’ll win.”
“That’s the logic of beasts. If your opponent excels in areas other than strength, you might end up losing in the end, you know?”
“My Cain family has risen through the power of arms. It’s because we’ve fought and won.”
Felter had such firm beliefs. Seeing his unwavering will and words, I could somehow guess how Felter had been raised.
And also that Felter was looking down on Eliza based on her appearance and attitude.
“Alright. In that case, let’s have Felter fight with Sensei Eliza, whom he judges to be weaker than himself.”
When I suggested this, Eliza’s eyes widened and she shouted, “What!?”
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Amidst the rising cheers, Felter and Eliza are standing face to face in the arena-like plaza behind the school building.
Since it was just after class, students with nothing better to do had gathered.
“…I wonder if everyone is free.”
“Ms. Aoi!? You got caught up in the flow and came along, didn’t you! Why do I have to… with Felter…”
Eliza grabbed my shoulders with both hands, shaking me vigorously.
“There’s no choice but to fight now. Do your best.”
When I said this, Eliza held her head in her hands with tearful eyes.
“Felter has been undefeated since coming to the academy, you know!? He even beat teachers in the middle school division! The teacher who lost was so shocked that they resigned and went back to their home country…”
“It’s okay. If Sensei Eliza gets serious, she can win. The key is to compete in areas where your opponent is weak.”
I tried to give advice, but Eliza just trembled. Still, from what I’ve seen of Eliza’s magic, I think she wouldn’t lose to Felter in a fair fight.
“…What are you doing?”
Just then, Strauss walked over.
It seems he came running after seeing the students making a commotion, but after hearing what was going on, he had an exasperated look on his face.
“…Are you trying to die?”
“I didn’t suggest this—!”
Eliza pleaded tearfully, and Strauss turned to face me.
“…Are you trying to kill her?”
“I think she can win.”
When I answered, Strauss folded his arms and grunted. He observed Eliza from head to toe.
“…I don’t think it’s a bad idea either.”
“Eh?”
For some reason, Eliza blushed at Strauss’s words. Not noticing this, Strauss looked at me.
“How will they fight?”
“It seems Felter prefers to use body strengthening magic and fight in close combat. So, I’ll have Eliza fight from a distance.”
“…That’s how everyone has been losing, though.”
As Strauss raised his eyebrows in a ハ shape, I raised the corners of my mouth and waved my hand. Then, I leaned close to Eliza’s ear.
“Just a moment.”
“Yes?”
Although Eliza put a question mark at the end, she listened intently to my advice.
“…Are you ready?”
When Felter said this, Eliza, now alone, nodded greatly.
In contrast to earlier, she now seemed filled with confidence.
“What advice did you give her?”
“It’s a secret.”
We had moved to the wall of the arena along with the spectators and were having such a conversation.
Just then, a white-haired female student approached. It was Shenley. Shenley ran up to my side in a flustered state.
“Sensei Aoi! W-what happened?”
I nodded and answered Shenley, who was anxiously checking the situation.
“Because Felter was looking down on Sensei Eliza as weak, I decided to have them fight.”
“Sensei Aoi is making them fight!?”
I returned a smile to Shenley, who was utterly shocked.
“It’s okay. Sensei Eliza will win.”
“Eh!? She can win!?”
Shenley looked at Eliza with a thoroughly surprised face.
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