The next day.
We gathered not in our usual classroom for magic practice but in an open space slightly away from the building.
To be precise, it wasn’t entirely an open area. There was a large sandy area surrounded by walls.
I thought the structure was so twisted that I wouldn’t be able to figure it out even if I searched my memories, but the memories of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign were shining bright.
It was a device to keep the flow of Qi stagnant.
In short, it was designed for gathering magic power. I suspected it was a device to stop attacks from flying too far, but I guess I was mistaken.
Meanwhile, the teacher brought in a bulky mechanical device and installed it in the center.
As I quietly observed what was happening, one by one, they were called to use some magic.
“Did anything happen? This place is exactly the same as before.”
I dug into my memories again at Victoria’s murmured words.
In the Gear Mage School, magic is manipulated when operating machines or tuning devices that correspond to batteries. However, there are no similar devices here.
Looking back at even older memories, I recalled a time when I used magic to create light orbs in front of a small machine for measurements.
I thought that could be it, and upon watching, I was right.
They created light orbs here too and placed them on a rather large machine. Then, a clank sound echoed from the machine below, and it spat out a sheet of perforated paper.
“Wow, they’re still using such old-fashioned methods…”
From Victoria’s words, it seemed like extremely outdated equipment. Since it’s the Royal Academy, they must have good support, so why aren’t they using better machines?
Those who had used magic one by one stood at a distance, casting spells here and there.
Most weren’t firing massive fireballs or using powerful magic that cracked the ground; no, they simply couldn’t.
Small sparks flew around, water trickled thinly, or there was just a little levitation off the ground.
Of course, some individuals were using magic that could harm people.
There were those who shot electricity from their hands, created whirlwinds, or crafted spears made of fire. And the nearby kids looked at them with respect or envy.
More than I expected, the type of gazes was similar to how one would look at an athletic person.
In a second world, it’s akin to seeing someone with high martial arts skills.
Victoria created a light orb for measurement, and finally, it was my turn.
So, I stepped in front of the teacher and said this:
“I can’t use magic.”
At that moment, the surroundings fell silent. The teacher looked at me with a very surprised expression. It’s true that I can create an effect similar to magic, but since it risks tearing the world apart, it’s correct to say I can’t.
“No, but then, that healing ability isn’t magic?”
By now, everyone knows I can heal someone. Including the side effects.
I nodded at the teacher’s question.
According to Daegon and the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, my very being stands at the opposite extreme of magic power. Therefore, it’s true I cannot use it.
“A contract is a contract. It’s not magic.”
After pondering for a moment, the teacher approached me.
“I’ll check just in case. It’s very rare for someone to not be able to use magic.”
Watching the other kids’ reactions, it feels like it’s saying I have a disability. Without feeling apprehensive, I offered my arm to the teacher.
The teacher held my arm and stayed still.
I really felt nothing. But suddenly, the teacher’s face turned pale, and they jerked away as if shocked.
Cheonma had also felt something strange when inserting Qi into my body.
By that time, it was already after the harvesting period, so I’m not sure if Cheonma felt the same coldness I did.
However, I remember that they exhibited the same physiological responses as this person in front of me.
The teacher was the same.
Even though it wasn’t particularly cold weather, capillaries constricted, and hair stood up. The body trembled to preserve heat.
“I can’t use magic.”
Just as it’s impossible for a fish dwelling in the deep sea to breathe air, what can’t be done, can’t be done.
The teacher was drenched in sweat.
It’s early autumn right now. But since they thought it was cold and tried to preserve body heat, it makes sense they’re hot.
“Maybe it would be better to go to a place where you can be treated?”
At my question, the teacher slowly nodded with a dazed expression. But what about those who flinched nearby?
With fear evident in their gaze, they won’t think I did something, right?
If they were shocked by the teacher’s action, there’s no way it’s my fault.
The teacher, trembling heavily, announced the class was over, then took the equipment and the perforated paper and left the practical class location.
“Did you do something?”
Victoria approached me quietly and asked. Right away, I could see others leaning in to listen.
I shook my head.
“I didn’t. Have you seen me use anything other than what’s called psychic ability in this world?”
After pondering a moment, Victoria raised both hands, placing one below and one above, narrowing the distance.
“When you transformed?”
“Oh, that did happen.”
A strange memory stirred within me.
There were only a few characters. Soo-oh’s Divine Art Choseol.
I had looked into it when I had the chance, but besides the words, there was no unusual power. That was it.
But at that time, it was different.
I still remember. The characters representing Soo-oh’s Divine Art Choseol in my memories shined, and my appearance changed for a moment. Soo-oh’s memories briefly lit up.
Even now, I don’t understand.
“I think it’s different because it’s my vessel. And it’s impossible to return to that state.”
“Yeah… Turning back into a 25-foot Fishman is better to avoid.”
Upon recalling that appearance, Victoria nodded with arms crossed, acknowledging.
“That was a vessel made to contain gods. So it made sense that I could fit in it as a monster.”
Victoria nodded, but from her expression, it seemed she didn’t quite understand, though she pretended to. With a hint of disdain and fear lingering in her eyes, it seemed that incident must have been horrific.
There’s no need to keep dragging up unpleasant memories.
“You seem to have quite the understanding of machines?”
Instead, I subtly shifted the topic to something Victoria was knowledgeable about.
And that choice was correct.
Victoria’s words poured out like a waterfall.
Maybe she thought I knew nothing, so her explanation was lengthy. Since I am familiar with the knowledge she holds, when I filtered out unnecessary information, that’s what it boiled down to.
High-end devices made long ago.
While they are superior in specs compared to the measuring devices used in schools where kids study, the UI and components are outdated.
Though a little old, they are still functioning properly; their performance isn’t poor, so there’s no need to change them, she says.
As she passionately explained, the negative feelings embedded in her expression disappeared entirely.
Uh.
That’s enough.
After Victoria’s flood of words, the students who were listening to me also disappeared.
“In the future, if you want to be a Gear Mage, you must study hard, Victoria.”
So I decided to try a little experiment for fun.
At my words, Victoria stopped talking. She looked at me with a disapproving expression.
Because this Royal Academy teaches not about Gear Mages themselves but about those who handle Gear Mages. It was none other than Victoria who told me that.
“You know that it’s not something you can do now.”
There’s an implied challenge in her question, asking if I’m aware of that.
So I said this.
“Are you going to give up on your dreams? Just because of a few hours a day? Because you feel oppressed?”
Victoria bit her lip in silence after my words. Her face showed she was deeply pondering.
I observed her.
How can I draw out her desire? If there’s something stopping her, I’ll teach her how to break through it.
Use strength if there is strength and use your wits when wits are needed.
The stronger the unchangeable beliefs are, the easier it is for a person to kill another person. When doing the right thing, one can continue killing without guilt.
In that sense, a murderer who takes one or two lives is disqualified. Especially if they are ordinary enough to feel guilt, they’re likely to have a low yield.
A serial killer is acceptable. It’s a fast food option that fills up easily in a short period.
If the symbol of the harvesting period, the purple hair, becomes a negative image, it’s a problem that leaves me as a socially distanced target.
Keeping laws and norms while selfishly acting on them is supreme. It’s a system that hides behind the collective, manipulating the collective itself for their desires.
The ultimate harvesting tool that can gather tremendous warmth over a long period.
I’ll try to transform a generally good person into something like that.
Dreams from childhood are the easiest bait.
“Why do you say that?”
I looked around. A few people were listening to me and Victoria. But most seemed to have lost interest.
Perfect.
“I believe people should do what they want.”
Yes, indeed, there are set words to draw out desires. I plan to take something I’ve been doing a long time and make it a bit more serious.
I did far too little in the second world.
This time, I should be cautious yet take bold steps.
“Victoria, that applies to you as well. People should have dreams. Right?”
With pure malice, I wish not only the person before me but everyone to trample others thoroughly for their desires.
“Are you supporting my dreams?”
“Yes. That’s right. If you’ve lost your way, you can find it again. You have that power, after all.”
You possess psychic abilities that let you control water at will. It’s a wonderful power suitable for murder and assassination alike. Water is a more dangerous substance than it appears.
Victoria stared at me, and suddenly she hugged me.
“Bel is the best!”
I was lifted off the ground by Victoria and had to spin around in mid-air.
Thanks to that, I felt firsthand the strength that could crush a Sahaquin’s head.
After a few spins in the air, Victoria set me down on the ground, grasping my cheeks with both hands.
“Thank you.”
Then a few steps back, Victoria stretched and smiled with an even brighter expression.
Seeing that made me happy, as it seemed my words were genuinely getting through to her.
I hope she grants me lots of warmth.
Victoria Beth.
