I read the part that Plene showed me.
“This is simple. Which part don’t you understand?”
‘Honestly, just looking at it, it doesn’t seem all that difficult.’
‘It’s like a basic textbook theory lesson.’
“If you have a head on your shoulders, you just memorize it. Why even bother asking?
“I don’t understand how this mana application is used in elemental magic. As you know, mana is the power used to cast magic, right?”
I glanced through the contents of the book.
It outlined basic theories about magic.
‘Yeah, that’s true, but…’
“Yes. So, you’re saying you don’t understand why this is used in elemental magic?”
“Yes.”
I alternated between looking at the textbook and Plene, then realized something.
‘Ah, Plene. She’s an airhead.’
What she’s asking is why mana is used to cast magic in the first place—a question that has nothing to do with the lesson.
“Every person is born with a certain amount of mana. Depending on that capacity, a person’s magical talent and the number of times they can use magic are determined.”
Depending on the mana capacity, people are essentially divided into great mages or magic apprentices.
In other words, even among mages, ranks exist.
Many aspiring mages feel devastated when they discover their mana capacity is barely a speck.
The original owner of this body probably rejoiced when they checked their mana capacity.
‘They must’ve had the potential to become a great mage. Being good at magic opens up a lot of opportunities.’
“Yes, I understand that.”
“Elemental magic—like fire, water, ice, and lightning—was created by the mana formed during the creation of the continent, alongside the air. Because of that, mana is used to cast elemental magic.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Don’t just nod along. Try to actually understand it in your head.”
“Most importantly, the current magical system comes from the remnants of a dead god in the Land of Ruin, thanks to the godslayers.”
“Oh, so…”
“Yes, exactly. Don’t question what was ordained by the gods.”
“Since it was made by the gods—”
“Why does something created by the gods exist in the Empire? Strictly speaking, isn’t the Land of Ruin closer to the Kingdom than the Empire?”
‘Does Plene not understand the concept of cultural diffusion?’
Even if there aren’t ancient texts, all the magic currently in the Empire originated from the Land of Ruin.
In short, over time, exchanges with nearby regions or migration led to its spread.
“That’s because the Archmage Noah brought ancient magical texts from the Land of Ruin.”
“Oh my, Lady Ashtar doesn’t know about that?”
“Know about what?”
‘Could it be another title or nickname about me? If so, I’m curious.’
“Sir Noah is a swordsman so skilled he could rival heroes, an archer who taught elves in the Great Forest, and a pioneer in divine power capable of slapping a saintess. But he’s not an archmage.”
“Right. That’s true. He’s not.”
‘If he’s done all that, why assume he couldn’t also dabble in magic?’
I let out a heavy sigh, rubbing my face with my hands.
***
“Still, I got to see a new side of you, Lady Ashtar,” Plene said with a giggle.
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve heard you usually wear an emotionless expression and dismiss anything troublesome, as if your only concern is making the crown prince uncomfortable.”
‘How hopeless was Olivia’s reputation?’
I seriously felt the need to investigate the original Olivia.
Just as I was tutoring the airheaded Plene, someone called me.
“Lady Ashtar!”
‘Oh, great. Croissant is here.’
“That’s the daughter of a Marquis! Show some noble decorum.”
“I know. I’ll handle it.”
Ignoring Plene’s nonsense about noble etiquette, I looked Croissant up and down.
‘Doesn’t she ever get tired of that hair? It’s annoying. Should I just rip it out?’
“Croissant again? Hah, fine. I was a fool to expect you to learn anything. Do you think I wouldn’t find out what you did at the swordsmanship department?”
“What did I do?”
‘I really don’t know what she’s talking about.’
When I tilted my head slightly in genuine curiosity, she looked at me with an incredulous expression.
“Are you seriously playing dumb? Didn’t you chase out all the swordsmanship students?”
“And why is that a problem?”
‘The strong survive, and the weak get weeded out. That’s the law of survival.’
Isn’t Olivia being shunned in noble society for the same reason?
Look at that.
Most of the students in the classroom have scornful expressions when they look at me.
So, I did the same to them.
Even Croissant herself despises me but throws a fit over what happened in the swordsmanship department.
“My brother is in the swordsmanship department. Did you target him? What underhanded tricks did you use?”
‘Oh, news sure travels fast. So her brother was there.’
“I just dealt with those who challenged me over Lily. Are you one of Lily’s followers?”
‘She’s popular, as always. Maybe she really does act like a queen bee.’
“No! How dare you insinuate something like that about my brother?”
“Well, if you’re Croissant, isn’t your brother Castella or something?”
“Why are you changing my brother’s name to Castella?”
“Wow, it’s basically the same thing.”
“That’s it! I tried to forgive you earlier, but now you’re mocking me and my brother! Our family won’t stand to be humiliated by someone like you!”
‘Oh, what now?’
“And if I don’t hold back?”
“Then we settle this with magic! A duel of magic!”
‘She wants a magical duel with me. Fine.’
“You won’t regret it?”
“Unlike you, I’m an elite who has studied magic. Surely, you know the Logran family is renowned for its magical prowess?”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes! What, are you scared?”
‘Logran, huh? I’ve heard of them. The Marquis of Logran once annoyed me about keeping ancient texts exclusively for their family instead of giving them to the Empire. I ignored their plea and provided the Empire with a magic system to counter the Demon King. The Logran mages ended up needing training from the Imperial Court Mages.’
I never thought Croissant was from that family.
“Fine. But if you lose, you’ll leave this department, right?”
“That’s—”
“Why? Are you scared? You challenged me but don’t want to bet anything?”
“Fine! Today, I’ll bring you down and wipe that arrogant smile off your face!”
‘Well, I do have a slightly upturned nose. Thanks for noticing.’
“Go ahead.”
I needed a scapegoat anyway.
“Hey, what’s going on? This is my class,” said the professor, entering the room.
“Professor! I can’t take it anymore! Lady Ashtar has insulted me and my family dozens of times!”
‘So Olivia insulted her family all the time. Makes sense.’
“Wasn’t the swordsmanship department matter already resolved? Even the crown prince let it go.”
“She humiliated my family!”
‘To nobles, family honor must be everything. No wonder her face is twisted in anger.’
“Olivia, what do you plan to do?”
“I’ll gladly remove this Croissant from my sight if I get the chance.”
Lately, I’ve realized one thing—I really can’t stand Croissant.
Syria, the so-called saintess, only ever devoured croissants.
Perhaps the thing she liked most after the hero’s lower half was croissants.
Given the circumstances, I decided to fully demonstrate my abilities.
I had dealt with those who challenged me in swordsmanship, so I just had to handle this magic duel in a similar manner.
“Get ready. Today, I’ll drive you out!”
Still, her courage was somewhat commendable.
She was a different breed compared to Syria or Ella.
‘Yes, a noblewoman should at least have the audacity to rely on her family name like that.’
The instructor, the professor of magical engineering, led the magical engineering students outside.
The place we arrived at was…
“Why are you here again? Didn’t I tell you you’ve already scored full marks?”
The swordsmanship professor, sitting in a corner of the training ground, half-dazed and with her knees drawn up, greeted me with teary eyes.
“Lady Ashtar and the Logran girl are having a magical duel,” answered the magical engineering professor on my behalf.
The swordsmanship professor’s expression became even more somber.
‘See? You can’t treat women that way. Let me comfort her with the feelings I’ve gained from using this body for a few days.’
“It’s been a while, Professor. Mind if I use this space?”
“Fine. Go ahead. This place isn’t in use right now anyway.”
The swordsmanship professor handed the entire training ground over to me as if she couldn’t care less.
‘Ha, as expected of my mentor.’
***
A short while later, Plene and the other students took their seats in the stands.
I stood in the training ground along with Croissant and the professor who would act as the referee.
“Alright, begin.”
At the professor’s signal to start:
“Hah, that arrogant face of yours ends today! Flames of Logran, heed the call of your descendant and annihilate the enemy of Logran!”
Croissant began chanting her spell.
Watching her sluggish efforts, I raised my finger and pointed at her.
“Mana Bolt.”
A streak of blue light shot from my index finger, hitting Croissant square in the solar plexus before she could finish her spell.
Boom!
“Kyaaah!”
I had only used enough power to make her chest feel a little warm, yet the foolish woman rolled backward in a dramatic tumble.
‘Her magic is subpar, and her physical abilities are lacking too.’
“This basic spell… it’s been a while since I’ve used it.”
Mana Bolt is a fundamental attack spell using mana.
It serves as the basis for more advanced magic, such as elemental spells.
The difference in performance between Mana Bolt and elemental magic is immense.
It’s only natural that a refined elemental spell is stronger than a basic spell.
Croissant, who collapsed from a single Mana Bolt, looked utterly ridiculous.
Her ungraceful fall was an amusing sight, especially for someone who called herself a noble lady.
I slowly approached her.
“You can’t even cast without incantation.”
Chanting itself is proof of being an inferior mage.
The commonly known spells are inherently unstable because they’re designed for basic education.
The task of refining and personalizing those spells is what separates a mage from a high mage.
In other words, chanting is a crutch to quickly stabilize unstable magic.
Naturally, during the chanting process, vulnerabilities are exposed, leaving the caster open to attacks.
There are mages who can defend themselves while chanting, but ultimately, the title of mage truly belongs to those who can cast without incantation.
“Your chant is too long.”
Even though the Logran family is supposedly exceptional at magic, their spells are unnecessarily verbose.
This is likely not just for refining spells but also for emphasizing the family’s noble authority.
Even the chant she used earlier about the “flames of Logran” was a grandiose and pointless embellishment.
If they cling to such outdated methods, Logran will eventually be left behind as the Empire’s magic continues to advance.
“You underestimated your opponent.”
At a glance, it might seem like I launched a preemptive attack.
But considering the Marquis of Logran’s attitude, it was a typical noble move.
As one of the noble daughters, Croissant was merely carrying out the same name-driven pride game, taking after her family and the original owner of this body.
Now that Olivia, the original owner, was on the verge of being expelled, Croissant must have thought it was her moment to shine.
She likely believed she could avenge her brother, especially since Olivia had never demonstrated her magic before.
To be honest, my impression of fighting a Logran noblewoman?
It was underwhelming.
I didn’t expect her to be able to cast without chanting, but I thought she’d at least know to cast a protection spell or something.
She didn’t even do that.
Her knowledge of magical combat is severely lacking.
“I had some expectations, but this is all you’ve got? Tch. Underestimating your opponent is something you only do when you’re confident in your own strength—like what I’m doing to you now.”
I poked Croissant’s forehead with my finger.
‘Ugh. What should I do with her, really?’
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