The conversation with the dean ended in a compromise.
If adjusting the difficulty of the assignment was impossible, then the first task—originally set to be first—would be moved to the very end.
Additionally, a few more clues would be provided to help students find the correct answers.
“It would be an embarrassment to the name of Primus if all the students did was fumble around in front of esteemed guests.”
The dean asked me to understand the academy’s position, and I nodded without much argument.
My desire for more practical assignments hadn’t completely disappeared, but pushing any further would only put the dean in a difficult position.
At least the assignments for the introductory and intermediate mana design classes remained unchanged.
That was fortunate.
Perhaps it was thanks to the precedent set by my predecessor, who had previously taught mana design.
‘Though, I did personally create the advanced assignment because it was too easy for an advanced class.’
Regardless, this was the first year an advanced mana design assignment would be included in the Proving Grounds.
In other words, the assignment I created would set a precedent and become a standard.
That was precisely why I had designed the advanced class assignment to be complex and practical.
Unlike the introductory and intermediate classes, which were composed mostly of lower-year students, the advanced class consisted of top-performing students with only a few years left until graduation.
It was essential to create assignments that prepared them for life after graduation.
Most importantly, by establishing a practical format for advanced class assignments now, I could ensure that future students would continue to be trained accordingly.
For the future of Primus.
And for the world, where future events and crises would unfold.
‘If they experienced a watered-down version of those incidents now, they wouldn’t die so easily later.’
‘After all, no matter what, it’s better than dying.’
Even my students from long ago had struggled a little, but they had managed to complete the assignment in the end.
Considering that Primus students were among the most elite talents on the continent, I figured the assignment wouldn’t be unreasonably difficult for them.
Eventually, the revised documents—approved according to the dean’s agreement—were stamped and handed to me.
Leaving behind a promise to prepare diligently, I exited the dean’s office and began walking down the long hallway.
***
“Ah, Professor, hello!”
“I have a question about mana schematics. Would it be alright if I visited your office?”
As I engaged with the students who approached me, the afternoon sun began to dip toward the horizon.
That meant there wasn’t much time left before my meeting with Princess Irina.
Even after reaching my office, I continued to ponder and deliberate.
‘How should I train Princess Irina?’
‘And to what extent?’
“Hmm… should I just do the same as I did with Lilian?”
Like her older sister Lilian, Princess Irina had inherited the blood of the Divine Beast.
In terms of pure magical talent, she was undoubtedly the most gifted among the students.
The problem was that she lacked any real combat experience.
From what I had observed, she wasn’t the type to be aggressive and eager to flaunt her strength, nor was she someone who would quickly assess the situation and use clever tricks to her advantage.
Not that being kind and straightforward was a bad thing.
But in my experience, people like her often had no grasp of combat until they experienced it firsthand.
…That wording feels a bit off, but anyway.
She probably didn’t win last year’s one-on-one tournament because she lacked practical experience.
***
—Knock, knock.
“Professor. It’s Irina.”
“Ah, yes. Come in.”
A few footsteps followed.
Princess Irina sat carefully on the sofa across from me, her expression showing a mix of nervousness and quiet determination.
The first thing I asked her was what kind of image she wanted to show Lilian.
“What is your goal in the Proving Grounds, Princess?”
To guide her training properly, I needed a clear understanding of why she was seeking my help.
However, the answer I received was—
“You might find this laughable, Professor… but I want to become the most outstanding student in the Proving Grounds.”
It was an unusually ambitious response, coming from Princess Irina.
At that moment, I realized just how much weight Lilian held in her mind.
From the way their letters were written, it hadn’t seemed like their relationship was that difficult.
Or maybe her desire to be acknowledged by her sister was stronger than I had thought.
“Even if she’s only coming because of the Divine Beast’s message… if I achieve outstanding results in the Proving Grounds, she will surely see me again.”
Eyes unwavering, without the slightest hint of hesitation.
Fists clenched tightly, as if she had already steeled herself.
Seeing that, I rose from my seat and suggested to Princess Irina that we head to the training grounds.
This year’s Proving Grounds was entirely practical from start to finish, with no written exams.
First, I needed to see Irina’s skills with my own eyes.
Once I assessed her level, I planned to train her using the most fundamental method—enhancing her strengths while compensating for her weaknesses.
And so—
“Alright, then. Attack me with everything you’ve got, Princess.”
It had been quite some time since my last ‘training session.’
A startled voice immediately followed.
“M-me? Attack you, Professor?”
“Who else?”
“But how could I possibly…”
As expected.
Even though this wasn’t a real fight, just pointing her staff at me was already a challenge for her.
“It’s really fine. Just come at me with the intent to kill.”
“T-that’s a bit extreme…”
“I have my reasons for this. Now, go ahead.”
Spreading my arms wide, I assured her that everything I was doing was for her own sake.
Only after reminding herself of Lilian’s presence did Irina finally clench her eyes shut and channel an enormous amount of mana into her staff.
At first, she seemed to be relying on brute force, trying to overwhelm me with sheer volume.
Even the flow of air around us distorted toward her.
Well, with that much mana drawn at once, most people wouldn’t even be able to block it and would be taken out in a single hit.
But if it didn’t work—
***
—Whoosh!
“H-here I go…!”
If even a spell strong enough to make the caster worry about their opponent’s well-being failed to fulfill its purpose—
—Sizzle…
—Boom!
“Huh? Y-you blocked it?”
Then, of course, she would be thrown into utter confusion.
The most important thing in battle is adaptability.
A battlefield changes by the second.
The ability to assess the situation, make the best decision, and maximize gains while minimizing losses—
That is the ultimate goal for those who step onto the battlefield.
“For the next ten minutes, I won’t move from this spot. I won’t counterattack at all.”
Overconfidence on the battlefield can often be fatal.
One must always have a subconscious awareness of potential surprises and countermeasures.
“So, Princess, use every method at your disposal.”
My goal was to see what Irina was capable of—
And to teach her how to utilize her abilities at the right moments.
In the end, adaptability is the most fundamental skill in real combat.
“Try to bring me down.”
To know yourself is to ensure victory.
The first step of training should be to help Irina understand herself.
Thus, I intended to push her to her absolute limits.
Until now, there had never been anyone who forced her beyond them—nor anyone who could withstand her full strength.
***
A few minutes earlier, when I had spread my arms and urged her to attack—
Irina had been deeply conflicted.
After all, no matter how impressive a professor may be—
No matter if they bore the golden insignia of an ancient dragon—
—Hop, hop.
—Hop, hop.
‘That… that tiny girl? How am I supposed to fight her?’
Before her stood a petite, delicate-looking child.
Even just harboring hostility toward such a person required immense determination.
So it was only natural that Irina, who possessed a very normal sense of morality, found herself wavering.
At least the training grounds had been sealed off so that no one could witness their duel.
“Come on, hurry up!”
—Hop, hop.
—Hop, hop.
‘Sh-she’s adorable…’
Even without an audience, attacking that tiny girl was an incredibly difficult task for Irina.
If only her opponent had been a mere training dummy, she could have attacked without hesitation.
But there was no other option now.
In the end, she drew upon her mana.
Clenching her eyes shut, she conjured a massive fireball in midair and launched it.
“H-here I go…!”
With a loud boom, the fireball hurtled toward the small figure ahead.
But, for some reason—
Despite the explosive impact, Letter remained standing on two feet without a single scratch.
“For the next ten minutes, I won’t move from this spot. I won’t counterattack at all.”
A calm voice rang out.
It carried not the slightest tremor, instructing her to continue attacking until her mana was depleted.
Even knowing that her magic wasn’t enough to kill someone like Letter, Even knowing that her own power was far too lacking—
Irina’s hands trembled as she held up her staff.
Just aiming it at that small girl was painful.
Irina’s greatest obstacle at that moment wasn’t a lack of skill—
It was the burden of her own conscience.