Kays Translations

Chapter 68: Proficiency and Weakness in Magic

"Alright, let's begin the 'Magic Acquisition' class. Everyone, please be quiet."

A gentle-looking male teacher appeared and declared the start of the class. Even the students who were buzzing due to Yuri's bombshell remark quieted down.

"I'll be teaching the 'Magic Acquisition' class. My name is Houston Baretis. I also serve as the homeroom teacher for Class B. I look forward to working with you all for the next year."

The elderly male teacher, with white hair and glasses, wore a well-fitted suit. He was quite different from Ms. Carder, the homeroom teacher for Class A, exuding a calm and gentle demeanor.

"Well... as magicians, we often use magic as if it's a matter of course, but can anyone explain how it's activated?"

Baretis asked the entire class without singling out anyone. Some students raised their hands, and Baretis chose one of them.

"Um, the one in the front. Please state your name before answering."

"Yes, I'm Maurice Louie. When we use magic, we go through three steps: constructing the spell in our minds, filling it with magic energy, and then activating it."

The earnest student Maurice explained confidently after being chosen.

"The spell is represented by a figure called a 'magic circle,' and by channeling magic energy into the circle constructed in our minds, the magic is activated. Sometimes spells or magic tools are used to assist in constructing the circle."

"Yes, that's correct, Maurice."

Baretis nodded with a gentle smile.

"Learning new magic means memorizing the magic circle and immediately drawing it in your mind. Advanced magic circles become more complex, making their use more challenging."

As Baretis explained, a female student raised her hand.

"Yes, you there."

"I'm Amy. Since I'm a commoner, I don't have a last name. So, does that mean, if we can memorize the spell, we can use any kind of magic?"

"Of course, adequate magic energy is required to activate the magic. If one doesn't possess enough magic energy to fill the constructed circle in their mind, the magic will either fail to activate or will activate incompletely. And to memorize and immediately draw complex magic circles of advanced magic, a considerable sense is necessary."

Baretis answered the student's question in a calm tone.

"Furthermore, each person has what we call 'magic output' and 'magic attribute.' Output refers to the amount of magic energy that can be released from the body at once, while attribute indicates which type of magic is suitable."

Baretis moved the chalk on the blackboard behind him, drawing several numbers and shapes.

"For example, let's say magic requires one hundred units of magic energy to activate, but the person's output is only eighty. In that case, the magic will activate in a weaker or incomplete form than intended. Also, if the user's magic attribute leans toward 'water,' using fire magic, which is contrary to water, will also diminish its power."

On the blackboard, a cross was drawn with 'fire' on top and 'water' at the bottom. To the left and right were 'wind' and 'earth,' respectively. Additionally, a horizontal bar was drawn next to the cross, with 'light' and 'darkness' added on the left and right sides.

"Earth, water, fire, and wind, as well as light and darkness. These six attributes are considered the basic magic attributes. However, some people possess magic energy that doesn't fit into these attributes, such as magic suitable for things like 'physical enhancement' or 'healing.' If it's magic within their proficient attribute, it will have higher effectiveness."

Baretis surveyed the entire classroom and smiled warmly.

"Now, let's try to determine which attribute suits you best. It's a simple task. We'll use the basic 'Sphere' magic."

Baretis distributed bundles of paper cut into ten-centimeter squares to each table.

"This paper is a simplified version of the device used in the entrance exam to measure magic power. It measures the magic power that comes into contact with the paper."

Baretis raised his index finger and activated magic. A fist-sized fireball appeared above his finger.

Gently touching the paper with the fireball he created, Baretis showed the number '10' displayed on it.

"The basic power of the 'Sphere' magic is '10.' In other words, if a higher number than this appears on the paper, it indicates proficiency, and if a lower number appears, it indicates a weakness."

In other words, by touching each of the six elemental 'Spheres' to the paper, one could determine their proficient and weak attributes. Since it was measured in numbers rather than feelings, it was very easy to understand.

"Now, give it a try. Those who can use it can try using 'Thunder Sphere' or 'Poison Sphere.' Please be careful not to injure your classmates while using magic."

With permission to use magic granted, classmates activated their respective spells. They approached the paper with the activated elemental spheres to measure the magic power.

"It seems my proficient attributes are 'Fire' and 'Lightning.' My weakness is 'Water.'"

Viola created fire and lightning spheres, touching the paper and revealing numbers above 20 for each. In contrast, the water sphere displayed a number less than half of the basic power.

"It seems 'Water' is my proficient attribute. My weakness is 'Fire.'"

Primula, who tried the same, said.

It appeared that even though they were twins, their attributes were not the same, indicating different proficiencies and weaknesses from her sister.

"Rest is... amazing. All of them are exactly '10.'"

When Rest tried, all of them showed the same number as measured.

"Well... not having any weaknesses is good, but if there are no proficiencies either, it's hard to prioritize which magic to learn, isn't it?"

Rest chuckled.

In short, it was a case of being a jack of all trades, master of none.

(Well, I can learn magic just by looking at it anyway. I guess I'll just continue learning them one by one as usual.)

Rest thought so as if he had resigned himself to it, and placed the paper he held on the table.

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