Chapter 28
What is the essence of magic?
“Henry, did you go thieving last night? You look exhausted.”
In the crowded classroom, Jessica Lewis leaned over and whispered to Henry.
Not thieving—I was robbed of my sleep!
Henry scread internally.
He forced a smile and replied, “I was scared by yesterday’s events and couldn’t sleep well.”
Jessica’s expression softened as she recalled the incident.
Henry had nearly been killed by the cult leader, and the trauma must have left a mark on him.
Feeling a pang of guilt, Jessica moved closer and murmured, “If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask .”
Their intimate interaction drew stares from the other students. After all, this was a mandatory Magic Fundantals class, attended by most of the academy’s pupils.
However, the students held a mix of reverence and fear for this class’s instructor.
The teacher was none other than Sidney Rulter, the Combat Director of Saint Nad Magic Academy.
Yes, Sidney was also a mber of the Rulter family.
His teaching style was notoriously aggressive—he preferred hands-on combat over theoretical lectures.
Many initially defiant students had been humbled by his unparalleled mastery of magical control.
This unorthodox approach earned him deep respect from the student body.
But for Henry, this was anything but good news.
Given his strained relationship with the Rulter family, having one of them as his instructor spelled trouble.
What if Sidney deliberately failed him during evaluations? Would he even have a future at the academy?
Henry’s academic prospects seed bleak.
Just then, the classroom door swung open, and a sharply dressed man strode in.
He carried several thick books under his arm and wore a pair of glasses, exuding an air of scholarly refinent.
With a warm smile, he greeted the students.
The room erupted in applause.
“Good morning, everyone. For the next three years, I’ll be your Magic Fundantals instructor. Let’s get along well—if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.”
His cheerful tone and steady deanor made so students question the rumors about his temper.
Sidney placed the books on the desk and surveyed the class.
“Since you’ve all been admitted to Saint Nad Magic Academy, I assu you’re prodigies. So, can anyone tell —what is the essence of magic?”
The question plunged the room into silence.
The students exchanged confused glances.
The essence of magic?
They had never pondered this before. Magic was simply an innate talent, honed through family training.
Seeing the blank stares, Sidney’s gaze drifted toward Henry’s seat.
“It seems none of you have studied this. Well then, Jessica Lewis, do you know the answer?”
Jessica stood up, her expression serious.
All eyes turned to her, eager to hear the Imperial Princess’s wisdom.
After all, she was the Empire’s once-in-a-century genius!
“Magic originates from natural elents. Every individual possesses an affinity for certain attributes, and those who master them beco mages. As for its essence… I believe it’s the bridge connecting humans to these natural forces.”
The class burst into applause.
Even without her royal status, Jessica’s analysis was far more profound than most.
Sidney clapped along, looking pleased.
“Excellent answer, Jessica. It’s clear you’ve studied magical theory. However, you overlooked one detail.”
He turned to the blackboard and wrote two words:
[Dark Magic]
The students stiffened.
“As Jessica said, most magic aligns with natural elents. But there’s one exception—a destructive force that defies nature itself.”
“Dark Magic. I’m sure you’re all familiar with it. In fact, our very own Princess recently dismantled a cultist hideout. Let’s give her another round of applause!”
The class erupted into cheers, their admiration for Jessica soaring.
But Jessica glanced at Henry, her lips pressed tight.
She wanted to shout that without Henry’s protection, she would have died that night.
Yet Henry’s hand suddenly gripped her thigh, silencing her.
This idiot’s getting bolder!
She pinched his wrist hard, making him grimace in pain.
Their flirtatious scuffle went unnoticed—but had anyone seen it, the scandal would have been unimaginable.
Once the applause died down, Sidney continued.
“Dark Magic is fundantally different from conventional spells. It’s forbidden for a reason—its practitioners sacrifice lives to amplify their power.”
“That’s why the Empire bans it outright. Our goal is its complete eradication.”
“But to defeat it, we must first understand it. So, who can tell —what fuels Dark Magic?”
Another wave of silence.
Henry stifled a yawn.
Did this guy swallow a library? Every question is a landmine.
He was never cut out for studying. Whether in his past life or now, lectures always made him drowsy.
Teachers are better than sleeping pills.
Sidney scanned the room, then locked onto Henry.
“Henry. Care to try?”
Henry jolted awake.
Just my luck—getting called on like back in school.
It felt like a death sentence.
No one expected Henry to answer correctly.
A magicless outcast couldn’t possibly understand Dark Magic.
But ironically, Henry had… interrogated a cultist and gleaned so insights.
He stood up awkwardly, scratching his head.
“Uh… I’d guess it’s faith?”
The class exploded in laughter.
“Faith? What kind of nonsense is that?”
“Why not say bloodline? At least that’s believable—oh wait, if it were bloodline, he wouldn’t be talentless!”
“Typical useless Henry!”
Henry remained unfazed, eting Sidney’s gaze directly.
Sidney slowly removed his glasses, his smile vanishing.
Then—CRACK!
He clenched his fist, and a deafening BOOM tore through the air.
The classroom windows shattered instantly, dissolving into glittering fragnts outside.
Students clutched their ears, trembling. No one dared to speak.
Only when silence returned did Sidney relax his grip.
“Mocking a classmate for voicing an answer—this isn’t behavior befitting Saint Nad’s students.”
His icy voice carried undeniable authority.
“Moreover… Henry isn’t wrong.”
His eyes locked onto Henry’s.
Henry stared back, calm and unflinching.
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