The three watched the students practicing Lifting. As they adapted, most did well, with Boyle and Pandora showing off their skills as the leading group.
Siana pointed at Shirone’s group.
Siana: "Huh? What are they doing?"
Shirone, Neid, and Iruki had ford a team and were Lifting a single target together.
The other students stopped to watch, intrigued by the novel idea. One person would trap the target, and when it bounced away, another would catch it and continue the Lifting.
Neid: "Whoa! Whoa! This is fun!"
Neid clumsily trapped the target, and Iruki’s Spirit Zone intercepted it. The next mont, Shirone snatched the target and moved it to the back. The other two chased after it, and Shirone held on for a while before Neid regained control.
Now, all the students were watching Shirone’s group. Known for their mischief since Class Five, their carefree enjoynt of the competition was enviable.
Student 5: "But hey, was Shirone’s Spirit Zone always that big?"
Student 6: "Huh, you’re right. It’s grown trendously in just a month."
The Class Four students imdiately noticed Shirone’s change.
It was common sense to undergo special training during breaks, but Shirone’s progress was nothing short of miraculous.
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Even Dante’s group couldn’t ignore Shirone’s Spirit Zone.
Student 7: "Wow. It’s huge. At that level, he’d be within the top 30 at the Royal Magic School."
Student 8: "Tch! Still, it’s only about the sa as Dante. He’s just spinning it like that because he can’t beat Dante in Lifting. Typical loser ntality. Right, Dante?"
Dante didn’t respond. He just watched Shirone’s group practicing Lifting.
Closer: "Heh, newcors. Should we show them how it’s done?"
Closer and Sabina headed to the image zone. The students made way for them.
Their Lifting skills were on par with Dante’s. Sabina, in particular, displayed a whirlwind technique by montarily twisting her ntal focus. The target, beautifully swirling, returned just before escaping, drawing gasps from the students.
The teachers also got a good look at the transfer students’ abilities. Olivia’s disciples were indeed impressive. Even Sade, who had suffered the most under her, had to admit it.
Sade: "Truly the kingdom’s top talents. What do you think, Ethela? As a monk, how would you evaluate Dante’s skills?"
Ethela: "Hmm, it’s hard to judge based solely on Lifting, but he certainly has a unique edge. Kids these days have such incredible magical senses."
Siana chid in.
Siana: "But it’s also a bit disappointing. They’re incredibly talented, but they seem... shallow. It feels like they see magic as a tool to show off."
Ethela: "Well, magic has been a part of their lives since childhood. It’s only natural. The passion, the spirit of a mage... it feels like it’s gone. They only chase after glamour and fa. In that sense, Shirone, Iruki, and Neid have a more classic feel, hehe."
Ethela smiled as she watched Shirone’s group. There was a ti when magic was the dream of children.
But for kids in the capital, it had beco more like an accessory to make themselves stand out.
The changing tides of the era couldn’t be stopped.
Still, it was heartwarming to see Shirone and his friends, who still held onto that pure passion.
When the ga of tag ended, Shirone descended from the image zone, panting.
After a good sweat, he felt refreshed.
As Shirone wiped his sweat with a towel handed by a junior, Dante approached.
Without anyone announcing it, the students stopped practicing and fixed their gazes. The mont the two finally faced each other had arrived.
Dante stared intently at Shirone’s face.
Dante (thinking): ’Is this the guy the master told to crush?’
Judging by his appearance alone, no one would think Shirone was strong. That was why Closer and Sabina hadn’t been nervous despite Olivia’s special orders.
But looks can be deceiving. Dante’s undefeated record at the Royal Magic School was due not only to his innate talent but also to his ticulous nature.
Dante: "Nice to et you. I’m Dante."
Dante extended his hand first. The students were surprised by his attitude, so different from what he’d shown in class. Boyle, in particular, felt his pride sting.
But Shirone, unaware of this, took Dante’s handshake as a friendly gesture.
Shirone: "Yeah. I’ve heard a lot about you."
Dante: "Of course you have. I’ve heard about you too. You’re the Unlocker, right? Perfect for stepping on. Ah, not that I an to belittle you."
Shirone: "Haha! Right. Let’s get along well."
Despite the aggressive provocation, Shirone didn’t seem offended. Dante tried to analyze his thoughts but gave up, feeling it was only complicating things.
Dante: "Anyway, let’s get along. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. In learning, there’s no such thing as a teacher or a friend. If you want, I can teach you properly."
Shirone: "Huh?"
When Shirone tilted his head in confusion, Dante was annoyed. Even if he was a country bumpkin unaware of the situation, it was only natural to be wary of a rival who had transferred in. He couldn’t believe Shirone was genuinely unaware.
Dante: "Don’t you get it? Your specialty is Photon Magic, right?"
Shirone: "Yeah. My specialty is Photon Magic."
Dante: "Mine too. My nickna is Shining Boy. Didn’t you know?"
Only then did Shirone realize his mistake and stuck out his tongue.
Shirone: "Ah, sorry. I really didn’t know. I don’t read academic journals."
Dante: "You didn’t know?"
Dante was the kingdom’s top prospect in Photon Magic. It was common knowledge among magic school students, so claiming ignorance because he didn’t read journals was just an excuse.
Dante: "You’re quite the provocateur. You won’t be lacking as my opponent."
Shirone: "No, I really didn’t know. I didn’t an to. I’m really sorry."
Dante could no longer tolerate the insult.
Dante: "Is this for real! Do you think I’m that much of a joke? You expect to believe that?"
Iruki stepped forward, placing a hand on Shirone’s shoulder.
Iruki: "Shirone’s telling the truth. I get that you’re upset, but Shirone really doesn’t know you. He’s only been at the magic school for less than a year. This is his second sester."
Dante’s jaw dropped. Since the sester had just started, it had only been half a year. Yet, Shirone’s Spirit Zone was on par with his own, which was hard to comprehend.
Dante (thinking): ’No, no way. They’re ganging up on .’
Dante forced a calm expression and scoffed.
Dante: "Hmph, so you’re saying everyone here has bowed down to soone who’s only been learning magic for half a year? Are all the students at this school trash?"
The students bristled, but since Dante’s words were true, they couldn’t argue.
The only one who could challenge him was Shirone himself.
Shirone: "Why are you talking like that? We don’t learn magic to beat others."
Dante: "Haha! Well said. Well, I haven’t seen your skills firsthand."
Regardless of why magic was born, modern society is a system of endless competition. In such a context, questioning its essence was either the idealism of the weak or the hypocrisy of the strong.
Assuming the latter, Dante stood on his tiptoes to look down at Shirone.
Dante: "I’ll expose all your lies. Just you wait."
After the day’s work, the advanced class teachers gathered in the conference room.
Olivia was ticulously recording the issues she had identified while inspecting the school. She then placed a new sheet of paper on the table and began the eting.
Olivia: "Since we’ve all observed together, I’ll keep it brief. In this state, the school’s ranking will only drop further. Drastic asures are necessary."
It was already expected that Olivia would drop a bombshell. But the question was what kind of bomb it would be.
Olivia: "I’ve considered various thods, but there’s no suitable alternative within the advanced class. However, there is one solution: adopting the graduating class’s system."
The teachers’ eyes widened. Before they could process the thought, Olivia declared:
Olivia: "I request that the advanced class be granted access to the Battle Simulation Training Ground, Icheon."
Sade slamd the table and stood up.
Sade: "Principal! Icheon is too dangerous. Even the graduating class uses the training ground under teacher supervision."
Olivia: "What’s so dangerous about it? There’s no need to coddle the students. Even if Icheon is close to real combat, we can lower the synchronization rate."
Olivia was serious, and Sade calmly tried to persuade her.
Sade: "Your thod has its rits. It’s true that we’ve been overprotective of the advanced class students. But I dare say our graduating class is not that far behind. They’re already engaged in intense competition, and real combat training is sufficient for them."
Olivia: "How can the upper echelon be fierce if the middle isn’t? The advanced class feeds into the graduating class; where else would this school’s graduating class co from? With that mindset, innovation is impossible. We need to think differently."
Ethela spoke up.
Ethela: "But what about the graduating class? They use Icheon every day."
Olivia: "there are two Icheon training grounds. Including the Colosseum for graduation exams, which makes three. With proper ti allocation, one could be reserved for the advanced class."
The teachers fell silent. The graduating class was defined by their real combat training at Icheon. While it wasn’t impossible to apply it to the advanced class, the graduating class’s pride, an intangible value, also had to be considered.
Moreover, it went against Alpheas’s educational philosophy, which had guided the school for decades.
As the silence dragged on, the atmosphere grew tense, unsure if it was a eting or a fight. Olivia, who had been patiently waiting for opinions, nodded.
Olivia: "Alright, I see. Is it because I’m a temporary hire that my words carry no weight? In your hearts, is Alpheas still the principal?"
Teacher 1: "N-no, that’s not it at all...!"
Olivia: "You can be honest. It’s only human. But don’t be mistaken. I, the current principal and forr head of the Royal Magic School, did not co here to fill Alpheas’s shoes. Alpheas himself knows this well, which is why he personally ca to and pleaded for my help."
Sade was drenched in cold sweat. As Olivia had said, she was now the principal. And the teachers had no choice but to acknowledge that fact.
But what couldn’t be done, couldn’t be done. In six months, she would be gone. Alpheas’s philosophy was the history and tradition of the school, and it had to be maintained.
Sade: "No one denies Principal Olivia’s reputation. I, too, respect her from the bottom of my heart. But such a sudden request is sothing we can’t just...."
Alpheas: "Do as Olivia says."
The teachers all turned their heads. Alpheas had entered through the back door, smiling. As the spiritual pillar of the teachers appeared, Olivia’s expression turned displeased.
Olivia: "What’s this? Are you spying on ? As soone who has been granted full authority, I don’t see why I need Alpheas’s permission."
Alpheas: "Of course not. I just happened to hear so whispers while taking a stroll. Hahaha!"
Olivia: "Then please mind your own business, forr Principal."
Alpheas: "Before I go, I’d like to have a word with my disciple. Sade, the principal of the school is clearly Olivia. You must rember that well."
Sade: "Understood."
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