"Damn it, yesterday was brutal... and that was my favorite outfit, all because of a bird! Forget the bad stuff and just focus on magic class."
Castor steeled his resolve.
"Oh, there are birds flying outside."
Another student casually glanced out the classroom window and murmured.
The next instant, with a crash, a bird burst through the classroom window and made a beeline straight for Castor.
"Hey, wait—don't you dare—stoooop!"
A dollop of bird droppings plopped down from above.
He scrambled out of his seat to dodge, but his foot got tangled in the chair, he plopped down on his rear, and the droppings landed right on his clothes.
"Son of a biiiiitch!!"
Every single day, no matter where he was, Castor had a "bomb" dropped on him once.
Before long, he had no choice but to show up in shabby clothes like a commoner, and the other students made fun of him for it.
◇◇◇
This academy didn't have a uniform per se.
However, students apparently wore outfits befitting their family's noble rank.
Since this was a place to learn magic, most students wore robes emblazoned with their family crests, and beyond that, the quality of the fabric and overall appearance mattered.
Putting all that aside, time to attend the lecture.
Incidentally, lectures were attended on a self-selected basis—there were no fixed classes—so the lineup of students was different every time.
Apparently there were some programs that worked differently, but that probably had nothing to do with him.
"The fundamentals of magic lie in incantation. You visualize the effect you wish to produce. For example: 'O cruel ice sword, pierce my foe—Icicle Sword!'"
An ice sword materialized from the instructor's hand.
The temperature in the classroom dropped in an instant.
"Th-this is what happens. There are no particular set words for incantation, but using words that align with one's own individuality tends to produce a greater effect."
With that, the instructor dispelled the ice sword.
"However, if you use words that are too powerful for your actual ability, the effect may be weak, or the spell may not activate at all, so be careful."
◇◇◇
"Now then, we'll practice magic! Alan, step forward!"
"Yes."
This was a different instructor from the lecture earlier, but why was he calling him out by name right off the bat?
"Everyone, feel free to cast the spell you just learned at Alan. He's a commoner adventurer, so he should be tough enough—he'll be fine."
Hmm? He didn't understand what they were being asked to do.
"Please stop! Use me as the test subject, just like always!"
A girl cut in.
She was wearing fine clothes, but was she always the target?
"Oh my, is the daughter of the Latil Trading Company shielding a fellow commoner? You could've just stayed quiet and walked away without a scratch!"
The students nearby mocked her with those words.
Ah, so it was because he was a commoner.
She seemed like a timid girl, yet she was stepping in to shield him—he couldn't just take advantage of that.
"Thank you. But I'll be fine."
"But..."
""C-Coach, I heard this guy was recommended by Duke Geese! Is it really okay to use him as a test subject?!""
One of the students hesitantly confirmed with the instructor.
So they're saying it's fine to make her a target since she's a girl from a trading company with no noble backing—that's basically what they're saying.
"It matters not. It's merely the Duke's little whim. Commoners can be replaced in any number. Rather, you should consider it a gift that he provided a test subject!"
What kind of mental gymnastics leads to that conclusion?
If you want a test subject that badly, couldn't you just ask for a scarecrow with magic resistance?
"Y-Yes, sir!!"
With that, fire, water, and rocks came flying at him.
Wait—did they just start hurling spells at him without a second thought because the instructor said it was fine?
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Skills: [Reverse] [Divine Eye] [Sword God] [Gentleman Thief] [Dark Magic] [Rock-Iron Magic] [Holy Magic] [Space-Time Magic] [Blazing Magic] [Freezing Magic] [Magic Hand] [Sedation] [Pain Relief] [Complete Status Ailment Resistance] [Flame Spirit's Protection] [Phantom Demon] [Lightning Speed] [Dark Spirit's Protection] [Superhuman Strength] [Thunder God Sword] [Fortune] [Clear Sky Magic] [Humility]
Rank: Silver (Alisa: Gold)
Thank you always for reading😊