"The foundation of magic is incantation based on imagery, but there's an even deeper origin to it. Originally, magic was activated by drawing magic circles, but it took way too long."
"So you're saying… incantations?"
I had no idea about that.
"Exactly. Incantation is the technique that made magic easier to use. You'll never reach the depths of magic without understanding the magic circles that came before it."
Then, Instructor Agata took out a piece of paper.
"Copy the magic circle drawn on this paper exactly. For now, just draw it. If you pour mana into it while drawing, it could detonate, so be careful."
And so, Melty and I silently copied the magic circles as instructed.
So plain.
There's nothing like tablets or anything.
This lesson of mindlessly replicating characters you can't even make sense of and lines you don't understand is probably a lost cause for anyone looking to have fun.
"I'll explain the theory properly later! Right now, I want you to get the feel of it through your hands! Memorizing various patterns of magic circles is the ultimate shortcut, you know!"
Doesn't an endless task like this feel brutal?
◇◇◇
"Your hands must be sore, Alan."
"Yeah, they are, Melty."
We step out of the Magic Circle Studies classroom.
I'm kind of exhausted.
But right on cue, as if it were waiting for that exact moment, an enemy appeared.
"Hey, you lowly commoner — haven't seen you around and now you're playing elite? Don't tell me you're just trying to get cozy with Instructor Agata or something…"
A red-haired little noble kid was standing before me, brandishing some kind of magic artifact.
"You really came to this academy thinking you could become a court magician? Who'd want to stand shoulder to shoulder with filthy commoners and become a magician? You can't even get into the royal palace!"
"Is that so."
I had no desire to become a court magician, but there was no need to spell that out for this kid.
"What's with that attitude! You're making fun of me for getting banned from Instructor Agata's class because she said I didn't qualify to learn magic circles just because of my big-breasted figure, aren't you! Your sins are heavy!"
He'd probably tried to get close to the beautiful instructor, enrolled in her lecture, then had his spirit crushed by the tedious notation work and complained about it — earning himself a ban from the class.
And yeah, that Instructor Agata would totally say something like that.
She was a beauty with purple hair that gave off a mysterious vibe and a generous bust, but on the inside she was an absolute spartan who despised people who were just there for fun.
And with that, the kid took aim with his magic artifact.
"This is a rare artifact that steals your magic! I'll take every spell you've got so a cheeky commoner like you never dares to aim for court magician again! Now, accept your punishment obediently!"
"I'm not a bad commoner."
"Shut up! There's no such thing as an innocent commoner — the only good commoner is a dead one! Now take this — Magic Steal!"
The little noble began pouring mana into his magic artifact.
Long incantation, much?
I could really see now why Dad always nagged Cain about "cutting mages down mid-incantation."
I'd already finished analyzing it with my Divine Eye.
A red sphere was drawn out of me and pulled toward the artifact.
"Ha ha ha! Now all your efforts are wasted! Well, not wasted — I'll put them to good use for myself! ...Ugh, guaaaah, it's crushing me!"
The magic I'd deliberately let him steal was gravity magic.
And not just any gravity magic — it was the five-times-gravity spell I'd had active for training purposes.
And the red-haired guy, now looking like a crushed frog, called out for help.
"Someone... help... it hurts... I'm being crushed... I'm gonna die..."
He was begging for help, but no one dared come to his aid, terrified of getting caught in the gravity magic that was still active.
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Skills: [Reverse][Divine Eye][Sword God][Gentleman Thief][Dark Magic][Rock Iron Magic][Holy Magic][Spacetime Magic][Scorching Magic][Freezing Ice Magic][Magic Hand][Temptation][Pain Relief][Complete Status Ailment Resistance][Flame Spirit's Protection][Phantom Demon][Lightning Speed][Dark Spirit's Protection][Monstrous Strength][Thunder God Sword][Great Luck][Clear Storm Magic][Humility]
Rank: Silver (Alisa: Gold)
Thank you for always reading! 😊