Episode 17. Semifinal (2)

“… This place is the best magic education institution, the future is bleak.”

At just this level, everyone’s reaction was extraordinary. The eyes of the few students who were plugged in with the cold silence were cold.

Is criticism of the Kiruna School of Magic more taboo than blasphemy here?

Libraries are openly filled with books on blasphemy, so why should a sanctuary like this exist in a place that should be academically free?

All the students held their breath at the bitter criticism that Kiruna’s magic education was too rigid, and the wholesome criticism that they forgot freedom, one of the main values of magic.

‘How are you? I just had to concentrate well without interrupting. Today’s class is for Dana, not for you guys.’

“The miracles that priests do start with faith. The more you are convinced of the existence and power of the goddess and that light does not lose its value even in darkness, the greater the miracle. Spearmint?”

“Yeah.”

Seeing as I was in the front row, she seemed to think I was going to keep pointing at her today.

I didn’t really mean to do that, but I tried to make an announcement so that she wouldn’t be disappointed.

“What do you think the opposite of faith is?”

“My parents taught me that it is doubt.”

“Doubt. yes, that’s the theory If so, where does the doubt originate from?”

It is a world where the existence of an absolute being and a goddess is certain. However, as you can see just by looking at this place, there are overflowing people in this world who are not theological students.

Why are there so many people who don’t serve the goddess even though the goddess spreads her power in the world and works miracles to leave evidence of her?

Where did humans get the strength to doubt the goddess, the guts to stand on their own in this world without relying on her?

“Currently, all magic research institutes offer reason as the answer to that question.”

Criticize modern mages.

To draw the power of the Goddess, theologians need only pray. Calling the name of the goddess endlessly, it is enough to get close to her.

In fact, the church of fierce blind faith taught that the enemy of faith is reason, and they were preaching that one could become a proper theologian only by thinking only of the goddess, not thinking for oneself.

The moment you think for yourself, doubt blooms.

But wizards look at mana objectively. To them, it didn’t matter right away whether this was the power of the goddess or not.

He thinks for himself and moves mana with his own will. Find logic in thoughts, and establish theories with logic.

“While theology students empty their brains and pray until the goddess’s permission and will are met, the magician coolly thinks and solves the problem. Tasca, do modern wizards sound arrogant?”

“… .”

“yes. stop asking you In fact, since there are many kinds of theology and the schools are different, it is quite rude to claim that all theology is not rational… . Wizards learn that way. It’s embarrassing and pitiful to say that you don’t take a clear look at your opponent when you praise yourself for being rational.”

The students were also shaken by this remark.

‘No, was this also stupid?’

You can’t criticize the school you attend, and you can’t criticize wizards?

To claim that this school teaches magic on a subject that prevents students from criticizing themselves or their surroundings and even looking back.

I’ve only been working as a professor for a year, and at first I wondered why it was so difficult that Dana said she couldn’t stand it, but now I think I know that.

Taking advantage of the confusion, I checked Dana’s eyes for a moment, and she waved her arms after realizing this, perhaps because she was a dragon with good eyesight.

From a distance, it looked like fun. Some of the students who recognized her started whispering whether I was the only one who felt that way.

‘… How are you?’

‘I don’t know why you, who are the size of a dragon, should stick to this school.

If you don’t like this school that much, you can throw out your resignation letter and leave, but why can’t you leave this school while rejecting it?

It’ll take me a while to figure that out, so I’ll do the things you’ve been asking for first.

Don’t settle your dissatisfaction with this place with wacky pranks, leave it to me.’

Reducing those words that I couldn’t say to her right now with a smile, I went back to class.

“However, it is also true that the wizards who gathered to establish pure reason built countless mage towers and magic research institutes that you know today, and passed on the results of their lifetime research to the next generation. So, the answer that reason is what separates magic from theology is-”

“That’s half the answer.”

The person who finished my words instead.

Surprisingly, it was the frill princess.

Once again, the auditorium was enveloped in silence.

* * *

‘While I was waiting for my sister, this terrible place seemed to always be the same.’

Dana stared at Frill’s hardened face.

It was a surprise to learn that the princess, who is the unofficial number 1 in school with the most empty head, learns from commoners… . Are you actively participating in class?

Everyone was silent, as if Dana wasn’t alone, but they were busy exchanging glances with surprised eyes.

Who could have imagined that Princess Frill was sitting at the very front of the auditorium, before class began?

Even her outfit was very plain today, and she looked like a commoner from the back, so it seemed that most of the students had only recently noticed her existence.

In a cathedral-like atmosphere during silent prayer, Frill asked Ian in a slightly unsure voice.

“… Am I wrong?”

“no. That was the correct answer, Princess.”

Seeing that Ian, who had looked so relaxed up until now, was shaken at the moment, I don’t think he made the frills that way intentionally.

As if Ian was interested, he straightened his sitting position and spoke to Frill.

“That’s right. If you find the basis of magism, which is distinct from theology, only in reason, you will only be able to use half of the true value of mana. Then, princess, would you like to get the rest of the answers right?”

“freedom.”

After confirming the correct answer, Frill showed Ian the old books he had brought with him.

“I wanted to learn more deeply about the training method to create my own sense of mana, which the professor taught in the last class, so I read some materials. It must have been a topic far from the academic traditions of this school, but it was hidden in a very corner of the library, so I had a hard time finding it.”

“… You’ve been self-studying.”

“yes. To briefly summarize the contents of the book, magic is freedom. The freedom to embody my unique experience or imagination as it is through mana is the basis of magic that distinguishes it from the theology where everyone serves the same God.”

“It is a very neat arrangement.”

Professor Ian clapped for Princess Frill.

At first, the applause that echoed alone was added to the applause of other students who noticed Ian or Frill, and eventually filled the auditorium.

Frill’s face, which did not want this kind of attention, turned red. Ian quickly restrained the students.

“stop. You are in trouble.”

In an instant, the auditorium fell silent again.

There can be no one here who will offend the princess.

“yes. Magic can be rational, but as Princess Frill said, it can also be free. It’s not like the two are contradictory concepts. But at some point, the magic of pursuing freedom began to die out. Magic became boring, cold.”

Professor Ian stood up from his seat and spoke in a slightly exasperated voice.

“Just two hundred years ago, magic was the mystical thing of creating constellations and myths. Wizards were indispensable in adventure stories. It was a time of adventure and imagination, when sages who wandered the world sharing their magic and learning from others led schools of magic. But what about now!”

Dana opened her mouth at the words she couldn’t have heard at this school and absorbed in his lamentation. So was the rest.

“Magic, which pursued brilliant reason and overflowing freedom, has now become a mere means. Now you have learned magic to kill demons, light gas lanterns, and quickly heat water tanks, a privilege of nobles! Since when did your dream of being a soldier throwing away, a civil servant only looking at retirement benefits, or a researcher who faints at high-intensity work? Did you guys have such a dream when you were little?”

Lack of freedom in magic education kills your dreams.

Then why don’t magic schools teach you free magic?

This is because you have to standardize them, arrange them in the right place, and use them.

“It’s not that these magical training and research are bad. In fact, it is also a kind of freedom given to you. Aren’t there people who are passionate about formula research, physics and natural analysis?”

The biggest problem with this school, which I want to point out, is the curriculum that prevents students from thinking about what kind of wizard they want to become.

“Can the heroes of old stories, such as the legendary red-haired knight, the wizard of the setting sun, and the sage who communicates with dragons, be reborn in this environment? Absolutely impossible.”

The subjects, exams, learning methods and contents that make you step on a set path and become a set wizard can’t be a boring and painful ascetic path for you. Excluding the students who were the path they wanted to go from the beginning.

“… I’m an angular stone at this school, where I’m sure I’ll be fired in two years. A professor whose situation is no different from a part-time lecturer. So I decided to teach you things that are not taught in this school.”

free magic.

Another use of mana, where even those who say that name are disappearing.

To learn it, first of all you must realize the preciousness of freedom.

* * *

“Everyone, what did you want to be when you were young? Or have you ever seriously thought about who you are now? Raise your hand if any student can speak clearly about either one. I will give you a chance to present.”

“Is there not a single student who can present about their dreams or about themselves now? Or is it that none of these students have the courage to reveal their present and future?”

“How unfortunate it is to live as a human and never think about ‘me’. The reason the magic you learn is terribly uninteresting is that it has nothing to do with ‘me’. Without knowing what you want, you are taking magic education that makes you grow into necessary consumables right now, and you can be interested in it!”

“Free thinking, unique self-expression. The potential to achieve anything that stems from it. They are human prerogatives that other races, unable to escape from their guardian spirits, could not even dream of. Again, human magic was inherently free.”

Professor Ian said in a confident voice. I will show you the beauty of freedom.

Through the topic of today’s class, the magic language, I will show you the realm that is allowed only to humans, free magic.

* * *

“You all know that the magic language is the basic unit of magic. Or, you may feel it as a huge wall you have to overcome to read the original book of sorcery.”

The magic language can set the movement and arrangement of mana according to each person’s will.

You can set the trajectory or temperature of a fireball, set the color of a fairy light, or adjust the power of an electric discharge.

Mado languages are similar to programming languages. Just as sophisticated programs require numerous codes, sophisticated magic required numerous magical languages. however… .

“Before we say more, ask for a volunteer to demonstrate-”

“I! I will. professor.”

“… I don’t know what to do. Please come up here.”

Magical language isn’t the only thing that can be used like that. Magic isn’t the only thing like that.

“’Ice’ in the magical language is ‘Asane’. You don’t have to remember the other words.”

Frill, who had risen to the podium, seemed nervous at the sight of 200 people, which was realistic when he came out. Her thin legs were trembling.

I said in a low voice so only she could hear.

“Are you nervous? put your mind at ease You are the daughter of His Majesty, right? This is nothing to the princess.”

“That’s right, because my dad is invincible… .”

“Yeah. Aren’t you the most precious daughter of His Majesty the Invincible Emperor? Breathe slowly. No one here dares to laugh at the princess. What are you afraid of?”

After taking a deep breath, Frill looked up at me as if the tremors had subsided to some extent.

Seeing him so close, I was sure. She wasn’t the frill princess I knew. He was obviously more mature than before, but he had eyes that yearned for something.

“thanks. professor. Now teach me.”

“Now, close your eyes. You must remember. Ice is ‘Asane’ in the Mado language.”

“i get it.”

“Now… . Please focus on yourself.”

“Um… . it’s difficult I did that a lot in my room, but nothing came to my mind clearly about who I was.”

“Is that so? Then, how about the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?”

“Mina’s unique magic.”

“That doesn’t work. Whatever you envision, you must find it within yourself.”

Then, Frill closed his eyes and started muttering something while frowning.

“jewel? dress? My Photos? Turn off… .”

I think she’s still lost, I whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder cautiously.

“Recall the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen with His Majesty.”

“Dad… ?”

The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen with my dad… .

‘Frills. Did you enjoy it?’

‘yes! I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life.’

‘I was also happy to be able to watch the Saint Presentation Festival with you.’

‘Saint Presen’s… .’

“Asane-!!!”

With Princess Frill’s shrill chant, her surroundings began to freeze.

As if it were snowing, white and soft ice began to cover the podium. The surroundings slowly froze, and a chill began to surround her.

In the meantime, mana surged violently.

pop-! Puff-!!

“ah… .”

The chill that had filled the floor quickly flew into the air and exploded beautifully.

Pure white fireworks filled the upper part of the auditorium.

The coldest sparks in the world slowly descended as snow from the stage ceiling, and they slowly melted and disappeared as they touched the students’ outstretched hands.

Completely exhausted, Frill sat down in a daze and looked up at the ceiling where the snow was now slowly falling.

Pure white memories filled the auditorium.

“I saw the fireworks with my dad when I was seven years old… .”

“It must have been a snowy day.”

“that’s right… .”

“Is beautiful. Only a princess can use such delicate magic. Because only the princess can look into her memories.”

“I… . It’s so beautiful… .”

“This is free magic. Embodying things that cannot be fully expressed in words, that only oneself can show… . Human magic.”

While Professor Ian gets his eyes on Princess Frill instead.

Dana, too, met her eyes without saying a word.

“This is ‘me’… .”

* * *

‘Dana. Always think about who you are It is very important and valuable.’

The words my sister used to say.

‘You must never forget who you are.’

‘Sister, it’s only humans who think like that. Let’s do research during such useless thinking time. We are dragons.’

‘Why is that a futile idea? i like you It’s good because you’re Dana.’

‘Ehh-. My sister is definitely weird. It’s because I talk too much with humans.’

Dragons are a race that devotes their lives to research without even naming themselves.

It was only natural that the older sister, who gave her Dana’s name, would be branded as a strange entity among dragons and ostracized.

Feeling sorry for that, Dana always complained bitterly to her sister who loved humans and the world.

‘Sister, I’m really worried about this. Because you love humans so much, I sometimes look down at how humans live when you’re not around.’

‘really? How was it? Is not it cute.’

‘no! Humans are the most terrible of all the races I’ve ever seen. They kill their own people as if they were natural, they don’t trust each other, they fight, they get jealous… Have you seen other races kill each other? never have Do you know why only humans do this?’

‘… Why?’

‘Humans think only of themselves. It’s because he only values himself so much, he doesn’t think about anything else!’

Winter fireworks.

Dana was gradually covered in white in the memories of Frillman.

‘It’s all because humans don’t have guardian spirits. We dragons all believe in the god of truth. So there is no reason for us to fight each other. We all serve the same God, and we all have the same goals.’

‘Dana. Do you really think that’s a blessing? Everyone serving the same God and living with the same thoughts?’

The white fireworks that had already ended and the free magic that Dana saw for the first time were so beautiful that even in that short moment, Dana’s heart was greatly shaken.

‘Fireworks, so pretty… .’

‘Dana. At times like this, I feel fortunate that I resemble a human. Didn’t the fireworks feel so beautiful thanks to you and I resembling humans? Not a chain reaction of gunpowder and metal powder.’

‘Maybe… .’

‘Because it is. No matter how much humans try to hate them, these precious memories… . Considering that such a beautiful world cannot be seen through the eyes of a dragon.’

‘… yes.’

‘I always thank them.’

Professor Ian and Princess Frill.

The unusual thing my sister said… . Humans who try to break prejudice and bring about change.

‘Did my sister meet a lot of people like this?’

“I also… Can I love humans?”

like a sister