The morning class was Fire System Magic Applications, taught by the bald Professor Kurubel.
"Flames shouldn't exist only to destroy," he said, his voice echoing in the classroom. "Fire can serve as energy, as light, or even have other practical uses. Students, open your eyes—magic can do far more than you think."
Those kinds of thoughtful lines were his trademark.
That day, Kurubel demonstrated a small mechanical snake—something that looked like a child's toy. But instead of using springs, the toy moved using just a bit of fire magic power, slithering forward and retracting on its own.
Most of the students barely paid attention, but Raion watched intently. The concept of converting magical energy into mechanical motion fascinated him. Scaled up, this kind of invention could change everything.
This teacher… definitely one to keep an eye on.
Kurubel, right? Interesting.
Aside from that, though, not much in the lecture held his interest. Ever since defeating Fukai a few days ago, Raion had already mastered Fireball under Professor Chuluk's guidance and officially reached the Point-Level rank of magician. Sitting through these elementary lessons again made him just as restless as everyone else.
Louise, however, sat quietly on his lap, listening with full concentration, jotting notes and sketching diagrams with her quill. Raion looked down and could clearly see her writing.
Her notebook captured the essence of the lesson perfectly, even refining the ideas with her own insights. Judging by the precision of her notes, she clearly understood magic at a far deeper level than a beginner. She should be beyond Point-Level—at least Triangle-Level by comprehension alone.
Yet despite having Triangle-level magical power, she couldn't use a single spell.
How could someone so gifted be mocked as "Louise the Zero"? It didn't sit right with him. She deserved better.
Don't worry, Louise. I'll help you solve your problem one day.
That was his silent promise—to her, his Louise.
The afternoon class was taught by a tall, thin instructor.
"I've set up ten targets," the man announced. "Your assignment is simple—use basic magic to pierce them. The targets are twenty meters away. You may not approach. Let's begin."
He was clearly a teacher who valued practice over theory.
Around forty third-year students lined up behind a drawn white line and began launching fireballs, wind blades, and water bombs toward the targets. Rock Spears couldn't reach that far, much to the Earth-system students' frustration.
Louise, being one of the Earth-element users, hung back at the edge of the group—unable to contribute.
Raion glanced at her, then gently took her hand and pulled her forward.
"Come on, Louise. You should try, too."
The other students immediately stepped aside.
"Raion, are you serious?" said Tomoji Ren. "Every time Louise tries casting, it either fizzles or blows up in our faces. It's dangerous."
Tabasa nodded in quiet agreement.
Louise bit her lip. "They're right… maybe I shouldn't."
Raion met her eyes. "It's fine. Didn't you say it's just bad luck? Out of a hundred and ten thousand failures, there has to be one success. I believe in you, not in the nickname they gave you. You can do this."
"Raion…" she whispered, her heart softening.
"I'll practice with you," he said. "Let's go."
"Okay. Huh?" Louise blinked, surprised. "Wait—Raion, you can use magic?"
He grinned. "I was going to keep that as a surprise."
"I'm already surprised enough! It's only been a month—are you human or some kind of monster?" She looked at him in disbelief.
"I agree," said Tomoji with a mock sigh. "That talent is just unfair."
Tabasa nodded silently, backing him up.
Raion just laughed. "Let's see how it goes."
He raised his wand. "Yah Faile Albrick!"
(Fireball!)
A bright orange sphere the size of a fist flew out, arcing through the air before hitting the ground with a boom, leaving a half-meter crater and knocking over the nearby target.
"So close!" Tomoji chuckled. "Watch how it's done."
He whipped out his wand, chanted quickly, and fired a fireball nearly twice as large. It flew straight and smashed dead-center into a humanoid target, tearing it apart.
He spun his wand with smug satisfaction before lowering it.
Then Tabasa silently stepped forward, raising her staff. "Iru Wendy Hazak."
(Wind Blade!)
Three crescent-shaped blue blades flew across the field, each slicing into separate targets. Puff! Puff! Puff! All three split cleanly in half.
"Wow!" "Amazing!" "That's Tabasa of the Snow Winds for you!"
The crowd erupted in admiration.
Tomoji frowned. "What, trying to outdo me, Tabasa?"
He aimed his wand again, but before he could cast, the instructor intervened.
"Tomoji, Tabasa—enough. Don't waste all the targets. You two, fetch five more from my quarters."
The Earth-system students obediently went to restock while Tomoji grumbled under his breath. Tabasa quietly stepped aside and opened a book.
"Your turn, Louise," Raion encouraged.
Louise nodded, took a breath, and lifted her wand.
"Yah Faile Albrick!"
She aimed slightly off-center—but nothing came out.
Then suddenly—boom!
The target exploded in a burst of smoke and flames.
Everyone jumped back.
"It's really Louise the Zero!"
"She can't ever cast right."
"It's always an explosion with her!"
"Haha, Louise Zero!"
Raion's eyes narrowed. "Shut it. Anyone else laughing, step forward and fight me."
The mockers went silent. They all knew about his swordsmanship—anyone below Triangle level wouldn't stand a chance against the Sword of Wisdom.
Louise stood frozen, embarrassed.
"It's okay," Raion said softly. "Try again."
She looked at him, bit her lip, and nodded. Again, she lifted her wand.
Another chant—another boom!—and another target disintegrated.
"That's enough, Miss Louise," the tall teacher sighed.
"It's fine," Raion said. "She's still hit more than I have. I haven't managed to destroy any targets." He led a red-faced Louise away from the group.
Louise looked up at him and laughed despite herself.
"Then that makes me better than Tomoji, doesn't it?"
Louise: 2 targets.
Tomoji: 1.
Tabasa: 3.
Raion: 0.
"Guess I'm the most useless one here," Raion shrugged, raising his hands in surrender.
"I just didn't get another try, that's all!" Tomoji huffed. "I could've hit five easily!"
"Then I still win," Louise teased.
Tomoji fell silent, glaring but saying nothing.
"Tabasa, come on," he muttered. "You're really going to take her side?"
Tabasa glanced over, gave Louise a small nod, and said simply, "Not bad."
Louise froze in delight. Being acknowledged—especially by someone as capable as Tabasa—warmed her heart more than any spell ever could.
"What? Even you're being biased now!" Tomoji complained.
Raion stood and stretched. "How about some afternoon tea? My treat."
Everyone looked over.
"Yeah, why not?"
"Sounds good."
"Just a little thirsty anyway."
Together, the four of them headed toward the square near the cafeteria, their laughter fading into the afternoon air.