Book 1 Chapter 44

【44】43

"Do you realize how ridiculous what you just said is?"

Shin Whouz asked with a bewildered expression.

"There has only ever been one mage in the history of magic who possessed a spell system itself as unique magic."

"Yes, Luna, the progenitor of the Nebula."

The magic spell systems used today were, quite literally, the legacy of the great mages of history, passed down and built upon over generations.

And in history, Luna was the one who achieved the same feat by her own power.

Saying one would create a new magic spell system was no different from declaring oneself on par with Luna.

"Do you think you're a mage comparable to the progenitor of the Nebula?"

When Rilda asked, narrowing her brows, Leo shook his head.

"Certainly not. Luna is a mage so great she can't even be compared to me."

Leo, who knew Luna's genius better than anyone, was well aware that he couldn't even chase her shadow with his magic.

"But you don't need Luna's level of genius to create a spell system."

Upon hearing Leo's words, Eidman chuckled.

"Then would you show us the unique magic system you created right now?"

At his words, Leo raised his palm.

A stream of gray magical energy extended, forming a spell system.

The graduates watching intently gasped in admiration.

"A basic spell system is already established?"

"It's not a simple copy."

Shin Whouz and Tilda said, interpreting the magic spell.

The first-year students also tried their best to interpret Leo's magic spell.

But soon, their eyes started to spin.

'What kind of magic spell is that complicated?'

'Can something that complicated actually be activated?'

'Ah, I don't know. I'm giving up on interpreting it.'

The top-ranking students diligently tried to interpret the spell system Leo had shown.

After a moment, Eidman opened his mouth.

"You said your goal was a spell system that could integrate all attribute manifestation formulas, right?"

"Yes."

"Looking at the spell's structure, it seems designed to use any magic without penalty."

At Eidman's words, the first-year students made disgusted expressions.

'He understood the spell structure just by looking at it for a moment?'

"That's right."

"What a ridiculous idea."

"Seeing it in person, it's even more insane."

Rilda and Shin Whouz muttered upon hearing Leo's words.

But their eyes were gleaming.

Magic was the study of bringing the impossible into the realm of possibility.

Attempts that overturned common sense always deserved praise.

"What's the reason you created this magic system?"

"To freely use all magic that exists in the world."

"You're also not in your right mind, are you?"

'But the basic framework is complete. Is this what genius is?'

It was so absurd that whether this magic could be completed was uncertain.

But he liked it.

'A completely crazy junior has appeared. I can see why the higher-ups rate this batch highly.'

A being who can wield all spells.

Every mage dreams of such a thing at least once.

But because it's an absurd wish, no one challenges it, even if they dream of it.

A mage challenging that ideal appeared before them.

"What's the name of the unique magic?"

"The name of the magic is Bible."

A magic system used only by the great hero Kyle throughout history.

At that name, Eidman let out a small chuckle.

"Leo Flobe, A+."

***

"You somehow managed to get an A+ with that insane idea."

"The bigger the ambition, the better, right?"

"Even so, don't you know there's a limit?"

Kyle clicked his tongue.

The Bible magic system was not starting from scratch, as it had been used since Kyle's time.

'As I am now, I can't use it perfectly.'

Even during Kyle's time, it was a magic system he could barely complete during his peak.

'Besides, it was ultimately incomplete.'

Being unstable, Leo couldn't perfectly use it with his current skill.

What he presented in this exam was merely the basic spell formula of the Bible.

'I can't even show the original, as it would clearly cause an uproar.'

Leo looked at the platform.

Only the last student remained.

"Presenter Chloe Mueller. Please come forward."

Ren called out the last student's name.

"Oh boy, I'm getting nervous for nothing."

So far, only Leo and Abad had received A+ grades.

Both had presented unique magic of immense scale.

However, considering the feasibility, Abad's side would clearly receive a higher score.

In such a situation, with Chloe, the top-ranking student in the first-year magic department's practicals, presenting, all the students' attention was naturally drawn to her.

Kyle, in particular, was even more nervous, having witnessed Chloe's declaration of war against Leo.

"Hello, seniors."

Chloe bowed her head.

"Yes, Chloe student. What have you prepared?"

"The unique magic I have prepared is a fire-attribute magic."

At her words, murmurs erupted from various places.

"Fire-attribute?"

"Chloe is fire-attribute?"

"That's impossible… Chloe is ice-attribute!"

"Why did she choose an opposite attribute as her unique magic?"

"Silence! Silence!"

As the entire auditorium grew boisterous, Ren raised his voice to mediate.

Meanwhile, Ren also showed a puzzled expression.

The attribute of the unique magic Chloe had prepared was quite unexpected even for him.

"I will now demonstrate it."

Chloe quietly chanted a spell.

*Hwal-reuk-!*

A red flame appeared in the air.

"What kind of magic could it be?"

Kyle swallowed dryly, concentrating on the magic.

It had to be something incredible if Chloe had prepared it.

But the flame simply burned quietly, and nothing else happened.

"A little… ordinary?"

Tilda asked with a look of distaste.

'I heard she's a talent on par with Leo or Abad?'

Leo's magic represented the dreams and ideals of a mage.

Abad's magic represented the peak a mage could reach.

Compared to those two, the magic Chloe showed now was too ordinary.

"Why is this your unique magic?"

When Eidman asked seriously, Chloe replied.

"From now on, I will show you the true value of this magic."

Chloe, smiling confidently, muttered quietly.

Then, a mass of water was created in the air.

"This flame magic isn't receiving any magical energy right now. What do you think will happen if I pour water on it?"

"Of course, it will go out."

At Shin Whouz's question, Chloe smiled brightly and poured water on the flame.

*Chwaak-!*

The flame dwindled.

*Hwal-reuk-!*

But it didn't go out and soon fiercely blazed again.

"…!"

"…!"

Not only the graduates but also the students' faces changed dramatically.

Leo's face stiffened instantly!

"How on earth did she do that?"

When Tilda asked with a surprised expression, Chloe said.

"It's my unique magic."

Chloe, stating proudly, extinguished the flame with her hand.

"Unless I wish it, this flame will not go out."

"Wait! Wait! So, Chloe student, are you saying… you bestowed eternity upon magic?"

Tilda asked, her eyes wide open.

"Yes! Unless I wish it, it will never go out!"

Magic is a law made of spell formulas.

Therefore, absolute immutability cannot exist.

Any magic, if not supplied with magical energy, will disappear at any time.

But Chloe had created the immutability of a spell formula.

Chloe began to explain the magic spell.

Everyone focused on her presentation.

'Impossible.'

Leo muttered inwardly as he listened to Chloe's presentation.

He tried to assemble the spell structure Chloe was explaining in his mind.

But he couldn't replicate the unextinguishable flame.

Even if it was due to Chloe's unique magical property, it was impossible.

As far as Leo knew, only one entity, to begin with, could emit an eternally burning flame.

'Erebus.'

Magic could never realize that power.

'It's something even Luna failed at.'

"Chloe Mueller, A+."

"Thank you!"

Towards the end of the presentation, the summoning practical exam naturally came to Leo's mind.

"What kind of thing did she create?"

Kyle muttered in an dazed voice.

"Hey, Leo. Isn't that amazing?"

Kyle turned his gaze towards Leo.

"Leo?"

"Huh? Ah, it's amazing."

"Why are you so distracted?"

"It's nothing."

Leo looked at Chloe as she descended from the platform.

'First… I need to talk to Chloe.'

***

That evening.

After finishing his meal, Leo left the male dormitory and headed for the female dormitory.

"Huh? Leo? What brings you to the female dormitory?"

Celia, who was sitting on a bench in front of the female dormitory, talking with a friend, approached with a puzzled expression.

"Celia, I'm sorry, but could you call Chloe for me?"

"Chloe said she was going to bed early today. She hardly slept until dawn during the exam period."

"Is that so? Then, could you tell her I'd like to see her briefly before the exam tomorrow, at the entrance of the Grand Training Ground?"

"Alright. But why Chloe, suddenly?"

"I have something to talk about. Well, I'm off then."

"Wait, Leo."

Celia called out to Leo, stopping him.

"Why?"

"Is something going on with Chloe lately?"

"Why are you asking me that? Don't you, as her classmate, know better than I do?"

"Chloe got into a few fights with the kids in class. I thought maybe she was sensitive because of the exam period, but it seems to be getting worse day by day. Plus, I've recently heard that she's been hanging out with some rather unsavory characters from the Magic Department."

'Chloe?'

Chloe has a personality that takes good care of others.

In fact, at the beginning of the semester, she even helped Leo study after school so he could adapt to the modern magic system.

Celia, too, was upset at first when she lost her class president position, but she soon recognized Chloe's leadership.

It was hard to imagine such a Chloe frequently fighting with others.

'First Kyle, now Celia… Is something really going on?'

Thinking about Chloe, Leo returned to his dormitory.

He drew the window curtains, sat on his bed, and spread out his hand.

*Hwal-reuk-!*

Then, a summoning circle made of flames appeared.

Piora poked her face out of the summoning circle.

"Could you call your mom for me?"

Piora went back into the summoning circle.

A moment later, Pirina appeared.

"It's been a long time, Leo."

"How have you been?"

Piora was perched on Pirina's head, who was in human form.

*Bleep-! Bleep-!*

Pirina looked lovingly at Piora, who was flapping her wings vigorously, talking about something.

"Ever since I summoned you, she's been talking about what she'll do when she grows up."

Pirina placed her daughter on Leo's desk.

Pirina toddled around Leo's desk.

"Alright, Leo. What's the reason you wanted to see me?"

"You know about the magical beast that appeared during the summoning exam, right?"

"Yes, a magical beast tamer apparently played a trick on a new student from Lumerne?"

Pirina showed an unpleasant expression.

To Pirina, a phantom beast, magical beasts were very unpleasant beings, and magical beast tamers who controlled them were also beings to be eliminated.

"Ms. Pirina, you said you were in Lumerne at the request of the principal, right? Is this related to that incident?"

Pirina rested her chin on her hand.

The Lumerne attack incident that happened five years ago.

Very few people knew about that incident, whose perpetrator was never even identified.

The higher-ups in Lumerne were deeply investigating the connection between this incident and the one from back then.

'I can't tell a first-year like Leo such things.'

"It's still unknown if there's a connection. Of course, even if there is, I can't tell you."

"I know. I just wanted you to pass this message to the principal."

"What message?"

"That Sen Liu might not be the only student Tartaros has reached out to."

Pirina's expression changed dramatically.

"Do you know something?"

"I can't tell you yet as it's not certain."

He couldn't be absolutely sure it was related to Erebus just because she created an unextinguishable flame.

Still, he had to inform the Lumerne higher-ups about this fact, just in case.

Pirina, with a serious expression after hearing Leo's words, took Piora and said.

"I'll relay your story to Kalian."