We were able to arrive in Hazen, the southern part of the empire where the Jenyon Academy is located.
During this time, I had thoroughly read the magic books in the pocket dimension and realized that there was a hidden intention behind the 132-volume curriculum of Henji.
'Indeed...'
Henji was an outstanding magician.
'The basic principles of magic are simple.'
However, the interpretations vary widely.
Just as the number '1' can have hundreds of meanings depending on the unit it is attached to.
For example:
Water is just water. But depending on the observer, it can carry various meanings, which is the difference in perspective.
To a thirsty person stranded in the desert, water is life. To a farmer cultivating the land, water is the foundation of the harvest.
The secrets of noble families also diverged in this way.
Even with the same principle, they developed differently based on individual perspectives.
And the 132 volumes of magic books that Henji passed on to me...
'Deculan family’s Skyward Fist.'
There was a part that matched.
This was something I could only know because I had learned the Skyward Fist.
Rustle, rustle.
I sat on the window frame of the inn room, flipping through the pages while basking in the sunlight.
It was early morning, so it wasn't hot. Just a clear and crisp air touching my skin.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out outside the door.
Bang!
The door opened abruptly.
"Friend!"
It was Damian.
"We're about to have the opening ceremony! We need to hurry! They said we might not get seats if we're late!"
I tilted my head, not understanding what he was saying.
It's not like the academy is a local theater where there wouldn't be seats. Even in a local theater, seats are guaranteed if you buy a ticket.
I turned my gaze, wondering if something was up.
'Shush.'
The usual taciturn and clueless servant was making cautious eye signals.
It seemed Damian was being slow with his preparations, and the servant was trying to get him moving.
"..."
I hesitated for a moment, considering whether to ignore the clueless servant's signal, but decided against it.
If I let it slide today, maybe the clueless servant will let something slide for me someday.
That was my thought.
'They may be clueless, but they're not shameless.'
I had already finished my preparations, so I put Henji's magic books back into the pocket dimension and left the room.
As I stepped out of the inn, Damian exclaimed, "Wow!"
"There are so many people! They're all wearing uniforms. Friend, look over there! They must all be new students!"
Indeed, as Damian said, the road was crowded with people.
Where had they all come from?
New students in uniforms, along with their attendants, filled the wide avenue.
Even though we had chosen a nearby accommodation, it was strangely empty of those who had come by carriage.
Curiously,
"This is the unique scene of Jenyon Academy. When entering, all students, regardless of status, follow the teachings of the first chancellor, the Sage, and walk here on foot."
The taciturn servant, unusually, spoke at length.
Glancing at his face, he seemed to be lost in old memories, a rather unexpected sight.
Noticing my gaze, the servant said,
"I was also a new student. Though I didn't graduate, seeing the academy again brings back old memories."
"Ah, yes."
That was all.
I wanted to say something, but the servant had already returned to his usual expression.
In any case, we joined the bustling line of new students, their attendants, and the staff.
The taciturn servant bid us farewell as we reached the school gate.
"I'll go this far. Please complete the opening ceremony well and return with good teachings."
Damian waved happily, and I nodded.
While studying at the academy, there is no distinction of status.
...Following the teachings of the first chancellor, the Sage, attendants are not allowed to enter the academy.
As we entered the grand hall where the opening ceremony was being held, the Blando family's group was left behind, and the hall was already half-filled with students.
Damian said,
"Friend."
"Why?"
"Ran was right. They said if we're late, there won't be seats, and it almost happened, didn't it?"
I glanced at him.
'That's not it.'
But I didn't say it out loud.
I believed the taciturn servant wasn't clueless or shameless.
* * *
I unfolded the paper with the academy class information that the taciturn servant had given me.
"Let's see. M3 class, number 11, 12..."
The class assigned to me and Damian was the M3 class.
By the way, the initial before the class name is not a grade but a classification for convenience.
"Friend, can we sit over there? If we don't sit quickly, there might be no seats."
"No, let's wait a bit."
I left the anxious Damian behind and moved to find our designated seats.
But why were there so many people?
Students were gathered in small groups, making it difficult to take even a step forward. As I tried to find a seat—
Damian's terminal device rang in my ear.
"Ouch!"
It seemed Damian had stumbled and fallen on his bottom.
"What is it?"
The person he had bumped into was a male student at least two heads taller than Damian.
Not just his height, but his arms, thighs, and overall build were close to that of an adult.
Even though they had bumped into each other, the difference in build meant that only Damian was left standing.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah! I'm not hurt!"
I helped Damian up, his nose red. He didn't seem to be injured.
"I couldn't see well, sorry!"
Damian offered an apologetic smile.
In such a crowded place, who was at fault wasn't really important, but since he had apologized, it was all good.
I tried to move on with Damian.
Or rather, I tried to.
If the large student hadn't stopped us, that is.
"Wait."
The large student was looking down at his arm with a stern expression. Or rather, not stern.
His face showed a faint but clear sign of displeasure.
I soon understood the situation.
On the large student's arm, at about Damian's height, something was glistening.
It was clear what it was without much thought.
'Saliva.'
Saliva.
My guess was right, as the large student looked at Damian with an annoyed expression and said,
"You."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you, the clueless one. What are you going to do? You got my clothes dirty."
"Hmm."
I crossed my arms and looked at Damian.
'He looks like a noble family's offspring.'
Even if not, he must be from a family of some standing. It was obvious from his demeanor.
Now, depending on Damian's response, the situation could either turn into a fight or be resolved peacefully...
'Oh dear.'
I rubbed my forehead.
This was going to be a fight. It was definitely going to be a fight.
"I'll clean it for you!"
Damian, with a cheerful face, ran to wipe the saliva off the large student's arm.
There was one problem, though.
He was using the hand he had just been sucking on.
"You..."
The uniform became even more stained as Damian wiped.
The large student's face turned red, almost as if it was about to explode.
And then, immediately after.
Thud!
A loud noise echoed in the hall.
The large student's fist struck Damian's face.
Or rather, it almost did.
Swoosh!
I grabbed the large student's fist just as it was about to hit Damian's nose, and looked at him.
"Hey, classmate. It seems you're making a mistake. How about we stop here?"
"What are you, then?"
"I'm..."
Before I could answer, Damian's voice cut in cheerfully.
"My friend!"
The large student glared at me.
"Is that so, a good friend."
"Yep!"
Damian was cheerful. But the large student wasn't.
"It's rare to find someone willing to take a hit for a friend. But you'll regret that choice today."
Before I could say anything,
Whoosh!
A fist the size of my face flew at me. I dodged it and smiled bitterly.
'Ah.'
Originally, my goal at the academy was to get along with all the... no, all the classmates.
But it seemed my resolve was about to waver from the first day.
Well, things don't always go as planned.
'I don't know.'
For now...
"Do you not want to talk?"
"No."
"Alright, then."
I had no choice but to give him what he wanted.
* * *
In the grand hall where the Jenyon Academy's opening ceremony was being held, a commotion broke out in the center.
It was due to a sudden fight.
As students focused on the interesting spectacle, the commotion spread.
"What's going on, who is it?"
"I don't know. The big guy looks like he's from the Dolanpega family. He might be the second son."
"The one fighting?"
"I don't know. I've never seen him before."
Who was fighting whom.
That was the question.
"Who will win?"
"The Dolanpega will, right? I heard the second son is quite impressive."
Of course, not all the students were like this.
"Hey! Are you guys kidding?!"
The sudden voice startled the students who were trying to gauge the outcome of the fight.
"Why, why?"
"Why are you just standing there when there's a fight?!"
"Should we stop it?"
A student with glasses said sternly.
"Are you crazy?"
"..."
"Look around, they won't fight properly with the crowd so close. Tell the students to give them some space."
"Oh!"
Despite different families and statuses, the students moved as one to watch the fight.
A wide circle quickly formed around the fight.
Then another student shouted at the one with glasses.
"Hey!"
"Why!"
"Are you kidding?!"
"What, they're fighting. If we're going to watch, let's all..."
"No, that's not it. The gray-haired one is a mage! Someone should set up a barrier around them!"
"Oh!"
Without needing to be told, the students moved to set up a barrier.
Taking the lead, they quickly turned the fight area into a coliseum.
All of this happened in less than five minutes.
"Cheer up, Hixter! I'm betting on you!"
"I'm betting two meal tickets!"
"I'm betting three!"
The betting odds were 9 to 1.
However, contrary to the students' expectations, Hixter was really struggling.
'What... what is this...'
At first, he thought it would be easy to take down.
The book-shaped badge on his chest indicated he was a magic student. As a new student at the academy, he must have some level of skill...
But as a mage, he should be easily overwhelmed in close combat.
That's what he thought—
Thud! Thud!
"Ugh!"
What a heavy punch.
From his build, it didn't seem like he had trained his body. So, it must be the magic power in his fists causing the effect.
But for a mage to be pushed back by fists is a disgrace to a knight family. It's a stain on the Dolanpega name.
"Arrogant...! A mere mage...!"
Hixter spat out his frustration and summoned his will.
That's when he noticed something was off.
"..."
Swoosh!
Suddenly, his body felt energized.
Something was strange.
His arms, which were numb from blocking attacks, his legs, which were sore from constant movement, and his skin, which was torn by the wind pressure... were healing.
He was being healed.
'What... what is this...'
A high-level healing magic.
Turning his head, he saw the usual clueless kid smiling at him, his hand stretched out as if playing a fun game.
'Why... why is he...?'
Just as he thought this,
"Hey, you're tough."
A voice reached his ears.
It was the gray-haired boy he was fighting.
"What...?"
It wasn't him who was tough. The crazy kid was casting healing magic on him. But Hixter couldn't finish his sentence.
Thud! Thud!
A brutal impact on both arms.
It felt like his bones were ringing.
In his blurred vision, Hixter saw the two boys.
One was healing, the other was beating him.
But the crowd outside the barrier was oblivious, cheering loudly.
"Hixter! What are you doing? Don't hold back!"
"The pride of the Dolanpega! The star of the eastern continent! The hope of the knights! Don't drag it out! Ha ha!"
They thought it was a show to make the fight last longer, as a knight wouldn't lose to a mere mage in a physical fight.
'No... ugh!'
A chaotic situation inside and out.
His heart was pounding.
An endless fight. He wished he could lose consciousness from a direct hit, but the relentless healing prevented that.