Book Eater

Chapter 15 - Here Comes the Mutiny (3)

Battle magic was the most popular subject in the academy. Achievements in battle magic were also highly sought after when assessing academy graduates. There was even a heated recruiting competition for certain reputed graduates of Bergen Academy. Therefore, the professor in charge was naturally the best magician in the academy, Vince. In fact, he had a distinguished career as a war magician and had received a noble title for it. However, it was all just annoying to Vince.

He spoke clearly to the assembled students, "Magicians have had a very close relationship with war since ancient times. You may wonder why, but the reason is very simple. Magicians are extremely efficient killers. While a well-trained knight can cut down more than ten people with some effort, a 4th Circle magician can expend the same energy and annihilate a hundred people."

Some of the students paled. Murder and war were overly heavy topics for them, and Vince's cold choice of words caused a shiver to run down their spine. However, not everyone responded in the same way. The eyes of other students began to shine. There was no faster or greater route to success than the path of a war magician. These students had no use for the moralities of war, and only sought recognition and success. In any case, this type of personality was much better. At the very least, they wouldn't throw up.

Either way, they're just young chicks.

Vince assessed the students with a sober eye. According to his experiences, neither reaction produced the kind of magician who could fight in battle. A true war magician would bury their emotions deep in their heart, and go to war as a different person. The ability to transform into a different person on the battlefield; that was the talent required of a true war magician.

"This academy was once a facility to raise magicians who would be sent to the battlefield. While graduates are no longer required to enter the army, this combat magic course will allow you to develop a sense of real warfare."

The curriculum had changed through the years, but the one-on-one spar in the first class had stayed since those early days. Although a few steps had been erased, there was no better way to identify a student's qualities. Two students would alternate between the roles of attacker and defender, and the one who was superior would be decided as the winner. Even if it was a little more structured than the past, it was a proven method of assessment.

Vince started explaining the rules of the spar.

"Well, the rules are simple. I will keep watch, so don't worry about getting injured. Just do the best that you can... However." For a moment, magic power flashed in his eyes. "If you commit a foul, such as disregarding the roles of attacker and defender, or striking maliciously, I will use my name to get you expelled from the academy. Understood?"

"Yes!" The students replied with serious voices. After all, they were well aware that Professor Vince's warning was no bluff—the professor was known for being strict and fair.

Vince took out the attendance sheet and pointed to the first person on the list.

"Then we will begin immediately. Number 1, Evans. Pick a person."

***

Bang!

A fireball exploded against a shield, followed by dozens of magic missiles. The shield survived the fireball, but began to deform under the impact of the magic missiles. Elsewhere, lightning skittered across a curtain of water, and a wall of wind deflected an arrow.

The students had been nervous at first, but gradually relaxed as they began to cast naturally. The presence of Professor Vince and the pleasure of using spells like this for the first time started to draw out the students' potential. Meanwhile, the students who weren't sparring weren't idle. They watched their classmates closely, discussing areas of improvement.