第５８６堀：分かりやすくというのは大事である (Part1)
### Chapter 586: Clarity is Essential
**Side: Dressa**
“……And so, fire—or rather, the phenomenon of combustion—is…”
Taizo was the one writing on the blackboard with chalk while explaining this. He is Taiki’s uncle and a fellow countryman of our Yuki.
As I pondered this, I looked around the room and saw the students of the Haiden Magic Academy frantically copying down the notes from the board. I was currently in the classroom at the Haiden Magic Academy, acting as an assistant to help with Taizo’s lecture.
Naturally, Vilia was there as well.
Since we had demonstrated our magic during that martial arts exhibition, we were no longer being looked down upon for being women. In fact, because Yuki had put on such a grand display, the atmosphere felt more like they were walking on eggshells around us. Well, considering he had leveled the training grounds that had been left in such a tattered state almost instantly, they probably understood just how vast the gap in our abilities was.
Beyond that, there was also the fact that we were guests to whom the Haiden royal family was showing the utmost respect. If not for that, they would never have allowed a young girl like me to stand at the podium in such a prestigious place of learning.
After all, I don’t know anything about the theory of magic. I just use it because I can. I’ve never even thought about the difficult questions that Yuki, Taizo, or Zargis ponder, like *why* we can use magic through mana. Because of that, I feel completely out of place here.
“Professor Taizo. Is this phenomenon of ‘combustion’ really true? Is there any way to prove it?”
Suddenly, a student raised their hand and asked Taizo a question. Taizo nodded as if he had been waiting for exactly that.
“Of course there is. Tell you what, why don’t you come up here? Let’s perform a little experiment together. Vilia, Dressa, please prepare a cup and a candle.”
At his request, Vilia and I took a cup and a candle from the props we had brought. Yuki and Taiki were busy preparing things in front of the instructors and Kanna, the record-keeper who had come to observe. Naturally, Eagil and Prince Findall were with them, too.
That’s how it goes. Dealing with the big shots is Yuki and Taiki’s job. In that sense, my job is easy.
I was thinking about that while I stood around, idle after finishing the preparations, when a murmur rose from the classroom.
“……I’m sure some of you have had the experience of putting out a fire by covering it with a pot lid or throwing dirt on it, rather than just using water. This is the reason why.”
Taizo explained this while standing in front of a candle that had been lit moments ago, now extinguished after being covered by the cup.
“The fire could no longer be maintained because the object necessary for the fire to burn within the sealed space of the cup was exhausted. This serves as proof of combustion—that something invisible is required for fire to exist.”
By now, this is common knowledge for me and for everyone learning in Weed: fire cannot be lit or sustained without oxygen in the air. It’s a simple concept. However, the students who had just seen it proven seemed astonished.
But Taizo’s explanation continued.
“Now, you might think, as magic users, is there any point in learning about such natural phenomena?”
Many students nodded in agreement. Of course they would. It’s a question of what this has to do with magic.
“The conclusion is that there is meaning in learning it. Well, whether everything you learn can be applied to magic is something I can’t say for sure. That’s a matter of inspiration. But, getting back on track—if you ask whether the relationship between things in the air that burn and the act of combustion has any meaning for magic, well…”
To make it easy to understand, Taizo held out his index finger, channeled his mana, and used fire magic. *Pop, pop, pop*—small, cute flickers of flame appeared and vanished.
“Like this, if you consciously trigger the combustible substances in the air using mana, you can easily create fire. This also leads to saving mana. You, as mages, should know the importance of that better than anyone. Well, it doesn’t change the fact that you still have to supply mana as a starter, like a candle or a torch, but it’s significantly better than maintaining the whole thing with mana alone.”
“Um, in that case, wouldn’t it be better to just use a candle or a torch?”
“If you have the luxury of using a light source, then yes. However, candles and torches occupy your hands. There is also the disadvantage of increasing the number of items you have to carry. But you are mages, and if you find yourself in a situation where you cannot afford to use a candle or a torch, that means you are on a battlefield. It wouldn’t hurt to remember efficient methods of operation.”
The students nodded, finally understanding.
And just like that, Taizo’s first day of lectures—the Weed Basic Knowledge course—came to an end.
“Splendid, Lord Taizo. We truly understand now that it is important to know the laws of this world.”
“Yes. It was a very easy-to-understand explanation. Have you taught before?”
After the lecture, Taizo was surrounded by the academy director and Kanna.
“I am glad you understood, Director. Lady Kanna, I am a researcher, just like you. Well, in order to receive financial support, one must provide such clear explanations to investors. No one will give money to something they don’t understand, right?”
“Ah, I see. I understand that very well.”
““Hahaha…””
Kanna nodded deeply, and Taizo and the director laughed.
……The adult world is harsh, isn’t it? Oh, wait, I’m an adult too, right? I’m a proper, full-fledged lady with a husband.
As I was watching Taizo, Kagura suddenly approached Yuki.
“Hey, Yuki. What about the electrical stuff?”
“Ah. That’s still a little further off. We’re planning to explain these familiar natural phenomena first, and then work our way from lightning to electricity. There aren’t many people who can use lightning magic, right? The understanding of it is basically non-existent.”
“Ah, I see.”
“If Princess Carrie says she needs it right now, I could give a separate lecture or just hand over the documents first, but what do you want to do?”
“……Hmm. I feel like I’d only be able to understand it if I had both.”
“Exactly.”
“Then I’ll tell the Princess that for now. She probably won’t be in that much of a hurry, though.”
“Right. Good luck. Don’t push yourself.”
He patted her head.
“Yeah. Thanks. See you later. Amanda and Eoid, see you later too.”
“Good luck with your work.”
“Take care.”
Kagura walked away with a very lovely smile. Somehow, that was…
“……That’s suspicious.”
“W-wah!? Wait, Vilia. Are you done cleaning up?”
“Of course I am. But about Kagura-san, it’s suspicious. She must be in love with Brother.”
“……Hmm. I can see the ‘love’ part, but Yuki? Really? He’s been pretty harsh to her, hasn’t he?”
“……Then, are you suggesting it’s that loser Eoid-san?”
I was left speechless by her ruthless dismissal of Eoid. I mean, I know he’s a loser, but…
“……Vilia. Try to be a bit more tactful.”
“Brother and Eoid-san. I see, so Dressa prefers Eoid-san.”
“I’m with Yuki. Don’t say stupid things.”
“I thought so. Well, I apologize for calling Eoid-san a loser, but compared to Brother, Brother is the overwhelming winner. Therefore, if Kagura-san has a normal way of thinking, it’s only natural that she would choose Brother.”
“……If that’s the case, then that makes Amanda abnormal.”
“Amanda-san is a childhood friend of Eoid-san. Because of that, she likely finds a charm in him that surpasses Brother’s. It’s the result of being together for many years. It’s wonderful. It’s almost like the relationship between us and Brother, isn’t it?”
“……”
It was a clever way to dodge the topic, but there was no doubt it was incredibly rude. Vilia is also blind when it comes to Yuki—no, Vilia is the most blind of all toward him. It’s no wonder Labyris and Seraria have such a hard time dealing with her.
“So, are you going to do anything?”
“No, not particularly. If Brother wanted to bring Kagura-san into the fold, I would cooperate, but Brother doesn’t seem to want that. I’ll just keep an eye on her.”
“No, you’d be desperate to bring her in, wouldn’t you?”
“That would be for political reasons. What I’m talking about is whether he wants her as a woman.”