第１０９２堀：学府の状況 (Part2)
"Now, now, don't go framing it as if I were slacking off. I was busy attending to my own duties over there, you know."
Indeed, it wasn't as if I had been haunting Weed simply because I was lured by the siren call of cakes and other confections. I had been working diligently for the future of the Lancer Magic Academy, after all. Still, I suppose I had placed quite a burden on Lara.
"…My apologies. Would you like to pay a visit to Weed sometime?"
"No, I can go whenever I please if I truly wish to, so that was merely a jest."
"Hey now. You’ve just blown my kindness to the winds."
"Oh, and Lara, you really do look well. In that case, would you like a ticket for the super public bath we’re currently test-running—"
"I am terribly exhausted, so I shall accept it," she interjected, snatching the ticket from Yuki’s hand with the speed of a lightning strike. "I could never bring myself to spurn such a kind offer. I shall certainly pay a visit."
"You really are thick-skinned, aren't you?"
"That is nothing new. I have been associated with the Principal for a long time, after all. Now, Lady Kagura, Lady Mikos, Lady Enora, Lady Stasia, welcome to our academy."
"Ah, my apologies for the delayed greeting. I look forward to working with you."
My banter with Lara had caused me to neglect the proper introductions for Kagura and the others. Given the circumstances, their presence was of far greater importance to these discussions.
"Yes. We look forward to it."
"Principal Popuri, Vice Principal Lara, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"We are honored to be here."
My, Kagura and Mikos responded with enthusiasm, but Enora and Stasia seemed rather muted. Had something occurred? It appeared Yuki had noticed as well.
"Enora, Stasia, are you not feeling well?"
"No, it’s just… I’m not sure if someone like me will be of any use."
"Indeed. I feel the same. Magic has always been merely a supplementary tool for me; I hardly possess the power to call myself a mage."
I see—so that was the source of their anxiety. But there was no need for such concern.
"Don't worry about that. I asked for both of you to come along specifically because I wanted you here. If anything, I’m all the more grateful for your presence."
"Yes, that is exactly right."
"You say it’s better that we are here, but what do you mean by that?"
"We aren't particularly gifted in the arts of magic, after all."
"That is precisely why. Since you became Yuki’s wives, your base levels have risen, meaning your mana capacity is far greater than that of an average person."
"That is true. My mana levels have skyrocketed, so I do have a great deal of it."
"Yes… but it is currently a treasure going to waste. I cannot even use my power for something as simple as scouting. The most I can manage is wide-area annihilation magic or basic physical reinforcement."
Indeed, simply possessing a vast reservoir of mana does not grant one the ability to wield any spell. It is only through study that one’s repertoire expands. It is much like a wooden staff: left lying on the ground, it serves no purpose, but it can be used to sweep, to fuel a fire, or to serve as a weapon. Gather enough wood, and you could build furniture or even a house. The issue is simply that they do not know how to put their potential to use.
That, in itself, would be the key to elevating the value of the Lancer Magic Academy.
However, Kagura and the others, unaware of the internal situation here, tilted their heads in confusion at my words.
"Well, considering the current circumstances, it might be more accurate to say that you two simply lack magical knowledge—or perhaps, the proper aptitude."
"What do you mean? We came to this Lancer Magic Academy as exchange students, did we not?"
"That isn't wrong, but there is a problem, isn't there, Popuri?"
"Ah, unfortunately, there are many in this world who despise the idea of people joining hands in harmony."
"…Ugh, I have a bad feeling about this, Mikos-chan."
"Hearing that, I feel the same way."
"I suspected something was afoot the moment I heard Yuki-sama himself was coming here, but could you explain the details to us?"
"Certainly. Let us begin with..."
And thus, the discussions that would determine the survival of our Lancer Magic Academy began.
I wonder, how will the world perceive Yuki and his companions going out of their way to visit and stay at this academy? It has been some time since I last stood in these halls, but it seems that with the advent of intercontinental exchange, the very legitimacy of this institution is being called into question.
Nevertheless, we cannot allow this place to vanish. From here on out, Yuki and his group will be taking various measures to ensure its future.
The curtain rises on a life of student dreams! Though, as a snowman, I don't have much personal attachment to student life. Heartwarming comedies exist only in the pages of manga and novels.