第１０９５堀：魔術の学び舎 (Part1)
Chapter 1095: The School of Magic
Side: Comet
I had harbored a faint hope that I might recognize something, so I had Popuri guide me all around the Lancer Academy of Magic. But…
"Yeah. Just as the preliminary reports suggested, there’s absolutely nothing here I recognize. Not a single trace of the original structure remains."
"Well, of course not, Master. That tiny orphanage you built exceeded its durability limit ages ago, and it has since been completely rebuilt."
"Fair point. I suppose that’s true."
After all, it had been hundreds of years since I first built an orphanage on this land. It was only natural that nothing of the original building would remain. I mean, I knew that, but I suppose I’m still a little disappointed.
"So, Master. Now that you’ve seen it, what are your thoughts?"
"Let’s see… Yes, it’s a fine school, isn't it? From what I’ve heard, there are various problems, but overall, this is a proper place of learning."
Indeed, I knew it already, but this truly is a proper school. Many study here before spreading their wings out into the world. It is a place for that purpose. Well, it’s different from an orphanage, but this, too, serves the people. And above all, the fact that Popuri and Lara worked so hard to build this brings me nothing but joy.
"Is that so? We do face quite a bit of interference from various sides, though."
"Don't worry about that. Any interference from other nations can be handled through your track record, the support of Weed, and the backing of the great powers. Besides, it’s certainly better than the academy I attended back in the day."
"An academy? I’ve never heard of this—you attended a school, Master?"
"Hm? Ah, did I never mention it? I had a bit of talent in my previous life, so I went to a national magic school. But the place was filled with insufferable people who insisted that women shouldn't be allowed or demanded I hand over my research results, so I just up and left."
Ah, how nostalgic. If I recall, I met Hifie just a little before I went to that school, didn't I? Well, thinking back on it now just makes me angry. But, setting that aside…
"Yuki, you attended this place too, didn't you?"
"Hm? Ah, I was a student here back then."
"Yuki, a student? I just can't imagine it."
"Right? To Micos and the others, Yuki-sensei has always been Yuki-sensei."
"Personally, I’d love to see both Yuki-sensei and Yuki-the-student."
"Yes, I feel the same. I’d love to see another side of Yuki-sama."
Indeed. Me as the teacher and Yuki as the student… there’s something thrilling about that. Is this what they call *moe*? No, it feels different from the way one feels about a character in a game… Ah, no, no. That’s not what I wanted to ask.
"Kagura, everyone, stop for a moment. We can talk about Yuki’s student days later. What I want to know right now is, has anything changed since the time you were attending this academy?"
That’s right, I came here to investigate the magic depletion phenomenon. If they found out I’d forgotten about that, Hifie would surely lecture me into oblivion.
"Let’s see… I have no idea. The interior of the academy doesn't seem to have changed much. If anything is different from back then, it’s just that there are more students, I suppose?"
"Ah, that’s true. Thanks to the opening of the gates, children who wouldn't have been able to afford the travel expenses or guards in the past can now come to this academy. Because of that, the number of talented students has increased."
"Ah, so that’s where those hidden talents were."
"Well, yes. That sort of thing is bound to happen. After all, attending this academy is a badge of honor. For the state, it’s better to send the children of nobles than children with no backing at all."
"Hmph. So it’s like that everywhere, is it?"
I felt a bit sullen hearing Popuri’s explanation. In the end, whenever something produces results, it gets turned into a political tool. Pushing aside the children who genuinely want to learn… I wish the bigwigs would keep their petty backstabbing to themselves.
Just as I was feeling irritated, I felt a gentle pat on my head.
"Well, I understand how you feel, but don't make such a sour face. You’re making Popuri feel awkward."
At Yuki’s words, I looked at Popuri and saw she was wearing a crestfallen expression.
"Ah, no, Popuri, you’ve done nothing wrong. Besides, you turned that tiny orphanage into this, so you must be saving far more children than in the past, right?"
"Yes, well. And besides this, we do have a proper orphanage as well."
"Yes. Adjacent to this magic academy, we also run an orphanage. And following the example of Weed, we’ve started introducing children to magic from a young age over the last few years."
"Oh? Magic from a young age, huh? Isn't that dangerous?"
"We don't teach attack magic, of course. We prioritize teaching them to use magic for daily life—lighting a lamp, blowing a breeze, or drawing water—in a natural way. This was also Yuki-dono’s suggestion."
"Yuki’s? And why would he suggest that?"
I didn't understand Yuki’s intent, so I asked him directly, but he answered quite casually.
"Well, in this continent, people only pay attention to attack magic. I wanted to teach them that magic has other uses. Besides, I’ve looked at statistics from other continents, and it’s clear that aptitude for magic varies depending on the direction of study."
"Ah, now that you mention it, there was data like that, wasn't there?"
"Oh? You’ve looked through that data too, Master?"
"It was just something I happened to glance at. It’s just stuck in a corner of my memory; I didn't have any particular thoughts on it. It was something about the rate of mage emergence based on the density of magic in the air in different regions, wasn't it?"
If anything, that was the kind of content that someone who makes a hobby out of statistics and gathering endless data—like Taizo-san—would love. Wait, was that information collected by Taizo-san?
"Phew, Taizo-san would be lamenting if he heard you."
"Ah, so it *was* data collected by Taizo-san."
"I mean, Master, isn't Taizo-dono a genius on the same level as you? Is it really okay for you to just skim through the reports of data he collected?"
"Well, I was busy with other research at the time. You know, some interesting fish appeared in the Blue Hole—"
That’s right, I wasn't slacking off. I was doing my own research, which is why I just happened to miss reading it. I definitely didn't skim it because I was sleepy. I had a lot to do! It’s not a lie! Look, I even have data right here about the interesting fish that appeared in the Blue Hole.
"Come to think of it, I recall hearing about that. I would certainly love to see the survey data from there as well."
"Ah, I’ll show it to you once I’ve finished compiling it. Anyway, what about the direction of magic?"
It would look suspicious if I only had one report, so I should probably whip up some ecological reports on the fish and monsters of the Blue Hole. Since interesting sea monsters have been appearing one after another lately, I can probably deflect the conversation by pushing that topic. For now, it’s best to change the subject.