第１１２４堀：この地に来た意味 (Part1)
Chapter 1124: The Reason for Coming to This Land
Side: Stasia
"That concludes today's lecture."
With those words, the instructor gathered their teaching materials and exited the classroom. As the door clicked shut, the tension that had permeated the room dissipated, replaced by the rising hum of conversation from every corner.
"I’ve spent a few days here now, and I’m convinced: studying anywhere brings its own unique pressure. It seems teachers are strict regardless of the world."
"True. Besides, from the student’s perspective, the instructor is someone to be respected, so it’s only natural to feel tense. Especially at this Magic Academy, where the faculty are chosen specifically for their prowess."
I see. I had taken it for granted, but perhaps this realization is only possible because Enora, a bishop herself, understands what it means to be a mentor. Incidentally, she is one of the others who accompanied me here to the Lancer Magic Academy as an exchange student.
"But, to be honest, the content of the lectures is rather dull. I’ve heard it all before."
"Indeed, though there are insights to be found. It seems the process of utilizing magic is not particularly different from the continent we call home. In other words, the methodology for wielding magic is narrowed down to a single set of rules. Much like using a sword or a bow."
"When you put it that way, you’re right. To use magic, you must visualize how to manipulate mana, or channel it through a magic circle to trigger the effect. Given how many people inhabit this world, I would have thought there might be a wider variety of methods."
"Ultimately, this approach is likely the fastest and most optimal. Though, Yuki-sama has been developing various alternatives."
Indeed, he performs large-scale magic that would be impossible for anyone else with ease, casting without incantations and refining magic circles into microscopic engravings.
"Well, our Yuki is an outlier, after all. But even so, the fundamental way mana is used is truly the same. Even Yuki, in the end, follows the rules we just discussed."
"Yes. It seems the core of magic is universal. Though, I’m sure the researchers in Weed have already realized this."
"Naturally. With geniuses like Comet-san, Agil, Narjia-san, and Zargis—not to mention Taizo-san—all gathered together, they wouldn't miss it."
Finding a new direction while acknowledging that the foundation remains the same is a difficult task indeed.
"However, the fact that the fundamentals of magic we’ve learned here are so similar is enough to warrant a report. If the Findall Empire learns that the laws of magic used on other continents are based on the same understanding and origins, it should work to our advantage in many ways."
"True. If the foundation is the same, acquiring the techniques should be swift. The rest is a matter of how to negotiate for those techniques, but that is the job of the diplomats from each nation. We are, after all, simply Yuki’s wives; we shouldn't overstep our bounds."
"Indeed. For now, Kagura and the others still retain their roles as diplomats for Hayden, but such technical matters should truly be handled by experts. If they continue to rely on Kagura and Mikos forever, Hayden will surely decline. Though, I don't think Carrie is foolish enough to let that happen."
"Carrie has it rough, too. She’s trying to select personnel to send to Weed, but it doesn't seem easy."
"That is to be expected. My own Findall is in quite a state of turmoil over it as well. When we held our wedding, the nobles of Findall passed through the gate and saw Weed for themselves; they realized its true magnificence. To become a diplomat there is to be promised a future of prosperity."
"That’s assuming there are results to show for it, right?"
"Naturally. But it is nearly impossible to return from a mission to Weed without some form of achievement. After all, almost anything one brings back is considered a success."
"True enough. That’s exactly why everyone wants the position. Back home, the Haire Church is also arguing over who will take my place."
"What do you mean? Isn't Enora the priestess of the Haire Church in Weed?"
"That’s true, but I’m a Shrine Maiden of the Spirits, remember? Well, that’s not exactly rare in Weed. On top of that, now that I’ve taken Yuki as my husband, they’re pestering me to focus entirely on him. So, my position at the church is slated to become nothing more than an honorary title."
"I see. So, the same as me."
Since we have married Yuki-sama, we are expected to bear children quickly. It is the duty of any woman who has married, especially those of noble or influential standing.
"In the end, we’re just in the way, aren't we?"
"That’s reading too much into it. It is for the good of our nations that we bear children."
"I know that. Besides, I don't dislike working hard with Yuki. In fact, I rather enjoy it."
"That goes for me as well... but we’ve strayed from the topic. This is enough for the report on the Magic Academy to our homelands. And so—"
"Ah, that’s right."
As we were speaking, Kagura and the others approached us.
"What are you two talking about?"
"Any interesting rumors?"
"No, nothing like that. We were discussing the report for the Lancer Magic Academy."
"That’s right. We came here for the Academy, but we can’t exactly avoid reporting back to our homelands, so we were deciding on the content. And you two? Were you with Nilua?"
"Yes, helping her pack for the trip."
"It’s... somewhat tidied up, but it’s still a mess. We decided that aside from the absolute essentials, it would be faster to just buy new things once we get to Weed."
I had helped clean Nilua’s room as well, and given how cluttered it was with all sorts of things—and with her clothes all wrinkled—it would certainly be better to just buy new ones in Weed.
"Still, it was so sudden, wasn't it? Being taken to Weed and immediately starting level-grinding. I thought we would solidify our foundations here first. But I suppose that just goes to show how dangerous the Great Tree Sea is."
"Well, Yuki-sensei and the others haven't intervened in that area at all so they can study the mana depletion phenomenon, so no one knows what’s lurking there. It would be difficult to take Wazfi there without raising his level first."
"True. As Mikos says, Wazfi’s combat ability is certainly high, but that doesn't necessarily mean he can handle the depths of the Great Tree Sea."
"If possible, we should send a large-scale survey team, but that wouldn't gather the information we need, and we lack the manpower. That is likely why they decided to have Comet-sama, Agil, and Wazfi head out."
When it comes down to it, individual strength is paramount. Without raising our levels, we wouldn't be able to conduct any sort of investigation at all.