Chapter Eight: Lightning Magic

Chapter Eight: Lightning Magic

The next day, news of Schuster Redona’s battle had spread throughout the entire academy. His angelic appearance, formidable strength, and ancient profession were now common knowledge.

“Brother, you’ve really made a name for yourself after yesterday’s fight—there isn’t a soul in the academy who doesn’t know you now,” said Catherine, enjoying her delicious breakfast as she spoke to Schuster.

“That’s right! Schuster, your final move even managed to neutralize the ‘Lightning of Annihilation’—which is practically a minor forbidden spell,” Somia gazed at Schuster, her eyes sparkling.

“Schuster, after that last move, you must have been completely drained of magic, weren’t you?” Emil asked.

“Yes, that strike consumed six layers of my magical power, just barely managing to counter the minor forbidden spell. In fact, there was still a remnant of the ‘Lightning of Annihilation’ left, but Teacher Jasenki detonated it,” Schuster replied with his usual calm indifference.

“Then, after you’ve exhausted your magic, do you have any other ways to protect yourself?” Catherine asked with concern.

“…What if I told you that I actually become twice as strong with no magic left—would you believe me, Catherine?” Schuster paused, then spoke in a flat tone.

“Uh…surely you must be joking,” Catherine stammered.

“Yeah, I’m joking,” Schuster replied, his expression unchanged.

“Haha, right… No one would get stronger after running out of magic,” the others chimed in awkwardly.

Schuster’s sense of humor really didn’t amuse anyone. That was the unspoken sentiment around the table.

“All right, I’m finished eating. Does anyone know where Teacher Jasenki’s office is?” Schuster set down his bowl and chopsticks.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you—Teacher Jasenki is actually the vice-principal of this academy. Just go to the vice-principal’s office on the fourth floor and you’ll find him,” Catherine replied.

“Oh.” After washing his hands, Schuster prepared to leave but suddenly seemed to remember something and returned to his room.

A moment later, Schuster reappeared before everyone, now dressed in casual clothes.

“Brother, what’s with the change?” Catherine asked curiously.

“Oh, I figured if I went out in my combat gear, I’d just attract a crowd,” Schuster replied, flashing a sunny smile.

“Haha, you’re already famous—if you don’t want to be surrounded, dressing like this won’t help; no one will recognize you anyway,” Catherine said with a mischievous grin, as if recalling something.

“Ridiculous.” Schuster shot Catherine a look and stepped out the door.

--------------------I am an inexplicable dividing line--------------------

“Huh? Why are there so many people in front of my house?” Schuster was stunned by the sea of people outside.

A hand tapped his shoulder, snapping him back to reality. A reasonably good-looking boy asked, “Hey there, handsome, is Miss Schuster inside?”

“Ah, yes, she’s inside—she’ll be out in a bit. I’m heading to class,” Schuster answered quickly, eager to escape.

“Hey, wait! Don’t rush off—may I ask your name?” The young man smiled with an air of danger.

“Schubitt Redona,” Schuster hastily made up a name after realizing that everyone around was staring at him with hostility.

“And may I ask, what is your relationship with Miss Schuster?” Now understanding the situation, Schuster was both amused and exasperated, though he dared not show it.

So, they’re worried I might be her boyfriend? What a bunch of lunatics.

“I’m her real brother. Anyway, I have class—bye!” With that, Schuster fled in embarrassment.

“Whew… what a bunch of maniacs. I’m never going out in combat gear again,” Schuster vowed.

“Hey! Look, who’s that over there? So handsome!”

“Where, where? Wow, he really is handsome. Do you know which class he’s in?”

“Why don’t you go ask? That’s the easiest way to find out.”

“Oh, stop it. Why don’t you go? I have a boyfriend, you know.”

“Then have your boyfriend go ask.”

...

“Great, just got away from the guys, and now I’m surrounded by girls! Time to disappear.” Schuster hurried away.

He dashed down the road without daring to stop for a moment—he was terrified. If this kept up, he’d have to change outfits again.

--------------------I am the dividing line that charms both men and women--------------------

*Knock knock knock* “Come in.” “Teacher Jasenki, I’m here.”

“Oh—Sch… Who are you?” Jasenki set down his paperwork and looked up at Schuster, momentarily stunned.

“Well, I’m Schuster. I never had the chance to tell you—I’m actually a boy.” Schuster was starting to enjoy teasing people like this. Our protagonist has developed a mischievous streak—my apologies!

“Er… well, from today forward, I’ll be your teacher. Just so you know, I’m also the vice-principal, so my schedule is quite busy. I can only instruct you for half a day each day—the rest of the time is yours. Here’s my token; you can use it to go anywhere in the academy that’s not off-limits, and it’ll also let you attend any class. Now, tell me: what do you think your weaknesses are?” Jasenki handed Schuster a token.

“Thank you, Teacher Jasenki. May I ask why my magical power is so much lower than other mages of the same rank?”

“Ah—have you learned the basic spell, ‘Electrostatic Field’?” Jasenki, true to his reputation as a master, went straight to the heart of the matter.

“No, my family’s lightning magic has been lost,” Schuster replied.

“‘Electrostatic Field’ is the very source of our battle mages’ power. You inscribe an electrostatic field magic circle within your body, which draws in and rubs together magical elements from your surroundings to generate lightning elements. That’s what makes battle mages so terrifying: we can defeat enemies two levels above us, have nearly limitless magic, wield devastating area-of-effect spells, and possess physical strength rivaling warriors of the same rank. We are nearly invincible,” Jasenki said, then fell into reminiscence.

“Teacher Jasenki, please teach me this magic,” Schuster said eagerly.

“Oh? All right, I understand. Normally, a newly advanced battle mage would spend a month adapting to lightning energy, but you don’t seem to need that. The ‘Electrostatic Field’ is a marvelous thing—it can strengthen your body with lightning elements, and without side effects. If a person could live for two thousand years, I dare say a battle mage could become divine just from their constitution,” said Jasenki as he led Schuster into an inner chamber.

“Schuster, I’ll inscribe the magic circle for you here. This is my training room—it’s perfectly safe. How do you feel?”

“No problem, I’m ready,” Schuster nodded.

“So, where do you want it inscribed?” “How big is it?” “Not too big—about half the size of your palm.” “Oh, what does it look like?” “Here, let me show you mine.” As he spoke, Jasenki extended his arm; on his wrist, two lightning bolts were encircled by a ring.

“This is the intermediate ‘Electrostatic Field.’ The basic one just has a single lightning bolt; the advanced has three. According to ancient texts, the circle can be inscribed over the heart. When a battle mage dies, they can turn everything within five miles to dust. In ancient times, no one dared kill a battle mage outright. But anything above the intermediate level has been lost,” Jasenki explained.

“I understand, Teacher Jasenki. Please inscribe it on my wrist,” Schuster said, extending his pale arm.

“Are you ready? Lie down on the bed.” That sounded rather suggestive… “Take off your shirt.” Schuster complied.

The sound of burning flesh filled the room—Schuster gripped the bedsheets tightly, cold sweat beading on his smooth brow, his teeth pressing into his pink lips… I can’t keep writing this.

“It’s done!” Jasenki retracted the crackling arc of electricity from his fingertip and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

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P.S.: This chapter feels so suggestive—I swear, the more I wrote, the less innocent I felt… This is the last chapter for today.