Chapter Ten: Shuster's Magical Talent

Chapter Ten: Shust's Magical Talent

The next morning, Shust burst out the door in plain clothes—don’t ask why, even looking at his own face made him want to change it.

He soon arrived outside the office of the Water Magic class instructor.

Knock, knock, knock. “Come in.” “Hmm? And you are?” A mature woman, dressed in a pale blue robe, looked at Shust with surprise.

“Sorry to disturb you, Professor. My name is Shust Redona. I’d like to attend your class,” Shust said, producing Jasonki’s token.

“Oh! I remember Shust being a girl, though. Or am I mistaken?” the teacher mused innocently.

“…Sorry, I’m a man. That should be proof enough.” Shust stared, exasperated, as the absent-minded teacher switched back into her combat attire.

“Ah! So you can change between being a man and a woman?” she said, still oblivious.

“…I’ve always been a man!” Shust finally couldn’t take it and shouted.

“Huh? Oh, I thought you could alternate. I’m Elufy, nice to meet you. But why were you dressed in women’s clothes instead of men’s?” Elufy’s face fell with a look that said, “I’m so disappointed.” What exactly are you disappointed about?

“Uh… that wasn’t women’s clothing, that’s my combat uniform—an advanced magical artifact,” Shust replied, wearing a look of utter defeat.

“Oh! Then why aren’t you wearing it now?”

“To avoid drawing attention. I don’t want to be stared at every day like some rare magical beast.”

“All right, come with me to class then!”

––––––––––––––––––––––– The Line of Innocence –––––––––––––––––––––––

First-year Water Magic class.

“Hey, who’s this handsome guy? Wow, he’s gorgeous! How did I miss him during class assignments?”

“Yeah, I’ve never seen him before. But he’s really good-looking.”

“Tch, just another pretty boy. What’s the use of a handsome face? I could knock him out with a single Water Dragon Spell.”

…Similar whispers spread among the boys and girls of the class.

“Ahem, I’d like to introduce a new transfer student. Please welcome Shust,” the Water Magic teacher announced from the lectern.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Shust Redona. I’m dressed like this to avoid attention, so please keep it to yourselves.” Shust walked up to the podium with a sunny smile, even performing the swordless salute of the Knight Order.

“Wow, so chivalrous!” “So handsome!” The entire class of girls squealed with starry eyes.

“Tch, so the goddess Shust is actually a guy? Unbelievable.” That was the collective sentiment of several boys in the class.

“All right, let’s begin. Today is the first day of term, and we’ll be learning magical basics. Magic is a process where mages use themselves or other media to focus mana and transform it into something useful. The process of conversion is magic itself. Through training, mages can increase the power of their spells…”

When class ended, Shust found that everything he hadn’t understood about magic was gradually becoming clear. “So that’s how spellcasting works—just arrange the elements and release them!” He marveled at the crackling ball of lightning in his hand, a first-level Thunderbolt. No wonder lightning mastery made such a difference; otherwise, everyone would be a genius.

“Shust, so you’re actually a boy!” “Yeah, at first I thought you were a girl!” “I was honestly jealous of your looks!” “But why did you wear that dress?” A group of girls quickly surrounded him as he came to.

“Uh… that wasn’t a dress, it’s my combat uniform—advanced magic equipment,” Shust explained helplessly.

“Wow, advanced magical gear! Shust, is your family rich? Which family are you from?”

“Sorry, I can’t share that.” Seeing there was no escape, Shust could only keep answering the barrage of questions.

“Why are there so many girls in this class?” Shust groaned in his heart as he slumped over his desk during the second period, finally freed from the crowd. He had only himself to blame for not checking—the only other boys in the class were three who looked like delicate young men.

After two classes, Shust took advantage of a gap to use Round Table Dancer and slip away before the girls could corner him again.

––––––––––––––––––––––– The Line of Complaints –––––––––––––––––––––––

“Shust, how’s life at the academy? I hear all the girls in the Water Magic class are talking about you!” At lunch, Somia teased Shust, who had already changed back into his combat uniform.

“Ugh, who knew there’d be so many girls in the Water Magic class?” Shust grumbled between bites.

“Don’t you know?” Catherine said in surprise. “Magical affinity is closely tied to personality.”

“Really? I honestly didn’t know,” Shust replied, scratching his head awkwardly.

“No one told you?” Emilu chimed in.

“No, never,” said Shust. No wonder Nero’s personality was so impulsive, he thought to himself.

“I’m full. I’m going to find Professor Jasonki this afternoon,” Shust said, dashing off.

“Don’t you think he’s changed a lot?” Catherine said to the others.

“Yeah, he’s not as cold as before.”
“And not as unruly.”
“He seems a bit more tsundere now.”
“Heh.”

––––––––––––––––––––––– The Line of Tsundere –––––––––––––––––––––––

One month later, outside the vice principal’s office.

Knock, knock, knock. “Come in.” “Professor Jasonki, I’m here,” Shust said as he entered.

“Ah, Shust. Coming to study?” Jasonki put down his papers.

“Yes, I wanted to ask how to improve spells on my own,” Shust replied.

“Pfft—cough, cough. Shust, haven’t you already mastered all the spells I taught you? And now you want to learn spell modification?” Jasonki nearly spat out his tea.

“Professor, please witness this for yourself,” Shust said, fixing Jasonki with a steady gaze.

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, but no matter how talented, no one could learn all those spells in a month—not even a Thunder Elemental Body,” Jasonki replied earnestly, sipping his tea.

“Please, Professor, see for yourself,” Shust insisted.

“All right, all right. We’ll go to my training chamber. You’re a stubborn one,” Jasonki said with resignation.

“Come, show me the highest-level spell you can cast,” Jasonki instructed, leading Shust to the chamber where he had previously inscribed the magic circle.

“Please reinforce the defenses here, and put on your Thunder Armor,” Shust said.

“Very well. O winds, O clouds, O thunder! By the ancient pact, come to my side—Thunder Armor!” Jasonki complied, though clearly at his wit’s end.

“Please prepare yourself. All misfortunate beings in the world, all evil and fallen souls, let the purifying light return you to where you belong!—Let all return to nothingness.” Shust smirked darkly; he was thoroughly black-bellied now. Massive thunder mana condensed, filling the room. In the next instant, a flash of white light—then the room stood empty but for Jasonki and Shust.

“Is that enough, Professor Jasonki?” Shust turned, seeing Jasonki petrified.

“Professor Jasonki? Professor?” Shust patted him on the shoulder.

“Huh? Oh, what is it?” Jasonki snapped back to himself.

“Professor, am I ready to learn spell modification now?” Shust asked again.

“Ah! Yes, yes, you brat! Casting a forbidden spell—were you trying to destroy the city? If you hadn’t controlled it so well, you would have leveled the academy.”

“But you asked me to cast my most powerful spell,” Shust replied shamelessly.

“I…” Jasonki was at a loss for words. “Here, take my alchemy notes and the method for spell improvement. I have nothing more to teach you. I’ll give you two months’ leave—go out and gain some experience. It will help you in modifying magic.”

“Thank you, Professor. I’ll be going now.”

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P.S.: Time to go out and train—might as well pick up a couple of new skills!