Chapter 38 Himezaki Rieslett ⑤
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Well then, let’s get the afternoon session started,” Philneed-sensei said.
The afternoon class was a lecture on Magic¹. To be more precise, it had turned into another ‘back to basics’ session specifically for my benefit.
By the way, we weren’t in a typical classroom, but in a hall within the Sorcery Training Wing. Since we’d be moving around a bit, the space was about the size of two tennis courts.
”Alright, let’s start with the difference between Magic and Sorcery². Uhm, Jessica-san, can you explain it for us?” the teacher asked.
”Yes, Sensei. Regarding the distinction between Magic and Sorcery~desuwa” Jessica-san replied.
The difference between Magic and Sorcery is essentially this: ‘Magic’ is the broad category. You see it on your skill screen as things like ‘Healing Magic’ or ‘Elemental Magic.’ ‘Sorcery,’ on the other hand, refers to the actual ‘Spells’ or ‘Arts.’ The classic Fireball or Heal are perfect examples.
Now, here is the tricky part: the more you use spells within a specific category, your proficiency rises and your Magic Level increases. However, leveling up doesn’t mean you automatically learn new spells. Unless you are taught by someone or study a grimoire, you can’t expand your repertoire. It’s not like those RPGs where you just ‘ding’ and suddenly know a new skill.
Next, the types of Magic. They are broadly divided into eight branches: Elemental, Healing, Divine, Malefic Magic³, Summoning, Enchantment, Utility, and Augmentation.
Elemental Magic covers the eight attributes: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Ice, Lightning, Light, and Darkness. People often confuse Light and Darkness with Divine or Malefic Magic, but they are apparently entirely different things.
The first six attributes are exactly what you’d expect, but ‘Light’ includes literal illumination as well as heat rays like plasma or even microwaves. In fact, there is a Light Spell called ‘Atomic Ray’⁴. The name alone sounded terrifying, so I didn’t even dare ask what it does.
’Darkness’ covers literal shadows and, surprisingly, gravity. There are spells like Levitation and Fly, but they aren’t Wind-based; they are actually categorized under gravity, which means they fall under Darkness.
Healing Magic is subdivided into three types: Recovery, Treatment, and Resurrection, though they are grouped together on the skill screen. Recovery mends wounds, while Treatment cures poisons and diseases. Resurrection is the magic used to pull someone back from the brink of death. Surprisingly, there are Resurrection spells that can be learned even at a low Level.
Divine Magic is especially effective against demons and the undead. I assumed only church officials used it, but apparently, anyone can learn it. They even teach it here at the Academy. On the other hand, Malefic Magic is literally all about curses. This includes Necromancy—the manipulation of the dead. Generally, it’s used to debuff stats and hinder an opponent, but if you’re serious, you can actually curse someone to death. Not many people learn it by choice, though. It has a total ‘villain’ vibe, and people hate it because it’s seen as a desecration of the deceased.
Summoning Magic is split into two: literally summoning monsters or spirits, and forming contracts to employ them either temporarily or permanently. For the contracts, it doesn’t even have to be a summoned creature; apparently, a regular monster you’ve captured works just fine.
Enchantment Magic. This does exactly what it says: it imbues various effects into things. However, it can only be applied to inanimate objects.
Utility Magic is the general term for spells that help with everyday life. Most mages learn this first. After all, Utility Magic is basically a ‘lite’ version of Elemental Magic—it’s not meant for combat at all.
And finally, Augmentation Magic. While Enchantment is for objects, Augmentation is for living things. But here’s the catch: you can only cast it on yourself. It’s also incredibly rare to master. They teach it here, but maybe only one person per grade level actually gets the hang of it. Curiously, ‘Visitors’—especially ‘The Teleported’—tend to pick it up effortlessly.
And with the lecture out of the way, it was time for the practical application.
First-years learn Utility, Elemental, and Augmentation Magic. That said, Augmentation is a ‘yes or no’ deal right from the start. If you can’t do it at the beginning, they just stop teaching it to you. Utility and Elemental magic have some talent gaps, but they drill you until everyone can at least use them.
It’s just like memorizing multiplication tables. I remember chanting those over and over back in the day. Anyway, moving on.
”First, let’s start by sensing the mana—the magical particles—present in the atmosphere,” Philneed-sensei said.
”O-okay… magical particles? How exactly do I do that?” I asked.
”How? Well… I think you’ll just get it if you concentrate. Probably,” the teacher replied.
Philneed-sensei, ‘probably’ is a bit vague! But I guess the other kids are the same way. They likely just start feeling it naturally.
I tried to concentrate like she said. But, hmmm… I wasn’t really feeling anything.
”Once you feel it for the first time, it’ll become second nature to you,” Sensei said.
Easier said than done. I felt like I was tripping right at the starting line. Maybe my focus was off? Looking around, I saw a few other kids struggling just as hard as I was.
Hmm… alright, let’s try a traditional Japanese concentration method. In other words: Zazen⁵.
That’s right, Zen meditation.
As I’ve mentioned, my father is Japanese. When I was a kid and we visited Japan, we’d go to temples together and I actually practiced Zazen. I have a feeling this is the best way to calm my mind and become one with nature.
I settled into the Zazen posture.
”That’s an unusual way to focus,” Sensei remarked.
She sounded curious, but I ignored her, silencing my heart and clearing my mind of all distractions.
And then, there it was. I could definitely feel something. A subtle, indescribable presence in the air. Something you’d never notice without focusing—that had to be the mana.
”Sensei, is this it?” I asked.
”Oh! You caught it. Not bad at all—actually, that was quite impressive. Now, for the next step. Before we get to Utility Magic, let’s check your aptitude for Augmentation. Try drawing that atmospheric mana into yourself and circulating it through your body. Give it a shot,” she said.
I tried to put her words into practice. I couldn’t quite visualize it at first, but then I thought of it like oxygen riding the bloodstream to every corner of my body.
I took a deep breath, ‘inhaled’ the mana, and consciously sent it through my veins just like oxygen.
What was this? A cozy, glowing warmth was spreading through me…
”Whoa… she actually has the aptitude,” Philneed-sensei gasped.
Wait, seriously?
”I can actually perceive the flow of mana, and I can see it circulating perfectly inside you, Himezaki-san. Congratulations! Now you can keep your youthful looks forever,” Sensei said.
According to Sensei, people who can master this internal mana circulation can maintain a youthful body. Apparently, flooding your body with mana boosts your metabolism and wards off aging. It’s the ultimate anti-aging treatment.
That’s why some elite mages and Hunters look so young for their age. And it turns out that’s exactly why Philneed-sensei looks the way she does.
For the record, it doesn’t mean you’re immortal. You can stay looking young until you’re about 150, but after that, it gets harder to maintain. When you finally pass away, the years catch up all at once, and you end up looking your actual age.
Still! Keeping a youthful body and glowing skin—every woman’s dream—is something I’m more than happy about.
”Oh, and by the way, female mages like me who use mana circulation to stay young are called ‘Witches’⁶,” Sensei added.
A Witch, huh…? I can’t help but picture a hook-nosed old crone stirring a giant cauldron, but I guess things are different here.
I checked my Status, and sure enough, ‘Mana Circulation’ was listed under my skills, and ‘Witch’ had been added to my titles.
Needless to say, when Jessica-san found out…
”Oh my…! Big Sister has become an eternal Big Sister~desuwa!” she cried out.
…she was even more thrilled about it than I was.
After that, we finished up by learning the basics of Utility Magic, and the school day came to an end.
Man, what a day. It was incredibly productive, but honestly, my head is still spinning…
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Summary:
Rieslett attends a magic lecture where she learns the technical distinction between Magic (categories) and Sorcery (spells). She discovers her high aptitude for Augmentation magic, a rare feat, especially for ‘The Teleported.’ By mastering internal mana circulation, she gains the ‘Witch’ title and the benefit of eternal youth until her later years.
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Trivia:
- Magic Level rises by using spells, but new spells must be learned from books or teachers, not gained automatically.
- Gravity spells are categorized under Darkness magic, not Wind.
- Light magic includes heat-based technologies like plasma and microwaves.
- Augmentation magic can only be cast on the user, not others.
- The term ‘Witch’ in this world specifically refers to mages who maintain their youth through mana circulation
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Character Insight:
Rieslett leverages her Japanese heritage (Zazen) to overcome a learning block in sensing mana, showing that her past life’s identity is her greatest ‘cheat’ asset. Her success with Augmentation magic reinforces her status as an elite ‘Visitor.’
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses this chapter to establish a hard magic system to avoid ‘deus ex machina’ solutions later, specifically noting that levels don’t grant new spells.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Philneed – Female Homeroom teacher at Greedia Academy of Sorcery. Appears to be the same age as Rieslett despite being over forty.
• Jessica – A girl with a refined speech style and an intense, obsessive devotion to her sister. She has pink-blonde hair styled into vertical ringlets, green eyes, and short stature. AA chest.
• Rieslett – A half-Japanese, half-Swedish girl with a youthful appearance. Often mistaken for her mother’s sister. A blonde or brunette girl. Currently wearing a black cloak over a white shirt, accented with a red ribbon tie. A navy-blue, knee-length pleated skirt, black knee-highs, and brown leather shoes.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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