🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 24
“Simply shooting high-voltage currents is suitable against people, but when it comes to objects—especially non-conductive ones like wooden buildings—you can’t expect any effect at all.”
“Oh?”
The professor’s eyes flickered with interest at my answer.
I continued without pause.
“Average mages usually master only one attribute to an extreme, so a lightning-attribute mage would have been vulnerable in sieges or against large objects. That’s why the combat method using electric currents was developed.”
It wasn’t particularly difficult for me.
Even mages from Korea—or rather, Earth—commonly used the same principle.
Being an F-rank, I had to study even something like this if I wanted to survive by earning a Hunter’s license.
Back when I was part of the Hunter training institute, before career assignments, I naturally focused on studying magical theory.
Well, in the end, magic didn’t suit me…
‘So the knowledge I thought useless is being put to use here.’
I continued with a bittersweet thought.
“Here, some use special conductive bullets, or talented mages create objects through material-creation magic to launch.”
The professor, who had been cheerful until now, asked again in a tone that seemed like he was testing me.
“Really? Then how do you launch these objects?”
Of course, I had no reason not to answer.
“Typically, they charge a high voltage in their own hands. It’s a sort of human Van de Graaff generator.”
I picked up a coin from the desk.
“When the bullet approaches the mage’s hand, insulation breakdown occurs due to the high potential difference. Then, part of the residual charge in the body moves toward the bullet.”
Lightning-attribute magic uses insulation breakdown and corona discharge—the principles of lightning itself.
It’s like creating a small lightning strike near the body.
“In other words, strong repulsive force occurs between the bullet and the mage’s body.”
I flicked the coin I was holding.
“This is how a typical lightning-attribute mage fights against objects.”
The coin spun in midair before clattering onto the desk.
The sound left the classroom in silence.
Eyes wide with shock stared at me from all directions.
Students who had seen what I did yesterday but couldn’t believe it, those who had no interest, or those whose expectations were far from rumors—all looked dazed, as if splashed with cold water.
And among them, the new professor Nikolai erupted into enthusiastic applause. A clapping sound so large it seemed impossible for one person filled the classroom.
“Bravo!”
He was genuinely moved, tears glistening in his eyes.
“Amazing! This is the first student I’ve seen who understands the principles this perfectly!”
He didn’t stop there and continued praising me.
“At this level, you must be the prodigy everyone talks about, the top of the class, right?”
His tone was filled with certainty.
The classroom went silent.
Dean Grace stared at Kanis with his mouth slightly open.
It was shocking enough to make him forget that staring at someone like that was rude.
‘Impossible…’
He unconsciously leaned toward Kanis. His glasses slid down his nose.
‘That was a tough question even for me. No, I wouldn’t have answered that perfectly.’
He pushed his glasses up, wearing a confused expression.
‘Is that really Kanis Escliff, the person I know, sitting there?’
Felix, sitting next to him, nudged Dean’s side.
“What do you think? Wasn’t I right?”
“…Yeah, I have to admit it.”
One of Dean’s strengths was that he didn’t waste time on unnecessary self-denial.
He believed in what he saw. No matter how absurd or impossible it seemed.
“You’re right. For some reason, Kanis Escliff has changed.”
“And quite remarkably.”
Felix grinned and put his hand on Dean’s shoulder.
Kanis Escliff had the attention of many students, not just them. Everyone at the back of the classroom craned their necks to see her.
If anyone should feel intimidated, it would have been her, but Kanis was completely composed.
As if she were used to it.
Felix whistled softly and continued observing her.
“Whew. If this keeps up, the tournament will be exciting.”
“Acquiring knowledge and using magical power are two different things.”
But Dean disagreed.
It was unlikely, but a student being the top of the class with detailed knowledge even he couldn’t match was plausible if there had been unseen, relentless effort.
Humans could change drastically with the right trigger.
But magic was a different matter.
“No mage in history has awakened magic after the age of five.”
“But maybe she hid it all this time.”
“Hid it?”
Dean chuckled at the ridiculousness of the suggestion.
“Do you not know that the duke’s daughter was checked constantly until she turned ten? No matter how much you try to hide it, you can’t escape the inspection devices.”
He added quietly.
“Though… it’s a pity. She’s clearly a genius, even if she’s non-magical.”
“Hm…”
Felix nodded after hearing Dean’s point.
“You’re right. Knowledge and actual use of magic are completely different matters.”
“But…”
Felix raised his eyebrows at Dean’s serious tone.
Despite his seemingly negative words, his eyes shone brightly.
“I didn’t expect Escliff to be such a prodigy. Whatever the reason, I’m really looking forward to what’s next.”
“Hey, you don’t mean…”
Detecting Dean’s danger signal, Felix grabbed his shoulder in alarm.
“Are you going to follow her around like you did with Professor Rememberal?”
“That’s stalking!”
“What nonsense.”
Dean frowned and brushed Felix’s arm away.
“Of course, I don’t plan to follow her openly.”
“Phew, that’s a relief. Still, I’m glad you seem more sensible than before.”
Dean smiled faintly and turned his gaze forward.
“I’ll follow her secretly.”
“You crazy bastard!”
After class, Professor Nikolai called me over.
“I was too excited earlier and forgot to ask. What’s the student’s name?”
“Kanis Escliff.”
I replied politely. There was no need to act cocky toward a professor being friendly.
“Oh! Escliff… you’re the daughter of Duke Escliff!”
“…You know my father?”
“Of course!”
He spoke excitedly.
“Duke Escliff is an exceptional lightning-attribute mage. Talented mages try various attributes, but he focused only on electric magic to the extreme.”
Flushed cheeks, quickened speech, shining eyes. It was obvious he admired the duke immensely.
“Ahaha, am I too excited? Well, Miss Escliff knows the duke better than anyone, so me talking like this is a bit funny.”
I scratched behind my ear and silently apologized.
‘Sorry, Professor. I plan to take care of that duke myself within two years.’
“Oh dear, I held you too long, Miss Escliff.”
Looking at the time, Nikolai exclaimed in surprise.
“Students get upset if even a little break is taken away…! I’ve been too inconsiderate!”
Feeling like he had said something reasonable, he delivered a sharp remark to me.
“You’d like to join your friends, right, Miss Escliff?”
‘Shouldn’t you have asked if I had friends first, Professor…?’
I had never been sad about that, yet my eyes welled up.
Anyway, I wanted to get away from him, so I bowed deeply and left.
Next on the schedule:
“Advanced Magic Techniques.”
Seeing the subject, I frowned.
Even if I had napped a bit before class, who likes a professor randomly flinging chalk at your head on the first day?
‘And his glare is irritating.’
It was obvious he wanted to make an example out of me to discipline the class.
‘Something’s going to happen.’
A bad feeling crept up. Something always happened in these situations…
“I will now conduct a surprise test!”
Clearly, this guy is trouble.
