Chapter 99

### Chapter 99: Magic (2)

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#3

All circles in the Epic Class and throughout the Frontier are categorized into three types.

There are joint circles that bring together students from various classes, not limited to a single class.

There are central circles that target all students of a single class and receive abundant support, including dedicated circle rooms.

There are general circles that, due to their smaller scale and lesser achievements, have not become central circles.

These three types of circles are spread throughout the Frontier.

"Originally, most circles are run autonomously by students without any advisors. However, since I was the president of the circle I founded, I serve as a special advisor to ensure the circle's original purpose does not get diluted. Although, it has become somewhat challenging to manage on my own due to its size. The student president is working hard, though..."

Professor Zeppelin was also a graduate of the Epic Class. I was momentarily taken aback by this fact I had never known.

"Edgio."

"Yes."

"Would you like to learn magic (??)?"

Considering he already learns on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Zeppelin smiled and said so.

—Magic, huh.

My innate magical power was always lacking. Even if I tried to force it a little, the weak magical circuit would overheat and burn out.

I despaired at the miserable reality where my body never followed my mind, but I didn't give up and continued to cast spells, only to achieve nothing meaningful day after day.

Since I had been watching Luba, a genius, closely from a young age, I was deeply impressed by the power and beauty of magic itself. However, I was someone who could only admire it from a distance, like a pie in the sky.

Now,

"I want to avoid grand ideologies. Therefore, the general magic (??) joint circle 'Thoth' always welcomes promising talents like Edgio. I believe in your potential, having seen you rise to the third tier in less than half a year after dropping out of the Academy. Edgio."

"..."

Zeppelin was a professor in the Epic Class. Such a title was not something just anyone could hold. Judging by rank alone, he must be near the 10th tier. While he might be slightly behind the greats of Tethra Crawley's era, Zeppelin was a figure approaching the level of a great mage (大???) with knowledge and skills far beyond someone like me.

Such a person is recommending me.

He believes in my remarkable talent and is asking if I want to join the circle he oversees for magic.

Should I laugh or cry?

What expression should I have, Edgio Cranil, who used to be mocked by my Academy peers for not being able to do even that much, to have come this far?

Can I truly be purely happy about this position, which I reached not through my own efforts but with the help of others?

After much deliberation, my answer was short.

"I am not that great a person, Professor."

Zeppelin briefly rubbed his nose.

"...Modesty?"

"I am merely stating the facts."

"Hmm."

If you look at it point by point, you'll see that I am indeed a nobody. For some reason, most people who meet me for the first time tend to see me as someone extraordinary. Even though I don't need to meet their expectations, it still bothers me.

"The reason I want to recruit you, Edgio, is not just because of your outstanding intelligence and comprehension... The most important reason is this."

"What is it?"

"Edgio's peculiar ability."

Zeppelin continued.

"And, the unique white (白色) magical power."

"..."

"Could I not be interested in you, who possesses the same unique magical power as the greatest great mage, Tethra Crawley?"

"…How did you know?"

"There are many ways. At a certain level, it becomes visible. What's inside your body. The immense potential it holds. ...Edgio. You should understand how difficult and rare it is to have an aptitude for all elements and all types. In the language of mages who love incantations and calculations, it's like a 1 in 10 billion chance for a simplified coordinate calculation to go awry, sending a mage to a non-existent world through a blink spell to a bizarre dimension's coordinates."

Zeppelin smiled.

"In other words, it's impossible."

A person with an aptitude for all elements and all types. To put it bluntly, it means having almost all talents in the world.

You can achieve anything you set your mind to.

In other words, you can become anything.

That's what Zeppelin was saying.

He was asking if I was interested in the path of magic among the many possibilities granted to me.

"Do you know why there is the least information about white?"

I shook my head.

Zeppelin answered.

"Because it is the most recent and the last color to appear. Until then, no one had inherited the attribute of Kether."

"Kether...?"

I've read about it in books.

One of the ten thousand, the first thousand (一?), who were key figures in the early Royal Frontier Academy and led the victory in the First War of the Beastmen—Sia Kether.

Come to think of it, the multipurpose halls of the Epic Class were named after them.

"You know about it, Edgio."

Zeppelin nodded and continued.

"The ten thousand (??) refers to the ten people who reached the heavens in human form. In some regions, they are even worshipped. They achieved many great feats in the distant past that modern humans cannot easily replicate, leaving them as eternal mysteries and challenges..."

Zeppelin briefly showed a look of admiration.

"Sia Kether, for instance, was a great mage who surpassed the 10th tier (Deca) after the first great mage, and also a Swordmaster who reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, and a High Priest who could directly bring the power of the gods from the high heavens to the human world. There was no principle in the world that he could not handle. Therefore, Kether has long been highly regarded as the greatest hero."

"However, a possessor of pure white magical power, embodying all possibilities of Kether, has yet to appear."

"A typical example is the great mage Tethra Crawley, who was born with the potential for magic among the countless possibilities Kether possessed."

"More accurately, it was a matter of her choosing the path of magic. If she had chosen swordsmanship, she could have easily become a Swordmaster. It might have taken a bit longer to reach the higher ranks, but it's possible. Perhaps the will Kether left in the world has become blurred over time."

"I think, perhaps, Edgio could be the first person to claim the legacy of Kether. If so, I would have the great honor of personally nurturing a future hero and great person. If Edgio joins 'Thoth' and my high regard for him is accepted, along with Luba, of course."

He circled back to his proposal.

"Luba also possesses the qualities of a great mage. She might be at the top of the Akasha stars about twenty years after graduation. I'm not just guessing; I'm half certain. I've never seen a student with Luba's magical talent. She is a very special student. Edgio, and you and Luba are old friends. This is no coincidence. I believe your meeting is part of destiny."

"..."

"You don't have to feel pressured. Think of it as a fun and enjoyable way to hone your magic. From what I've seen, you're not uninterested in magic. Plus, it would be more fun to engage in circle activities with a close friend, wouldn't it?"

Close friend...

Indeed. A bitter smile formed on my face.

"You can leave at any time if you change your mind. I promise to support you financially and otherwise until then. ...This is not just boasting; 'Thoth' is a quite prestigious joint circle. The amount of funding from the Frontier is on a different level compared to regular circles. The contributions from 'Thoth' alumni are also significant. The regular fees are not expensive, so you can consider external activity costs negligible. There's no better environment for young mages to thrive."

It was indeed a great offer. One of the biggest concerns for most young mages is financial issues. If I joined the circle overseen by Professor Zeppelin, those worries would be eliminated.

Being able to save money and do the research I want? This is a condition that would make anyone who loves research go crazy.

...But, mentioning Luba so much is a bit...

"Did you ask Luba for her opinion?"

When I asked, Zeppelin smiled subtly, sensing the conversation was going well.

"She was very positive."

However, a moment later.

"She did say she needed a few more days to think about it. When I asked her personally, well..."

Zeppelin looked at me intently.

It was a strange gaze.

"She said she wanted to see and experience more before deciding which circle to join. I left it to her, as I can't make decisions for a student's free will."

"Then, Luba might not join, right?"

"Perhaps. From my perspective, if Edgio joins 'Thoth' and helps persuade Luba, I could be very happy for the rest of my term. Hehe."

He laughed, looking at me, but it seemed half serious.

"Anyway, what do you think? You don't have to decide right now. You can take some time to think about it, like Luba did."

"..."

To be honest.

I don't know.

I don't think I'm particularly talented in magic. No matter how hard I try, I can't catch up to Luba. Zeppelin probably thinks the same.

The special white magical power I possess, or the strange ability I don't even know about. He must be mostly interested in researching and understanding these. Zeppelin didn't seem to mind admitting it.

What Zeppelin said about Edgio and Luba working well together might be true or false, but...

I think it's unlikely.

"Professor, you mentioned Luba in what you told me."

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"Well, it is a problem..."

I carefully continued.

"Luba might be able to focus better without me. From what I see, Luba is overflowing with magical talent. I don't want to be a hindrance."

"Are you saying that being together with Luba and Edgio might have a counterproductive effect?"

"I think it's closer to that."

I nodded and said.

"Thank you for the offer, but I will decline. However, I will consider helping to persuade Luba positively."

"Hmm..."

Zeppelin looked displeased. Then, perhaps reading something in my expression, he leaned in.

"I might have overstepped in your relationship. If it caused any discomfort, I apologize, Edgio."

"It's fine. It's nothing."

It really was nothing. Really.

When the situation seemed to be sorted out.

"But, Edgio."

"Yes?"

"Would you consider it a bit more? I can't help but want to avoid losing such a talented individual. If your mind leans positively, I'll also take on the role of persuading Luba. It seems like a natural flow for Luba to join if Edgio joins the circle."

"..."

Professor Zeppelin...

Talking about a student's free will.

He was quite persistent.

#4

After a brief exchange.

As I opened the door to the professor's office and stepped out.

"..."

—Tap, tap, tap.

Footsteps were heard from a distance.

Or, were they close?

The urgent footsteps from the end of the corridor, turning right, soon faded away.

The corridor was empty, quiet, and peaceful. The footsteps seemed louder because of the silence. I strained my ears and slowly walked in the direction of the sound.

—Thud, thud.

The faint footsteps turned into a loud thud.

What is it? What happened?

I quickened my pace slightly, turned the corner, and looked to the side.

"..."

No one was there.

I was sure someone had fallen in front of the elevator, but they had already gotten up and left, leaving the area empty.

Then, my gaze fell on something.

The emergency stairwell door was open.

"..."

What was so urgent?

Thinking it was nothing, I simply waited for the elevator coming from the upper floors.

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