C273: Field Trip (2)
"What did you think a little while ago while facing my mana?"
No one could answer the remark carelessly.
More than putting a level on a mentor's mana, Caroline's mana had something inexplicable to describe.
"I can't say it properly, but everyone must have felt fear. Is that right?"
"Yes."
Caroline nodded her head as if it were natural for the students to answer.
"It's a natural reaction. I may look like this, but I'm a wizard with a higher rank than you. The mana of a high-level wizard makes the opponent shrink."
It is said that the cry of a tiger has the effect of giving tension and fear to the other person.
Caroline's magic was similar to that. Rather, it was much more effective than the ultra-low frequency uttered by tigers.
Just by facing huge mana, the other party forgets the will to fight and is seized with fear. Therefore, Caroline could become a tyrant who controls the battlefield.
"Everyone was scared, shivering and avoiding my eyes but these four were different. While you all avoided my gaze in fear, these four did not, that's why I gave them an A."
"Ah."
The students exclaimed as if they understood.
However, some students still could not fully accept the answer, so Caroline kindly decided to add an explanation.
"What I'm going to teach you is not any magic knowledge or tricks. Rather, it's much more practical."
Unlike other wizards, Caroline traveled around the continent to build a sense of reality.
The world is peaceful. However, if you look closely, that was only on the surface.
Small conflicts, violent protests, small battles, raids by the Cryptids, etc. The fight never disappeared anywhere in the world, it just looked like it was gone.
"Everyone would think that hierarchy is everything to a wizard. But that's not the case in practice."
Caroline went through many things and saw incredible sights.
Even though he was a wizard of higher rank, he was defeated by a wizard of lower rank than himself.
The magic skills, the composition, and the level of magic were different but the reason it happened was because of the difference in attitude towards the fight of the two parties.
"Don't be scared. You don't have to be intimidated just because your opponent is stronger than you. Just by not losing your courage, you will be given a chance to break through the crisis."
This was what Caroline would teach the students.
"Of course, most of you, if you graduate, will not roll in the field like me but sit in comfortable key positions, or continue to worry about magic in the corner of a room. In fact, most of the graduates who have risen took that route."
"You know it well."
"Of course. I'm a graduate of Theon."
The students opened their eyes wide as if they were surprised by her words.
"Didn't you know? I was in the same class as your president."
"Do you mean President Elisa Willow?"
"Yes."
Caroline answered Tracy's question immediately.
Elisa Willow was also one of the celebrities who rose to the presidency of Theon at a young age.
Beautiful, capable, and politically skilled, she was one of the role models of the students but Caroline was a fellow Theon alumni like Elisa.
The students compared Elisa to Caroline.
No matter how you look at her, they don't look the same age.
Caroline must have sensed it, because she frowned.
"Hey, you guys, what's with the look in your eyes? I was more popular than her in school! Guys were lining up in front of me!"
"Uh, really?"
"……Yes!"
There was some hesitation in the answer, but Caroline, who thought it was already spilled water, replied yes.
'It's not a lie.'
Of course the men were lining up to shower Elisa with gifts but Caroline wasn't wrong either.
If the aristocratic men she beated in school were lined up they could have circled a playground.
If she knocked someone down, another guy would appear and start a quarrel, saying, "Are you that arrogant commoner?"
Then he was also knocked down beautifully. Of course, with as much magic as possible without using fists.
She might have thrown a few punches……but that was acceptable.
'Hmm. I got challenges instead of love letters, but that's about as far as I'm willing to go.'
In fact, if Caroline had received a love letter, it would have been from someone with seriously questionable judgment.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, that never happened.
"Anyway, let's move!"
Caroline led the way.
Most of the students were looking forward to seeing the capital.
Caroline understood their frustration, and she wanted to show them around. So while she explained the importance of actual fighting, she also gave them some free time to explore the city.
Lindebrugne is a touristy city so there was plenty to see on every street corner, especially food.
The students took in their surroundings and grabbed whatever looked good on the street.
Aidan was no different.
"More than that, Leo's been hanging out by himself."
Aidan, waiting his turn in front of the yakitori stand, cast a worried glance at Leo, who was far away and alone.
Beside him, Tracy said.
"Let's not be too intrusive. If anything, the more we try to get any closer, he'll get annoyed and push us away even harder."
"Yeah. I know that."
"Anyway, there's always a chance, so we shouldn't be impatient."
"You're right, Tracy has been secretly caring about Leo, even though you always fight."
Aidan said with a grin, and Tracy blushed.
"Well, whatever, I'm just annoyed that he's not acting like his usual self."
"Yeah. I'll leave it at that."
Aidan, who replied with a smile to Tracy's loud words, looked at Iona. She was meekly nibbling on a street skewer, but her eyes were fixed on Leo, as if she were worried about him.
Aidan waited for his food to be served, hoping that the problem would be resolved soon.
Just then, a new customer joined them.
"Uh, Mr. Owner, I'll have two of those marinated skewers, please."
"Sure. Please wait."
It was an energetic female voice, and Aidan felt a vague sense of familiarity.
'Hmm……I've heard that voice many times before. It's like my teacher.'
As Aidan turned his head away with this idle thought, he made eye contact with a customer who happened to be looking this way.
She wore her long black hair loosely tied into a ponytail, with strands of hair sticking out here and there and had an unmistakable air of lightness and ease about her that was unforgettable.
"Teacher?"
"Aidan?"
The teacher who taught him anti-magic when Aidan was young.
To Aidan's surprise, the voice that sounded so similar to his teacher was indeed his teacher.
* * *
Loina Pavlini.
An unsociable and shy sixth-rank wizard that laments her plight.
'Why am I here?'
She glanced behind her to see a group of students huddled together, staring at her. The stares were enough to make her breath catch in her throat and send a cold sweat down her back.
She thought back to what had happened.
– Loina, be a mentor for Theon's field trip.
-Yes?
In order for the School Association to look good, it was necessary to select a talented person, and Loina was the most suitable person.
The first reason was that she was younger and could relate well to the students.
The second reason was that she was the easiest person to work with, as she couldn't refuse any task.
Lower-rank wizards would respect her because she was a sixth-rank mage, but the other higher-ups in the Schools Association didn't.
In the end, she couldn't refuse the offer, and when she came to her senses, she was here.
It was one of the few times she'd been able to have a proper conversation with someone, but since she'd come this far, she figured she had to play her part, so she forced herself to speak.
"Hey, everyone. Please follow me!"
She stammered and looked quite unreliable to the students, still she was a sixth-rank wizard so they followed silently.
Among the students that Loina was in charge were Rene, Erendir, Flora and Cheryl.
Loina and the students arrived at a huge museum.
The Crystal Palace.
It was the headquarters of the annual International Exposition, a showcase for the continent's magical, artifact, and steam-powered inventions.
The Crystal Palace, with its dazzling crystals that sparkled in the sunlight, was, as its name implies, a structure made entirely of translucent "crystals" aside from its steel frame.
It was a product of magical engineering and alchemy, a mix of science and magic, and used special glass rather than ordinary glass.
The interior was designed to feel like springtime all year round and even included an artificial park.
It was the Crystal Palace that made the imperial capital of Lindebrugne a tourist city.
"This is the Crystal Palace where you can see the history of magic."
Loina said with pride in her voice. She hoped this would be enough to make the students happy.
In fact, most of the students were busy looking around with their mouths agape, overwhelmed by the majesty of the Crystal Palace.
'Great!'
Loina clenched her fists.
"The Crystal Palace attracts over 30 million tourists during the International Exposition days alone. Even on a weekday like today, it's packed with people."
Loina was right, even on a weekday, the Crystal Palace was packed with tourists. The long line of people at the entrance was proof of that.
"There are so many people."
"Will we ever get in?"
"Hey, guys, don't worry. We have a reservation and we can get in right away!"
Loina said with a hint of excitement in her voice as she led them into the Crystal Palace.
The ticket agent at the entrance recognized her and let them through.
"Wow……."
"It's really pretty inside too."
The Crystal Palace was mesmerizing from the outside with its enormous size and crystal beauty, but the inside was even better.
The exhibition hall was neat and calculated. In addition, the light coming in from the outside spread out like it was through a prism, illuminating the interior beautifully.
The air was warm against their skin, and there was even a sweet floral scent wafting through the museum. It was like being in a dream world with all kinds of magic.
There was also a fountain in the center of the hall and a large tree.
Amazingly, this was only a small part of the Crystal Palace.
"This is the main exhibition hall of the Crystal Palace, where you can see the history and development of magic."
Playing the role of guide, Loina explained the Crystal Palace to the students.
"The space further in is divided into sections. Over there is the Path of Engineering, built around steam golems and mechanical engineering and steam engines."
Where Loina pointed, brass-colored metal could be seen beyond the crowd, along with pure white steam.
"On the contrary, they created an artificial park by landscaping the scenery of the forest. In fact, there are many animals living there, and you can sometimes see spirits. I recommend that students studying summoning should stop by at least once."
The students were already eager to take a look inside.
Loina smiled wistfully at the sight as she remembered being like that once.
"It's your free time from now on. Those who want to see, look around, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me!"
The students scattered as if they had been waiting for those words.
Renee wondered where to start looking, but then she realized she had a question and approached Loina.
"I……."
"Yes, yes, what is it?"
Loina said excitedly as Rene approached her.
At her half-nervous, half-expectant reaction, Rene asked cautiously, slightly embarrassed.
"Are there all kinds of magic here?"
"Ah, magic, well, I'd say they have it all, in fact, the Magic Tower and several magic societies donate magical information to the Crystal Palace."
"So, do you think I'll be able to find any information on non-attribute magic?"
"Non-attribute magic?"
Loina's eyes shone through her long bangs.
* * *
When the students were walking around the capital with their mentors Freuden Ulburg was also meeting his mentor in the capital.
He was also a second-year student, so he couldn't miss the field trip. Although he didn't get as excited as the other students, he was going to enjoy himself.
'I was definitely going to.'
Freuden was speechless when he saw the muscles in front of him.
"Cheer up!"
"Three more sets!"
"Oh my god!"
"Hurry up and pick it up! No one else will hold your rod for you! Do your best!"
"Argh!"
Loud shouts and screams were heard everywhere.
The space, filled with male hormones and muscles, was a huge gym famous in the capital.
Freuden thought.
'Why am I here?'
Apparently, he just came to tour the capital with his mentor.
Freuden's eyes naturally turned to his mentor Hwiron, a sixth-rank wizard and a member of the School Association.
"Hahahaha! You guys are so out of shape from sitting around and reading books! Listen up! The most important thing for a wizard is stamina! The more stamina you have, the longer you can sit in your chair!"
As he spoke, Hwiron grabbed a student and made him work out.
The familiar face, sweating profusely and lifting the barbell as he was instructed, was his friend and vassal, Henry Presto.
Henry had always attracted the attention of the girls with his easy smile and good looks but now he was lifting a barbell with his face contorted into a grimace.
"Huh. Huh. I can't do this anymore."
"What? You can't do fifteen? You've got to be kidding me!"
Hwiron glanced around at the frozen students.
"I'm going to give you all a good workout today!"
"Uh, hey……."
Feeling a sense of crisis, Freuden opened his mouth to speak. Unfortunately, this behavior drew the attention of Hwiron, who was looking for prey.
"Yes, there you are, you dirty little boy. Come and pick up the barbell!"
"……."
For the second time in his life, Freuden felt a huge sense of crisis.