Chapter 3: The Witch of the Academy
The sun was gradually setting. The Academy was bathed in the red glow of the sun, and both the school buildings and the venue were stained a deep orange.
The venue was overflowing with as many people as the eye could see.
The final presentation was held only at the central venue. Because of this, people were gathering here from all the other locations as well.
During the students’ presentations, the turnout had been poor because King Grantz was performing live sales nearby. Now, however, there was no need to worry about that, as the man himself was standing in the front row with his arms crossed in a majestic nio-dachi stance.
“……Well then, let’s show everyone the various possibilities of magic.”
I whispered this to myself as if to boost my spirits, then raised both hands and gave my body a light stretch. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes.
The flow of the wind, the sound of people breathing and the rustle of their clothes, the sensation of my skin feeling slightly flushed under the evening sun.
I took those sensations in deeply before opening my eyes.
I walked from the back of the stage toward the center.
As I did, the voices of the crowd grew quiet, as if matching my pace.
By the time I stood in the center, the area was wrapped in total silence.
I slowly looked around the venue, which was now dominated by silence, and offered a light smile to Shenley, Aile, and the others who were waving from among the crowd.
“……Hello. My name is Aoi-Konominato, and I am a faculty member here at Fidic Academy. Thank you all very much for coming to see my presentation today.”
I gave my greeting and bowed deeply.
I slowly straightened up and spoke while looking out at the gathered crowd.
“Today, I will present two spells I have developed. The way I use magic might be a bit unusual, but I believe it will be an interesting demonstration to watch. I hope you all enjoy it. Now, let us begin.”
Declaring the start of the presentation, I thrust one hand forward.
When I pointed my palm toward the front, several people stiffened.
Seeing their reaction, I wondered if I had chosen the wrong approach, but decided it was too late to change and continued.
I concentrated my mana and created a water sphere in front of my palm using water magic. I raised the temperature of the water sphere and then activated wind magic. As I exercised two types of magic simultaneously, gasps of surprise rose from a section of the audience.
I used the wind magic to wrap around the water sphere, creating a flow and increasing the circulation speed. I covered the perimeter with wind like a tornado and compressed it toward the center. In an instant, what was just a simple water sphere transformed into a tornado of water and wind about one meter in diameter.
Static electricity rapidly accumulated within the sphere, reaching the point where it began to discharge outward. As the sharp sound of electrical discharge echoed, I could hear the audience gasping for breath.
Let’s grow it even larger this time.
With that thought, I raised my hand. A compressed thundercloud gradually grew larger in the air. I narrowed my eyes and looked overhead to confirm if enough static electricity had been stored.
Watching the sphere flicker violently, I nodded to myself.
“…That should be enough… Lightning Cannon: Tritonis Ray.”
I whispered softly and released the magic.
Immediately after, a massive bolt of lightning tore through the sunset sky. Because I had designated the direction, the torrent of lightning shot straight into the sky without spreading to the surroundings.
It was a maximum-grade spell capable of bringing down a large dragon.
It was powerful and visually impressive, but the sound was an issue.
When lightning is generated, the air expands instantaneously due to the heat, creating a roar akin to an explosion.
Because the sound is louder the closer you are to the lightning, a deafening roar inevitably echoed through the venue.
As expected, most of the people in the crowd had collapsed to the ground, their legs having given way.
“……I should have warned them beforehand.”
I whispered quietly, reflecting on my mistake internally.
“……The magic just now is one of the most destructive among lightning spells. In terms of classification, it would likely be ‘Special Grade.’ The advantage of this magic is that it travels faster than wind. Furthermore, because it deals damage by penetrating through living beings and metal, it can defeat almost any magical beast in a single hit. However, if you do not give it proper directionality, it will strike indiscriminately at places that conduct electricity easily. Considering these factors, if anyone wishes to practice this magic, please do so in an empty sea or a desert.”
Despite my explanation, many in the audience were still sitting on the ground with their legs trembling.
I had no choice but to prepare the next spell.
Fortunately, the sky was gradually getting darker.
“Well then, I will present the next magic. There will be a bit of a loud noise this time as well, but please rest assured that there is no danger.”
After a brief introduction, I lightly flexed my fingers and brought my hands in front of my chest.
With my fingers spread wide, the preparation was complete.
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I concentrated mana into my fingertips and created a flow of mana in front of my palms. Then, using my other hand, I took out several small ores from the leather pouch hanging at my waist. They were about the size of granulated sugar.
I gently tossed those ores into the flow of mana.
Five ores of the same color danced in front of my palms as if they were twirling.
The eyes of the people watching also spun around, following the movement of the ores.
Once I confirmed the mana was sufficiently refined, I raised my arms, pointing my palms toward the sky. Drawing in the wind as it rose, the mass of mana containing the ores was launched into the air.
It reached a sufficient altitude. After confirming this, I spoke.
“……Magic Firework: Magi-Firework.”
The moment I spoke the name of the spell, an explosion that vibrated in the gut echoed in the air.
Then, a giant golden firework brightly colored the darkening sky.
Even though it was high in the air, the people seeing such a giant firework for the first time stared with wide, surprised eyes.
I had aimed to develop something of the same size as a 30cm (尺玉/shakudama) firework shell I had seen before, and I felt I had succeeded quite well.
The ores that burst in the air were pulverized by the refined mana, spreading as they burned and creating a flame reaction.
The problem had been how far to expand the range using fire and wind magic, but I solved it by causing a single explosion at the center.
When I thought about it, it was the same principle as a regular firework, but when I first came up with it, I had been delighted, thinking it was a grand invention.
It’s a bit of a “dark history” moment for me now.
“Wow!”
“So pretty!”
Hearing children’s excited voices, I returned my gaze to the ground. That was Martin, the merchant’s son. He was looking up at the sky with sparkling eyes alongside his father.
Most of the gathered people were looking up at the sky with glowing expressions. It seemed they were pleased.
Smiling softly, I prepared the Magi-Firework once more.
I refined the mana, selected the ores, and launched them into the sky.
A loud explosion echoed in the dark sky, this time staining the night a brilliant blue.
The beautiful blue firework made the audience’s cheers grow even louder.
“Let’s keep them coming.”
I was starting to have fun.
With that thought, I prepared for the next stage.
I created a stone pedestal in front of me and lined up several ores on top of it. Holding both hands forward, I refined mana just above the pedestal.
Then, I lightly picked up the ores and launched them into the sky.
Raising my right and then my left arm, I spoke.
“Magi-Firework.”
As I called the name, explosions echoed continuously in the sky. Two giant fireworks stained the sky golden. Then, I exercised the magic in sequence, right hand, then left.
A succession of multi-colored fireworks unfolded in the sky. Not just red, blue, and yellow, but green and purple fireworks also blossomed in the night.
By that time, the spectators seemed to have grown accustomed to the noise, and they were cheering and rejoicing wholeheartedly.
Everyone was looking up, pointing at the fireworks and laughing. Just seeing that sight made me feel happy, but it was almost time for the show to end.
For the finale, I decided to create a massive firework using all the remaining ores.
“……Now, for the final spell.”
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