Ch. 40 - Interested in the Class?

Surprisingly, Fore participated in the class obediently.

Partway through, Principal Glenn was causing a ruckus outside, distracting everyone. But without any advice from me, he was able to enlarge the cloud according to my lesson.

Since the principal was being excessively disruptive, I opened the window and scolded him. After seeing his slumped shoulders, I turned my attention back to the people in the classroom.

Everyone seemed to be progressing fairly well, but would this be enough to satisfy Fore?

No, it probably wouldn't be sufficient.

There were less than ten minutes left, so I decided to pack in a bit more content.

"Now, let's review today's lesson. As I always say, to use magic, you must understand its mechanisms. Just like Eliza-sensei, who could previously only use earth magic, managed to learn other elemental magic. Understanding the principles allows you to learn all elemental magic except non-attribute magic. Although the time it takes to learn may vary, everyone has achieved this so far."

When I said that, Fore's eyes widened as he stared at me.

As expected, even Fore hadn't realized this.

In that case, this information would be very useful for him.

I smiled and looked at each attendee in turn. "Well then, let's review the changes in the properties of water so that we can learn lightning magic in the next class."

"How was it?" I asked Fore after the class ended.

Fore seemed hesitant and deliberated over his words while looking at me.

"… Am I unfit to be a teacher?" I asked.

Fore frowned, looking displeased. "… I don't know yet. But for now, it was a good class. I'll come again next time."

With that, Fore turned his back and left.

Eliza, who had come into the hallway, frowned at his back. "Fore-sensei is being stubborn. I'm sure he’s secretly thinking Aoi-sensei is amazing!"

"Is that so? I'd be happy if he acknowledged me…"

"He does! That's why he said he'd come next time. He'll probably be the first to attend the next class!"

"Couldn’t that simply mean he wants to observe a bit longer?" I replied to Eliza.

Strass, who came out next, nodded slightly and reassured me. "It's okay. Fore-sensei might look difficult, but he’s understanding once you talk to him. He probably already acknowledges you deep down."

Well, since both of them said so, it should be fine. There was another class tomorrow, so I'd just wait and see how things went then.

With that thought in mind, I started planning the content for tomorrow's class.

The next day, Fore was sitting with perfect posture in the classroom.

Everyone looked at him in surprise for a moment and then quietly took their seats.

Since he was sitting so normally, I couldn’t help but stare at him. Fore silently closed his eyes and waited for the class to begin.

After checking attendance, I said, "Alright, let's begin the class."

At that moment, Fore opened his eyes wide.

Feeling slightly intimidated by Fore's intense gaze, I turned my palm up and created yesterday's cloud. "First, let's review yesterday's lesson. Everyone, let's create clouds. If anyone doesn't understand, please let me know."

Everyone started creating clouds. They all seemed much more adept at it than yesterday and made larger clouds.

Even Eliza was able to create a decent-sized cloud.

"As expected of Fiddiq Academy, everyone is very capable."

Then I began to explain the mechanism of lightning. "Those who have created clouds with their own mana should have gotten a feel for it. Water evaporates due to temperature and rises up. When the temperature is high, the evaporated water rises with greater force. That’s why summer clouds are thick and tall. Within those clouds, the cooled water descending from higher altitudes and the ascending water rub against each other."

I demonstrated by moving numerous tiny ice particles up and down to make it easier to understand.

As the number and speed of the particles increased, the static electricity became visibly noticeable.

"When objects collide, a tiny electric shock called static electricity is generated. Understanding this mechanism and elevating it into a form of magic is what lightning magic is about."

Everyone stopped maintaining their clouds and stared at me.

"… So, is lightning magic a derivative of water magic?"

To Strass's question, I shook my head. "Water magic alone can only create uncontrollable thunderclouds. And because it's not created in a natural environment, it will disappear without the cycle and maintenance of mana."

Strass fell into deep thought.

Speyside asked, "But wouldn't that mean using magic together with others? Interfering with magic constructed by others is extremely difficult, but let's put that aside for now. Aoi-sensei, the other day, you demonstrated lightning magic alone. So there must be a way to use lightning magic single-handedly, right?"

Hearing Speyside's words, Fore raised his head.

Receiving everyone's gaze, I calmly shared my opinion on common sense. "First of all, I think the notion that people can only use one element of magic at a time is mistaken."

Everyone started whispering.

Rox stood up and asked, "… That's the dual-element simultaneous activation passed down in the royal family. No, each royal family across the land has such legends, but just like lightning magic, it's considered a myth nowadays…"

Rox's face lit up with realization.

Then Shenley continued where Rox left off. "S-so, does that mean… lightning magic and thunder magic were lost because there were no magicians who could use dual-element simultaneous activation…?"

Everyone waited for my response.

However, even if you asked me, I didn't know that much either. But at least in the last decade, my mentor, Owen Millers, had also mastered lightning magic.

Dual-element simultaneous activation shouldn’t require any special talent.

I shared my speculation. "As far as I know, there are two magicians capable of using dual-element simultaneous activation. This applies to lightning magic as well. I speculate that it was lost because it was passed down selectively as a secret."

Unusually excited, Cote stood up. "So, we might be able to…?"

"Possibly," I replied and raised one finger. "I apologize for turning this into an experiment, but if everyone can master the basics of lightning magic, it will be proven."

In the silent classroom, Fore, who had been quiet until now, raised his hand. "… How long do you expect this curriculum to take?"

"One week," I replied with a bit of leeway.

I believed these outstanding students would be able to learn the basics in about three more classes.

However, Fore made a stern face and seemed about to say something but quickly closed his mouth and shook his head slightly.

And then he quietly conveyed his intention. "… Understood. I'll come again."

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