Ch. 196 - Lightning Magic

It was a beautiful sight. A pure white castle reminiscent of white marble. And the light illuminated the interior after passing through the crystals. The crystal prisms fantastically colored the room in seven hues.

In the center of the high-ceiling hall stood a large round table. It appeared to use the same stone material as the walls and such. Around that table sat ten elves. Each wore a white robe, giving them the impression of sages from a story.

On the right side stood Spire as well. After looking over the elves of the Senate—likely the most exceptional mages in the elven kingdom—one by one, I quietly opened my mouth.

"I have come from Fiddiq Academy in the Verted Kingdom. My name is Aoi Konominato, a member of the faculty. I cannot express enough gratitude for preparing a place for us to compete in magic with all of you, renowned as the kingdom's finest."

After bowing and giving such a greeting, Glenn poked his face out from behind.

"Ah, Aoi. A place to compete in magic is your wish, is it not? I have heard no such story."

Glenn spoke those words in a desperate manner. Tilting my head at that, I looked at Spire.

"Indeed, I did not say that, but the outcome is the same, is it not? I fully intend to witness the finest magic of the elven kingdom."

"Oh……"

When I answered his question, Glenn covered his face with his hand and stepped back. Returning my gaze, the elf sitting directly across from Spire opened his mouth.

"…Aoi, is it? Are you a human mage?"

"Yes."

When I answered, the elves for some reason rustled slightly.

"Is she not a beastman?"

"Then, the girl at the very back after all…"

"I thought she was a beastman, but was I wrong?"

Such curious conversations whispered around the table. Did my body perhaps possess some beastman-like features? Or, from an elf's perspective, were the differences between humans and beastmen so trivial?

As I tilted my head, the elf from before looked at me and spoke again.

"…And what of the others? It seems there is even one who appears to be a half-elf."

At those words, Glenn showed a flustered appearance. However, after breathing in once or twice, he quickly regained his composure. It seemed he had steadied his nerves with a deep breath.

Glenn fixed his gaze straight at the elves with an unusually serious face and opened his mouth.

"…I am Glenn Fiddiq. A half-elf who once lived in this kingdom. Now, they have granted me a marquisate in the Verted Kingdom, and I serve as the headmaster of Fiddiq Academy."

When Glenn introduced himself, several elves raised their heads with interest.

"Oh?"

"Ah, the half-elf we recently heard rumors about."

"Indeed, they say he is one of the world's foremost mages…"

The tone carried a slight hint of mockery. Were all who knew Glenn elven supremacists? Or was this the treatment half-elves received in the elven country?

Feeling a murky sensation in my chest, I looked at Strass and the others. Then Strass puffed out his chest, took a step forward, and opened his mouth.

"…Strass Clyde. I also serve as a member of the faculty at Fiddiq Academy."

After Strass stated his name in a stiff voice, Eliza followed in a hurried manner.

"I-I am Eliza Woodford! I hail from the Grandsans Kingdom and now work as a general faculty member at Fiddiq Academy!"

When she finished introducing herself, the elves showed a slight reaction.

"A faculty member?"

"She looks like nothing more than a girl, but that is because she is a dwarf."

"If a dwarf can become a faculty member, perhaps this 'Fiddiq Academy' is not so impressive after all?"

Remarks clearly demeaning dwarves reached my ears. Though quiet, those words should certainly have reached Eliza as well.

Eliza made a somewhat regretful face and looked at Shenley. With an uneasy expression, Shenley opened her mouth.

"…She-Shenley Lu Rosentiel. A student at Fiddiq Academy, hailing from the Maple Leaf Holy Empire. P-Please treat me well today."

When she introduced herself in a timid manner, the elves became wrapped in a tension different from before.

"…She truly is a student. And there is no doubt she is a beastman either."

"No, but, for that reason, to be capable of using lightning magic…"

"She may possess a terrifying talent that belies her appearance."

Unlike with Eliza, they clearly regarded Shenley with caution. From the contents of their conversation, I could infer that Spire had likely informed the elves about Shenley in advance.

Watching their reaction, Spire stood up.

"Now then, allow me to introduce ourselves as well. I need not introduce myself again. First, over there is the current head of the Senate, Councilor Edra Dower. They also rate him as the greatest mage after the king. Next, the person to his right…"

Saying this, Spire introduced the Senate members in order. Though it took some time, the introductions of everyone quickly finished, and the elf first introduced, named Edra Dower, opened his mouth.

"…Normally, no one other than elves may set foot in this place. Please properly understand that fact and refrain from excessive rude behavior or speech."

Thus, Edra said something to curb us right from the start. But this was no time to shrink back.

I formed a smile and nodded.

"Yes, of course. I will be satisfied simply to witness elven magic, after all."

When I declared this, Strass standing behind me voiced a complaint.

"…Were you not supposed to keep the elves from looking down on other races."

He said it in a small voice that only I could hear, causing me to unintentionally utter "Ugh." I had completely forgotten. It seemed I had grown too eager for elven magic.

"You are right… I will, calm down a bit."

When I answered thus, Spire let out a dry laugh as if to second that.

"Ha, haha ha… Then, let us first have you all demonstrate your magic. If we acknowledge that it merits evaluation by this kingdom's foremost mages, I promise that we too will show you our magic."

When Spire said this, Glenn stroked his chin beard and groaned.

"Hmm… magic that will satisfy discerning elven mages, you say…"

Hearing Glenn mutter this, I unconsciously raised the corner of my mouth and nodded.

"I will have them acknowledge it, no matter what."

After answering Glenn thus, I stepped forward.

"Then, allow me to demonstrate my magic."

I declared this with full enthusiasm, but Edra immediately shook his head left and right.

"No, I apologize, but would you first show us that girl's lightning magic?"

At those words, I nearly tripped on the spot. Despite having stepped forward so vigorously, they had pulled the rug out from under me.

Turning around, Shenley nodded with a resolute expression.

"I will do my best!"

"I see…"

Seeing Shenley's spirited manner, I reluctantly stepped back. No, perhaps it was better to show the magic that interested the elves first and get them into a cooperative posture.

Reconsidering thus, I withdrew a step backward. In my place, Shenley stepped forward and heaved her shoulders up and down. She seemed quite nervous, but would she be alright?

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