Chapter 16 – The Demon Lord Visits the Magical Research Institute We first graders were now allowed to visit the High Magic School. All first graders and teachers from the military school were able to visit the Senior school, that was located in the central district of Mildiana. Due to the Military school being adjacent to the Military department, and was therefore out of the area of where people would usually access to stop unrelated citizens from entering, it took some time to actually arrive at the central district. And after only an hour, we had arrived. As I stood outside of the building, I craned my neck to look at the architecture. The building, which boasted a large area, was filled with somewhat of a divine atmosphere, and was being held up by a large number of pillars. After being led by a teacher and had actually stepped inside of the building, there were many ordinary people inside. According to what I had heard, a part of the building was opened up to the public during the daytime, which was what led to the influx of people that were currently infront of us. Inside of the hall, there were tools on display that were related to magic, which had been put inside their own cases which were protected through multiple complex sealing techniques. Since we were granted time for our own viewing, I wandered around the exhibitions until my eyes landed on something that grabbed by curiosity. Inside of the case was a pendant with a very complicated pattern located on it. Beside of the pendant, was a nameplate, which labelled it as the『Viscount’s Pendant』. Underneath was the description of the item.
“If you are to get to attached to the item, you will be cursed.” “Uwah?!” I was suddenly pushed from behind, almost resulting in my head hitting against the case. After looking behind me, I saw an elf girl with a cheeky smile. “Liz. Please don’t do that. It’s bad for my heart.” “Oh come on, when I was looking around and saw Theo, who seemed to be interested in that Cursed Pendant, I just thought it may be dangerous.” “Curse? It looks like an ordinary pendant, but it does feel high-class…” “That’s right. It’s a former cursed pendant. The power of the curse was so strong that it made its owners fall into misery one after another, however the holy technique used sealed the evil that was inside of it. The pendant’s former owner was a magician who belonged to the Higher Magic Academy and after returning it to a normal state, let it be put up for display for anyone to see.” What an interesting story. “Is this Theo’s first time in Mildiana’s Higher Magic Academy? I’ll guide you around on a date, if you would like! Let me show you around.” “If that’s possible, then please.”
“Lets go! Alright lets go look at the various items, shall we?” Liz forcibly grabbed my arm and walked (pulled) me around to the various exhibits. Along with items such as the cursed pendant from earlier, there seems to also be items such as holy swords that are infused with magic. After being taken around and shown a series of exhibits, I was then guided to a place away from the main hall. “Theo’s quite familiar with magic, right?” “Well, probably just as much as the next, yes.” “You’re too humble, you know? Normal people aren’t able to use tier 10 magic… or are you trying to say that just because I can only use tier 7 magic that I’m just a fool…?” “No, no, that’s not true. I truly believe Liz is a great magician, being able to set up such a barrier in just an instant is quite the feat.” The expression on Liz’s face after mentioning the magic examination was not that bright. “If its only that level, then any elf should have no problem getting to that level, but it gave me such a hard time… I’m really not that talented, you know?”
Not talented? I certainly don’t think so, though. If you were to be compared with Julian, it’s a different story however. The Dragonkin are just far more involved with magic on a species level when compared to the elves. And again, it is out of the question to compare her with someone like the Headmaster. That man is the commander of the Southern territory, and is not as young as he really looks. “I don’t think its healthy to be comparing yourself to others all the time.” “…But I need to improve myself…” “Liz. While it does take effort to learn things, it also takes time. You’re still young, so there’s not point in putting yourself down like that.” “Hah! The way you say that is so weird, Theo. Are you copying your grandfather’s quote or something?” Did it sound too much like a sermon? Maybe the way I said it was just old fashioned. But, nevertheless, I did want to say this. “You are blessed. You’re the only elf to be a scholar.” “Well, you are right. I mean, ordinarily anyone would be happy at that point.”
“Not just anyone can get into the scholarship student spot, right?” “Well, that’s usually the case… but I’m just not up to you guys’ standard…” “Liz?” Liz suddenly got down and muttered as if talking to herself, however suddenly looked up and started laughing. “Ah! What am I doing right now! It was meant to be a fun date, but I seemed to have ruined the mood. I’m sorry about that. Lets continue looking around, shall we?” What a quick rebound, I thought to myself. Liz quickly regained her usual, cheery mood and, again, started to pull my arm to explain while walking. “This here is a research building. A place where the research of the contents of ancient grimoires and documents take place in order to better understand magic. That over there is the testing building. After applying for its use, you can release your own original magic that you have created while here in order to see the results.” As we continued down the hallway, a certain door caught my eye. “It seems that through here it is ‘No Unauthorized Entry’.”
“Here, huh. Well, usually you wouldn’t be allowed to… but…” Liz took out a key from the inside of her chest, and unlocked the door with it. (TL Note: Not a pocket, or like a bag or something?) “Ok Theo! Let us explore this unknown world together!” “Wait a minute. It says right on the door ‘No Entry’.” “Don’t worry about the small things in life! Its ok because I said its ok!” What a rowdy child she is… After stepping into the room, I couldn’t help but be taken aback by the surroundings. Inside of the cramped room, there was a crystal that could have been the height of an adult. The shining blue was entwined with the chains which had been engraved with what seemed to be very high level sealing techniques. “This is a magical crystal that can only be unsealed during a war. Do you know what it does?” “…What a powerful sealing technique… When it is converted to magic it could be compared to something around the 13th tier of magic… It’s something that, when talking about magic, is the best of the best.
“Anything else you notice?” “I think the sealing technique is only put in place through this ‘chain’. However, the problem is that with this crystal, it is clear that something huge would have to be put in place… something beyond the scope of magic. What is this…? It is not… a kind of spirit. However it is more powerful than that. This level of output of magical power would be enough to make anyone freeze in their place…” Now this is truly interesting. I had inadvertently stared at the crystal and started to make a hypothesis on what was happening aloud. If possible, I would like to touch it. And, again, if possible, would also like to destroy it to find out its contents… “It seems that Theo is quite the knowledgeable person.”
Before I realized, Liz was leaning against the door. “I don’t think I’m particularly special though?” “Hey Theo, are you possibly from the Chiaro-Diluna Kingdom?
“That Great Magical Kingdom…? As I’ve said before, I’m from Granden.” “Did you know, Theo? Granden has a lot of swordsmanship education, and in turn the magical education tends to be delayed, compared to Mildiana.” … What is she trying to say? “It really is strange to have come from such a place but still be so knowledgeable about magic.” “Well, I was somewhat self-taught.” “Ok, how about a problem, then?” Do you know who was the most successful general who fought with Headmaster Ludio in the previous war against the Zenan Dragon Kingdom? As a hint, that person was even called a hero in this certain battle.” …Not good… I’m not especially knowledgeable about history, especially about modern events. “Since Theo is such a battle junkie, you also seem like the type who would like hero stories…. So, can you answer the question?” “uhh…”
“Just kidding! Was that a bit too mean?” “Huh?” While replying to me, Liz continues giggling. “Theo has failed the question—-” “What are you on about?!” “You have to study your history better, Theo! Well, even if I say its history, its only from a few years ago so isn’t it embarrassing that you didn’t immediately know?” “My bad for not knowing, I guess.” “Hah! Well then Theo, lets make sure to study together! Whether its magic or history, maybe even doing physical education and health together—” (TL Note: This is meant to be an innuendo here, but I couldn’t get it to translate to English well) When looking at Liz who is laughing, I can’t help but think she looks like a devil. While I did know that she wasn’t just bright, it seems it may be a bit dangerous to get along too well with her. “Also, as a little fact about the crystal, it was actually made by the Headmaster.”
“Huh?” Because of how unexpected what she said was, I had unintentionally made a stupid voice. “As a general rule, the use of 『beyond magic』 techniques is prohibited in the Empire. This is due to if something such as this was to be activated, it could be a catastrophe. That is the same with that of the Lieutenant General. This crystal and the Headmaster are connected by a thread of magical power, which only allows it to exert its full power during the time of war.” “Huh. So there’s that kind of mechanism built into it.” “Well, he is like a walking weapon of mass destruction, so the person himself is quite eccentric too. That’s why only with the permission of His Majesty the Emperor, can the seal actually be released. The frozen magical power that emanated from the crystal that I felt made me feel if there was no end to it. Even if it was sealed, and it felt as strong as that, I am interested in how much would be released if I were to crush it. “But aren’t you worried about it? Such an important weapon is placed in a kind of room which could easily break.” “Its fine, its fine. The crystal won’t break no matter what. What’s more, if you were to act upon it with malicious intent, the systems would react and activate preventative magical measures on you.” So that was why it was in this kind of room. Well, there certainly is no need for surveillance. “Well, its about time. We should start to head back.”
Speaking of which, I do believe I rather enjoyed today. “Oh, yes. I’ll answer the problem I gave you earlier. The correct answer is General Claude Duras. He is the strongest Holy Knight from where Theo comes from, Granden.” I stopped moving. All I could do was stare at her, and what I saw was her looking back at me without once losing her smile. “Lets go home. Lets go home together, Theo.” Again, my arm was forcibly grabbed, and was taken out of the room. Seriously… who is this child..? In any case, I probably need to be more vigilant in the future. As I started to think like this, Liz suddenly stopped. “Please listen carefully.” After following what she said, I could start to hear two men’s voices that seemed to be staff of the Higher Magic Academy. “Is the new recruit another elf?”
“Looks like it. Elves have really started coming in in droves, be it last year or this. If it stays like this, the position of humans and elves may actually reverse.” “I mean, with the position of the top of the army going to that Lieutenant General Lambert, maybe it will come sooner than expected.” “I just cant stand them, you know? They all have similar looking faces, and since they are all naturally proficient in magic, they are always bragging and lording it over us.” “To be honest, sometimes I feel like they should all just disappear sometimes. To hell with the treaty.” After speaking about a rather unsavoury topic, the staff wandered off. “How about it Theo. That is the current situation in Mildiana.” “That’s very surprising… Are the elves not being welcomed?” “While many people don’t mind the children, there seems to be much discrimination towards the hard-working researchers and military personnel.” “And yet the Headmaster was able to become the commander in chief.” “That’s mostly the government’s decision. The idea of everything being completely merit-based hasn’t changed, well to be honest, its probably more prevalent now. And in this city, nobody is stronger than the Headmaster.”
So there’s this kind of situation that was lurking in the background of the alliance between the humans and the elves, huh. Because of the amount of elves in the town, I had expected them to be on good terms with each other, however it seems the big picture is not quite that simple. “Well the Elves got a lot of preferential treatment after forming the alliance. I wonder if that’s one of the reasons that everyone is so caught up in this.” Alliances and Peace between different races. While it can work well in one way, it does not mean it doesn’t fall behind in others. I guess there really are no exceptions to this rule. This alliance formed 100 years ago. Only 100 years. While for us demons, it’s such a miniscule amount of time that it feels like it was just a few moments ago. Moreover, long-lived elves will be well aware of their relationship with the pre-allied empire. However, It may take a longer time for the human beings who have been discriminating against something for a long time and the elves who were being discriminated against to understand each other. “Well then, Theo. Im off.” “Ok, I’ll see you later then.” “Think about where we are going on a date next!” Wow. That really is tiring. When I’m with her, I almost feel like I’m sucked up and overwhelmed by her energetic atmosphere.
…Well at this point, there is probably no way that she still thinks I’m from the western countries. In comparison, there are probably some doubts brewing on whether I’m from an enemy state. Well, if its curiosity alone that fuels her, then there is not much problem in if Liz finds out who I truly am. But that is only if it is curiosity alone. If she is to get in the way… it’ll be what it’ll be. Be it erasing her, or even making things go my way forcefully. While thinking about such things, I returned to the Magic School.