Chapter-12 · EP-185
Chapter 12: Initial Impulse
Episode 185: The Word Spreads
The next morning, the atmosphere at the academy was somehow restless.
Hikaru Kujo had acquired Fire Magic. The news quickly spread throughout the academy, going beyond the mere fact that a student had acquired a skill. It heralded a shift in the academy's balance of power and the resurgence of the Kujo name.
Class 3-A, before classes.
"...Hey, Kazuma. Are you seriously saying that's true?"
Rena Takamiya set the tablet in her hand on her desk and regarded the man before her with half-skeptical eyes.
Kazuma Kujo stood there with his arms crossed and his back straighter than usual, wearing an indescribably delighted expression--in other words, a smug look.
"Yes, it is true. Yesterday, Hikaru acquired a Fire Magic Skill Orb through her own efforts. Last night, I witnessed the historic moment she first used magic and instructed her personally."
Rena was initially struck speechless by Kazuma's smirking declaration, but gradually the severity in her eyes eased into gentle relief.
"That's wonderful... It truly is. She worked so hard. Hikaru-san has finally reached the starting line as an explorer."
Rena's congratulations were heartfelt. Kazuma's answer, however, went far beyond anything she had expected.
"The starting line? Rena, you underestimate her. Last night, Hikaru's talent left me awestruck. I can state without reservation that she has far greater talent for magic than I do."
Here we go again, Rena sighed inwardly. Kazuma's excessive bragging about his sister was nothing new, so she decided to humor him.
"Yes, of course. Once her level rises, perhaps the day will come when she catches up with you."
Kazuma furrowed his brow at Rena's perfunctory agreement and answered with a serious expression.
"Not 'perhaps.' It is a fact. As a matter of fact, last night she already showed me a glimpse of magic that surpasses my own."
Rena could scarcely believe her ears.
"...Wait a moment. Surpasses you? Your Fire Magic is Skill Level 3, and you're one of the academy's strongest. Hikaru-san only acquired hers yesterday, so hers should still be Skill Level 1."
"Correct. Her Skill Level is still 1. But she is on another level. Even now that I am at Skill Level 3, I cannot use magic like that."
"...Kazuma, haven't you been overworking yourself? How much of that is true, and how much is a joke?"
"I have not made a single joke. It is all true. You should have Hikaru show you herself sometime. It will rewrite the academy's common sense."
Kazuma said this with a straight face and almost frightening confidence, leaving Rena with no response. For him to speak so emphatically, something more than mere favoritism must have happened. The premonition sent a faint shiver down Rena's back.
Class 1-D, in a corner of the classroom.
Meanwhile, I--one of the people behind the commotion--was, as usual, surrounded by Murasakimura and the others at my seat in the very back.
"...So that's what happened. Yesterday, the young lady acquired both Fire Magic and Healing Magic. I figured I should at least tell you guys, since you helped out."
"What?!"
As Murasakimura fell silent in incomprehension, Sendo spoke up.
"Hold on, Ichinose. What on earth happened after we went home?"
Murasakimura and the others had raised their voices so much that the surrounding students pricked up their ears, unwilling to let the conversation pass.
"Nothing much. The young lady just got lucky and found a hidden room. ...And Murasakimura, she was doing that mana conduction thing you taught her too. You know, the one where the sword goes flaaash."
"What...?"
Murasakimura froze, a complicated expression crossing his face.
"You taught her, right? She copied it just like that."
"...What I did is not yet perfect. My mana control is inadequate, so lightning leaks from the blade and useless sparks scatter. Didn't flames leak from Hikaru-san's sword as well?"
"Yeah. Now that you mention it, they did the first time."
Recalling the scene from the night before, I calmly told him what had happened.
"But from the second time on, the sword merely glowed. No flames leaked out, and there wasn't any wasted heat either. The glowing blade had an extraordinary air about it."
"...!"
Murasakimura was speechless. The technique he had taught her had been recreated in a more refined form than his own in no time at all.
"Amazing... I thought I was ahead of her, but she overtook me in an instant..."
Sendo gave the dejected Murasakimura's shoulder a firm pat.
"Kyoya, this is no time to get discouraged. We cannot afford to be left behind, either. We'll need to redouble our efforts at leveling from now on."
"...Yes, you're right. Ichinose-kun, we have not lost yet. Just watch us!"
"Uh, sure... I don't know what I'm supposed to watch, but do your best."
I shrugged, but as I felt the class's enthusiasm rise another notch, I smiled to myself.
Class 1-A.
In Class 1-A, where Hikaru Kujo was at the center of it all, the air held a peculiar mix of praise, jealousy, and doubt.
"Everyone, I apologize for causing you concern. Yesterday, I successfully acquired both Fire Magic and Healing Magic."
When Hikaru announced this in a clear, dignified voice, murmurs and sighs rose from the classmates gathered around her.
"How wonderful, Hikaru-sama! That makes you a triple-skill holder. You are now, in name and in fact, among the academy's best!"
As the students in her entourage applauded and cheered, Okumoto, the de facto leader of the boys, cautiously asked a question.
"Kujo-san, that is wonderful news, but... acquiring two in a single day... Was that perhaps through some connection of the Duke's family?"
"No. I found one in a hidden room, and the other was dropped by a slime I defeated."
At Hikaru's side, Mei looked around at everyone with her chest puffed out as proudly as if it were her own accomplishment.
Their homeroom teacher, Professor Kyogoku, narrowed his eyes behind his glasses as he spoke.
"Two skills in one day... I have never heard of such a thing. Is that truly so?"
"Yes. Professor Kyogoku, could you spare me a little time during today's exploration class? I would like to show everyone my Fire Magic."
"...Show them? The day after you acquired it? Acquiring a magic skill alone does not mean one can use it. Mastery takes a long time, so it would be better to practice first..."
Kyogoku's words carried a note of skepticism.
"My brother instructed me last night, so I have already practiced. I am ready to show everyone at once."
Hikaru answered with complete confidence.
The student council president, Kazuma Kujo, had instructed her personally. At those words, Kyogoku had no room to object.
"Kazuma Kujo-san himself...! That is--that is wonderful. I see. With instruction from that genius, it is not impossible."
Kyogoku nodded with evident pleasure, then looked around at the entire class.
"Everyone, did you hear? We will change today's lesson plan and begin by watching Hikaru-san's splendid Fire Magic."
Hikaru nodded at Kyogoku's words. Her expression brimmed with confidence. There was no trace left of the anxious girl who had continued searching for a way out.