『You have acquired a new magic!』
【Magic Theory Lv. 1】
Spending time in the library was definitely the right choice.
Now that I’ve learned ‘Magic Theory,’ which allows me to use various miscellaneous spells, I should have no problem with Professor Marea’s upcoming collaborative assignment.
Since I can even use Dual Casting, there’s no way I’ll lack damage, and the treasure chest locations aren’t random but predetermined, right? Even if the locations are different, I can quickly find them using detection magic, thanks to summoning magic and Magic Theory.
I’d say I’m almost perfectly prepared.
“Murmur… Did you finish reading that book?”
“Yeah, I finished it.”
Esme covered her mouth with her left hand and looked at me with wide, shocked eyes.
“You finished reading 【For the Budding Dreamer Who Wishes to Walk the Path of Magic】… already? That’s a book even middle schoolers struggle with!”
Well, Esme, being a character living in the world of Legend of Academy, wouldn’t know. Magic Theory is something you can learn even in the elementary section through quests in the original story, right?
“Yeah, I managed to finish it. It was a bit tough, though.”
I’ll play it humble here and admit it was a little difficult.
“A… a bit tough? That’s… that’s unbelievable… How much do you even know about magic, Murmur?”
“Murmur is from the Demon Race.”
“The gloomy folks from New Helheim… Hmm, well, I guess that makes sense.”
Esme’s eyebrows wriggled like cute worms before she quickly relaxed her expression.
Demons naturally have a higher understanding of magic than humans. That’s why, even though it’s not explicitly stated in the game’s traits, their magic levels rise faster, and the conditions for learning spells are lower.
“But you still can’t use Elemental Magic as well as I can, right?”
“Yeah, that’s why I’ll keep reading magic books with Esme. I haven’t finished the ones you gave me yet.”
“Ahhh! I don’t know why Murmur always says such cute things!”
As soon as I saw Esme’s hands reaching out to hug me like a stuffed animal, I quickly leaned back to avoid it.
Can’t let that happen in the library. Anyway, it’s definitely good to level up Elemental Magic, so I’ll make sure to read magic books with Esme whenever I can.
Now that I’ve learned all the magic I planned to, it’s time to find the last member for the collaborative assignment…
“…I’ll give it to you!”
“You are of no use to me.”
As soon as Esme and I stepped out of the library, we heard the voice of someone I didn’t want to meet—Citrine.
Still surrounded by a lot of people, huh? Let’s see who’s on her team. Cornelia, Leon, Rowan… She still hasn’t kicked Rowan out? I wanted to pay her back for the dessert I got.
Well, it’d be weird if people just believed me if I suddenly said Rowan was dangerous without any evidence.
“Sorry! Murmur, Esme. Did I take too long?”
Nicasia, who had just returned from the restroom, greeted us while glancing at Citrine, her group, and the red-haired girl standing in front of them.
“…What’s going on?”
“We just left the library, so we’re not sure either.”
Nicasia, who’s been subtly disliking Citrine since last time, had an even weirder expression and gaze. Thanks to that, we ended up standing in the hallway, watching Citrine as if we’d triggered a forced event.
“But! There must be something I can do to help…”
“That’s why I’m saying you’re of no use to me.”
“I… I’m stronger than you think!”
“You’re a dwarf, so I’d expect you to be strong. But when it comes to strength, Leon can do better than you.”
“I can also use rune magic.”
“Unfortunately, Cornelia already has more capable and outstanding magical skills.”
I think I get the situation. That dwarf girl wants to join Citrine’s team, but Citrine, who’s already formed her ‘dream team,’ has no intention of accepting her.
“However… if you’re that desperate, I might reconsider if you show me some sincerity.”
“R… really? Citrine! I’ll do anything!”
“That necklace you’re wearing… It looks quite expensive and rare. Give it to me. If you do, I’ll let you take Rowan’s spot.”
Wow, look at how calculating she is.
She’s planning to kick out Rowan, who I said was dangerous, in exchange for a fancy necklace? Sometimes her cold, calculating demeanor is scary.
“Th… this necklace…”
The dwarf girl tightly gripped her necklace and lowered her head.
What should I do? Unfortunately, she’s a character I’ve never seen before. Is she a DLC heroine?
Since I need one more person anyway, maybe I should step in? If we say we’ll do the collaborative assignment with three people, Professor Marea will probably say that gathering friends is part of the test and give us a failing grade without even asking.
“Citrine, stop─”
“Citrine, don’t bully her.”
Nicasia and I awkwardly spoke at the same time. But I was a bit faster, so I grabbed the hand of the dwarf girl, Torlin, who’s about the same height as me, and pulled her away first.
“Oh my, Miss Murmur? And the esteemed princess.”
“You shouldn’t ask for something so precious like that.”
“I didn’t ask for it. This is a transaction, isn’t it?”
“You’re trying to take advantage of her desperate situation for your own gain, aren’t you?”
Citrine looked at me, then at Nicasia, and raised the corner of her mouth.
“Think of it this way. I’m giving ‘Miss Torlin,’ who has no friends to form a team with, a chance.”
“Stop talking nonsense, Citrine. You’re just trying to sell out your existing friend for a rare gem.”
Nicasia firmly grabbed Torlin’s shoulder and pulled her into a half-hug.
“Think what you will. I’m not as generous as the esteemed princess to embrace everyone.”
“Even if you’re not royalty, there are things you just shouldn’t do as a person.”
Citrine raised the corner of her mouth again, as if she had no intention of arguing further, and waved her hand at me before turning away.
“I hope you get a good grade, Miss Murmur.”
“…Citrine, be careful. Murmur warned you.”
Citrine paused for a moment, turned around, and looked at me. She seemed about to say something but bit her lip, flashed a business smile, and then turned away again.
It’s a bit scary not knowing how she’ll react or what she’ll say when I meet her. I know she has her own reasons for acting and speaking the way she does, but still.
“Phew… You did well, Murmur. Oh, and Torlin? Torlin, right? You did well too.”
Nicasia wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked down at Torlin.
“Um… well…”
“Don’t worry about the collaborative assignment. Let’s team up with Murmur.”
A dwarf isn’t bad. In fact, it’s good.
I have no idea what her base class is, but since she said she’s confident in physical strength, she’s probably a fighter, right?
If so, she can be a good spare for Nicasia and a suitable addition to our party, which already has two mages.
“R… really? Miss Murmur?”
“Yeah, Torlin, you need a friend for the collaborative assignment too, right? Murmur needed one too.”
I turned to look at Esme and Nicasia. In the game, as the party leader, I could do whatever I wanted, but here it might be different.
“I think it’s a good idea, Murmur. Nice to meet you, Torlin!”
“It’s not like there’s a problem, right? I’m already friends with Murmur. Nice to meet you, Torlin.”
Fortunately, Nicasia and Esme didn’t oppose my decision.
“Um, nice to meet you too! I’m Torlin Stonefire… Hup! I mean, Torlin Stoneheart!”
Torlin stepped back slightly, grabbed the hem of her skirt, and tried to give an elegant, polite bow. Nicasia, seeing this, smiled brightly and did the same.
“Stonefire? Stoneheart?”
“I, I misspoke! It’s Stoneheart!”
Esme had a look on her face like ‘How could you mess that up?’ but didn’t say anything.
“Yeah, got it. Torlin. Nice to meet you. We’ll get a good grade in the collaborative assignment.”
We’ll probably get first place, so you can relax and enjoy the ride.
“Thank you. But… Miss Murmur?”
Torlin fidgeted with her hands and started to gauge my reaction.
“Yeah? What’s up?”
“Why… did you help me? We haven’t even introduced ourselves, and we didn’t know each other’s names… And also…”
Torlin quickly moved her hands to cover her necklace.
The gem embedded in that necklace was definitely ‘expensive.’
It’s the kind of gem you can only get one of in the game, right? The blue gem with a living flame trapped inside—I recognized it immediately.
Its effects were insane too. It grants unconditional fire attribute to attacks and even fire ‘immunity,’ not just resistance. That alone made it useful in all sorts of bizarre strategies.
“Because Torlin looked like she was in trouble.”
“Huh? Th… that’s it? Not because you wanted gold coins or equipment…”
“That’s not it. Murmur and I just helped Torlin, who was being bullied by Citrine.”
Torlin stared at us with wide eyes.
“Princess Nicasia and Murmur are such kind ladies. Didn’t you know, Torlin? Murmur even saved me when I was being bullied by my aunt.”
“I… I heard! I heard! Oh my… So you really just helped me out of kindness!”
Torlin’s eyes sparkled as she muttered to herself, then tightly grabbed my hand.
“Thank you, Murmur. Thank you! Princess Nicasia!”
Is this really that touching?
Anyway, helping a girl I’ve never met in the game feels surprisingly good.
“I’ll definitely repay you! Definitely! Murmur!”
* * *
“Huh? Do I… have to go now?”
The long-awaited day of the collaborative assignment had finally arrived.
And Nicasia, with a dazed expression, was looking up at Professor Marea.
“Can’t I go after the collaborative assignment is over? Professor Marea… Asking Murmur to find another team member at this point is too harsh.”
“I’ll let that slide. Since Headmaster Cosmos herself summoned you, you can do the collaborative assignment with three people instead of four.”
“Making us do the assignment with three people… Isn’t that more of a penalty?”
Professor Marea had no intention of listening to Nicasia. I knew this would happen. Not surprising at all.
“It’s fine, Nicasia. Go ahead.”
“Murmur… I’m sorry. Because of me…”
As soon as we gathered in Starforest for the collaborative assignment, Professor Marea gave Nicasia a one-sided notice: ‘Esteemed Princess Nicasia, Headmaster Cosmos is looking for you.’
Well, it’s not surprising that Nicasia, as the face of the adults, has to rush off for sudden summons. It’s not the first time.
“It’s not because of you. Esme, Torlin, and I can handle it together.”
“Sigh… I’m sorry. But I’ll finish quickly and come back! Stay safe and do your best!”
Nicasia hugged me, Esme, and Torlin one by one, then quickly ran off after greeting Professor Marea.
“Ugh. It’s really just the three of us now.”
“Wh… what do we do? Is this okay?”
Esme and Torlin looked extremely anxious.
“Look at that… Hehe, Princess Nicasia’s gone?”
“All that’s left is dumb Torlin and Esme. What can they even do?”
“Murmur’s going to cause trouble again, right? Ah~ I shouldn’t go near that team.”
It’s no wonder they’re worried, with idiots like that trash-talking us as soon as they get the chance.
But, too bad for them. I know how to get a perfect score.
“Esme, Torlin, don’t worry.”
I firmly grabbed the trembling hands of the two and pulled them close to my chest.
“Murmur… But there’s only three of us? Of course! Murmur’s strong enough to handle any monster, but…”
“With fewer people, even if we find treasure chests, we’ll lose points because we don’t have enough hands.”
“Don’t worry. Murmur has a plan.”
After all, I know where the hidden first-place prize is, even if I do the collaborative assignment alone!
