Baal Nier.
In fact, the story of her birth is uncertain. This is because there are few clues regarding her past.
She had no childhood friends, and apart from herself, there were no known figures from the “Nier” family, which contributed to her meager human relationships, rendering her past unstoried despite the remarkable achievements she accomplished.
However, she achieved overwhelmingly impressive accomplishments that cannot be belittled simply because her origin is unknown.
Her theories and ideas completely overturned the existing magical system.
Moreover, she established numerous theories that could practically prove her magical concepts, transforming “magic” into a field of study that anyone could understand and interpret, allowing for learning.
Class Magic.
Magic that can be used merely by following the theory, even without magic sensitivity or intelligence, or any enlightenment.
However, this is why the mages began to suppress her, referring to her as the “Reincarnation of the Demon King.”
The moment they acknowledged that magic was a technology, rather than a mystery and a field of study that explored the world, they had no reason to welcome a new magical system, as they had already obtained privilege as Circle Mages.
Thus, she fled to this place, Beriton.
Perhaps the elves had a strong inclination towards being spirit mages? With the protection of elves, who did not get along well with the existing circle mages, she continued her research safely. Eventually, Class Magic overwhelmingly developed Beriton, thanks to its characteristic of being able to use the vast amounts of mana that poured forth from the World Tree without wasting a single drop.
Since there was no need to contain mana in the circle, differences based on individual mana sensitivity became meaningless. Similarly, since the lack of circles did not hinder the usage of magic, the differences in enlightenment and intelligence also became irrelevant.
Thus, it was only natural that people would gather for unrestricted development. The fact that anyone, as long as they had the will to learn and the effort, could use magic, was a tremendous allure, wasn’t it?
The time it took for Beriton to become a superpower that even the empire could not ignore was merely 20 years.
Now, the arrows of blame turned towards the Circle Mages.
They were accused of not releasing such technology to the world “on purpose” while only thinking of their own safety, and it was precisely the Circle Mages who sent Baal Nier to Beriton.
For them, who were simply lacking in ability, this was an understandably unfair accusation, but that did not reduce the criticisms from the political world.
Thus, the Circle Mages fell into decline.
——-
“…and that is the founding history of Beriton and the development of Class Magic.”
With that, the guide concluded her explanation.
After her explanation, Luke nodded. Indeed, that is why the statue of a human female mage was displayed the largest in the elven country of Beriton.
In fact, it was a story he had read in textbooks and history books, but hearing the history here alongside ancient artifacts felt different in a way, which was quite pleasant.
It felt like experiencing history directly, perhaps?
Mages tend to believe in evidence rather than stories. Therefore, there is inevitably a significant difference in immersion between reading a story in a history book and listening to it while viewing artifacts related to history before one’s eyes.
Thus, even though Luke was already aware of the story, he could enjoy it thoroughly.
“……”
However, the response from the other children, aside from Luke, was not very good. Most were busy turning their heads in search of objects that might pique their interest, clearly unable to focus on the guide’s speech.
It seemed the children found it rather uninteresting.
The guide almost let out a sigh. She had been doing this for a long time and took pride in her work, but such reactions were undoubtedly discouraging. Additionally, young children became more impulsive and unruly in groups.
She understood that. Playing games or chatting among friends is far more enjoyable than a boring history lesson, and since this wasn’t an academy, there weren’t any obligations to learn in the children’s minds.
Thus, while these young children were quite cute to look at, they were rather troublesome guests to have as students.
The reason she was able to suppress a sigh was thanks to a single student who stood out in her eyes.
A platinum-haired hybrid beast girl who had maintained focus from the moment the explanation began.
Outwardly, she appeared to be around 10 or 11 years old, a cute girl, yet there was a strangely profound and serious aura about her that felt out of place.
Why did she have such a feeling? Maybe it was because there weren’t many young beast people who had such a calm demeanor.
Or perhaps it was simply because she had listened to the story attentively?
Having seen many children during this job, she could assert that she had never encountered a child with such a peculiar vibe before.
At that moment, contemplating why she had that feeling, the guide’s and Luke’s eyes met.
Luke then naturally smiled.
Seeing that smile, the guide finally realized why that child had given off such a peculiar atmosphere all this time.
There are actually several types of smiles. A smile that comes simply from amusement, a forced smile to hide one’s feelings, and a “business” smile that one wears to foster better relationships.
Among young children, it was rare to find one who could use a smile so naturally.
Of course, she might genuinely be having fun, but that child’s smile wasn’t merely born out of enjoyment.
It had a certain quality of someone with experience, perhaps.
Once she thought that way, even the child’s trivial gestures began to not simply seem like impulsive actions.
The modest hands clasped neatly behind her back, the relaxed expression, the composed posture—
It was as if she were looking at an adult who had built wisdom over years of human interaction, wasn’t it?
It might be amusing to think of a child around 10 years old as having wisdom, but still, that was the feeling she got.
Well, whatever the meaning of the child’s smile, it was evident that it brought comfort to the guide, so she reinvigorated her voice and began to guide once more.
“Now, next, we will move on to modern history. Children, please gather over here…”
——-
Though Beriton is not that large yet, it is the first place to embrace Class Magic, making it the most magically advanced nation.
How did the elves, who were once at the opposing point of the Mage Tower, come to become the forefront of global magical development?
It was truly an amusing tale.
As the guiding ended, the time for free observation came, so the children began to move around freely, looking for artifacts or objects that piqued their interest.
Among them, Mary found it a bit boring to observe with Luke and quickly joined other close friends to chat. Meanwhile, Shirud was stuck with Luke, as he had no close friends among the children who came for this experiential learning trip.
Well, he thought it couldn’t be helped. Honestly, the trip was somewhat costly for an 11-year-old.
No matter how prestigious Tigr Academy was, not all the children came from well-off families.
There couldn’t be many households that could bear these travel costs without a concern.
And typically, trips of this scale are done right before graduation in the 9th grade, aren’t they?
Thus, the choice of ‘Beriton’ as the destination for this academy trip was a somewhat bold selection for the academy.
In fact, Shirud wasn’t really looking forward to this trip and wished he could just relax at home.
Isn’t Beriton a place one visits quite often anyway?
However, he couldn’t quite understand his mother’s intention in insisting on this trip.
Just as Shirud was grumbling internally, Luke approached him with a can of drink and struck up a conversation.
“Wasn’t it quite an informative time?”
Luke wore a rather satisfied smile, seemingly pleased with the guide’s historical explanation.
However, Shirud was unsure if it had been that informative.
After all, these were all things he would learn at the academy anyway, so didn’t it seem a bit unremarkable now?
Well, that’s not to say he had done well in studying at the academy either.
“I don’t know,”
Shirud replied as he accepted the drink Luke handed him.
What surprised him was this.
“They’ve really improved the drinks.”
“Hahaha, what on earth are you talking about?”
Luke chuckled lightly, but it was still fresh in Shirud’s mind.
When he had first used the vending machine, he had stared at it for a while, not even taking the drink.
He hadn’t simply watched but had muttered to himself while intently observing it.
What had he said? Something about the brilliant idea behind such a simple structure of a vending machine?
He had muttered a lot after that, but he couldn’t recall it all clearly.
It had been so embarrassing that he hadn’t had the time to remember properly.
Revisiting those thoughts, Shirud sighed once and lifted the cool can Luke had handed him.
“Well, I’ll drink it anyway.”
However, the expression on Shirud’s face soured almost immediately after taking a sip from the can.
“Ugh, what’s this? It’s pine needle tea.”
This was clearly intended to torment him.
But Luke sat down beside Shirud and adjusted his skirt and the position of his tail, regardless of whether Shirud scrunched his face or not.
“Shirud, do you find this museum as boring as the other kids do?”
“Yeah, it’s not really interesting.”
Then Luke shook his head with an expression of disappointment as he opened his mouth.
“That’s not right. A mage shouldn’t have such an attitude.”
If one is a mage, they must do ‘whatever it takes’ to satisfy their thirst for knowledge.
Shirud, who had indeed sought him for teaching because he wanted to become a mage, meant Luke felt a sense of responsibility to mold him into one.
Moreover, Shirud surely had tremendous talent.
Excluding the understanding of the world through magic sight, the physical talent he had for purely holding mana might lead him to surpass Luke’s past self.
To waste that talent simply because it didn’t fit the current worldview was a wastage of resources, wasn’t it?
Luke despises waste.
“Are we back to that talk again?”
Shirud thought he was slowly getting fed up.
He had just become a 2nd Circle Mage, only having learned how to light a fire at his fingertips and how to make the wind blow harder.
Even if he asked for more, Luke would completely avoid sharing what was beyond that, saying, “You’ll have to think that out for yourself,” while only stressing the attitude of a mage, causing Shirud to feel his dissatisfaction piling up.
However, ignoring Shirud’s expression entirely, Luke spread his arms and pointed behind him as if to introduce something.
“There are so many opportunities for realization here; how can you waste your short life chasing convenience? Stand up quickly. Okay?”
Saying this, Luke extended a hand as if suggesting a dance in a social setting like an old noble.
‘…Short life, huh.’
Luke was a beastkin, and Shirud was a pure high elf.
In terms of lifespan, he would presumably live longer…
Moreover, Shirud thought Luke’s gesture and expression were so theatrical that he felt as if Luke was treating him like a ‘princess.’
For Luke, it was merely a habit that flowed naturally due to being accustomed to the life of an old noble, but Shirud, feeling treated like a ‘princess,’ did not take Luke’s hand and instead stood up using his own strength.
Luke’s embarrassed hand soon naturally folded behind his back as he smiled.
Watching Shirud, who reluctantly stood up, with a satisfied expression, Luke finally began to survey the surroundings.
“Now then, where shall we go first… Ah, yes, let’s head that way first.”
Luke’s destination was the ‘Modern Magic Hall.’
