I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

48 – Training

“First, put this on your wrist.”

Whisk. Idun tossed a black bracelet to Jezel. Jezel looked at Idun and asked, “What is this for?”

Idun shrugged his shoulders and replied bluntly, “First, tea. You’ll figure it out then.”

Jezel made a hmm sound and put the bracelet on his wrist. “…I don’t see any difference, really,” he said with a puzzled expression.

“Of course not. It’s how it’s supposed to be,” Idun replied with a grimace.

Jezel decided to keep his mouth shut after hearing that. Idun looked at Jezel and asked, “Do you know the conditions for being an expert?”

Jezel raised an eyebrow and said, “Isn’t it someone who can use 2nd to 4th circle magic?”

Idun chuckled and said, “Wrong. The essence of the qualification called ‘expert’ isn’t that. An expert is someone who can combine spell formulas.”

An expert overlaps and connects spell formulas of 1st circle magic, known as basic magic. A person who can do that is called an expert.

Idun raised his index finger and continued, “So, here’s the problem. What’s the fastest way to learn how to combine spell formulas?”

Jezel furrowed his brow. “…Increasing magical power?”

“Wrong again. The answer is getting proficient with the basic magics themselves. You have to be so skilled that spell formulas come to you naturally, even in your sleep. Got it?”

Jezel nodded in understanding. Certainly, he wouldn’t be able to create sentences on a topic he wasn’t proficient in, let alone the meanings of individual words.

“So, your job is to just go crazy using spell formulas.”

“…What?”

Those words unconsciously slipped out of Jezel’s mouth.

“Didn’t catch that? Just keep casting spell formulas incessantly. Make it second nature to create spell formulas effortlessly. Trying to combine spell formulas comes next.”

“Ah, isn’t that a bit… an ignorant way?”

“Thought there was a shortcut in magic? It’s not just magic. The essence of effort is simply diligent repetition. If you think you can’t do it, clear it out. I learned magic like this. If someone asks for an easier way, I might not have an answer.”

Hearing that, Jiselle spoke with determined eyes.

“…I see. So, is it just about continuously using the formula?”

“No, you have to think while using it. The aim is to swiftly and naturally produce the spell in practical situations, but during practice, you have to keep thinking and monitor the flow of mana.”

Jiselle took a deep breath, then activated the spell. What activated was the force of gravitational alteration.

The pen on the desk stuck to her palm.

And at that moment, Jiselle widened her eyes and looked at her wrist. It was adorned with a black bracelet.

“How is it?”

“…A lot of mana seems to be escaping.”

Eden said as if it were obvious.

“That bracelet is made for that purpose. The more flaws in using the formula, the more mana escapes. When combining the formula, if there are flaws in the basic one, the efficiency drops.”

“So that one can understand it on their own…”

“Yeah. And one more thing, there is a reason, but for now, keep going.”

Jiselle continued to use the magic of alteration. Eden rested his chin, observing it.

So, after a while, Jiselle raised her hand. Her arm was trembling slightly.

“Um, now the mana is slowly…”

“Keep going.”

“No, there’s really not much mana left…”

“Keep going.”

Eden’s eyes were piercingly cold.

“Listen, I’m helping you not because I care about you. Not even for your family. The reason I’m helping you is simply because it’s my job.”

“…”

“Helping the student achieve what they want. That’s the role of a teacher. If you keep whining, there’s nothing I can do, and I don’t particularly want to.”

That was why Eden accepted Jiselle’s proposal. To abandon the hatred of an enemy, to discard all personal emotions, and simply deal with it as a professional.

In a word, Jizel didn’t particularly find it enjoyable to assist Edun. Instead, the thought of it was still annoying and uncomfortable.

Realizing this, Jizel bit her lip.

Her arm trembled. There wasn’t much magic left in her body. At this rate, magical exhaustion seemed inevitable.

Nevertheless, it had to be done. Jizel once again lifted the wand to cast the spell.

The color of the pen she was holding changed. Jizel did it and took a rough breath. Due to the strain on her body, there were many imperfections in the spell, making concentration difficult. Naturally, the absorbed magic became more abundant.

It seemed to imply that the screams of her flesh were getting louder. Looking at Jizel in that state, Edun spoke in a voice devoid of any warmth.

“Again. What are you doing? Can’t you concentrate? There are too many flaws in the spell.”

Jizel bit her lip and, with trembling arms, lifted the wand once again to cast the spell.

“Ugh!”

It was difficult. The circuit of magic screamed.

She barely managed to cast the spell, and as soon as it was completed, she lost all strength and slumped down.

The chair almost tipped over, but Edun, just by looking at Jizel like that, effortlessly levitated her body onto the sofa.

Jizel took a rough breath. There was no strength left in her arms and legs. She had no energy.

“That’s magical exhaustion. It’s the first time you’ve felt it, right?”

Jizel seemed about to faint any moment, but she struggled to move her lips and replied.

“…Yes.”

She knew the literal meaning of magical exhaustion, but experiencing it for the first time was harder than she thought.

“That’s how it goes. The second reason for wearing that bracelet is to deliberately induce magical exhaustion.”

“…What?”

Jizel looked at Edun with surprised eyes. Edun casually explained,

“Even though there are few people who know, when you reach a state of magical exhaustion, even if only a little, the total amount of magic increases.”

It was a sound she had never heard before. Unable to hide her astonishment, Jizel asked,

“Intentionally inducing magical exhaustion increases the total amount of magic?”

“Of course, it’s not just about reaching exhaustion. Recovery is part of the process. When you return to the dormitory, don’t do anything and just rest. Even if the magic circuit is filled with magic, it’s meaningless if you don’t take proper rest.”

Gizel merely nodded.

“At the moment, you might not be able to walk due to the exhaustion, but you’ll get used to magical depletion after a few times. You’ll get used to it too.”

Could one really adapt to the draining of strength like this? Gizel thought so and replied.

“…Yes.”

“Well, okay. Despite being an Alpha Class, your progress is quite impressive. It’s not bad at all.”

Saying so, Iden started brewing tea.

“…What are you doing?”

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Iden paid no attention to Gizel’s question and, when the tea was ready, placed Gizel, who was lying on the sofa after all the tea was poured, in a sitting position and handed him the tea.

“It’s good for energy recovery. Drink this and go back. Oh, take off that bracelet. There’s no point in wearing it unless you’re practicing.”

Gizel nodded and removed the bracelet, handing it to Iden, albeit reluctantly.

Then, Gizel sipped the tea. The scent of herbs was intense.

With each sip, he felt a slight recovery of energy. In the warmth and vigor, Gizel smiled faintly as he drank the tea.

Leaning back in his chair, Iden observed Gizel and said, “Since it’s going to be tougher from now on, brace yourself. I learned magic from my master like this, so just understand it and do it. I don’t quite understand how someone who could easily achieve Expert status within a few months is doing all this.”

After finishing the tea, Gizel stood up. It was time to return to the dormitory. The evening glow that had painted the sky had given way to darkness.

Just before leaving Iden’s research lab, Gizel looked at Iden, slightly bowed his head, and said, “Thank you.”

Iden looked at Gizel with a somewhat profound gaze and gestured for him to leave. Following that gesture, Gizel closed the office door and walked into the corridor.

Just as she was about to return to her dormitory, Gizel spotted someone.

Black hair and eyes with a deep red glow. It was Professor Cordelia.

As soon as she saw Gizel, she asked, “Why are you coming out of Iden’s room?”

After a moment of hesitation, Gizel replied, “…I asked Professor Iden to help me improve my skills, and he kindly agreed to train me.”

Upon hearing this, Cordelia twisted her face oddly and said, “Iden is helping you improve your skills?”

“…What?”