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FIRST-YEAR students at the Magic Academy received an extensive foundation in general education and beginner magic. Once they completed this part of their curriculum, they were allowed to choose electives geared toward the professions they aspired to enter after graduation.
For example, spell chanting was required to activate magic. To use spells, students had to be familiar with the magical language created exclusively for incantations. The language itself had its own vocabulary and grammar, so students had to master it like they would any other foreign language to say the spells correctly. When the first-years completed the basics of the fundamentals themselves, only then could they begin on the practical applications of magic.
“I-I can’t create wind! Why?!”
Emma collapsed onto the soft, fluffy carpet of grass.
“Isn’t it your first time, though?” Rashida asked. “Which means your inability to do so is a given. I know you’re frustrated because everyone else has been able to manage it, but…most of the students in this class awakened to their wind affinity as children. There’s no merit in comparing yourself to people with experience, so take a deep breath and try again!”
“You’re right, Rashida. I needed to hear that. Thank you. Here I go!”
Encouraged by her friend’s gentle words, Emma stood up again, shaking off the tufts of grass clinging to her white uniform. One month had passed since her second first day at the Magic Academy. They were in the school’s courtyard practicing elementary wind magic. Emma had been looking forward to applying the knowledge from their lectures in a real-world setting. Unfortunately for her, though, all she could manage was a great deal of nothing, despite her best efforts.
Ostensibly, the use of elemental magic wasn’t allowed until after one had enrolled at the Magic Academy. There was grave potential for danger if mentally and emotionally inexperienced children lost control of their magic. On the other hand, mastering magic became increasingly difficult as time passed, particularly for adults. That was why the Magic Academy had been established in the first place. An individual’s three years at the school would teach them how to control magic properly.
Despite the public law, the reality was that most of the students had awakened to their particular magical affinities as children. By the time they started lessons at the Academy, they could already cast simple spells and use novice magic. Compared to them, Emma had a lot of catching up to do because it hadn’t been long since she’d learned of her compatibility with the attribute of wind.
I can’t believe I forgot those special pieces of paper that only amplified magical energy for testing purposes. What a fool I was for believing it would be that easy to train myself on the other elements. While lamenting her own shortsightedness, Emma raised both hands, palms facing upward, and attempted the spell again.
“Wind magic, puff.”
A tremendous whoosh sounded from behind her. When she turned around, the wind she called forth was violently lashing the nearby trees. Leaves rained down everywhere.
“I..I’m so sorry!”
Emma apologized profusely to their classmates underneath the branches, covered in leaves. Not only was the wind not a puff, it wasn’t even contained to her palms. Another failure.
“Emma. The fact that you can create whirlwinds like this is a good sign. Once you get the knack for it, your skill will improve quickly. I know it, so don’t worry.”
“Rashida…”
Her friend’s overwhelming kindness made Emma want to cry. It had been so much easier to control water magic in my first life, so why can’t I do the same now? While she frowned, mulling the issue intently, she sensed a familiar presence standing next to her. A mature scent wafted from the individual. Bergamot and sandalwood. Aromas decidedly lacked in boys her age. She knew who it was without turning her head to look.
“Miss Emma, you have an affinity for water and wind, yes? Including time, a total of three. You should use the method most appropriate for each.”
“Hello, Lord Glen.”
Leaning against a nearby tree, arms folded, his stare had been unabashedly direct as he watched her fail again and again at beginner wind magic. She knew he had been there the whole time. Emma also knew that the other girls in their class were entirely focused on him, though at first glance they seemed to be taking the lesson seriously. Frankly, the whole situation made her uncomfortable, so she’d been ignoring him, not wanting to get tangled up in any drama. His scrutiny only made her more determined to succeed in using wind magic.
“Then… You’re saying you have a special technique for each type of elemental magic?”
“Correct. You may be an omni-affinity, but the element you’re using right now is wind. I suggest you use your head a little more and consider what that means.”
“Why, you!”
Emma couldn’t help retorting angrily at his biting mark. When she did, a few of the girls watching him shrieked indignantly. Glen’s personality matched his sharp, clean features. To put it bluntly, cool at best, ruthless at worst. He didn’t hide behind social niceties at all. Needless to say, aristocratic young ladies who’d never been treated so coldly by gentlemen before found him irresistible. And the more he revealed his real character, the larger his fan base grew.
In my first life, I always wondered why so many girls had gone off the deep end where he was concerned. To think this was why. But she knew he had repaired the fire damage she’d inflicted on her hair. When she tried to thank him for it the next day, he dodged the topic, giving her the slip in short order to boot.
Sometimes she wondered if she had dreamed up the kindness this shockingly uncouth son of a duke had displayed toward her. Not to mention his outrageous behavior upon their first meeting four years from now. If he had the audacity to kiss the hand of a girl he barely knew then, what kind of mayhem would he get up to in the meantime? For whatever reason, the young man in question seemed unperturbed by Emma’s frosty glare. His voice was exceedingly soft when he spoke for her ears only.
“The basic principle is the same even if you possess all the elemental affinities. It may prove challenging to exert control so suddenly, but… Regardless, focus on the attribute you’re using now. Or was all your talk of becoming an excellent maid just that?”
Controlling magic became harder the more affinities a person had. Though Glen’s attitude annoyed her to no end, she privately conceded he was the veteran as far as the elemental magics were concerned. Despite being grateful for his advice, Emma’s response was mulish.
“Fine. I’ll do as you say, sir.”
She held her hands aloft again, palms facing upward.
“What matters isn’t the spell itself, but the image you hold in your mind,” he said. “I visualize something different depending on which element I’m using.”
Concrete advice filtered down to her from his superior height. Heeding his words, Emma pictured Seagrove Manor’s garden. A relaxed, soothing breeze wound through it on a warm, sunny day. Her beloved idol, Sunny, was with her. She almost felt like she was there again.
This feels right. I think I can do it this time. Keeping the gentle touch of the wind from her memory in mind, she chanted once more.
“Wind magic, puff.”
A tiny, whirling gust of wind hovered in her hands. When she carefully brought it close, her hair fluttered silkily in the gentle breeze.
“Emma! I knew you could do it!”
She could tell from Rashida’s tone of voice that her friend was impressed.
“I did, didn’t I?! Goodness, I actually did it!”
After dozens of attempts, Emma finally succeeded at elementary wind magic. While she and Rashida squealed excitedly, their teacher noticed the hubbub and approached them.
“Well, well, good job, Miss Emma. And what a lovely shape it has. I know it took a bit of time and effort, but it paid off, hm? I’m certain you’ll improve even more henceforth.”
“Thank you very much!”
Wanting to thank Glen for his precise advice, Emma turned to look up at him next to her. Except…he was already gone. She glanced around, searching for him, and spotted him walking away with a friend back to their classroom. His companion was the boy who had kindly waved at her during their first class after her disastrous attribute test.