“Though it may be taken for granted, every human possesses a Sphere,” the professor added. “After all, there is no such thing as a human without a soul. However…unfortunately, only an extremely small number of those with a Sphere have one that will allow them to be competent as a mage. This is because it is too difficult to use magic with a poor-quality Sphere.”
The students who still hadn’t opened their Spheres went pale.
“But please don’t worry,” she went on. “You new students are all here today because you have passed the academy’s strict aptitude test. Your very presence means you already possess a Sphere of the minimum qualities required to become a mage. Beyond that, all else depends on how much effort you put in.”
That appeared to reassure the new students.
Randy let out a sigh of relief. “Whew… Looks like I won’t need to do the walk of shame back to my hometown after all.”
“Ordinarily, humans are not only unable to control this Sphere that is indispensable to using magic, but they also can neither see nor feel it. Do you know the reason why? How about you, Randy?” asked Professor Anna.
“Huh?! Me?! Um…?!” Having suddenly been called on, Randy hurried to rack his brain for an answer. “U-um, it’s because…this is the material world, and…since humans physically exist in that world…the other five senses get in the way, so they don’t notice they have the Sphere because it exists beyond the physical realm…or something like that?”
“Yes, that’s correct! Well done.” Professor Anna clapped once again. “That’s right. Ordinary humans are unable to notice the existence of their Spheres. And that’s why ordinary humans are unable to use magic,” she explained. “Accordingly, the first step toward becoming a mage is to awaken to the existence of the supersensory perception that is the Sphere. And this is called opening the Sphere. Now, regarding how to open this ever-so-crucial Sphere…”
“Hmph. You use that stuff, right? That pitiful excuse for a potion,” came a sarcastic voice from among the White Class.
Everyone turned their attention to the speaker…a high-strung-looking boy with swept-back blond hair and glasses.
“Fool’s Elixir,” he scoffed. “You’d think people would be embarrassed to rely on some potion in order to become a mage.”
“You’re…Alfred, correct? Of the Lordston family?”
“I’m not surprised you’ve heard of us. We are famous…and our power is incomparable to these dime-a-dozen wannabe mages. I’ll have you know I’ve already opened my Sphere. All on my own, of course,” he said snidely while pushing his glasses up.
The students started to murmur.
“That jerk…! He thinks he’s so much better than us…!” Randy growled in irritation, balling his fists in anger.
“…” Annie was looking down forlornly.
“Hmph…what a narrow-minded little boy. I, too, have opened my Sphere, and I’m proud of it. So who cares about whether others use the Fool’s Elixir?” Serephina added, although her response was somewhat contradictory.
Uh…which part am I supposed to be mad about, again?! wondered Rix, the only one who was still totally lost.
The mood had shifted against Alfred in one form or another.
“In fact, there is some truth to Alfred’s statement.” Professor Anna began to try to settle the group. “Originally, the Sphere was something that was only finally awakened after long years of strict spiritual training. From the point of view of those who opened their Spheres in that way, it may feel unfair to be able to unlock the Sphere with the Fool’s Elixir. However, opening the Sphere on one’s own requires a person to train continuously from a very young age. And the older someone gets, the more they are bound by their view of their world and the limitations of their own body, and thus it becomes more and more difficult to break down those prejudices. Furthermore…typically only rich noble families are able to train their children in magic from such a young age. That is why magic has been a privilege of the noble class for so long.”
“…”
“But thanks to a certain mage’s development of the Fool’s Elixir, that has all changed,” she added. “Now even commoners can become mages…and as a result, there are many more mages than ever before. In turn, we’ve been able to achieve unprecedented progress and development in magic. We mages are the ones who unravel the truths of this world. I believe that is precisely why the Fool’s Elixir has its own legitimate significance. So for now, could you please set aside your misgivings?”
Professor Anna wore a gentle smile.
Unable to come up with a valid counterargument, Alfred turned away.
“H-hmph! It’s all because of that Fool’s Elixir that we’ve got more clueless idiots like the Faith Faction becoming mages!” he scoffed. “Well, do what you want. Not like it matters if I disagree with the academy’s curriculum anyway!”
“Heh-heh, thank you for your understanding. Let’s go ahead and get started.”
Now that this slight disturbance had been dealt with…it was time to move on to the ritual that would allow the students to open their Spheres.
First, Professor Anna handed each student a small bottle filled with a strangely colored liquid potion.
Everyone gazed at theirs curiously.
“Did you all get one? That in your hand is the Fool’s Elixir, which will help you to open your Sphere,” Professor Anna explained. “Even if you have already opened your Sphere, please use the potion and try facing your Sphere from a new perspective. If you do, I’m certain you will discover something new and grow.”
Rix and Serephina also held the Fool’s Elixir in their hands.
Even Alfred, who had been so negative about it, had reluctantly received one.
“Allow me to remind you that simply drinking the potion is not enough to awaken the Sphere—it’s not a miracle drink, after all,” the professor told her students. “Actually, the potion is more akin to poison. If you use it incorrectly, you could die.”
““““?!?!?!””””
Hearing her say something so terrifying with a smile, the already restless students went pale again.