The next day, I was overcome with much sleepiness.
Though Tirnanog tried to wake me up many times, it seems that I didn’t wake up at all no matter how he much he shook me.
『Erica, are you okay?』
“I think I will be fine, you should go to Beatrice, Tir.”
『Umu, I understand. Erica, do not overdo it.』
I sent Tirnanog, who was worrying about my physical condition, to guard Beatrice.
Next, after giving a message using a golem to Tricia, who was waiting for me at the dorm’s dining hall, that she doesn’t have to wait for me, I quickly prepared myself.
Then I only had a light drink for breakfast and rushed to the classroom in the school building.
Today’s first class is the Summoning Magic class of that Brad.
I’m afraid to imagine what he would do if I’m late.
When I arrived at the classroom, I could see that Brad was talking to the staff of the Phantom Beast Museum in front of the classroom.
“Your Barrier is still there. The initial arrangement was to remove it before the opening time, right?”
Oh, the Summoning Magic hasn’t started yet?
I may be lucky.
But I wonder how can I pass by in front of these two people and enter the classroom.
Without thinking, I hid myself in the shadows and listened to their conversation.
“There should be other conditions such as ‘if safety can be confirmed’. And I haven’t yet determined that it is safe.”
“The principal and the other teachers have all lifted their Barriers. The only one who hasn’t done so yet is you, Clochydd-sensei.”
“It’s because they are too lenient in their judgment. If that is all, then I will excuse myself.”
“Please wait. At the very least, can you narrow it down to a range that is acceptable for business?”
Lièvre stood in a way so as to block Brad who was trying to enter the classroom.
“……Understood. Then, I will explain it to Director Cuniculus directly so that he may understand my intention.”
“The director also agreed to the removal—please wait, Clochydd-sensei!”
Lièvre ran after Brad who was walking away quickly.
It appears they were talking about last night’s problem.
From their conversation, it seems like only the vicious Brad has been maintaining his Barrier around the Phantom Beast Museum.
I slipped into the classroom hiding my face while bowing the moment I passed by the two of them.
Hooray! I successfully avoided being late!
As I entered the classroom, Auguste had secured a seat for me and was waiting.
When our eyes met, he gave me a smile. It is a beautiful smile without the influence of any lack of sleep.
I was captivated for a few moments, but decided to sit next to him.
“Good morning, Auguste-sama.”
“Good morning, Erica. Brad is late somehow, so it looks like we’re lucky today.”
“Yes, it is fortunate that Clochydd-sensei seems to have a matter to attend to. I eavesdropped on him just now—”
I also conveyed the conversation I overheard just now to Auguste in a low voice.
“Heeh, so the Barrier that was deployed by that person still remains, huh……”
“If I have to say, I feel like what he did is correct. It only happened yesterday, you know?”
In a thievery case, evidence may remain on the scene.
Supposing that there is an insider, the perpetrator who wants to destroy the evidence can easily enter.
It will be safer to keep the site closed for a while.
Well, the staffs will be troubled though.
We should avoid exploring the museum tonight.
Even if Brad quickly removes the Barrier right now, it feels like it will be back again after the closing time has passed.
After a while, Brad returned to the classroom.
When he stood on the platform, the noisy classroom calmed down.
“In today’s class, we will learn how summoning magic relates to the magical layer and physical layer.”
Without mentioning any particular reason why he was late, Brad’s class began as usual.
He cast ‘Sticks to Snake’ magic which is the basis of the foundation and summoned a familiar gray snake on the platform.
“In the case of mutation magic using spirits, the magic structure that executes the spell effect exists in the magical layer. In this state, the stick existing in the physical layer was overwritten with the snake artificial spirit developed in the magical layer. Describe how to turn this snake back into a stick. Erica Aurelia.”
How does one restore the effect of the artificial spirit?
Recalling the Hanging Ghost from last night, I answered.
“Yes, we can remove the artificial spirit by Dispel.”
“That is correct. If there is no artificial spirit in the magical layer, the stick in the physical layer will return to its original form. Conversely, do you know how to approach and remove artificial spirits from the physical layer?”
It’s a difficult question, but this is the content of the textbook that I had read for my lesson preparation.
It should be possible to remove the catalyst by destroying it.
“If one destroys the stick which is its medium in the physical layer, the artificial spirit who has lost the object that linked it will disappear.”
“Very good. You’re indeed an excellent student.”
Brad said without changing his expression.
I definitely can’t accept his words obediently.
So that I won’t get conceited, after this I should do some self-study, it will surely be safer that way.
“In addition, pure artificial spirits that do not depend on the physical layer will also tolerate physical destruction. Thus, summoning with mutation magic has a number of weaknesses. On the contrary, it is possible to execute even with less magic and low control. This is true not only for summoning magic, but also for other low-level magic.”
Brad made a small magical flame float on top of his right palm.
Next, he created the magic circle for Dispel on his left palm and put it over his right hand.
When he opened his hands, the flame was gone.
“For the most part, magic is materializing the structure developed in the magical layer into the physical layer. Again, its convenience is as high as its cost; it is vulnerable to both Dispel and interference from the physical layer. Then, how does one make a flame that cannot be dispelled? This is slightly deviating from the summoning magic, but……Erica Aurelia, if it is you, surely you would know about it, no?”
Hmm, what kind of magic cannot be dispelled?
I remembered the 〈Cursed Sword of Fire〉 from six years ago.
It was a fire that would materialize, even if one uses Dispel on it.
“How about, make the Dispel ineffective by interfering with the causality or the space?”
“Hm, that’s an interesting answer. You are about the only freshmen who would reply with such an answer. Erica Aurelia.”
Brad looked around the classroom with an expression that doesn’t seem like he thinks it’s interesting.
“Interfering with the causality or the space. That’s another way to do it. But, it takes time to build, and one will need an unimaginable amount of magical power. I think that some of you will become researchers in such fields in the future, but it is a bit burdensome for your current self to understand. Erica Aurelia, do you also know how to cancel the Dispel in a more general way?”
Certainly, it was said that the 〈Cursed Sword of Fire〉 was moving with the magical power which the magical buildings with artificial spirits absorbed directly from the ley lines, plus that was not an ordinary magic.
From the tendency of Brad’s class so far, I don’t think he will continue to talk for so long about something that is not related to the class.
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