Chapter 53: The Great Task

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As a magician, a person who received a failing evaluation?

I once again recalled the magician from that time and raised a big question mark.

“Th-That criminal, the magician who failed the entrance exam? This has to be some kind of mistake, right?”

“No matter how I think about it, that person seemed to be an incredibly talented magician on par with a national magician,” Mil chimed in, unable to hide her surprise, and questioned the headmaster.

But how could that criminal not be a national magician or at least an exceptionally skilled magician? We had personally experienced the extent of their abilities during the battle.

However, the headmaster didn’t correct us and proceeded to provide more detailed information.

“It seems so. According to the witnesses’ accounts, the criminal clearly possesses power comparable to that of a national magician. The flames he used in the actual incident detected a considerably high magical power value. However, a person named Abrico Gryard had previously taken the entrance exam for the Royal Harvest Magic Academy and was rejected.”

“…”

Seriously?

If it’s recorded information, it should be reliable. Even so, with their level of skill as a magician, he should have easily passed the magic academy’s entrance exam. Why did he end up being unsuccessful?

“Moreover, that person’s magical power value is only ’85,’ whereas the average for a national magician is 150, and for an average magician, it’s 100.”

“85!?”

Another astonishing fact came to light, making me question my ears. How could someone capable of using such powerful fire magic have a magical power value of only 85? It seemed like a miscalculation in the measurement.

Based on my personal perception, their magic clearly exceeded a magical power value of 200. So why…

“By the way, his magical element is not ‘red’ but ‘green,’ and the investigation revealed that his proficient magic is in the wind-based magic.”

“…”

I was completely lost. The information had become chaotic, and my head was starting to spin. The sensory experience from our actual battle and the information we heard were diverging too much. It felt as if we were being told about an entirely different person.

“Although it’s a mysterious case, similar incidents of magician rampages are occurring in other towns as well.”

“Huh?”

“Magicians who go berserk, losing their sanity and engaging in spontaneous acts of destruction. These individuals, during the incidents, unleash magic beyond their actual abilities and cause significant damage to the towns.”

“Magic beyond their actual abilities…”

Certainly, if we compare it to those examples, it could explain why that magician was able to use magic beyond their capabilities. But in the first place, it’s strange that they can exert power beyond their actual abilities.

While catalysts can enhance the power of magic to some extent, there are limits. Even with a hundred or so bundles of top-grade catalysts, they shouldn’t be able to produce such drastically enhanced magic. Since multiple catalysts cannot be used simultaneously, it should be impossible to perform such an audacious technique.

As I pondered, the headmaster revealed another enigmatic fact.

“The culprits haven’t regained consciousness after the incident, so we haven’t been able to conduct a thorough investigation yet. I believe the details of the incident will become clear soon, but what we currently know is that the magicians involved in the incident were ‘expanding the magical essence within their bodies to the extreme’ without using catalysts.”

“Expanding the magical essence to the extreme?”

“Is it possible to do such a thing without catalysts?”

“We can’t confirm it yet. However, individuals who have examined the bodies of the culprits have confirmed the expanded magical essence within them. This can explain their ability to use magic beyond their actual capabilities.”

The power of magic depends on the magical power value, which fluctuates based on the size of the magical essence. In other words, if the magical essence is expanding to its limits, it’s not surprising that they could use powerful magic. But is it really possible to achieve that without any special catalysts?

Even the headmaster seemed to be uncertain and shrugged, indicating that she didn’t have further details.

“The cause is uncertain, but it is a fact that the magical essence of the culprits expanded due to some factor. We are investigating the correlation between this expansion and their rampaging behavior. And now, here’s the main point.”

“…?”

“I’m telling you this because no one knows when another rampaging magician might appear. So, I want the two of you to help stop these rampaging magicians.”

“Help?”

Finally, we reached the main topic, but I tilted my head in confusion at the vague request from the headmaster. Seeing my reaction, she quickly provided additional information.

“You are aware that our academy will be hosting the Starry blossom Festival in one month, right?”

“Y-Yes.”

“The festival will attract many visitors, including numerous magicians among the spectators. Do you understand what this means?”

“Ah…”

I immediately grasped the headmaster’s intentions and felt a shiver run down my spine.

At first glance, this incident might seem unrelated to the Starry blossom Festival, but…

“Magician rampaging incidents occur sporadically. There are no clear signs or specific conditions, and they happen in various locations. It is like a disaster that can occur simply because ‘there are magicians present.’ In other words…”

“During the Starry blossom Festival, there might be rampaging magicians causing havoc within the academy?”

Headmaster Ananas nodded slowly in response.

Indeed, according to that reasoning, the academy would be at risk during the Starry blossom Festival.

With the already significant number of aspiring national magicians within the academy, coupled with the presence of numerous visiting magicians among the spectators, the likelihood of rampaging incidents occurring would be exceedingly high.

If such ferocious magicians were to wreak havoc within the academy, it could potentially result in casualties among the students.

“That’s why it’s your turn to step in.”

“Huh?”

“Among the students, only you two have the achievement of having already stopped a rampaging magician. So, if a rampaging magician or a student causing trouble appears within the academy, would you be willing to stop them?”

“…”

To stop a rampaging magician.

Upon hearing the request, Mil and I exchanged glances, not because we didn’t understand the meaning but because we could fully comprehend the reasoning behind the request.

Indeed, it made sense to entrust the task to us, considering our previous experience in stopping a rampaging magician.

However, even if a rampaging magician were to appear, the chances of us conveniently being there would be extremely low. By the time we arrived, there would likely already be victims.

As if sensing our doubts, the headmaster provided further explanation.

“I constantly maintain a special detection magic throughout the academy. Its range covers the entire campus, and if any incident occurs, I can immediately sense it. Since this detection magic will be active throughout the Starry blossom Festival as well, if I sense a rampaging magician, I plan to teleport the two of you to the scene remotely.”

“I see…”

The plan was to detect the incident through the detection magic and teleport us to the location. If that were the case, we could indeed rush to the scene.

“Ideally, I would directly teleport the culprits to the prison. However, remote teleportation requires the consent of the target, and they can refuse it. It is more reliable to teleport the two of you to the rampaging magician. So, I would like you two to take on the task of stopping the rampaging magicians…”

“Are you saying we should take on such a significant task?”

“Considering there is no one else besides you two who have successfully stopped rampaging magicians, that’s why I’ve approached you. Of course, in the event of a rampaging magician, the teachers will handle it primarily. However, the teachers will be quite busy during the Starry blossom Festival, so I thought it would be better if you could assist during the festival.”

Then, the headmaster glanced briefly at Professor Lezan before returning her gaze to us.

“Since you aren’t representatives of the Starry blossom Festival, you have more flexibility, making you suitable for the role. Of course, it won’t be without compensation. If you accept, you will receive the corresponding academic points and recommendations. If necessary, I am willing to listen to your wishes within my capacity. What do you think? Will you accept?”

“…”

Academic points and recommendations were honestly desirable.

Additionally, by doing this, we could owe a favor to the headmaster, making it quite advantageous. So, Mil and I exchanged glances and nodded in agreement with each other.

“Well, if it’s just stopping rampaging magicians…”

“If you’re okay with us, we’ll gladly help.”

“Ah, that’s it! It was the right decision to talk to the two of you!”

And so, by some twist of fate, Mil and I accepted the role of stopping rampaging magicians during the Starry blossom Festival.