“There are a lot of people who misunderstand biotype magic. They think it’s just support magic focused on healing.”
The first lecture that freshmen attend—Applied Biophysical Enhancement.
Professor Murselt of the Biologial Department stood on the podium, raising a thickly muscled arm to show off his bulk.
“But that’s a huge misconception. Few types of magic are as practical in combat as biotype magic.”
As he said that, Murselt threw the ball in his hand.
Bang!
With tremendous speed, the ball flew across the room and landed cleanly in the teaching assistant’s hand at the back of the lecture hall.
The students gasped in awe as the assistant caught it without flinching.
“The pinnacle of modern biotype magic is enhancement. By reinforcing the body’s physical abilities, you can achieve things a normal human never could.”
Bang!
This time, Murselt caught the ball tossed back by the assistant.
It seemed he had enhanced not just his strength, but his reflexes and visual acuity as well.
“Whoa, that’s insane…”
Charis, sitting nearby, let out a low whistle.
Though He was physically capable himself, throwing or catching a ball like that was likely out of the question for him.
“I have to join the baseball club now.”
“……”
Looks like his thoughts were going in a completely different direction from mine.
“Some people think the ideal mage rains down flashy attack spells to crush their enemies from a distance. But that’s not the only style for modern mages.”
As he said this, Murselt turned to the blackboard and began writing in large letters.
“A combat style where you close in and take the enemy down at close range… This is what we call a melee-type mage.”
Melee-type mage.
I’d heard the term before, but this was the first time I’d heard it explained in detail.
“But don’t get the wrong idea and think melee mages are just spellcasting brawlers. While physical strikes are part of it, the essence is delivering powerful spells up close with speed and precision.”
“……”
“In close combat, a mage needs strength, stamina, and agility. And to meet those demands, they rely on various other magic types as well. For example, even just using wind-type magic can boost your speed. I bet many of you here have already learned movement spells using the wind element.”
Cain, Senia, and several others nodded.
“But in the end, the thing you have to rely on the most is your own body. No matter how well you manipulate wind, there’s no substitute for just moving your limbs yourself.”
With that, Murselt raised both arms.
His biceps swelled—ripping his sleeves in the process.
“Use biotype magic to enhance your entire body! That’s how you’ll become stronger than anyone!”
“……”
Some students clapped in admiration, but others looked uneasy or uninterested.
It was understandable—most aspiring mages were brain-over-brawn types, so this kind of physical emphasis probably felt like too much for them…
“Some of you might’ve been misled by that muscle head’s lecture, but the most important aspect of biotype magic is healing.”
In the next class, Biophysical Healing, Professor Sylvia offered a different perspective.
“Of course, that’s not to say enhancement magic is useless. But the mage’s primary role is not to engage in hand-to-hand combat.”
“……”
“A mage’s greatest advantage is the ability to fight from a distance. It’s better to avoid situations that require close combat and body enhancement magic altogether.”
She swept back her silver hair and continued in a calm tone.
“I’m not saying don’t learn enhancement magic. It’s useful in situations like long marches. But don’t be fooled by that muscle head’s sweet talk and start dreaming about becoming a melee mage. That’s a path only a select few, with the right aptitude, should pursue.”
Even though they were in the same department, Professors Murselt and Sylvia didn’t seem to get along.
“So the type of biotype magic you should focus on now is healing magic. It can treat all kinds of wounds, illnesses, and poisons. It’s the ultimate survival magic—maximizing your chances of making it out of any situation a mage might face.”
Survival.
The moment she said that word, several students’ eyes lit up.
They knew what was coming: the dungeon survival test.
“Just imagine going into a dungeon. The monsters aren’t the only threat. You might think a mosquito bit you, but then you’re suddenly burning with a fever. Or you breathe in some smoke without realizing it’s toxic gas. In those cases, only biotype healing magic can save you.”
“Ah…”
Many students nodded in agreement.
Now they understood why the practical evaluation was structured like a survival test.
“And while it may not apply to you yet… there are biotype mages who specialize in harming others’ bodies.”
“……!”
“Let’s say you’re in a duel, and the enemy mage gives you a headache using biotype magic. Do you think you could still cast your own spells properly in that state?”
Just imagining it was terrifying.
Modern magic is constructed and activated mentally.
If your mind is clouded with pain or dizziness, you’d have a hard time forming spells properly.
“That’s why you must study biotype magic seriously. No matter what your specialization is, it will always be useful to you.”
Satisfied by the students’ now-serious expressions, Sylvia smiled gently.
“Well then, let’s begin the main lecture. Everyone, open your textbooks.”
“Professor Sylvia had her say, but for a lot of us, biotype enhancement magic is actually more important.”
“That’s true.”
After class.
Cain, Senia, and I were having dinner together, chatting about the biotype magic lectures.
“For Senia and me, who specialize in close-range combat, enhancement magic is essential.”
“Whereas for someone like Eriol, who focuses on long-range spells, it’s probably less of a priority.”
“Even so, I don’t think enhancement magic should be neglected.”
I spoke while munching on a mountain of fries.
“Professor Sylvia herself said it’s useful for things like marching. There’s really no downside to learning enhancement magic.”
“Hmm… that’s a good point.”
“Especially since I’m physically weaker than you two.”
I’d done my best to stay in shape, but there was no way I could match Cain or Senia, who had been thoroughly trained since childhood.
“Both enhancement and healing magic will be essential in the Dungeon Survival.”
“Yeah, we’ve got to last three days and two nights in the dungeon.”
As the name suggests, Dungeon Survival is a practical test where students must survive inside a dungeon.
Of course, it’s not dangerous enough to put their lives at risk.
Assistants from the Biological Department are stationed throughout the dungeon to rescue any students in critical situations.
However, to earn a high score, the key is to endure until the end without any help from the assistants.
“There will probably be continuous situations in the Dungeon Survival that will be difficult to handle without using Biotech magic.”
“Since the test is hosted by the Biological Department, I’m sure they’ve designed it so that we have to use that type of magic.”
“We’ve still got plenty of time, so we’d better prepare thoroughly.”
Cain was relatively relaxed.
I’d heard before that the Trigger family also provided survival training.
“So, we’re forming a team of three this time, right?”
“Yeah, if you two are okay with it, I’d like to team up that way.”
“Please take care of me.”
Dungeon Survival is done in teams of three.
Teaming up with Cain, who’s from the Trigger family and skilled in survival, and Senia, one of the top students in the advanced class, should give us a good shot at a high score.
“Alright, if we’re doing this, let’s go for first place.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Haha. You’re more confident than you let on.”
Cain laughed and gave my shoulder a light tap.
“By the way, how big is that dungeon called the Catacomb? Can all the first-years even fit inside?”
At the time of the entrance ceremony, there were 1,021 freshmen.
But quite a few have already dropped out, so there are apparently about 900 now.
“We won’t all go in at once. They said it’ll be split over several days. Our top and upper rank classes will probably enter during the same time slot.”
“With the upper class…”
The upper class includes Helios and Charlotte.
Helios is practically a dungeon veteran, and Charlotte’s skills are formidable too.
Most likely, the team they’re part of will be our biggest competition.
“Just like in the last dungeon raiding contest, monster kill points will also count toward the ranking. Though there won’t be any item boxes this time.”
“The number of monsters will be limited. And the students from the top and upper classes will have to split them up.”
“As time goes on, the number of monsters will dwindle, so the competition will only get fiercer.”
The three of us had the exact thought.
“Then our strategy is clear.”
Cain smiled as he spoke, and Senia and I both nodded.
“Yeah, we’ve got to hunt monsters faster than anyone else.”
“To get a high score, that’s definitely the way to go.”
While most students will prioritize securing food, water, and a place to sleep to survive… we’ll take a different approach.
“And the preparations for that are already coming along nicely.”
“So, Eriol asked you for something weird, huh, Hephaestus?”
“What, how’d you figure that out?”
When he stopped by to check on the magic quad carriage, Kaisel’s remark made Hephaestus chuckle.
“Just so you know, I’m not helping them unconditionally. I’m actually the one assigning the tasks.”
“Tasks, huh.”
“Yeah. Things like, ‘Bring me these materials,’ or ‘Try completing this spell.’ Stuff like that.”
“So you’re going to make weapons for Eriol and the other students?”
“Not weapons. Exploration tools for Dungeon Survival.”
They were making full use of the loopholes in the school rules.
Even if someone raised a complaint later, there’d be no risk of Eriol or Senia getting punished.
“So you’re planning to earn their favour and lure them into the Production Department?”
“What’s wrong with that? I was originally only interested in Eriol, but Senia’s not bad either.”
“Then you’d better help them with a little more care.”
“What?”
“You never know what could happen in the Dungeon Survival.”
Hephaestus blinked at Kaisel’s unexpected tone.
“What are you talking about?”
“If it were inside the Academy, the professors could rush in to help. But the Catacomb where the survival test is being held is far from campus. If something happens, the Biotech assistants might not be enough to handle it.”
“…”
“If you really care about those two, you should send them in with equipment strong enough to keep them alive no matter what happens.”
Hephaestus looked flustered.
Was Kaisel onto something?
“Ever since this year started, there’s been a strange atmosphere around the Academy. Starting with the terrorist incident before the entrance exam, there’ve been one incident after another. Most were handled quietly without much damage… but once you’re outside the Academy, there’s no telling what could happen.”
“Hey, do you have any proof or something?”
“No proof. If I had any, I would’ve acted already.”
“…”
Hephaestus scratched the back of his head.
If even this legendary genius was saying this, it was probably best to just follow along for now.
“Fine, I get it.”
“…”
“If you’re going to push me this hard, I’ll just give them something even better. Just don’t complain if they end up joining the Production Department out of gratitude.”
Saying that, Hephaestus began rummaging through the materials piled nearby.
“In exchange, you’re going to help too.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You brought it up first.”
Hephaestus raised his chin and grinned.
“Let’s combine my Creation aptitude with your Dissolution aptitude and make one prototype. For the first time in a while.”
The genius Kaisel and the master craftsman Hephaestus.
Two of the Academy’s top talents were about to create an incredible gift for the freshmen.
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