The academic conference of Angelus University, hailed as the Empire’s finest, was now just a week away. University staff bustled about to welcome distinguished guests. Workers carrying fresh flowers and fabrics passed by the main building dozens of times each day.

Following their touch, the plain stone pillars were reborn, decorated with crimson lisianthus and loosely draped fabrics. It felt like early spring had arrived at the school despite the pale winter air lingering about.

While the school grew increasingly busy, strangely enough, the dormitory became quiet as a mouse. I heard that most students prepared for the conference from their homes since classes were suspended during the conference period. Perhaps that explained why noticeably fewer students were coming and going from the research lab. Instead, Professor Asrein received dozens of letters daily.

“Professor, this many came in today as well.”

“Just put them there.”

They were all theses and reports sent by students from the Department of Magical Creatures. Even students he’d never met were sending them in, gradually transforming the research lab into a document warehouse. Even after separating the graduates’ documents from regular students’, the pile remained mountainous.

Reports were at least ten pages long, and theses could reach dozens of pages, making the task seem endless. I placed the next thesis to read on the desk and cautiously probed Asrein.

“Will you read all of them?”

“I must.”

With his answer, an ornate quill moved rapidly across the paper.

“Though I can see the results clearly just by reading the first paragraph, this is their best work after all.”

“That’s… true.”

“So someone needs to read them and correct what’s wrong.”

I couldn’t tell him not to push himself. For students who hadn’t found a good mentor like I had, even a single line of feedback—or simply knowing that Asrein had read their work—would be precious. So despite feeling sorry for Asrein, I hoped he would read even more reports.

While organizing the scattered documents, I checked Asrein’s expression.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“It’s fine. Haven’t you already finished your report for the exhibition?”

“Yes. I finished early thanks to the edits you provided.”

“Good. Then rest comfortably during the conference period.”

Rest comfortably? There was no way I could rest while Asrein lived submerged in a sea of text from arrival to departure. There wouldn’t be any field trips or business trips for a while, so I needed to find something useful to do in the meantime.

Learning about magical power operation from Iris wouldn’t be a bad idea. Anything helpful would do….

As I was about to leave the research lab to avoid further disturbance, I suddenly remembered something I hadn’t mentioned. I turned back from my path toward the door and stopped in front of his desk.

“Um… Professor.”

“What is it?”

“I heard from Iris that Count Klaus might attend this academic conference.”

At the mention of the unwelcome name, his gaze, which had been fixed on reports, quickly shot up.

“…Count Klaus?”

“Yes. So I’m thinking of meeting him if the opportunity arises. It would be great if I could extract something from a brief conversation… but even if that doesn’t work, it wouldn’t hurt to make my presence known to lower his guard.”

“Is this about the banquet invitation from the Pergamon mansion?”

“Including that, and Iris’s situation too… I keep having suspicions.”

It seemed Asrein had also been secretly suspicious of Count Klaus. He slightly furrowed his brow, embracing concern, and fell into deep thought. Countless emotions flashed through his golden eyes that had lost their luster. As I stood quietly waiting for his permission, Asrein sighed and said:

“You already know what I’m going to say, don’t you?”

“Don’t push yourself, and contact me immediately if you get involved in anything dangerous… right?”

“Correct.”

Asrein nodded with a somewhat lighter expression. Then, leaning back in his chair, he gestured to me lightly. Was he going to send me on an errand? Without thinking, I circled around the desk and approached him from the side. Asrein reached out to me. His delicate touch cupped my cheek and slowly caressed it. The rich scent of ink that had soaked into his hand spread gently.

“Your expression has improved considerably.”

The corners of his mouth curling up hit my heart like an arrowhead. I was helplessly defeated by that gentle smile again. When those usually indifferent eyes looked at me with the warm glow of spring sunshine, even ordinary acts like my heartbeat and breathing felt special. I should be used to this by now—but it seems I’ll never develop immunity to this person.

“Tae-oh?”

His voice calling my name barely pulled back my far-drifted consciousness. If I didn’t leave right now, even a fool could read the personal feelings in my gaze toward him. I hastily stepped back, escaping his touch, and bowed my head.

“…I’ll be going now.”

After giving a stiff greeting, I left the research lab almost like I was fleeing. Walking aimlessly to sort out my confused emotions, I soon reached the main building. The area in front of the lecture halls with no classes was quiet except for workers busy decorating the school. Following the flow of my consciousness, my steps brought me to the Magic Department building.

“I wonder if Sezan is here…”

Sezan had mentioned at the restaurant that he would train in the campus practice room during the conference preparation period. Wondering if I could watch, I entered the building. Luckily, I found the stairs leading down to the practice room, but once there, I hesitated to enter and lingered in front of the door like a visitor from another school.

Just then, a purple head popped out from right beside me. Before I could even scream, I turned around in shock and met indifferent gray eyes.

“What? It’s just you?”

“Iris!”

“Why are you lurking around like a petty thief?”

“A thief? I was just wondering if I could enter the practice room.”

“Ah.” Iris let out a small exclamation and shrugged.

“Anyone from Angelus University can freely enter, as far as I know.”

“Really?”

“Why would I lie? But why do you want to enter the magic practice room?”

“I heard Sezan trains here. I wanted to watch…”

About to descend the stairs, I suddenly turned around and stared up at Iris. Feeling my suspicious gaze, Iris frowned and said curtly:

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“If you’re free, come with me, Iris.”

I grabbed Iris’s arm as she stood frozen like a statue at the top of the stairs. Although she followed obediently, her heavy footsteps clearly revealed her reluctance. Halfway down the stairs, Iris abruptly asked:

“Don’t you find that guy uncomfortable?”

“I used to, but now I’m fine. Why?”

“It’s strange. Being the son of the prestigious Duke Piart, yet being friendly with commoners like us.”

“This is Angelus University. Sezan simply needed friends beyond social status.”

“There are limits, even so. Besides, how can you be so sure?”

If I hadn’t seen Sezan surrounded by noble students in front of the library, I might never have known he was from a ducal family. He had treated me without prejudice. But Iris’s cold question left me speechless.

“…Um…”

When I couldn’t readily object, Iris snorted, clearly having anticipated this, and said:

“Don’t trust wealthy people carelessly. There’s always a reason behind kindness. That’s been my experience throughout.”

While Iris’s words certainly had merit… I didn’t want to doubt Sezan, or at least the people around me.

Leaving me suddenly serious, Iris went ahead down the stairs. Following her belatedly, I saw doors spaced apart on both sides of a corridor that felt as empty as a reading room. There was no need to specifically look for Sezan. Among the many practice rooms, only one had noise coming from it.

When I knocked carefully, the irregular thumping sounds disappeared. Shortly after, Sezan opened the door. He was wiping sweat from his forehead and cheeks with a towel around his neck when he saw me and widened his eyes in surprise.

“Tae-oh? What brings you here?”

“I thought Lord Sezan might be here. If it’s alright, could I watch for a moment?”

“Though I’m still unskilled and a bit embarrassed, please come in.”

Sezan smiled shyly and readily welcomed me into the practice room.

The practice room was surrounded by walls thick enough to withstand impacts created by magic. In an open space the size of a classroom that could accommodate thirty students, there was only a rock placed for the upcoming academic conference. Despite being underground, magical light filled the practice room.

While looking around the practice room that was quite different from what I had imagined, Sezan encountered Iris.

“Iris, you too…?”

“Yeah, well, Tae-oh asked me to come along.”

Despite having met and eaten together several times, Sezan and Iris still regarded each other warily. It would take quite some time to bridge the gap between their opposite personalities.

Before a chilly silence could fall, I quickly drew Sezan’s attention.

“I noticed you’re the only one in the practice room.”

“Most train at their family homes or villas, so practice rooms are quite quiet during the academic conference period. I’m here because I find the gaze of my family members burdensome.”

“Ah… Then please continue as you were and don’t mind us.”

“Hmm, I’ll try my best.”

Sezan put down his towel and slowly walked forward. He seemed oddly conscious of our presence, but soon closed his eyes and softly recited a prayer. Following his gestures cutting through the air, the flow of air slowly changed. Pressed against the wall watching various magic spells, I unconsciously blurted out my honest thoughts.

“I wish I could use magic skillfully too.”

The sight of breaking the rock in various ways and then restoring it was truly surreal. As I stood watching enviously, Iris suddenly said:

“You don’t necessarily need to use magic. You have something that’s yours alone.”

“What?”

When I turned around puzzled, Iris pointed with her eyes at the shadow cast at my feet. Realizing she was referring to Agnus, I let out a short sigh.

“It’s too much to ask every time. And I’m also lacking in magical power…”

“Having lots of magical power is good, but it’s not essential. How you use it is more important.”

“…How do you use it?”

Her mouth opened confidently to answer but merely twitched once without words. After thinking for a long time, Iris suddenly grabbed my wrist and called out to Sezan standing far away.

“Lord Sezan. I’m taking him away for a moment.”

Sezan, who had been reciting prayers, turned with questioning eyes. Though he seemed to have something to say, Iris paid no attention. Taking me into the adjacent practice room, she abruptly said:

“Bring it out.”

“Here?”

“Yeah. No one’s watching.”

After glancing back at the firmly closed door, I cautiously called for Agnus. Ripples appeared in the shadow extending from my toes, and a black cat suddenly popped out. Seeing this different form, Iris frowned deeply.

“What? Wasn’t it a wolf?”

“Yes. Agnus can change freely as desired. When I first saw it, it was a rabbit.”

“So it’s called Agnus. That’s a name I’ve never heard in any book.”

Excited to be out of the shadow after a long time, Agnus continuously rubbed its cheeks against my legs. Seeing the heat haze flowing from the tips of its fur, Iris let out a small exclamation.

“Indeed, you don’t need to learn magic. You just need to know how to handle this one well.”

“But Agnus consumes my magical power to maintain its physical form.”

“Then the solution to keeping it out longer is simple. Maintain it with minimal magical power. You’re probably using more than necessary since you’re not used to it yet.”

Iris extended her index finger and continued her explanation.

“Let’s say you have 10 units of magical power. And you’re using all 10 to summon Agnus. But what if 3 units of magical power are enough to summon and maintain Agnus’s physical form?”

“I could reserve the rest.”

“Right. You use the remaining 7 when directing attacks or defense. Simple, isn’t it?”

The theory was easy, but reality was different. Seeing my still puzzled expression, Iris shrugged.

“Magic is the same. There are many types of magic, but the spells you actually use frequently are limited. You don’t need to drop a boulder from the sky just to break an egg, right? Everything is a matter of efficiency.”

“So how do you efficiently manage magical power?”

“I’m sorry, but unless you’re a genius, the only way is to develop a feel for it through repetition.”

I’ve heard that to master swordsmanship, one must first swing a sword hundreds of times. Though close to simple labor, it was fortunately intuitive. For someone like me who had memorized entire solutions to tackle incomprehensible problems on exams, this level of challenge was nothing.

“That’s actually better.”

“Better?”

“I’ve had a lot of free time lately anyway.”

When I smiled brightly, Iris narrowed her eyes and muttered:

“…You’re really something.”

“Thank you, Iris. I’ll try the method you taught me.”

I now had a goal before the academic conference ended. Even if it meant staying up all night, even if it meant not leaving this practice room—I was determined to master the efficient use of Agnus.