By Zephyria 
It had been the last week of August before I knew it, though I felt I hadn’t done much since returning to the Academy.
In Professor Jurgen Kaiser’s class, we learned how to write a permit for purchasing combat artifacts.
I knew there were multiple Magic Towers, but this was the first time I learned that each location had different characteristics and items for sale.
There were a total of five Magic Towers in the Sierran Empire, with the 1st and 2nd Magic Towers located in the capital. The two towers, standing tall at the eastern and western ends of the Academy, focused on gathering children with magical talent and raising them into proper Mages. Consequently, we could purchase artifacts made by children with their novice skills at a low price, as practice items. I felt a sense of warmth, thinking that the chick doll I had bought must have been an artifact made by a young Mage. Come to think of it, I had forgotten about it after giving it to Marianne, and now I couldn’t quite recall where I had put it.
The 3rd Magic Tower was located in the Duchy of Withrow in the forest, the 4th Magic Tower in the Duchy of Valentia on the plains, and the 5th Magic Tower in the Duchy of Yeldidus by the river. The Duchy of Withrow, which bordered the Yuil Mountains, was a rugged territory where one could reach the Shatun Desert directly after passing through Owen. Thanks to the many open spaces far from residential areas, it was ideal for conducting hazardous experiments, resulting in many Battle Mages and the widest variety of combat artifacts. I jotted down the warning that one must always check the certification mark, as experimental Mages occasionally sold incomplete artifacts.
The Duchy of Valentia and the Duchy of Yeldidus were said to readily support costly experiments due to their wealth, stemming from their proximity to rivers and vast plains. As a result, many Mages who desired peace spent their remaining years at the 4th and 5th Magic Towers, crafting artifacts for practical use. It was clear that their primary magic itself would also reflect the characteristics of their regions, and I firmly resolved to visit the 4th Magic Tower, where my maternal relatives lived, someday.
On Tuesday, Mage Boulder and I were racking our brains over an anatomical chart of the human body that he had meticulously copied, detailing the scientific names and functions of each acupoint to the best of my knowledge. It was true that to cultivate my internal energy cultivation method to a higher level, I needed to properly understand what already existed, but his pleading for help as he attempted to create a Dantian himself was unbearable. I had never heard of a commoner learning a new mind method at the age of over fifty, even after searching the entire Central Plains. I already knew from experience that Mana and internal energy had different properties. Mana was light and fast, whereas internal energy was heavy and slow. It was obvious that attempting to handle internal energy like Mana would shatter the Qi and blood throughout the body. For this reason, I refused several times, but Mage Boulder’s academic fervor persisted like a tantrum.
“But what if Young Master Ernhardt helps? Like how you infused energy into his back. If internal energy can somehow be managed…”
“If it could be managed with something like ‘somehow,’ then anyone and everyone would have a Dantian. Jin Gi Do In can only circulate internal energy, not accumulate it, which is why it’s possible for him. It’s about expelling toxins and boosting energy. It’s not a suitable method for accumulating Qi.”
“Then, while circulating, you just stop it midway.”
“How can you stop something that is flowing midway? Your very words are wrong. I haven’t done it, and I won’t do it for you.”
Douglas Mustang, who had been listening quietly, suddenly interjected.
“…Young Master Ernhardt. Is there no way for me?”
“Huh? Professor, why would you…?”
“I understand it’s difficult, but you haven’t personally experimented yet, Young Master. Even with your help, I understand it’s hard to create something like a Dantian in the body. I also know that the mind method draws Mana to awaken and strengthen the acupoints within the body, and I’ve already learned that path. Most importantly…”
“…”
“Mage Boulder and I are already seeing the non-physical world. I think we can try. If it goes well, it could be a great help in upgrading Young Master Ernhardt’s mind method. Also, having only one specimen, Young Master, makes me uneasy.”
Professor Mustang’s last remark struck a chord. He meant that he didn’t want me to be the only one constantly experimented on, so he wanted to try himself. I let out a small groan at his words, filled with concern. The concept of a mind method that had been passed down for thousands of years wouldn’t apply to him. It was true that practicing internal energy cultivation methods after the age of fifty was unprecedented, but the fact that magic practitioners had begun researching internal energy cultivation methods was also unprecedented in the history of the Central Plains, making it impossible to give a definitive answer. After thinking for a long time, I sighed deeply and gave my permission.
“…However, if it seems dangerous, I will sever the Qi flow, even if you get slightly injured.”
“Thank you, Young Master.”
“No, didn’t you and Professor Mustang say the exact same thing? Why this discrimination?” Boulder protested, but I had no energy left for him. I carefully taught Douglas and Boulder the incantations for breathing and regulating energy in a simplified manner. I wasn’t sure if I was translating and speaking correctly, so I referred to the anatomical diagrams and corrected myself several times, which took a considerable amount of time. Since their learning methods differed from those of the Central Plains, I allowed them to memorize and practice before attempting breathing and regulating energy in front of me.
In the Imperial Genealogy Class, we learned by studying detailed accounts of the relationships between past Emperors. Calypse Agrigent, who lectured on the rumor that one Emperor’s consort was not human but a Dragon, added his commentary in his usual frail voice.
“Actually, there are divided opinions on this matter. Empress Argentia was too human to be suspected of being a Dragon. She could use magic, but she wasn’t strong, and there are no records of her commanding spirits.”
“…”
“Then why did the theory that she was a Dragon arise? Academia explains this as a process of creating Divinity. It’s a story about the possibility that the Emperor of that era lied to legitimize a marriage between different social strata, a union between nobility and commoners. Marriage with a commoner without a title could be a dangerous act that might lead to losing supporters.”
The explanation was that, despite all this, for the sake of love and to maintain monogamy without taking concubines, they borrowed the authority of Dragons and myths. If I had been myself before visiting the botanical garden, I wouldn’t have understood a man who was so anxious that he would harm his family. Now, I was merely curious if the Emperor of that era viewed his Empress with the same eyes as he viewed Marianne.
During this week’s eulogy of fine horses, Benjamin finally succeeded in riding a horse impressively. This was thanks to him visiting the stables every day this week, juggling eggs, and coaxing the horses with carrots. After the black horse Victor accepted Benjamin, other horses began to be less wary of him or run away. Benjamin, overjoyed by this, hugged me tightly and spun me around several times. However, because the child had too much faith in my strength, he didn’t restrain his rough grip. Even after being spun around like a kite and set down, I couldn’t regain my senses for a long time. I told the child I was fine, but when I washed myself that night, I saw clear, dark bruises on my shoulders and waist. It was a miracle that my bones didn’t break, given how sturdy my muscles and bones were.
The next day, in the advanced swordsmanship class, Rubel, who noticed my discomfort on his own, looked very worried. I casually hinted at the reason. I had said it thinking he wouldn’t worry if he heard about Benjamin’s joyous outburst, but seeing him gently trace my shoulder with his fingertips with an even more regretful expression made my heart warm.
“I’m really fine. It doesn’t hurt much.”
“…Aren’t you supposed to have a flying dagger technique class this afternoon? Are you okay?”
“Well… what if I’m not okay?”
When Benjamin, who had returned exhausted after challenging Maelo Sanson with his teammates and had his energy completely drained, asked what happened, I replied that nothing was wrong. In the practical flying dagger technique class, my daggers no longer flew off course when aiming at a 10-meter target. Seeing them lodge in the edge of the target, even if the direction was occasionally altered by the wind’s direction or strength, made my chest swell with pride. However, it was still regrettable that I didn’t know a mind method suitable for the flying dagger technique and had to compensate with slow breathing. I thought about whether I could create an internal energy cultivation method later with Professor Douglas Mustang and Mage Boulder.
And then, on Thursday evening, I heard a thunderous piece of news. I was chatting with Shayden, who had come to check if I was watering the potted plant I had received from Jenny last week. As Shayden listened to me boast about becoming a little more proficient in the flying dagger technique, he suddenly rubbed his hands and said, “My hands are numb to death. Still, I managed to use them all on time. Even after removing what I could, it still filled 20 pages.”
“…Huh?”
“Huh? What’s with that expression? The report for Professor Cedric is due on the fourth week. This month’s assignment is due tomorrow at 1 PM.”
I had completely forgotten. There were many excuses I could have made. Last week, I had gone to the botanical garden right after alchemy class, and for the rest of the week, I had spent my mornings on personal training, breathing and regulating energy, and Sanson’s classes. My afternoons were busy with various subject classes, and after class, I visited the stables for Benjamin. By the time I finished dinner and my personal training, there was no time left. Hurriedly, I got up and retrieved the handouts from my study and the notebook I carried during the camping class. Fortunately, Jenny had shown me her notes beforehand, so I had copied some of them, and during the last alchemy class, I had meticulously recorded every step. I had enough material to write the report immediately.
Shayden clicked his tongue and stood up, tidying his things. “It’s good I told you now. If you start writing now, you won’t be late for submission tomorrow. You just need to submit it to the assistant in the Alchemy department office by 1 PM. I’ll walk with you, so just finish it before tomorrow’s beginner swordsmanship class.”
“…Okay, thank you.”
“Cheer up, Mika. You can do it!”
His affectionate encouragement was both annoying and welcome. I dragged my still aching body and buried my head in thought. It took me over five hours to summarize what needed to be written on a blank sheet of paper, then convert it into prose and diagrams, and finally write it on the designated report paper.