Shirone: "Yes. Why is anti-magic forbidden? Countless mages are researching it legally."
Ethela nodded as if acknowledging a good question.
Ethela: "There are two types of anti-magic. Anti-magic spells cast by mages, and anti-magic enchantments embedded in artifacts. Are you aware of this?"
Shirone: "Yes, I've heard of it."
Ethela: "In truth, it's better to think of anti-magic not as magic but as a unique wavelength of Spirit Zone. It disrupts the opponent's Spirit Zone with one's own. However, unlike artifacts, when two people clash, it becomes a mental seesaw battle. Unlike objects, humans have emotions."
Shirone: "If attempted carelessly, it could place an excessive strain on the mind."
Ethela: "Exactly. In reality, mages who specialize in anti-magic spend their entire lives training in it alone. They cultivate a mind as unfeeling as an object. The academy simply doesn't wish to recommend such a method to students like you, who are still learning."
Finally, Shirone understood.
Whichever way, it was a combat magic where at least one person would suffer harm—hardly something suitable for student research.
Ethela: "Now, let's return to the lesson. From this point on, we'll begin practicing the basics of the Cubic Formation."
As the students began their practical exercises, Shirone separated himself to practice the defensive form.
The key was to mentally brace oneself while simultaneously reinforcing the framework to prevent collapse.
Shirone felt his Spirit Zone solidify and his eyes widened.
Though it wasn't the Image Zone and thus not visibly confirmable, he had undoubtedly succeeded.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'It worked. It really worked.'
His convergent nature played a part, but even accounting for that, it was a remarkable achievement. His years of training solely in Spirit Zone had not been in vain.
Just then, his classmates pointed at the Image Zone.
Student 1: "Whoa! Look at that!"
The Class Four seniors were taking turns training, and currently, Amy was demonstrating a dazzling technique.
Her specialty was the Target-Type.
A cross-shaped formation rotated 90 degrees to the right, then spun 270 degrees to the left, shifting angles unpredictably as it launched flames.
Her Spirit Zone spanned about 20 meters in diameter—modest for a Target-Type—but the rotational speed of its axis was beyond imagination.
Even as targets emerged from all directions, the sheer volume of flames fired from four sides was nearly rapid-fire.
After obliterating 120 targets, Amy took a deep breath and released her Spirit Zone.
With her pretty face and exceptional skill, the admiration in the underclassmen's eyes was palpable.
Student 2: "Is that Senior Karmis Amy?"
Student 3: "First-rank nobility, unbelievably gorgeous, and on top of that, her skills are top-tier. If I could even meet a senior like that, magic school would be worth it."
Student 4: "Dream big. They say over a hundred guys have tried hitting on her in the four years she's been here. Not once has she given any of them a glance."
Student 5: "No surprise. The Karmis family is one of the most prestigious in the kingdom."
Hearing this, Shirone grew even more puzzled.
Why would someone so extraordinary have associated with a back-alley vagrant?
The moment their eyes met as Amy descended from the Image Zone, Shirone's shoulders flinched.
Naturally, the other students followed her gaze and turned to look at him.
Student 6: "Huh? Do those two know each other?"
Student 7: "No way. He just enrolled yesterday."
Student 8: "Then is it genuine interest? That senior hates even making eye contact with guys."
Amy hastily turned her head away.
She had mishandled her gaze, but honestly, it was driving her crazy.
Amy (Thoughts): 'That guy's eyes… He definitely remembers.'
If her past actions came to light, it would be troublesome—but strangely, she wasn't too concerned.
Her goals were now firm, and she thought only of becoming the best.
Amy (Thoughts): 'The problem is…'
She had remembered. What she had tried to do to Shirone when she was around twelve.
Amy (Thoughts): 'Why did I even do that?'
Why him, of all people?
Classmate: "Amy, are you okay? Your face is all red. Did you overexert yourself in the Image Zone?"
Amy shook her head frantically.
Amy: "It's nothing!"
She stubbornly turned away.
She would rather have beaten Shirone black and blue than admit one undeniable truth—that she had once felt a flicker of romantic curiosity toward him.
Amy (Thoughts): 'This is insane. I need to make sure he keeps his mouth shut. Forget embarrassment—this is a tactical disaster.'
Now that she was a mature woman, she knew full well that if the whole story came out, she would be the one humiliated.
Amy (Thoughts): 'I'll have to approach him discreetly.'
After Amy's demonstration, no other students dared to use the Image Zone.
With the new semester just beginning, no one wanted to invite comparisons to the top-ranked senior.
Seeing his chance, Shirone raised his hand.
Shirone: "Professor, may I give it a try?"
Ethela: "Hmm? The Image Zone?"
Ethela tilted her head. A beginner who'd just learned the principles of Cubic Formation had no real need to use it.
Ethela: "Well… Let me think. The facility's rules prioritize upperclassmen—"
She glanced around, but no other students were approaching the equipment.
Ethela: "Alright. Early exposure won't hurt. But no target practice—you could get hurt."
Shirone: "Thank you."
As he stepped into the Image Zone, seniors whistled and clapped, amused by the "cute" underclassman.
The commotion made Amy—who'd been drinking water—turn her head. The moment she saw Shirone, she spat out her water in shock.
Amy: "Pfft—!"
Classmate: "Amy, what's wrong with you today?"
Amy: "What the hell is he doing? A Class Seven has no business up there!"
Then Shirone activated his Spirit Zone.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'I can see it.'
A blue sphere erupted from his mind, swelling rapidly. The sight stole his breath.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'W-What?'
Overwhelmed by the visual, Shirone instinctively halted the expansion.
The noise died instantly. Every student gaped.
Classmate (whispering): "...It's huge."
A 20-meter Spirit Zone.
Considering Class Seven's average was 13 meters, this was the arrival of a prodigious freshman.
Senior 1: "Not bad, kid."
Senior 2 (scoffing): "Hah! Size alone doesn't make a mage. That's just a glorified soap bubble."
Shirone ignored them, pouring everything into preventing collapse.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'This is strange.'
The mental framework that had worked flawlessly ten minutes ago now warped like stretched taffy.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'Why won't it hold?
Maybe the visual overload had shaken his focus—but Shirone refused to believe he was that weak.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'There's a reason. What's different? The only variable is…'
A realization struck.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'Scale.'
His assumption—that a smaller Spirit Zone would make Cubic Formation easier—was dead wrong.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'It's the opposite. Altering form drains mental energy. And mental energy is…'
The Spirit Zone itself.
Thus, reshaping it required exponentially greater concentration.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'Then…'
His eyes sharpened.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'I'll expand it to the limit.'
Shirone doubled down.
As he stopped fixating on the visual, his Spirit Zone ballooned to over twice its size.
Seniors' eyes bulged.
The display screen flashed: 41-meter diameter.
Even Class Four's average was 27 meters. This was near-graduation level.
Senior 3: "What the—? How's his Spirit Zone that massive?"
Spirit Zones grew through training—but not physical conditioning. It demanded epiphanies. Without that spark, a lifetime of drills meant nothing. That was why magic belonged to the talented.
Ethela was equally stunned.
Ethela (Thoughts): 'He must've spent his life contemplating truth and dissecting inner turmoil. But he's only seventeen… A true anomaly.'
Oblivious to the awe around him, Shirone focused on framing his Zone.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'Balance is key. Reinforce evenly.'
Squinting, he initiated the defensive form. The colossal sphere constricted, threatening to crush him.
Students paled at the scale—a 40-meter orb compacting inward.
Classmate (breathless): "Whoa…"
Then, with a grunt, Shirone's Cubic Formation crystallized.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'Success.'
He marveled at his creation. It felt like being encased in diamond.
A perfect cube, now 13 meters wide—over 50% smaller, yet infinitely more durable.
Classmate (shouting): "He did it! A freshman mastered Cubic Formation on day one!"
While some seniors scowled at the upstart, most were impressed—especially the female students.
Amy, however, simply saw Shirone for the first time.
Amy (Thoughts): 'Right. That's who he is.'
How had she forgotten? Her very reason for pursuing magic traced back to the humiliation Shirone had dealt her.
Amy (Thoughts): 'Who are you?'
Talent alone couldn't get anyone into this school. He had to have a patron.
Who stood behind him?
The past incident weighed heavier as Amy's suspicions multiplied.
Meanwhile, Shirone blinked innocently at Ethela.
Shirone: "Professor, it shrank way more than I expected."
Ethela: "Naturally. But with a mental framework, it'll withstand most shocks—even physical impacts."
Shirone: "Ah."
Physical impacts.
In war, mages—physically vulnerable—were priority targets.
Shirone (Thoughts): 'Even mental attacks won't collapse the structure now. These techniques combine to make a mage's combat prowess.'
Ethela scratched her brow.
Ethela (Thoughts): 'So the rumors from the entrance exam were true.'
Still, she reserved judgment.
His insight was undeniable, but his success stemmed from his convergent nature and freakishly large Spirit Zone.
Finally noticing the stares, Shirone retreated to a corner, flustered.
He never saw Amy's burning glare.