Vol 1 Chapter 6 – One Thought

What stuck with me from the heroic tales that were read to me as a child was how the characters tossed around outrageous spells as if they were nothing.

The “Heavenly Thunder” wielded by the Hero supposedly felled a dragon with a single strike.

The “Falling Star” cast by the Sage wiped a nation off the map in one night.

The “Resurrection” invoked by the Saint returned the dead to life.

The “Radiant Blade” brandished by the Knight split the sea and tore the sky.

Someday, I wanted to cast such grand magic myself.

That was what my childish heart believed.

Yet once I learned to read and eagerly opened real magic tomes, my admiration curdled into disappointment.

Even though magical research has undeniably advanced, no one alive can cast those spells anymore. Worse, the number of mages capable of the pinnacle spells of each element shrinks every year.

—Hmm? Isn’t that strange?

If we were still in the days when printing presses or inscription orbs were unreliable, maybe. But now—while those technologies keep improving—magic itself is fading?

True, some great houses cling to family-only spells, passing them down by word of mouth. Even so, the discrepancy feels wrong.

Battles between nations may have dwindled compared to the old days, but monsters still rampage everywhere, and dragons and demons are very much alive. No one claims those threats have gotten weaker.

Opportunities to hone magic in real combat are a dime a dozen.

And yet, the magic humans can wield keeps getting a little weaker—

“B-But we have to consider that the base of magic users has broadened…”

“True. Even so, grand magic is undeniably in decline. We’re propping ourselves up with quantity over quality.”

“…………”

“Even in our own kingdom, only a handful can wield the spells that symbolize the ducal houses—the Blaze Phoenix, the Frost Wolf, the Tempest Dragon, the Thunder King Tiger. Their power is several ranks lower than before. The current Blaze Phoenix might be the strongest ever, but it’s an outlier.”

“…So what you’re saying is that our entire approach to learning magic is fundamentally wrong?”

She really is a prodigy.

“Excellent. Exactly.”

“You’re saying all the improvements every nation has made since the Demon King War two hundred years ago… were pointless?”

“I wouldn’t call them pointless. The number of people who can use magic has certainly skyrocketed. But the end result is lower quality. Doesn’t that suggest something’s off?”

“…My head is spinning.”

Yeah, I figured.

The only one who bought into this idea right away was that old partner of mine—

“But I believe you. What should I do? From what you said earlier, it sounds like the elemental spirits no one has ever verified are involved.”

“…I honestly don’t understand why you trust me this much.”

“Eh? Well… n-never mind! Please continue!!”

Her Highness suddenly turned bright red. Did I step on a land mine…?

I cleared my throat to cover it up and went on.

“I believe humans can use magic because invisible spirits lend us their power. Mana is the fee we pay in return.”

“But wasn’t that theory disproven over a century ago? If spirits existed, fire spells cast at a volcano should be stronger, yet no matter where they’re cast, the power stays about the same.”

“You’ve really studied, haven’t you? Correct.”

I started to reach out with my right hand to pat her head—then stopped myself just in time. Close call.

…Though for some reason Her Highness still looks displeased.

“But—Tina, do you think a fire spirit could live in the ocean?”

“Huh? W-Well, I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“B-Because fire can’t exist underwater, so a fire spirit couldn’t either…”

“And how would you prove that?”

“T-That’s unfair… That’s cheating…”

“Heh, sorry. You’re so talented, Tina, I felt like teasing you a little.”

“…Sensei really is a bit mean.”

Her Highness’s eyes were watery. Yep, she’s cute. And truly brilliant. Talking with her is a delight.

“Here’s my thought. If spirits do exist, maybe elemental affinity doesn’t mean that much to them.”

“…That they have no element at all?”

“Not that extreme, but I assume only mild preferences and weaknesses. Now, look at how current spell formulas are built.”

“Fire spells call only fire. Water only water. Wind only wind… Each formula forces a single element to manifest.”

“I have no proof. But if spirits exist—would they gladly help someone who forces them to do the exact same task every single time?”

“…They probably wouldn’t.”

“Exactly. Well done.”

Incidentally, when I laid this idea out for the Headmaster, his face turned very, very sour. I suspect the long-lived races—elves, giants, and the like, who maintain a façade of friendship with humanity—have some unspoken agreement. Otherwise they’d be overwhelmed by sheer numbers in the end.

Even now, they’ve already lost real power thanks to a population gap beyond overwhelming… Of course they’d want to protect what little remains.

—Well, none of that concerns me.

“Now then, we’ve talked long enough. Let’s move on to practical training.”

“…Sensei.”

She still isn’t satisfied. Can’t blame her.

“I am not satisfied! Explain immediately why you patted Ellie but not me! And… stop talking to me so formally!!”

…I still have a long way to go before I understand how this girl’s mind works.