Vol 1 Chapter 8 – Practical Training

I’ve thought this many times: Her Highness has talent—terrifying talent.

Even if spring came and she still couldn’t cast a single spell, the Royal Academy would bend the rules to let her in. If they didn’t, I’d question their sanity.

Still, if she’s planning to go only out of duty, she should skip it. That place is a nightmare for anyone who can’t use magic.

…How many times did I hear, “Stay away from the Linstar ducal heiress,” “Useless trash like you doesn’t belong at this school,” or just plain “Filthy commoner”?

And when they found out I was graduating early as salutatorian, they straight-up lost their minds. Good times.

Her Highness has already delivered real results with her crop research. Honestly, she’d learn more by getting field experience up north than by wasting time there.

“I want to attend the Royal Academy. It isn’t out of obligation.”

Her answer is firm and clear.

I line up seven candles, spacing them out. Okay—prep work done.

“Really? The greenhouse alone proves how much you love plants, Tina.”

“I do love them, and I was thrilled when the new strain sprouted. But—promise you won’t laugh?”

“I won’t.”

“…Ever since I was little, Mother read me stories about heroes who wielded great magic. Someday, I want to cast a massive spell like that too.”

She looks at me, cheeks rosy with embarrassment. Hm.

I give Her Highness a gentle pat on the head. Now then, time to explain today’s practicum.

“!? Wh-what was that just now? What was the point of that?!”

“Moving on. Ellie, listen up too. You’re joining the lesson today.”

“Pr-professor! I demand an explanation—an explanation!”

“Eh? M-me too? B-but Graham said—”

“I got his approval, so it’s fine. Tina, you’re okay with it, right?”

“…Of course, but professor, you’re so mean.”

Her Highness pouts. Ellie, beside her, looks completely lost.

Watching these two never gets old—always entertaining.

“Right, we have seven candles here. Use a different spell on each one.”

“The so-called seven elements you mentioned earlier, yes?”

“Exactly. Ellie, can you use fire magic?”

“Y-yes!”

“Relax, no need to be so stiff. Take it easy.”

“Um, so… I just need to light it?”

“Sure. Let’s start there.”

Cautiously, Ellie casts fire on the first candle.

A tiny flame flickers to life.

“Good job. Next, could you put a drop of water on the second candle?”

“S-sorry! I can only use a little fire and wind…”

“Then try stirring up some wind.”

“R-right.”

She holds her hand over the second candle, and the wick trembles slightly.

Handling both fire and wind right off the bat, huh? Not bad at all.

These days more people can manage entry-level spells like Ellie, but most stick to a single element. Overhyping strengths and weaknesses bites them here too.

…Not that I think it matters much.

“Thanks. If you can already use fire and wind, you’ve got a bright future, Ellie.”

“Th-thank you. But I’m really not that good…”

“Nonsense. At this rate you’ll be ready for the spring entrance exam.”

“Entrance exam??”

“Now then, Tina—”

“I can’t use magic at all.”

“Give it a try. Otherwise I can’t teach you.”

“…All right.”

With a trace of despair, Her Highness places her hand over a candle.

—I can feel her mana stirring.

Her magic formula assembles perfectly—textbook work, exactly what you’d expect from someone diligent.

And yet… nothing happens.

Weird. I can’t spot a single mistake. Honestly, it’s exemplary.

Her hand drops limp. She’s on the verge of tears.

“…I’m sorry. I knew I couldn’t do it.”

“No need to apologize. It’s fine. You’ve got mana; now we just have to figure out why the spell won’t fire.”

“…Okay.”

“Oh? Don’t you trust me, Tina?”

“That’s not—that’s not it…”

She lifts her downcast eyes toward me, then lowers them again, unsure.

…Pretty bad case. Sounds like previous teachers said all sorts of things.

To most folks, having mana and a flawless setup yet zero output is just incomprehensible.

But with talent like hers, once we pinpoint the cause, she’ll rocket past the rest—no question.

“All right, I’ll show you a demo. You two will learn to do this, so pay attention.”

Hmm, what to use? Basic spells are too dull—and no fun.

Got it. Let’s try this. It should look flashy enough.

I clap my hands lightly in front of the candles and nudge my mana just a bit.

Then—

“!?”

“Eeeeeeh?!”

“Yep—turned out nicely.”

The two of them are utterly shocked. How dramatic.

I won’t say it’s easy, but once you know the trick it’s not that hard. Back in the professor’s lab… how many managed it again? Maybe not all of them.

Anyway, you’ll be able to make flowers bloom—one for each of the seven elements—on all seven candles.

—After all, even someone once branded “incompetent,” like me, can do it.