Episode 5:In Front of the Blackboard I Turned “Emotions” into Formulas
The classroom at the Royal Magic Academy was‚ as always‚ a “good old magical space.”
The wooden desks bore scorch marks from magical power‚ and faded magical diagrams hung crookedly on the walls. The light streaming in through the windows reflected off the barrier’s light rings‚ dyeing the entire classroom a faint blue.
The students chattered as they took their seats‚ speculating about today’s lesson.
“I hope today’s lesson is something like ‘baking bread with magic~’” said Mark from the back seat‚
“You say that every single time‚” Cross retorted.
“But doesn’t bread baked with magic taste like ‘the flavor of destiny’ or something?”
“Your destiny is already charred to a crisp.”
(……The magical academy getting excited over bread talk… way too peaceful.)
Aria Adel sat quietly in a front-row seat.
Tapping her fingertips lightly‚ she gazed at the professor standing in front of the blackboard.
The elderly magic professor——Gray Balmoot.
His white hair tied back‚ his eyes behind the glasses sharp yet somehow filled with kindness.
“Now then‚ everyone. Today‚ you will experimentally learn about the ‘intersection between theory and emotion.’”
With those words‚ the atmosphere in the classroom tightened sharply.
“Magic has two aspects: construction and performance. Construction requires precision‚ while performance involves the flow of emotion. Today‚ you will stand at that ‘crossroads.’”
(……Crossroads‚ huh.)
Aria’s chest stirred just a little.
Theory‚ she understood. She had the construction formulas and calculations in her head.
But putting “emotion” into magic——that was an unknown territory for him.
From the neighboring seat‚ Rinne whispered softly.
“Aria‚ today’s your chance to finally do the ‘poof~’ thing.”
“…Isn’t that from Iris’s quote book?”
“Yeah! But Iris said if you put feeling into it‚ it’ll go ‘poof~’!”
(……The definition is way too vague.)
Still‚ Aria tapped her fingertips while staring at the “Basic Formula for Emotional Magic” written on the blackboard.
Today’s lesson might become——a small step forward for him.
“First‚ let’s quickly review the difference between theoretical magic and emotional magic.”
Professor Gray drew two lines on the blackboard with chalk.
One was labeled “Construction Formula‚” the other “Emotional Wave.”
“A construction formula controls the flow of magical power using equations and diagrams. It is precise and stable‚ but lacks flexibility. In contrast‚ emotional magic amplifies and modulates magical power by riding ‘waves of emotion.’ It has high improvisational quality‚ closer to a performance.”
The professor lightly tapped the magical tool in his hand.
A small orb of light floated above the desk.
“This is a light orb created by a construction formula. It is stable but does not change.”
Next‚ Iris was called forward.
“Iris‚ show us your ‘performance.’”
“Yeees!”
She brought her hands together in front of her chest and closed her eyes.
Then‚ as she gently exhaled——
The light danced.
Like musical notes‚ it bounced‚ swayed‚ and twirled through the air.
Its colors and shapes changed according to her emotions‚ like a “magical waltz.”
“…Amazing.”
The entire class held its breath.
Aria‚ too‚ found herself mesmerized.
It was something impossible with construction formulas——free‚ soft‚ and yet undeniably “magic.”
(……So that’s emotional magic.)
The professor nodded and said.
“Emotional magic includes ‘fluctuations’ that cannot be fully explained by theory. But those can also become power. Today‚ I want you to experience that ‘fluctuation.’”
While writing construction formulas in his notebook‚ Aria suddenly stopped his hand.
(……How do you put emotion into magic? How?)
His head was filled with equations and structural diagrams.
But there was nowhere——to insert “feelings.”
“Aria‚ your face has become the ‘face of someone who ran into an impossibly difficult problem.’”
Rinne whispered from the side.
“…Probably correct.”
“It’s okay! If you do ‘poof~’‚ it’ll somehow work out!”
“…That’s not an all-purpose spell‚ you know?”
Even so‚ a faint smile appeared on Aria’s lips.
It was difficult. But interesting.
That was his honest feeling right now.
“Now‚ each of you‚ try constructing a simple barrier while adjusting the emotion parameters.”
At Professor Gray’s instruction‚ the students began lining up magical tools on their desks.
The basic formula for the barrier was easy for Aria. The problem was——“emotion.”
(……How do I put emotion into the formula? Like “Anger + 0.3”? “Joy × 2”?)
Aria took the magic control device in hand and took a deep breath.
The construction formula was perfect. But the moment the magical power began to flow——
“…Huh?”
The barrier swelled softly‚ and then——
Pop.
With a small bursting sound‚ flower petals danced above the desk.
For some reason‚ cherry blossom pink. For some reason‚ scented.
“…Eh‚ what was that?”
“Aria‚ spring has arrived!?”
“…No‚ I don’t know either……”
As the surroundings grew noisy‚ Rinne rushed over.
“Are you okay!? Your face has become the ‘face of someone bewildered by spring magic’!”
“Is there such a face……?”
“There is! That was it just now!”
Aria couldn’t help but smile wryly.
But inside‚ he was anxious. The magical power had definitely flowed. But he couldn’t control it.
(……As I thought‚ is it impossible for me?)
At that moment‚ Iris quietly approached.
“Aria‚ hey‚ why don’t you try feeling a little ‘excited’?”
“…Excited?”
“Yeah! When you think ‘I might be able to do it‚’ the magic also goes ‘let’s try it’!”
(Does magic move with that kind of vibe……?)
But when he looked at her smiling face‚ for some reason——he felt like believing just a little.
Aria drew the construction formula once more.
This time‚ while recalling just a little of the “curiosity” deep in his chest.
(……I might be able to do it.)
The magical power flowed.
The barrier rose softly.
This time‚ it didn’t run wild. No flowers bloomed.
Just a gentle light quietly floated above the desk.
“…I did it.”
Aria’s voice was mixed with surprise and joy.
“You did it!” Rinne laughed‚
“That’s the first step toward ‘poof~’!” Iris clapped.
Aria tapped his fingertips.
That sound seemed to bounce just a little.
Practical time ended‚ and a quiet afterglow lingered in the classroom.
The light from the magical tools swayed gently‚ and the afterglow of the barriers faintly remained on the desks.
“Hey Aria‚ that barrier earlier had a ‘gentle flavor’ to it!”
Cross called out from behind.
I’d like to believe he’s talking about the atmosphere‚ not actual taste.
“…I don’t think it had a flavor.”
“No‚ it was like…… a ‘faint sense of security‚’ or rather‚ ‘mother’s home cooking’!”
“Isn’t that about miso soup rather than magic?”
“Oh‚ you’re saying the same thing as Rinne!”
“Eh‚ am I the miso soup category!?”
Rinne stood up without thinking and nearly hit the desk with a green onion.
(For some reason she was carrying one again today.)
Laughter leaked from various parts of the classroom at their exchange.
Professor Gray looked over the students and said quietly.
“Magic is incomplete with theory alone or emotion alone. But those who know both——are strong.”
At those words‚ Aria softly tapped his fingertips.
(……I feel like something changed just a little.)
Magic hadn’t become perfect again.
He hadn’t become able to control emotions freely either.
But today’s “poof~” had definitely been born from within himself.
It was a small step. But a definite step.
“Aria‚ next let’s aim for ‘sparkle’!”
“…Is that another Iris quote?”
“Yeah! ‘Sparkle’ is apparently the evolved form of ‘poof~’!”
“…Isn’t magic turning into something like Poké◯n?”
Laughing‚ Aria closed his notebook.
In his hands remained the “sensation” he had gained from today’s lesson.
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