WeTried Translations
Translator: Coughing Baby
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◈ The Inept Mage’s Infinite Regression
Chapter 32
“Can anyone tell me about the three elements of using magic?” asked the instructor.
This was Advanced Magic Theory, the second-semester follow-up to the first semester’s introductory course. The classroom was filled with students determined to take their studies seriously. The instructor, Rydel Remus, was a middle-aged woman who had supposedly never so much as tried on a dress, preferring men’s clothing. Her hair, shot through with gray strands, was roughly swept to the right and secured by a pin, leaving her forehead exposed. Despite her age, she showed no sign of frailty, holding herself so upright that others felt a bit on edge just watching her.
Ethan knew exactly what Rydel was referring to, but it was such a basic question that if someone who couldn’t even put those three elements into practice were to speak up, it would only bring ridicule. Thus, he held his tongue.
He shot a glance at Boen, who was seated in front of him and therefore couldn’t see Ethan’s signal. Instead, Yejoff raised his hand.
“The three elements of using magic are magi sensitivity, mana control, and magical composition.”
“Correct,” Rydel confirmed before explaining further. “To use magic, you first must be able to sense magi. Sensing magi is not merely an extension or variation of the five senses.”
Rydel tapped her temple.
“Through extensive research, we’ve learned that inside the human skull, within the organ commonly called the brain, there is a structure that detects magi. We don’t yet know the exact region of the brain responsible, but scholars have chosen to call it the ‘steeple.’ ”
Moving on, Rydel addressed mana control:
“A being who can sense magi can also inhale it—in other words, draw external magi into their body. In its natural state, magi usually flows back out of the body as quickly as it comes in. However, if you can circulate it within yourself in a special way, it condenses and becomes more ‘friendly’ to the human body. That is what we call mana. We also refer to the internal routes that convert magi to mana as ‘pathways.’ These days, many use the term ‘circuits’ instead.”
Lastly came magical composition:
“When mana is circulated lower in the body—below the neck—it can be used to strengthen the body. Many renowned knights train themselves through this lower circulation, but mages are different. Mages circulate mana above, storing it in the skull, in what we call the ‘throne.’ The mana gathered there reaches into the seat of human thought, the human mind, which has its own ‘desire.’ And what do humans truly desire? …Truth. For that reason, magic naturally tends toward the pursuit of truth.”
A steeple, a pathway, a throne. A mage’s body was likened to a kingdom, and one’s aptitude for magic was measured by how prosperous that kingdom was. By that standard, Ethan’s kingdom was practically in ruins. He could barely manage body magic, and even that thanks only to Rivielton teaching him Ruure’s Breathing. But, like any basic method of lower circulation, that breathing technique had nothing to do with the “real magic” Rydel was discussing.
After class ended, Ethan consulted with Boen.
∞
“There are twelve subtests in Basic Magic Exercises, right?” Ethan asked.
“That’s correct,” Boen replied.
“There’s Accuracy, Transmutation, Lifting, Discharge, Destruction, Summoning, Levitation, Illusion, Restoration, Creation, Control, and Transformation—12 in total. The good news is, you don’t have to pass all of them, and they’re not all worth the same number of points. Of course, most magic academy students try everything they can, partly for pride. Some, like your sister Arca, even pass every subtest and earn all 24 points. That’s not the norm, though.”
Ethan already knew that. In contrast to Basic Magic Practice, which generously allowed anyone who could use any sort of magic to attend the academy until the end of freshman year, Basic Magic Exercises was designed to test whether you truly belonged.
Still, the academy didn’t require students to master every type of magic. Basic Magic Exercises used a point system, awarding points for each subtest passed. As long as the student got enough points, they were considered to have passed the course.
Boen continued, “Let’s start with the obvious. Which ones do you think you can handle?”
Ethan thought for a moment. “…Lifting,” he replied.
In other words, the test for “hoisting a heavy object high in the air.” This was what Ethan had done to pass Basic Magic Practice. He’d actually spent an extra half-year at school at one point, studying demons on Boen’s recommendation, so he’d faced Basic Magic Exercises once before. Even then, though, Lifting was the only portion he’d been able to manage. Usually, that test was geared toward mages who specialized in enhancement magic, but the exam wasn’t overly strict.
Boen frowned. “That’s only worth one point.”
And therein lay the problem.
“You need at least seven points to pass.”
“I know.”
“What about Accuracy?” Boen suggested.
Accuracy was the test for “hitting a distant target.” But there was a limitation: devices like slings, catapults, bows, or crossbows—anything that fundamentally worked like a projectile weapon—were banned. Since it was a magic test, they would only “look the other way” for certain borderline cases, like with Lifting. Under normal circumstances, Ethan could rely on the fact that examiners would accept any principle they didn’t fully grasp as “magic.” However, right now…
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“I already told you, my handgun is broken.”
“Don’t you ever think about the future?” Boen asked disapprovingly.
Ethan spread his hands. “Drop it. I did everything I could. I really had no other choice.”
Boen just shook his head. “All right, that’s one point lost.”
“What if I just… throw a stone?”
“…If slings are banned, I doubt throwing it yourself will count.”
“Right. We’ll come back to that.” Ethan sighed. “Wait, I’ve got something else. Discharge! I still have a magic device that fires a beam of light even stronger than Light Cluster. It’s not broken.”
“Hmm, good idea. Discharge.”
For that subtest, one just needed to “release” something. It could be light, fire, wind, thorns, blades, dust, poison—if the student could launch anything, they passed. It was considered relatively easy. And indeed, magic tools counted.
“…That’s another point,” Boen noted.
“We’re up to two points total.”
“Right. Two. Not looking so good, huh. Honestly, I didn’t think it would be this hard to scrape together seven points.”
Ethan held back his irritation.
“How many points can you manage, then?”
“I can do Accuracy, Transmutation, and Discharge—three points. Levitation and Illusion will net me another four. Restoration and Creation, six. Altogether, I can get thirteen points.”
“Good for you,” Ethan grumbled.
Boen ignored the sarcasm. “Naturally, the one-point subtests are easier, but can’t you use your dark magic for one of the higher-value subtests and snag three points?”
“If I push it, I might manage Creation. Possibly Summoning.”
Creation, a three-point subtest, required the student to “produce something from nothing.” But the test proctor would choose a specific, standard material to be produced—usually water, soil, or stone. Unless Ethan could somehow rig his lottery to draw exactly the item required on the spot, it would be tough.
“Still, they usually pick simple substances like water or dirt.”
Summoning, a two-point subtest, required the student to “call forth a predicted object or creature.” In that sense, Ethan could theoretically summon any item that his dark magic had provided, since he already owned it.
“But that would make it way too obvious that I’m using dark magic.”
Ethan had reason to tread carefully. Even firecrackers, which at first glance didn’t seem suspicious, had ended up in Boen’s collection and been sent to the Mage Court. Aincher Durmus had specifically warned Ethan not to publicly reveal his identity as a dark mage.
When Ethan explained this, Boen nodded. “That would net you another five points, so you could still pass. But Creation is a long shot, and Summoning carries a big risk. I think it’s better than being expelled, though.”
“I agree. If I’ve got no other choice, I’ll try it.”
The other three-point subtests—Restoration, instantly fixing a broken object; Control, manipulating a specific object chosen by the exam proctor; and Transformation, changing his own form—dark magic wouldn’t make things any easier. As for the remaining two-point tests: Levitation, making himself float; and Illusion, projecting a false image to the examiner… Those would be tough too.
“That leaves me with Transmutation and Destruction to handle on my own.”
Transmutation tested one’s ability to “change the state of a substance,” whether by cooling, burning, or fully converting one material into another. It was relatively easy for an ordinary magic academy student, but for Ethan, who lacked the three core elements, it was a high hurdle.
Destruction was no simpler. In fact, few students bothered with it during Basic Magic Exercises. “Destroying a straw dummy” might sound straightforward, but the dummy was enchanted with powerful protective magic, rendering it nearly immune to basic mana attacks. Most students only attempted Destruction if they had surplus mana after completing all the other tests.
“But we did talk about one bit of dark magic that might help, didn’t we?” Boen pointed out.
“Oh, that…” Ethan murmured.
“…The last time I used a B-rank Lottery Coupon, I got something impressive but totally useless at the moment. Honestly, I’m not even sure if it’s all that valuable. Most of the stuff I receive from my… ‘benefactor’ is of questionable help. Yet here I am, risking accusations of being a dark mage… Tch.”
“Stop grumbling and give me a straight answer.”
“I plan to use the new coupon tonight. But I’m not holding my breath.”
Boen said, “Well, fair enough. Even if it’s no help, you can still foresee the future and plan accordingly, right? Let’s stay optimistic.”
Ethan agreed.
∞
That night, in Limbo, Ethan reached into the box Demi held for him.
“After this, I really might not get another B-rank Lottery Coupon for a while,” he said.
“That is correct.”
“So this time, you gotta give me something good.”
“I am not giving anything to you. The user uses the lottery slip himself.”
“What’s the difference? It’s not as though I can choose exactly what I want, is it?”
“Yet, according to the principle, you remain responsible for the result.”
“What principle?”
“The principle of everything.”
It made no sense to Ethan, but he clicked his tongue and drew a slip rather forcefully.
[You have obtained an item!]
[Item: DJI Gespenst V (B)]
[A flagship drone from DJI. It supports 4K recording, boasts an ultra-wide-angle camera, over four hours of flight time, low-noise operation, auto-tracking, 360° sensors, and even a detachable robotic arm. A culmination of DJI’s expertise, it’s a popular model widely regarded as surpassing civilian drone standards. Indeed, it has been deployed in many conflict zones and small battlefields where military drones were unavailable—resulting in countless casualties.]
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