Surviving at the Magic Academy

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“Alright then, I’ll go ahead and start the lecture. Everyone who’s interested, feel free to join! I’ll have the video playing on the board!”

I can’t remember the last time I met someone.

(Picture of brushing teeth)

(Picture of a ribbon on teeth)

I even got dressed up to look nice. How do I look, cool right?

└ Starlight: Successful. Wishes. First start.

└ Sky Ring: I also want to, but learning is tough.

└ Blood Axe: Massacre! Massacre!

└ Tooth Necklace: Looks like Blood Axe knows what’s up. You gotta look good on the outside if you wanna make it easier to devour later.

└ Blood Axe: Massacre?

└ Tooth Necklace: Ah, I’m planning to move a bit differently. Don’t worry, our targets won’t overlap.

└ Blood Axe: Massacre! Massacre!

└ Tooth Necklace: Alright, then I’ll head out and enjoy myself first.

The tower’s door was tightly shut. Since the last lecture, the tower had blocked others out. Unauthorized persons wouldn’t even dare to approach this tower.

But today, the tower was preparing to open that door again. My heart fluttered a bit. Starting a new lecture was indeed nerve-wracking. I remembered how I had prepared everything down to the lines last time.

Still, compared to then, I felt like I had changed quite a bit. I even felt a hint of excitement in my chest. I glanced down at Mira. She was lightly hugging my arm.

She sensed my gaze and met my eyes, then smiled gently. That was something different from before. Unlike back then when I was alone, now I had someone I could call a companion.

I could see Unit 0 bustling about, managing the dolls all over. Since it was handling everything, I didn’t really have much to do. There’s a reason why people organize themselves like this: to share the burden.

It had taken me five years to build this up. And if I opened this door, a new five years would begin again.

“Alright, let’s go greet the people.”

I gestured toward Unit 0. The Shadow Dolls it commanded opened the door, revealing the scenery outside the tower. Countless people were wandering around the garden I had nurtured.

I casually observed them. Did they feel the door opening? They began walking towards the tower. The magic emanating from them tinted the space around us.

I slowly stepped outside and clapped to catch their attention. Their gaze turned toward us in an instant. I bowed my head slightly and smiled.

“Everyone, nice to meet you. Welcome to Professor Ilian’s tower. I am Ebron, the Storekeeper appointed by the professor. Feel free to call me by my name.”

As soon as I finished speaking, they began pouring their magic toward me. It enveloped my body like a net. There was no evident malice in it.

This was a form of probing. To them, I was a weak mage who had only recently reached the level of a young tree. It was only natural they would prod at me.

In response to that magic, Mira gently released mist. The mist quietly absorbed their magic. Within it, their power lost its way and vanished. I gave Mira a slight bow.

There was no further probing. I looked around. Two hundred pairs of eyes were focused on us. It was the same number as the last lecture. But the atmosphere was very different. The magic they emitted was thicker and larger.

No surprise there. The participants this time were those from the second and third floors.

Which students would make conducting this lecture smoother? I pondered quite a bit on that target selection. If I just wanted an easy pace, I could have easily drawn from the first or second floors, or even just the first floor alone.

But that wouldn’t be efficient. Those on the first floor were far too weak. Just like I was in the past. They were of little benefit to either the treasures or myself.

That said, I couldn’t touch the fourth floor either. The mages there were on the path to graduation. Didn’t I experience that in Canyon City? They were completely different beings compared to those on the lower floors.

If I drew them into my lecture, it would surely end up being uncontrollable. So, the predetermined targets were the students standing in front of me. Some familiar faces were there. They were participants from the last lecture.

The students I selected were a bit inexperienced but also somewhat skilled. I intentionally chose many like them. We didn’t need those who would just be left on the ground in our lecture.

I stepped to one side of the path. And pointed at the opened door with my palm. Following my hand, their gazes turned toward the tower.

“Alright, please come in. I’ll guide you through the tower. From now on, I’ll attach dolls to each of you, as they will be assisting you from here on out, so please don’t mishandle them.”

With that, the Shadow Dolls began to walk out through the opened door. Two hundred dolls approached the students. They would each take care of them moving forward.

In the flow led by the dolls, they slowly stepped into the tower.

Some were startled by the sight on the first floor. Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile wryly. It was understandable. Sometimes I was surprised myself.

The surroundings were filled with metaphysical sculptures. Works of Unit 0. The corridor and even the ceiling was brimming with those sculptures, twisting countless body parts to welcome the students.

They had a bizarre appearance. When I told Unit 0 to decorate the first floor, it had adorned the entrance like this. I could see it nodding, clearly pleased by the reaction from the people.

What can I say? It seemed that this style didn’t fit the aesthetic sense of the people.

But Mira really liked it. The professor seemed quite satisfied too; she said it was unique and appealing. The treasures felt the same.

At this point, even I started to find it cute.

They should get used to it after five years. As we passed between those squirming objects, we headed further inside.

Within, various sculptures were proudly displaying themselves. Unit 0 preferred to use stone. Unlike me who would piece together wood, it carved a single stone into a complete entity to create its dolls.

That skill was truly impressive, as one could see now. It was to the point of making people turn pale with disgust. I sent a quick signal. The Shadow Dolls sensed this and smiled brightly at the surrounding students.

Their beautiful forms began to melt away the rigid atmosphere little by little. The students started to inch closer to the doll beside them. This was one of the reasons I had Unit 0 decorate the first floor.

It was to make the dolls feel more familiar. The dolls shared a consistent appearance standard that I had designed. One that humans could find beautiful.

After all, something that looks good tends to create a sense of fondness. In this strangeness, the dolls stood out even more. If this process continued, they would gradually keep the dolls close without issue. It’s a kind of illusion.

Thanks to the efforts of those Shadow Dolls, the atmosphere gradually lightened. People began to explore their surroundings and moved forward. Soon, we reached the central hall. I paused for a moment and opened my mouth to them.

“Alright, the first floor is a free space. Anyone can use it after the lecture, so please enjoy yourselves. For those who want to look around, feel free to do so.”

They showed reluctant expressions. They didn’t seem inclined to move. I glanced around. It didn’t look comfortable to take a break.

“Then I’ll head up to the second floor. Please be careful when climbing the stairs, or else you might end up beyond this space.”

Giving that warning, I ascended the stairs. The second floor appeared to be in good condition. Perhaps the students felt a bit more at ease and lightly released their magic.

“The second floor is also a free space. Please use it as you please. Now then, this way.”

We passed through the central hall of the second floor and headed straight to the lecture hall. The students began following the dolls’ lead into the room. Once I saw them all enter, I followed through the door myself.

The lecture hall had changed quite a bit. It had been decorated as much as possible for this lecture. Mirrors covered the ceiling, walls, and desks, all turned dark. Even the podium had a gigantic mirror.

I stood before that mirror and quietly looked at the students. They began to move in a certain flow, forming a group. The first to gather were those who had found their seats.

Around them, dozens began to flock. It resembled the previous gathering of the nobility I had seen. It was the direction I had anticipated.

The next group consisted of those who had attended the previous lecture. Whether it was previously mentioned or not, they were huddled together whispering. The swordsmen formed their own group as well. That was their nature, after all.

I could see roughly four groups being formed. The flow was very natural.

Perhaps some of that was an influence from the last lecture. In the last treasure hunting lecture, there had been an organized battle. They fought for limited territory because that’s what the professor wanted.

However, the main theme of this lecture wasn’t that. The treasures participating this time didn’t desire that. They wanted these individuals to grow more freely.

That’s why the third floor would also be opened this time. Currently, it was under renovation, so it couldn’t be opened yet. Given the ample area, organized fighting likely wouldn’t occur. Individual capabilities would matter more.

I waited for the murmurings of the people to settle. It didn’t take them long to find their places. I clapped my hands to gather their attention. Soon, the lecture hall quieted.

“Everyone, nice to meet you. As I mentioned earlier, I am Ebron. I’ve been entrusted with conducting this lecture by the professor, and now I stand before you. But do not worry! I won’t be conducting the lecture myself.”

As I said this, I lightly released my magic. Along with that, the mirrors filling the lecture hall began to emit a faint light. Within that light, a form began to emerge.

“As you have seen in the lecture plan, from now on, you will be receiving power from treasures. Those treasures possess very powerful abilities. They can devour even mages like us. They will be taking over this lecture.”

The shimmering form soon took on a complete shape. It was a bizarre necklace made of teeth. It observed us and began to clash its teeth together wildly. The sound echoed through the lecture hall.

This was an immersive illusion created through the mirrors installed everywhere. It was depicted in very detailed manner.

“I will now take my leave. The remaining explanation will be provided by today’s treasure, the Tooth Necklace. Everyone, please keep an eye on the mirror in front of you, as we’ll be communicating through writing. So, let’s welcome it with applause!”

-Haha, nice to meet you! Please call me Tooth Necklace! I have another name, but since Professor Ilian calls me this way, what can I do? I might as well go along with it!

The necklace clicked its teeth together, producing a sharp sound. Along with that, text began to appear on the screen. The students awkwardly started to clap. The necklace responded by continuing to clash its teeth.

-Thank you, overwhelming gratitude! Oh, what a long time it’s been since I’ve heard applause. It’s been nearly nine hundred years. That’s about how long I’ve been locked away in storage. Ah, many of you probably don’t know about me. I awoke about three thousand years ago. Oh, how terrifying that was…

As the Tooth Necklace clicked its teeth, its words began to fill the mirror. The students’ gazes were focused on the mirror. Its speech showed no signs of stopping. I always feel like, wow, it talks a lot.

It started to introduce its past. Some looked a bit pale while others sparkled with interest. I quietly observed that scene.

-…I had devoured an entire city at will, but then Professor Ilian caught me. When I came to my senses, I was in storage. But what does the past matter? Isn’t it more important that I’m here now talking to all of you!

The Tooth Necklace kept pouring out its words. The students concentrated quietly on it. In fact, among the other treasures, there were quite a few eager to take the lead on the first lecture. But after discussions with them, we decided to send this one out first.

No other treasure could communicate as fluently as this one. The rest didn’t have mastery over constructing words through magic yet. Uniquely, it had been able to communicate naturally from the start.

-Some of you will receive power from me today. Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t receive it today! You’ll have a chance to converse with us through the Mirror Bug! Just submit 50 points a month and you’ll have an opportunity to connect with our treasures! Don’t let this chance slip away, no way! Ahaha, Storekeeper, I think that’s enough advertising for now?

I nodded. If only it hadn’t added that last part. The Tooth Necklace stole a quick glance at me, subtly erasing that last bit. Of course, it had no meaning since the students had already seen it.

-Anyhow, the power we grant is yours. For five years, on a temporary basis! So you all should aim to pass! Only twenty out of you can take that power with you! The rest will be reclaimed. Hehehehe.

As it wrote that, the necklace excitedly clicked its teeth. It was creating a rhythm. It looked like it was having a great time.

-So what will I give you? This! Ta-da! A piece of tooth!

It pretended to hurl something out while a tooth chipped slightly off. Using its magic, it lifted it into the air.

-To me, power is simple. All you need to do is chew and devour something. With this, you’ll be able to consume your enemies. Yes, everything! Souls, magic, power. A portion of what you devour will come your way. Just by swallowing something alive, you can accumulate strength.

A small monster in the shape of a rabbit approached it. It was a test subject I had prepared beforehand. The Tooth Necklace directly drove the piece of tooth into the monster. In an instant, the rabbit shriveled up and vanished into dust.

With that, the piece of tooth began to shine even more. The students’ eyes began to sparkle at the sight. A strong desire started to form in their gazes.

-You can attach it to your own teeth, or you can work it in different directions. But be careful! If you eat too much, you might go crazy! Oh, I once mentioned about devouring a city. I was drunk on it since I had eaten so much. But boy, it was delicious.

The teeth clicked together. A slight hunger flickered within. The magic was so vivid that the students could all sense it too.

-The way I will choose you will be quite simple. After all, it’s the first lecture. What I want is just one thing. Fight! Fight amongst yourselves and die! I’ll pick someone I like after witnessing that pathetic end!

The Tooth Necklace excitedly clicked its teeth together. The students began to examine their surroundings. A faint atmosphere of mutual wariness began to emerge.

-Alright, everyone, move!

With that last statement, the light from the mirrors extinguished. Along with that, the Tooth Necklace’s illusion also faded. Silence filled the lecture hall. I stepped forward again.

“Today’s lecture will take place throughout the entire second floor. It will start in 30 minutes, so please prepare in advance. Movements to other floors will be blocked, so please be mindful. Ah, and don’t worry about dying. You’ll be sent to the infirmary before that.”

To achieve this, I had set up the entire second floor as a duel area. It was a result of manipulating the tower’s magic. I had grown so accustomed to handling the tower over time that this simple manipulation had become possible.

Of course, I wasn’t at the level of twisting the terrain with magic like the professor. To do that, I needed to grow my power further. For now, it was impossible.

The students started to hesitate a bit. It was understandable. I had just told them to fight on the first day of lecture. But just then, one person shot up and exited the lecture hall without hesitation.

The woman with strikingly bright eyes, Kashian. A bear doll wobbled along behind her. Watching her leave, I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

In truth, since she had entered the tower, she didn’t really need to attend the lecture. But upon hearing the content, her eyes sparkled. She seemed to think it would be fun. Mira encouraged her from beside her.

She didn’t want to accept the power of the treasure. What she desired was the opposite.

To face those who had received treasures. And through that, to grow. That was her reason for joining this lecture. She seemed disinterested in other lectures.

As she boldly stepped forward, the others began to follow her lead. The students quickly exited the lecture hall.

After they all left, Mira climbed up onto the podium. I glanced at her. She smiled lightly.

“What do you think? Do you think the future lectures will go smoothly?”

I shook my head slightly. The treasures were peculiar. They were impulsive. Within the span of five years, incidents were bound to occur.

“Then let’s move too.”

With that, Mira approached me and naturally linked her arm with mine. The professor would be watching this lecture as well. So, we needed to wrap up this first lecture well.

 

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