Chapter 246 - Lucy's Day

Lucy's Perspective:

The Academy

I can't say I like the academy.

But I can't say I hate it either.

At least I like it more than certain people stuck in that same classroom.

Like Lara Greyrat.

That thought crossed my mind, and I glanced up toward the back row.

Sure enough.

Lara Greyrat was face-down on her desk, asleep.

Not even pretending otherwise.

Beside her, Fiana was nervously trying to block the teacher's line of sight.

Which was completely pointless.

The teacher had noticed long ago. He just couldn't be bothered to do anything about it.

Or rather, he'd gotten used to it by now.

I let out a quiet sigh.

Then lowered my head and kept writing.

First period today was Magic Theory. The teacher was one of the older instructors, and the lesson covered the history of magical development. For most students, probably a little dry.

I found it fairly interesting.

Then again, our household happens to have a representative figure in the history of magic. One of the most famous in the world right now, at that.

The teacher spoke from the podium.

"There is currently a school of thought that holds Voiceless Casting can be learned. This view originates from the greatest mage of the modern era, Lord Rudeus Greyrat."

Half the class immediately started sneaking looks back at me.

I'm used to it.

It happens almost every day. Has been, since first grade. Whenever Father gets mentioned in class, everyone instinctively turns to look at me. Sometimes they react faster than the teacher does.

A boy in the front row raised his hand.

"Teacher."

"Go ahead."

"How does Lord Rudeus actually teach someone Voiceless Casting? If there's no incantation, what is there to even teach?"

The teacher smiled, then looked my way.

"I'm afraid I don't have an answer to that. But perhaps Miss Lucy does?"

The whole class turned to stare.

I was quiet for two seconds.

Then I opened my mouth.

"...Imagination. And comprehension."

Noise rippled through the room immediately.

"Ehh — Lucy, that's way too hard to understand!"

"Right? Same!"

The corner of my mouth pulled flat.

"Lara Greyrat is better at this than I am. Why don't you go ask her?"

The class went quiet for a beat.

Then someone spoke up.

"Lara doesn't even pay attention to us. And honestly, what she says is even harder to understand!"

Fair enough.

When Lara Greyrat tries to explain something, her whole method is basically just sounds. BOOM. WHOOSH. Done. Moving on.

The teacher leaned forward with genuine curiosity.

"Miss Lucy, does Lord Rudeus keep something like research notes on magic?"

"He does."

"And you can actually follow what he's written? Understand the ideas he's trying to convey?"

"...He wrote them specifically for me. So yes, they're easy to understand."

"I see." The teacher nodded. "That explains why Miss Lucy's magic practical scores are consistently second in the class."

"Thank you for the compliment, Teacher."

Father has been writing magic notes for me since I was little. Easy to follow, built around how I think. It's because of those notes that I learned Voiceless Casting.

Father himself didn't make any particular deal of it. No warnings, no instructions on what to do with them. But I know what those notes are worth.

For now, I'm not lending them to anyone.

There are still sections I don't fully understand yet. But what I have is enough. For where I am right now.

As a side note: first place in magic practical scores belongs to Lara Greyrat.

-----------

After class.

I was organizing my notes when a girl came over.

"Miss Lucy."

"Hm?"

"I don't understand this part."

She pointed to a section on the page.

I looked at it and started explaining.

Before long, someone else drifted over from the side.

"Miss Lucy, what about this one?"

"Why does this work the way it does?"

"And this part here."

Ten minutes later, I had a full ring of people crowded around my desk.

Fiana walked past, stopped, and stared.

"Lucy."

"Hm?"

"Did you accidentally start a tutoring session?"

"No..."

"You're incredible."

I was about to say something back.

Then I heard a familiar voice from behind me.

"Lucy—"

I didn't need to turn around.

A second later, Lara Greyrat draped herself over my shoulder, chin landing on me with full theatrical weight.

"Save me—"

"What happened?"

"I didn't take notes."

"Oh."

"Let me copy yours."

"No."

"Why not? Mom is going to scold me."

"Then don't sleep through class."

"Lucy, you're so cold."

"Thanks."

"That wasn't a compliment."

"Even better."

Lara Greyrat went quiet.

Beside her, Fiana pressed a hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

➤ Next: Class Is Magic Practice