'…But you never know.'
Leo, who had been half-listening to his friends' chatter and staring into space, shook his head.
'Changing appearances doesn't change the essence.'
Even though he said that, it wasn't true that Lucas had no magic abilities.
The dazzling magic he saw ten years ago was still vivid in his memory.
The Askanian family was renowned in the Empire for their magic, known for their bright and flamboyant spells, unlike any other family.
But the magic he witnessed was not just a typical spell passed down through the family.
Anyone who saw his magic once would never forget that moment.
Seeing Lucas's magic made me, who had no talent for magic, seriously study it and come this far.
The period when he turned into the wreck he is now coincided with rumors spreading across the Empire that he had joined Pleroma.
I don't know the details as it happened before he entered this academy, but I heard he stopped using magic around that time.
'Pathetic.'
If it were me, I'd flaunt my magic even more.
I wouldn't let such insulting and rebellious rumors reach my ears.
In this society where magic supremacy is extreme, magical prowess is the most powerful authority.
With magnificent and strong magic that could shut everyone's mouths, why does he act like he's committed a mortal sin all by himself?
If it were me, even if I really belonged to Pleroma, I wouldn't live like that.
Just thinking about it made me angry.
Was the magic I saw just an illusion?
At this point, that seems like the only possibility. Otherwise, that guy must be the biggest idiot in the Empire for doing nothing.
'Still.'
The Lucas I saw during the day was completely different from usual.
It wasn't just a haircut that made me think this. His gaze, his walk, his attitude towards people—all had changed. He even actively participated in class. It was as if he had become a completely different person.
Perhaps he has decided to turn over a new leaf.
'Maybe… I can see it again.'
Caught by a sudden hope, Leo shook his head.
No, I shouldn't get my hopes up.
When I first came here and saw how he lived, I was so disappointed.
Yet, I couldn't help but grip my wand tightly. No matter how much I tried to kill it, that glimmer of hope never completely vanished.
*
Monday, the first magic class of the week.
"Excellent, Leo. Next!"
After finishing his turn, Leo returned to his seat.
His friends, who had gathered around, didn't spare their praise.
"Hey, that was awesome. You seem even stronger than last year."
"Do I?"
Their flattery fell on deaf ears.
It was just more flattery for his family.
They had always been like this since childhood.
Leo's gaze naturally turned to Lucas.
Sitting far away from the other students as usual, but something was different.
Before, he would be trembling with fear, but now he showed no emotion at all.
That he could be so calm in a magic class was honestly surprising.
'He has definitely changed.'
Leo wasn't the only one who thought so.
The change was so shocking that all he could hear around him was talk about Lucas.
"Isn't it his turn soon?"
"Yeah. He's up in about three turns? Oh, now only two more to go."
Students calculated Lucas's turn and debated whether he would use magic or not.
'Don't get your hopes up.'
Leo gritted his teeth.
No matter how much he's changed, how much could he have changed?
He might not even think of using magic.
Maybe the rumors are true, and he can't use magic because he can't drink blood.
If so, then there's nothing more to say.
He sighed deeply.
"Next! Lucas Askanian!"
Leo quickly looked up.
Lost in thought, he hadn't noticed it was already Lucas's turn.
Unlike usual, Lucas walked forward with a rather normal gait.
"Begin."
At the professor's indifferent command, Lucas raised his wand to his chest.
'…What?'
Leo frowned as he watched Lucas.
The professor, who had been absent-mindedly watching, raised his eyebrows in surprise. It was unexpected for a student who usually stood still with his head down to be raising his wand.
From where the students were waiting, there were sounds of sharp intakes of breath.
Crackle―!
At that moment, a red light flickered at the tip of the wand.
Then, it immediately died out.
"…!"
"Oh!"
"What was that?!"
Exclamations erupted from the students.
Although it wasn't the kind of magic a near-adult mage should use, the classroom was shocked by the faint magic. Some students stood up from their seats.
"Did he just use magic?!"
"What was that? Wasn't he supposed to be unable to use it?"
Leo, who had been frozen with wide eyes, slowly stood up in the now chaotic classroom.
'This can't be.'
It wasn't an illusion.
The emotion from that day surged again.
That moment, which had inspired him to pursue magic despite not being born into a proper mage family, replayed vividly in his mind.
But the excitement was short-lived.
Lucas lightly shook the hand holding the wand, then, without doing anything more, he bowed his head and stood still.