The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 68: Not a Romantic Comic (6)

“Keep in mind,” Professor Anafrey continued, “the effectiveness of a Magic Bracelet depends on the user’s mana sensitivity. The closer your affinity with magic, the more proficient you’ll become. Heavy Knights aren’t incapable of using Magic Bracelets, but their physical combat focus generally makes them less efficient compared to Magic Knights.”

He glanced around the room, addressing the cadets. The distinction between the classes was clear. Magic Knights, who integrated magic with their combat skills, naturally formed a deeper connection with their Magic Bracelets, widening the gap between them and traditional Heavy Knights.

“Now, let’s move on to the practical exercise. I want you to experience the defensive magic stored within your bracelets. This will give you a sense of their effectiveness. Even without an incantation, you’ll see how quickly and seamlessly these spells activate. Let’s get started…”

Professor Anafrey scanned the room, his gaze settling on Emilie. Her attentive expression, framed by her calm demeanor, gave him pause. 

Though she was an ideal candidate for this beginner-level exercise, having her participate felt almost absurd.

“Cadet Emilie,” he said after a brief hesitation, “please come forward.”

“Yes, Professor,” Emilie responded promptly, stepping toward the front.

Once Emilie stood by his side, Anafrey addressed the rest of the class.

“Alright, I’d like groups of five to step forward and test the defense magic against an attack. Cadet Emilie will assist by casting small-scale Ice Spikes. I’ve ensured the magic is safe, so there’s no need to worry. Emilie, please keep the attacks moderate.”

“Understood, Professor.”

It was a reasonable arrangement. Emilie’s proficiency far exceeded what this exercise required. 

Instead of passively activating a Magic Bracelet like her peers, her role as the attacker added more value to the lesson.

Emilie closed her eyes and circulated her mana, letting it flow through her body. A cool, invigorating sensation swept over her, leaving her with a pleasant sense of clarity.

“Ice Spikes.”

With a soft chant, thin shards of ice formed midair, hovering momentarily before launching forward. 

Their slow, deliberate pace ensured they posed no harm, even if someone failed to defend against them.

“Defend!”

At the trigger word, golden auras shimmered around the cadets. The defensive magic stored in their Magic Bracelets activated in an instant, creating radiant circles of protection wherever the Ice Spikes impacted.

The room filled with murmurs of awe.

“You’ve all seen this at home before, haven’t you?” Anafrey teased. “Stop acting like it’s new.”

Laughter rippled through the room, but Astrid didn’t join in. She had never seen such magic before. Her family’s disdain for sorcery was absolute. Wolfgang and Ashray, staunchly traditional Heavy Knights, regarded magic as the domain of cowards who relied on tricks rather than skill. Astrid had grown up with the same mindset.

Watching the demonstration, however, filled her with mixed emotions.

When her turn came, Astrid strode to the front with measured confidence, her expression unreadable.

Emilie gave her a peculiar look.

“Professor, Cadet Astrid can’t even activate a Magic Bracelet. Should she really be included in the exercise?”

“That’s a good point,” Anafrey said thoughtfully. “Perhaps it’s best if she sits this one out.”

The comment stung.

【Just smash it before it can even activate. That’s all there is to it.】

Agreed.

Astrid flexed her fingers, her knuckles cracking audibly. Though she carried no weapon, her body itself was a weapon, and she felt no disadvantage without a blade in hand.

【Switch with me for now. Magicians can be tricky.】

Fine. You’re better for this.

Closing her eyes, Astrid let her body relax. A moment later, her posture shifted subtly.

“Let’s proceed,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “I’ll show you how unnecessary magic is in real combat.”

【Sure about this?】

What’s there to be unsure about?

Astrid smirked confidently.

“True strength comes from the body, not tools. Tools are mere accessories to enhance what the body can already do. Allow me to demonstrate real power.”

Emilie’s expression hardened at the provocation.

“Such bravado,” she said, her voice steady but clipped. “I hope you’re prepared for the consequences.”

Anafrey sighed, snapping his fingers. A familiar energy barrier rose between the cadets and the makeshift arena.

“Alright, let’s settle this in the ring.”

***

Elsewhere, Veracien watched the commotion unfold through her crystal ball, a sly grin on her face.

“The instructors are thoroughly distracted,” she said to no one in particular.

“Indeed?”

Gleaming in her hands was the same crystal ball she’d used at the marketplace to “predict” the future of Leopold and Astrid.

“How did the investigation I asked you to conduct along with that matter go?”

There was no one in the prayer room. Despite excusing herself during her theology class under the pretense of going to the restroom, Veracien had come here instead. 

But as it turned out, the prayer room was empty, leaving Veracien seated alone, mumbling something to herself.

– “We’re still investigating… but nothing has been uncovered yet.”

“Is that so? I’m more curious about why that woman looked like two people.”

– “But Veraya-nim, wasn’t this not the priority task Astein-nim directed us to handle?”

Veracien erased all expression from her face, lightly tossing the crystal orb in her hand with a sharp tock. As the orb vanished, the faint glow that lingered in the prayer room faded along with it.

“Summoning Hellveig should have been enough, shouldn’t it? Even if it wasn’t properly utilized, we managed to confirm the extent of that woman’s insane strength thanks to it.”

She vividly recalled it again—the sight of Astrid grappling with Hellveig’s fangs head-on. Such monstrous power made her question if Astrid was even human.

“Calling Hellveig is no different than summoning a neighborhood dog to me, but it is still considered a formidable beast in the human realm. To think she handled it single-handedly—just how insane is her strength?”

Veracien glanced up at the ceiling.

“Go and relay this to Astein. I’ll handle what he wants done, but if something piques my interest, that’s what I’ll prioritize.”

– “…Astein-nim will not stand idly by.”

“Don’t make me laugh. And what will he do if he doesn’t stay quiet? Void the contract? In that case, would he die, or would I? The one desperate will just have to dig the well—or bring me something more entertaining.”

– “Understood, Veracien-nim.”

With those words, the presence disappeared. Veracien snorted lightly and leaned back lazily into the prayer room’s chair.

Astein’s proposal had been interesting enough for her to accept it. However, now he acted as if he were her master, constantly issuing orders—do this, do that. It grated on her nerves.

She didn’t know what he intended to do by amassing all the blessings of the stars, but Veracien was gradually losing interest in him.

***

“Haah… haah…”

“So, do you still think a magician is stronger?”

Astrid’s condition wasn’t much better. Her cape had been torn in numerous places, left hanging in tatters, and her uniform was ripped here and there, exposing parts of her bare skin. Yet, her pale white face remained unscathed, without even the smallest wound.

Her left hand was clutching Emilie’s collar, while her right hand remained clenched into a fist.

Emilie was in even worse shape. The confined space had given her a slight excuse, but she was a combat-trained military mage, familiar with techniques to counter warriors. Even so, she hadn’t anticipated being overpowered like this.

Astrid’s magical resistance was virtually nonexistent. However, with only a single target and no room to unleash large-scale magic, Emilie had been forced into unfavorable conditions.

“Are you going to claim you couldn’t use your area magic?”

Astrid released her grip on Emilie’s collar with a scoff.

“There’s no room for excuses on the battlefield. You can’t say, ‘I couldn’t use my area magic, please revive me,’ and expect to come back to life. Creating the right conditions is also a skill. Either way, I won.”

【…Impressive.】

Magic, if it hit her directly, could be lethal even to Astrid. If she had a weapon, she could block it; without one, she would have to evade. 

Astrid had done just that. She dodged, but despite her efforts, the damage she sustained was a testament to Emilie’s prowess as a magician.

Still, her opponent was Astrid. Once she closed the gap to a distance where she could reach Emilie, instead of using her fist, Astrid grabbed Emilie’s collar.

“Experience, skill, and adaptability—I had the advantage in everything. Don’t feel too bad about it, Emilie.”

At some point, Astrid had begun addressing Emilie in informal speech.

“Losing to someone stronger isn’t shameful.”

Emilie bit her lip so hard that it bled.