Chapter 7: He Was Trash No One Had Any Expectations For
"Esther."
Afternoon class time.
She had been called by name in the middle of class and snapped her head up.
"Yes? Yes!"
"Can you come up and solve this problem?"
Of all things, Esther's attendance number matched today's date.
At the sudden call, Esther quickly checked the magic diagram drawn on the board.
"1 circle. 5 magic formulas drawn inside the circle. But this is a failed magic diagram. Come up and explain why it doesn't activate and what needs to be corrected."
After the teacher spoke, Esther's feet moved heavily toward the front.
She had not listened to the class at all—she had been examining the spell tome Daywin had given her.
Even so.
"First... the attribute of the magic diagram is Reinforcement. It consists of reinforcement magic formulas that promote the flow of the user's magical energy."
From a single glance at the magic diagram, she rapidly deciphered the formula.
"Correct. Good eye. But why did I say this magic diagram failed?"
"That's because all 5 magic formulas share the same effect. When that happens, rather than the effect multiplying fivefold, it causes an error in the magical circuit."
As Esther continued, the teacher gave a satisfied nod.
"Therefore, 1 formula for promoting magical energy flow should be left in, and the remaining 4 formulas should be corrected to have supplementary properties."
Esther picked up a piece of chalk and drew a new magic diagram on the board.
It was exactly the answer the teacher had anticipated.
"Correct. Well done, Esther. Then...."
"However, it cannot be called entirely wrong either. The reason a magic diagram of this form inevitably causes an error in the circuit is because we are human."
"Hm?"
"For a subject with a different magical circuit—for example, a spirit—the effects could stack as they are. A spirit could absorb magic formulas that a human could not withstand."
"...That's true. You know it well. Spirits aren't commonly contracted with, but what Esther said is correct. Then—shall we try using the magic you corrected?"
"What? That's...."
Having gotten the answer right, she very much wanted to demonstrate it in front of the other students.
She swallowed dryly and looked at the board.
She placed her slender fingers on the magic diagram engraved in chalk, and—
...Activate.
Pajik—!
The magic diagram radiated light.
But only briefly.
The light died like a faint gas lamp.
"You used far too little magical energy."
The teacher identified the reason and said so.
It was because she had used only a minimal amount of magical energy out of anxiety about losing control.
"That's all right. Return to your seat."
"...Yes."
The teacher sent Esther back to her seat.
As she walked back, other students glanced sideways at her and snickered.
"Ah, must be nice for some people. A Magic Division student who can't even use magic, but popular because her face is a little pretty."
A female student said with a mocking tone, and—
"Hey, take that back. A little pretty. She's extremely beautiful."
A male student immediately refuted it.
The Esther of ordinary days would have felt a rush of indignation—but after having met Daywin, she let the other students' reactions pass lightly.
It was a waste of time to spend emotions on pointless things.
Teolssok—
She sat down and opened her book again.
Precisely—she hid the spell tome Daywin had given her beneath the academy's class textbook and read it.
All the magic formulas are new to me, but... the formulas themselves aren't difficult.
Sarak—
Esther glanced around at those nearby and quietly turned to the next page.
Once I learn how to convert attributes using divine energy, it'll be a level I can immediately try. Now—there's no choice but to try.
She took her eyes off the book and looked around her.
The teacher took it for granted that Esther would fail at practical application, and the students ignored her for it.
Even while being treated so pitifully, there had been someone who obtained a spell tome for her.
It was the first time anyone had had expectations of her.
I have no choice but to pull it off.
***
007
Paralak—
A fairy slightly smaller than a palm. A light spirit flapped its wings and circled around me.
Since returning, I had been checking my powers here and there in spare moments—trying to summon a spirit was part of that.
A light spirit is a gift bestowed directly by the goddess.
Perhaps for that reason, aside from myself, I had only ever seen 1 other person who handled a light spirit.
In truth, it had been unexpected that the contract with the light spirit continued even after returning.
The contract duration: until my death.
Strictly speaking, I suppose that means I didn't actually die.
"How generous."
Pat—
I clenched my fist to send a signal, and the spirit vanished.
I needed to get moving soon.
Today I had arranged to meet with the academy's principal.
I had said I had no intention of meeting the old man before—but he had been the one to send an invitation first.
I didn't know what business he had calling me there, but I still needed to maintain a good relationship with the academy's side, so I'd have to show some courtesy.
I straightened my attire and knocked on the door of the principal's office.
"Yes, come in."
I pushed open the heavy door and looked inside—the principal, who had been seated at his desk handling paperwork, met my eyes.
Since neither of us had seen the other's face before, he seemed puzzled.
"I'm Daywin Hasgard. You said you wanted to see me...."
"Well now! Who do we have here!"
Before I could finish, the principal shoved his chair aside noisily and rose to his feet.
"Aren't you the one who sent Raword to our academy!"
He shuffled over with a deferential stoop and extended his right hand.
It was a right hand supported at the elbow by his left.
"Yes... a pleasure to meet you."
I took his hand instinctively and gave it a light squeeze.
The principal looked to be in his late 40s.
Whether he made a point of looking after himself, his skin was clean and he had no belly to speak of.
His dress sense was sharp as well—the kind of man who aged like fine leather.
"Now, please sit! Do you like tea? We don't have many varieties here... but I personally selected them myself so the taste is good."
The principal briskly extended his right hand once more, pointing to what looked like a plush sofa, then began boiling water of his own accord.
Even being a patron, I hadn't expected to be received with this level of hospitality.
I sat down and watched the back of the principal as he began preparing the tea.
I waited a moment, taking in the principal's office, and then he spoke as he steeped the tea.
"I heard you happened to find Raword in a slum."
"Ah, yes. That's right."
More precisely, I had gone looking for him—but.
"Even in places like that, there are uncut gems."
The principal gave a light laugh and set the teacup on the table.
"As you may know, Raword's enrollment score is the highest on record. And not only that—he's apparently not satisfied with his current grades and continues to strive further. How magnificent. A hardworking genius!"
He laughed heartily and clapped his hands.
"I say this as someone who was once an educator—there is no better student than that. It may be a little early to say, but I believe Raword will change the world. Hahaha."
"Thank you for thinking so highly of him."
"Lately our graduates haven't been performing very well and our standing has dropped—but if Raword graduates and makes a name for himself, the academy's prestige will rise as well. Personally, I have high expectations of Raword."
"Was there such a thing as rankings? First I've heard of it."
"Well, it's not official rankings per se—but they exist in common perception. As someone running an institution, public perception does matter, you see."
Over the course of a few exchanges, the principal kept reeling off talk of 'grades' and 'rankings.'
From that alone, the principal's character became gradually apparent.
It seemed the principal had not called me here simply to offer thanks.
"Now—can you see the Old Schoolhouse?"
All of a sudden the principal pointed a finger out the window.
Following the tip of his finger, a building that looked shabbier than the others came into view.
"It's a building that has been here since the academy was founded. A new building was constructed after I took the position, so it is no longer in use."
So that's the situation.
It wasn't simply a confession spot.
"At first I tried to find some way to make use of the Old Schoolhouse—but in the end it's just been left to sit. I simply couldn't find a reason to use a crumbling building when there were perfectly fine ones available."
The principal looked at the Old Schoolhouse with an inscrutable expression.
"Its only advantage was the flower garden surrounding the Old Schoolhouse—but now even that is withering away. Still, looking back now, I'm glad I let the Old Schoolhouse go. New building construction increased enrollment, and guardian satisfaction went up. What matters is focus and selectivity."
Ah. So that's it.
I'd been wondering why he suddenly brought up the Old Schoolhouse.
"...It seems you're not pleased that I'm sponsoring students other than Raword, Principal."
The principal was using the Old Schoolhouse as a metaphor for the heroines.
"No, no. Not pleased—how could I possibly feel that way!"
"Is that so?"
I tilted my teacup and stole a glance at his reaction.
"I'm always grateful for your generosity, Daywin. It's simply that... well, doesn't focus and selectivity matter? It would also be good for you to make efficient and sensible decisions."
No matter how I thought about it, he seemed to be saying in a roundabout way that he was displeased.
"But the scholarship you've provided is no small sum, is it, Daywin. If all of that money were to be put toward raising Raword...."
The fact that the principal specifically knew Raword by name among all those students was already suspicious.
He had expectations of Raword far greater than I had anticipated.
Well, of course.
This was no ordinary person—he was the protagonist.
Even if it wasn't the path to becoming a holy knight. Whatever path he chose, the path Raword walked would become one that led to the top.
It would become a royal road. It would become a red carpet.
"As you say, Raword was born with extraordinary talent. I, as his patron, naturally have high expectations as well. However, I have no intention of giving up on the other students."
"Even so, if you focused on Raword, it would benefit things in many ways...."
"Shall we make a wager?"
I turned my head and cut off the principal's words.
"A wager... did you say?"
"It's simple. If among those students there is 1 who produces a notable result before the holiday break, you grant me 1 request."
"You may or may not be aware—but there is less than a month remaining before the end-of-term break."
"That's more than enough. Shall we do it?"
"Hmm...."
The principal deliberated for quite a long time before continuing.
"Very well. In the opposite case—you already know without me saying it, I expect."
"Yes—I'll give up on the other students and raise Raword exclusively. I'll conform to the academy's direction for his development, of course."
I knew Esther could master divine energy and healing magic.
This was a wager I could not possibly lose.
"You said you found an uncut gem in 'a place like that.' Those 5 students may be nothing but underachievers right now—but Raword himself was a delinquent no one had any expectations for. He was 1 piece of trash rolling around in the slums."
"......."
"Please have a little more faith in your students."
"Yes... I understand. I'll... watch and see."
"Thank you for the tea."
I left the barely-touched cup and rose from my seat.
Kiiik—
With a bitter feeling, I opened the door to the principal's office and stepped out—at that instant.
Tadadadak!
The sound of someone running away echoed out.
I turned my head toward the direction of the sound—a silhouette that appeared to be a female student rounded the corner and disappeared.
"Mm."
Someone was eavesdropping.
***
2 weeks later, at night.
Esther went to find the Old Schoolhouse, spell tome in hand.
For her, the Old Schoolhouse held her worst memory—but it was the most suitable place to experiment with healing magic.
As a place nobody paid attention to, she could practice without being discovered.
The Old Schoolhouse, neglected since the new building was constructed.
The flower garden surrounding that Old Schoolhouse.
Trying it on a person or animal from the start would be dangerous....
The subject for her first attempt at healing magic was the withering flowers.
Even if she failed, there would be no one to mourn over an ash-grey flower garden withering further still.
"...Huu."
She closed both eyes and gathered her magical energy.
She held the book with 1 hand, and stretched the other toward the drooping flowers.
Kiing—
Light burst from her outstretched hand.
The dark night regained its color with her hand at the center.
How long has it been.
How long had it been since she had decided to use magic—sincerely, with full effort.
It felt like the first time since the incident in her childhood.
She could feel the magical energy draining from her body.
The thought arose that she should stop here—and at the same time, the desire to finally be different bloomed alongside it.
She let her magical energy flow with a face where fear and anticipation coexisted.
Uuuung—
Her right hand grew heavy as magical energy gathered.
From this point forward, she could not stop even if she wanted to.
She poured it all out.
Esther squeezed her eyes shut.
The image of her, having mastered healing magic and making herself useful.
The vision of her future that she had been imagining ever since hearing Daywin's words surfaced in her mind.
Right now, it felt like it had grown a little clearer.
"......Heal."
The incantation she mustered up courage to say after long hesitation.
The magical energy gathered in her hand burst forth.
How much time passed after that.
She knew by feel that she had succeeded.
But she didn't have the courage to confirm the result, so she still couldn't open her eyes.
There hadn't been the slightest error.
As she had prepared. As she had practiced. Everything was perfect.
So just a little more—herself.
"Believe."
Very slowly, she opened both eyes.
Sarararak—!
The withered flowers of the garden lifted their heads at once.
Like streetlamps lighting up one by one in a row, like fireworks spreading wide—they bloomed all at once.
The flower garden that had sunk to an ashen grey was dyed like a canvas flooded with paint.
"Waa...."
Her vast magical energy had soaked the dry earth and raised bent stems.
Flowers and trees connected and revived—and the Old Schoolhouse reclaimed the era when it had been full of life.
Esther had made beautiful, by her own hand, the Old Schoolhouse that had given her its worst day.
Tuk—
Confronted with a sight she could not believe even seeing, she dropped the spell tome from her hand.
She lowered herself to pick up the book—and her legs simply gave out.
She didn't have the energy to stand back up.
She sat down right there and stared blankly at the flower garden.
"...Beautiful."