“The Royal Mage Corps is gathering talented young individuals—”
Leonard Gallagher, Commander of the Royal Mage Corps, raised his voice to address the students.
He initially spoke only to those nearby, but then suddenly projected his voice to *all* the students gathered there.
“You are all blessed with talent as magicians, a treasure. However, I believe that here at the Royal Academy, we cannot fully nurture you. I have been consulting with the instructors here for some time, but the truth is, there are simply not many magicians.”
Leonard’s words could easily be taken as a criticism of the Royal Academy, yet not a single student protested. This meant that everyone harbored similar thoughts.
Even Laurentz, who was watching the unfolding events with surprise, didn’t believe the Royal Academy had sufficient teachers to train magicians. He had considered whether they could invite more distinguished mentors numerous times before.
In reality, due to the scarce number of magicians, one’s choice of profession is limited. Magicians who teach students at the academy are rare. It is said that most of them lack the skill to be admitted into the Royal Mage Corps. However, even such magicians are numerous. Magicians range from those who can barely call themselves a magician due to their limited magic power and aptitude, to high-ranking Court Mages; the term “magician” cannot be defined in a single word.
The Mage Association does not assign ranks to individual magicians, so to determine who is superior, one must look at their title. And now, Leonard, who had just declared that the academy couldn’t nurture magician prodigies, was a magician whose title and skill were undeniably excellent.
“Therefore, we will nurture you.”
He turned a kind smile towards the students, as if he were a father or an older brother, filled with affection.
“We, the Royal Mage Corps, will grant you power.”
The students buzzed with excitement. They were bewildered, wondering if it was true.
“I promise you this. It may be difficult at first, but I will certainly train you into magicians worthy of being members of our Royal Mage Corps!”
If Leonard’s words were true, they would be welcomed as members of the Royal Mage Corps.
They would have no worries about life after graduation—no, they would no longer have to worry even if they could graduate.
“Please let me join the Royal Mage Corps!”
Someone shouted.
“Me too! To my Leonard-sama!”
Following suit, students raised their voices.
The students’ enthusiasm spread like wildfire, igniting into flames. Everyone continued to shout, wanting to learn under Leonard and become members of the Royal Mage Corps.
“—Isn’t this a problem? Even if it’s Lord Leonard, to just— The academy would never permit something like this.”
“Then it’s Leonard’s unilateral decision, but what is that man thinking, doing something so pointless?”
“What do you mean, Lars?”
When he asked his friend, who had dismissed Leonard’s actions as pointless, Lars answered without reservation.
“If he intended to recruit magicians like Laurentz and Jared as subordinates, then it would make sense to act unilaterally. In fact, to prevent excellent talent from being taken by others, it’s better to push things forward forcefully. But, what’s the point of gathering all the academy’s students, even if they are limited to magicians?”
“That—”
“Frankly, there isn’t one. Every year, some people fail, but it’s not entirely the academy’s fault. However, that man is saying he will accept everyone as a member of the Royal Mage Corps. First of all, the Royal Mage Corps belongs to the country, not his personal property.”
He swallowed, witnessing Lars’s anger for the first time. He had almost forgotten, given his usual demeanor, but this eccentric friend was—
“For the future of magicians, for the sake of this country—won’t you come with me!”
Laurentz’s words were drowned out by the cheers.
Deciding that conversation would be impossible in the present atmosphere of heated excitement, he grabbed his two friends by the arms and pulled them away.
“My, my. The students are enthralled by that man’s words.”
“It’s understandable. He holds a position second only to the Court Mages. He’s an ideal for us magicians.”
“But isn’t that ideal beginning to feel a bit suspicious? As far as I know, the Royal Mage Corps wasn’t supposed to come to the academy. In other words, it’s a unilateral decision. And to arbitrarily make students members is utterly outrageous.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
To become a member of the Royal Mage Corps, one must pass an entrance examination. Among those who demonstrate their abilities in the practical test, the Mage Association and the executives of the Royal Mage Corps decide on admission, and only then can one become a member. It is certainly not something the commander can decide on their own. More importantly, it is unthinkable to make immature students—regardless of how they might be treated—members without the permission of the academy and their guardians.
The reason for the examination and the multiple decision-makers in determining admission is that the missions undertaken by the Royal Mage Corps involve danger. I understand the admiration for the Royal Mage Corps, but students who are excited by an unexpected opportunity without understanding these things are not suitable to be members, not only in terms of their abilities but also their mindset.
“Hey, Lars, Herring, he said it was for magicians and for the country— but what do you think he thinks of everyone else?”
