"I…"
Dak paused for a moment, then pondered what to do next.
Although he already had a grand plan—to target the nobles of the Six Major Kingdoms and, if possible, gather those magical races and pack them off to Pokémon Island—he had not yet taken time to work out the details.
However, right now was a great opportunity.
Tristain Magic Academy gathered the younger generations of every noble family in the Tristain Kingdom. In fact, most of the counts' and lower-ranked families' heirs were studying here.
If these young people came to embrace the idea of creating an era of peace, then three or five years from now, the Tristain Kingdom would be run by a group of nobles who love peace.
Starting with these children was indeed a very good choice. Compared to their parents, they were still rather naive and simple, at the age where they do not crave power or wealth all that much. Right now, their hearts should be filled with various innocent dreams and romantic notions of love.
Dak could help them build a mindset that loves peace and detests war, then offer them a path to something greater—a status even higher than "noble."
"I want to apply for a teaching position here," Dak said, once he had decided on his course of action and begun thinking about his next steps. For instance, what kind of teacher he would become—this was a pressing question.
"You? Apply for a teaching position? You look quite young."
There was a hint of doubt in Osman's tone regarding Dak's capabilities.
He did not doubt Dak's power; at least Dak seemed to be at the "Triangle" level. But at Tristain Magic Academy, that level was hardly remarkable. Some upper-year students had already reached it, and the teachers were generally at the "Square" level or at least "Triangle" with very rich teaching experience.
"How should I address you?"
"You don't know who I am?!"
Osman looked utterly shocked. It was not that he was boasting, but very few people in this world truly did not know his name. Furthermore, for Dak to come here for a job and not know the headmaster's name—it felt quite absurd.
"I forgot."
"I give up. I am Osman, an ordinary magician of little renown."
Osman flared his nostrils and glared, clearly annoyed that Dak did not know of him. Yet from Dak's perception, Osman was not truly angry; he was merely putting on an act to lighten the mood.
"Alas…our academy currently does not need any magic instructors."
Osman sighed, then glanced at Dak. Admittedly, Dak cut a very fine figure—he looked noble and mysterious, exactly the sort of person who might become a great magician one day. But he was just too young. The youngest teacher at Tristain Magic Academy was pushing forty. By comparison, Dak probably was not much older than the students.
Besides, Osman was not trying to fool Dak; Tristain Magic Academy truly had teachers covering all fields of magic, so there was no shortage of staff.
"Is that so? Then perhaps you could take a look at this?"
Dak flashed a mysterious smile.
Right before Osman's eyes, Dak formed seals with both hands, then opened his mouth and spat out three ice arrows that flew forward.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
All three ice arrows embedded themselves into the ground, releasing a white chill.
"What is this?!"
Osman's eyes went wide, utterly shocked. He glanced at Dak, then quickly walked over to squat down and examine the arrows closely. He even touched them with his hand. The moment his skin felt the bone-chilling cold, he became certain that his guess was correct.
This was definitely a sixth magic attribute—one that did not exist among the five major magic systems: "Ice."
Although Dak had not used any incantation or invocation words of authority, Osman could see how casually Dak had unleashed it, suggesting that even if Dak was not already at "Square" level, he had to be close.
"How can there be ice magic in this world?!"
Osman stood up and stared at Dak, his entire demeanor and voice filled with disbelief. He had lived more than seventy years and traveled across most of the Halkeginia Continent, yet had never heard of an "Ice" magic attribute.
"This is a composite magic I created by combining Wind Magic and Water Magic—Ice."
Dak explained the principle behind the Ice Release chakra nature.
He had sensed while using ninjutsu that the magical energy in this world and the chakra energy in the ninja world were indeed quite different, but there were also many similarities.
Chakra energy was formed by combining large amounts of physical energy and a small portion of natural energy with abundant spiritual energy to produce a new energy. Meanwhile, magic energy in this world was formed by large amounts of spiritual energy plus large amounts of natural energy, with only a small portion of physical energy.
Surely someone here had tried mixing spiritual and physical energy before, but it likely did not go well. Apart from the exact ratio, this world had never planted a God Tree to produce chakra. Even if they succeeded, there might not necessarily be a "new" energy.
Whether magical energy could be combined was a big question to people of this world, and they must have attempted it countless times over 6,000 years of magic history. Yet the result was clear: 6,000 years ago, there were five magic attributes; 6,000 years later, there are still five.
But for Dak, it was not an issue. He had already figured out the essence of magic energy versus chakra energy.
Aura powers govern physical energy, psychic powers govern spiritual energy, and Ever-Green Power or Earth Power govern natural energy. Armed with these three abilities and drawing on his experience combining Wind-Release Chakra with Water-Release Chakra, Dak believed he could do exactly what he claimed:
"Combine Wind Magic and Water Magic to create a composite magic—Ice."
Hence, he had the confidence to apply for a position as an "Ice Attribute Magic Instructor." And he believed Osman would never refuse someone who was the founder of Ice Magic.
"Dak, no—Teacher Dak, I have been waiting for you for eighty years! Tristain Magic Academy has waited for you for eighty years!"
Upon hearing Dak's explanation, Osman did not immediately ask for the underlying theory. Instead, he first turned around and used Water Magic to add a few drops of water to his eyes, then turned back, clasping Dak's hands tightly.
"…?"
You are really eighty years old?
Dak's cheek twitched. "I recall you mentioning that Tristain Magic Academy had no teaching positions available. Such a pity. Maybe I should check out Germania Magic Academy."
Germania was Tristain's archrival, and these two small kingdoms were forever at odds in the western part of the continent. Accordingly, relations between Tristain Magic Academy and Germania Magic Academy were quite poor.
"Who said that?! Our Tristain Magic Academy is always in need of a top talent like Teacher Dak! As long as you come, there will always be a teaching position open!"
Osman pledged with righteous indignation, then slung one arm around Dak's shoulder and pulled him forcefully toward his office. On the way, he leaned in and whispered, "I have it on good authority that Germania Magic Academy just laid off a bunch of staff because they had too many teachers. They probably are not hiring now."
"Is that so?!"
Dak put on a surprised look as he calmly walked along with Osman. Given Dak's physical prowess, most of this world's magic could not harm him, let alone these magicians with physiques barely stronger than normal humans. If he did not want to move, Osman could not force him.
"Of course! Teacher Dak, since you're already here, do stay. Though our Tristain Magic Academy is not large, it has a great environment, and our students are both gifted and well-behaved. You will surely come to love it."
"Is that right… Very well, I suppose I can stay and give it a try. But, Headmaster, there is something I want to discuss with you."
Dak raised an eyebrow, glancing sidelong at Osman.
"Ah, no need to call it a 'discussion.' Don't be so polite, Teacher Dak. Just say whatever you need!"
Osman narrowed his eyes, rolling them craftily once before smiling and turning to look at Dak. Their gazes met, then separated a second later.
"When it comes to the cultivation of familiars, I have some very unique insights. If possible, I'd like to take on the role of 'Familiar Instructor' as well."
"Oh? Teacher Dak, would you mind letting me take a look at your familiar?"
Osman was genuinely surprised at this. He had thought Dak might want more salary or some magical artifact, but Dak wanted to shoulder even more teaching responsibility. This was truly a pleasant surprise.
"My familiars went out to find something to eat. Usually, if there is nothing important, I do not keep them by my side all the time."
"I see… But, Teacher Dak, did you just say…'familiars'?"
"I did. I actually have multiple familiars."
Dak smiled and nodded. He suspected that, for Osman, this would be unusual but not world-shattering. After all, there were some peculiar cases recorded in this world.
A single familiar could be shared by two magicians, but those magicians happened to be "Void" users. Conversely, there were quite a few cases where one magician summoned multiple familiars at once.
A magician in this world could only successfully cast "Familiar Summoning Magic" once in their lifetime. If it failed, they could try again, but once it succeeded, all subsequent attempts would fail.
That was why, in the original story, Louise—despite being disappointed that her summoned familiar was just a "commoner"—still had to sign a contract. There was no alternative; if she did not, she would remain a magician without a familiar.
Likewise, Osman had no choice but to contract with an ordinary mouse. If you did not sign, then you would end up a magician without a familiar. Indeed, many magicians on this continent had no familiars because they were dissatisfied with their first summons and refused to form a contract.
But there were certain special circumstances where, upon a successful first summoning, a magician might summon two or even three familiars at once. As long as those familiars themselves did not mind, the magician could contract with all of them.
(End of Chapter)
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