Chapter 7 – 4. December (2)
“Summoners, nice to meet you today.”
“Hello sir!”
“Hello.”
The front door of the auditorium opens and a man steps up to the podium. A yellow robe flutters low with every step he takes.
He sat down on the sofa on the stage, cleared his throat a few times, and then poured blue magic into his own throat.
“Kant Voica. Ah, ah, can you hear well from behind?”
The reverberation of the voice spreads to every corner of the auditorium.
It was the manifestation of voice amplification magic.
Even the students, who were very curious when they first saw it, are now bored with the magic they have witnessed more than 10 times. Several students in front opened their notebooks and picked up pens to prepare for class.
“Oh, don’t worry, today’s class isn’t as difficult and boring as yesterday’s history class. There won’t be too many notes…”
He is a flame wizard affiliated with the National Institute of Magic, and a teacher who has been teaching the summoners of the other world basic common sense for two weeks.
To this day, he has completed lessons on culture, traditions, etiquette, geography, and history, starting with the social system of the Empire.
The level of education progressed as quickly as possible based on common sense that nobles should have.
At first, everyone listened intently to his class, but as the story progressed to uninteresting and boring stories, more and more students lost their concentration.
‘They say they’re all commoners, but there’s nothing they can do about it. I can’t imagine a country without nobles, but…’
You shouldn’t expect an aristocratic level of intelligence from a mere commoner.
In fact, he was a collaborator of a baron no different from a commoner, but he was a typical aristocrat who looked down on commoners with common sense.
But I have no complaints about the class at all.
His research soul was burning at the rare opportunity to communicate directly with people from another world.
Also, most of them will have no choice but to pay attention to today’s class. Not only is it directly related to their lives when they become adults soon, but also because a lot of related questions came in during question time outside of class.
He started his class with a single clap.
“Then, let’s begin our lecture on ‘attributes’.”
* * *
“From now on, let’s chant the [Fire attribute] Basic magic ‘Fireball’ without any attribute. Flama Inig.”
I am listening to today’s lecture with great interest.
At the same time as the teacher’s short chant, a fireball the size of his head appeared in his right hand.
Earth science requires a temperature above the ignition point, oxygen, and a burning substance as the three elements of fire. However, magic in another world simply ignores this.
Personally, I am very curious about the principle, but the main topic of today’s class is not magic.
“I just spent about 50 mana to implement a fireball without an attribute. So now I’m going to chant it again with my attribute active. Flama Inig.”
At the same time, a fireball appeared in his left hand. However, it was very different from the fireball on his right hand.
First of all, it was more than twice as large, and it was burning much more violently. And it wasn’t just that.
“Do you see? This fireball is much more powerful than the previous fireball even though it only cost 20 mana. Also, it would take too long to show here, but the duration of magic is about 3 times longer than elemental fireball. Long.”
Magic with the right properties is cheaper, more powerful, and more efficient than magic without it.
“Attribute is talent.”
He continued.
“As you can see, those with attributes can use more powerful magic than those without. Also, there is a huge difference in the time to learn related magic.
On January 1st, when I became an adult, I was given the [Fire attribute]. That I became a flame mage is, in a way, a fate foretold by the gods.”
Attributes are tied to God and fatalism.
“Attributes are a gift from the gods and proof that the gods protect us. That’s why humans with attributes are chosen by the gods, and they are a noble family.”
In addition, attributes are also related to the status system.
His voice was louder and more proud than any I had ever heard.
“That’s it Thank you.”
Our applause was louder than ever. Perhaps the influence of witnessing the magic that often appears in novels or movies with both eyes is large.
The voice amplification magic didn’t feel like magic because it was no different from a microphone or amplifier.
However, the famous fireball magic is an unnatural phenomenon, that is, magic. Perhaps some of us have seen this magic for the first time today.
Well, it’s the first time since the light magic I saw when I was arrested.
“Now I’ll take the questions.”
At the same time, Min Hye-rin, who was sitting in the row in front of me, raised her hand.
“Yes, Miss Hyerin.”
“I heard that we are going to have an attribute test on January 1, when we become adults. What exactly is the process through which our attributes are determined?”
“You’ll probably be tested at a discriminator located in the imperial castle, but it’s nothing special. If you stand in a given location, the wavelength and amplitude of the magic light emitted from the machine will tell you your attributes. There’s no painful process, right?”
“Thank you.”
“Um then… Jihoon-kun?”
Choi Ji-hoon, who was sitting behind me, raised his hand.
“If we have an attribute, will we also become that noble?”
“Yes, yes. The attribute test is conducted every year on the first week of January for all imperials who become adults, regardless of status. If an attribute is found on a commoner or slave there, the support of the empire begins immediately, and in March You will be admitted to the National Academy, and upon graduating in 4 years, you will be listed in the glorious nobility of the empire.”
“Five···!”
“It’s a truly extreme probability. According to today’s research, most of the factors that determine attributes are genetic. So, the vast majority of those who awaken new attributes every year are the sons of nobles. Conversely, even if noble blood flows, attributes Those who don’t get it… Are considered a disgrace to the family.”
Choi Ji-hoon and his friends were agitated with anticipation and excitement. It seems that he is imagining a rosy future in which attributes are discovered in an upcoming inspection.
Here I thought of breeding.
Through annual examinations, people who are inherently superior to others are selected and incorporated into the leadership of society. Conversely, inferior human beings are weeded out from leadership.
Through this process, the empire maintains the legitimacy of the ruling class, and its outstanding abilities develop the nation.
‘It’s a good system.’
If attributes make a significant difference, the ruled class will take the current system for granted and will not easily have the heart to rebel.
However, there are friends among us who are repulsed by this system.
“Yes, Minho-kun?”
“Um… Is the presence or absence of an attribute so absolute as to determine a person’s ability?”
“Good question! In addition to what I mentioned earlier, the blessings of the gods have surprising results. Research has shown that those with attributes improve their overall physical abilities, increase their lifespan, and improve their appearance.”
The teacher took a sip of water to see if she was thirsty and continued.
“In fact, even if they have the same attributes, the degree to which they accept them is different… There are cases where those who do not match the attributes are inferior to commoners, but this is an extremely rare exception. I wonder if the question has been answered?”
“Thank you.”
“In fact, there are some exceptional cases that deviate from the content of the class. For example, there are those who awaken their attributes not on January 1st, but before, or after… But you just need to remember one thing today. That attribute is the grace of the gods.”
He nodded to himself and crossed his legs in the opposite direction.
He seemed to have finished his speech, so I raised my hand.
“Yes Jihoo.”
“I want to know the types of attributes.”
“That’s a good question, too. It’s stated in the handouts we’ll be distributing later, but I’d like to say in advance… Attributes have ranks. Among attributes, superiority and inferiority are divided.”
To summarize his answer:
Mythical: Attributes that only appear in legends and are not recorded in history.
—-[Heaven], [Earth] Two in total.
Epic level: An attribute recorded as one that appeared once in history and proved its superior ability.
ㅡ[Light], [Shadow], [Life], And [Death] Are four in total.
Continental Class: An outstanding attribute that exists in at least one person per era.
ㅡSeven in total.
Normal Grade: The vast majority of common attributes.
ㅡFourteen in total.
In total, there are 27 properties.
At his answer, several people whose heads were spinning quickly exclaimed.
So did I.
This is because the number of attributes was very cunning.
27 properties. Our class of 27.
Is it really a coincidence?
* * *
“The reason I called you all together today is because I thought we needed an opportunity to get together, sort out our current situation, and share our thoughts on another world. Thank you all for coming!”
The time now is free time after dinner. Our class of 22 living in the imperial palace gathered again today in the auditorium where there was a class on attributes.
Our class president, Park Min-ho, who stepped onto the stage, bowed his head toward the audience.
He’s a very polite boy.
“I didn’t have anything to do… Right?”
“I was just bored, but it turned out well!”
“No!! Today was a lower body day!!!! For ruining my routine, Park Min-ho, you bastard… There will never be a second time…!”
“Someone shut up that damn bastard.”
Except for a few, most of them seem unsatisfied.
His personality is revealed in the way Minho’s request moves the entire class. I expected this to happen, but to be honest, I was a bit surprised.
Even the noisy Choi Ji-hoon gang is quiet now.
That’s how we started the 1st class meeting in the different world with the theme of ‘current status summary & future preparation discussion’.
“First of all, I’ll organize the situation at the time of the summons.”
At Minho’s gesture, the vice-president, who was waiting behind him, unfolded the large piece of paper leaning against the wall behind the stage so that we could see it.
“It’s an abbreviated map of the imperial palace and the surrounding ecliptic.”
Where else did you get something like that?
“This is the cathedral. The summoning squad, where 7 people including me were summoned, is a secret place hidden underground, so the location may be a little out of place, but it’s probably around here, right?”
Minho drew a star at a point farther south from the center of the imperial palace.
“Here, here, and here is the place where the 10 summoned people were found inside the imperial palace… This is the academy and the forest.”
There are 10 dots on the north, east and west sides of the asterisk. The forest where I suffered for several days was located all the way south from the star sign.
He drew a circle containing all the points around the asterisk. Looking at the circle, he had the impression that the dots were spread out relatively evenly.
The circle partially overlapped the imperial palace, the ecliptic, and the academy forest.
“The guards said they searched the forest and are still searching. If they were summoned to the imperial palace, they wouldn’t have been able to hide in the first place, so the five people they couldn’t find were probably summoned from the imperial capital.”
With his words, the hall went silent.
Everyone thought of the remaining five and seemed to imagine how they would be living now if they had not been found.
Me? I must have been filming Tarzan until something was discovered…
There will be no death.
It was because, as it turned out later, there were only goblins in that forest, and those goblins were of the least harmless breed to humans.
It seems that not all goblins in this world are the same.
The academy raises non-violent species of goblins in the attached forest, kills the violent individuals that occasionally appear, and periodically removes fingernails, claws, teeth, and genitals that can injure people.
Literally ‘farmed’ in this way, goblins are used by academy students as subjects for killing practice.
Students who aspire to be soldiers or want to improve their fighting skills practice killing goblins that look similar to humans among the weakest monsters.
Knowledge gained from reading 〈 Talent Cradle and Academy 〉 in the library.
“Since the imperial guards are working hard, they will be found soon and will be able to stay with us!”
Bring your eyebrows to the center and keep the corners of your mouth straight. The pupils have a serious atmosphere, and the hands are lightly punched.
I nodded and assimilated into the class atmosphere of agreeing with the class president.
But to be honest, I’m not really interested in what happens to those five people.
Ji-hye, who sits next to me and exudes an air of earnestness, will be the same as me.
The most important thing is always yourself.
I repeat my motto again.
“Then let’s move on to the next item. The second thing I want to do is to get our representatives and get us organized.”
Representative? Organized?
Why is he making this offer?
“I don’t know how long we will live in this world, but maybe we will spend our whole lives here. There will be a lot of things going on in our future life. Just as the summoning happened without any notice, a sudden situation could strike us again, or we, the earthlings, You may experience discrimination or persecution against them.”
His eyes were full of conviction as he addressed us.
“I think we need to build our own organization and appoint a representative in order to respond quickly and protect our interests in such a situation.”
His words were logical, and his intentions were selfless.
If it wasn’t for the class president who brought up this proposal, he would have doubted whether he wanted power or not.
The other classmates seem to agree with the class president.
But that…
“Do you think you should just do it?”
“That’s right. He’s the class president, he’s the first person to suggest it, and he’s smart…”
“Everyone listens to you.”
Our class representative fits well with Park Min-ho, enough to call it his calling.
Park Min-ho is sincere, wise, and has leadership. He thinks and acts for our class more than anyone else, and is trusted by all of us.
It’s almost unimaginable to see someone other than him representing it.
But he shook his head.
“Of course, I will also run for office. Even if someone other than me becomes the representative, I will work hard to help that friend. But I think it’s wrong to become the representative just because I’m the class president. In the first place, my class was better than me because I was busy studying, but I didn’t run for the election. You will have friends…”
No, it’s not because you’re the class president, it’s because you’re really the best match for anyone else?
The words reached his throat, but he managed to keep his mouth shut.
In this situation, you shouldn’t be in the eyes of others by bringing up your words.
Because I don’t want to be the representative in charge of the whole class.
‘So Minho, can you stop making eye contact with me?’
“Do you have any volunteers or recommendations?”
I will never volunteer. There is no other friend in my class who is close enough to recommend me, except for Ji-hye, but Ji-hye knows that I hate things like this, so she won’t recommend me.
I’m sorry but I don’t fall for your trap
“I recommend Jung Ji-hoo!”
‘What kind of teenager?’
At the sudden male voice, I hurriedly turned around.
There, Lee Hyeon-woo, who raised his muscular arms, was looking at me.
Lee Hyun Woo.
On Earth, it was just face-to-face with him. Even in another world, there shouldn’t be any contact with him other than rescuing him from the goblin village…?
Oh is it because of that?
“Jihoo rescued me from the woods and led the four of us. I was just flustered and trembling… It was equally ignorant, but Jihoo was calm and determined. Without him, I would surely be in a much more dangerous situation, whether I would die of starvation or dehydration. Would have been.”
“Um, um.”
Damn, I should have thrown it away then too…
Park Min-ho nods his head with a satisfied smile. It seems that the eyes of my other classmates have slightly changed when looking at me.
If I insist on not doing anything here, I may be able to run away, but the image I have built up so far will be damaged.
I sighed and opened my mouth.
“I don’t intend to be the representative. I think Minho will do much better than me. But… I’ll think about other executive positions.”
“Okay! Of course, I didn’t mean to appoint just one representative. Since there are close to 30 people, shouldn’t we need at least 4 executives? Now, everyone applauds!”
Clap clap clap!
No, I just said I was thinking about it.
That’s how I became the vice president of our class.
A friend who was originally the vice-captain resigned, saying that he was not confident in fulfilling his role in this situation because he was just running for the vice-captain for the sake of vitality.
Min Hye-rin and Choi Ji-hoon volunteered for the remaining executive positions.
I’m not sure what they were thinking.
Choi Ji-hoon was greedy for the representative seat, but was defeated by a vote of 16 to 6.
In the end, our class representative became Park Min-ho.
After the selection of executives, it was late and the meeting ended.
In the end, I did not know the meaning of the meaningful questions that Park Min-ho said at the library yesterday.
Weren’t you planning to hold a class meeting for that?
We delivered the list of executives to the head maid who oversees the main building.
Feedback came back 3 days later.
“The 3rd Princess, the owner of the Star Palace, wants to see you.”
A huge golden palace seen through the window.
The owner of the place with the name of the light of the stars called us.
