Shenley blinked, checking the scene before her eyes several times.
No, it wasn't just Shenley.
The surrounding students and even Eliza, who was supposed to be the teacher, froze in the middle of the lesson, staring blankly at one spot.
Meanwhile, Rox, who had become the center of attention, just sat silently in his chair, looking straight ahead.
When the class began, he had responded when his name was called. However, he lacked any vigor.
While occasionally glancing at him to check his expression, Eliza resumed her lesson. "So, let’s continue with the lesson. Uh, because the nature of the earth varies widely, you can’t change the magical language for rock when skipping chants or creating new spells. On the other hand, if you want to change the properties of earth, you might eventually reach the desired transformation by altering the rock little by little."
Eliza tightened her expression and continued, "However, if you’re unlucky, creating a new spell can take years. Being a magic researcher is a popular profession, but those who pursue it must do so with determination."
When Eliza spoke sternly, everyone became serious. Many students were likely considering the path of magic research.
Felter, sitting next to Rox, said, "… I'm not interested in magic research, but I want to modify body enhancement magic to suit my needs. Right now, I don’t know what to do, so I'm taking all the classes I can. Would any magic research help in improving body enhancement magic?"
Felter asked an outrageous question, leaving Eliza at a loss for words.
"Uh, um… Well, let’s ask Aoi-sensei, a leading expert in magic research! I’m sure she'll provide a wonderful answer!"
Eliza turned to me, sweating nervously. Everyone's eyes turned towards me, and Eliza bowed slightly.
She was completely passing on the responsibility, but well, it couldn’t be helped.
Smiling wryly, I cast an earth spell. "[Mineral Processing, Material Create]."
I created a fist-sized stone in my upturned palm. Then I changed its shape. "This spell simultaneously activates both shape and material transformation. The usual Rock Bullet only creates rock, but its chant contains the magical language for material fixation."
While explaining, I changed the stone into a human shape, making it resemble Eliza as a light revenge.
The students voiced their admiration.
"The material fixation magical language leads to material transformation. This application can also be used in water magic. For example, changing water into ice. Thus, even if they are different types of magic, they are not unrelated."
Felter opened his mouth to speak, but Eliza ran over first and uttered in shock, "W-wait a minute?! What's that spell?! Aoi-san, what's that spell?!"
Eliza rushed over with tremendous speed, so I held her head with one hand and handed her the figurine. "Here you go."
"Wow! Thank you! Oh, it’s me?!" Eliza was surprised to see the figurine resembling her.
Ignoring her, I looked at Felter.
With a sullen expression, he said, "… Does that spell of changing the stone's shape relate to improving body enhancement magic?"
"I can't say for sure. For instance, there are many different types of body enhancement magic. Enhancing strength, boosting leg power, increasing stamina, and strengthening defense… Which one and how they relate vary. There are many options, so it's hard to say definitively."
Felter frowned and nodded. "Increasing strength reduces speed, and hardening skin reduces flexibility and agility. The same goes for other enhancements. Enhancing one thing worsens another. This is why body enhancement magic isn’t widely used and has few researchers."
Then Felter stood up, walked over to Eliza, and picked up the figurine she was holding.
"Hmph." He grunted and crushed the figurine of Eliza in his hand.
"W-What?! I’ve been shattered?!"
Ignoring Eliza’s scream, Felter looked at me. "Just having strength is meaningless. But if we can eliminate the parts that weaken, body enhancement magic could become the most combat-specialized magic."
Felter puffed out his chest in pride.
For some reason, Rox reacted. "Felter! How dare you be so rude to a teacher…!"
I was surprised and turned around.
"R-Rox-kun?" Eliza's voice trembled in shock.
Rox ignored her, stood up, and walked over to us. "Felter, apologize. In the academy, students rank low. If you disrespect a teacher, you may face severe punishment."
Regarding Rox’s stern advice, Felter made a puzzled face. "… Are you really Rox? The Rox I know was a strong man who bowed to no one."
Rox took a step closer and looked grave. "Apologize. There's still time."
Felter frowned. "… I only follow those stronger than me. I stayed with you because you had a strong will that bowed to no one. You telling me to apologize to a teacher weaker than me means you're no longer the Rox I know."
Hearing Felter’s angry words, Rox clicked his tongue and shook his head. "You still don't know true fear."
With that, Rox returned to his seat.
After looking at Rox's back with disinterest, Felter turned to me. "… Now, back to the topic."
"… Having the desire to learn magic is good, but your attitude towards your teacher cannot be overlooked. It's important to respect everyone."
"Why? If we fight, I'll win."
"That's a beast's logic. If the opponent is superior to you in areas other than strength, you might end up losing."
"My Cairn family rose through martial prowess. We won by fighting." Felter held firmly to his belief.
From his unwavering words, I could somehow guess how he was raised.
And he looked down on Eliza because of her appearance and attitude.
"Alright. In that case, Felter-kun, how about you fight Eliza-sensei, whom you consider weaker?" I proposed.
Eliza’s eyes widened as she exclaimed, "What?!"