Wow.
Huh?
Are you the new teacher?
Oh, right.
I am.
What do I do?
Call for a doctor first, I guess.
You're pretty strong.
I could probably lift one more person.
That dragon curse isn't all bad, huh?
Although it feels a bit creepy.
Are you all right?
Uh, you shouldn't flail around like that.
L-Let me down.
I'll be all right.
Please.
Sorry.
Have you ever collapsed before?
If you know what causes it, you should probably take your medicine.
Are you anemic? Do you get headaches? Stomachaches?
Anything else that's bothering you?
U-Um...
If you just need a preventative or if the problem's mild, tea should do it...
But you'd need to take it continuously,
and while it is effective, once you powder it, you need to consume...
I-I'm sorry! I got carried away.
I've picked up a bad habit from talking to customers back at the village.
I get nervous quickly.
Is there anything that can help with that?
Yeah, there is.
Here.
It's tea.
German chamomile, linden, and a dash of various other teas.
Also, here.
Potpourri.
Are you all right with lavender?
I think so.
Lavender and orange are calming.
You can inhale it when you feel nervous.
Um...
What...
should I do in return?
When you do something for someone, you need to receive compensation.
Shoot...
I hadn't thought of what to ask for before I started.
Well...
Could you give me some feedback someday?
That'd be great.
Th-Thanks.
You're welcome.
You should rest a bit longer.
Bye.
Oh, I forgot to ask her name.
Philomela.
There you are.
The next class is about to start.
Miss Veronica...
Were you talking to someone?
No.
Oh?
That took you a while.
I couldn't find the training room.
Why'd you cut your hair?
I had to do it for the contract.
Will-o'-the-Wisp.
I don't know why it took a liking to me,
but it's not an offer that comes around often, so...
She has a strong scent of fire.
That's more than enough reason for us.
So he gave me this as a token of our agreement.
The pouch is woven out of my hair. And it put one of its coals inside.
It's pretty.
Yup.
You used to call me a dumb dog, and here you are, lovestruck.
Oh, please.
I don't get easily attached like you do.
I just like hanging out with this kid.
It's fun.
And I'm just keeping an eye on her in exchange for the good times.
In other words, it's entirely transactional.
I don't give away my life as if it's nothing like you lot.
As if it's nothing...
Oh, class is about to start.
You know how to get to your classroom?
I do not.
Here, this is it.
Okay, I'm off.
I'm in a different year.
Thanks, Alice.
You've cut back on some of that "I'm sorry" crap, huh?
I like it.
It was like this when I transferred, too.
Alice...
I was nervous at first, too.
Hey, if anyone gives you trouble, just punch 'em.
Thanks.
Morning, everyone.
It's the beginning of another year at the College.
You may have seen me about if you're a returning student.
I'm Narcisse Maugham.
Call me "Professor" or "Narcissist" or whatever you'd like.
We'll begin with our annual overview.
On the fundamentals of sorcery.
Sorcery.
To practice sorcery is to gain knowledge.
To master sorcery is to master a breadth of knowledge.
Our ancient ancestors gazed at the stars, read the winds,
told the future through fire, and searched through water.
They traveled the world, making sense of its countless rules,
making use of them and making them their own.
Some say sorcery is born of magic, but that's a bit of a stretch.
Others say it was born from the songs of the ancients as they hunted game.
Yet others say that it came about alongside metallurgy, medicine, and alchemy.
And still others claim it was created by those who harbored doubts about magic.
The commonality to all these theories is that it is to know the world and to manipulate it.
Everything in the world interacts closely.
Thus, to arrive at sorcery, you must work to heighten all of your senses.
Eyesight, the working of your organs, voice and sound, touch,
the twinkling of stars, the swaying of trees in the wind, the interplay of light and dark,
the dancing of flames on ores, the flow of water, the formations of the earth...
Observe everything. Note it down. Test it. Experience failure.
And strive for even the tiniest success.
The College teaches a novice sailor how to read the charts.
Be agile. Be bold. Be tenacious.
Only those who do not fear failure can arrive at the paradise that is knowledge.
Err, fail, and question often! And enjoy yourselves throughout!
Okay, that's the end of my usual greeting.
Our first class is a bore, to be honest.
We're studying Latin!
Latin...
I forgot that was a thing.
Oh, right, we have a mage who's a visiting student in this year.
Chise Hatori.
Yes.
As a mage and visiting student, you will not be required to practice sorcery.
Instead, you will be expected to have outstanding grades in your general courses.
Work hard.
R-Right.
Hello, Miss Mage.
Uh-huh.
I'm Veronica Rickenbacker.
Nice to meet you.
If it's all right with you, would you please show me your magic sometime?
I-I think I could do that.
Chise Hatori.
Nice to meet you.
You seem awful tired.
I've got something on my mind.
That sucks.
It's time. Let's get started.
We'll begin magic class.
We're starting with the junior high school first-years, yes?
I'm Elias Ainsworth.
We may not have time to become well-acquainted, but let's make the best of it.
She doesn't seem much older than us.
I heard mages don't look like what they really are.
Right.
Sorcerers age like normal.
What about me?
I've always wondered...
Whose face is that, anyway?
I don't know...
I've been meaning to ask at some point.
Renfred-san.
Is he here to keep an eye on Alice?
Huh?
Why are you here, Alice?
Dunno.
I got called here.
Magic is said to require more aptitude than sorcery does.
Most of that aptitude comes from your compatibility with them.
Do they like you?
Do they hate you?
Can you negotiate with them?
It also becomes important to find a familiar who is cooperative.
In practical terms, magic is a joint effort.
Mages take in magic power from their surroundings.
Sorcerers create magic power within themselves.
Wow... he's being a proper teacher.
Both involve wielding magic power,
so a sorcerer can use magic as long as they can negotiate.
In theory, at least.
But what's important is to try to understand them and their rules.
You mustn't leave them to do everything for you.
They aren't all-powerful.
Though it may be difficult to understand them at the start.
And so...
I've asked for the cooperation of the "neighbors" in the College.
It'll make more sense when you try it yourself.
Listen carefully.
Do not do anything to upset them.
Exercise caution when dealing with those that aren't human.
We'll start simply today, by lighting a candle and then blowing it out.
If you have a hard time communicating with them, you're free to use your words.
The intensity of the flame, the time for which you allow it to burn...
Make it as concise as you can.
Swayne, Hatori, please demonstrate.
I've never used magic before!
I've never done it in front of so many people!
Screw it, let's go.
Okay.
Swayne? Do you remember a Swayne?
I heard a fairy became a sorcerer's familiar for the first time in decades.
I heard she can't even get a bird to fly well.
My brother told me.
Wonder what food she tried to train it with.
Hot!
Too bad there's no swamp here.
Enough, brother.
You'll make things worse.
What...
Too extreme.
You were kinda pissed, weren't you?
I expressed it for you.
Damn it...
Hatori, please.
Right.
Hello.
Ready?
It's a different color than the salamander in our fireplace.
Set it alight with your tongue of fire.
Set it alight until I give the sign.
In the color of the autumn sun over fields of wheat.
Thanks.
That's enough.
Well done.
I've prepared several candles.
Try it for yourselves.
But if they refuse, you will give up.
You are aspiring sorcerers.
You will lose nothing by being unable to use magic.
Renfred, please keep an eye on them.
Hello, beautiful person.
Thank you, handsome boy.
But I don't want to work with you.
I'm sorry.
You smell rusty.
All right.
It's friendly to her.
She shows promise.
Please and thank you!
Hey!
Why not?!
What don't you like about me?
Stop, Brother.
Can't you help a guy out?!
You're just a lizard, aren't you?
Elias!
May!
That's why I told you to give up.
Chise, help the salamander calm down, please.
Okay.
P-Professor?
I've been putting on that appearance to avoid trouble, but this is how I normally look.
You're all right, yes?
Now you understand why it's important to heed your seniors' warnings.
Be careful.
You've now seen what happens when you anger them.
There are countless mages who've been eaten.
Raise your hands if you believe you have aptitude.
I suggest everyone else quit now.
You've seen why.
Now that you know how dangerous magic is, we'll call it a day.
If you'd like to learn more, I'll see you at the next class.
Scary...
Is he a muryan, too, like Miss Alexandra?
You mean one of those people who was transfigured from experimenting too much?
I'm amazed he's alive despite being bone.
He must be about level three.
I'm sure it's his magic.
I never knew there were mages who become muryans.
Beatrice?
Such a fine figure...
That was more exhausting than a good sprint.
No kidding.
I bet he's getting an earful from Master.
He got dragged off. Something about a lack of safety precautions.
This is the floor where the instructors gather.
I wonder where Elias is getting lectured.
He looks familiar.
Didn't I see him earlier?
Hatori.
Um...
Sorry...
It's our first day, and we haven't said hi. It's fine.
Rian Scrimgeour.
Call me Rian.
Call me Chise, then.
Nice to meet you.
I don't feel too tense around him for some reason.
I'll get right to it...
Yes?
As you're a mage, would you please teach me magic?
Huh?