Chapter 259: Academy’s Rising Stars [4]

The revised mana engine performed better than anyone had expected.

When Ilya returned to the engineering workshop the following morning, the students were already conducting another series of trials. Their small transport platform moved along a marked course, accelerating and slowing without the noticeable fluctuations that had troubled its earlier design.

The preliminary regulating circuit had worked.

There were still problems to address, particularly when the engine operated near its maximum output, but the improvement was substantial enough that the supervising instructor had approved further testing.

Ilya examined the results with interest.

The additional circuit consumed very little mana. By preparing the engine’s regulating formation before each adjustment, the researchers had reduced the amount of energy wasted correcting sudden fluctuations.

It was a simple solution to a complicated problem.

Unfortunately, applying the same principle to his own magic wouldn’t be quite as straightforward.

A machine operated according to predictable instructions. Its regulating formation could prepare for a change because the control mechanism already knew what adjustment was coming.

Ilya’s movements were different.

During combat, he frequently changed direction in response to his opponent’s actions. Preparing every possible adjustment in advance would consume far more mana than he could afford.

Still, the underlying idea was worth exploring.

He copied several observations into his notebook before leaving the workshop.

His next class began shortly afterward, and he had already accumulated enough absences during his time in the Knight Department to appreciate the value of attending lectures properly.

Unlike a certain merchant heiress.

The thought amused him.

Solenne was probably somewhere negotiating a contract worth more than the entire workshop.

He wouldn’t have been surprised.

By the time afternoon arrived, Ilya had finished his scheduled lectures and was heading toward the training grounds.

Professor Hakon had reserved a practice chamber for their next session, and Ilya intended to discuss the regulating circuit before beginning his exercises.

However, he encountered someone unexpected near the entrance.

Elise Margaux de Beaumont.

She was standing beside one of the academy’s notice boards, examining the list of participants for the upcoming interdepartmental demonstrations.

When she noticed him approaching, she smiled.

"I was looking for you."

"Something wrong?"

"No. I wanted to ask whether you’ve decided to participate."

Ilya glanced toward the announcement.

The faculty had begun confirming several activities, including mixed engagements between knights and wizards. Students would be assigned practical objectives designed to test how effectively the two disciplines cooperated.

The arrangements sounded promising.

"I’ll probably join."

"Good."

Elise seemed pleased.

She explained that several students from their year had already registered, including Tristan and a few other high-ranking participants from the recent assessments.

However, the department still needed volunteers familiar with close-quarters combat.

That immediately explained why she had approached him.

Ilya possessed years of swordsmanship training, making him unusually qualified to understand the limitations of both disciplines.

The instructors had apparently recognized that advantage.

Elise handed him a registration notice bearing his name.

"Professor Eklund asked me to give you this."

Ilya examined it.

The invitation was straightforward. He would participate in a practical demonstration involving a small group of knights and wizards, with the specific objective to be announced later.

His role hadn’t been determined.

That suited him.

There was little reason to commit to a particular position before learning what the exercise required.

"I’ll speak with Eklund tomorrow," he said.

Elise nodded.

"Are you heading to training?"

"Professor Hakon’s expecting me."

"Then I’ll walk with you."

Ilya agreed.

They continued toward the western training grounds, discussing the upcoming demonstrations and several changes to their ordinary coursework.

Elise had been busy preparing for a more advanced lightning magic exercise, one that required maintaining several spells while controlling their trajectories independently.

It was a difficult technique, but she appeared confident in her progress.

Ilya had no reason to doubt her.

Elise had always possessed exceptional talent for lightning magic, and her recent performance during the practical assessments had demonstrated how much her control had improved.

Their conversation eventually turned toward his recent engagement with Tristan.

Elise had heard about the draw.

Again.

"You’re getting rather good at fighting him," she remarked.

"He’s getting better at fighting me, too."

"Then I suppose you’ll keep ending in draws."

"Not if I can help it."

Elise smiled.

She had known Ilya long enough to recognize his competitive nature. Even during childhood, he had rarely been satisfied with simply performing well.

If someone proved capable of challenging him, he wanted to understand why.

That habit had occasionally gotten him into trouble.

It had also been one of the reasons she admired him.

They reached the entrance to the training grounds shortly afterward.

Before separating, Elise mentioned that she had been considering visiting one of the capital’s newer restaurants over the weekend.

Several classmates had recommended it, although she hadn’t found an opportunity to go.

Ilya listened.

Then, understanding what she was suggesting, he offered to accompany her.

Elise appeared pleased.

"Really?"

"Sure. We haven’t gone anywhere together in a while."

That was true.

Although their friendship had improved considerably since his transfer, most of their recent interactions had taken place at the academy.

They studied together, attended lectures, and occasionally discussed their training, but spending time together outside Holy Trinity had become surprisingly rare.

Elise agreed to send him the details once she confirmed her schedule.

They parted near the entrance, leaving Ilya to continue toward Hakon’s practice chamber.

The professor was already waiting.

Several training targets stood throughout the room, accompanied by a formation that controlled their movements according to predetermined patterns.

Hakon examined Ilya’s notebook before beginning the session.

"You’ve been studying regulating circuits?"

"A little. The engineering workshop’s been experimenting with something interesting."

Ilya explained the revised mana engine and the preliminary circuit that allowed it to adjust its output more efficiently.

Hakon listened carefully.

The professor was familiar with the principle, although he immediately identified the difficulty involved in applying it to combat magic.

"Your movements aren’t predetermined. You can’t prepare every adjustment without wasting mana."

"I know. I was thinking about limiting the preparation to movements I’m likely to use."

Hakon considered the idea.

"Show me."

Ilya entered the practice area.

Rather than maintaining several cold currents throughout the chamber, he concentrated on creating a smaller circulation around his body.

The arrangement would remain inactive until he accelerated, at which point it could supply additional mana to stabilize his movement.

The first attempt failed.

The currents activated too late, forcing him to compensate through his usual method.

Hakon instructed him to try again.

On the second attempt, Ilya activated the circulation slightly earlier.

His acceleration became smoother, although the technique consumed more mana than expected.

The professor examined the formation’s readings.

"You’re preparing too much energy."

Ilya adjusted the circulation.

Instead of maintaining enough power for a complete movement, he reduced the reserve to the amount required for the initial acceleration.

That produced better results.

He could now begin moving with less delay, allowing the remaining currents to adjust according to the direction he chose afterward.

It wasn’t a complete solution.

However, the improvement was noticeable.

Hakon approved another series of exercises, gradually increasing the difficulty until Ilya could maintain the circulation while responding to moving targets.

By the end of the session, he was exhausted.

Still, he had accomplished something useful.

The technique reduced the initial mana expenditure required for sudden acceleration, allowing him to conserve more energy during prolonged engagements.

Against Tristan, that could make a difference.

Hakon examined the final results before dismissing him.

"Keep practicing. And remember that efficiency means nothing if you sacrifice control."

Ilya understood.

His mobility depended on maintaining precise control over the surrounding currents. An unstable acceleration could easily leave him vulnerable, particularly when fighting opponents capable of redirecting spells.

He had no intention of repeating that mistake.

After thanking the professor, Ilya left the training grounds.

The afternoon was already drawing toward evening, and most students were beginning to return to their residences.

He had planned to head home immediately.

However, Elise’s invitation came to mind.

It had been a long time since they had spent an afternoon together without discussing examinations or training.

He found himself looking forward to it.

Their relationship had changed considerably over the past several months, and although there were still things neither of them had fully addressed, the awkwardness that once existed between them had gradually diminished.

Ilya appreciated that.

Elise had been an important part of his childhood, and he had never particularly enjoyed the distance that developed between them.

If they could recover even part of their old familiarity, he would consider that a good thing.

With that thought, he continued toward the academy gates.

His training was progressing, the interdepartmental demonstrations were approaching, and his schedule was becoming increasingly crowded.

At least the coming weekend promised something pleasant.

Assuming, of course, that nobody decided to arrange another emergency training session.