I Became the Dark Wizard Who Rules Over the Heroines

4 – Admission-4

Hmmm…

Until class ended, I wasn’t able to create a proper shadow arrow.

Fortunately, lack of talent was not the issue. But in another way, I felt uncomfortable.

There’s no way to draw out my power in moderation.

“It’s fine if you take a slower pace. Don’t think too hastily.”

Layla tried to comfort me. I felt apologetic, but I didn’t listen to her words. I just didn’t have the mental capacity to listen.

This is tough…

I seemed to need more practice. I felt like if I eased my tension even a little and tried to use magic, the magic inside me would flow out without restraint.

And the more dangerous thing was that I didn’t seem to have a method to practice here.

The professor, of course, and people like Katarin would notice my magic.

“For now, we’ll end today’s class here. But from the next class, I’ll start assuming that students can use shadow arrows…”

Layla trailed off.

“For those students who haven’t succeeded in creating a perfect shadow arrow yet, if you can, please stay and practice!”

At her final words, the class was finished. Most of the students casually left the classroom, but a few students hesitated and stayed.

…

These were students who were lacking in magic itself. Individuals who were not yet ready to sacrifice something, or whose desires had not been fully formed.

“I’d like to stay and help you all if I can… but I have a meeting in ten minutes. If any student has a problem or difficulties, please come find me anytime!”

Layla left. I glanced around and gauged their abilities.

They are not strong. They couldn’t even understand the basic magic skill of creating a shadow arrow let alone notice the subtle changes in magical power.

Now I felt like I could finally start serious practice.

The classroom emptied of people was quite large. I moved to a corner where I wouldn’t be noticed, and summoned a shadow arrow in my hand.

Hmmm…

The magic is overflowing. Like a weakly functioning faucet under pressure, the shadow arrow created on my hand wriggled as if alive.

I have to control this…

It was not an easy task. Not just for me, but for any dark wizard, controlling magic under these circumstances would prove challenging.

For a typical novice dark wizard, there were often instances of insufficient output, but seldom would they have to control the output.

Dark wizards are still humans. To offer one’s own will and thoughts to the clutches of a devil was not something that could easily be done merely by bracing oneself.

Those who found themselves desperate enough to make such a deal in the first place, would not need to refine the overflow of magic.

I couldn’t help sweating… If I were to release the power contained within me without control, I could easily obliterate this classroom.

Of course, that would endanger my arm currently gripping this arrow. I had to be careful.

Patiently, gradually, I release the sorcery. The surging magic is retraced back into my body.

For now, I’ve succeeded. I still need to pay more attention to controlling it, but at this pace with a bit more practice, I’ll soon possess skills proficient enough for at least the class.

“How did you do that?”

Behind me stood a bright-eyed young woman.

I made a mistake… While focusing on the magic within my hand, I hadn’t considered that someone might approach.

Looking around, the lecture hall was empty. The only ones left were her and me.

“Didn’t everyone else finish and leave?”

It wasn’t a terribly difficult dark magic. Even for a knight or commoner lacking magical talent, so long as they could successfully complete a contract, they could perform this magic within a few minutes.

“No… Everyone just made excuses and left. I wanted to work hard and…”

As I carefully regarded her face, I recalled having seen this character within the game… Claire.

I didn’t expect her to be here. I remembered painfully that she was learning dark magic just before the game started, but she gave up quickly, citing a lack of aptitude.

“Can you please help me a little? I’m really almost done, but I’m not able to implement it properly.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just give up?”

She was beautiful, with a bright personality. Never one to cause conflicts with others.

Not exactly excelling in battle, but those enjoying the game found Claire incredibly useful…

Once she joined, she tended to preserve the harmony of the party.

The game was a sort of strategic game, choosing how to form a party was crucial.

The balance of dealer and tanker, considering magic resistance and political influences mattered, but the most important aspect was the compatibility between characters.

It was the Academy, where children from high-class families were gathered, and even talented commoners attended.

Friction was inevitable. Historical disputes, simple personality clashes, or the resistance between those who manipulate dark powers and those who don’t, all existed.

Not only did it decrease the efficiency of the party, but the usual communication and cooperation also suffered.

Sometimes, in the worst cases, they even denied making an alliance.

“Please, I’m begging you…”

She was beautiful. A bit short, but her charms were irresistibly attractive.

It’s not easy to be cautious of someone who meets you with such pure eyes.

Her ability was to get in-between the deadliest rivalries and somehow improve their relations.

Claire possessed the power to attract people and pacify them.

A fervent paladin who could not normally form a party with a dark magician, a young lady full of oppressive dignity, who declared she would rather die biting her tongue than form a party with commoners.

If Claire were put into the group, they won’t be efficient, but they could somehow manage.

For this, she did not need to learn dark magic. It was even better that she did not.

“I’m serious. Now, I understand it might sound ridiculous, considering that I just performed a magic spell successfully… but don’t do it. It’s better not to.”

“…”

She looked at me with a slightly embarrassed smile. A somewhat cute and pitiful expression, as if to say it was a difficult situation.

Huh?

However, I knew that this was the angriest expression she could show to others.

Specifically, it was the look she gave when a noble tried to assault her, the noble ended up not only not apologizing but openly insulted her that, since she was the child of a prostitute and destined to be one, wouldn’t it be better to sell her body to him.

Did I do something that wrong?

Dangerous. Her eyes were trembling as if she might shed tears.

However, I could not teach her my methods. One cannot teach someone to walk with just words, if they don’t even know how to move their legs.

In fact, I somewhat suspected why she couldn’t use dark magic, but Claire did not have to overcome it.

Even if she could use a spell like dark bolt, she would just become an ordinary dark magician.

Someone who is admired by all, who has given up everything, but as a dark magician, there is not much she can do.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way. But there are just people who can’t handle dark magic, right? It’s early in the semester. There are many who change their majors, so with your level of contract, you can turn it around at any time.”

The price paid for dark magic, the corruption obtained from it, doesn’t just disappear by giving up power.

Despite this, Claire’s power, which she obtained through dark magic, was so weak. She hadn’t even been able to use dark bolt.

She could still turn it around.

“I know…thank you. I really appreciate your advice for me.”

Luckily, it was a fact she was still not able to calm down, she was shaky.

“That’s right. If you can’t properly cast even a dark bolt, it’s right to give up. You were right in every way…”

As if acknowledging it, as if consenting, Claire slowly continued her words.

“So then I… am a fool…who can’t even cast dark magic…”

I could feel the deeply rooted self-loathing in her thoughts.

Like she had heard similar words from me dozens, no, hundreds of times.

“What should I do?”

Claire mumbled in a sad voice.