Debates [2]

While everyone was busy discussing, Raze was alone, lost in deep thought.

'The Demon Artifact Warehouse exists separately inside the Artifact Warehouse... Only professors and teaching assistants can enter the Artifact Warehouse... But didn't they say that teaching assistants are chosen based on grades?'

If it had been the Zane of the past, there would have been no need to worry about this. All he had to do was destroy and take it. But not now. His body was weak, and his magical power was imperfect. The fastest and most effective way to get into the Artifact Warehouse in his current situation was to become an assistant.

'I guess it would be difficult to even steal with a body like this...'

At that moment, the surroundings seemed to have become strangely noisy. But this commotion had no relevance to Raze.

Concentration was one of the virtues required of a warlock. He began to gather his thoughts again.

'I'll have to hide my energy as much as possible for a while. If I'm treated as a decent student, my chances of becoming an assistant will increase.'

At that very moment, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"...Hey, you, do you want to participate in the discussion?"

Only then did Zane snap out of his thoughts and look around. Before he knew it, fledgling cadets were gathered around him. Since they all possessed such weak divine power, Raze felt they were no different from insects.

'...I guess those were the ones chattering next to me.'

What was curious was that the professor was staring directly at Zane. Moreover, the class president, a woman named Emma, was blinking in shock.

Then, a solemn voice was heard again.

"Cadet Cromwell."

"..."

Zane raised his eyebrows. The sans-culottes professor continued speaking in a blunt tone.

"You're the only one who hasn't said anything yet. If you don't plan on participating in the discussion, you can leave the classroom. You'll still get an F."

Since he had already decided to become a teaching assistant, it wouldn't be wise to receive terrible grades.

Zane answered.

"I don't want to participate. State the topic."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Zane's indifferent words turned the classroom atmosphere cold. Even the stern sans-culottes professor blinked in surprise.

No cadet had ever behaved like this in front of him before. Whether it was a scoundrel, an arrogant genius, or the child of a noble family, no one could hide their nervousness before him.

As the professor stood there with a blank expression, Zane muttered briefly as if something had occurred to him.

"...Ah."

Finally, he corrected himself, as if realizing his mistake.

"Can you tell me what the topic of discussion is?"

"..."

The professor was about to reprimand him, but Emma interrupted sharply.

"Zane! You idiot!"

She glared at him.

"From the perspective of a warlock, you're supposed to argue that the path of warlock magic is the right one! What have you been doing all this time?"

The professor tried to dissuade her, losing patience with this worthless farce.

'F. All the warlocks deserve an F.'

But at that moment, Zane's next words made the professor frown.

"…Not a difficult topic."

At those words, a deep wrinkle appeared between the professor's eyebrows. He looked straight at Zane and said,

"Isn't it difficult?"

"Yes."

"That makes it sound like you know quite a bit about warlock magic."

"Yes."

"Have you not heard the other cadets struggling until now?"

"Yes."

"You must be saying this, knowing the kind of embarrassment you'll face if your answer isn't better than the ones we've heard so far, right?"

"Yes."

"...Are you only able to say 'yes'?"

"No."

A faint vein appeared on the professor's forehead, and the surrounding cadets trembled before his icy gaze. Finally, the professor asked in a hoarse voice,

"Okay. Then let me hear your answer. If it's as bad as the others, you'll get an F without a second thought. And I'll fail you on all future assessments."

"Yes."

"Now, enough with the 'yes.' Just answer the question."

The professor looked down at Raze with a hardened face, showing no hint of expectation.

Zane Cromwell.

He was the most underachieving student in the history of the Holy Academy, having failed every exam since entering school.

'So far, not a single cadet has grasped the crux of this problem. Let alone a cadet who has been struggling in his studies...'

In some ways, the professor's way of thinking was typical.

But then Zane muttered softly,

"White magic seeks the truth to save all living beings. Black magic seeks the truth for personal enlightenment.''

"...!"

The professor doubted his ears.

'How does a regular cadet know that phrase?'

He stared at Zane in disbelief.

It was a phrase an ordinary first-year student would never know.

The legendary ancient book, *The Origin of Magic*, lost 666 years ago, contained one of the few surviving passages: 'White magic seeks the truth to save all living beings. Black magic seeks the truth for personal enlightenment.'

In other words, the purpose pursued was different, so the path taken was also different, but the essence was ultimately the same.

'Of course, this passage has been interpreted differently by high-ranking officials of the church. They likely wouldn't be pleased to hear it equated with black magic...'

The professor, who was far from pleased with the chatter of his students, finally regained his composure.

'Zane Cromwell... The Cromwell family is quite prestigious. Perhaps he overheard something and blurted it out. His true colors will show soon enough.'