Debates [3]

But as if to ridicule the Sans-culottes' conjecture, Zane Cromwell continued his explanation.

"That statement itself is proof that black magic is not wrong. Now, let's expand the argument a bit and discuss why black magic is better."

Zane turned his gaze to the discussion topic written on the blackboard:

**Which is better to learn: white magic or black magic?**

It wasn't something he had to worry about much.

'They're still arguing about such trivial things. These people haven't changed at all from the past to the present,' he thought.

Zane continued.

"If you look at the basis of white magic, it is the power to maintain and repair. For example, a priest can heal the life of an ally. On the other hand, black magic is the power to destroy something and reconstruct it. For instance, a black magician can kill a person and create a mortal disease from the corpse."

"Didn't you just say that you were going to explain why black magic is better? Why are you discussing the basics of white magic and black magic?"

Despite the Sans-culottes' remark, Zane continued speaking nonchalantly.

"Maintaining and preserving what you have. In order to claim that such white magic is correct, a very big premise is needed. The premise is that the foundation of this world, which has been created, is 100% correct. If this world is correct, then maintaining and preserving it alone will create a perfect world. But if not…"

"What if not?" someone asked.

Zane spoke indifferently, as if explaining a truth so obvious.

"It means that the world is not enough to simply maintain and uphold. In other words, if we are to discuss whether white magic or black magic is right, we must first address the question, 'Is this world perfect?'"

At those words, the Sans-culottes professor's eyes lit up sharply. Regardless, Raze continued talking.

"There are so many problems in this world, such as hunger, crime, disease, and war. Never in the history of mankind has this chain been broken. Can we really say that this world is perfect?"

Emma couldn't hide her shock at Raze's words.

In the Rune Church, or rather in all the churches of the world, God was considered absolute, and this world created by God was also seen as absolute good.

But Zane was saying that the world has never been perfect. That would be a complete denial of the premise that everyone agreed on: that this world is perfect and should be maintained.

Therefore, according to Zane, it was better to use black magic, which could destroy and rebuild, rather than white magic, which only maintained and repaired.

Emma and all the first-year students were left shuddering at these horrifying and subversive ideas and claims.

'… How can you think like that?'

Since white magic became mainstream 666 years ago, no one had ever questioned this premise. It was something so obvious that denying it felt revolutionary.

When humans see something extremely unusual, they tend to feel curiosity rather than rejection.

Was that why?

Emma felt a strange, indescribable attraction to Zane's claims. And it seemed to be somewhat similar for other cadets on the black magic side.

Meanwhile, the cadets on the white magic side just stared blankly at Raze's words and offered no rebuttal.

"How can I refute that?"

"I know that's wrong, but..."

"When I try to refute him, I can't think of anything. My words get tangled."

"The more I listen, the more I feel strangely persuaded."

"What the hell? Are you a heretic? I'll definitely report you."

A murmur slowly spread through the classroom. There were cadets genuinely confused by the few words coming from Zane's three-inch tongue.

At that moment, the Sans-culottes professor, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.

"… That's sophistry."

The students on the white magic side looked at each other as if they had come to their senses. The Sans-culottes professor continued speaking with a slight frown.

"This world is not right because it is full of evil things? Is that why white magic, which tries to protect this world, is bad? No, that's wrong."

The Sans-culottes professor looked straight at Zane and said:

"What you are talking about is just a family matter. There has never been a world where the doctrines of the church were perfectly observed."

All the students nodded in unison at the Sans-culottes professor's words.

The 'original world' pursued by the Rune Cult was a world where all doctrines of the Rune Cult were observed.

Such a world exists only in the legendary **Land of Runes**, while in reality, humans live in an imperfect world where numerous pagans and evildoers exist.

In other words, white magic has not yet become completely mainstream, so it is too hasty to criticize the utopia pursued by the religious sect.

But Zane was not shaken at all. He merely said a few words.

"Am I the one you are debating with, Professor?"

"…!"

"I am merely a trainee priest who has no choice but to stand on the side of the black magicians and argue based on performance evaluations."

At those words, the Sans-culottes professor's eyes widened for a moment. Then he said:

"I admit it. I made a mistake."

The professor continued, turning his gaze to the evaluation board.

"Cadet Zane Cromwell, I will now assign you a grade on my evaluation. Any objections?"

"I don't have any objection."

"Good."

At the same time, the Sans-culottes professor scribbled scores on the grading sheet. Soon, he muttered in a dry, businesslike tone.

"Your grade is a B+. If you're curious about the deduction factor, come to my lab after class."

"Yes."

A B+. It was just an average score, neither good nor bad.

'It doesn't matter,' Zane thought. Worrying about the grades he'd already received wouldn't change anything. He slowly sat down.

… But there was one thing he didn't know.

"Oh, that's ridiculous. A B+?"

"Among the seniors who took this class, the highest grade was a C0?"

"Was there originally a level B in this class?"

·

·

The Sans-culottes professor had never given a grade higher than a C since the founding of **Holy Academy**.