Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 265 Guidance
"The beginnings of soul magic are already dangerous enough, but in every sense, this is only just the beginning. Because the soul is a whole. So, unlike the body, which can be largely unaffected even if it loses two hands or two feet, damage to any part of the soul can have devastating consequences."

"."

Although Miriam felt that losing two hands and two feet was a big problem, he did not interrupt Serian's teaching.

"It might seem that the changes are made to the peripheral parts of the soul, such as the fingers. But in reality, if this process goes wrong, there's a possibility that the soul could dissipate significantly. It's like a body with a wound that never heals; even a slight cut could be fatal."

"Moreover, even if one manages to survive the preliminary step of 'soul modification' in learning soul magic, the effects that a soul whose essence has been completely altered will have on the soul's possessor are uncontrollable. Therefore, many people who can use soul magic are in a state of madness."

Serian's words silenced Miriam once again.

Although she maintained an attitude that it was none of her business and that the problem lay with others, Miriam felt that this new teacher, who clearly had some knowledge of soul magic, wasn't entirely normal either.

"If even learning soul magic requires taking so many risks, then why would anyone choose this kind of magic?"

During a break in Serian's lecture, Miriam asked curiously.

"The reasons are probably different for everyone. But what's certain is that soul magic is powerful enough that many people, even knowing the risks involved, find it difficult to resist their desires and get involved."

Upon hearing Serian's words, Miriam couldn't help but swallow.

As she said, soul magic is a power from a completely different dimension than magic in common sense. It is indeed so powerful that it is impossible to defend against or resist.

Surrounded by azure soul space, Miriam, who already had a certain understanding of soul magic and her own situation, asked the crucial question.

"Teacher Naserian, how should I deal with the current situation?"

In fact, Miriam had always been puzzled as to why Serian patiently explained the knowledge related to soul magic to him.

Now that the dangers have been explained, it's unlikely that Seren would expect him to temporarily learn soul magic and then escape on his own.

"Speaking of which, I haven't told you yet what kind of power my 'star pattern' possesses. Now, watch carefully."

As the words fell, a tiny, incredibly white "leg" unexpectedly extended from the stem of the white mushroom.

Then, star patterns appeared on the leg, and beams of light shone in several different directions.

"."

"The direction those lights are pointing is closer to your companions, the other people in the seminar, at the edge of this soul space."

According to Serian, everyone around the Great Hall at the time, including Miriam, was attacked by unidentified spirit mages.

According to her analysis, the opponent's strength wasn't particularly high. Therefore, they couldn't possibly extract someone's soul and seal it into their mental space.

To put it more vividly, the current situation is that the soul mage has separated his soul into tentacle-like structures, using them as a shell to envelop the attacked person's soul, and further using these barriers to control the attacked person's body. The fact that there is no one else in the soul space besides the trapped person also proves this point to some extent.

"So, if we can break through that outer shell, will everything be alright?"

"Theoretically, that's true. But in practice, it's not that simple. He enveloped you with his soul, and this space was formed when your souls came into contact. This means that not only his soul can affect you, but your soul can also affect him. This is actually a very dangerous act. So, even if the soul mage only dared to do this because the person he attacked didn't have any understanding of soul magic, he couldn't possibly be completely unprepared."

Seren paused for a moment, then continued.

"But there's no need to be too nervous. Since soul magic is still classified as magic, it means it has many characteristics similar to magic. For example, the more things you want to do at the same time, the more complicated the steps, and the more difficult it becomes to cast, just like intermediate and advanced magic. I don't think his level in soul magic is very high. So, when he was busy manipulating his body, he probably didn't have the energy to observe the inside. In other words, he hasn't discovered my intrusion or your awakening yet."

"So, you're looking for other people to use their power to directly break through the outer shell that envelops our souls?"

"That's right. Since your soul isn't in contact with theirs, you can't go directly there. However, once you reach the edge, I can use that soul mage's soul to go directly from this space to the others and awaken them. According to Professor Ritas, the others are still unknown, but Student Melsie has a proven track record of directly damaging soul mages' souls using 'star runes' power. So, it's better to prioritize finding the blue light I emitted earlier."

Has this ever happened before?

Miriam paused for a moment.

It seems that, unbeknownst to him, those classmates who appear no different from ordinary students are also embarking on all sorts of adventures.
"Of course, if your 'star pattern' ability also possesses destructive power, you can also directly find the edge of this space and try to destroy it."

"Um... I don't have that thing called 'star pattern'."

Having already taken a step, Miriam followed his memory to find the location of the blue light, scratched his face, and answered truthfully.

"Huh? If you didn't have it, why were you at that seminar?"

"that is because."

Miriam originally wanted to answer that she had temporarily joined the team during the labyrinth incident in order to hear the voice of the goddess of bathing, and then unknowingly became a full member.

But he soon realized that this reason was far too weak.

The bathing seminar was clearly established specifically for those girls who possessed special powers. To protect them to some extent, the two instructors invited to the seminar were quite different: one seemed adept at handling the mysterious and unpredictable soul magic, while the other was visibly powerful.

If it were someone else, they might have allowed Miriam to "accidentally" sneak into that particularly special seminar.

But would Professor Ritas really allow him to continue mingling at the bathing seminar for such a reason?
Moreover, the reason he doesn't find the terms "Star Mark Emblem" puzzling now is because the members of the seminar have never deliberately avoided discussing him when they're exercising or conducting research.

So why was he at the bathing seminar?
Miriam couldn't help but clench one hand tightly in front of his chest.

How much did the professor actually know?
And it wasn't until the day of the attack, when he was driven to a state detached from common sense, that Miriam realized that no one around him was simple. He, however, was the least thoughtful, the least guarded, and had been muddled along, foolishly playing the "simplest" one.
"I probably don't need to say anything more; you've already noticed. I have no advice for now. Be careful, Cadet Miriam."

what?
Lost in thought, Miriam suddenly looked up and saw a white, bubble-like object rapidly forming on the surface of the water, which had been quiet and empty except for him.

The white bubble was enormous, and it looked like it could easily fit more than five people inside.

The next instant, a sharp water jet shot out from the white bubble.

As Miriam instinctively dodged, the water arrow that had been closing in on him in the blink of an eye flew past him and suddenly exploded not far behind.

"What is this!"

In the soul space, as Miriam desperately fled, he shrieked and asked the mushroom in his hand.

"Didn't I say that soul mages would have at least basic defenses?"

"The teacher also said he didn't have the resources to investigate this area!" "No conflict; it's like an automatic defense mechanism. You don't really think you have any chance of escape now that a soul mage is personally intervening, do you?"

Listening to the white mushroom's sarcastic remarks, Miriam, who was in grave danger and in a terrible predicament, was on the verge of losing his mind.

As expected, this teacher is completely unreliable!
During the escape, a burst of water jets splashed and touched Miriam's soul body.

"Well!"

Miriam, who had never felt any tangible feedback from her spiritual body before, finally felt it now.

But this was certainly not good news. He felt a burning pain, as if he were being burned, in the spot where the water had splashed on him.

"Getting splashed a little might not be a big problem, but getting hit directly could be troublesome. So, you'll have to be agile in dodging!"

"!"

There was no room for complaint; Miriam simply continued to avoid the situation.

The white bubbles floating in this space also drifted very fast.

What troubled Miriam even more was that as the white bubbles skimmed across the surface, the originally calm water gradually began to boil, and then more bubbles slowly began to rise to the surface.

Having no means of retaliation was bad enough, but what's worse is that the already formidable opponent has begun to multiply.

"If things continue like this, it seems like we're headed for a dead end."

"Then please think of a way! Ah—!"

Miriam, splashed by the water jets, let out a wail.

"What can you expect from a mushroom, Miriam Cadet?"

"you"

That makes a lot of sense!
"So, you'd be better off relying on yourself than on me. Miriam, why do you think I chose to awaken you in this space instead of directly awakening Mercy? It's because... only someone with your talent and ability could do that."

"Talent?"

The first batch of white bubbles that proliferated from beneath the water's surface had already formed a line and were chasing after Miriam along with the initial white bubbles.

Numerous white water arrows swiftly and densely tore through space, striking Miriam directly. Against the backdrop of the vast ocean, only a pitiful and helpless figure remained.

"Think about it, this soul mage has completely enveloped you with a portion of his soul, meaning he has completely suppressed your soul. Yet you are still able to remain conscious. What does that mean? Even with my assistance, this is not something that can be easily accomplished."

Serian spoke patiently and persuasively,

"In terms of the strength of your soul, you are no less than this attacker. Now, think about it again. Are these bubble-like things even possible in reality? In other words, these things all come from the 'fantasy' of a soul mage."

"Because this soul space belongs to him, his fantasies have become reality. And don't forget, your souls are in contact with each other; he can influence you, and you can influence him. In other words, in this soul space, what he can do, you can do too."

"Imagine this place as a dream come true, Miriam student. Compared to that mage's barren imagination, your 'fantasy' will surely be more powerful."

At this moment, Miriam seemed to understand why Seran had explained the matter of soul magic to him in detail earlier.

Only by understanding everything could he truly comprehend his situation and recognize the difference between this space and reality. And, in this critical state, would he truly accept what Serian was saying.

Miriam always found Serian, her teacher, to be extremely suspicious.

I also don't really like Serendipity's guidance and style of doing things.

But he had no other choice.

White bubbles appeared all around, and dense water jets covered everything, leaving no room to dodge.

Miriam leaped high into the air.

This was no ordinary high jump; at that moment, it looked as if he had leaped into the sky.

Even if Miriam were to suddenly start "fantasizing," he couldn't think of anything. He was just thinking that if he jumped higher, he could avoid attacks that ignored the overhead area.

But the next moment, he saw the army of white bubbles immediately turn around and aim the rapidly condensing water arrows at the sky, leaving him with no way to dodge.

Miriam tried to conjure a pair of wings, but the wings he produced could not flap at all, nor could they carry him.

Is it wrong to do something that is too unfamiliar?
This isn't something that can be achieved just by wishing!

Miriam, having failed to cope, continued to fall, watching as the water arrow, which had instantly surrounded him and was about to strike him in the next breath, continued to fall.

At the critical moment, a purple light suddenly shone beneath Miriam's feet.

The complex pattern took shape in an instant, transforming into a working star-shaped emblem.

Immediately, a large amount of purple mist rose up, lifting Miriam up and allowing him to avoid the water arrow attack once again.

But a new offensive was soon coming.

This time, it was the green light emanating from its back.

Another star pattern appeared, causing Miriam's long silver hair to spread out into vines that tightly enveloped it.

Countless water jets struck the vines, producing crisp, popping sounds.

Immediately afterwards, blue flames suddenly burst forth from inside the vines.

A girl with blue star patterns shining on her chest swung down from the sky, wielding a longsword formed from azure flames.

An unquenchable, raging fire suddenly exploded across the water's surface. In an instant, it ignited everything in that space, including the sky and the lake.

(End of this chapter)