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Aldridge (1)
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I was falling into a deep, deep abyss of darkness.
What had I been doing just moments ago?
Even as I tried to recall, the memories drifted further away the deeper I fell into the darkness. The only things I could remember were the hand of a bespectacled scholar reaching out and a swirling red-black pattern. The endless sensation of floating gave me the feeling that my very self was being drained away.
And then, the bottom of the abyss arrived suddenly.
*Thud*
The impact made my body jolt. I sat up abruptly and looked around. My classmates were staring at me in stunned silence, but soon, they started giggling as they looked in my direction.
“Aldridge-kun.” (??)
“Yes, Professor.” (Aldridge)
“If you’re that tired, you’re welcome to leave, you know?” (Professor)
“Sorry. I stayed up late last night finishing my report…” (Aldridge)
“Which you still haven’t managed to submit today!” (Professor)
The lecture hall erupted in laughter. I scratched my head, trying to hide my embarrassment.
That’s right. I’m currently a student at the University of Magic. For a moment, I had the feeling I’d been an adventurer, but that must have been a dream.
“You’ve been focused on ‘Time Magic’ lately, haven’t you?” (Professor)
“Yes.” (Aldridge)
“Then maybe you should study time management a bit more as well.” (Professor)
The laughter grew even louder. At this rate, the professor would keep using me to entertain the class. I left the lecture halfway through. The professor didn’t seem particularly concerned and resumed his lecture without much interest in my departure.
—
My name… Is it Jack? No, that can’t be right. I’m the rightful heir of the Aldridge Household, currently training to fulfill that role. My mana isn’t zero either. In fact, I’m more of an honors student when it comes to magical studies.
That’s right. My name is Isaiah Aldridge. I’m a student devoted to researching Time Magic at the Magic University. The dream I just had felt so vivid that I’d been left with the strange sensation of being a powerless child.
As I walked through the corridor, my mind gradually cleared.
Still, if I don’t produce tangible research results soon, I won’t be acknowledged as the heir to the Aldridge Household. My research focuses on Time Magic. Initially dismissed as nonsense, it’s a groundbreaking field that challenges the reliance on classical magic.
Now, it’s been proven mathematically that time can be conceptualized spatially. I believe that if my research progresses, time manipulation or rather time travel will become possible. Most of my peers ridicule me for it, though.
Many researchers at the University of Magic study classical magic, analyzing its principles to trace its origins. But I think their fundamental approach is flawed. Using classical magic to investigate magic’s origins allows for verification, but it lacks innovation and merely loops back to the same principles.
It won’t uncover the true origins of magic. We need to approach the problem from an entirely different perspective to make meaningful progress.
—
I decided to take a break and drank a glass of water in the cafeteria.
“Having tea at this hour?” (??)
A voice called out suddenly. I turned toward the entrance and saw a silver-haired, pale-skinned man standing there. His straight posture and refined demeanor made it clear he came from a privileged background.
“Oh, it’s you…” (Isaiah)
His expression was unapproachable, and his unwavering gaze gave the impression of strong inner resolve. That prideful demeanor also made him seem difficult to deal with. I had seen him a few times before, so I already knew his name.
“Schwarzschild, right?” (Isaiah)
“…Just call me Anfan.” (Anfan)
Anfan Schwarzschild. He’s from a prestigious family of magicians in a distant country. People often compare him to me, Isaiah Aldridge, and it’s a source of my inferiority complex.
“How’s your research on time magic going?” (Anfan)
“It’s progressing to some extent. I have plenty of magic power, so I can run all the experiments I want.” (Isaiah)
“You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately, haven’t you?” (Anfan)
“You’re the last person I’d want to hear that from.” (Isaiah)
Anfan’s specialty was ‘Gravity’. Just like me, he wants to strip away classical magic and introduce new forms of magic to the world, so our ideas were quite similar. However, Gravity Magic seems far more feasible. That is the key difference in expectations compared to my Time Magic.
“I was worried, considering you don’t have any friends to share your troubles with.” (Anfan)
“You don’t have any friends either!” (Isaiah)
However, Anfan gave me a smug, mocking look. With his pride, it was probably easy for him to toy with a loser like me.
“Unlike you, I’ve built meaningful connections with a variety of people. Research doesn’t progress without collaboration. ‘Three heads are better than one,’ as they say.” (Anfan)
“What are you trying to say? That my path is wrong?” (Isaiah)
“No, I’m just concerned for you.” (Anfan)
He probably just wanted to mock a failure like me to flaunt his superior talent.
“Don’t make that sulky face. A researcher needs to master the art of courting fortune… Here.” (Anfan)
Saying this, Anfan handed me a small card the size of a business card. It contained information about some kind of event, including a date and location. Apparently, it was an invitation.
“My family is hosting a party soon. A lot of students will be there. It’ll be fun. Take a break for once and connect with people. You might spark some new ideas.” (Anfan)
What’s this? He’s planning something that actually sounds enjoyable. I am not particularly enthusiastic, but maybe, for once, Anfan is genuinely trying to look out for me.
“Fine, I’ll stop by.” (Isaiah)
—
As expected of the heir to the Schwarzschild Household. Even though he was just here for his studies, he owned a ridiculously large mansion. It might have been a vacation home. He also seemed to employ a few servants.
Once I entered the mansion’s grounds, I was surprised to see a large crowd of people. Many of them were probably students hoping to build connections with the Schwarzschild family. In this country, the Aldridge research institute still held dominance in the power struggle, but abroad, the Schwarzschild Household’s institute reigned supreme.
For students aspiring to work overseas, even being invited to this party was a great honor. I hate that kind of thing where people just ride on their parents’ coattails.
Anfan was holding a glass of champagne, surrounded by a group of students (mostly female) fawning over him.
Seriously, this is what being a handsome heir gets you.
“Isaiah.” (Anfan)
It seemed that Enfant had seen me and had brushed aside his entourage to approach me.
“Well? Have you been broadening your network?” (Anfan)
“Who knows?” (Isaiah)
“…What you lack is the ability to interact with people. With such a narrow perspective, you’ll never see the bigger picture.” (Anfan)
Incidentally, it was the Schwarzschild Household that introduced mixed-element magic, such as fire and ice combinations, to the public. Their ability to mix and flexibly adapt to phenomena seemed to be their specialty. The vibrant energy of this party was further proof of their talent for navigating the social world.
“I believe… The direction of my research is closely tied to your time magic.” (Anfan)
“Your research? The gravity magic one?” (Isaiah)
“Yes.” (Anfan)
“What connection could gravity and time possibly have? While time can be expressed as spatial coordinates, it has no physical movement or material changes.” (Isaiah)
“No, it does.” (Anfan)
“Are you drunk?” (Isaiah)
“I support your research, and I believe that if we work together, we can push it even further.” (Anfan)
“Thanks for that.” (Isaiah)
I replied curtly, irritated by the feeling I was dealing with a drunk. While I felt a bit bad, his flushed face only confirmed my suspicions.
“Still don’t see it, do you? That’s why your research is at a dead end. Broaden your perspective, Isaiah Aldridge.” (Anfan)
What a frustrating guy.
“If that’s the case, explain it at the university. This connection you claim to see.” (Isaiah)
“Very well. I’ll visit your lab tomorrow.” (Anfan)
With that, Anfan turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd with steady steps.
—
As other participants chatted cheerfully in the living room, I was carefully observing a radiant, unfamiliar magic stone on display.
“Isaiah-kun!” (??)
A female student suddenly called out to me. Since I lack the courage to start a conversation myself, while it was reassuring to be approached, it also made me painfully aware of my inadequacy. The girl had long chestnut hair tied in a ponytail and a rather alluring figure.
“So, you’re here too, Isaiah-kun. That’s rare.” (Linda)
“….” (Isaiah)
“What’s wrong?” (Linda)
“Sorry, who are you again?” (Isaiah)
“….” (Linda)
The girl stared at me in disbelief, her eyes and mouth wide open.
“That’s mean! We’re in the same lab, aren’t we?” (Linda)
“Well, I hardly ever leave my lab…” (Isaiah)
“We were in the same seminar in our third year too!” (Linda)
“I barely attended those either.” (Isaiah)
The girl, who had gone out of her way to talk to me, gave a sour look as if to say, ‘This guy is hopeless’.
“I’m Linda! Linda Maylie.” (Linda)
“Oh, right. I remember now.” (Isaiah)
“Honestly, I’m amazed.” (Linda)
Come to think of it, I could vaguely recall, but I’d recently become so disinterested in people that I forgot about them immediately. Anfan might have been right. If I don’t start interacting with others more, I might end up being seen as a failure of a human being.
After that, Linda and I had two or three drinks while reminiscing about the past. As it turned out, Linda was interested in the relationship between classical magic and chant duration when she first enrolled. At some point, her focus shifted to shortening the manifestation time of magic, and she ended up in the same lab as me to conduct research related to ‘time’. I had completely forgotten about it, probably because of the strange dream I had.
As we talked over drinks, memories began to resurface.
“And then, on the day of the presentation, that person made such a huge slip-up! It was hilarious.” (Linda)
Linda recounted with great amusement an incident at a recent local magic conference. That local conference, incidentally, was one I was supposed to attend but had completely forgotten about.
“By the way, Linda, what are your plans for the future?” (Isaiah)
“For the future? That’s sudden.” (Linda)
“Well, it just crossed my mind.” (Isaiah)
Is she fighting her own battles? As for me, I am working hard to gain the Aldridge Household’s recognition, secure the household name, and cement my position as heir. Of course, I am interested in time magic, but in the end, the results of my research would simply become part of the Aldridge Household’s assets.
“Well, for the Aldridge heir, there’s probably no need to worry about the future, right?” (Linda)
“That’s not true.” (Isaiah)
“Hmm… I don’t really have anything decided.” (Linda)
“Nothing decided? Then, why are you at university?” (Isaiah)
“It’s just fun. What else is there to magic besides satisfying your curiosity?” (Linda)
“…Linda, is your family wealthy?” (Isaiah)
“No way. I am not like you, Isaiah-kun.” (Linda)
Some students study at the Magic University out of pure curiosity, while others, like me, are driven to the brink, burying themselves in research.
My eyes drifted to the crowd of people drinking and partying noisily around us. They seemed to be having a lot of fun. It would be rude to think that I alone was different from them. They each had their own struggles, yet they found joy in the midst of it and used that as a source of strength for their daily lives.
Perhaps, I need that kind of flexibility as well. Maybe that was what Anfan was trying to convey.
“By the way, Isaiah-kun.” (Linda)
Linda glanced at my expression, her eyes suggesting she was about to ask me for a favor.
“What?” (Isaiah)
“I’m planning to go on a trip with a few friends soon. You should come too.” (Linda)
“Huh? What’s this about? If I suddenly joined your circle of friends, it’d be awkward and a bother.” (Isaiah)
“Not at all! Actually, there’s a girl I know who’s interested in you, Isaiah-kun.” (Linda)
What? That’s something I couldn’t ignore.
“What do you mean by that? My ‘time’ research?” (Isaiah)
“Nope. I mean you, Isaiah-kun.” (Linda)
“Oh…” (Isaiah)
Is she trying to build a connection with Aldridge?
I shot Linda a suspicious look.
“Are you… being cautious?” (Linda)
I nodded silently.
“Well, I guess that makes sense.” (Linda)
I could roughly guess the intentions of the girl Linda mentioned. Growing up amidst fierce competition with my siblings, I’d developed an abnormally strong sense of caution.
“Unfortunately, I won’t survive the inheritance race. They’d better look elsewhere.” (Isaiah)
“I don’t know what you’re misunderstanding, but I think you’re wrong about that.” (Linda)
Linda sighed as she denied my suspicion.
“This ‘trip with friends’ is just fieldwork, you know? For folklore research.” (Linda)
“Folklore… How does that relate to you?” (Isaiah)
“Well, it’s not directly related to me. I’m just friends with the girl who’s going. She asked me to come along because there’ll be mostly guys on the trip.” (Linda)
“Then, why are you inviting me, another guy?” (Isaiah)
“Because, um…! You’d be… a helper, that’s it!” (Linda)
“Helper?” (Isaiah)
“You’re strong, aren’t you, Isaiah-kun? That way, if any magical beasts show up, we’ll be fine.” (Linda)
Hmm. There are some parts of her reasoning that doesn’t quite add up, but I let’s leave it at that. If it is that kind of trip, it might be a good way to clear my mind. Recently, I’d been neglecting my training in combat and offensive magic. It could be a good outlet for stress.
“Is it a dangerous place?” (Isaiah)
“…Um, let’s see. Oh, right, that’s it!” (Linda)
Linda clapped her hands together as if she had just remembered something.
“Do you know the Gala Ruins?” (Linda)
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