Surviving at the Magic Academy

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Doll Manipulation was this under-the-radar branch of magic. Since its system was dictated by one’s talent, not many folks really understood it, and even fewer could actually wield it.

As a result, people held onto a lot of distorted information about Doll Manipulators. It was said that seasoned Doll Manipulators would become overly attached to the dolls they created. And that was just one of those funny little anecdotes.

This mysterious tale floated around the magical community. People would tease those who manipulated dolls, calling them “Doll Freaks.” I just shrugged it off.

But rumors often have a kernel of truth. I thought maybe I was actually witnessing one of those long-standing Doll Manipulators right in front of me.

“You need to start the lecture.”

A woman whispered. Professor On looked at her with a disappointed expression, but she shook her head firmly.

I took a closer look at her. There was an unbelievable liveliness about her.

A decent amount of magical power was leaking out of her. At first, I mistook her for a Mage. But, no, she was a doll.

She noticed my gaze and smiled at me. Professor On clicked his tongue and shot me an annoyed look.

Maybe I was staring too hard. While I froze up, Mira gently wrapped her arms around mine. She glanced at Mira and then stared at me.

“Be careful next time. I don’t like it when someone steals Tiena’s gaze.”

I quickly nodded. His gaze shifted away from me to the other students. I sighed in relief and relaxed.

“You shouldn’t look at another man’s woman like that. It shows a distinct lack of consideration.”

Mira said with a laugh. A woman, huh? Didn’t she just say she was a doll? No, wait. As I thought earlier, one should respect others’ tastes. I nodded in agreement.

Professor On, while holding the woman called Tiena, pulled out a card. The magic inscribed on it clearly displayed one word: ‘On.’

“Well, you must have come here through this.”

It looked exactly like the one I had. I took it out and began to fiddle with it. He glanced at the card we pulled out and continued.

“I was the one who called you. I’m sure everyone knows this. I sent one out for each city, so you must have come from your respective cities. Still, I’m glad you all participated this time. Two hundred years ago, not a single person showed up.”

He looked at us slowly. This time his gaze wasn’t on the dolls, but on us.

There was not a hint of emotion in it. It was like looking at a lifeless object.

“I don’t expect much from you. But I do have high hopes for your dolls. What I want is simple. For you to learn more about Doll Manipulation through this lecture. So that you can create better dolls.”

He lightly hugged the woman in his arms. She gently wrapped her arms around his waist. He gave her a slight smile before continuing.

“I’ll nurture you for five years. We’ll have three hours of class each session, and I’ll assign homework suitable for that. If you successfully complete the assignments, you’ll receive rewards; if not, then nothing.”

Rewards? I was curious about what those could be. But he didn’t elaborate on that at all. He just went on to the next topic.

“I’ll make part of the Tower available for you, so feel free to use it if you need to. But always be cautious with your actions. This is a space exclusively for dolls, after all. Right, Tiena?”

The woman smiled gently and nodded. Staying here made me want to stick around too; I was curious about the dolls in the Tower, just like her.

Of course, I had to manage Professor Ilian’s Tower, so it was impossible. Such a pity. I felt like I was losing out on something and found myself licking my lips.

He quietly manipulated his magic and distorted the space. Suddenly, numerous books poured out from it. They floated quietly toward us.

“Here, take this. It’s the textbook you’ll use throughout the lectures. If you understand this perfectly, you’ll probably be able to receive a certificate.”

I carefully accepted it. The title ‘Basics of On’s Doll Manipulation’ seemed to adorn the book like a ribbon.

Unit 0 quietly emerged from the shadows, sparkling eyes fixed on it. Professor On tilted his head at it.

“Hmm, do we have an auditing student? Make sure to watch with your owner. You seem to be capable of handling dolls.”

At those words, Unit 0 smiled and settled beside me. It poked the book with a look of wonder.

“Alright, let’s flip to the first page. Today, you’ll learn about circuits. Honestly, circuits are the most fundamental part of creating a doll. No matter what doll you make, circuits are essential. As you know, dolls are a kind of magic.”

I quietly listened to his words and turned the pages. Chapter 1: On Circuits. The white page was densely filled with black text.

Professor On looked at us and continued speaking.

“But can this circuit, which is the core of the doll, really be made solely from magic? Not at all. A circuit made purely from magic is no different from regular magic. Dolls are, unlike other forms of magic, very special existences.”

His gaze drifted around the students’ faces until it finally settled on me. He stared right at me.

“You there, do you love the doll next to you?”

I coughed awkwardly at his question. I looked to my side. Mira was looking at me, amused.

She poked me in the side and whispered, “Come on, you have to answer. The professor is waiting!”

Glancing at her, I shook my head. I did care for her. She was essentially the essence of my Doll Manipulation.

But that didn’t quite equate to love. At that, a mischievous smile crept onto Mira’s face. She began to jab my side persistently.

Professor On watched us, giving a slight nod. He gently wrapped his arm around the woman next to him.

“Then from now on, make sure to love. Dolls grow stronger when loved. Just like our Tiena.”

With that, he lightly kissed the woman. She responded to him softly.

They continued to kiss without caring about us. After some time passed, he broke away and looked at us.

“Yes, the circuits that make up a doll are not created from magic alone. Beneath that lies a spiritual circuit connecting you to your doll. That’s affection.”

I blinked at those words. I glanced around, curious if everyone else had understood this.

Thankfully, everyone else looked just as puzzled as I was. Professor On seemed to notice that, blinking silently.

“Well, I didn’t expect you to understand it anyway. Let’s skip this topic and discuss the structure of magical circuits. Turn to page 4.”

He began murmuring as if reading from the text. I quietly focused on his flowing voice.

“The circuits of the dolls are fundamentally the paths through which magic flows. Well, as you all know. But do you realize that other things besides magic can flow through these circuits? For example, something like a soul….”

I had never heard that before. A soul flowing through a circuit? Is that even possible? The professor demonstrated an example, and I quietly marveled at it.

And so, I began to get deeply engrossed in Professor On’s tale. He answered questions several times throughout. The others spoke passionately.

I too asked a few questions about parts I didn’t fully grasp. He answered them in detail with a somewhat exhausted expression.

Thus, I actively participated in the class, absorbing knowledge I didn’t previously have.

Time flowed like water.

“Alright, shall we wrap things up? Time’s up.”

Professor On said. Only then was I able to blink my eyes. The Mirror Bug had quietly appeared to signal the end. Three hours had passed before I knew it.

I looked around. Everyone seemed overwhelmed, trying to process what they had just learned. Even those on the fourth floor looked dazed.

It was no surprise. This was a comprehensive overview of the basics of circuits. The knowledge that Professor On had accumulated on dolls was generously showered upon us.

I was exactly like them. My prior knowledge had been fleshed out, and new frameworks for things I didn’t know were forming.

They acted like a sort of awakening, gently nurturing my understanding. I stared blankly at Professor On. This was real education. And it was filled with valuable information.

So it only felt more awkward.

The truth was, most of the lectures I had attended up until now had been hands-off. If you lacked knowledge or skill, you’d be left scrambling at the bottom of the Tower.

But this lecture was different. He was showing us our shortcomings and helping us fill them. It felt like the blocks I had been struggling with suddenly connected smoothly.

I gazed quietly at theBasics of Doll Manipulation in front of me. Basics. If this was just the basics, I couldn’t begin to guess what lay beyond.

Perhaps because the class had ended, the book vanished as if it were melting away. Unit 0 was looking at it with a disappointed expression. I was probably wearing the same look as it.

To Doll Manipulators like us, this held more value than gold. I couldn’t believe he was so readily sharing that knowledge with us.

Why would he do something like this? I looked at Professor On, who was meeting our gazes.

“Well, you always wear those puzzled expressions when the first class ends. You look like you’re wondering if I have some ulterior motive.”

Busted. He was right. Once the class ended, I was filled with concern. I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d use this as leverage to demand some ridiculous compensation.

He shook his head lightly.

“This is a kind of investment. An investment in your dolls. As I mentioned earlier, I want your dolls to evolve. Increasing the number of beings like you is what our Tiena desires. That’s why I summoned you.”

The woman in his arms nodded along with his words. She smiled and then hugged Professor On back. He too embraced her and continued to speak.

“Enough of this worthless talk. Let’s discuss assignments. Did I mention love earlier? I love my dolls. So I want you to love yours too.”

Mira poked me in the side again. I tried my best to ignore it and focused on Professor On’s words.

“That’s your assignment until the next lecture. Create a doll that you love most, a doll you’ll continue to cherish.”

And so, Professor On’s lecture on Doll Manipulation came to a close. I blankly exited the tower. Unit 0 had a slightly dazed expression as well.

A proper lecture in a classroom? How bizarre is that? It was a peculiar space, with a peculiar lecture, and a peculiar professor.

Mira poked me again in the side. It was hard to ignore it this time. I ultimately had no choice but to look at her.

She smiled at me. Clinging to my arm, she rested her head on my chest.

“Hehe, this assignment is super easy, don’t you think? The end product is literally right in front of you. I wonder who that could be?”

She looked up at me with a mischievous glint. I couldn’t help but smirk. That was one reason I had been trying to pretend I didn’t notice. She seemed to find this whole situation quite amusing.

Most likely, this teasing would continue until the next class. If I didn’t figure out the assignment correctly, it would persist even after that. I had to solve this for sure.

Love, love, you say? Professor On wanted me to create a doll that I love. I still didn’t quite understand what that meant.

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