Only by mastering a spell, even the most basic Fireball or Water Arrow, would Haruto truly feel like a supernatural ability user.
It was the same principle as going from D-rank to C-rank—not a huge leap in power, but a threshold nonetheless.
The key thing was that magic was cool.
Always swinging fists didn't suit his pretty-boy image.
Akeno thought for a moment before saying, "Well, since you've pretty much mastered close combat, it's true that you can start learning magic now. Plus, it'll let you tap into your magical potential sooner."
Haruto nodded eagerly, hoping for a red-haired, big-breasted onee-san to give him personal guidance.
"Here, take this book first. It has plenty of practical low-level spells."
Akeno pulled out a black-bound book from her cleavage and handed it to Haruto.
"These are all pretty simple. Master them, and they can catch your opponents off guard in battle."
Haruto glanced at Akeno's ample bosom—so she really could store things in there.
Witnessing it firsthand left him momentarily stunned.
"What are you spacing out for? Take it."
Akeno lightly bonked Haruto's head with the corner of the book, displeased. "Stop staring. This is one move you can't learn."
Haruto grinned and took the book, still warm and fragrant.
The glossy black cover bore a crimson pentagram, exuding an air of mystery.
Even before opening it, he could tell this book was extraordinary.
For ordinary people, learning even a low-level spell was difficult. Even magic apprentices with proper mentors had to learn spells one by one from their teachers.
The spells in this book were the accumulated knowledge of the Gremory family over generations.
If it were truly ordinary, Akeno wouldn't have kept it so close to her.
Even at A-rank, there were still spells in it she hadn't fully mastered.
Magic heavily depended on talent and affinity.
Akeno excelled in lightning-based spells, but that didn't mean she could neglect the others—some spells were just too useful.
Like spatial magic.
And spatial magic.
Oh, and also spatial magic.
Whether it was long-distance teleportation arrays, battlefield teleportation, or the ever-essential storage space, none of it was possible without spatial magic.
Useful as it was, spatial magic was also the hardest to master.
Opening the book, the fragrance grew stronger. Haruto rubbed his nose, keeping his composure.
He'd already handled the real deal—this little temptation wasn't enough to rattle him.
Steeling himself, Haruto began studying the book's contents in earnest.
The first page listed low-level offensive spells like Fireball, Water Arrow, Lightning Bolt, Wind Blade, and Earth Spike, each of a different element.
Next came slightly more complex spells like Polymorph, Swamp, and Charm.
The further he read, the more advanced the spells became—and correspondingly, the greater their power and versatility.
Each spell came with printed instructions as well as handwritten notes.
Likely left by the book's previous owner—Akeno herself—these notes contained her insights and personal tips.
Haruto had been utterly lost at first, but Akeno's notes gave him at least some direction.
While Haruto was engrossed in his studies, Rias emerged from her bath, wrapped in a towel.
She cast a casual glance at Haruto, completely unbothered by the exposure, and proceeded to change into fresh underwear and her uniform.
Unfortunately, Haruto was too absorbed in the book's mysteries to notice, missing the view entirely.
By the time he snapped out of it, Rias was already dressed and sipping tea in her chair.
Haruto closed the book excitedly. "Senpai, thanks! I'd like to keep this a little longer."
"You can have it."
It was Rias who replied, not Akeno.
Magical knowledge belonged to the Gremory family—only she could make that call.
In truth, if not for Rias's special attitude toward Haruto, Akeno would never have handed him the book in the first place.
Knowledge wasn't freely given, no matter the world.
Magical knowledge was intangible wealth, especially a book like this, filled with Akeno's personal notes.
Out in the world, it would spark a bloodbath.
For magic apprentices, possessing this book was like being handed a golden ticket to becoming a mid-tier magician.
Haruto was delighted. "Thank you, President."
He suspected the book was valuable, but he had no idea just how valuable.
Countless magic apprentices would kill for such an opportunity.
Haruto tucked the book close to his chest and asked curiously, "President, when did you get here?"
"I've been here the whole time. I just went to take a bath."
After some small talk, Haruto excused himself.
With the skill book in hand, he couldn't wait another second.
Imagining himself wielding flames in one hand and lightning in the other, sending enemies fleeing in terror, Haruto confidently began learning his first spell.
...
Three hours later.
Feeling the emptiness of his drained mana reserves, Haruto's dreams were shattered.
He realized his magical talent was… mediocre at best. The so-called "magical prodigy" was only because his Mana Extraction skill had been acquired directly.
After three hours of exhausting his mana, he'd only succeeded once.
And that single successful attempt—a Fireball—had spiraled out of control, nearly setting his own eyebrows ablaze.
Comparing himself to Akeno's notes, Haruto finally understood his true magical aptitude.
Not strong, but passable.
Better than some, worse than others. With decades of diligent practice, he might reach high-tier magician status.
Had he not been led to expect otherwise, Haruto could've accepted this.
But after hearing so much praise, he'd started believing he was a genius—only to have reality cruelly correct him.
It hurt.
Especially when compared to his close-combat talent, the disparity stung even more.
"Maybe fire just doesn't suit me."
Once his mana recovered, Haruto stubbornly tried again.
Water, earth, wind…
The results were roughly the same across all elements, with spirit affinity being the highest and earth the lowest.
His decent spirit affinity wasn't due to innate talent, either—it was because he'd absorbed his predecessor's soul, giving him naturally strong mental energy.
The facts were clear: his talents were all in the brute-force path, not the flashy, elegant, special-effects-laden world of magic.
After a night of contemplation (and some quality time with the Takamine sisters' smooth skin), Haruto convinced himself to change his approach.
If his talents weren't in the right place, he'd pivot.
Instead of wasting effort on magic, he'd focus on getting close to girls.
Even if he didn't draw magic-related talents to become a true prodigy, he could still acquire skills directly and master spells faster.
Power was temporary—style was forever.
He would become a noble, elegant sorcerer.
That said, Haruto had no intention of abandoning close combat.
He'd keep it as a trump card.
His fight with Tetsuya Hakuta had taught him the importance of hidden aces.
A single key skill could turn the tide of battle.
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