Wistoria: Wand and Sword (杖と剣のウィストリア)

What do you suppose people at the prestigious

Rigarden Magical Academy value most?

Naturally, it's one's knack for magic.

So, what of the magically challenged students?

Is there any way for the talentless to advance?

The answer is yes.

I can come to the dungeon

and slay monsters!

I can do it.

If I try hard enough, I can do it!

Without one drop of magic!

Channeling a tiny amount of magic

into the balca ore and agni dust

creates a lump of sulfur which you can

then use as a catalyst to create a brilliant flame.

Exactly right.

Now then, who'll show us?

Which daring soul shall it be?

Will.

Will Serfort.

Will Serfort!

Yes!

Could you say that again, Professor Edward, sir?

Come down front, Will, and demonstrate this spell.

This again?

On my way, sir.

There a problem? It should be easy enough.

You need only use the catalyst

to conjure the flame, as you know.

O, great fire.

Spring forth!

Poor Will.

Silence.

To think our fine institution has you,

a wannabe who can't even perform the rudiments.

Though, what did I expect?

Book learners are only ever noteworthy

when it comes to note-taking.

You are entirely beyond help.

O flames.

Obey me.

Casting still requires permission, Sion.

Keep that in mind.

Oh, of course. Excuse me, Professor.

For some reason it appears that

Will isn't in top form.

Figured I'd be a pal and lend him a light.

Well, this will do.

As you just saw with your own eyes.

In this world, magic reigns supreme above all else.

Magic is authority.

Strength of magic is power.

Our heroes are called mages!

That's why your magical prowess

is how you earn esteem at this academy.

No-talents who can't cast the simplest of spells

are unfit to stand in these halls

regardless of their book smarts.

People who dream above their station are fools,

and they should withdraw from this school immediately.

You love flaunting your incompetence,

huh, laggard?

Hi, Sion.

I heard you found yourself in the dungeon again, too.

Slaying small fry to scrape up credits.

Shameless to your very core.

All three of you can buzz off!

Well, if it isn't Colette.

Mind sharing what an overachieving honor student

gets for defending this failure?

'Cause I'm at a loss.

He's kinder than you will ever hope to be

and works himself silly!

And I won't stand for you insulting my friend!

Colette.

Maybe your "friend" didn't know,

but it takes more than hard work

and kindness to make a great mage.

Especially.

If you're still setting your sights

on becoming a Magia Vander.

Either way, I've wasted enough time on you

as it is, loser.

Do us a favor and unenroll yourself

from this school like Professor Edward said.

Jerk!

Don't let them get to you.

And what's Professor Edward's problem?

Calling you up front just to embarrass you.

He wasn't wrong.

Magic does rule our whole world

and I can't use any of it.

Well, not yet.

Besides, I've got a cute girl like you worrying about me,

so I'm blessed in that respect, right?

W-where did that come from?

- What? -I mean, every once in a while,

you'll say things like that, but flattery will get you

nowhere in life!

Makes me think you have some ulterior motive.

Wait a minute!

I bet you sweet talk everyone

the same exact way, don't you?

Uh, maybe?

I was taught to compliment girls

ever since I was a little kid.

But even objectively speaking, you are really cute, Colette.

So, I wasn't teasing you or lying to your face.

Quit talking, Will!

You should've stopped three sentences ago!

Oh, okay.

Get it together.

You are a daughter of nobility!

Yes, it's just a title, but you are still

the composed Colette Loire!

Hmm?

Is something wrong?

No.

I'm fine.

Just enjoying the gorgeous weather.

That's fair. It is nice.

Such a warm light.

And to think it's coming from the five most

powerful wizards holding up the sky for another day.

Long, long ago

our people were trapped in darkness.

They knew nothing of the sky.

But they did know fear,

for the Celestial Host terrorized them.

Then one day, five wizards rose up in defiance.

With their combined strength,

they drove back the invaders,

cast a seal over the sky, and brought peace to our world.

They were known as the Magia Vander.

This became the highest of titles,

passed down through the ages.

It's the greatest honor a mage can achieve,

so everyone dreams of it at least once.

Think the Icemaiden's up there, watching over us,

using Albis Vina to keep us safe.

She is.

Hm?

From her window on top of the world.

She's looking right this way.

The sun and moon?

Yeah!

They're these big, big, big orbs

and they float around the real sky!

Seriously? That sounds amazing!

The best part is the thing called a sunset

that takes up its own side of the world.

It turns everything bright red.

I hear it's the prettiest sight you'll ever see!

You know, Will, the top of the towers

the closest to the sky.

If we become Magia Vander, maybe we can see the sunset.

Yeah! You're on!

Let's go see it together someday!

All right! It's a promise!

That innocent childhood promise was made on a whim,

but Elfie held to it.

With her talent, she became

the youngest ever to earn the Magia Vander title

and left for the top of the tower.

Then, there's me.

Too inept to be even mediocre.

Yet, also too stubborn to give up on our promise.

I'm still stumbling along to achieve my dream

of standing by her side.

You massive idiot!

J-just take a deep breath

and calm down, Professor Workner!

Not only did you hit the dungeon

without clearance,

you thought it wise to solo the seventh floor.

You really will get yourself killed at this rate!