"Forbidden books?"
The unexpected remark left Shien completely bewildered.
"From the look on your face, it seems you really didn't know."
Roxie looked somewhat taken aback herself before sighing and beginning her explanation.
"Basically, any magic with clear criminal applications is prohibited from being used or learned."
"For example, magic that can be used to pick locks, or magic that can see through things. Magic like that is generally banned from use and study by every country to prevent it from being used for crimes."
"Compared to those, though, space magic is controlled even more strictly."
"I'm sure you can guess why, right?"
Roxie's words made Shien think of Laisha.
"Yes." Roxie immediately nodded, as though she had been certain Shien would think of someone. "Space magic is incredibly convenient—convenient to the point of being frightening."
"Space magic like Teleportation is one thing, but as with that person, if someone proficient in space magic wants to do something to a barrier set up somewhere, it's very easy for them."
"Furthermore, space magic has an enormous impact on the battlefield."
"It can warp space, trapping enemy forces in a maze of distorted space and throwing their formations into disarray."
"It can alter the terrain, turning the battlefield into whatever shape its user desires."
"Whether for infiltration, support, or combat, space magic can be applied to anything. Its versatility is arguably the greatest of all magic."
"That is why every nation has decrees forbidding the unauthorized distribution of space magic spellbooks. Only Court Mages authorized by the state may access them. If an ordinary person happens to come into contact with one, once discovered, they will immediately be summoned by the royal family. They may even be more or less forcibly recruited as royal Court Mages. Otherwise, if a space mage wanted