Chapter 11 — Rising Together

1

For Manus, school lessons had become a new form of entertainment and hobby.

Is this how all geniuses felt?

What use is it if it enters your ears but doesn’t reach your brain?

That’s how he had lived when he was a different person.

His comprehension was different.

It formed clearly in his mind.

Not only that, but he could even imagine beyond what was taught.

Theories derived from other theories.

Application.

Combining different theories, and the problems that arise when realizing them.

Like a sprawling old tree with many branches, his knowledge expanded outwards.

‘The more I think about it, the more cheating this family seems.’

[Caesar’s Mindset]

He could understand why they were the greatest family in this world.

Manus didn’t even take notes.

What was the point of writing when the blackboard was imprinted clearly in his mind?

There was no need to move his hand when the teacher’s voice played back vividly like a recording.

It was almost frightening.

Because the Caesar family was full of people with such talents.

‘I wonder…’

“That concludes today’s lesson. I need someone to demonstrate… Manus?”

“…”

Manus stood up from his seat.

Today’s lesson was about the theory and practice of [Altus] magic, which amplifies the power of elemental magic.

The principle was simple.

Draw a magic circle and overlay the Altus magic circle on top. That’s it.

If done correctly, it could produce the power of 3rd or 4th-Class magic with just 1st-Class magic.

But its difficulty rivaled double casting.

The reason for learning this, when a single high-power spell would suffice, was simple.

“Altus magic is the light for those without the talent to go higher. It’s a harsh reality, but you should all be aware of it.”

It’s said that 5th-Class magic and above is a realm given by the heavens.

Only a handful of people on the continent could learn these spells, which required inserting mana into over 500 lines.

Whoosh-

Manus effortlessly unleashed the Ignis spell.

On top of the clearly visible magic circle, he stacked the Altus magic circle like building a tower.

It just worked.

Simply with the will to make it happen.

This unfamiliar and novel feeling made him smirk.

Roar-!

The flames intensified.

Everyone’s eyes widened slightly.

“The technique feels like 1st-Class, but its power rivals [Ignio], a 3rd-Class spell. Altus is also well-known as a strategic technique.”

The teacher didn’t forget to praise Manus at the end of the explanation.

He was a mage who could perfectly recreate the theory.

“Thank you again, Manus. You may sit down now.”

Manus sat down with a nod.

Being able to skillfully use magic learned for the first time today was itself an amazing talent.

There were probably only a few students in Class A who could do this.

Perhaps Alano, and Frank from the Diaz family who was one of the Three Stones.

But none of them could recreate it with the speed and power that Manus did.

‘What enviable talent.’

The class ended with someone’s thoughts.

Manus also stood up from his seat.

It was a very peaceful daily life where no one bothered him.

“Manus.”

Hearing a familiar voice, he turned his head to see Alano looking at him.

She spoke while gazing into his blue eyes.

“We’re going to start climbing the tower in earnest today. Since we’re in the same club… even if we don’t move together, could we meet up?”

“That much is fine.”

Alano smiled brightly.

“Don’t go around too dangerously.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Her kindness didn’t discriminate based on ability.

Some might call it meddling.

But she’s a Harrison.

It was her undeniable identity.

Manus nodded, feeling her warm emotions.

From today, he needed to start working on awakening the Orca’s Necklace.

He’ll have to move around busily.

After classes ended, Manus finished preparing to climb the tower.

He bought two recovery potions from the magic item shop.

Actually, that was the extent of his preparations.

Knowing everything made one surprisingly lazy.

‘Should I defeat the first boss and return? I wonder how the pace will be.’

He just needed to give some precautions, and the rest should go well.

It was a section where the average monster level was around 1-3.

In fact, it was a section that could be easily climbed even with just one protagonist character.

There shouldn’t be much to worry about.

‘This… I’d better use it myself.’

It would be right for him to take items with nowhere else to go.

Though he didn’t believe in fate, he had to prevent a villain from discovering this.

Originally, it was an item the protagonist should have, but in the game, it was only used to solve puzzles.

It would be better than being in a villain’s hands until that time came.

With all preparations complete, they stood before the door to the other world.

“This is…,”

“Yes, it seems ordinary people can’t see it. I saw them just passing by without noticing.”

“L-let’s go in quickly.”

“We need to pass through in one go.”

Under Manus’s leadership, all members stepped into the world of death.

From today, their days would be much longer than others’.

2

Tower lobby.

Guided by Alano, this place still exuded an eerie atmosphere.

Kael, Anais.

The two blankly looked around the tower lobby.

A strange energy made them feel uneasy.

The clock that allowed the living to stay started ticking.

The golden clock, making tick-tock sounds, poked at the silence.

“The building is the Academy’s main hall… but the inside is completely different.”

“Wow… It feels really stuffy and creepy.”

They looked around, each expressing their impressions.

The statement that only they could solve this incident.

There was no reward, but these pure students stepped into this tower with courage and friendship.

“Above this… there are monsters, right?”

“Demons. The inhabitants of the realm of death.”

“They say we need to reduce their numbers to prevent them from coming out, it’s like we’re managers.”

Anais said, scratching her cheek.

Actually, that’s not wrong.

Preventing impure things from coming out into the world.

In a way, those standing here were no different from people cleaning up filth.

“The rewards will be quite substantial. I’ll explain from now on.”

The black hair that suited the night and blue eyes calmly shone.

The tower is a dangerous place.

Demons corresponding to each Arcana and Trump appear, so you must be familiar with their weaknesses.

If you stay on one floor for too long, you must fight the [Patroller].

Occasionally, rest areas appear.

You need to utilize these spaces well.

When you clear a boss, a midpoint save point that allows you to return to the first floor is activated.

“The exploration goal is up to the midpoint. You can go as high as you can manage.”

“…I have a question.”

Anais raised her hand slightly and asked.

Manus closed his mouth and waited for her to speak.

“Senior, how do you know… so much in detail? Ah— I’m just curious, that’s all.”

“I’ve climbed up to the 5th floor alone.”

“…As expected.”

“The rest is for you to find out. I don’t know all the information either.”

Everyone fell silent.

Manus emphasized once more.

“This is a place of trial, and a place where you can become stronger.”

“Understood.”

Everyone nodded with determined expressions.

The explanation was now over.

The rest was just hoping they could safely climb up to the 5th floor.

They wouldn’t die in a place like this.

After all, they had the strong friendship and superior talent bestowed upon them by this world.

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to add one more thing.

“Just rise together. That’s what you’ll do.”

“That’s an encouraging word.”

Alano smiled softly and looked at the door.

Let’s go-.

She said.

Their first exploration began.

3

Leaving the three who had went to climb the tower behind, Manus held up the necklace.

Before filling the necklace with souls, there was one NPC he needed to meet.

Even Manus was a bit reluctant to meet this character.

In the game, you know they won’t harm the player, so you proceed but-.

This was reality.

He was already worried about what actions this unpredictable being might take.

Still, if necessary, he had to meet them.

They weren’t originally evil characters, so communication should be possible.

[Aperio]

A tightly closed door.

Buried within other structures, it was a door often overlooked.

It was the most basic hidden piece, and also an element players used throughout the late game.

Click-.

The door opened.

Inside was a space entirely in blue.

He turned around inside the door and closed it from the front.

Turning back, he saw figures.

A man, and a woman.

The man and woman in black suits were playing poker side by side.

“Show your hand-.”

“Huh, it’s a flush.”

“Ah… this bastard cheated again!”

Crash-!

The woman flipped the table, and the man smoothly avoided the incoming wooden pieces.

Seemingly not the first time, the woman poured out all kinds of swear words, and the subtitles were quite amusing.

“You ―――――― bastard! A ――― like you should be ―――ed and then ―――ed and then ――ed! Always cheating, you ――――!!”

It was quite a scene.

Ahem-.

As Manus cleared his throat softly, both of their gazes turned towards him.

Red eyes and snow-white hair.

Two black horns on their heads.

The tails swaying behind their black suit pants clearly proved they weren’t human.

“Huh-? A human?”

“How did a human get here… Oh?”

The man, Black, turned his freckled face to the side.

The woman, White, glared with her red eyes.

Manus spoke, looking at the two non-human beings.

“I’ve come looking for Orca, but-.”

“Oh, it’s a guest after a long time, please sit down first.”

Black, seemingly finding an excuse to escape from the foul-mouthed woman, quickly raised his mana and forcibly moved Manus’ body.

White glared at her partner once before restoring the mess to its original state.

Both demons are top-tier experts in the world.

Moreover, in the additional information of the DLC, there was even an opportunity to have a bout with these two beings.

If this really was the world of the DLC, that might be possible too.

“You’ve brought Orca’s necklace. Where did you get that?”

“I picked it up.”

“…Seeing that it’s not a lie, it seems to be real, but do you know how to use it?”

White asked, shooting out her words.

Manus nodded lightly.

Of course, he knew.

“I’ll need to hunt the soul of a powerful Arcana, right?”

“Oh-. You know well. Then your purpose for coming here is because of that?”

Manus nodded.

This was a place where you could insert the soul of the [Devil] Arcana.

White giggled.

According to the world’s setting, White is a character who really likes fighting.

Of course, watching those fights is just as enjoyable for her.

Her laughter looked like that of a real demon.

“You’ve got quite some guts for a greenhorn. Black, is that one still alive?”

“Of course. It might be a bit tough, but what would you like to do?”

“That’s enough.”

Manus smiled brightly.

The two beings looked into each other’s eyes for a moment upon seeing his smile.

Finally, White laughed out loud.

She thought it was like seeing her old self.

The two beings stood up from their seats.

“Alright-. To create a connection with us, you should do at least this much. You’re planning to climb the tower, right? If you do well in this fight, we’ll help you.”

“Good. This guest who came in seems quite promising.”

The place the two beings led him to was a huge arena.

Manus suddenly became curious.

What secrets about the tower did they know?

[Grrrr-.]

For now, it would be better to resolve this situation first before asking.

Manus stepped into the arena with a crooked smile.

–TL Notes–
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