111 — Defeat the Assistant Instructor

1

Today was a day with only morning classes.

All the students were gathered together to watch the selection of the 1st-year Student Council President.

This was the event where the leader who would guide the academy from now on would be chosen.

An event so important that missing a day’s worth of classes was easily excused.

No matter how many times it was repeated, the significance of today’s event couldn’t be overstated.

Manus headed to the event hall with Alano, Nia, and Guillermo.

“Who else is there besides Kael and Anais?”

“That guy Castro doesn’t seem easy either.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I caught a glimpse of him before—he fights well.”

Nia led the conversation, discussing the candidates.

Castro.

He was the only one Kael and Anais needed to be wary of.

The strongest boy in the Eagle Class.

For someone said to be a commoner without inherited abilities, his talent for accepting mana and his physical prowess were extraordinary.

It’s often said that a warrior is the natural enemy of a mage.

And Castro demonstrated this well in the original story.

“That too will be something they have to overcome.”

Guillermo glanced at Manus and spoke.

Just like that monster did, Kael and Anais would also find a solution.

It was a phenomenon that mages had to unravel forever.

The murmuring grew louder.

Those who saw the group walking together held their breath.

Look at the group.

Two Student Council Presidents and two top students in their year.

“Wow… terrifying.”

“Don’t they look amazing?”

“It’s like a photoshoot. That’s just not fair.”

At the whispering voices, Nia’s lips curled into a slow smile.

She was someone who craved attention.

How could the sight of those whispering about her be so endearing?

Yes, praise me more.

Show more interest and enthusiasm.

She savored the tingling thrill that seemed to stimulate every nerve ending.

Enjoying that feeling, she led the group to the area where preparations for the duels were in full swing.

Unaware, perhaps, that the gaze of the masses was directed elsewhere.

2

“Huuu-.”

“Nervous?”

“Yeah, it’s my first time going up against an assistant instructor. Do you think they’re stronger than Manus Senior?”

“Maybe… probably?”

Kael and Anais passed the time by talking about the assistant instructor.

Especially the red-haired girl, who sighed repeatedly out of tension.

Despite having faced countless real battles, fighting against people was still difficult for her.

She was fine against monsters or demons…

But for some reason, it was hard to adapt when fighting other people.

Still, she could overcome this as well.

Just as she had surpassed her limits at the tower.

“It’s okay, though. We’ve got a fair bit of experience, right?”

“Yeah, we can do this.”

As they chatted, they noticed an unfamiliar presence approaching.

Turning their heads, they saw a man with a greatsword slung over his back, almost covering half of it, striding toward them.

Castro.

The one currently considered the strongest among the 1st-year boys.

“Hello?”

“Who are you?”

“I’m Castro. Number 1 in Eagle A Class.”

He approached Kael and extended his hand.

With no ulterior motives in his gesture, Kael took his hand.

A hand full of calluses, hardened from hard work.

The mark of pure effort, and the proof that had elevated him to Number 1 in A Class.

Castro was a handsome man with a refreshing demeanor, but his smile oddly reminded Kael of someone else.

He looked at Kael and Anais and began to speak.

“You’re Kael, and that must be Anais over there? I heard our people were rude to you. I apologize.”

“I don’t particularly want an apology from you.”

Anais spoke lightly.

Kael nodded in agreement.

An apology should come from the person involved.

An apology relayed through someone else wasn’t a true apology.

No matter how much authority someone had, hiding behind another felt like cowardice.

Castro shrugged his shoulders.

“Is that so? Then I’ll tell them to apologize directly. I just wanted to get to know you two since you’re both talents I’d like to bring into the Student Council. Especially you.”

“Me?”

Castro grinned slyly.

His grin was so displeasing that Kael instinctively frowned.

A monster consumed by arrogance.

A typical example of someone who looked down on others, believing in their own talent.

Anais, too, felt a wave of tension drain away after hearing his words.

What was he even saying?

Regardless, Castro continued to speak with a haughty expression.

“Yeah. It’s only natural that I’ll become the Student Council President. I can’t just leave talents like you two to waste, can I?”

“Funny, who said we’d join under you?”

“That’s for me to decide. I’m going to make the 1st years the best class ever. Completely different from the lukewarm way things have been until now.”

His confident expression.

The way he looked as if it was only natural it would happen—it rubbed the two of them the wrong way.

Anyone who saw him might say he resembled Manus.

The arrogance and the way he looked down on others were certainly similar.

But what set the two apart was trust and proof.

Their origins were vastly different as well.

Naturally, one’s evaluation was bound to be overwhelmingly superior to the other, wasn’t it?

“You’re disrespecting the seniors who’ve led this class with more ability than you.”

Kael spoke firmly.

Castro spread his arms proudly and nodded.

He harbored grand dreams.

He believed he was special and dreamed of achieving great things.

Unfortunately, his grand dreams were shared by no one.

Castro knew this too.

No one pays attention to the first steps of a person.

“Everyone says it’s impossible at first. But as you start solving those seemingly impossible things one by one, perceptions change.”

“Ah, so you plan to use us?”

“To be precise, I plan to defeat you in the finals. I don’t mind if you decline to join the Student Council. In the end, you’ll still end up under me.”

After delivering a line that could have been straight out of a hero’s speech, he casually walked away.

Anais and Kael exchanged glances as they looked at the spot where Castro had stood.

Anais was the first to speak.

“Usually, people who go around saying things like that don’t have much substance.”

“Yeah, I agree. If it were me, I’d have spent that time analyzing the assistant instructor’s strengths instead.”

“But he does seem strong. One of us will probably end up facing him.”

Kael nodded.

How should a mage survive when facing a warrior?

What should be done when you can’t avoid the situation?

This wasn’t just about fighting for the Student Council President position.

It was a hurdle that mages had to overcome.

Kael pondered deeply before the upcoming battle.

[Now, we will begin the duels between the candidates and the assistant instructors.]

[Will the person whose name is called please step onto the stage.]

Finally, the stage was set for them to take a step higher.

Assistant instructors were strong.

Even after four years of attending the academy, one had to undergo additional training to qualify to apply for an assistant instructor position.

Once applied and selected, they had to complete all upper-level education and inherit the professors’ knowledge.

Many had naively applied for the position, only to fall into a pit of suffering.

“They say the assistant instructors are ready for us. Be careful.”

“Haha, do you think they’re planning to take it out on us?”

[Golden Serpent A Class, Flois Anais. Please step onto the stage.]

“I guess I’m up first. I’ll be back.”

“Yeah, good luck.”

Kael waved her hand as she sent Anais off.

Anais tied her long, flowing red hair into a tight ponytail.

For a mage entering battle, loose hair was a luxury.

Today, she had even fastened her uniform properly.

She had come fully prepared for battle.

She gathered her mana and stepped into the arena.

‘How much stronger have I become?’

Kael looked at the stage without hiding her excitement.

She saw Anais standing proudly and the assistant instructor who would face her.

All eyes were on the two of them.

Before the match began, Anais turned her head to find a familiar face.

The indifferent gaze that seemed to pierce through her.

He was asking,

[How are you going to show that you’ve grown?]

Anais smiled brightly and clenched her fist.

Who was the recipient of her beautiful smile?

Naturally, all eyes turned toward that person.

With arms crossed, watching indifferently—the tyrant of the 2nd-year students.

Before the name of Caesar, they all assumed Anais’s gaze was meant for him.

It was already well-known by those in the know that he favored some of the 1st-year students.

“You’re one of the students favored by Caesar?”

“Please take care of me.”

“If you’ve learned anything from that monster, you must be pretty capable yourself?”

Anais simply smiled at the assistant instructor’s words.

The professors, seated right next to the arena to observe and supervise, raised their hands.

A signal that the match could begin.

Mana slowly spread between them, subtly dividing the two.

The assistant instructor smiled leisurely and nodded.

Mages would naturally face off using magic.

‘Sometimes, they said to throw in some unexpected attacks—what the?’

Booooom-!

Bright red flames lashed out like a serpent’s tongue, engulfing the assistant instructor.

The mana behind it felt like it was at least 4th-Class or higher.

It was power that didn’t seem possible for a 1st-year.

[Ignio]

[Altus]

Altus-level magic could only be used smoothly by 2nd-year students.

The assistant instructor chuckled and drew on his mana.

When facing fire magic, amateurs use defensive spells.

Intermediates counter with magic of another attribute, and experts—

[Ventus]

A 3rd-Class wind attribute spell.

Fire moves according to the flow of air.

Understanding attributes well allowed one to overpower the opponent’s magic with less mana.

Of course, this assumed you had better mana control than your opponent.

Fortunately, the assistant instructor was far superior to Anais.

Both in mana and in skill.

Even if stuck at 3rd-Class, a lower class didn’t mean one wasn’t strong.

Whoosh—!

The flames danced on the wind.

“A master can toy with fire magic like this. It’s a magic with many weaknesses.”

“Is that so?”

Crackle—!

A bolt of lightning sliced through the wind.

A mage who holds back a bit is terrifying.

Pretending to use full force, only to strike at the enemy’s throat.

There was a reason why mages were compared to golden, noble serpents.

Masters of psychological warfare, who could be mistaken for something cunning and sly.

Their spells might be limited, but there were thousands, if not millions, of ways to use them.

“Ugh—!”

The assistant instructor quickly dispelled the flames into the air and put up a defensive spell.

Above the dissipating lightning, fire magic snaked back into play.

It was so precise and seamlessly executed that it was hard to believe she was a 1st-year.

More than that, Anais knew how to wield a limited set of spells at will.

When she gestured, the magic transformed into various creatures.

It was as if she was performing tricks with her spells.

“Hooh—.”

“To think she was hiding such talent, this is quite the show. Heh heh—.”

“I agree. This year’s batch is definitely…”

The professors whispered amongst themselves, eyes gleaming.

Masterful mana control pushed to its limits.

The specialty Anais had chosen was now revealed.

“Anais…”

Kael slightly parted her lips as she watched the flames dance and strike at the opponent.

She could see the path Anais had chosen.

Not just recklessly firing magic to hit the target, but using it as an extension of her own body, wearing the opponent down.

A masterpiece crafted by Manus—a DoT damage dealer of the highest caliber—had been born.

–TL Notes–
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