112 — It’s Not Only Me That’s Changing

1

Time changes people.

The experiences contained within it gradually twist one’s inner self, stripping away purity.

In the process of losing this purity, people go down one of two paths.

They either confront a more developed version of themselves, or they become twisted and corrupt.

Anais belonged to the former category.

The magicians of the Flois family were known for their fiery power.

They were the kind who dreamed of unleashing devastating single strikes.

But look at her.

“She’s completely walking a different path from our family.”

“Haha, but that’s good too. If she stubbornly sticks to single, powerful strikes despite having that kind of talent, it would only dull her shine.”

The professors praised her talent.

Harnessing the talent inherited from one’s family is a wonderful thing.

However, trying to fit into clothes that don’t suit you only hinders growth.

That’s what a family can be.

It can be a perfectly fitting suit, but at times, it can also become the awkward costume of a clown.

That’s the shackle known as family.

Anais blossomed her talent within the tower.

Dazzling control and the ability to manipulate even the finest traces of mana.

[Interference has been detected.]

[Anais’s constitution is changing.]

[Anais’s DoT damage is increasing by 30%.]

[Reward: The effect of ‘Flois Mindset’ will be amplified.]

[Reward: A special effect will be added to ‘Flois Mindset.’]

Manus smiled faintly.

It was worth all the effort of putting her through hardship in the tower.

Look at that flickering serpent of flames.

It was one of the most beautiful sights Manus had witnessed since opening his eyes in this world.

Flames that tightened like they were trying to squeeze the life out of their target.

The serpent coiled and flicked its tongue in the fiery inferno.

The assistant instructor trapped within this hellish blaze tried to escape the aftermath of the magic with a helpless smile.

It was impressive, but still only a small, flickering light.

There was still a long way to go before becoming the true ‘Flois,’ known as the Sun’s Flame.

“Rise!”

[Glaciatus]

Crack—!

A wall of ice pierced through the serpent of flames.

As the heat dissipated, people cheered.

This is what makes battles between magicians so exciting!

Anais immediately began preparing her next spell.

Just showing this much would suffice.

It was wise to keep her final card in reserve.

“Surely you don’t think I can only use fire magic, right?”

She smiled, and the assistant instructor’s face hardened.

Everyone has a trump card, after all.

The space around her lit up brightly.

The magic that no one had expected emerged.

‘Holy Magic,’ the most difficult and tricky attribute to master among all elemental magics.

Kael, who was watching, widened her eyes.

Radiant light fell from the sky.

[Donium — Planeta]

Mana in the form of falling stars rained down like a meteor shower.

The assistant instructor, who had isolated himself with the ice wall, let out a chuckle.

She’s someone who knows how to exploit weaknesses well.

She proved that she doesn’t just recklessly pour out magic’s raw power.

The power might be slightly lacking, but her brilliant talent would soon compensate for any deficiencies.

The assistant instructor cast a defensive spell to block the falling stars.

The force of each impact was not something to be taken lightly.

[Now, please conclude the duel.]

The professor’s voice echoed, and they withdrew their surging mana.

Anais wiped the sweat beading on her forehead.

She turned her head and looked at Manus.

He was smiling faintly.

Anais beamed and flashed a ‘V’ sign with her hand.

Cheers erupted.

At that moment, Anais truly embodied the name of Flois.

2

After wrapping up his duel with impressive results, Castro stepped onto the arena.

He was certain.

Anais and Kael needed to be in the Student Council.

Watching the prowess Anais had just displayed reaffirmed his conviction.

She was a student who hadn’t been learning magic for very long.

Yet, such formidable control…

If she had been born with a talent for the sword, she might have posed a real threat to him.

“Hoo—. Let’s begin.”

“Good. Bring it on.”

Magicians and warriors are different.

While talent is more highly valued in magicians, for warriors, experience and talent are weighed equally.

Had they swung their swords for just one more day, had they neglected their training?

Sweat spilled from a warrior’s body never lies.

No matter how extraordinary one’s talent, in the world of warriors, before someone more experienced and more trained, even a prodigy is just an amateur.

Even so, Castro fiercely pressured the assistant instructor.

Every time his greatsword swung, a gale roared.

Kael carefully observed Castro’s sword movements.

“To think he could do this much without Aura. Impressive.”

“Let’s start the real test now.”

“Alright, come at me anytime.”

In his twenties, the assistant instructor, at the peak of his physical prowess and brimming with talent, flicked his hand.

Blue mana flared from the assistant instructor’s long, thick sword.

The mana, shimmering like a heat haze, seemed to pour out blue flames over the blade.

This was the power commonly referred to as Aura.

The essence of a warrior, the technique that granted them superhuman strength.

Ultimately, one’s mastery of Aura was crucial enough to determine their rank.

“Can you handle this?”

“Yes. That’s nothing—”

Castro smirked, releasing an Aura comparable to the assistant instructor’s.

The two who clashed thereafter fought in an entirely different manner than before.

Sparks of Aura flew in all directions.

Each sword strike, which seemed like it could inflict a fatal wound with just a graze, intertwined chaotically.

The long sword, which should’ve been stabbing with speed and technique from various angles, couldn’t keep up with the speed of the greatsword.

Castro, born with overwhelming strength since birth.

It was why he could handle weapons weighing almost twice as much as someone of a similar build.

“That guy, he might become amazing.”

“Yeah. Despite wielding that greatsword, his stance is immaculate.”

Nia and Alano admired Castro.

They looked at Manus as if seeking his agreement.

But Manus simply continued to stare at the arena, ignoring their gaze.

His sunken eyes suggested he was pondering something.

Nia and Alano didn’t interrupt Manus’s thoughts.

Honestly, Nia’s tongue was itching to speak, but she sensed that interrupting now might earn her some serious resentment.

Although she didn’t like the idea of tiptoeing around a junior… at this moment, Manus’s presence felt less like that of a 2nd-year student and more like that of a seasoned magician.

‘Hmph, someday I’ll uncover his true nature.’

She waited for the investigation she had entrusted to her family members.

She knew it herself.

What kind of person was the mistress of Manus’s household, the Caeser family?

But she couldn’t give up on her investigation.

In her view, this matter was quite serious.

If outside pressure came to bear, she was prepared to dig in and hold on tenaciously.

The very act of suppressing the investigation would imply there was something to hide.

‘I should stay on friendly terms on the surface, right? And… it’s not their fault.’

Nia’s gaze shifted to the 1st-year students.

The way they were eagerly watching the matches reminded her of herself in the past.

It had only been two years, but so much had changed.

Boom—!

A thunderous noise snapped her out of her thoughts, and she turned her head.

The match had ended.

In the end, the assistant instructor’s sword had broken, unable to withstand the power of the greatsword and the sheer amount of Aura.

Perhaps it was the difference between a mass-produced longsword and a custom-made one.

The quality of Aura couldn’t be ignored either.

Aura could enhance a weapon’s durability, but it didn’t make it indestructible.

Ultimately, the match concluded with the assistant instructor raising his hand after losing his weapon.

“Ooh—! As expected of Castro!”

“The pride of the Eagle Class!”

“He’s amazing! Castro!”

Cheers erupted.

Praise poured in for Castro, who had displayed outstanding skill.

It felt like just as Anais and Kael stood out among the magicians, Castro stood out among the warriors.

Considering he had even overpowered the instructor, it was natural for more accolades to follow.

One could visibly see the professors’ evaluations of him soaring.

With exaggerated gestures, Castro greeted those around him before elegantly turning away.

Anyone watching would’ve thought he was the scion of a prestigious noble family, given his refined movements.

Manus glanced at him and muttered briefly.

“Full of conceit.”

He had comfortably been ranked as the most disliked character in the game.

Knowing the opponent’s personality in advance naturally led to a bias.

Although he tried to suppress it as much as possible, his perception hadn’t changed.

That arrogance needed to be crushed quickly—

As a player, he had always been the one to handle that task, but observing as a third party felt a bit frustrating.

However, there was no reason to go out of his way to teach that guy a lesson.

After all, that boy’s talent wouldn’t surpass Kael’s.

And the one who had grown even more than Kael, who was currently being hailed for her overwhelming talent…

“Lord Manus.”

“What is it?”

“A letter has arrived.”

“Is it a reply?”

Aden had come personally to deliver it, which suggested the matter was urgent.

She handed over the letter with her head bowed.

Manus slowly opened it and read its contents.

It contained updates on his previous replies, along with news about the family and various other matters.

『My dear son, how have you been? I received your letter well.

I’m writing this in haste, so please forgive its disorganized nature.

There is much information you need to hear in person.

Moreover, there have been reports of missing persons from various regions.

While the academy seems safe… please be cautious.

Utilize the Shadows.

A letter has arrived from the Emperor.

He mentioned he would invite you soon.

When you go to the Imperial Palace, always maintain proper conduct.

Remember, that place is home to those who can burn people alive over the smallest of faults.

We will soon send a summons from the family.

Until then, please take care of yourself.

We always trust in you.

We miss you.

-Your ever-inadequate mother-』

After familiarizing himself with the contents of the letter, Manus summoned a flame and burned it to ashes.

It was a letter containing valuable information.

There was no need to risk someone else finding it.

Manus took a moment to gaze at the ongoing matches.

He wanted to watch Kael’s match, but… she would likely do well without him.

Now was the time to meet with the Chairman.

He turned to Alano and spoke.

“Make sure to watch Kael’s match closely.”

“What about you?”

“I think I should go see the Chairman.”

Alano didn’t bother asking further questions.

Instead, he voiced what Kael might feel.

“She’ll probably be disappointed.”

“…It can’t be helped.”

It had been quite a while since they climbed the tower together.

After the Student Council President selection, they would likely be busy training in the tower, so it could be postponed.

Alano nodded with a wry smile.

He must have his reasons.

Aden guided Manus as she walked alongside him.

What should Alano say to Kael later?

A frown creased his forehead as he pondered.

–TL Notes–
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