Chapter 129 — After Rest Comes Strength
1
Reveli-Malito’s hideout.
Or rather, their clubroom.
For days now, Castro had locked himself in there, overwhelmed by despair and frustration.
It was a first for him—this feeling of not being able to surpass someone.
Among his peers, none could stand against him.
He had shattered the shields of the strongest Guardians, sending their swords clattering to the ground.
Mages couldn’t even cast a spell before the fight was over.
“I… I…”
[You are destined to become a hero.]
[Your build and muscle development are outstanding. Ah… this child is destined for greatness.]
[Haha! There won’t be anyone your age who can match you.]
All those compliments from the adults flashed through his mind like a parade of memories.
Had it all been lies?
No, he was truly unmatched.
Even Duarin, one of the strongest Guardians, couldn’t withstand his sword strikes.
And the warriors? It wasn’t even worth mentioning.
Those who challenged him, knowing Castro would be participating, had been thoroughly humiliated.
But now—
“…The Snake House… why are they so damn strong? Why-eeeeeee!”
His scream, imbued with mana, swept through the clubroom.
No one came here anymore.
Heavy breaths, raw and raspy, came out of his throat as tears welled in his eyes.
Knock, knock.
The soft sound cut through his outburst.
With bloodshot eyes, Castro whipped his head toward the door.
“It’s Professor Trevor. I heard some noise while passing by, so I thought I’d check in.”
“…”
Castro pressed his palms hard against his eyes.
The warmth from his hands soothed the stinging in his eyes.
His pounding headache began to ease.
He couldn’t let the professor see him in this state.
-Though it might have been too late for that, he still needed to pull himself together.
Clearing his throat, Castro hesitated before opening the door with a click.
A slim figure dressed in a loose, comfortable robe stood in the doorway.
His kind features, soft eyes, and slightly gaunt cheeks gave the impression of a gentle, patient man.
“Castro? What’s going on?”
“Nothing, Professor. I’m just… not feeling well.”
“Hmm. Is there something you’d like to talk about? I’m here if you need to share anything.”
Professor Trevor spoke with genuine warmth.
Castro hesitated, shaking his head.
He didn’t see the point in confiding in anyone.
He’d always been told to keep his guard up, to never reveal too much about himself, especially being a commoner.
But what Castro didn’t know was that a wounded animal that puts up defenses often becomes the easiest prey.
Trevor saw this. The boy had talent beyond measure, even a professor like him could see that.
“Are you upset because of the duel?”
“N-No, it’s not that. Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m actually certified as a counselor, you know. I can’t just walk away when a talented student of ours is in distress.”
Castro’s eyes trembled.
It wasn’t hope, but rather a kind of genuine comfort he had never experienced before.
Slowly, the young boy who had been trying so hard to hide his wounds began to open up.
2
In the clubroom, Manus had just returned from the library, carrying a book.
At this point, he had become a regular, so the librarian greeted him warmly.
All Manus could do in return was offer a quick nod, feeling awkward about responding too warmly.
The book he borrowed contained a wealth of theory—5th and 6th Class magic and its applications.
It also featured insights and musings from Almir, one of the greatest archmages in history.
“Senior! We’re here!”
“It’s been a while, Manus.”
The lively chatter filled the clubroom as several students entered.
The stark contrast to the atmosphere back at their respective noble families was palpable, causing a faint smile to creep onto Manus’ face.
Seeing that fleeting smile, Kael grinned back.
His rare smiles were truly something to be cherished.
Manus looked at Kael, this junior who was starting to resemble him in more ways than one.
What kind of mage would she become, once she matured fully?
In the original game, she had been a character nurtured by Manus. But here and now, she was walking her own path.
He couldn’t help but look forward to her future.
“How far up the tower did you make it?”
“We reached the 99th floor. We wanted to tackle the 100th floor with you.”
“Well done. Once all the day’s events are over, we’ll meet in the lobby.”
Pearson eagerly shot his hand up, his face brimming with questions, which made Manus glance at him.
Once Manus gave him a silent nod to speak, a barrage of questions followed.
“So, our academy building has 100 floors, right? Are we going to conquer the tower soon? Or is there more? Are we going to become heroes in just a month?”
“You’re getting too excited. Now I don’t feel like telling you.”
“Eeeek!”
Pearson wasn’t the only one who showed disappointment; others let out quiet groans of frustration.
But Manus had no intention of revealing anything yet.
They had to experience it themselves.
Manus wanted them to grow.
Emotions, experiences, and the insights born from them were what would fuel their progress.
They needed to see and feel everything with their own eyes. Only then would their growth be genuine.
“See it for yourself. Feel it. Then think about what you should do.”
“-Got it.”
“Did you find anything out?” Nia asked suddenly.
Manus shrugged. No need to make a fuss about it.
“I’ve figured out everything I need to. That’s enough for now.”
“Hmph… Fine. Now that we’ve rested, it’s time to keep going. We’ve all worked hard.”
“Kael, you’re joining the Student Council, right?” Anais asked.
Kael hesitated for a moment.
“Do you think I’ll be good enough?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t trust anyone else but you.”
“And what about me?” Pearson chimed in.
“You? Ugh…”
Anais let out a small sigh, and Pearson let out a loud wail.
“What! Why me? I’ve been by your side more than anyone! Pearson Peterson! Why am I always being overlooked?! I— mmph!”
“Okay, okay, I get it. Now keep it down.”
Despite the noise, the lively atmosphere wasn’t unpleasant.
Different people’s energies mixed, creating a unique atmosphere in the room.
With only the final hurdle left, they were ready.
Manus finished making plans for later and stood up, intending to focus on reading.
As he moved to leave, Alano quietly followed him, her gaze serious.
She had seen something—someone—that Manus needed to know about before he left.
She quietly called out to him.
“Manus, can I talk to you for a second?”
Without a word, Manus turned to face her.
Looking around to make sure no one was listening, Alano began.
“Have you noticed anything strange? Any… odd people?”
“Odd people?”
“Someone whose presence is so faint… it’s almost like they’re invisible.”
Manus thought about it for a moment.
Yes, there was someone.
A student from the Eagle House, always carrying twin swords on their back.
They had spoken once before.
Could Alano have seen that person too?
This was intriguing.
If both of them could see someone that others couldn’t…
This warranted a deeper conversation.
“I’ve seen them too. They’re certainly an interesting individual.”
“They’re able to interact with things physically, so they’re not a ghost or a monster.”
“Hmm… I agree. They’re something else.”
What was Alano’s take on this?
Manus decided to ask.
“So, what do you plan to do?”
“For now, I think we should observe. If we’re the only ones who can see them… I want to know why.”
“The fact that they can interact physically means they could pose a danger.”
Alano nodded.
Being invisible could be a massive advantage—or an enormous threat.
If they ever decided to harm others, it could lead to a disaster the academy had never seen before.
The thought alone made Alano’s face go pale.
It was crucial that such a tragedy didn’t occur.
For now, the student seemed innocent.
But if those buried feelings ever festered and exploded… something terrible might happen.
“We have to stop that. Something like that can’t happen… Do you think the others can’t see him?”
“We’ll have to find out.”
“I’ll handle it. It’s not like we don’t have time.”
Manus nodded.
If Alano took responsibility, that student might find a way to release their pent-up frustrations safely.
Alano was a compassionate person.
In the game, she had even been compared to a saint.
With a determined expression, Alano nodded firmly before turning to leave.
She was likely going to find the student.
Manus watched her go, then began walking again.
[Strong interference has begun.]
[There are signs that the timeline is beginning to twist.]
Manus left the ominous message behind as he set out to confront the vast knowledge that awaited him.
By now, such interference had become almost routine.
3
As the sun painted the horizon in shades of orange, Alano spotted the boy wandering leisurely across the academy grounds.
A flood of thoughts rushed through her mind.
Where did he sleep?
What did he eat?
How did he manage day-to-day things like this?
The questions were endless.
For now, she’d just have to ask.
Crunch, crunch—the sound of footsteps on the grass made the boy turn around.
“Oh? Senior Alano!”
“What are you doing out here? Have you eaten?”
“I, uh… ate something. Sort of.”
His shifty eyes gave away the fact that he had probably scrounged something strange or maybe even stolen food.
Alano sighed. She couldn’t let this continue.
The boy’s small, thin frame looked frail, and his twin swords seemed far too heavy for him.
“Follow me. You need to eat properly.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. And I’d like to hear more about what you’ve been up to.”
The boy hesitated, but then nodded.
He followed her quietly, still unsure why she was being so kind to him.
Where had that come from?
“Why are you being so nice to me? You’re… not like Senior Manus.”
“That’s because I need to keep an eye on you. You know, people are less likely to cause trouble when they’re full.”
“…Thanks.”
The boy smiled faintly, following Alano as she led him away.
They returned from the kitchens carrying armfuls of food—small, portable meals they could eat quickly.
They found a quiet spot, and as the boy devoured the food, Alano watched him intently.
“If you ever need anything or run into any trouble, come find me. I’ll talk to Manus, too… you should go to him as well.”
“Do you really think he’ll help me?”
“Manus may seem distant, but he’s surprisingly caring. At least, I think so.”
“Or maybe it’s just because he’s so skilled that he wants to keep talented people nearby… you know, like a collector.”
Alano laughed at the boy’s innocent statement.
Now that he mentioned it, she did wonder how Manus saw her.
“Haha, I wish I were that attractive. Manus and I have known each other since we were kids—what you’d call childhood friends.”
“Oh, I see. But still… I don’t want to be a burden. I’ll do my best on my own.”
“If you stay quiet for too long, you’ll forget how to talk. Do you have anyone else to talk to?”
The boy shook his head.
Alano’s gentle smile didn’t waver as she continued.
“People aren’t meant to live alone. You won’t be able to do anything by yourself. Even the heroes in old stories had companions.”
Her words flowed softly, like a warm breeze, and seemed to nestle themselves deep inside the boy’s heart.
For the first time, his bright eyes reflected someone else’s gaze.
“So, instead of being alone, it’s better to have even just one or two people you know.”
With that, Alano stood up.
Her pocket watch softly chimed, reminding her of her next engagement.
Before leaving, she turned back to the boy one last time.
“Your name was Grady, right? Is that what we should call you?”
“No.”
The boy shook his head.
“…Trace.”
He murmured the name softly, but she heard it clearly.
‘Trace.’
A fitting name for someone who seemed to be chasing the fading remnants of his own existence.
–TL Notes–
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