Chapter 167 — Set a Trap Only After You’ve Properly Judged Your Opponent

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Outside, Manus could sense the children’s confusion.

Even he was taken aback by the sudden turn of events.

A one-on-one duel with the boss, just like that… Was there an event like this?

He lifted his gaze, looking at Chesthip, who was radiating an ominous aura.

Though its essence was that of a mage, it had long abandoned its human form.

Moreover, the system had labeled him a “Recluse.”

That meant the one who managed this garden had chosen a new gardener.

“How pitiful.”

For Manus, this was an unexpected situation.

He didn’t know why Chesthip had come to oppose him or why he’d made such an extreme choice.

To be honest, Manus didn’t really care.

There were still many younger students who needed to grow and develop.

Just taking care of those children was already exhausting—why should he concern himself with an adult instructor?

Manus’s true thoughts escaped his lips.

Chesthip seemed to be provoked by those words and stomped hard on the ground.

[Man… nussssss-!]

Whoosh!

Vines erupted from the ground.

Thorny tendrils, as sharp as massive spikes, lunged at Manus’s legs, aiming to pierce him.

Had the battle already begun?

Manus leaped lightly into the air, smiling slightly.

A space with only the two of them.

In a place where no outside interference existed, there was no need to worry about anything or anyone.

It had been a long time since he’d had the chance to go all out.

“You should’ve picked your opponent more carefully before setting a trap.”

Fwoooosh!

Just how powerful was a 5th-Class spell?

With the enhanced skills of [Caesar’s Mindset], [Whispers of the Spirits], [Essence of Attack], and [Magician’s Mindset], the passive abilities Manus had accumulated began stacking power.

The combined effects—exceeding the limits of a 5th-Class spell—granted a 50% damage boost. On top of that, there was a 30% attack increase, and the use of multiple spells amplified the overall force.

Ruuuumble!

The completed 5th-Class magic contained a heat far greater than anything typically associated with the 5th-Class.

If the head of the Flois family were to witness this, what kind of expression would they make?

With a fleeting, amused thought, Manus activated the finishing touches on his spell circle.

[Ardor]

[Altus]

A massive fireball erupted, creating a towering whirlwind of flames.

The plants in the garden beyond the barrier were also affected, as the blaze began to spread.

The recluse hit directly by the magic screamed in agony.

It was an unbearable pain.

[Graaagghhhhhh-!]

“So noisy.”

Whoosh—

Manus inhaled deeply as his body began to warm up.

The mana he had used was rapidly replenishing.

[Manusssss-!]

The recluse charged through the pillar of fire.

By now, it had formed a giant figure, crafting a massive wooden hammer out of vines, swinging it down at Manus.

A direct hit would be fatal, no doubt.

Manus quickly gauged the power.

Then, rather than dodge, he started casting another spell.

He trusted in his skills.

After all, this was exactly the kind of situation he had prepared for by learning the [Counter] skill.

Grrroaaaar!

Even as the recluse’s body burned, its hatred toward Manus did not waver.

The charred figure looked as though it had turned into blackened ash.

Despite that, the recluse’s downward strike was still strong enough to kill instantly.

But none of that mattered—Manus closed his eyes and focused his mind.

[Ardor] — [Degeneratio]

[Double Spread]

A 5th-Class fire spell and a 5th-Class dark magic spell tore through the air.

Perhaps even more wicked and malicious than Anais’s signature techniques, this spell significantly reduced the opponent’s stats.

Dark magic that weakened an enemy’s abilities was highly effective against bosses.

As a result, combinations of dark magic and elemental magic were often used in battle strategies.

It was a go-to spell for use in areas like the 3rd and 4th sectors and was considered one of the mid-tier “national” skills that most could master.

Normally, it shouldn’t have been possible to use in the garden. But for Manus, things were different.

[Dieeeeee!]

Boooom!

The recluse’s strike landed with full force, a blow fueled by all its hatred and knowledge as a former instructor—a demon who knew a mage’s weak points well.

Chesthip, once a trainer, swung down with every ounce of power he had, trying to crush Manus.

Though the immense pain overwhelmed him, he grit his teeth and endured it.

The body granted to him by Andrea could withstand the power of a 5th-Class spell and even beyond.

Moreover, as long as he remained in the garden, he had the ability to regenerate endlessly unless killed in one blow.

Thus, without hesitation, he pressed forward with reckless abandon, intent on killing.

Grrrgh…?!

The impact was beyond staggering.

The blow should have reduced Manus to pulp.

After all, Manus had stood still with his eyes closed, offering no defense.

He had taken the attack head-on, so by all logic, he should have been left in a bloody heap.

But then… what was this pain?

It felt as though his entire body were shattering. A crushing weight of agony surged through every fiber of his being.

The pain was so intense that it paralyzed him—he couldn’t even scream.

Unable to struggle, the recluse collapsed to the ground, overtaken by the excruciating torment.

[Counter — Exigo]

[30% chance to reflect physical attacks]

[If damage exceeds 50% of max HP, 100% reflection]

[Can only be used once per battle]

“What a fool.”

Anyone could see that this was no ordinary counterattack.

Even someone like Guillermo, who boasted unrivaled defense, would have struggled to survive such a strike.

It was a skill meant to prevent instant death.

One of the skills Manus had learned specifically for situations like this.

[Graaagghhhh-!]

Chesthip, the recluse, writhed in agony, letting out a hideous scream.

Meanwhile, Manus remained calm and composed as he finished casting his spell.

[Cadenza]

At last, he had completed the ultimate 5th-Class spell.

[Figer Vapour]

The Dry Flame.

A fiendish magic that burns away an opponent’s defense, magical resistance, and mana, dealing additional damage based on the stats it consumes.

The demon-shaped flame engulfed the recluse.

Crunch, crunch!

Though it should have been burning away in the flames, there was a sound like something being devoured.

The flames feasted on the recluse like a ravenous beggar tearing into food.

It was a grotesque sight, but Manus couldn’t fully appreciate the scene.

‘That was tough.’

He had cast two 5th-Class spells in quick succession, three times in total.

Although it wasn’t on the level of a 6th-Class spell, the mana consumption was significant.

Had it not been for [Cadenza], which merged the two spells while consuming 80% of his mana, he might have run out of mana altogether.

A 5th-Class Triple Spread was still far out of reach, a feat he couldn’t even think about attempting.

Even the 5th-Class Double Spread wouldn’t have been possible without the recent passives he had acquired.

The difficulty was high, but the results were just as powerful.

By now, the scent of burning wood was wafting through the air, and the recluse’s figure had vanished.

All that remained was the ravaged form of Chesthip.

“…”

“You harbored malice toward me, someone who had nothing to do with you. Your end is truly pathetic.”

“…Professor Kaiser’s favor… It should’ve been mine.”

“Sure. It was always yours.”

Manus didn’t care at all about Professor Kaiser’s favor.

The only reason he had accepted her proposal was for one thing.

To gain the inspiration he needed to transcend beyond the 6th-Class at the academic conference.

Hearing Manus’s words, spoken without a shred of emotion, Chesthip’s body trembled.

Manus’s words fueled even more hatred in him as his voice shook with boiling rage.

“You… ruined everything… Everything!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Professor Kaiser was going to take you to the academic conference. I merely assisted her with her thesis.”

“…What?”

“You pitiful fool. I almost feel sorry for Professor Kaiser.”

Hearing these new words for the first time, Chesthip’s frenzied movements became even more desperate.

His body was already incapable of functioning, and his consciousness was fading fast.

Still, the desire to hear the truth before his end kept him clinging to life.

“What… what do you mean… what are you talking about…?”

“You couldn’t even understand your mentor’s intentions, and yet you let your own insecurities consume you. You’re truly nothing but a worm.”

Fwoosh—

Flames flickered at Manus’s fingertips.

Chesthip stared at the fire and screamed.

Why had the professor only shown that smile to Manus?

Why had Professor Kaiser always burdened him with work?

Why did he have to meet his end here, in this place?

An endless spiral of despair, emptiness, and regret twisted through his mind.

“The professor asked me to help revise her thesis. I saw several notes attached to it, indicating the knowledge she intended to pass on to you and how she planned to guide your progress.”

“A…”

A transparent tear sparkled in his eyes.

Manus gazed at him for a moment before dropping the flame in his hand.

“In the end, you were nothing but a worm who disappointed everyone.”

So, be forgotten.

That would be the kindest fate for those you had hurt.

“Aaaah, aaaaaahhh—”

Chesthip’s body convulsed.

Though he no longer felt any pain, he was keenly aware that his life force was fading.

Once the flames devoured his body, even his soul would vanish.

It was too unfair. He was overwhelmed with regret.

He hated himself for ruining everything because of a momentary desire.

He despised everything that had led to this.

And he despised himself for never trusting the professor who had tried to give him everything.

“The only thing that can fill the emptiness within is a genuine conversation with others. Did you ever have an honest discussion with the professor?”

“…”

The convulsing body of the former instructor fell silent.

Whether he was dead or not didn’t concern Manus.

He had merely eliminated an obstacle, weakened the enemy’s forces.

“…Don’t believe…”

Chesthip whispered softly, but Manus ignored him.

The rotting body disintegrated into the flames, and the vines that had blocked Manus’s path disappeared.

At the same time, the Orca’s Necklace Chesthip had been carrying absorbed his soul.

‘That makes eight now. Quicker than expected.’

Still, it would only get harder from here.

The rare arcanas would probably only appear once they reached the 5th sector.

As if cutting off his stray thoughts, the sound of demons wailing echoed through the air.

Sounds he hadn’t heard from inside the vines now alerted him.

Indeed, Andrea was one of the few who truly knew how to scheme.

This small trick had been well within Manus’s expectations.

She had set up barriers to prevent them from entering the center of the vines.

“But that’s over now. I wonder what she’ll try next.”

Would the 2nd Apostle have heard that quiet remark?

If they had, they would need to think hard.

If not, they would simply be wiped out by overwhelming power.

Crackle—

Manus conjured a spell.

It was time to send word to his worried companions—those who had worried, and were likely still worrying.

He wanted to let them know that Caesar Manus was more capable than they thought, and his strength had grown to an even greater level.

Manus’s spell shot out like an arrow, banishing their concerns.

–TL Notes–
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