Chapter 201 — Things Got Bigger Than Expected

1

Dave’s defeat.

It was an event that caused a stir in the Eagle Class.

Of course, it wasn’t a match where anything significant was at stake.

It was just a friendly match to determine participation in the sports festival’s individual events.

But a first-year beating the strongest second-year was impressive enough, and the incident spread throughout the Academy as a hot topic.

Especially among the professors.

The Eagle Class professors took notice of Castro’s performance.

“Hmm, this is strange.”

“Why?”

“Why wouldn’t a student with such good grades show up at the last banquet?”

“Well, they might not have wanted to attend.”

During the meeting time.

The professors harbored doubts about this person called Castro.

Why hadn’t anyone mentioned such an outstanding student at the banquet after the midterm exams?

Either way, they had to set aside their doubts.

There must be some reason.

From the professors’ perspective, Castro was a very intelligent student.

Eliminating competitors in advance, accurately gauging both the opponent’s and their own capabilities, and so on.

Their way of moving quietly but surely toward definite results was like that of a commander.

“In any case, this is someone we need to keep an eye on.”

“Indeed. I heard they want to skip a grade. It wouldn’t be too late to decide after watching until the final exams. In a positive direction, of course.”

“Right. We should get such talented individuals out into the world to contribute as soon as possible.”

Benefits for those with outstanding abilities.

That was Mythos Academy’s iron rule.

With Manus at the forefront, terrifyingly talented individuals were emerging one after another.

If they actively support grade skipping, it would also boost student motivation.

With bonus points and various support funds and scholarships, they would work even harder.

If they report this to the chairman, it could paint quite an interesting picture.

They assessed that this year’s Eagle Class seemed to have a talent pool that absolutely didn’t fall behind compared to the Snake Class.

Only the Deer Class professors in the middle might feel discouraged.

“Well then, I’ll go report this.”

“Please do.”

As one professor left.

Todd, the Swordmaster and head professor, stared at Castro’s grades for a long while.

Class A, Rank 1.

It was a moment when the name of someone who achieved first place despite being a commoner was engraved in his mind.

2

Manus was reading today as well, in what had become practically his designated spot.

The wall of 6th Class.

The structure of the wall that had seemed so impossibly high was now somewhat visible.

The opportunity gained when passing the second stage.

It felt like taking a step forward thanks to something that seemed miraculous.

These days, his concentration was unusually good.

“Senior Manus.”

“…”

While reading in the increasingly dry wind, an unexpected voice called out.

It was Castro, who had become quite a famous figure within the Academy.

When he turned his head to look, the man with his characteristically dry expression was looking down at him.

“What is it?”

“I heard you’re participating in the sports festival.”

Manus nodded lightly.

There was something he needed to obtain.

Castro.

This person had been catching his eye quite often lately.

While it wasn’t pleasant having everyone coming to find him because he was participating in the sports festival, he should at least acknowledge the sincerity of someone who came all this way.

Manus asked why with his eyes.

“I really want to compete against you. Senior, you’re currently evaluated as the most perfect mage, aren’t you?”

“Was I someone who inspired such competitive spirit?”

Castro nodded.

There were several people they wanted to face.

Those who they recognized as beings they must surpass.

Those who reigned as the Academy’s strongest — they were Castro’s targets.

Having surpassed Dave, now it was time for the others.

Castro boldly declared their ambition.

“I want to become the strongest in the Academy.”

“So you want to surpass me, is that it?”

“Yes. Because I have to.”

“But why do you seem so rushed?”

Castro narrowed their eyes, as if not understanding.

They were living each day diligently.

Never neglecting training, gathering various information, and analyzing even the smallest habits.

Was it right to judge something built up so steadily as being rushed?

Naturally, it felt unpleasant.

Unconsciously, their pride was even wounded.

It was like an instinctive resistance.

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to climb up quickly, is there?”

“That’s only true when you’re prepared.”

“…Do I appear unprepared to you?”

To Manus, Castro looked like a puppet moving compulsively.

A puppet that kills its emotions, excludes things that could be properly considered, and just runs forward looking only ahead.

It felt like someone whose vision had been forcibly narrowed, as if brainwashed by someone.

“It’s not so much that you’re unprepared, how should I put it…”

Manus looked into his eyes and spoke again.

“It feels like you’re heading in the wrong direction.”

“If it’s the wrong direction…”

“Well, even I don’t know that.”

“Is it because you’re a noble… that you know such paths well?”

“Who knows. It has nothing to do with being noble.”

Of course, the range of experiences might be a bit different.

But that doesn’t grant absolute insight and wisdom.

Wisdom, insight, and foresight are only honed through deep contemplation and absolute time.

Manus considered how to explain, then closed his mouth.

Was there really any need to impart knowledge even to Castro?

That’s why he cut off the conversation before it got longer.

“…I understand. Excuse me.”

With a bow, Castro unexpectedly withdrew without saying more.

And then, Manus confirmed another message.

[Interference has begun.]

‘Castro. Does this mean that person is also being affected as the DLC starts?’

They certainly lacked presence compared to being Kael’s archrival in the original work.

It was natural, since the original focused only on the Tower, and Arcana and Demon, Underling, Apostle.

Perhaps they were trying to unfold different stories on the stage called DLC.

The more he thought about it, the more questions grew about why he fell here and who sent him to this place.

Right now, the path to the truth was still too far.

What moves would Castro show?

And what influence would he have on Kael — he’d have to wait and see.

‘Things really have gotten bigger.’

He sighed, feeling that the sports festival event that should have revolved around Kael seemed to be revolving around himself instead.

He had only wanted to obtain what he needed a bit faster.

Anyway, since things had come to this, he thought he should prepare thoroughly.

“Maybe I should visit the professor after so long.”

His martial arts had also somewhat stagnated.

What was the next stage again?

Now that he had strengthened his whole body, it felt like he would be taught something of an even higher level.

What could be better than martial arts in preparing for the sports festival?

He closed the book he had been absorbed in and headed toward Professor Jennifer’s location.

Melanie would probably be there too.

His steps gradually quickened.

Wondering if he could gain new knowledge.

3

Melanie was circling the training ground again today.

In this world’s setting, a woman’s body was weaker than a man’s.

Thanks to the ability called mana, that gap could be overcome.

But mana wasn’t infinite, and in the end, the only thing to rely on was an extremely trained body.

“Huff… huff…”

“You can run faster than that! Move those legs quickly!”

-Move it!

-Move it! Run!

The spirits followed behind Melanie, letting out words that could be either encouragement or teasing.

Unlike the painful past, now she didn’t mind hearing the spirits’ words.

Rather, it felt heartwarming, like younger siblings playing around.

These days, Melanie was practicing using parts of the spirits’ power directly.

Professor Jennifer had requested help from [Airane], the Spirit Studies professor.

After securing a promise that Melanie could take major courses as soon as she became a second-year, she helped her.

“Spirit and martial arts… I never thought of combining them like this.”

“Manus’s influence was significant. But… is it different from normal spirit users?”

“Yes. Usually, spirit users employ methods to release spirit power in magical forms.”

Airane.

Originally a noble, but for some reason, she abandoned her family name and became a lifetime professor at the Academy.

She was said to be a rare spirit user, and also someone whose past nobody could uncover.

Airane watched Melanie running at a speed close to sprinting with all her might.

“It’s good because it uses less mana when borrowing spirit power. But it will be a tough path.”

“Indeed. Since it involves moving the physical body.”

“But if you can accept spirits divided throughout different body parts, the efficiency would be tremendous. Similar to double casting.”

Fire, earth, ice, and wind.

Just by accepting each attribute in the limbs, one could freely wield the four attributes.

The potential for development was limitless.

Airane was deeply interested in Melanie’s unique idea.

Who was the source of this unique concept?

It was a technique she wanted to teach to spirit users.

‘But that’s a method only those who’ve learned martial arts can use.’

Students talented in spirit studies tended to prioritize communion and utilization.

Most struggled just to fully draw out spirit power.

Melanie seemed to have such an intimate connection with spirits that she didn’t need to work on communion specifically.

“By the way, it seems we have a visitor?”

“Hm? For me? That person… ah, yes.”

She felt the spirits shrinking back.

It was truly remarkable mana control.

Spirits were also beings derived from mana.

Those with strong control over mana were beings that spirits feared.

Black hair and blue eyes.

Airane watched the approaching man while soothing the spirits.

It was Manus, a man who already possessed the aura of mastery despite being a student.

“Professor Jennifer. Your humble student has come to visit.”

“Well, you do know. These days you’ve become quite lazy.”

Though no one would ever say such a thing, Manus just laughed it off.

It was Professor Jennifer’s way of joking.

In fact, it was true that Manus had been neglecting Jennifer’s teachings.

Manus smiled and bowed to Professor Jennifer.

The professor must have heard the news, as she asked Manus.

“I heard you’re entering the sports festival. Is it true?”

“Yes. My goal is to win.”

“Hm, you’re more than capable of that. What do you want to learn now?”

“I’ve mastered the basics, so I’d like to learn applications.”

Applications.

That meant ‘skills’ created through martial arts.

Jennifer raised the corner of her mouth.

Finally, she had something proper to teach.

“Applications… Do you mainly use your hands? Or feet?”

“While hands are more comfortable, I’m thinking mainly of kick techniques.”

“Will you use your hands for magic circles?”

“Precisely.”

Professor Jennifer nodded.

If that was the case, there was something they needed to do first.

As she waved her hand, a spatial pocket opened.

Kuung-!

A small but heavy, and therefore more menacing piece of metal sank into the ground.

Professor Jennifer grinned.

Manus too could understand what she wanted.

–TL Notes–
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading

Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/BWaP3AHHpt