Chapter 54: The Learner

1

Conflict exists between people.

The causes of conflict are diverse, and so are the ways to resolve it.

Ordinary intelligent people would resolve it through dialogue, or live carrying that problem forever.

Manus also felt dialogue was absolutely necessary.

Caeser.

He was aware of his own blunt personality that didn’t reveal emotions.

‘She was more fragile than I thought.’

Anais was a bold, daring, and brave child.

She was described that way in the game too, and there were no depictions of her worrying alone.

Who would have thought his involvement would cause such a change in her mindset.

“-Do I go in here?”

“Yes.”

Kael and Manus stood in front of the secret room.

Before entering, Manus recalled the interference reward.

It was quite surprising.

[Interference confirmed.]

[The time to acquire Flois’ Mindset is halved.]

It was a very big clue.

Flois is the family Anais belongs to.

A family with personalities that burn brilliantly like the sun and passionately like flames.

Their abilities are all focused on offensive skills.

If one interferes with them, would those skills be reduced as well?

He really couldn’t figure out the criteria.

‘It’s still early… let’s think about it leisurely.’

There was plenty of time to flow.

Once more samples accumulate, clear criteria will emerge, and he’ll be able to determine a definite course of action.

The story beyond the ending would be even more treacherous.

Steeling himself, he entered with Kael to meet Black and White.

“-This place.”

“You can make and learn various things here.”

“It’s amazing. Why didn’t I know about a place like this?”

Because it’s hidden.

Instead of stating the obvious, Manus moved forward.

The two were still playing their boring game of poker.

White was angry, and Black was smiling and retorting.

“I’ve brought a guest.”

“Oh— you came?”

“Why don’t you try playing a different game sometimes instead of poker?”

He asked out of pure curiosity.

The two looked at each other and answered firmly.

“We can’t do anything else.”

“We don’t know any other games.”

Ah-.

Manus realized something important.

Come to think of it, he had carelessly overlooked this part too.

When playing the game as a player, Black and White were just NPCs for skills/items.

He had no interest in their circumstances or detailed stories.

The man before Manus was that kind of person.

Not caring about his surroundings, only doing what was necessary.

“I should buy you a gift next time.”

There were plenty of board games like chess and othello in this world too.

This is reality.

They each had their own stories.

“Oh really? Then shall we make a simple deal?”

“Go ahead.”

White said.

She held up one finger and made quite an enticing proposal.

“For each game you teach us, I’ll teach you one magic. How about it?”

“Sounds good.”

“By the way, we’ve kept our guest standing for a while. Who’s this?”

After finishing what she had to say, White finally turned to look at Kael.

Her interest still lingered much longer on Manus.

That was fine, but Kael should be treated equally too.

He pondered for a moment.

What should he say to make them take interest in Kael as well?

Might as well just go for it.

“She’s my most cherished junior.”

“What?”

“Certainly…”

Kael looked up at him with round eyes.

The gaze looking down at her indifferently had a very different emotion from before.

They say eyes themselves become softer.

He had heard someone say that before, but didn’t understand it.

Kael could now comprehend those words.

The emotion nestled in those blue eyes that were once cold.

It was clearly something warm.

“Cherished junior? Are you two lovey-dovey?”

“White. Please-“

“Ah, I get it! No matter how I look at it, he doesn’t seem like the type to be in a romance!”

White spoke while looking at Manus’ expressionless face.

At her words, Kael also returned her expression to normal.

No, the slightly pouty look wasn’t just my imagination, right?

Kael knew too.

That Manus’ words were simply lip service to draw attention here.

But still-.

‘No. I’m different.’

Huu-.

She closed her eyes and composed herself.

Returning to a calm expression, she quietly listened to Manus’ words.

“I’ve come to collect payment for the mana stones from earlier.”

“For her? What are you going to teach?”

“Flamma. Teach her too.”

“Alright, that’s not difficult. Since that’s not enough, I’ll throw this in as a bonus.”

White waved her hand in the air.

A small orb appeared.

It had the Roman numeral VIII written on it.

It was an orb containing the power of the 8th Arcana, Strength.

“You need this, right?”

“Thank you.”

Manus took out Orca’s Necklace and received the orb, then shattered it.

The sixth symbol was filled.

Now half.

Six out of thirteen empty spaces were filled with light.

“Come here child, let’s study slowly together.”

White led Kael away.

Manus watched her learn magic.

Meanwhile, Black approached Manus.

He stared intently at Orca’s Necklace and abruptly opened his mouth.

This was knowledge he definitely needed to know.

“Originally there are twenty-one Arcana, right? Why are there only thirteen on this Orca’s Necklace?”

“Fate, Death, Star, Moon, Sun, Judgment, World.”

“…You seem to know.”

Manus nodded slightly.

Orca’s Necklace was made by humans and handled by humans after all.

Black looked at Orca’s Necklace, then back at Manus.

A relic left behind by something that lived far longer than themselves.

Though clearly a dangerous object, he felt that Manus could handle it well somehow.

This is humanity’s greatest talent.

“If you can’t handle it, no one else can either. So…”

“I know. I won’t get devoured.”

Black nodded.

In Manus’ eyes, he saw determination and infinite potential.

Black’s eyes were quite special after all.

“Well then, I look forward to working with you in the future. Mana stones are one of the necessities for us to live.”

“Likewise, I look forward to working with you.”

With those words, Manus turned his gaze again.

Kael was easily learning Flamma.

[Interference has begun.]

Another message appeared.

Who was interfered with, what was it for…

This sentence that amplified his curiosity added fulfillment to living in this world.

Beyond the fading message, Manus saw a brilliant magic circle shining brighter than ever.

As expected, Kael was overflowing with talent.

If he guided her path well, she would surely be able to save the world.

2

They successfully conquered the tower and cleared up the misunderstandings that had built up.

He also taught Kael various tactics.

Now she could give more efficient instructions to her companions.

Anais seemed to have sorted out her emotions, as she greeted him again with a cheerful and bright face.

Now, even Manus himself would sometimes smile as he returned her greetings.

The weekend passed.

Today, Manus had important business to attend to.

“I want to go with you too.”

“What about your head maid duties?”

“I can hand them over to someone else.”

Was she always like this?

The beautiful woman in a maid uniform, her black hair neatly arranged, was stubbornly insisting in a manner unlike her.

Originally she should have been obedient and compliant without talking back.

So Manus calmly asked, figuring there must be some reason:

“Why do you want to come along?”

“Because that place is my home now.”

“…What about the Chairman?”

Aden smiled gently.

Her smile contained many implications.

Right, they would have had to face each other at some point.

“Pack your things.”

It was decided that she would accompany him.

Aden smiled brightly and hurried away with quick steps.

Now it was time to report.

He left the dormitory to visit Professor Trail, the supervising professor for second years.

He didn’t need much luggage.

After all, it was an era where one teleportation magic circle was enough to reach home.

“Hmm, absence for a mission… I understand.”

“How should I handle assignments and homework?”

“You don’t particularly need to do homework. Though it overlaps with the evaluation preparation period, we’ll substitute that with your mission evaluation.”

Indeed, a reasonable response.

Professor Trail looked at Manus with proud eyes.

It was rare for a family to summon a student again.

Gathering knowledge at the academy was considered a more valuable use of time than handling their affairs.

But for Caeser, that was different.

“I’ll return as soon as possible.”

“You can take your time. I’ll have Alano pass on the class content to you.”

Manus bowed his head lightly.

Now that the report was done, he just needed to leave.

As he was about to turn around, Professor Trail checked some documents on his desk and called out to Manus.

“Oh right. Professor Chandler is preparing a familiar summoning ritual. It wouldn’t be bad to summon a familiar before you go.”

“I understand.”

“The professor is in the main hall now, so go see him.”

A familiar…

If you could get one at the very beginning of the game, it was an incredible merit.

A trait that was overlooked due to the restriction of only being able to summon in 3rd year.

The time had come to fully utilize that trait.

If raised now, things would be different.

-Certainly.

“I’m all prepared.”

“I’m going to the main hall for a bit. Wait for me first.”

“Understood.”

Word was gradually spreading that Aden was very close to the Caeser family.

Rumors even circulated that Veronica had died and the Caeser family was protecting their son.

Though Aden had laid all the groundwork, Manus didn’t particularly care.

Even the busy maids rushing about just greeted him without giving suspicious looks.

It was an environment where he could really feel how good Aden’s skills were.

After walking for quite a while, he entered the main hall where Professor Chandler was waiting.

“Oh, you came just in time. Hoho.”

“Hello.”

“Welcome. As it happens, Alano came to perform the summoning ritual too.”

Alano greeted him with a smile.

Right, Alano had also met the conditions to handle a familiar.

If both of them tamed and raised familiars, it would truly be an incredible force.

It was a very satisfying reward, and would provide better reinforcements for battles against demons.

When familiars demonstrate their full abilities someday, they will surely surprise everyone.

‘It’s been a while since I felt excited.’

Half excitement for the gacha system, half excitement for gaining a new companion animal.

Manus waited for Professor Chandler’s words.

At last, the awaited time arrived.

–TL Notes–
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