Chapter 76 — Work Smart, Not Hard

1

Rumors can be truly frightening.

Especially those concerning people spread at an alarming rate.

Words, as a medium, are mysterious and wicked things, prone to taking strange turns with just a little time.

Given the nature of the Academy, these rumors became even more exaggerated and deeply distorted.

Manus.

The prodigy believed without a doubt to become the greatest magician was finally about to start a revolution.

One who dared to challenge the stronghold of the third-years.

His reputation caused a stir within the Academy.

“Manus. The student council’s atmosphere isn’t good.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Today too, Manus received piercing glares from the third-years.

Before being a Caesar, he was a second-year magician.

To the third-years, he was an arrogant junior.

Those in higher positions naturally dislike insubordination.

The same went for the third-years.

Especially the third-year student council, who viewed Manus with disdain.

Alano sighed softly as she watched Manus calmly reading a book on the bench.

“I’m worried about that senior in particular. You know?”

“Mm.”

“Really, there’s no point in worrying about you.”

“It’s fine. We already have many things she doesn’t.”

Manus seemed genuinely nonchalant.

Alano plopped down beside him, gazing intently at his handsome face.

If an outsider saw, they might think a romantic atmosphere was unfolding, given how intently she stared.

Was she wrong to worry so much?

Someone burning with ambition and showing hostility towards her.

She’d heard about it often since childhood, but Alano herself wasn’t used to emotions being directed at her.

A family called a great house.

Add to that outstanding looks and exceptional talent.

‘Is he feeling burdened?’

“Ahem-“

Manus, aware of her gaze, turned his eyes.

When their eyes met, her hurried eye-rolling was quite adorable.

In the past, such gazes had led to misunderstandings.

A small hope, or a tiny boost to self-esteem.

But now, no ticklish emotions remained.

The things he’d learned living in a world where he’d brushed past many people, receiving their gazes and recognition.

‘Has that made me so callous? I guess I’ve become quite jaded too.’

“It’s alright. We’re stronger than you think.”

“Okay. If you say so.”

“The best prescription for those who talk behind our backs is to show them directly.”

Let them prattle all they want.

Those types rarely amount to anything substantial.

The truly fearsome ones aren’t those who go around spreading rumors.

Manus had lived in places where children’s baseless rumors were child’s play.

Without power, mana, or other means, they had to compete with words to bring others down.

Politics, rumors, slander…

Compared to what he’d experienced to the point of nausea, this place was a healing space.

“Third-years… Can we win?”

“Yes. If you’re still uneasy, why not visit the tower? It might be good to acquire some useful artifacts.”

“I agree. I’ll ask the juniors. I’ll get up first.”

“Mm.”

Manus took his gaze off her and felt her presence moving away.

She must have found her own goal.

What remains is how much can be prepared in the given time.

5th Class.

He turned his attention to the book containing the essence of even 6th Class beyond that.

Where was I reading-

Just as he was thinking that, someone entered his awareness.

“Phew-“

No more reading for today, it seems.

The dull sound of the closing book reflected his mood.

Looking up, he saw the blonde man approaching steadily.

With such an intense presence, it’s hard not to lose focus.

“Hey.”

“…”

Manus raised his chin and looked at him.

Guillermo seemed full of discontent, a slight wrinkle between his brows.

He pointed to one side with a sigh-laden tone.

Students were visible, training hard and sweating profusely.

“I think we should be doing something too.”

“You mean training?”

“Yes. You might be the strongest among second-years, but that’s not true from third-year on.”

“How amusing.”

“What?”

Crack-

There seemed to be a dangerous sound, but Manus paid no attention.

He pointed at the training students with his thick book.

It wasn’t even funny.

They call that training?

To Manus, who could see mana and beyond, it was mere child’s play.

He opened his mouth to spill out that stark truth.

“If you’re going to train like that, reviewing your movements from when you sparred with me would be a hundred times more beneficial.”

“Are you insulting the Guardians and Warriors now?”

“The word ‘insult’ can only be used when there’s enough pride and effort behind it.”

[Interference has begun.]

Manus stood up.

Staying seated, he didn’t like the feeling of looking up.

Their gazes clashed.

Guillermo felt something rising inside him, but he forcefully suppressed it.

As a Guardian is one who protects others, he couldn’t harbor hatred towards those he should protect.

Whatever their past relationship, he was now in a position to protect him.

Manus read Guillermo’s gaze very accurately.

Soothing his heart was also something he should do.

‘What words would be good to say?’

There are words that sound good, and words that are blurted out thoughtlessly.

If Manus had spoken without considering his feelings until now, things should be a bit different now.

He was a valuable asset and a future hero, after all.

Standing behind him, who had grown even more than in the original work, would be much more reassuring.

That’s why he decided to interfere.

Manus knew all too well the difference between ‘working hard’ and ‘working smart’.

“Listen well. Training isn’t about working ‘hard’, it’s about working ‘smart’.”

“…”

“What do you gain from sweating like that? Stamina? Strength? How much can a body that’s not even pushed to its limits grow?”

Guillermo couldn’t say anything.

Who was insulting whom?

Was he just dissatisfied because nothing was being done?

Amidst the confusion, words that pierced Guillermo’s heart came from Manus’s mouth.

Yes, he might be an unpleasant and annoying fellow-

But he wasn’t one to say wrong things.

“If it’s just about sweating and passing time, I’ll pass. We all have the same amount of time, I don’t understand why not focus on more valuable things.”

“Still, shouldn’t we work on coordination?”

“I’ll take care of that, you do as you like.”

“This is absurd. A magician saying such things?”

“Before being a magician, I’m a leader. Third-year? You’ll realize how illusory the things you know are.”

Guillermo was secretly relieved by his confident words.

He wasn’t doing nothing.

He thought raising individual capabilities was more valuable than mediocre training.

Glancing, Guillermo caught a glimpse of the title of Manus’s book.

He was inwardly shocked.

『Elements and Magical Theory of 5th Class and Above』

‘This monster.’

It was a book that even ordinary students, no, even most mage tower magicians wouldn’t understand.

A book that even within the Academy, only professors would read or use as reference for dissertations.

Yet Manus was studying and understanding such a book on his own.

Only then did Guillermo realize how unfathomably monstrous the magician before him was.

He turned his head to look at the students doing what could barely be called training… more like calisthenics.

He had to admit it.

Even to Guillermo, that was mere child’s play.

‘Work… smart, he says.’

The world where he thought just working hard was enough crumbled.

Then, had everything he’d done until now been in vain?

Probably not.

It was none other than Manus who stopped the growing doubts.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind, but for you, just working hard is enough.”

“You mean talent?”

“You catch on quick.”

Guillermo nodded.

And as if understanding, he left the place willingly.

Hard work.

Working smart.

The reason why talented individuals who work hard always shine.

When others have to rack their brains, they just need to work hard.

That’s how it was for the Caesars, the Harrisons, the Buckleys.

And for other talented individuals from other families.

‘But talent isn’t infinite either. When that time comes, we’ll have to find another answer.’

Manus’s eyes glowed blue as he watched the sturdy back retreating.

In fact, there was some merit to his worry.

In reality, all those who had gathered team members in the Academy were in groups of three or five, trying to coordinate.

But why?

To Manus, it just seemed like they were absorbed in play.

They’re not at fault.

They’re just people who weren’t chosen by talent.

‘I was the same.’

Swallowing a bitter past, he moved his steps.

Perhaps that’s why he feels more aversion.

Maybe it’s because seeing them reminds him of his own insignificant self.

He moved with somewhat hurried steps.

The unpleasant feeling subsided, as if it had never been there.

Caesar’s heart doesn’t move easily.

Thanks to that, Manus could maintain a cool emotional state.

‘This is better, rather.’

He doesn’t need his weak self.

It was of no use in living in this world.

2

Alano was heading towards the archives to prepare.

Her information network was limited to the second-years.

The third-years were supposed to be managed by the third-year student council.

But now the situation had changed slightly.

They had to face the third-years right away.

Especially since this evaluation was said to be heavily sponsored by the Empire.

It might get quite intense, and various accidents might occur.

“Sigh… How did it come to this.”

It’s unlikely, but information gathering is essential, just in case.

She decided to use the information held by the student council.

There was no need to take unnecessary risks.

Knowing names and families should be enough.

With that much knowledge, Manus and herself could come up with countermeasures.

As she reached the student council room, someone approached her.

“Hello, Alano.”

“…Lupera.”

“That’s right. I came because of the evaluation.”

Lupera approached with a kind face.

The uneasy feeling might be because she had seen his weakness.

Or was it due to an instinctive aversion?

Lupera’s face, looking at her with bright eyes, seemed to be made of a very thick mask.

Alano caught her falling corners of her mouth and responded to Lupera’s words.

After all, the conversation itself should be carried out normally.

“If you don’t have team members, would you like to join me?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve decided to take the evaluation with the third-years.”

“What?”

Now it was Lupera’s turn to be surprised.

His mask cracked ever so slightly, ever so minutely.

Alano didn’t miss that gap.

She turned away coldly.

It was such a resolute action that it might remind one of her nickname, the Ice Queen.

“I’ve decided to aim higher. With him.”

“…”

That was a statement that could cause a lot of misunderstandings.

–TL Notes–
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