Chapter 81 — Please Become My Disciple

1

Kuaang-!

Guillermo, holding his shield in front, unconsciously held his breath.

Was he bracing for the impact coming his way?

No, that wasn’t it.

If that were the case, he would have stepped forward confidently, swinging his shield to bash the enemies’ heads.

Instead, he couldn’t even properly show his skills because of the magic flying in from behind.

He felt like he had become a wall.

“Aaagh-! Stop it!”

“We give up! That’s enough!”

“You monsters!”

Guillermo slowly lowered his shield.

Watching them crawl on the ground waving their hands, he wondered if these were really the promising talents they were said to be.

This was already the third match with the same pattern.

While he firmly blocked the front, tremendous magic flew in from behind.

There was no chance for the opponents to even charge in.

As soon as the match started, colorful magic flew.

Then explosion.

“Match over!”

And it ended.

With this repeating continuously, Guillermo felt dejected.

Were mages always this overwhelmingly present?

To the point where a guardian couldn’t do anything?

Turning around, he saw a man and woman smiling as they stretched.

How could they be so relaxed after unleashing magic for three matches straight?

Just how did they accumulate so much mana?

‘What are you guys, really?’

Guillermo clenched his fists tightly.

There were no thrilling matches.

Was it a luxury to overcome difficulties while conquering an insurmountable mountain?

‘The gap is… ridiculous. This is.’

Guardians valued teamwork with their companions above all else.

If even one side had a hole, they couldn’t protect what they were meant to guard.

That’s why it was the nature of guardian teams to accommodate and lead even the less skilled members.

But the mages were different.

Each of them was a strategic weapon capable of unleashing enormous firepower.

A scarecrow that could only hold up a shield.

Exceptional mages didn’t even allow enemies to approach.

‘Was I going to avenge my sister with skills like this?’

With mere skills like these?

Not a chance.

He needed to become stronger.

Because the world would be crawling with monsters like them.

“Good work, Guillermo.”

“If standing like a scarecrow counts, then I, indeed, did great.”

“It’s because of you that we can use magic without worry.”

Alano had a way with words.

Hearing that made him feel a little better about his miserable state.

Just a little.

However, there was something he needed to address.

“No matter how much of a genius you are, this doesn’t make sense. How were you able to accumulate such a massive amount of mana?”

“We’ll tell you after the evaluation is over.”

“I hope you keep that promise.”

There was only one match left.

He wanted to finish quickly and find out.

What secret their club was hiding.

Waaah-!

A soft exclamation rose.

Along with the sound of magic exploding, they stood proudly.

“Those kids were from your club too, right?”

“That’s right. They’re kids who might even surpass us. Except for Manus.”

Alano looked at the first-year juniors performing with a pleased smile.

The battle in the tower required precise coordination to climb higher.

Endless waves of demons.

Fights against giant patrollers.

The pressure of protecting exhausted and weakening comrades.

For those who overcame all of that while climbing the tower, this evaluation was too easy a task.

Especially Kael, who was overwhelmingly exceptional, to the point of being called the Manus of the first years.

“It’s strange, no matter how I think about it-.”

“If you’re curious, join our club. Then become our strength.”

“If I join, can I definitely become stronger?”

“Of course.”

Manus nodded firmly.

Guillermo clenched his fist and walked past them.

Alano looked at Manus with concern and asked.

“It seems like more and more people are learning the secret. Is that okay?”

“Do you think I’d bring just anyone?”

“Hm? Wasn’t that the case?”

Alano asked with an innocent expression.

Manus let out a small sigh.

Whether he still didn’t trust her, or if he hadn’t created enough worries…

As he moved to prepare for the next match, he said:

“Just wait a little. He’ll be chosen too.”

“Really? That would be wonderful-.”

“Trust me. As always.”

Alano’s eyes widened slightly.

Soon, she nodded with a bright smile.

Yes, he had never been wrong.

If you believe and wait, it will come true someday.

Guillermo.

If he joins with full force, incidents like before will decrease.

‘Melanie alone isn’t enough. Whether it’s Guillermo or someone else, we need someone to protect us.’

Alano recalled the experience where a single patroller had disrupted their formation, and they had almost all lost their lives in the tower.

They should work harder to prevent such incidents from happening again, but-.

An even more certain measure was needed.

‘If Manus’s words are true, and he can really awaken as the chosen one-.’

He would become an invaluable asset.

For now, we’ll have to wait and see.

First, he needs to be able to enter the cracks of time.

That’s the key issue.

If not even that, then-.

2

The final match ended just as anticlimactically.

This time, some of the best third-years came at them, but Guillermo’s divine skills were on display.

He deflected swords and neutralized charging warriors with mana-infused techniques.

Meanwhile, the magic raining down was enough to send the three opponents into disarray.

Not just any magic, but 3rd-Class magic unleashed by two second-year geniuses until the very end.

Their firepower was too harsh for ordinary students to withstand.

“Match over!”

A complete victory against third-years.

Even with the burden of being second-years, they crushed the third-years.

Everyone was in awe of their skills, truly deserving of the title of geniuses.

People chattered that they might be witnessing a historic moment.

The performances of Manus, Alano, and Guillermo were that impressive.

Especially Manus, who raised his stock even further through his match with Nia…

[There will be a 30-minute preparation period before proceeding with the hunting evaluation.]

[As different monsters are prepared for each grade level, please prepare thoroughly.]

As soon as he heard the announcement, Lupera, who had finished all his exams, headed somewhere.

Fortunately, no one paid attention to him.

It was also because he used a bit of magic to avoid people’s attention.

‘Hmm?’

However, a few people were watching his movements.

It’s only possible to disappear discreetly when you can divert everyone’s attention.

Manus was also one of those who noticed him.

What should he do?

After quietly contemplating, he decided to use the power of his family for the first time.

Though he didn’t order direct intervention, they were clearly stationed here and there in the academy.

No concealment could deceive his eyes.

“Umbra.”

[You called, sir.]

“How many are on standby?”

[Two, including myself. We are standing by to prevent any incidents.]

“Monitor the red-haired boy who just disappeared.”

[-I will follow your order.]

One of the many shadows faded.

The shadows, ready to step in at any moment just in case, though they didn’t monitor his every little move.

For days, they had wondered if they had been forgotten.

Umbra, the secret shadow of Caesar, felt immense gratitude towards the second young master who first sought him out.

‘You haven’t forgotten!’

It had been a month since he declared he would continue his academy life with his own strength alone.

That night, the young master who told him that no more surveillance or support was needed had strictly kept his word.

A shadow could observe anything, but must remember nothing.

This matter would be the same.

Umbra followed Lupera through the shadows.

3

“Hey. You’re Caesar Manus, right?”

“Yes, Professor Jennifer.”

After sending Umbra, Manus was quietly sitting and recovering his mana when Professor Jennifer approached.

A powerful Matusa who could end Manus in one strike if he were to attack now.

The fact that she single-handedly slaughtered hundreds of assassins when the empire was still called a kingdom is still legendary.

Even Manus couldn’t help but feel tense before her.

When he played the protagonist through the Matusa route in the game, the protagonist character ended up under Jennifer.

He had paid his respects to the game character after hearing about the severe training that even warriors and guardians would balk at.

‘She’s strong. Even more so seeing her in person.’

“You haven’t decided on your major yet, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Do you have any major in mind?”

Her question seemed to hesitate somewhere.

It was quite awkward to see this side of the academy’s strongest, as certified by the game company.

Jennifer’s identity had always been one of confidence and charisma.

Manus shook his head, deciding to draw out her true intentions.

“I don’t have one yet, but I’m considering elemental studies for now.”

“Would you like to become my disciple?”

“By disciple, you mean-“

Jennifer’s eyes blazed fiercely.

There was an irresistible power in her gaze.

For a professor to directly mention taking on a disciple was quite a big deal.

Moreover, if that professor had only taken two disciples since her appointment, even more so.

Add to that the professor holding the title of the academy’s strongest, and the weight of her words increases further.

She spoke to Manus with a serious look:

“Come under me as my direct disciple. I want to pass on everything I know to you.”

“Hmm-“

“No, please become my disciple. I won’t care where you go after graduation.”

“Professor!”

Even Jennifer’s aide was shocked enough to speak up at her humble attitude.

Even Manus, who usually maintained his composure, was taken aback.

Her desperation was palpable, as it was so different from the image he had in mind.

The unexpected always shatters masks.

That’s how Manus was now.

“Professor. I’d like to discuss this more deeply after the evaluation is over.”

“…I’ve acted shamefully. I apologize. Then, could you come to my office after the evaluation?”

“I will do so.”

Manus bowed his head, showing a respectful attitude towards Jennifer.

This was actually what he wanted.

While magical knowledge might be lacking, Matu, which could train both magical and physical abilities, was exactly what Manus needed right now.

However, there was still something he needed to do before accepting outright.

That was catching the tail of the villain.

–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