Chapter 84 — A Rod is the Medicine for Rampaging Beasts

1

In the second-year evaluation, Lupera and his team members clearly stood out with their skills.

The monster that the second-years faced was the spider-type monster ‘Arachne’.

It was a monster everyone knew, with attack patterns familiar to all.

The Arachne, made ferocious by the reagent’s effects, spewed spider webs and swung its massive legs, ravaging the second-year students.

While the children of noble families were helplessly knocked down, Lupera’s team brilliantly overcame the challenge.

“Well done!”

“Amazing-!”

Many people made a fuss over the impressive sight.

It was only natural to praise those who did well.

How could one not feel proud?

Lupera came down from the stage, savoring the overwhelming happiness and deep sense of fulfillment surging in his chest.

The evaluation was satisfactory.

From the exam questions he had seen in advance, to the monster patterns he already knew.

Even his remarkably improved magic skills.

“I never thought there would be another person capable of using 4th Class magic in the second year.”

“Indeed. This year’s second-years are overflowing with talent.”

“Wasn’t he a commoner? If he keeps growing like this, he might even earn a surname.”

Those evaluating Lupera spoke in unison.

For a commoner to gain a ‘surname’ meant being recognized as having valuable bloodline.

In other words, it meant becoming a noble.

To others, Lupera seemed to possess that level of talent.

The 4th Class magic he demonstrated.

The fire attribute [Ignis] proved that a new divinity had emerged.

“Lupera.”

“-Yes?”

“You need to come with us for a moment.”

“What’s the matter?”

The happiness was short-lived.

The loner dreaming futile dreams soon collided with reality.

Before he could even be bewildered, Lupera was quietly apprehended by those guarding the academy and disappeared.

Overwhelmed by pressure unbearable for a mere student, he could do nothing but move his feet while clutching his chilled heart.

At the same time, people burst into Professor Mia’s research room.

“She’s not here.”

“She’s already vanished without a trace.”

Professor Mia, who had been foreseeing everything, had suddenly disappeared.

Chairman Nyx, who had moved with them, was certain.

If there was nothing to be guilty about, there would be no need to vacate her position.

There was one last thing to confirm.

The words Manus had said before leaving the chairman’s office.

[I’ve planted a catalyst, so we might be able to uncover the headquarters.]

“Check if there’s a drink bottle.”

“-It’s not here.”

Only exam papers remained on the desk, while all the important items she had possessed were gone.

The drink was also missing.

It was unclear why she had taken it.

Chairman Nyx wore a subtle expression as things were unfolding as Manus had said.

Everything was happening according to his words, his predictions.

Was the sense of discomfort just his imagination?

‘Or was it just luck? I should know-.’

The idea that Manus was pulling all the strings was absurd.

However, the doubt that had been lurking somewhere in Chairman Nyx’s heart began to raise its head.

No, he still needed to trust and move forward.

Manus was a student working hard for the academy and his juniors.

Moreover, he was a supernova belonging to a great family.

To doubt him was unthinkable.

“Investigate everything here. The evaluation will proceed as scheduled.”

“Understood, Chairman.”

Chairman Nyx saw someone approaching him.

He reported that he had carried out the orders in front of the chairman.

To the very depths of the academy.

It was time to head to a place ordinary students could never go.

A forbidden place unused for a very long time, the academy’s true dark location.

Chairman Nyx nodded and moved his feet.

“As soon as the evaluation ends, please bring the student council presidents of each year, all professors, and Caesar Manus.”

“Understood.”

It was hard to hide his complicated feelings.

Professor Mia had been a long-serving professor at the academy, producing countless disciples.

There was no one who knew the continent’s history as well as she did…

The price of living a complacent life, steeped in peace, came as quite a bitter pill.

Feeling as if the moments he had lived so fiercely were scattering like scraps of paper, the chairman pondered the future.

He was worried about how to explain Professor Mia’s situation right away.

“Sigh-. I really can’t forgive this.”

Those in the light don’t know what happens in the cracks.

If she was the ‘villain’ Manus had spoken of, it must be related to the cracks, to the tower.

He had to somehow erase that discrepancy and provide a plausible story to the people in reality.

In fact, isn’t this the most difficult part of any handling?

“-What! -Let me go!”

In the distance, the voice of a criminal was heard.

They hadn’t gagged him, as his voice, drenched in fear, was clearly audible.

For someone born and raised ordinarily in a place without war or battle, this must be an unbearable place.

Outside, cheers were echoing.

‘Is it time to face the darkness now?’

The shadow cast on the chairman’s face gradually deepened.

2

Seeing the monster that the third-years would face, Manus let out a hollow laugh.

Is it sensible to ask 17-year-olds to overcome such terror in this world?

Well, in South Korea, they make 17-year-old kids study for over 10 hours a day.

It’s just a difference in culture and world, but the desire to achieve something by burning one’s youth was the same.

Here, this was no different from taking a fiercely competitive mock exam.

[Grrrr-.]

A massive creature standing firmly on four legs on the ground.

Its stiff fur was like thorns, densely packed to form armor.

Its flashing eyes held a terrifying intensity that seemed capable of devouring the emotions of the weak.

A gray wolf.

The monster called ‘Trion Wolf’, known as the reaper of the wilderness in the north.

This enormous creature, standing 3 meters tall, was staring at Manus through the iron bars.

“Guillermo. Your role is crucial.”

“-Right.”

“I’ll cast buff spells on you.”

[We will now begin the evaluation.]

Clank-.

The iron bars opened, and the sound of heavy footsteps was heard.

Manus waved his hand, unleashing various spells on Guillermo.

That was a mad wolf.

Its level was set around the late 20s, but its attack power, defense, and speed must have been amplified by the reagent’s effect.

Moreover, it was a monster with high intelligence.

[Hoing!]

He sent his will to Albion, who was in his arms.

The now considerably grown cotton ball squeezed out mana and cast a buff spell.

[Lavio]

“Alano, binding magic.”

“Got it.”

The key to magic dealing is to bind and then pour out firepower.

Manus had no intention of dragging out the evaluation.

He decided to draw out Guillermo’s potential.

[Ops]

[Potentia]

3rd Class, magic that dramatically increases health and defense: Ops.

3rd Class, magic that greatly increases strength and physical skill damage: Potentia.

Manus skillfully performed double casting, drawing out the potential within Guillermo.

[Potentia].

If it sounds familiar, you’re thinking correctly.

Potential is often called ‘potential’, right?

This magic had a hidden piece applied to it.

“Go, tanker.”

“Haap-!”

A bull-like charge rushed towards the wolf.

Simultaneously, Alano’s binding magic tied the wolf’s legs.

With a rough roar, the binding magic was broken.

Kuuung-!

Feeling his breath catch at the overwhelming mass, Guillermo put strength into the hand holding his shield.

‘I can’t be pushed back.’

If I’m breached, the comrade behind me dies.

If a comrade dies, we could lose an important battle, or even a war.

That’s why I don’t get scared by any attack.

I’m confident I can block any attack.

Even if it means my body breaking.

Gigik-.

The mana-filled body screamed.

[Kraaak!]

Perhaps dissatisfied that things weren’t going its way, the wolf’s massive front paws pounded the shield relentlessly.

The resounding impact felt like it would shake his insides.

But a guardian doesn’t crumble from just this much.

“Not done yet?!”

Kuung-!

He planted his feet firmly and stood like an unyielding castle wall.

Guillermo’s mana condensed, making him even more solid.

[Tutamen]

A bright light rose from the shield.

The light soon became a curtain, clearly blocking external attacks.

Once again, Alano’s binding magic tied up the wolf.

Manus prepared a common magic to push the enemy back more decisively.

A magic circle was created, and the magic he often used as the original protagonist character burst forth.

‘Confusion magic is very useful when dealing with monsters.’

[Turba]

The 2nd Class common magic hit the wolf’s face directly.

Immediately after, the wolf began to whimper as if having a seizure.

This is why status effects are scary.

‘As expected, status effect attacks work well on those enhanced by the reagent.’

A setting completely identical to the original.

Later, when [Cloud of Oblivion] is completed, it won’t be a problem even if these guys charge sometimes.

No, it would be the same in large-scale wars.

He deliberately used little mana and kept the output very low.

“Alano.”

“Got it.”

Kwadeuk-!

They succeeded in completely binding the wolf.

Manus spread his arms wide.

He wanted to use Cadenza, but it wasn’t time yet.

Instead, he decided to show magic that would astonish everyone.

Two magnificent and enormous magic circles formed simultaneously.

Everyone’s expressions were changing comically.

[Tempesto]

[Ignis]

Great families always left behind achievements.

The Caesar siblings did, and so did Harrison.

It was the same now.

Who at this age had achieved such great feats?

What kind of magician had reached such a great realm?

A storm that seemed to tear the ears.

Flames that looked like they would burn everything.

“A rod is the medicine for mad dogs.”

Double casting built with his own mana and skills, without a single artifact.

Supreme brilliance that would overwhelmingly blow away the 4th Class performance from the first year.

As Manus stretched out his hand, the hot wind engulfed everything.

[Glacias — Paries]

Alano hurriedly formed a wall of ice.

Steam rose, and the aftermath of the magic was fully revealed.

The wolf perished without leaving a single piece of skin, and the barrier said to be able to block up to 5th Class magic became mushy.

‘Is this level still not enough to reach 5th Class?’

He was blessed with countless skills, including the whispers of spirits.

However, the wall of 5th Class still seemed high.

Manus turned alone in a space where no one moved and no one spoke.

“Good work.”

His single word shattered the silence.

–TL Notes–
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