episode_0028
by fnovelpiaI almost got dragged to the infirmary because of a leg injury, but after a fervent refusal to prioritize healing students more injured than me inside the dungeon, I was able to get away with just simple first aid.
So I pushed through and headed towards Claire, but my suggestion to go together… was rejected.
It was surprising that Claire refused my offer to walk her to the girls’ dormitory, but the mock dungeon exam ended well.
“But this rejection is a bit unexpected.”
Since she refused my offer to go to the entrance ceremony together, attended classes, went to the campus cafeteria for meals, and never refused when I offered to walk her, I thought we were successfully getting closer emotionally.
“I should check how much I’ve improved.”
By defeating considerable monsters in the mock dungeon exam, I must have gained significant experience points and leveled up, increasing my level and skills.
During intense battles, notifications usually don’t pop up to avoid distractions. I think it’s safe to check now.
As I quietly focused on my status window, notifications poured out in front of me.
【Troll defeated, 10 points awarded.】
【Successfully severed opponent’s neck with a single sword strike.】
【Proficiency in swordsmanship greatly increased.】
【Swordsmanship Lv.4 > Lv.5】
【…….】
After clearing away all the overwhelming notifications, I checked my status window and found the desired information neatly arranged.
[Yukal – Lv.17]
Strength: 24(+24) Agility: 24(+24)
Stamina: 24(+24) Magic: 24(+24)
Traits: Adaptability, Hyper-sensitivity
Skills: Swordsmanship Lv.7, Meditation Lv.5, Pyrokinesis Lv.1
Items: Stat Crystal (Bound, partially applied)
Unique Abilities: Equilibrium, Sword Mastery
“Indeed, the stat crystal performance is reliable.”
The command I gave last time to make my stats the same had worked well, and my stats were appropriately distributed.
In games, setting it up allows stats to maintain the desired direction even when leveling up.
Overall, my stats had significantly increased. With a bit of skill polishing, I should be able to take down the main scenario boss alone.
My swordsmanship skill also increased from 4 to 7 by defeating considerable monsters this time.
From Swordsmanship Lv.10 onwards, derived skills that imbue magic into the sword and enhance the body are unlocked, so focusing on swordsmanship training for a while seems like a good idea.
“But am I in the Magic Department right now without being able to use any magic?”
There wasn’t much talk about grading methods in magic department classes, including Magic Theory, similar to Swordsmanship Theory, but as far as I remember, most subjects had a nearly equal balance of practical and written components, so if things continue like this, I might… fail.
Let’s think more about magic for now. Although I’ve never learned magic as Yukal, surely I can learn at least one low-level spell.
If I can handle even one, I should be able to allocate it somehow with my stats.
Feeling slightly tired, I arrived at the dormitory, took a clean shower this time, and could sleep peacefully.
The next day, as usual, I arrived at the classroom about 10 minutes early for the Magic Theory class, but I didn’t see Claire reading the textbook in her usual spot.
Considering Claire’s diligent nature, unless there was an emergency, she would always arrive earlier than class time for preview or review.
It was always described that way in the game, and there had never been a deviation.
“Is something wrong?”
Despite the fact that the class was about to start and I was worried because she hadn’t arrived yet, just as I was hesitating whether to run to the girls’ dormitory at this moment, Claire came in as the classroom door opened.
Feeling relieved, I had pulled out a chair for Claire in advance, but she didn’t even look in my direction and sat somewhere else…?
‘I’m sure we’ve never been separated during class time since the entrance ceremony.’
Knowing that she would be sitting in our usual classroom seat, she quietly sat down, preparing for the class without even glancing in my direction.
“Nice to meet you. There were students who got hurt in yesterday’s mock dungeon exam. Are they feeling better?”
Clearly, I tried to move towards her in this strange situation, but it was thwarted by Professor Sagen entering.
“Today, we will discuss the magic power release that must not stop practicing to properly ascend as a magician and become proficient in implementing magic. Fortunately, all students who have taken the Magic Theory course after this first class are able to handle magic power.”
Judging by her looking towards me, it seems like she awakened magic power even though I, who couldn’t handle magic power, did so. Let’s move on to the next step.
It’s more urgent to figure out why Claire is acting like this than this class.
Even though I can’t give her a buff personally, Claire’s cooperation is essential for clearing the main scenario later. It’s frustrating how things have suddenly gone awry.
Personally, I don’t care if things get awkward with Claire.
‘What on earth is the problem? I gave Claire a buff in the mock dungeon exam from her perspective to help her, so why is she acting like this?’
Or maybe in this exam, am I behaving like I’m carrying Claire unilaterally and helping her get first place?
My head is spinning. Once the class is over, I need to talk to her, find out what’s wrong, and apologize.
In a headache-inducing situation, due to Professor Sagen constantly urging me to do my best under the guise of practicing magic power release, I’m on the verge of losing it.
“Feel the magic power within you and concentrate it with your hands to release it with that thought.”
Although my magic power stat is accumulated, I have no talent or skill related to magic, so is it possible to hear such words and succeed in releasing magic power?
Despite various advice from the side, when I couldn’t release magic power, the frustration led me to grab this person and shout at them.
“Yukal, your talent is greater than you think. Don’t limit yourself or hide your strength here!”
‘Why is this professor acting like this? It’s driving me crazy.’
After being tormented by the professor, as the class ended, I tried to approach Claire, but seeing her already leaving the classroom with her belongings, I rushed over and grabbed her arm.
“Claire, can we talk for a moment-”
“Yukal, I’m sorry, but I’d appreciate it if you stayed away from me. I appreciate your kindness, but it’s too burdensome.”
Shocked by Claire’s words, who didn’t even look at me and spat out such harsh words, I had no choice but to let go of her arm.
Staring blankly at Claire as she went to the next class without even glancing at me, just as she did when she entered the classroom.
After confirming Yukal’s talent to potentially reach the level of a Grand Mage following their brief counseling session, Professor Sagen made efforts to recruit Yukal by modifying the Magic Theory curriculum.
Thinking back, how remarkable was that talent! Just hearing the keyword “purifying magic power,” Yukal succeeded in manipulating magic power, and in that short time, the amount purified was greater than most incoming students of the School of Magic, perfectly controlling and dispersing that magic power.
Not being able to accumulate mana was the only flaw, but it seemed to have been overcome.
When approaching to inform about the formation of the team with his partner, he could perceive an amount of mana within himself that could not be considered as that of a first-year student.
Feeling that, there was no choice but to shiver. To have accumulated this much in such a short period.
Changing the curriculum after the joint mock dungeon exam with the Swordsmanship Department to teach in detail how to accumulate mana for him turned out to be futile, but rather a good thing.
It is certain that he will be able to teach Yukal the greatness of magic more quickly.
Although uncomfortable with the fact that he achieved first place by using the sword ignobly and sweating like the students of the Swordsmanship Department in the previous mock dungeon exam, if he guides properly, he can show results with magic elsewhere.
He felt like he was not making progress despite personally instructing on mana release and not paying attention to the lessons.
“Yukal, your talent must be greater than what you know. Do not limit yourself or hide your power here!”
Wasn’t it too much not to show mana release until the end of the class, even with his words?
Though disappointed, a lightning-fast thought crossed his mind soon.
‘Could it be that he’s doing this out of consideration for other students in Basic Magic Studies?’
Having the talent of the Empire’s Best Sword, a student who should have naturally entered the Swordsmanship Department showing a superior performance compared to other students by coming to the Magic Department might make some students feel discouraged.
‘Acting considering even that, yet focusing only on rebuking as a professor. It seems I lacked the qualifications as a teacher.’
Professor Seigen, who day by day overestimated Yukal unintentionally, was evaluating Yukal highly.
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