episode_0068

“Did… did you finally do it!”

With a flushed face, he held up a map marked here and there, shouting cheers in an uncharacteristic manner.

In order to keep the promise with Helena and visit Viscount Clark, he couldn’t just show his face and leave like checking in for a day, so he had to clear his schedule for about a week to make a plan, which gave him quite a hard time, but eventually succeeded.

For several days, apart from eating and sleeping without lying, he focused solely on this, trying to change it as efficiently as possible.

‘Even thinking about it myself, this seems impossible.’

He could boast of an efficient route containing the essence of a seasoned expert with over 8,000 hours.

Although he might not be able to escape the Empire due to lack of time, he felt he could manage to gather all the essential things, so it shouldn’t be a big issue.

In the next scenario, if my hypothesis is somewhat proven, there may be no need to go at all.

‘I’ve finished planning with this, now I need to recruit someone to go with me.’

Basically, if Claire allows it, or rather, if possible, I want to take Claire with me.

The rest of the team doesn’t seem to make much difference whether they are there or not.

Still, to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, it seems necessary to have at least one person who won’t hold us back and won’t betray us.

Continuing to stay holed up in the room making plans, coming out and seeing the sunlight outside, my eyes were slightly dazzled.

I tucked the map with the plan into my arms and neatly disposed of everything else.

‘I can come into my room enough to find out what I’ve been absorbed in during my absence.’

While attending the academy, I won’t harm those affiliated with the Ardent Academy at that point, but I can do anything else.

If the map led by Laika’s 4th Division is handed over to Cineria, by directly visiting those locations, experiencing a few trial and error attempts, she may realize what I was trying to do and perhaps even speculate that I know the future.

‘That’s something to avoid.’

It’s somewhat awkward for the things marked on the map to be handed over to Cineria.

The day Iris gave me the elixir, it was fortunate that the Black Moon organization members were not at the academy.

If they were, they would have surely taken it, and maybe… Helena wouldn’t have been saved.

Shaking off these thoughts, I found myself at the Swordsmanship Department training ground.

As I opened the door and entered, what I saw was Victor, who was deeply engrossed in training.

Noticing the door opening and spotting me, he stopped and happily ran towards me.

“It’s been longer than I thought. Did your preparations go well after a few days?”

“It took some time, but I think I did well. I plan to train with you before the vacation starts.”

Victor seemed quite pleased with my words.

“That’s great! We can train all day long! Let’s start right away since time is precious.”

Wiping sweat with a towel and raising his sword and shield, it seemed like he wanted to spar with me, but unfortunately, what I intended to do was different.

“Instead of sparring, how about I show you how to handle aura first?”

Victor lightly agreed and, holding his sword and shield, closed his eyes slightly and began to convert mana into aura within his body.

He seemed quite adept at handling aura, showing no hesitation in the conversion.

‘It seems like his level has improved a bit compared to the last finals.’

Remembering his defeat back then, he had intensified his aura training even more.

The way Victor enhances his aura by striking it throughout his body was impressive.

Just by striking the aura in that manner, one could sense a tremendous increase in Victor’s physical abilities.

“However, although this method may enhance his level, the efficiency seems to be lacking.”

I sense Victor’s aura diminishing in real-time.

Even though I possess significantly higher magic power than Victor, I find such wasteful use of aura somewhat burdensome. If it were Victor, he wouldn’t be able to sustain it for long.

Nevertheless, at this point nearing the end of the first year, handling aura itself is already a testament to his talent and effort, which is commendable.

If taught how to circulate aura, one could grasp the direction within a day.

“That should be enough. This time, try to release your aura outside of your body.”

Following my instructions, he succeeded in releasing his aura faintly outside his body, but that was the extent of it.

No matter how hard he tried, he failed to envelop objects like swords, shields, or even small items nearby.

“Even if it was done faintly, seeing Victor releasing his aura outside his body indicates that with practice, this can be overcome.”

The issue lies in his inability to wrap aura around objects other than his own body.

From the beginning of aura training, I had no trouble wielding a pen and manipulating it internally or externally, so this task requires Victor’s own efforts the most.

“When it comes to handling aura, Victor, you are the most advanced among the first-year Swordsmanship Department students. Your use of aura to reinforce your body is particularly excellent.”

Despite looking exhausted from my words, he grinned happily.

“However, it seems you still struggle with applying aura to objects or external surfaces other than your body. Since the beginning is crucial, let’s take special measures until you succeed in applying aura. Even when sleeping, keep your sword and shield close to your body.”

Victor briefly showed a puzzled expression but nodded in understanding, acknowledging that it was part of training to handle aura.

“Do knights train so ignorantly? Holding a sword like a beloved doll to manipulate aura sounds like an idea kids passing by would come up with.”

A taunt came from the side.

It was James who spoke.

Since the group test, James had inexplicably started training together with me.

“I don’t understand why he’s training here instead of leaving the perfectly fine Magic Department training grounds.”

He was even incorporating strength training into Victor’s regimen, not just magic.

After getting a scolding from Claire and realizing that strong magic requires a strong physique, he seemed to be continuously training for that purpose.

“James might need some counseling from the school counselor or Iris from the Infirmary later on.”

Although he came to my room seeking advice, I couldn’t spare time due to planning.

“There’s no baseless ignorance in these methods. The more you perceive it as your own body, the more advantageous it becomes in utilizing aura. Let’s proceed this way for now.”

Seemingly agreeing with my words, he continued exercising while holding the dumbbells.

“Instead of that, do you both have time during the break? If it’s okay, would you like to join me?”

Explaining that we would travel around Armenia, Victor promptly agreed.

“I’m available. I’ll just have to send a letter to my parents.”

James expressed his refusal.

“I appreciate your suggestion and while it’s true that I received help during this group test, I find it difficult to participate. I have commitments that require me to return home during the break. Although my heart desires to join if possible.”

James not being able to come along is regrettable, but having Victor alone would be a great help in preparing for any unforeseen circumstances or standing guard.

While pondering, I sensed a familiar aura with my extrasensory perception and immediately turned my gaze towards the entrance.

What caught my eye was black armor that could be likened to a trademark and a red hue that felt like a blazing fire.

Approaching me, Rachel asked for a moment of my time as she seemed to want to talk privately, so I excused myself from Victor and James, left the training ground, and walked for a while.

“May I ask what this is about, Lady Rachel?”

Feeling hesitant, I encouraged her to speak comfortably by opening the conversation first.

Exhaling as if hesitating, Rachel soon looked at me decisively.

“If possible this break, could you stay at my family estate?”

I couldn’t hide my astonishment at Rachel’s request.

‘Rachel never directly asked anyone to visit her family estate, just like Helena.’

Normally, she would go alone and even during breaks, she would stay at the academy for training.

“Of course.”

I didn’t want to miss this opportunity from my perspective.

“It’s not something to be taken lightly. Asking you to stay at the Astraea Duchy for the entire break.”

‘The whole break is too long.’

It takes time to prepare things like suitable attire and necessities from school funds.

If it were just for a week, I might be willing to sacrifice other things and go, but accepting the entire break is difficult.

“May I ask why you suddenly bring this up?”

“My father wishes to see Yukal. Of course, I partially agree with this decision to bring up this matter to you.”

It’s not Rachel but the Astraea Duke himself who wants to see me in person.

This might disappoint Helena, but it seems like I won’t be able to keep my promise.

“Understood. I will stay at the Astraea Duchy as Lady Rachel suggested for the entire break.”

Relieved by my acceptance, Rachel was.

“However, if you could consider one condition of mine.”

After hearing my condition, Rachel agreed and left.

‘Wait a minute, doesn’t this make all my planning useless?’

If Rachel had told me a little earlier, I wouldn’t have had to spend days planning and revising.

‘Why did I even bother planning? Ugh.’

Tears seemed on the verge of falling.