Ch.100Chapter 100: Mental Growth.

The massive presence of Valt approaching from the other side.

With his aura flaring up in an already tense atmosphere, Valt’s presence seemed even more imposing.

In truth, even while in the bathroom, Valt had sensed an incredibly powerful individual entering the training grounds.

It seemed to be related to his partial aura manipulation, though he wasn’t entirely sure how it worked.

That’s why Valt had been experimenting with various applications, and he discovered that when he channeled his aura to his head, his sensory perception became remarkably sharp.

When his exceptional barbarian instincts were combined with aura-enhanced perception, it created detection abilities nearly on par with magic.

‘Hmm, I’ll need to research this further.’

Riman had only taught Valt one method of aura manipulation, but in Valt’s mind, the possibilities for testing this system-integrated ability seemed to have multiplied into hundreds or thousands.

Still, the feeling of growing stronger was always pleasant.

“So, you wanted to see me about something?”

With his massive frame and subtly intimidating aura, Valt’s appearance made Grace’s entourage flinch slightly.

Only Grace herself maintained her composure, narrowing her eyes as she focused her aura to examine Valt carefully.

‘What? I can’t gauge his level? I heard he was only at the 5th circle?’

This was another difference between magic users and aura users.

Aura users could roughly sense their opponent’s capabilities through their aura-enhanced perception.

It would be somewhat difficult if the opponent deliberately concealed their power, but that only applied to experts who hadn’t yet reached master level.

To put it bluntly, if a master couldn’t discern someone’s level, it meant they were facing someone stronger than themselves.

But there was an exception to this rule: magic.

Even at the 7th circle, magic had countless applications that could produce strange phenomena like completely concealing one’s presence or teleporting across space.

Moreover, 8th circle mages could reach a level where they could hide even the flow of their magical power.

That’s why Grace was currently mistaken.

‘So he’s not 5th circle? At least 7th circle or higher?’

This was another technique Valt had developed.

After learning to control his aura, he had learned from his friends how to conceal his presence, and when he combined this with magic, something remarkable happened.

He became capable of hiding his level in a way that neither aura users nor magic users could detect.

By blocking information about himself, he gained an absolute advantage in information warfare against his opponents.

And Valt possessed the ability to assess his opponents to some extent.

‘Hmm, early master level. Judging by the badge, they’re students. I didn’t know there were such skilled individuals among the students.’

While Grovint Academy students had freedom in their attire, they were required to wear both armbands and badges.

The badge colors varied by year: yellow for first-years, blue for second-years, red for third-years, and white for fourth-years.

Grace, befitting her royal heritage, wore her uniform properly with her badge clearly visible, allowing Valt to identify her.

“That’s right. I came to have a conversation.”

“A conversation? This is the first time I’ve seen you. What could we possibly have to discuss?”

In response to Valt’s words, Grace apologized with a look of realization.

“Oh my, how rude of me to state my business without proper introductions. I apologize. My name is Grace Oscar, legitimate heir to the Oscar Kingdom and a master of spear arts.”

“Hmm, I’m Valtu Geruntu, youngest son of the Southern Geruntu Kingdom. And I’m a mage.”

It was a shallow attempt to probe Valt’s level through introductions, but Valt didn’t fall for it.

“I see. Pleased to meet you. The topic I wish to discuss is the elimination of criminal organizations in the capital. Would that be possible?”

Valt was suspicious about why this topic was being brought up here.

‘What’s this about? Could it be…? No. If that were the case, they wouldn’t have approached me so openly. And that expression—it’s not the look of an assassin on a mission.’

In that brief moment, Valt suspected this might be a ploy by Dark Society members infiltrating the academy, attempting to kill him under the guise of a duel.

But there were no such signs from the people before him.

Grace maintained a rather calm demeanor, while her attendants wore indignant expressions. From this, Valt roughly guessed why they had come.

“I thought that matter was already settled? If you want to talk about it, wouldn’t it be better to visit the city guard?”

The moment Valt said that—

“How insolent! You dare take such an attitude when the crown princess of Oscar Kingdom is speaking!?”

*twitch*

Valt’s right eyebrow raised slightly, and Grace restrained her attendant.

“Padric, this is not your place to intervene.”

“I-I apologize, Your Highness.”

Seeing this, Valt responded with composure.

“Haha, it seems having overzealous subordinates can be troublesome anywhere.”

*grind*

Padric, who had just been reprimanded by Grace, gritted his teeth while glaring at Valt.

In the distance, Lati, who was watching while eating popcorn on Arias’s shoulder, looked surprised.

“Ohhh! Valt! You’ve even learned how to subtly provoke people? Just how much more are you going to grow!? Your mental growth is incredible too!”

“Hey Lati… could you not eat snacks on my shoulder? You’re dropping crumbs everywhere.”

“I have some important information about Valt…”

“Oh, I was just saying I could put a handkerchief down for you. How’s that? Nice, right?”

Though Grace’s side had started it, in situations like this, the one who gets provoked usually feels wronged.

“Let’s stop wasting time with pointless talk and get straight to the point. Was it you, Valt, who captured and destroyed the leaders of the four major organizations?”

The moment she addressed him as “you,” it was clear she was looking down on him.

Valt, not seeing any need to show respect, answered Grace.

“Why should I tell you that? Why don’t you use that precious position of ‘yours’ to find out?”

Padric, who had shown excessive loyalty earlier, finally snapped at Valt’s emphasis on “yours” and charged at him.

In his eyes, Valt was just a barbaric savage with a large build. He believed Valt wouldn’t last a moment against his 6th-layer aura threads.

While he knew he couldn’t kill him, Padric thought taking an arm would be fair punishment for insulting Crown Princess Grace, to whom he had pledged his loyalty.

*swoosh*

“Padric!”

Grace called out, but Padric was already charging forward with his sword wrapped in aura.

The distance between them wasn’t great, leaving no time for anyone to intervene.

‘Hmph, this will make Grace look at me with more favor! How dare this barbaric savage be so insolent!’

Padric was the son of a local nobleman who had been recommended to Grovint Academy for his exceptional talent with the sword.

Ironically, minor provincial nobles often held stronger prejudices against commoners and other races, and Padric was exactly that type of person.

While Grace didn’t particularly like Padric’s temperament, she kept him around because he was mannerly, good-natured, and fiercely loyal when it came to nobility.

But now, that excessive loyalty had created this mess.

KWANG-!

For an attack meant to take just an arm, it was far too powerful.

Few people could completely block such a surprise attack of this level.

*screech*

Naturally, Padric’s attack was easily blocked by Valt’s barrier.

This level of attack didn’t even require Valt to bring out his Blood Demon Gauntlets. He could easily block it by just drawing on his Blood Magic and elemental aura.

“I-impossible!”

It was a strike powerful enough to instantly shatter a boulder the size of a house.

Yet such an attack was rendered powerless with just a gesture from Valt.

“Hmm… what’s this? A sudden attack? I don’t think I made any mistake… so this counts as self-defense.”

“What?”

*whoosh*

*SLAP!*

“GUHAAACK!”

‘Indeed, the activation is fast and the power is strong. Plus, it’s not much different from magic.’

The so-called “mana slap.”

Valt had struck Padric’s cheek with energy created by mixing aura and magic.

*thud*

*crash*

*thud-thud-thud*

For someone who had just been slapped on the cheek, Padric’s bouncing flight across the ground seemed surreal, and Valt scratched the back of his head with his thick hand.

“Ah, um… sorry about that. I’m not very good at controlling my strength.”

Looking at Padric sprawled in the corner of the training ground, Grace’s entourage couldn’t believe Valt’s claim about not controlling his strength, while Valt’s companions thought he had actually shown considerable restraint.