Ch.3838. My Intentions Unknown to Me

It might seem easy to capture, but a Richnight was not a monster that first-year students could handle, even in the advanced class.

Didn’t I clearly say it before? You need to be at least graduation-level to stand a chance against it.

It was only natural that first-years who had just taken their first steps couldn’t even scratch it no matter how hard they attacked.

The only damage dealt was a single scratch from the future Sword Master. Even that returned to nothing as the armor automatically repaired itself.

“If we met one in real life, we’d just have to die.”

“We’re still so far behind…”

They probably had pride in being in the advanced class, but Reina’s insane monster selection had completely crushed their spirits.

Preparing a test that would give these budding students a taste of harsh reality… Reina was truly a cruel person.

And so, after everyone had their turn, it was finally Lilith’s turn.

“Even if divine power works well against monsters, isn’t this gap too big?”

She expressed her anxiety with those words, but there was no need for concern.

There was a reason she was called the Holy Maiden, a reason for her divine power. There was a purpose behind Reina pushing her to the last spot in the order.

Divine power versus mana. The difference in compatibility was so vast that discussing level gaps became meaningless.

Swish!

The Holy Arrow she shot while grumbling.

Five strands of light arrows pierced directly into the center of the Richnight’s abdomen.

A strong light flashed for an instant due to the impact and disappeared… leaving a hole large enough to fit a finger.

Though it lacked the power to penetrate completely, the fact that it made a hole at all was remarkable.

Moreover… since the automatic repair didn’t work against divine power, it could be said that she had actually inflicted damage.

“…So that’s a Holy Maiden.”

“No wonder divine power is so highly regarded.”

Perhaps thanks to witnessing this, the way they looked at Lilith changed.

Well, it was probably their first time seeing the power of a Holy Maiden firsthand… Being able to land a meaningful attack on a monster that none of them could scratch must have seemed quite overwhelming to these rookies.

“Even my sword couldn’t make a scratch…”

The future Sword Master seemed quite shocked, his hand trembling as he gripped his sword.

That’s a warning sign before an accident. I should keep a close eye on him.

Anyway, Lilith, who seemed surprised that her attack had worked so well, cautiously opened her mouth.

“Um, Professor. Isn’t this a bit unfair?”

“What do you mean? That’s your power and skill.”

She seemed to feel uncomfortable with the thought of winning easily with divine power.

But Reina was right.

When a monster attacks, no one would think, “Oh, I have divine power that others don’t have, so it would be unfair to use it. I should just die instead.”

And even with divine power, she wouldn’t have been able to make a hole without diligent training.

Even if her current result was boosted by divine power, it was also partly due to her efforts, so I went over and gave her a thumbs up.

“What? That’s annoying.”

This girl complains even when you praise her.

“Well, that’s enough from Lilith… who wants to go next?”

After Lilith’s turn ended, Professor Reina glanced back and forth between me and Celia.

What should I do? They say it’s better to get the beating over with, but since the result would be the same anyway, should I go first?

Was my hesitation too long? Before I knew it, Celia was walking toward the Richnight.

She stood in front of the Richnight, contemplated something briefly, then looked at Reina and asked:

“You’re going to dispose of it after this test anyway, right?”

“Yes. Our Holy Maiden has made a hole that can’t be healed with divine power, so we can’t reuse it.”

“…Then I’ll just fire a light shot.”

She instantly manifested three spells simultaneously, then blew off the Richnight’s right arm.

As the arm disappeared, the heavy greatsword the Richnight had been holding fell to the floor with a thud.

Clang-

“…”

Silence fell.

Even Reina was taken aback by the unexpected situation.

But I alone knew. That she had already surpassed graduation level long ago.

That she had reached a level where she could easily handle a Richnight.

While her growth was bizarrely fast for difficulty-based acceleration… I decided not to question it. It seemed unlikely I’d find an answer anyway.

Celia herself broke the silence.

“Should I do more?”

“…No, that’s enough. Come back.”

Reina looked like she had a lot to say but decided to let it go for now.

She’ll probably call her in separately after the test.

And so my turn approached.

Being last… it’s quite a pressured position, but I regret that I have nothing to show.

Standing in front of the Richnight, I saw it was in quite a pitiful state. The hole in its stomach remained unrepaired due to divine power, and one arm had been blown off beyond repair.

But that didn’t mean it was weakened, so nothing had changed for me.

I drew my short sword and approached with light steps… then swung it gently.

Clang-

An unpleasant noise rang out, but as expected, not even a scratch appeared on the Richnight’s armor.

Even when I stabbed at it repeatedly, I couldn’t see any way to damage this armor.

Well… what doesn’t work, doesn’t work. It would be stranger if something miraculous happened here.

It’s clear that relying solely on evasion and parrying would be difficult. I need to find a means of attack quickly.

With that thought, I sheathed my sword at my waist and returned, only to find Reina looking at me incredulously.

She probably thought I was returning without even trying properly.

“…What are you doing?”

“I’m done.”

“You won’t get extra points for helping with the capture.”

She meant she couldn’t give me points if I ended like this.

But what could I do? Nothing would change even if I tried more.

“That’s fine.”

“I wonder what you’re thinking… Ah, I see. So that’s it? Hehe… Alright, do as you please.”

It seemed she had found some hidden intention in what I’d done so far.

I’d like to know what she found too… but she just looked at me with a satisfied smile, with no apparent intention of telling me.

“Ludion?”

Celia also looked at me with a puzzled expression, and having nothing to say, I was about to pretend I didn’t see it, but…

“Ludion. Thank you.”

She’s doing this too. Well… I don’t know how you interpreted it, but if you’re happy, that’s fine.

And so one practical test ended. Reina put the Richnight back into the magic stone and checked the time, then dismissed everyone to go have lunch.

After lunch, we’ll finish the midterm exams with the next practical test, the duels.

Well, I don’t feel much since I didn’t really put in any effort. It just feels like some time has passed.

“Sir Ludion!”

I was thinking about what to eat at the student cafeteria when I heard a voice I had forgotten about for a while.

“Oh, it’s been a while, Frang. How have you been?”

“Thanks to you, every day is enjoyable!”

Frang, the culprit who broke through my room wall. He had a bright smile as if he really was enjoying himself as he claimed.

Though his face seemed more gaunt despite his brighter expression… well, if he says he’s happy, I guess that’s what matters.

Since he was a new face to Celia beside me, I gave a brief introduction.

“He’s my dormitory neighbor. Though he’s in the lower class.”

“I’m in the intermediate class now!”

“Huh? You got promoted?”

“Yes!”

Looks like the lower class has already finished their exams.

More importantly, the guy who just caused trouble and disappeared in the original story is now in the intermediate class. That’s impressive. Did he have some talent after all?

While I was thinking that, Frang suddenly took something out and handed it to me.

A small metal plate with a magic stone embedded with unique patterns, and a hammer about the size of a hand axe.

“What’s this?”

“Didn’t I tell you clearly! I would provide all my creations for you to use free of charge!”

So he’s keeping his word. Seems he’s made some progress.

It’s quite impressive that he’s already made two magical tools, so I praised him a bit, and Frang began explaining his creations in an excited tone.

“Reflector Type A-01 and Striker Type A-01! The Reflector utilizes the principle of mana collision side effects, inspired by your combat style…”

He gave a long explanation, but simply put, it was the classic combination of one-handed blunt weapon + one-handed shield.

The shield disrupts and nullifies low-level mana attacks, and when the hammer detects impact, compressed mana inside is shot into the striking part…

But despite the grand explanation, the modest appearance didn’t make it look very powerful.

Still, considering he’d only started making things a month or two ago, it was impressive.

He definitely has talent in this area.

“I achieved the best results using these! Though by lower class standards…”

“Whatever the case, it’s good that you moved up to the intermediate class… Wait a minute.”

You were the best? Then what about the protagonist?

Just then, my messenger rang, and I could see an update on the protagonist’s situation.

[Artes: My arm is broken, so I’m getting treatment. Where are you now?]

Oh… you got beaten badly, Artes. That’s a poor performance for how hard you tried.

“It was really dangerous. If that last attack hadn’t missed me by luck, I would have lost.”

From Frang’s words, it seemed Artes hadn’t been completely defeated.

“Luck is also a skill, so take it positively.”

“I’m honored you see it that way! I’ll work harder!”

Yes, work harder so you can make weapons that no man can resist.

But if what you’ve made now is strong enough to break an arm, isn’t it a bit much to give it to me right away?

“The prototype is in storage anyway, so it doesn’t matter.”

That was his answer when I asked.

Well… since the lower class has finished their exams, I probably won’t need to use it. It should be fine to accept it.

“Oh right, you came to eat! I’ve kept you too long! I’ll be going now! Enjoy your meal!”

Frang seemed to realize belatedly and hurried away as if escaping.

Watching him leave, Celia quietly spoke up.

“Ludion. Could I borrow that Reflector Type A-01 for a moment?”

…She even uses the full name.

She could just call it a Reflector. Being meticulous even in such details made her seem rather eccentric.

Just to be sure, I asked why she wanted to borrow it, and Celia answered:

“I’d like to take a closer look at the formula inscribed on the magic stone.”

I had a rough idea of what she wanted to do, so I gladly lent it to her.

I’m not giving it to her to use. And Celia wouldn’t be borrowing it for that purpose either.

This tool that deflects low-level magic would barely be useful in the lower class anyway.

But what was certain was that Celia would learn techniques from this object, and those techniques would take the already powerful Celia to another level.

I’m definitely the one who was reincarnated, but looking at her growth rate, I’d believe it if someone said she was the one.

“Are you really Celia?”

“What are you suddenly saying in the middle of eating?”

I asked just in case, but only got treated like a weirdo.