Chapter 23: Praise and Envy

“First, activate your mana circuits! Only then will you be able to sense the mana in the air and absorb it.”

“Second, only open the flow of mana up to your mouth, throat, lungs, and heart. If you open the entire body’s circuit, the mana will become diluted.”

“Third, close your mouth and place the tip of your tongue on your lower teeth as you breathe. This is to filter out the impurities mixed in with natural mana. Don’t worry—mana and saliva won’t mix!”

“Fourth, once the mana reaches your lungs, mix it with your internal mana and spin it quickly. This rotation filters out the remaining impurities and blends the two types of mana together. Don’t forget to switch the direction of the spin every three seconds.”

“Fifth, send the refined mana to your heart and exhale the impurities. Once filtered, natural mana will blend with your own without any side effects.”

“And finally, use the acquired mana immediately! Your mana circuit has a limited capacity. If you try to store it for later, it might expand and lead to mana poisoning.”

I taught the students exactly what Sherthia and Maya had taught me.

At first, they all fumbled through the process, unfamiliar and unsure.

But over time, led by Erin, more and more students began to succeed.

Excited gasps erupted throughout the room as the amount of mana they could control visibly increased.

“I-I just cast a 3rd-rank spell!”

“When I first heard the explanation, I thought it was too good to be true… But it really works.”

“I still can’t believe it. Who would’ve thought that absorbing natural mana could be this simple?”

After all, many inventions come from the most unexpected, everyday moments.

Even magical tools were originally created for a more comfortable life.

The same goes for techniques—many are simple yet highly practical.

‘What really matters is how the user applies them.’

To use it fluidly in the middle of battle like I do, they’ll need time and plenty of practice.

***

“Master.”

As the other students celebrated, Erin approached me.

She was the first to succeed, but her expression was more puzzled than joyful.

“Do you have a question?”

“Forgive me for asking, but… may I ask where this technique comes from?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“It’s just that the technique you taught us is strikingly similar to my grandfather’s secret technique. That’s why I asked.”

“Ah, I see.”

I had completely forgotten that Erin’s grandfather was one of the first disciples of my masters.

Sherthia and Maya probably taught him a similar method too.

“I had no intention of accusing you! Even if the techniques are alike, the one you taught us is far more refined. But… there’s one thing I can’t stop thinking about.”

“What is it?”

“There was a rumor that used to go around the students as a joke… but could it be that you’re my uncle—”

“No, definitely not.”

There’s nothing about me that resembles the family of the Hero.

The idea that I could be Erin’s uncle is ridiculous.

Still, I could understand why she might think that way.

Her grandfather was like an elder brother to me.

But no one knows that, and even if I told them, they’d think it was a lie.

By the time I began learning from my masters, they were already dead.

‘Who would believe such a thing?’

Even if someone generously believed me, it would only create more problems.

In this world, people believe only necromancers can communicate with the dead.

Necromancy is a forbidden art, and necromancers are treated as no different from demons.

***

“I’m sorry. I must have said something foolish.”

“It’s fine. Your curiosity is understandable. You asked where the technique came from, right? A mysterious figure who visited a grave taught it to me.”

“Do you know who it was?”

“No idea. I don’t even know why they shared it with me. All they said was that I could share or hide it however I wanted.”

Of course, that was a lie.

The real source was my masters, and the reason they taught me was to raise me as a hero.

The only truth I told her was that I was free to pass it on to others.

Everything else—I had to make up.

“I see. Thank you for answering, even though it was probably a sensitive question.”

“No need to thank me. I just did my job as a teacher—answering a student’s question.”

“Still, you’re incredible, Master!”

“Flatter me all you want—it’s not going to make this afternoon’s training any easier.”

“That’s exactly what I was hoping for!”

After answering Erin’s question, most of the students were able to use the technique successfully.

Students from the magic department and other combat-related courses were all visibly pleased.

With more usable mana at their disposal, their strategies became more diverse.

On the other hand, the reactions from the non-combat departments were mixed.

They could use the technique too, but outside of magical tool crafting, they didn’t have many ways to apply it.

Lucia, who primarily used divine power, also seemed disappointed, though she didn’t show it outright.

The slight droop in her eyes betrayed her feelings.

***

“Lucia.”

“Yes?”

“Is there some kind of doctrine in the Holy Kingdom that forbids making contracts with spirits?”

“No, not at all. Since we worship the goddess of light, Selune, we actually regard light spirits as sacred servants of the goddess.”

“Really? Thanks. Thanks to you, I’ve figured out what to teach next.”

“May I ask what you’re planning?”

“I’m going to help every student attending my class form a contract with a spirit.”

My goal was to make the students strong enough to fight against the demon race.

Since those scoundrels shamelessly dispatched a Chapter 2 boss to raise the difficulty, I had no choice but to counter with my own cheat.

‘I’m coming for you, Eleneze Levancia. I’ll end you.’

***

Inside the academy’s conference room.

The full professors of Welton Academy were seated around a round table placed in the center of the room.

This gathering excluded assistant professors—it was strictly for the academy’s official teaching staff.

Even professors who normally avoided these meetings under the excuse of being too busy were present, adding to the gravity of the atmosphere.

“The reason I’ve gathered everyone here, despite our busy schedules, is because of one individual who is tarnishing our reputation.”

“You’re talking about the gravedigger who’s pretending to be a professor, aren’t you?”

“Exactly.”

“What on earth was the chairman thinking when he gave someone like that a temporary professor’s post?”

“He probably couldn’t ignore the fame that guy has earned recently. After all, he took on the hero and the saintess as disciples, and he even succeeded in curing corruption—something no one else could pull off.”

The professors understood, at least intellectually, why Tao had been appointed as a temporary professor.

But emotionally, they couldn’t accept the idea of him being seen as their peer—or worse, as a mentor.

“Ugh! I always thought I’d be Erin’s mentor. I can’t believe he snatched that from me!”

“What? If we’re talking about someone fit to be Erin’s mentor, I’m way more qualified than you!”

“Did you seriously just say that?”

“You’re both unworthy. If you want to mentor Erin, you should at least have a sense of dignity.”

“Everyone, calm down! What good is it if we start fighting among ourselves?”

Fortunately, a mediator was present, preventing the professors from turning their argument into a full-blown brawl.

Still, the tense atmosphere was not easily dispelled.

Professor Philderim, who had taken on the role of mediator, decided to use the heated mood to his advantage.

“Let’s face it—the one who became Erin’s mentor is nothing more than a half-baked, makeshift professor. Since none of us were chosen, there’s no point in arguing about who’s more suitable.”

“He must have blackmailed Erin for some reason!”

“It was suspicious, wasn’t it? He became her mentor before curing the corruption.”

“Maybe he stole the secret method that Erin developed on her own.”

“Right! Erin was the one who gathered the materials used in that treatment!”

The professors were unaware that Tao had communicated the list of necessary ingredients to Erin through a spirit, asking her to collect them.

Their ignorance led to misunderstanding—and misunderstanding gave rise to anger.

They now saw Tao as an arrogant thief who had stolen a student’s accomplishments and still had the audacity to act like he belonged among them.

“They say that in today’s class, he even taught students how to convert natural mana.”

“That’s probably another technique he stole from Erin!”

“I heard the former Hero was working on something similar. The rumor must have come from somewhere.”

“Then let’s consider it settled.”

The professors had begun treating Tao as a confirmed criminal.

As the meeting progressed, their anger only deepened, and some of them were literally grinding their teeth.

Ironically, none of them presented any reliable information or evidence.

And yet, they clung to their petty theories for a very simple reason—because they were losing students.

With Tao’s rising popularity, many students had stopped attending their classes.

Driven by shallow jealousy, they vilified him and treated him like garbage.

“We can’t just sit around any longer! For the future of our students, we must get rid of that man immediately!”

“I agree. Our academy has no use for some unverified temporary professor!”

“Let’s all write a petition and submit it to the chairman!”

The professors, who had been divided and fighting amongst themselves at first, were now united with one goal in mind.

They had made Tao their enemy and were determined to drive him out of the academy.

None of them realized that true evil was lurking among them.

‘Heh… Humans really are simple creatures. All I did was stir up a bit of jealousy, and now they’re ready to tear each other apart.’

Among the professors was a demon in disguise.

The one who had called the meeting and taken the role of mediator—no one found anything suspicious about him.

That was how masterfully he had blended in.

Because the demon in question was none other than a doppelgänger.

‘For the sake of Eleneze…!’