Chapter 91
Chapter 91
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Eve of the Great War
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After leaving Ani Person's residence.
-This... things are going to get really interesting.
"Sigh... What the hell does that even mean?"
Those words I'd heard earlier kept echoing in my head.
I had no clue what could suddenly be so amusing.
Even when I asked about it, he wouldn't give me a straight answer.
'Did I screw something up?'
That thought crossed my mind, but nah.
No matter how much I racked my brain, nothing jumped out as a mistake.
I'd just done exactly what he told me to—how could I have messed up?
"Forget it. Let it go."
In the end, I couldn't come to any solid conclusion and shoved the thoughts aside.
Either way, visiting Ani Person had paid off big time.
First, I'd secured regular meetings with him.
Second, I'd gotten a crystal-clear picture of the current state of my light magic.
That was huge.
Knowing the problems meant I now had a path to fix them and grow stronger.
"It was a pretty straightforward method, though."
Why had I never tried it before?
I'd only ever theorized in my head about how to improve, never once imagining I'd peer directly into my own magic to spot the issues.
Not just me—Dershion, the Aldeon elders I'd met, Asion Gail, and all the other top-tier mages probably never had either.
Not one of them had ever suggested I inspect my own magic like that.
Which meant...
"It's Ani Person's unique approach."
He'd figured it out on his own.
No surprise there.
Who in their right mind would sit still for hours just staring at their own magic?
Refining mana circuits, reworking formulas, boosting total mana output—there were endless things demanding attention right off the bat.
Maybe this was something only Ani Person, who hadn't awakened his mana, could have come up with.
Unable to cast spells himself, observing was all he could do.
And not just his own magic—he'd probably observed countless mages casting theirs.
That must've honed his eye for magic naturally.
Honestly, I'd been a bit uneasy about learning from a non-awakened guy, but looking back, that worry was pointless.
Never dreamed a non-awakened person could teach me something new.
Anyway.
"Time to head back."
Today's training was done.
I'd successfully delivered the contract to Varus too.
No more business in the inner districts.
So, it was back to District 6 for the rest of my prep.
Physical training with Barundel, collecting my request payout from Lena, supplies from Asion Gail.
Once that was wrapped, back to Ani Person for light magic lessons, and so on.
Seemed like I'd accomplished a ton, but my to-do pile was still a mountain.
"Busy, busy."
Just over a week left until the great war.
That time would fly by like an arrow.
***
District 6's usual tavern.
"No kidding? That professor's no joke. Must be rough on you, missy."
"Still better than the academy head. Heard you got pummeled day and night the other night, right?"
"H-Haha... It's already made the rounds?"
"Yeah, and young Lieff just advanced to physical training stage 2."
Kayla, Barundel, Thompson, and me.
Everyone was finally together again.
We'd gathered because the war was right around the corner.
According to the prophecy, it kicked off tomorrow.
"We've come a long way, huh."
Everyone nodded at my words.
"Indeed, a lot has changed in just a few weeks."
Barundel was spot on.
We'd all transformed.
"Thompson, you've fully mastered body transformation magic now, right?"
"Psh, top student! Fully mastered? I can barely cast it. Proper body transformation is still a ways off!"
"Even that's impressive. Means you can use it in the war."
Thompson had at least gotten the hang of body transformation magic.
"Kayla, Professor Jairen said you're solidly at 4th circle now?"
"...Not that surprising. After all that grinding, it's about time."
Kayla had reached true 4th circle mastery.
"Hm, I've fully adapted to the axe now too."
Barundel had mastered [Anatakh's Massive Axe].
I'd made some progress in light magic and hit the mid-4th stage of physical training.
The 'forced sleep' penalty from overdoing it was gone.
Of course, I'd kept up with academy classes on the side, so my other magic hadn't stagnated.
Now, I could wield 5th circle magic flawlessly.
For just a few weeks' work, it was incredible progress.
'If things go well, I could aim for 6th circle in this war.'
Lectures and Ani Person's guidance were great, but nothing beat real combat for magical growth.
In that sense, I might break through to 6th circle in this war.
And if I did...
With the [Holy Staff]'s effect, I'd cast 7th circle spells.
Indirectly reaching high mage territory.
'High mage, huh.'
It hit me how far I'd come.
A panorama of past events flashed by.
Starting as a District 7 beggar, kidnapped by the Redhead, targeted by the silver-haired knight, the massive Aldeon incident, hellish hunts beyond the border—tons of near-death scrapes.
I'd survived them all, and the sense of achievement was massive.
But I couldn't get complacent.
"Tomorrow's the war. You've all done great so far, but it won't all be smooth sailing."
The biggest threat was staring us down.
"Got it, top student!"
"Don't worry too much. We'll pull through. Like always."
"Yeah, let's stay positive. How often do you get to unload spells on demons nonstop?"
I hit my excited crew with a grim warning.
"What I'm saying is one of us could die in this war."
"..."
"..."
The mood chilled at the mention of death.
Good.
That's exactly what I wanted.
This was the time for it.
"So please, stay sharp, everyone. The moment you get cocky about your growth is the most dangerous."
Kayla, Barundel, Thompson.
I locked eyes with each one, and they nodded seriously.
Satisfied, I got to the point.
"Alright. Time to plan our strategy?"
Contingencies for every variable.
Even though we needed rest to peak our condition, that's why we were crammed in a tavern.
Now to calmly minimize the risks.
***
Meanwhile, at the Asteron Academy.
Asion Gail surveyed the room.
The heads of every department sat around the massive round table, staring at him with stern faces.
He'd called them himself, but seeing them all here filled him with gratitude.
"Thank you all. I know carving out time like this wasn't easy."
"Not at all. For the academy head's emergency summons, we come running."
"War tomorrow—what do petty tasks matter?"
"Hoho, such passion."
Asion Gail smiled contentedly.
These were the mage comrades he'd once staked his life with.
Just a few words exchanged, and their old bond felt alive as ever.
Time hadn't changed a thing.
'I can trust these guys with my back.'
Not one missing, all bonded by thick trust.
They were also the academy's power players.
With them stepping up, even the prophecy's great war was no big worry.
Demons would be scampering away tail-between-legs.
His real concern lay elsewhere.
"Three of our academy students are joining the war. You all know?"
"Of course, academy head. Yoo Han, Thompson, and Kayla."
"Winning the war matters, but protecting those students comes first."
Maybe because they'd synced up before.
The conversation flowed before Asion Gail even finished.
"Exactly, vice head. I'd love to guard them myself, but... circumstances won't allow it."
"Damn government bastards. How dare they threaten the academy head?"
"This is outright disrespect to our academy."
They'd already heard about the contract.
Outrage followed naturally.
But Asion Gail calmly reined in the mood.
"We'll make them pay after the war anyway, so don't sweat it. Focus on the now."
"Yes, wise words."
"That said... Vice head, research director. Can you protect our academy students during the war?"
"Ah..."
The two named hesitated, no quick reply.
Students mattered, but not more than the academy head.
Being pulled from guarding him for this? Unappealing.
But.
They knew Asion Gail's stubbornness all too well.
Once decided, he saw it through.
Refusing a hundred times wouldn't change that—they'd end up complying anyway.
"Understood, academy head."
The vice head accepted first, having clocked it quickest.
The research director nodded too.
"If you command it, we will."
"Hoho, thank you all. Please safeguard our students' lives. Especially Yoo Han—that kid must be protected at all costs. He'll etch his name in magic history someday."
"Yes, we'll ensure no harm comes to them."
"Feels solid now. With you two watching out, I can fight without holding back."
Asion Gail let out a relieved breath.
'Whew.'
One worry down.
Now, just win the war with minimal losses.
And that was Asion Gail's specialty.
'Time to show what I've got.'
His old war nickname: 'Lion of Glory.'
Time to revive that legend once more.