Chapter 245: 2nd Semester (3)
Chapter 245: 2nd Semester (3)
The moment I smeared blood on it, the purple lines engraved on the staff began to glow faintly.
The lines started from the center and spread toward the ends. The mana light, creeping like a snake up a tree, eventually formed a circular magic circle.
At that same moment, the sensation of holding the staff transformed instantly.
“This is…”
Fortunately, it didn't feel like I was holding a dick.
The biggest concern I had when I suggested making a staff out of a sensory-linked dildo had been resolved.
So, what was the sensation I was feeling now?
It was quite peculiar. How should I put it… it felt like the staff had become an extension of my own body?
Even without looking, you generally know how far your limbs reach and how they can move, right?
That’s possible because of the image of your own body that you subconsciously hold in your mind.
Iona once taught me that the clearer this image becomes, the easier it is to move your body exactly as you intend…
As for me, the system correction handled most of that, so I didn't worry too much about it.
Anyway, the important thing was that the staff had been added to that mental image of ‘me.’
I had been skillfully wielding the Shining Lion Dagger until now, but that was more akin to my body being good at swinging a dagger.
But now, with just a bit of practice, it felt like I could handle this staff as if it were my own limb.
“It actually works.”
Marveling at the sensation, I swung the staff through the air a few times before pulling my old staff out of my inventory.
It was a chrome-colored metal staff that had lost some of its original luster after being overworked in the scenario dungeon.
I swung it hard, striking the body of the new staff.
Clang!
A powerful recoil vibrated through the hand I swung with. This new one was definitely much sturdier.
And above all.
“I guess pain isn't shared.”
“Of course not. You’re going to be swinging that thing like a melee weapon and dumping the load of your magic onto it, right, Junior? If it hurt every time you did that, there’d be no point in using a weapon. Besides, that dildo from before had the pain sensations blocked too.”
“Now that I think about it, you’re right. I handled it pretty roughly, but it never hurt.”
Nodding, I tossed the black staff into the air.
As it spun through the void, I extended my index finger, and the staff landed perfectly balanced on its tip.
“The link stays solid even when it’s detached. Is there a range limit?”
“Yeah. About 10 meters? It’s my first time making one, so it’s not very long, but that’ll increase as I make more.”
“10 meters is plenty. This is a staff, not a javelin.”
In close combat, if your weapon flies more than 10 meters away, you can basically consider it lost.
Unless the opponent is a pushover, if they’re on my level or have the numbers, it wouldn't be easy to retrieve even with telekinesis magic.
So, throwing a weapon is usually reserved for dire emergencies or when I’m certain I can land a finishing blow.
Any other situation would involve me being overwhelmed and dropping the weapon, in which case I wouldn't have the leisure to retrieve it anyway, so it didn't change much.
“Hmm… still, I’d like to increase it to 30 meters just to be safe. Oh, more importantly, Junior. Could you try channeling mana through it again?”
“Huh? I already tested the amplification rate first… does that get better too?”
“Probably? Theoretically, it should increase slightly. I’ve never been able to test it since once it’s imprinted, no one else can use it.”
So it’s a bound item, then? I suppose if I’m getting this much of an advantage, a penalty like being non-shareable is only fair.
Nodding, I drew up my mana once more.
Wooooong—
The staff accepted the mana as if it had been waiting.
“Whoa.”
It wasn't that the mana amplification rate had increased. Rather, the speed of mana transmission had become incredibly fast.
To put it simply, the mana conductivity had improved, drastically reducing the amount that leaked out during the process.
It wasn't very noticeable when using low-grade magic, but from intermediate magic onward, it would show a significant difference in efficiency.
Above all, the biggest advantage was that the casting speed had become even faster.
My magic casting speed, which was already fast, could become even faster. It was difficult right now, but once I got used to the chant shortening I was learning from Elisha, simultaneous casting might even become possible.
So this was how the effect of all stats slightly increasing in the game actually manifested in reality.
Sincere praise escaped my lips.
“This is truly amazing, Senior Fay.”
“Hehe. Right?”
“Yes. Honestly, I thought it would take a bit more time. You know, because magic weapons are fundamentally delicate things.”
Whether it’s a staff, a wand, or some other form, a mage’s weapon is built on the foundation of mana amplification.
It’s the essence of the weapon, just like the sharpness of a blade, the weight of a blunt weapon, or the sturdiness of armor.
However, unlike other equipment that can still be used even if you mess up a bit, mana amplification can cause an explosion or turn the item into pretty trash if you make even the slightest mistake.
There’s almost no middle ground.
Naturally, one has to be cautious during production and hesitant about making improvements…
To think she brought such clear results so quickly. I can’t say anything except that she really is Fay.
“Achievements should always be rewarded. Should I increase your funding? Or is there something else you want?”
“Hmm… the research funds are fine. I still have plenty left from what you gave me last time. Instead, there’s something I want to ask of you…”
“What is it? Just say the word.”
I spoke warmly, prepared to grant almost anything, and Fay slowly raised both her arms.
She didn't raise them high, but spread them wide, parallel to the floor.
In that position, Fay spoke cautiously.
“Could you give me an ‘up we go’ just once, like you do for Lady Iris? I was curious what it felt like…”
“Ah.”
Come to think of it, Fay and Iris were about the same height.
While it was impossible for the other women because their feet would touch the ground, I could give Fay an airplane ride just like I did for Iris.
“Are you sure you’re okay with just that?”
“Yeah. I’ve already received so much from you, Junior. This is enough.”
“If you say so.”
I picked Fay up and gently swayed her through the air, just as I did for Iris.
Jiggle, jiggle.
Her breasts, which were larger than her head, swayed with a heavy weight.
…I’m glad Iris isn't here to see this.
*
The opening ceremony arrived, and I was in an even better mood after receiving the staff from Fay. Though it was called a ceremony, there weren't any major events.
It was just listening to the homeroom professor’s announcements and the briefing for the 2nd semester in our respective classrooms. Classes were set to start tomorrow.
For that reason, I was sitting in the Class A classroom with Carla and Elisha on either side of me. Everyone was greeting each other warmly, perhaps having grown closer during the 1st semester… but no one greeted me.
At most, they’d glance my way tentatively before looking away.
Before, it was just awkward, but after I bought Elisha as a slave, they wouldn't even meet my eyes.
…Well, I wouldn't want to get involved with a dangerous guy who suddenly brings a classmate along as his slave-attendant either.
Still, hearing snippets of them talking about who they invited to their homes during the break made my stomach start to churn with envy.
Hmph! I went to Helena’s house too, you know? I’m not jealous at all! I definitely didn't think I was wasting my second youth!
While I was grumbling to myself like that, Elisha suddenly let out a small chuckle and spoke in a moderate voice.
“Oh my? Come to think of it, I became an Intermediate Magician thanks to you, but I haven't learned many intermediate spells yet. Could you teach me when you have some time? …Preferably, just the two of us.”
“Huh?”
The surroundings went quiet for a moment at the news that Elisha had become an Intermediate Magician. Then, the room began to buzz with a different kind of energy than before.
…So they were paying a lot of attention to us while pretending not to?
I can’t really talk, since I was eavesdropping while pretending not to care either.
Anyway, Elisha doesn't know intermediate magic well? She reached the rank of Intermediate Magician thanks to me? That couldn't be right.
She had already studied a few spells in advance when she was at the peak of being a lower mage, and after reaching the intermediate rank, she had been learning elemental magic primarily from Iris.
All I did was speed up her growth by taking her to dungeons.
The reason she was saying this… did she think I was envious of the other students?
I’m really not jealous at all, but thinking about it calmly, it could feel different from Elisha’s perspective.
She had lived alone in a remote place for 17 years before coming down to the world. But for three years, she fled from people before entering the Academy, and even after that, she had been keeping her distance from others for various reasons… or so the setting goes.
In other words, does she see me as someone who has never made a friend in his entire life…?
I wasn't sure if she meant that I shouldn't be too envious of others since I had her, or if she was trying to appeal to my abilities so that others would approach me despite the awkwardness.
Either way, it was a very kind consideration, but since the premise was wrong, it felt… a bit complicated.
I’m… not that pitiful of a person…
I stared at Elisha with a complex expression for a moment.
Unlike the subtle atmosphere that had been flowing through the classroom, the door swung open boisterously.
Slide. Bam!
A woman with familiar dark red hair entered, spinning like a figure skater with bouncy movements.
Arriving at the podium, Iona stopped her rotation and struck a bizarre pose as she shouted.
“Iona has arrived!”
It had been a while since I’d seen that, too.