Chapter 56
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 56
“What do you mean? I’m planning to sit next to you for today’s lecture.”
“And why is that?”
“……”
Yuliana seemed to ponder for a moment, then simply fell silent.
“……?”
What was she playing at?
I furrowed my brow but decided not to press her. I didn't have the energy for a petty squabble. Tuning her out, I pressed firmly on my eyelids to relieve the lingering fatigue.
I waited for a short while in the lecture hall, which buzzed with the chatter of students, and soon it was time for class to begin. Right on time, Professor Martelzier entered and stood on the platform as always.
The only difference was the assistant accompanying her.
Professor Martelzier began to speak.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard the news~ but unfortunately, Assistant Demer won’t be able to join us for class anymore~ So starting today, a new assistant will be helping us out~ This is our new assistant, Ms. Wayne. Please say hello~”
The woman called Wayne wore a cold expression. She finished her greeting with a slight, stiff nod to the students.
I stared at her, my brow creasing.
…Who is she? She looks familiar for some reason.
I felt like I’d seen her somewhere before, but I couldn’t recall exactly who she was. She didn’t look like some background extra. I tilted my head for a moment, watching her, before dismissing the thought.
If she were a major player, I would have recognized her immediately. For now, I needed to focus on the lecture.
Professor Martelzier continued.
“Next up. As I announced, today is the day for your performance evaluation~ I’ll be distributing the test papers, so please take one and pass the rest to the back~”
Ah… now that I think about it.
I closed the textbook on my desk and let out a sigh. I’d been so busy lately that I hadn’t given it a second thought, but I remembered now that this Intermediate Magic course included a performance evaluation.
It was a similar situation to the pop quiz we had in Spiritology. I hadn’t prepared specifically for it, but there was no need to worry. The problems weren’t at a very difficult stage yet; I could solve them easily without any special preparation.
…What score should I aim for?
I was lost in thought, watching the test papers make their way toward the back of the room, when Yuliana, who had been sitting silently beside me, whispered quietly.
“Did you prepare for this test?”
She continued.
“If you didn’t, I could help you out a little.”
She took a small note from her pencil case and showed it to me. It was crammed with complex formulas.
A sudden offer to cheat.
“Is this really appropriate behavior for the Chief Administrator of Eredor?”
“I don’t normally do this. I’m making a special offer, partly to repay you for your help last time.”
“……”
When I showed a hint of hesitation, Yuliana pressed me.
“You need good grades to keep your position, don’t you? You must have been too busy to study properly with everything going on—the aftermath of the territory war, the practical exam, not to mention the interview. So, what do you say?”
Yuliana smiled slyly, extending a devil’s bargain. She probably thought she was making an offer I couldn’t refuse, but I could secure a decent score without any help from her.
I smirked inwardly as I looked at her triumphant expression.
…I was wondering why someone who’s usually dying to tear me down would suddenly sit next to me.
It seemed she knew today was the quiz day and had approached me specifically to make this offer. It wasn't a simple act of goodwill or an attempt to repay a debt out of gratitude.
Her goal must be to dig up the source of my information about the Dark Mana Stone I gave her.
I stroked my chin, eyeing Yuliana. Beatrice must have given Yuliana an order, and she was using this quiz as a pretext to carry it out. Her plan was likely to ask for the source of my information in exchange for helping with the test, but it wouldn't work on me.
I shot back at her coldly.
“I don’t need that kind of help. Repay your debt some other way.”
Flutter—.
I flatly rejected Yuliana’s offer and took the test paper being passed from the front. Apparently not expecting her offer to be refused, Yuliana stared at me, dumbfounded, before asking urgently.
“A-Are you sure you don’t need it? Huh?”
“I’m sure.”
“Think again! This test is on a completely different level from the basic problems you solved before! You won’t be able to pass at this rate!”
“We’ll see about that.”
With those words, I stopped paying her any attention. Just then, Professor Martelzier’s voice rang out.
“Alright~ That’s enough chatter~ The test is starting, so everyone please focus~ I trust you won’t cheat~ Now, begin!”
*
After the test.
Assistant Wayne collected all the papers. As soon as they were gone, Yuliana glared at me and snapped.
“Why on earth did you refuse my offer? Where does that confidence come from?”
“Why? Because I don’t use shortcuts when it comes to my grades. I can get a good score on my own. This test wasn’t even that difficult.”
“Not difficult, you say?”
“That’s right.”
The difficulty had spiked suddenly, but it wasn’t unsolvable. Barring any major surprises, I was confident I’d hit the score I was aiming for.
I feigned ignorance and asked Yuliana.
“More importantly, why are you suddenly pulling a stunt like this?”
“That’s obviously because…”
“Cut the nonsense about repaying a debt. I know you’ve been holding a grudge ever since you saw Chloe’s article.”
Chloe had published an article about how I’d saved Yuliana. Yuliana had mentioned she’d been receiving anonymous, threatening letters ever since. The sender was almost certainly Yuliana herself.
“……”
Yuliana flinched as if I’d hit a nerve. I didn’t stop there; I pressed her further.
“Was this Beatrice’s order?”
“N-No. This was entirely my own decision.”
“I see.”
That was the moment my suspicion turned into certainty. I nodded, then narrowed my eyes and warned her.
“Whatever you do, don’t even think about harming Chloe. I won’t let it slide. She’s my collaborator.”
“……I understand.”
Yuliana wiped away a bead of sweat and obediently backed down.
*
After all my classes were over, I returned to the lab attached to the Student Council President’s office.
I was here to check on my physical condition, which I had neglected while dealing with various matters, and to enhance the new artifact I had acquired.
“Status window.”
Ting—.
[Vitality: 30(-15)]
[Agility: 20(-10)]
[Strength: 22(-11)]
[Mana: 41]
[Intellect: 36]
[Charisma: 90(-60)]
My stats had risen slightly thanks to consistent physical training and morning meditation. My infamy had decreased quite a bit recently, so the penalty to my Charisma stat had also lessened slightly. Even looking in the mirror, my complexion seemed a bit brighter, and the dark circles under my eyes had receded.
I nodded as I scanned my physical stats.
Even considering they’re halved by the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, these stats are still above average for a normal person.
Using a Body Enhancement Stone and Haste Magic temporarily doubles my combat power, allowing me to handle academy-level opponents without much difficulty. Of course, both are expensive consumables with severe side effects, so I can’t use them often.
In any case, my progress was smooth.
Traits… no real need to check them.
Nothing much had changed, aside from Roen’s alchemy level rising to Low-Grade Level 6 through consistent practice, and my acquisition of [Divine Power Resistance] and [Intimidation].
What was noteworthy, however, were the alchemy enchantment spells [Amplify] and [Restrict], which became available upon reaching Level 6. It was no exaggeration to say that I had used these two spells to subdue Chepesi.
Normally, they were spells that required Low-Grade Level 8, but I was able to use them thanks to Albany's Alchemist's Workbench. In any case, I had shattered my magic crystal orb by overusing those two spells, so I had acquired a new artifact from the black market to use as a temporary replacement.
Today was the day to test this artifact’s power.
Click—.
I took a pair of black gloves from my item storage and put them on. They were leather gloves that clung softly to my hands. I flexed my gloved right hand, checking the item’s details.
[Millia's Magic Gloves]
- Classification: Gloves
- Rarity: Ancient
- Description: A favorite item used by the great ancient mage Millia during her apprentice days. Though old, its abilities are perfectly preserved.
- Effects:
- Can store up to 3 low-grade magic scrolls.
- Reduces mana consumption by 20% when using magic.
- Reduces magic casting time by 20%.
- Grants 90% flame resistance to the equipped area.
- Absorbs a certain amount of mana from an opponent upon contact with the equipped area.
- Penalty: Increases damage taken by 30%.
- Durability: 43/50
This new artifact was purchased for the massive sum of 200 million Krone—the proceeds from selling the two artifacts I had intended to give to Lize. Normally, an item this powerful couldn't be bought for just 200 million Krone, but Rebecca had taken a liking to me and sold it at a discount.
These gloves not only had a magic storage space to substitute for the Memorize skill essential to mages, but they also came with the excellent effects of reduced mana consumption and casting time. Even the bonus flame resistance was subtly useful.
On top of that, the ability to absorb an opponent’s mana on contact allowed for unconventional tactics in battle. Of course, it came with the painful penalty of increased damage taken, but considering its capabilities, it was a worthy trade-off. If things got dicey, I could just block with the Aegis Shield.
It’ll be useful enough in competitive matches too.
I smiled in satisfaction and began the process of refining Bell's Magic Orb.
First, I put on a gas mask and activated the lab’s ventilator. Then, with the gloves on, I took out the magic orb containing Bell's Extreme Flame, which had been carefully stored away.
Fwoosh—.
A gentle heat radiated through the flame-resistant gloves. The very air in the room grew hot, and the radiant heat stung my face as if I were standing over a roaring grill.
Gurgle, gurgle—.
After taking out the orb, I poured a silvery liquid resembling mercury into a special case I’d procured from the black market, then plopped Bell's Magic Orb into it.
Sizzzle—.
As soon as it made contact with the orb, the silvery liquid began to boil furiously, emitting a toxic gas. Bell's Magic Orb heated the liquid, flashing rhythmically with a bright, pulsing light.
I watched the boiling liquid, timing it carefully, before adding the ingredients I had prepared one by one.
Wings of a Dark Moth, Horn of an Elder Deer, Blue Ice Moss, Berry Grape, Bloodstone, Wild Rose Oil, Moon Salt.
Bubble, bubble—.
The fresh ingredients, sourced directly from the black market, dissolved into the silvery liquid.
Squelch—.
As the ingredients boiled, the silvery liquid gradually grew viscous and began to solidify. It clung to the orb, suppressing the powerful heat it contained.
This was a crucial step in preparing the magic orb for use. Instead of burning through my stomach, this orb needed to be absorbed into my body, where it would constantly emit a gentle heat to neutralize the yin energy of my Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
Furthermore, if I simply swallowed it and it was expelled through digestion, it would be a disaster. It had to undergo a specific process to ensure it dissolved properly inside my body. This coating process was essential for the orb's long-term preservation and the manifestation of its effects.
Just as I was finishing the coating process...
Ting—.
[Preliminary work complete. Please infuse mana.]
A notification from the alchemy system appeared.
“Hoo.”
I let out a small sigh, then poured in every drop of mana I had to begin the full-scale refinement of the magic orb.