Chapter 181: Proof 3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 181: Proof 3
The classroom, which previously hadn't held so much as a blade of grass, was instantly transformed into a vast forest.
Leaves bathed in soft sunlight shimmered with a lush green hue, swaying and dancing to and fro as a gentle breeze blew through the trees. The sound of a babbling brook and the chirping of birds naturally put the mind at ease just by listening.
And all of this was an illusion I had created.
The spirits, who until a moment ago had been trying to flee the classroom or ignoring their contractors, were now busy admiring the nature I had manifested. Even though it was made of illusions—meaning it would vanish if touched or handled directly—the spirits loved it nonetheless.
I had learned this previously when I saw Sepia’s spirits take a liking to the landscapes I created through my illusions. It was also the reason I was allowed to attend Spirit Studies in the first place.
It’s definitely more natural than before.
Though it was an Innate Magic that was difficult to control, practicing every single day had allowed me to use it faster and with more precision. Even now, a spirit lunged at one of my trees, nearly causing it to flicker out of existence, but I quickly layered a new illusion over it to keep it from disappearing.
To use an analogy, it felt like a child constantly trying to rub out a drawing with an eraser while a painter redrew it the very instant it was wiped away. Since the nature of illusions itself is like drawing on thin air, the comparison felt even more apt.
While I was toiling away, the students who had been struggling to commune with their spirits began to converse with them much more easily. The Professor of Spirit Studies, who had been giving feedback to each student, approached me.
“Thank you, as always. Thanks to you, the students are getting along with their spirits much better than last year.”
“I should be the one thanking you, Professor. You allowed me to take Spirit Studies even though I’m not a spiritist.”
“I am always grateful, but due to Academy rules, I cannot give grades to Student Loki since you aren't a spiritist. I feel quite apologetic about that.”
“That’s fine. I’m the one who applied for this class knowing that from the start.”
To begin with, I didn't care about grades. Nobles obsess over grades for their family's honor and pride, while commoners do it to secure a job after graduation. I was a commoner, but my post-graduation career was already decided: I was going to be a rich slacker.
Nor did I care about honor or pride like a noble. As long as I wasn't kicked out of the Special Class, it was fine. And unless I suddenly lost all my power, if I were going to be kicked out for low grades, I would have been gone long ago when I got a zero on my written exam.
If I ever did get kicked out of the Special Class, it wouldn't be because of my grades; it would probably be because Professor Elicia couldn't stand my teasing anymore.
“Idiot, aren't you tired?”
Sepia, who had somehow found a new nickname for me instead of 'pushover,' asked from beside me. I replied while instantly recreating a leaf that had vanished after a spirit touched it.
“I’m fine.”
This wasn't bravado; I meant it.
Multicasting. This was one of the specialties I had been confident in even before my reincarnation. Furthermore, I wasn't creating entirely new illusions every time they were about to vanish; I was just overwriting them with the same ones, so the level of detail wasn't that difficult to maintain.
The downside was the mana consumption with every use, but in this situation, it wasn't actually a bad thing. Just then, a student who had been communing with a spirit approached me.
“Do you have something to say to me?”
I had a hunch about why they were approaching, but I asked just in case.
“I’d like to join your club. Is that possible?”
My hunch was right.
“I’m sorry. I don't plan on accepting any more club members.”
“I know that, but if you could just listen to me for a moment—”
“Oops! I’m so preoccupied with maintaining my Innate Magic. If I don't focus, the whole thing will vanish in an instant.”
Most students didn't back down just because I said I wasn't taking members, but they usually retreated when I mentioned how hard it was to maintain my Innate Magic. This was because they knew that if the illusionary nature vanished, the spirits they were currently bonding with would go back to trying to leave the room or refusing to listen. They knew exactly how the other students, who were working hard to commune with their spirits, would look at the person who broke my concentration.
“But just for a second—”
Of course, not everyone was the same. Occasionally, there were persistent ones like this.
“Hey.”
Fortunately, I had a very reliable ally by my side.
“Yes?”
At Sepia’s chilling voice, the student’s eyes widened, and their voice trembled.
“Didn't you hear him say he needs to concentrate? And he already said he’s not accepting club members. Why do you keep bothering him when you heard him clearly?”
At the very least, no one here could talk back to Sepia and ask who she thought she was to interfere. The fact that Sepia was a spiritist of incredible talent and skill was known even outside the Academy. However, if you asked those outsiders why she was so great, few could give a precise answer.
But everyone here, except for me, was a spiritist. They knew exactly how formidable Sepia was. While her spirit-handling skills were excellent, her most terrifying trait was her overwhelming Spirit Affinity.
A contract with a spirit is not a master-servant relationship where one is superior; it is an equal contract. In other words, if the spirit wishes it, the contract can be broken at any time. Perhaps a veteran spiritist like the Professor could hold their own, but for students at this level, Sepia could easily steal their spirits if she put her mind to it.
Knowing this all too well, the student who had been pestering me mumbled an apology and fled the scene.
“What a scary person.”
When I whispered that while looking at Sepia, she glared at me with fierce eyes.
“Ha? If I hadn't been here, that guy would have bothered you until the end. Did you actually become an idiot just because I called you one?”
“I’m joking, of course. Wow! Miss Sepia, that was truly cool just now. I almost fell for you, you know?”
I gave her two thumbs up in praise.
“Really?”
As expected, no one hates being complimented, and Sepia’s lips twitched as if she were in a good mood. Seeing that, I whispered to her in a low voice so the other students couldn't hear.
“Then, my cool Miss Sepia? You’re joining the club I made, right?”
Unlike Gashurin, who had already signed the application, and Clara, who said she’d join once we found the Book of Forgotten Memories in the dungeon this weekend, Sepia hadn't given a definitive answer about joining.
“Hmph. Depends on how you behave.”
“Oh, come on~ Have I ever lied to you or let you down, Miss Sepia? Never.”
Given how things were going, it seemed Sepia intended to join the Clown Union Club, but since people's minds can change at any time, I massaged her shoulders and laid on the flattery.
“You said you’d stick to me like glue all day, yet you didn't come to see me once during break or lunch.”
My hands, which had been massaging her shoulders, came to a halt.
“Hmm? But isn't it better for you if I don't bother you, Miss Sepia?”
Hearing my words, Sepia muttered something so softly I couldn't hear it.
“Truly an idiot.”
* * *
After the Academy classes ended, I returned to the Special Class in the basement. Once the final announcements were over, the other Special Class students and I headed up the stairs.
"Sigh..."
I was planning to head straight back to the dormitory to strategize for tomorrow's dungeon, but a sigh escaped me when I saw the crowd gathered on the first floor. It was too much to be a coincidence; every single person there was staring at me.
There were so many people it felt like everyone who wanted to join the club had gathered at once. Most were first-years, but I saw a few second and third-years as well. Since the next club recruitment period wouldn't be for another year if they missed this chance, I didn't fail to understand their desperation.
But understanding them and actually accepting them into the club are two different matters.
The Special Class students looked at me, curious to see how I would handle the situation. From the crowd, a boy who looked like he had the Academy rulebook memorized stepped forward.
Before he could even open his mouth, I beat him to the punch.
"Fine. Let's do it."
"I... I haven't said anything yet?"
Actually, this was for the best. I had been thinking about this since the Spirit Studies class with Sepia. These guys were more persistent than I thought. At first, I thought I just had to endure through lunch, then through the afternoon classes, but seeing them gather like this after school, it was clear they’d keep bothering me tomorrow too.
I was supposed to go to the dungeon with Clara tomorrow, and if I had to deal with these people, my plans might get derailed.
I could guess what he was going to say. He’d probably try to link the fact that I only accepted Special Class students to the Academy rules. It wasn't that I didn't have a rebuttal, but would these people even listen to words alone?
It’s not like I’m hiding my strength to avoid standing out, so there’s no need to be frustratingly passive.
"You want me to let you into the club, right?"
"...That's right. So, are you letting us in?"
"Not exactly. I'll let anyone who passes the entrance exam join."
The faces of the gathered students brightened at the mention of an entrance exam. However, the boy in front of me didn't relax his expression and asked, "What is this entrance exam?"
"It's simple."
I pointed to the Special Class students who were watching the spectacle from the sidelines.
"You just have to pick one of us, fight them, and win."
I said it was simple; I never said it would be easy.