Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Gallery Frenzy and Lunch Heartache
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So what was that thing that got hard back then...?
Is this seriously a video of something you did?
The first comment came from ExtremeEfficiencyFanatic.
The video was 11 minutes long, and he'd posted it less than 11 minutes ago.
Maybe the efficiency fanatic watched it at double speed or something.
Then the other gallery users' comments started pouring in one after another.
I-I-It, g-god, godlike… I came! What the hell is this?!
I watched the video before reading the post. Now reading it after, this guy's something else lololol.
Lmaooooo I thought it couldn't be real, but then the prof yells to stop and he just powers through—lost it.
What the fuck is this dude lololol? For real, is this legit footage? Not faked? Answer quick.
(Stabbing con) This fucker needs to get stabbed. Slicing like that with wind? Give him a real blade and he's done.
Who cares about the knife rn lololol.
What the hell? I could barely keep up with the comment flow.
These guys always talk in their own insider lingo.
11-min full vid, real deal. Was too focused to hear the prof. Stop yapping among yourselves and explain. What's the problem? Did I screw up that bad?
Screw up? Is this dude a genius or retarded?
One thing's sure: Kim Muggle fits.
Not a muggle for sure. Even a genius couldn't pull this off.
S-See? Not hard at all, right?
Finally seeing this guy flustered lol.
Didn't think he'd actually pull it off lmao.
For real, you did this? Explain how first.
Duh. Y'all said think backwards from finished rose to raw stone. So I reversed it, then carved reverse again. But focusing hard, felt like the manastone holds mana that's a bit different from natural mana. Zeroed in on that, carved with a 'pulling out the rose' vibe, and somehow finished it. Not as good as prof's, obvs.
What even is this dude?
Definitely high mana affinity. But... yeah.
Hmm.
Talent in that area is clear. But precision too? Is this guy secretly a girl? No matter affinity, guys don't start with precision talent.
Kim Muggle revealed as female (false)
I'm a dude ffs. Watch your mouths before saying harsh shit.
Lol no harsh words.
Ok ok, proper eval incoming. Someone else do it tho.
Lol so what can he do?
Who's evaluating this lol.
Goddamn, maybe drop a tactical nuke.
These dragging assholes were pissing me off for real now.
I couldn't hold back anymore and was picking a tactical nuke meme when someone posted a new thread.
It was 88th Floor Penthouse, the one who'd said they'd evaluate earlier.
Behold Kim Muggle
Author: 88th Floor Penthouse
Comments too messy, so new post for evaluation.
Assume video is 100% real, unedited. Keep that in mind.
Precision favors women basically. For a first-time male carver, yours is insanely good.
Beyond that, rose-level complexity? Impossible without practice.
Yet you did it. Imperfect form, unpolished process.
But you DID it. No practice, pure 'feel,' 'talent.' That's the point.
Magic achievement comes from effort, study. That's truth, history.
So nailing tough carve on instinct? No wonder gallery can't evaluate properly.
Top poster as expected. How to word the impossible.
Nailed the summary. Yeah, rose complexity needs insane practice, but he just 'feels' it sans formula. Nothing to rate but disbelief.
Kim Muggle… no, even mages can't. Effort matters, but casual good results? Wtf we do?
Mana like prosthetic arm: guy loses arm, gets prosthetic, uses perfectly day one.
First time seeing this, annoying af. Can't describe it.
Frustrating as hell. Can't grasp how, feels like lump in throat. How tf dude?
Yeah how? Faked vid?
Say it straight—you ain't Kim Muggle, you're gallery ghost.
All talk but;
Some evaluation, but no clear answer on my skill.
Basically, even talent can't touch this normally. Rose complexity needs repeated practice to master.
I get it.
Freely wielding mana takes massive effort.
But isn't it doable with good imagination?
Is it impossible without insane focus/imagination?
Everyone unanimous it's 100% impossible, so even I'm rattled.
Gallery archmages all say same, so yeah, I did something nuts.
Always say: build basics solid. Good results casually don't mean skip foundations.
Even more reason to stick to basics. Mind wavers? Meditate.
Correct. Build from the bottom. No pillar, no tower.
Yeah; was planning that.
Hm. Dunno details, but back to basics apparently.
Yeah, basics matter.
Didn't feel properly 'evaluated,' kinda lingering unease.
But archmage gallery says so, no point overthinking.
Time to solidify basics like they say.
That's when class wrapped up.
Prof Jueri gave some next-class info, then dismissed us.
Lunchtime already. Cadets rushed out like they couldn't wait.
Hold up. I still got no money.
A-class stipend/scholarships next week.
No choice, mooch off Hisenna one more week.
Tap tap.
"Eek, eek?!"
Tap her shoulder to talk, she jumps like crazy.
Then turns like unoiled robot, creaky.
Wtf's with her since earlier.
"Hey, Hisenna. Mind spotting me meals this week? A-class stipend starts next week."
"Ah, y-yeah. Sh-shall we g-go eat then."
Even speech glitching like broken robot.
Something wrong with her health?
Anyway, food's priority.
Starved yesterday, can't endure hunger.
Headed to cafeteria with Hisenna.
Hisenna sat creaking like broken robot.
Aware of Ian, she accidentally ordered wrong menu—not her usual fave.
'Is Ian totally unfazed...?'
Reason she was hyper-aware of Ian: infirmary incident.
Not intentional, but ended up tangled in bed with him.
Raised as Perryhill Archmage Duke direct line, Hisenna had zero romantic experience.
8 archmage dukes vary in romance views.
Perryhills relatively strict.
Or rather, indifferent. More pleasure systematizing magic.
But humans have instincts.
"Different order today, Hisenna?"
"Ah, yeah. Somehow..."
She startled—he noticed her unusual pick.
Ian's habit: wolf down food fast.
Was he eyeing her plate too?
They'd eaten together plenty, so obvious maybe.
But weird itch in her ears.
Chomp chomp slurp slurp.
While Hisenna poked food, Ian inhaled stir-fry and rice like drink.
Same as always, like forgetting infirmary.
Wasn't big deal to him?
Normally freak if someone suddenly in your blankets?
Not asking anything weird.
'Oh, gotta talk class placement exam stuff.'
Hisenna recalled how she ended in his bed.
Score glitch announced late, but she'd seen him in infirmary.
Still awkward.
Prof blocked approach to Ian.
Like dodging. That's why she snuck in.
Weird, so hadn't told anyone about Ian.
Feared causing issues.
Now chance to ask exam events.
But maybe secret, so indirect question.
"Um, Ian. Ever been to infirmary? Academy's is super nice."
Like code.
They'd met there already.
If lying in bed tied to secret, he'd dodge.
If not, casual "Wut Hisenna? We met there."
Ian's reply:
"...Yeah, it was. When'd you go? Semester just started."
Sounded like first case. Something unspeakable happened.
But weirder: tone.
Not dodging—genuinely asking when SHE went.
"J-Just happened. Tell me if I can help, Ian."
Hisenna fully willing to help Ian.
Start weird, but close now.
Ian: first mage's disciple.
Rivaling up close aids her growth.
Above all, wanted to help.
Stray cat snatching food image pitiful.
Knowing acquaintance in trouble, not helping dishonors Perryhill.
But Ian's reply embarrassed her resolve.
"Nah... fine. No biggie. Whatever happens, don't get involved with me."
"...Huh?"
Don't get involved with me.
Cold words made her heart sink.
Not ignoring kindness.
Just no intent to accept help.
Worse: pushing her away?
Why? Wanted to get closer.
Like feeding stray—naturally care for Ian.
Know he's in danger, can't do nothing...!
Like watching stray starve...!
"Wh-What do you mean, Ian...?"
"Just what I said?"
Perfect confirmation kill.
Couldn't understand sudden push.
One menu not enough? Shoulda got pork cutlet too?
But another inconsistency.
Felt it harden in infirmary bed.
Didn't know at first, but recalled family sex ed later.
That only happens for liked people.
Thought 'D-Does he like me?' but probably not.
Still, not push-away level.
Sudden attitude shift baffling.
"Th-Then what was that hard thing...? It got hard, right?"
"...Hard? Oh, ahh... Still hard as ever. Maybe harder. But not for you, Hisenna. We're friends now, right?"
BOOM—
That day, Hisenna felt world crumble... or something crashing.
Obviously bad before official dating.
But drawing friend line, 'not for you' felt off.
She had ZERO expectations.
But blunt line-drawing choked her up, anxious, confused, weird.
What's this? Why Ian like this? Why feel this way?
Before answers, Ian did unexpected thing.
Made her more miserable.
"Uh, sorry Hisenna. Gotta go first. Got stuff with Chayuri."
Spotted passing Chayuri, ditched her abruptly.
Even left food—always cleans plate spotless.
Ignored her completely for Chayuri.
Knew he's male, but
Watching Ian chase him, indescribable misery.
"What... why...?"
Hisenna sat dazed in cafeteria long after.