Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Lucia
One week ago, during the Mana Fundamentals lecture, the mana measured from Iria was 84.
It was an extremely low value, unprecedented in the history of the academy.
The average mana of first-year students at the academy was around 700. In other words, she didn’t even reach one-fifth of the average.
But was that still true now?
Mana is a power that increases the more it is used. The more it is emptied, the more the body expands its capacity to hold it.
So the real question was: how much had Iria’s mana increased after a week of training?
And on top of that, she also possessed mana regeneration ability, albeit borrowed.
She had come to Professor Albert’s office to check her results.
“So, you want to measure your mana again?”
he asked.
Iria nodded.
“Well… I don’t mind, but don’t expect much. Mana doesn’t increase that quickly.”
Albert took out the measurement crystal.
Iria placed her hand on it.
And then—
[97]
There wasn’t a dramatic change.
“Oh… it increased compared to last time. By 13.”
Iria felt slightly disappointed.
Recently, Iria had been extremely busy every day.
Morning classes, then library visits during free time to study language and gather information.
And of course, mana training as well.
Before sleeping, she would use up all her mana and repeat the cycle the next day.
In this way, she was gradually learning how to control mana and distribute it efficiently.
And then one day—
“Iria! Today you’re finally dueling me!”
“No.”
She rejected as always.
The academy had a tradition called the “rank contest” at the beginning of each year, where students competed for top positions.
And Iria, holding the top position, had become the center of attention.
But there was a reason she kept refusing.
She could instantly gauge an opponent’s strength just by looking at them.
Most of them were too weak. And if she misjudged and used too much power, she might kill them.
So she had been avoiding duels for now.
Then she arrived.
A girl with purple hair, Lucia Astaire.
She pushed through the crowd.
“Move aside.”
She looked at Iria.
“You’re Iria, right?”
she asked.
“I’ll be direct. Duel me.”
She declared.
The surroundings went silent.
It was a clash between two major figures.
But Iria answered without hesitation.
“I refuse.”
Lucia had expected that answer.
She removed her glove and threw it.
“This is a ranking duel. You cannot refuse.”
The glove landed at Iria’s feet.
In the academy, ranking duels were a mandatory system.
A lower-ranked student could challenge a higher-ranked one, and it could not be refused.
If refused, ranks would be changed.
And conditions could be set, even up to slavery.
Lucia smiled.
“Now, what will it be? Will you fight?”
She wanted Iria to accept.
She wanted to prove herself.
She didn’t want to be seen as a “fake top rank.”
“If you don’t want to fight, kneel and lick my feet. Maybe I’ll forgive you.”
The crowd laughed.
No one was on Iria’s side.
Her mana was extremely low.
While Lucia’s mana was 4400, the highest among all first-years.
Then—
“Do you really want to fight me that badly?”
Iria spoke.
Her voice turned cold.
Lucia mocked her further.
“Yes. That’s why I came. So what will you do?”
Silence fell.
And then—
“Fine.”
Iria answered.
“Let’s duel.”