Cramming: The World's Most Efficient Study Method
Karnarop let out a heavy sigh before speaking.
"Well done, at least."
"…?"
"Did you think I'd let such a feat by this Karnarop go without praise?"
"Honestly, I figured you would."
"Then you were mistaken. Remember that."
He had that stingy vibe, just like I thought.
But if he thought I'd actually attend classes properly, he'd be dead wrong.
"That said, you seem lacking in experience with basic attack magic."
"Hmm…"
"Always account for the backlash when lowering stability. That's not something to toy with lightly."
"Got it."
Solid advice.
"One more thing: when adjusting stability, prepare defensive measures. A shield or protection spell could block physical damage, for instance."
He even nailed the exact concern I'd had on the spot.
Yeah, with my mana boosted, I'd gotten a bit cocky. An avoidable mistake.
Karnarop was pointing that out.
"If it hadn't been the Script family's unique magic, you'd have massive scars."
"Pardon?"
"Aris Script. She bears strong family blood, wielding the authority of healing and status removal."
Aris's unique magic? News to me.
"You can just spill that?"
"You'll learn it eventually anyway."
Hmm. Too much hassle to explain in detail, screams his vibe.
"And one last thing."
"What's that?"
"Some rigid professors or students might give you dirty looks."
You're not already doing that? I swallowed the retort.
"Be cautious. Those types get jealous over nothing because their brains are ossified."
"Yeah, I know."
Back at the training center, plenty envied me. Even some instructors sabotaged me out of jealousy over my traits.
Of course, those folks met with some very unfortunate accidents purely by coincidence and stopped bothering me after. Such a shame.
"Good that you know. As for the assignments I gave you, finish them within the week."
Ah. Assignments.
Mountain of overdue Magic Circle Studies problems. Plus 100 reps of basic attack magic practice.
"I'll move students who master basic attack magic to another class for advanced lessons. Without Magic Circle Studies, it'll be hell."
Wait. So those assignments too…
"You didn't assign them just to mess with me?"
"Punishment is punishment. But it should benefit the student."
"Thought it was just busywork."
Ignoring me, he packed up and turned.
"Advice over. Reward ends here."
That nitpicking was the reward?
It helped, though.
But man, even rewards from him are stingy.
I watched Karnarop leave, thinking that.
"So, you're okay?"
Aris asked with a worried face.
"Just minor bruises. Body stiffened from the instant heal, that's all."
"Phew…"
Aris sighed in relief, slumping.
She worries too much.
"So, what magic did you use? No wounds left."
"Well… Family said keep it secret, but you showed your unique magic too. Can't hide mine alone, right?"
Wasn't unique magic. But yeah, no other explanation fits.
She drew her white wand, gripping it in pale hands.
"In code, cleans."
⟨ Unique Magic ⟩
A beam of white light shot from her wand, sucked into my body in an instant.
…Fatigue vanished.
I swung my arms. Stiffness gone.
"Incredible!"
"Ehehe. Not really for this, but I used it to stop your burns then."
Unique magic. Cheat-level performance.
"Output's low from lack of practice, though…"
"Still amazing."
Healers are nobility. True even in the modern world.
Healing trait holders get guild-scouted first. Even heal potions cost a fortune.
And it removes status ailments too.
"Wanna be my practice partner? Servants helped at home, but not here."
"Obviously."
Who'd refuse full HP refills?
I accepted instantly.
Aris glanced, smiling wryly.
"Might need it a lot soon… Better practice now."
"What're you on about??"
Can't argue, though. Tch.
We ate, returned to the dorm. Time for a status check.
Status checks demand the status window.
"Status window."
I sat in bed corner, opening it after ages.
Small changes.
What? These weren't here before.
Magic added to abilities. Old change.
But traits now had grades.
Not missing— just unknown?
Possible.
Why now? Tower entry.
Cause? No clue!
Gates, abysses, towers popped up decades ago. Mysteries unsolved.
But one truth: I'm way stronger now.
I eyed blue self-mana coiling my hand. Unimaginable a month ago.
Not the end, though.
"I can grow more."
Just thinking it lifts my lips uncontrollably.
I can get stronger.
"Time's come."
Floor 2. Or higher.
Tower climb time.
Prep needed.
I dove into bed.
"Nyaaah!!"
Sleep first!
Sleep's key. Duh.
This dorm bed's heavenly comfy!
Reinhardt sucks elsewhere, but beds beat modern ones!
Wrapped in soft blankets, I drifted off.
My resolve was no joke.
Execution: Next week's Empire Patriot Day.
7 days left.
Learned recently: National holiday, no roll call.
Late return? No fuss. Escape? Aris stays quiet, done.
To leave clean… Clear all backlog assignments.
"To the library so early?!"
[Basic Magic Circles]
Finish chapter 1 or Karnarop'd nag me there too.
Aris and I claimed a library corner, dove in.
[Magic Circle Mathematician] activated at maximum!
Trait message after ages, buzzing.
Book notes aided understanding.
Max output, but volume huge—hours needed.
Efficiency real, though.
Aris gasped.
"Wow… How do you grasp it so fast? All solved perfectly!!"
"…Kill me…"
Smarter brain doesn't erase study stress.
Solving's fun, but hours at desk with 5x more left? Torture.
"16 done, 85 left!"
"Gaaah!!"
85 problems. Trait and brain spun full throttle.
"Casting, bullet."
"Casting… bullet!"
"Casting, bullet, bullet!"
Didn't forget basic attack magic homework.
Master basics? Vary all variables. It'll help.
…Annoying.
Yumia dislikes points? Repeat next semester then…
Fine, I'll do it!
Karnarop, you petty jerk…!
No choice for next lessons.
Worth it, though.
Incantation, mana patterns, circle shapes/numbers.
Changes yielded variety: duds, fast jabs, doubles.
"…This fun?"
Hit quota, kept experimenting.
Mana plenty. Mental fatigue? Aris healed.
5 days, hours daily.
[Basic Attack Magic] proficiency increased!
This system too? Status window's a mystery box.
"More shields?"
"Yep."
At school market. Sword Millia for discount shields.
Shields essential for my "defense magic" (or whatever).
More and better, the better.
Started here.
Bumped into the owner again.
Brian boomed a laugh.
"Heard the news! Subjugated a werewolf, right?"
"Spread that far?"
Rumors fly.
"Of course! Mystery student wields Sword Millia's blade, solos werewolf with Lunaris 2nd-year!"
"Ooh?"
"My intel says…"
"Yeah?"
I leaned for his whisper.
"Werewolf rampage, comms cut so no knights/mages? Demon worshippers' doing!"
"What?!"
I overacted.
Dunno how evil they are, though.
He praised on a roll.
"You toppled those fiends."
"Yay! Free promo!"
"Yup. Selling you that sword? Genius. Empire's top paper even interviewed."
"Really? What'd they say?"
"About the mystery swordsman and our blade quality. Shame you missed it."
"So, cheap shields then?"
"Hmm. Sure."
"Five shields, 5 silver."
Silence.
"…Five for 5 silver's a bit conscienceless…"
"You sold cheap before?"
"That was special…"
"Liar! You promised cheap."
Brian threw up hands.
"Fine, kid. First troublemaker at Sword Millia. Prototypes anyway, dumping cheap's fine."
"For real? Was gonna flop dramatically for profit share. You're too nice."
"Your werewolf feat's huge. Even prototypes, made with care. Use gently."
He handed them over carefully.
Inventory stuffed, back to Reinhardt.
Did herbology, imperial history etc. on side.
Assignments near done before planned date.
Money gone, though.
Time for final touch.
Shopping list time.
Can't live on canned tuna forever. Humans > cat food openers.
Last time, no list—grabbed randomly.
No more unplanned buys!
Ultimate list: Done! To-do: Clear!
"That's why you're here."
"Yep."
Woo Soo-hyun, dragged from Association, eyed me wearily.
At tower entrance.
Brought him for directions, boredom relief.
Maybe tease if good trait drops.
[Enter the Tower?]
[Y/N]
I hit Y.
Floor 2 assault. Begin.