Extra Class: Shields and Fiery Rewards
The place Karnaroph had called me and Aris to for the extra lesson was a massive lecture hall. No, calling it an auditorium was more accurate. And that wasn't all. Aside from about thirty chairs in the back, there was nothing but a wide-open magic practice field up front. The walls were made of black rock that looked like it could easily withstand a few spells.
This didn't seem like a place for us to be wandering into. The other kids who'd been summoned along with us had similar reactions. There were about fifteen of us here.
"Isn't this... where the upperclassmen have their lessons?"
"I heard it's super hard to book."
Aris turned to me. "Why do you think he called us here?"
"Beats me."
I glanced around. Quite a few kids had been dragged here without knowing what was going on.
"Hmph. So you got called too, huh."
The voice belonged to Robert. He seemed pretty spry even after what I'd pulled on him. No hard feelings? I could respect that. Gained some points in my book.
"I'll never forget the gift you gave me for the rest of my life."
Nope. Classic Robert. I could ignore him.
"That thing's got insulation too, so make good use of it."
"...Hmph. The item itself seems decent enough, so I'll let it slide."
Tsundere punk. With that handsome face, he probably had girls fawning over him. Kinda jealous. Aside from Aris, I only attracted weirdos. Robert included, of course.
"Ugh, what a hassle."
I flopped onto the floor, thinking. Karnaroph wasn't here yet—maybe I should just bail? It was getting close to dinnertime, and I was starving. As always, this body had terrible fuel efficiency.
I was about to head out when someone poked my back lightly with a finger.
"Aris? I was just gonna leave if he didn't show by the hour... Huh?"
"Yaaawn. Yumia, right?"
A girl with faded pink long hair was calling me over.
"...Who?"
But this girl... her mana was no joke. More pure mana quantity than anyone else here.
"Name's Lenia. I appreciate it. I hate being in the spotlight."
With that, Lenia wandered off. What was that about? Eh, she was grateful, so I'd take it as a win.
Unfortunately, Karnaroph showed up right on the dot. From behind the auditorium's blackboard, like he'd been there the whole time.
"Now then, welcome to your fun extra lesson."
Half the students looked thrilled, half looked miserable. Actually, more were thrilled. For the record, I was in the miserable camp.
"Naturally, all of you failed to meet my standards this time."
Karnaroph paused dramatically.
"Except for two."
The mood soared, then crashed. Two? I wasn't sure if I'd nailed it perfectly, but even accounting for that... two?
"That said, from the data you submitted, it's clear you've all properly mastered Basic Attack Magic."
Mm-hmm. Yeah. We'd busted our asses on that one.
"For students like you, endlessly drilling Basic Attack Magic isn't the answer. It's more efficient to learn new spells alongside it."
Finally done with casting Bullet...? Wait, what?
"So, I'm going to teach you defense magic."
"This is the advanced track for first-semester Basic Defense Magic from the second-semester curriculum. Master it and pass the final test, and you can skip the actual class. Of course, you'll still need to take the exam."
"Huh?"
"For real?"
"We can skip one second-semester class!"
"Basic magic classes meet way more often!"
"A gift for those of you who've worked hard on your assignments."
"Seriously? No catch?"
"No report? Then add the extra assignments the top two did for Basic Attack Magic. Sound good?"
"No problem!!"
"We're good!! Let us do it!!"
Wait. Wasn't that opening the gates of hell? Did these idiots even grasp the situation? Or were they just blindly following Robert's lead?
Assignments weren't decreasing—they'd increased with defense magic homework on top. This was a professor for you! Impressive. If I'd had a silver tongue like that...!
Of course, I'm different.
I was seasoned at reports now. Chant variations? Two hours tops, report included. I'd knock out a week's worth in a day and go conquer the tower!
"This is the magic circle for defense magic."
Similar difficulty to the Basic Attack Magic circle. My mental calculator spun wildly. Okay, memorized.
Karnaroph demonstrated the defense spell.
"Casting, Shield."
⟨ Shield ⟩
Aside from a slight refraction of light, a transparent, dome-shaped barrier enveloped Karnaroph.
Suddenly, a knight mannequin on the wall clanked to life and charged.
One student shouted, "Professor! Watch out—!"
The knight mannequin rushed Karnaroph and swung its sword with terrifying force.
Claaang!!
It bounced off harmlessly.
"Attacks excluding aura or magic can all be blocked as long as mana holds, basically."
"Ooooh!"
"It... blocked the sword?"
Even I had to pay attention. Honestly, I'd thought with my Inventory shield technique, defense magic was unnecessary. But after that demo, this was broken.
"I won't make you do variations... that'd be too much."
Mm-hmm, yeah. Asking for that would be cruel. And it was plenty useful without. Overpowered, even.
But this is too good to be true?
With defense magic, climbing the tower would be easier and higher. Shields had mass and blocked vision—even Dragon Eye couldn't see through them. But this? No weight on me. And once cast, it held until broken or mana cut.
"Shield up and charge in? Playstyle unlocked!"
My heart raced. Time to become a true damage tank...
"Huh?"
Oh. Forgot about Aris next to me. Her radar was beeping—danger sensed. If caught, 100% lecture incoming...!
"Nothing."
"I swear I heard something weird."
"You misheard."
While we bantered, Karnaroph flicked his staff once, resetting the knight mannequin. What? Just a gesture, and it moved back on its own? His unique magic?
No, not the time! Gotta bolt quick...!
"I'll distribute the magic circles now. Dismissed. And—"
I snatched a paper with the magic circle and bolted for the exit.
"Yumia, Robert, Aris, Lenia. You four stay."
Damn. Knew it.
Lenia was that pink-haired girl from earlier. No wonder her mana felt off the charts. Top student who'd done the same assignment as me, huh.
She stood yawning.
"You four practiced by altering chants and mana injection patterns. Your understanding of Basic Attack Magic is top-notch. That's why I gathered you separately."
"Okay, but me and Lenia aside, why them?"
"Ehehe. I peeked over shoulders from midway and copied."
Aris grinned sheepishly. Voluntarily? Aris wasn't normal either.
"How'd you know?"
"Obviously. When I heard the top two got extra assignments, I hounded the top student relentlessly."
Lenia gave Robert a weary look.
"Talk about dedication."
Yep, I was the only normal one here. Mm-hmm.
"So, you four have mastered Basic Attack Magic..."
"Hold up!"
"What?"
I pleaded desperately. For real this time. More homework here would kill me...!
"No more assignments..."
But Karnaroph looked baffled.
"What are you on about? I was planning to give you a proper reward."
"Eh?"
"It's a special assignment, so no extra credit. But I can give whatever else."
With that, Karnaroph pulled out his staff. He gestured, a small hole appeared, and he reached in. What came out were two short artifacts.
He handed one each to me and Lenia. Sleek, straight daggers. The scabbard bore a silver dragon spewing fire. I felt a warm, subtle mana hum.
Mid-Low Grade Artifact
Inject mana to unleash fire-element magic or use in melee. Scabbard engraved with a silver dragon breathing flames. Emits warm mana.
"Fire magic swords. Called Ma Yeon Do. Congratulations. You met my standards."
"...Huh?"
Artifact? Looked fancy, but...
Ignoring me, Karnaroph continued. "Inject mana for elemental magic, or use as a weapon. Quite versatile."
"A-a real magic sword!?"
"This thing...?"
Aris and Lenia looked stunned. Again, just me out of the loop.
"Two is fine. Elemental magic is second-year stuff, so it'll be handy until then."
"Oh, lighter substitute. Thanks."
No more cheap lighters for solid fuel or candles! Score!
"No idea what a 'lighter' is, but for an imperial treasure—even low-rank—that's pretty insulting."
"Nah."
Busted a bit. Okay, it was legit high-end. Fancy scabbard and hilt.
"Inject mana, and flames erupt from the blade. Use it well."
I tested it right away. Hot and toasty—love it. Skull-slicing like a hot knife through butter?
Lenia thanked him, and Karnaroph went on.
"And a reward for all of you."
He handed each of us a thick stack of papers.
"Advanced chants for Basic Attack Magic."
Advanced Basic Attack Magic Chants
• Multi-shot circles for multiple casts per chant
• Techniques for sharp direction changes
And more practical applications upon mastery.
I skimmed it. This was the real deal—advanced uses after mastering basics. Multi-bullets per cast, direction-shift techs. Insanely useful.
"Hope it's helpful."
Karnaroph said flatly. Honestly, surprising. I'd figured bone-grinding homework got you zilch beyond skill-ups. Made it worth it. Good day.
As I turned to leave...
Karnaroph poked.
"Oh, and out of concern—stop practicing in the Western Forest."
"...You went there again?"
Busted. Aris's glare stung. Damn. No wonder things were going too smooth.