Chapter 247
Chapter 247
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: The Necessity of Strength
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The ninth week arrived.
The academy's classes were increasingly taking the form of practical, combat-oriented lectures.
If the beginning of the semester focused on teaching theoretical concepts, the curriculum now centered on practical training to help the cadets embody those theories.
—Academy Outdoor Training Grounds.
As the C1-Class cadets stood in formation, Kalli walked up to the platform.
"The purpose of this lecture is the pure expression and control of mana. It's about maintaining your own manifested mana without letting it falter while interfering with your opponent's. After all, monsters and apostles possess mana as well..."
As her voice continued, most of the cadets listened attentively, nodding their heads.
It was a lecture on the application and control of mana, and nearly every cadet understood its importance.
"Now, everyone pair up with the person ranked directly below you."
At her words, the cadets began to find their partners according to their ranks.
Now that the midterm evaluation scores were out.
Most of them knew their rank and evaluation within the class.
And in that regard, one pair stood out conspicuously.
“……”
“……”
They faced each other, an odd look passing between them. Even the surrounding cadets couldn't help but glance their way.
It was the first and second-ranked students. While a predictable pairing on the surface, it was an odd combination for anyone to see.
This was because Han Cheon-seong and Luna, who were once embroiled in various rumors, had formed a pair.
Still, the gap between first and second place was rather large. Compared to Han Cheon-seong, who achieved top scores in both practical and theoretical exams, Luna had similar scores for the most part but had a flaw in her ethics exam.
After a moment of strange confrontation, Cheon-seong was the first to speak.
“Luna. Let's have a good match.”
"...Yeah. You too."
Replying curtly, Luna naturally shifted her gaze to a spot some distance away. Seeing Millia there, in the 5th and 6th place pairing, filled her with complicated feelings.
*Millia should be in my place.*
She wanted to yield even this trivial opportunity to Millia, but she couldn't act selfishly during a lecture.
“Alright, everyone, manifest your mana and begin your match.”
With Kalli's firm command, the lecture truly began.
—! ——!!
Mana erupted simultaneously from the dozens of paired cadets, the blue energy soon enveloping their bodies. A special kind of duel, composed solely of mana, began as they fiercely clashed with their partners.
Watching them, Luna casually clenched her fist and also manifested her mana with great force.
*Shaaaaa—!*
The brilliant blue light that instantly enveloped her body displayed an overwhelming amount of mana, on a completely different level from the other cadets.
“...As expected.”
As Cheon-seong, who was facing her, voiced his natural admiration, Luna felt a little strange.
“What do you mean, 'as expected'? You're Trait Level 5, Han Cheon-seong.”
“Still, it's amazing. In terms of pure mana, I might be about the same as you, or maybe even less.”
“...What nonsense are you talking about?”
Just as Luna, who had manifested an immense amount of mana, tilted her head in disbelief.
Cheon-seong also lightly manifested his mana.
—!
Mana burst forth from his body as if blooming, swirling around him. Watching Cheon-seong, Luna was inwardly amazed.
*A spiral nature.*
She had seen it a few times.
And now, she could clearly see the nature of the mana imbued throughout his entire body.
Mana with a unique characteristic. Although she knew it was related to one of Han Cheon-seong's skills, seeing it up close like this, she couldn't hide her astonishment.
But that surprise was short-lived.
“What is this? Are you messing with me?”
“Messing with you?”
“If you're thinking of going easy on me, then stop. I hate that kind of thing.”
Luna spat out the words coldly, her brow furrowed.
To her, it felt as if she were being looked down upon.
There was a whole 2-level difference between her and Han Cheon-seong. The resulting gap in their abilities should have been enormous. She couldn't understand how the mana he was emitting was on par with her own.
“Luna. I'm being serious.”
“...You're being serious?”
“Yes. I'm serious. That's why I said it before. My mana might be about the same as yours, or even less.”
Staring into Cheon-seong's calm eyes, Luna couldn't help but pause.
How could this be the mana of a Trait Level 5? It was far too abnormal.
*It's unbelievably low….*
The thought crossed her mind instantly, but she didn't voice it. Instead, she let out a soft breath and nodded.
“...Fine. I understand.”
As she spoke, she began to unleash her manifested mana at full power, as if pushing it all toward Han Cheon-seong.
————!!
The mana, shimmering with a blue brilliance, surged toward Cheon-seong through the air like a wave.
Since it was only mana being projected, it didn't have much actual threat or lethal force. It was just enough to pressure an opponent.
And Cheon-seong's mana did not remain idle in response.
*Swoosh!*
The mana swirling around his body met the incoming surge, and they began to intensely cancel each other out.
The direction of power in the first exchange was clear.
The spiraling mana formed a solid barrier, easily erasing the incoming blue light.
“……”
Despite this, Luna showed not the slightest hint of panic.
From her perspective, she had only just begun to manifest and project her mana.
All that remained now was a grueling war of attrition.
And for her, this level of manifestation was no different from scooping a handful of water from a vast lake.
——!!
As much mana as was being canceled out, an even greater amount poured forth again, beginning to threaten Han Cheon-seong.
***
Pure mana.
It could be said to be the measure of a person's pure, innate talent.
Even now, just by continuously blocking and canceling Luna's mana, Cheon-seong could feel himself gradually becoming short of breath.
*Still, to think the difference is this great….*
Before him, their mana clashed spectacularly, scattering in a beautiful display of blue afterglow that decorated his vision.
By the standard of being talented enough to enter the academy, one had to assume everyone had a basic talent for mana.
And far more so than me. The woman before me, Luna, was even more special than them.
A woman with such immense talent for mana that she was known to be unrivaled. That's why the difference between us seemed all the more pronounced.
*Clearly….*
As Luna said at the beginning, there's a 2-level Trait difference between us.
And yet, this was the reality.
I couldn't overwhelm Luna. All I could do was block the vast amount of mana she was emitting and maintain my own just enough to not be pushed back.
After nearly an hour of this grueling war of attrition, of this constant clash.
My impression of Luna was that of an endless sea.
Despite manifesting mana for so long, her expression hadn't faltered, nor had she broken a sweat.
As if she still had plenty to spare, she continued to project her mana at me, flaunting her power.
Was that why?
“……”
Facing her, I felt like I already knew the end of this contest of mana.
A quick glance.
The cadets around us had already finished their mana contests and were resting, seemingly exhausted, while only the two of us continued to clash for so long.
...I considered dragging it out longer, but decided to just let it go.
I slowly reduced my manifested mana and opened my mouth.
“...I lose.”
“What?”
As Luna's eyes widened in surprise and she belatedly controlled her mana, I spoke again.
“I said I lose.”
“W-Wait, Han Cheon-seong. This isn't your limit, is it?”
“No, it is.”
As I said it... I felt it anew.
I could definitely hold out longer if I tried. I felt I could probably last another 30 minutes; my spiraling mana was quite efficient.
It circulated back to me even as I consumed it, so my mana reserves weren't small.
But that was all. There was no point in going further.
*It's not like I can actually beat Luna when it comes to mana.*
This felt completely different from before. Competing on pure mana talent alone, I could clearly feel my limits.
*The difference in innate talent.*
There's almost no way to increase one's mana. Aside from Trait evolution, it's essentially a fixed stat that doesn't grow, so there was no answer.
This wasn't something that could be overcome with stubbornness or perseverance.
It was 'impossible' for me to beat her.
“Cadet Han Cheon-seong and Cadet Luna, you two take a break as well. Overexerting your mana will inevitably have repercussions. Don't push yourselves any further.”
“Yes. Understood.”
“...Yes, Instructor.”
Replying to Kalli's voice, I relaxed and sat down. In my view, Luna looked completely dejected.
She looked at me as if it were all for nothing, her eyes filled with a bit of incomprehension.
I understood her gaze.
Objectively, not only was Luna incredibly talented, but conversely, I was just that untalented when it came to mana.
"You know, if you keep staring at me like that, my feelings might get a little hurt."
“No, Han Cheon-seong. You could have kept going. Why did you give up so soon? It's not like you...”
“Not like me... Is that how it seems? I just didn't think it was necessary to overdo it.”
“Overdo it...? Hah. I don't get it.”
As Luna shook her head and sat down near me, I let out a small chuckle watching her.
*I suppose I must seem different from usual.*
I always tried to show my all, no matter the situation. But now, having given up so easily against her, I was realizing something.
No... I really had zero desire to compete in terms of mana.
To be honest, competing with mana felt completely different from overcoming some kind of crisis.
It wasn't just because it was a spar or a lecture... It felt like I was facing my own reality head-on.
The limits of my talent.
Its end….
“……”
As I blankly ran a hand through my hair, I could keenly feel the sweat trickling down my cheek.
And I could definitely feel my body's exhaustion.
All I did was manifest mana and resist my opponent's. But it required an extreme amount of mental fortitude compared to most other training.
...The feeling of enervation is no joke either.
At Luna's continuous stare, I couldn't help but let out an empty laugh.
“Luna. You know. I don't think I have any talent for mana, so you don't have to look at me so curiously.”
“I, I... wasn't looking at you like that.”
Luna flinched at my words and shook her head, but I held no ill will toward her.
*Luna just genuinely doesn't understand me right now.*
And watching her only made me realize the extent of my own talent—or lack thereof—for mana.
“It sure looked that way to me.”
“I didn't... say anything.”
*Thump.*
Watching Luna feign ignorance and avert her gaze, I could only let out another empty laugh.
*Definitely.*
Luna is a genius, I thought. And a being who will later influence this world as its main heroine. The overwhelming mana she possesses is truly special.
"I guess I really have to do it."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"No, it's nothing. Just talking to myself."
As I shook my head, a certain woman came to mind.
—Aria Schpelt.
The master of the Central Magic Tower... she is someone I need, no matter what.
I've come to realize that clearly, even in a lecture like this.