Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Good is Good
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"I don't know. It just won't work. I could use it naturally right after learning it, but yesterday when I tried practicing alone, it wouldn't come out─"
From what I could gather, she didn't know why it wasn't working either. I wasn't sure myself, but if it's a skill she learned, shouldn't she just be able to use it?
The best thing to do in a situation like this is ask an expert.
Clap clap─
I clapped twice to summon the expert.
"Expert!"
"You think I'll know what you mean by that?"
Know what? You're the only expert here.
"You weren't calling me, right?"
See? Sophia tilted her head with a question mark floating above hers as she approached.
"Isia's Chant Disruption won't activate."
"Oh. Really? Huh? What'd you just say?"
"Chant Disruption won't activate."
Why are you so shocked? First time hearing about Chant Disruption?
"No, you learned Chant Disruption? It's only been two days since I taught you? What the hell happened?"
I couldn't answer her question. Because I didn't know either. She awakened it on her own, so how would I know?
So I decided to bluff my way through it.
"You lack respect for your senior. Our Maid No. 1 is a magic genius. She just does it."
"No. This isn't something you can just gloss over like that?!"
I agree. But what can we do? No one else here knows. Only Isia herself knows how she learned it.
Honestly, I didn't care much about the details. She learned it early anyway. Good is good, right?
"Good is good."
"Hmm... Fine."
Sophia approached Isia, who was practically burying her face in the ground, with a reluctant expression.
She gave a wry smile as she started talking to her. Whatever. I could leave Isia in Sophia's hands.
I stepped away to let them chat and sat on a nearby bench, opening the [Menu]. Raphael, with nothing better to do, trotted over and plopped down next to me.
She patted her own shoulder, saying something like 'Lachesis, come here,' and stole the cat from mine.
Lately, those two have been getting way too close. I felt completely left out. Is this what it's like to be the dad who works hard to bring home the bacon, only to get ignored by the family?
"What's up?"
Sensing my gaze, Raphael tilted her head. I shook mine as if it was nothing and opened [Skills] to enter [Rune Magic].
The Sylvia incident recently gave me a decent chunk of points. I planned to strengthen Rune Magic and Scythe Mastery a bit.
I already had my picks set for Scythe Mastery, so that was just a matter of selecting them. But Rune Magic was new today, so I needed to check it out.
It looked like picking two would make the rest disappear, just like last time. Unlike before, I had no clue what to choose this time.
"Usually, in cases like this, it's easier to pick based on what unlocks later."
"We can just look."
Easier said than done. Last time, selecting one showed the next options. Tempted by Raphael's words, I tapped [Writing Aid].
"Ah."
It branched out! I smacked my forehead without thinking.
"This guy's having another fit."
Should I? I was about to snap at the cheerfully grinning cat but held back. It'd been helpful for once, after all?
After checking the others, I decided on [Writing Aid].
It encompassed the sub-options below. Sure, it might not be as strong as the others individually, but for a single pick, this was best.
Plus, following the branch led to [Instant Write].
It perfectly covered rune magic's biggest flaw: not being able to write during combat.
After the ranking matches came midterms and the dungeon experience.
The dungeon experience would give me a chance to gain mana. By snatching Kim Tae-hyun's weapon.
Normal people are born with mana. In a world where someone like me without it is treated as an irregular.
How does such a person gain mana? By forcibly carving mana circuits. That's what Kim Tae-hyun does in his third year to get stronger: shove mana into the body and force it to circulate once. The circulating mana creates or strengthens circuits throughout the body.
Of course, if the supply cuts out midway or runs low, the lost mana rampages and kills you outright.
No exceptions. You die. That's why you need an item that can supply mana continuously without interruption.
And that's Kim Tae-hyun's weapon.
In other words, after the dungeon experience, I'd gain mana too. So picking [Writing Aid] to unlock [Instant Write] was the way to go.
I picked [Rune Comprehension] next, extended its branch a bit more, grabbed a few for Scythe Mastery, and finished shopping.
As the interface vanished and my vision cleared, something caught my eye.
Long black hair and short silver hair approaching listlessly. Guess they didn't find the reason.
"Even the expert was useless."
"Most so-called experts aren't reliable anyway."
I nodded at Raphael's words, and Sophia approached with an apologetic smile.
"Ah~ No luck. Tried everything, but no dice."
"...."
Isia, next to her, averted her gaze. Pouting at the ground, looking utterly dejected.
Of course she was. She'd gained a way to beat her lifelong unbeatable opponent, only for it to get sealed. I'd feel the same.
I stood with a smile and placed a hand on Isia's black hair.
"It's fine. We've still got three days."
I ignored Raphael's voice beside me that sounded like 'Oh, what's this?'
"We'll find a way by then. Even if we don't, it's okay. You were rolling around to fight without Chant Disruption anyway."
Sophia glanced at me in surprise. What kind of image did I have normally?
I'm a warm-hearted guy who can comfort a downcast girl too. I couldn't see Isia's face well since she was looking down, but her body stiffened up—clearly moved, even without seeing it.
"So, shall we look for a solution now?"
But hey, comforting is one thing, and dueling is another, right? Comfort is comfort. The duel is the duel.
Why gamble when there's a 100% win-rate method?
No way in hell.
"Isia. A lot's riding on your fight."
Mainly the treasures from the treasure vault. My glittering treasures! Collected from both families!!
"So, let's roll a bit more?"
"Huh?"
Isia looked up in confusion, sensing something off. She must've felt the money vibes from my innocent smile.
"Alright, let's get started? First, figure out the problem. Mana shock, allergies, we'll check everything─"
"Hold on."
"Then training! Grit. Nothing beats grit."
"Hold on─"
"Limits. Yeah, surpass your limits!! Right here!! Right now!!"
─Whoa, his eyes just turned into dollar signs?
I ignored the echoes. Removing my hand from her head, I slowly approached the trembling, backing-away Isia.
"Wait, hold on!! Stay back!!"
"It's okay. The pain's only the first time."
I slowly closed in on Isia, whose face—ears even—were beet red from fear of mana shock.
"That's not the issue─!!"
She tripped backward onto her butt, but I pressed on regardless.
It's all for you. Definitely not for the treasures.
Stay away─!! Screaming wouldn't change a thing.
"That guy's never up to any good."
Shut up.
And so I sweetly tormented Isia. Whenever a challenge came in, I'd fight first, then torment her some more—even mid-fight.
There weren't many people around, so my yells echoed across the entire training ground.
Mana shock, allergic reactions, stamina, grit, mana circuits—we tried everything. But all I got back was...
"It won't work...."
A sullen face. Now I was pretty sullen too.
I sent her back to the dorm before she bolted, but what about my treasures? My treasures I love more than my own eyes?!
"We've still got two days."
"I could win without it. But I like sure things."
If there's a guaranteed gacha and a regular one in front of me, of course I'd spin the guaranteed. Same principle.
As I walked, pondering what to do now─ Raphael tugged my arm. I nearly tripped to a halt, but looking where she pointed chased away my frustration.
My jaw just dropped.
"What the hell is that?"
It was visible from a distance. A water droplet. A massive orb of water big enough to call it that.
And it was flying through the sky. Very noticeably.
"What is that thing?"
"I asked first."
"No, I really don't know."
I genuinely didn't. What could it be? Racking my brain─
"Ah."
One possibility. A chronic mana rampager. Not the heroine, but tied to the main one, so she appeared often.
No way, right?
Some magic misfired somewhere. Someone responsible would clean it up.
"Nothing to worry about. Let's keep going."
"It looks worrying?! It's coming this way?!"
Ha ha. What nonsense. Ignoring the damn blonde, I tried walking on, but she yanked my arm so hard I had to glance up.
And I stopped.
That giant mercury ball was heading straight for us.
"No way."
"It's reality?! Run? Let's run!!"
"Why ask the obvious!!"
I shook off Raphael's hand to save myself and started running when a blue window popped up.
I know it's dangerous. That's why I'm running. I don't know anything. Not my business. Mana rampage, mercury ball, flooding—none of it concerns me.
Everyone has their assigned roles, like I said last time. This is Justitia staff's job.
"I don't know anything!!"
"What do you mean you don't know!! Run faster!!"
A human silhouette was visible inside the mercury ball flying from afar.
"Mana rampage confirmed!!"
I don't even know who's inside.
I don't want to get involved. Isia and Sophia are enough hassle.
Yeah. Good luck. Justitia's healing magic is the world's best, so it'll be fine even if hurt. I'm no prince swooping in to save the day─!!
As if mocking my thoughts, another blue window appeared.
"What the─?"
"Huh? Why'd you stop?!"
Raphael's shout was the last thing I heard before my vision flickered. Guess I tripped on a rock.
What a weird experience.
My vision kept blinking from rolling so well, but my body barely hurt. When my accelerating tumble finally stopped...
The mercury ball was right in front of me. Inches away. Survival instinct kicking in.
No choice. I pulled the practice scythe from [Inventory].
Slash.
The moment I drew it, my still-dizzy body moved like it wasn't mine, slicing the mercury ball. Precisely at the mana core.
It burst with a pop, flooding the area. Dazed in the pouring water,
something landed on my arm.
Perfect timing. Vision obscured by water, but it dropped right onto my extended arm.
A girl was there. Blue hair, blue eyes.
Her face, contrasting her hair, met mine.
And I knew.
I'm fucked.
"That goddamn God."
I wanna beat that bastard dog to death.