Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Dream (1)
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Endex Academy of Mana. Or just [Endex] for short, was one of the continent's premier mana academies. As such, its admission standards were notoriously strict.
Of course, the heirs of prominent Edsela families could get in relatively easily, but commoners had to hone themselves through grueling effort and prove their worth on merit alone.
So how did I—a sufferer of demonic mana leukemia—end up getting into a place like this?
Well, my admission process was a bit different.
I was an orphan, qualifying me for the social welfare track.
On top of that, I used Notebook to create a cheat sheet.
Perfect theory scores, top-tier essay, mid-to-low practical skills.
Accepted.
When I passed the entrance exam, it felt like I owned the world. But reality wasn't so forgiving.
In the society of elites, orphanage grads were looked down upon. It was a given for the rich kids, and even the poor ones desperately shoved out scapegoats to take the heat.
Looking back, I was probably the ultimate meat shield among them.
Bald from chemo. Scars from brain tumor surgery. Orphan from the orphanage. Scrawny build. Timid personality.
All five elements aligned perfectly.
"...It's been a while."
Endex
Seeing the Endex entrance stirred up all sorts of memories.
I stepped onto the grounds. Still on break, the place was deserted inside.
I strolled slowly across the campus, glancing around.
In every corner, I could see my past self shuffling along like a hunchbacked shrimp, head hung low.
Back then, I had nothing.
No money, no talent, no family, no confidence.
My whole body felt shackled.
"This really takes me back."
I'm a third-year now. The time to choose between graduating high school or shooting for college.
Pre-regression me obviously picked graduation. I'd half-given up on life by then.
Thanks to that damned dantian cancer.
After beating leukemia, brain tumors, and other diseases with under 10% five-year survival rates, I couldn't even dream of tackling an incurable one with a 0% twelve-year survival rate.
"...This place is freaking huge."
Anyway, Endex's campus is massive. Twenty buildings sprawl out from the central clock tower, and students lump them all together as the 'school halls'.
I wandered dazedly between the halls.
Just following my feet, and before I knew it, I'd arrived somewhere familiar.
[Old Hall]
The Old Hall.
"Ah, here..."
This rundown spot in the corner of the mana academy grounds—the most shabby building of all—stirred up sudden nostalgia.
A ghost town with no students in sight.
Tucked against the back mountain, it barely felt like part of Endex. But in its basement was a small room called the 'maintenance on-duty office'.
The one adult I could trust at the academy was down there.
The old man.
Beltos Elder.
"...He's probably still around."
The thought of seeing him had me oddly excited.
Meeting the old man—who wouldn't exist in my future—made my heart feel young again, if only for a moment, just like this body.
I entered the Old Hall. Stepping over the splintered, thorny wooden floor, I headed straight down to the basement.
"Ugh, check out this stale air."
Drip—
Drip—
Leaky ceiling, stone stairs thick with dirt crumbs. Each step echoed coldly.
At the end, a basement room about ten pyeong square, perfect for a ghost to pop out.
"What're you?"
A sharp-featured old man stared at me from below.
Beltos Elder.
He spoke casually.
"Weren't you graduating?"
I nearly retched but played it cool.
"...I'm going to college."
I sank into the sofa. My butt practically swam in it.
"What're you up to, old man?"
He was glaring at something on the table.
"Puzzle."
"..."
A puzzle? Out of nowhere?
I buried myself in the sofa and stared at him intently.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Spit it out if you've got something to say."
The old man had eyes in the back of his head.
"Well... but old man, uh... you know. Mind if I talk something over?"
"No. Don't be a pain."
"You just said to speak up."
"Retracted."
Beltos Elder shook his head, but that only fired me up.
Right now, he was the only one I could confide in, even if just for a moment.
I fidgeted with my lips and continued.
"Old man. If you had an enemy, what would you do?"
Enemy.
The word felt a bit childish, but it was the only way to put it.
Libra killed me. Killed my father. Destroyed everything I had. And yet—
"Get chummy with 'em."
He said it without a second thought.
My mouth twitched.
"An enemy?"
"Yeah. So, how big an enemy?"
"Well..."
I scratched the back of my neck.
How much did I hate Libra, exactly?
How fiercely could I burn the flames I'd bottled up inside?
"The kind I'd stake my life to bring down? Like the enemy of my family and my life, you know."
The old man shrugged.
"All the more reason, then."
He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, staring at the puzzle.
"The more desperately you want to destroy someone, the less the answer lies outside."
He turned his head and tossed me a blunt line.
"Become their most trusted ally, their most vital person, and shatter their heart. That's the best revenge against an enemy."
"..."
I sat in silence for a bit.
The best way to topple an enemy.
If you could endure it. If you could wait.
The nobleman's revenge is never too late, even after thirty years.
"...I see."
A smile crept over me for no reason.
"Funny coincidence. I've been thinking along the same lines."
Having already crashed head-on against them and failed to even scratch their souls, I knew it well.
A deeply rooted tree can't be uprooted unless you rot it from the roots.
"Mind if I hang here a bit? I don't have a home."
The old man said nothing. Probably approval.
I approached and peeked.
"...But seriously, what's with the puzzle?"
No answer.
"Ah~ Kids left it, huh. Begging you to solve it."
What a bratty bunch. Daring to boss around an old-timer like that—
"Said they'd pay 700 ren if I finish it. Buncha fools who don't know the value of money."
"Respect your elders, my ass."
His salary was like 1,500 ren, right?
"What's the original picture?"
"See for yourself."
He pointed to a paper in the corner of the desk. A famous portrait.
"'Lady of Denovis'."
"You know your puzzles. 8,000 pieces."
"Never tried one. But I could probably do it."
I had my ace up my sleeve.
I memorized the completed painting. Rubbed my palm over it just in case, then sat across from him.
And then, one piece.
Two pieces.
Three pieces.
Click— click— click—
My hands moved on their own, the puzzle assembling itself.
No need to hunt for edges.
Just letting my hands go where they would, fitting pieces without hesitation...
The old man asked, eyes wide.
"How're you so good?"
I smiled faintly.
"Dunno the details."
Before long, part of the image was done—the lady's sky-blue eyes gazing at me.
Meeting those eyes, I muttered.
"It just... feels like my body remembers."
Right after finishing the puzzle, I headed to the main Endex building.
[Endex Administrative Office]
I knocked and entered the office. Three or four staff sat at computers.
I approached one.
"Here to apply for the College Board."
College Board. An essential program for mana college admissions, run by the Continental University Association for a full year.
Mana high schoolers aiming for mana college had to participate—it ranked all continent mana academy students by grades and talent.
Eligibility: those who'd completed three or more years of mana high curriculum.
Most did it at their home school as fourth-years or 'seniors'.
"...Show me your student ID."
I handed it over.
The staffer tilted their head.
"Average GPA D-?"
"Yes."
Endex had 400-500 students per year, but College Board participants numbered barely over 100.
An Endex diploma was plenty to live off, so most didn't see the point in busting their asses for college.
The staffer asked skeptically.
"...You sure you can handle it? Most have at least a B average."
"Of course."
I didn't want that cushy life.
Whether crooked or straight, my lifespan was short. Dantian cancer could kill me anytime.
So, on the road to the afterlife anyway, why not?
My top life goal was dragging some massive bigwig along as a companion.
"College Board fee is 300 ren, tuition 5,000 ren."
Tuition's 5,000 ren?
Prices are insane.
I scratched my neck.
"...Can I pay tuition later? I can cover the fee now."
"Sure. But no refunds if you drop out midway."
"Got it."
I pulled 300 ren from my pocket.
My half of the old man's 700-ren puzzle reward, split 5-5.
"Sion Askal. Application approved."
Thud—!
The staffer stamped my ID. Black ink reading [Senior].
"Yes."
"Um, hey."
As I turned to leave, the staffer spoke up.
"Maybe trim your hair a bit?"
"...My hair?"
"Yeah. College Board classes change yearly, no clue what'll be there, but lotsa old-school instructors hate long hair."
I twirled a lock with my finger.
Long hair aside, it was unkempt—total beggar vibe.
"Sure. Will do."
....
[Salon de Mil]
Endex's nearest salon. Door opened, and a stylist rushed over, eyes sparkling.
"Oh my, customer~ Your hair's so shaggy~ Endex student?"
"Uh—"
"Come on, sit sit~"
I awkwardly settled into the chair.
Always the most uncomfortable seat. Blades near your neck? Kinda off-putting.
"What cut?"
"Nothing fancy."
I started to say, but my eyes caught the clippers on the table.
Clippers.
Something clicked—an idea sparked.
I asked the stylist.
"Mind if I touch those clippers?"
"...Pardon?"
"The clippers."
"Ah... sure?"
She seemed confused, so I half-stood, grabbed them. Flicked the switch. Whiiiir—
"...What're you doing?"
"Oh, nothing."
Just testing how far Notebook could go.
If it remembered and summoned Perion, maybe simple machines too? Curiosity.
Original notebook had similar stuff. [Save], [Load], that kinda thing.
I closed my eyes. Drew mana from my dantian, infused intent, and murmured.
Notebook
"Memory."
—Crunch.
My dantian contracted faintly. Success.
Now, load it back.
Whiiiir—
"Oh."
Mana gathered in my palm. A vibrating, intangible blue clippers.
I ran it over my head. Blonde clumps sheared off.
"...Hmm."
I glanced between my hand and the mirror.
"Neat."
Pure admiration.
"Um..."
Someone murmured beside me. The stylist stared blankly.
"Right."
I hopped back in the chair.
"Buzz it. But not too close—got scars on my scalp. So, two-block with the top at about 11mm, make it look good. Fashionable high-and-tight vibe..."