Compass (1)

Kirchheis territory's southern region.

Pavikitan was a leisurely resort city.

However, the Absolutism faction disciples dispatched there could scarcely rest, burdened with their duties.

To be precise, only a few were in that situation.

For instance, Lumil.

"Hey, Lumil."

"Yes! Senior Phenol!"

"Do you think my orders are a joke? Your warehouse cleanup is sloppy!"

"……I'm sorry, Senior."

"You'll handle the next warehouse too. All by yourself. Got it?"

"Yes."

"Speak properly!"

"Yes, Senior!"

Lumil ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bowed his head deeply, enduring Phenol's tyranny.

It had been several days since they arrived in Pavikitan for the routine patrol mission, but he had barely gotten any rest.

He was too busy covering for the seniors' tasks.

'How long do I have to put up with this?'

Library cleaning, sorting old warehouses, pest extermination, repairing damaged magic circles…….

The assigned patrol duties were all trivial chores, and they fell entirely to Lumil and the other underclassmen.

Phenol and the seniors lounged about in oversized hats, soaking in the resort city's vibe.

'As a collateral branch kid, this is my only way to gain power…… but this is too much.'

Yet there were no other options.

Lumil gritted his teeth and pressed on with the work.

The Absolutism faction dean appeared just as the boy was muttering the "Stack" spell, covered in thick dust.

"Ahem!"

"Huh? Dean……?"

Lupen Belhok.

He fiddled with his mustache as he glided into the warehouse, casually waving away the dust cloud with a flick of his hand.

Lumil quickly bowed his head.

"You've been working hard, Lumil Kirchheis."

"Not at all! Just doing my duty!"

"Heh……."

Dean Belhok was well aware of the seniors shirking their duties.

He always had been.

In the massive Absolutism faction, there was always at least one or two prestigious direct-line heirs enrolled—

And they naturally exploited the collateral or outsider kids.

But the dean had no intention of intervening.

'Bloodline is strength, after all.'

Someone like Phenol, Garnas's daughter at the heart of power, was untouchable even for him.

So he could only stand by.

Still, as faction leader, he made a show ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of looking after the underclassmen.

"Keep at it like this, and your efforts will be rewarded someday. Chin up."

"……Yes. Thank you."

But Lumil still looked drained, prompting Dean Belhok to click his tongue softly.

In this state, it might be wise to dangle another carrot.

"Lumil. I've got some good news just for you."

"Pardon?"

"Word is, the Elder Council has selected our faction as top performer for this patrol mission. Based on the scoring so far."

"……?"

Absolutism faction glory.

But Lumil's face said, What's that got to do with me?

The honors and spoils would go straight to Phenol and the seniors anyway.

The dean grinned, as if reading his mind.

"Who knows? Get lucky, and something might come your way too. We're not that stingy, right? I know how hard you lot have worked."

"……!"

"So keep at it. Learn plenty from your seniors. Understood?"

"Yes, Dean!"

A flicker of hope lit Lumil's face.

Satisfied, Lupen Belhok nodded and turned to leave.

Whether Lumil actually got a reward was anyone's guess—

But Absolutism being named top faction was indeed in the cards.

-Dean, gift received safely.

-No need for such things. Thanks anyway.

-This year, I'll pull some strings. Haha!

He'd already greased the Elder Council palms.

Barring any surprises, it would come to pass.

But the very next day—

"Dean! The frontrunner for top faction this year…… is Eternalism!"

"What? I must have misheard."

"Eternalism faction is top……."

"What nonsense is this!"

Dean Belhok could only rage at his vice-dean's report.

Eternalism, perennial last place, topping the charts? Not some other faction?

"Why? How?! Have the Elder Council's old fogeys all lost their minds?!"

"They say Eternalism wiped out the Red Cartel in Dickferji. So the patriarch ordered a comprehensive review of patrol missions."

"Hah……."

It was absurd.

And the news from the Elder Council only stunned him more.

"K-Kirian as top achiever? That kid took down the Red Ghosts' leader? A mere first-year trainee……?"

Speechless.

Absolutism dropped to second, and Lumil's face turned ashen.

Phenol and the seniors, pride wounded, ramped up their bullying daily.

* * *

It was an official notice that flew into Dickferji's city hall, where we were staying.

With the Elder Council as evaluators, no doubts about authenticity.

It ended with this note.

-Special privileges for the top faction's highest achiever 'Kirian Kirchheis'.

I wonder what we'll get?

The kids swarmed me, buzzing with excitement.

"Kirian! We're number one! We beat Absolutism and Extremism!"

"Hahaha! Those idiots! We've got Professor Kirian! Hahaha!"

"……Thanks to you, Kirian."

Mihaden made more sense than the hyper Libiel and Lorang.

Eternalism topping the patrol mission rankings was unprecedented.

"They say it's the first in 30 years. The big factions always dominated."

"Is that so."

Truth be told, our faction's patrols weren't fully complete.

Rohbark had vaporized only my assignment; the others' remained.

Nearly done, but tasks lingered.

Still, the rankings dropped thanks to the Red Cartel wipeout.

"Patriarch's orders updated the Elder Council's criteria. Beyond requests, helpful deeds in the area count toward scores."

"Hm."

"Makes sense. It's a patrol mission, after all."

Fair point.

Routine patrols had trainees roaming Kirchheis territory, solving issues.

Exterminating lurking Red Ghosts was prime scoring material.

Thus, our faction claimed the top spot.

Backlash would follow, but champagne now wouldn't hurt.

"Let's go! Party time!"

"Yeah! Dump birthday cake on Professor Kirian's face!"

"In whose dreams? Scram."

I brushed off charging Lorang and Libiel.

Then booted their asses out of my room.

Mihaden followed, but paused, glanced back thoughtfully, and spoke.

"Kirian, about the New Infinite Tool Sword."

"……?"

"Could you improve other sword arts too? Eternalism's, like Different Origin Slaying Sword."

Unlike the others, Mihaden focused on swordsmanship.

His approach to the blade was deadly serious.

Yet here he was, asking if I'd tweak more arts.

I hesitated.

"That's……."

Tough call.

Like crafting the New Infinite Tool Sword, improving other Eternalism arts—

'Power would surge. They all have flaws.'

Ideas aplenty.

But after thought, I shook my head.

"I could try, but I won't. Too risky alone—might break something."

"But Professor Yurek says your skill……."

"Different from Infinite Tool Sword. Different Origin Slaying Sword is advanced. Could have insights I miss. Botch it, and disaster."

True.

Fine for personal use, but overhauling a faction cornerstone?

Needed caution.

Decision made, Mihaden nodded quietly.

"I see. Can't be helped then. Got it, Kirian."

Regret dripped from Mihaden's retreating back.

Didn't know he craved sword arts that badly.

Hierniorn, perched on my shoulder, opened his beak.

Focus and specialization.

Reminded me of 500 years ago, gripping a sword to match even one of Ulfrik's talents, endless toil.

My mouth moved on its own.

"Mihaden."

"Yeah? What?"

"Got a safe way to grow your swordsmanship. Interested?"

"……!"

Magic grows slowly with mad effort, proxy for other labors.

Swordsmanship needs insight.

Safe growth? Eyes light up for anyone.

Mihaden's narrowed.

"Kirian, you're not suggesting forbidden methods or extreme sacrifices, right?"

"Could be both, or neither."

"What?"

"Anyway, mission done?"

I asked the baffled Mihaden.

He nodded.

"One final check tomorrow."

"Perfect."

Outside the window.

Dickferji's disbanded security team's empty training ground at city hall.

And two kids clumsily practicing sword forms.

I chin-nodded.

"Sneak over, guide those…… seniors lightly. They want New Infinite Tool Sword."

"What……? Oh!"

Mihaden approached the window; the duo reflected in his eyes.

Rafar and Nazel.

Clashing blades, practicing Infinite Tool Sword.

But awkwardly, amateurishly.

We all learned it ages ago, inside out—

'They're mimicking my improved Gale River Sever from the old vs. new clash.'

They'd grasped the difference in battle.

Skirting the New Infinite Tool Sword ban, peeking over shoulders desperately.

Mihaden's spot.

"Teach bits. Professor Rapens'll overlook it."

"Got it. But how's that safe growth for my swordsmanship?"

I smirked at the question.

Big body, but much to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠learn.

"Teaching those seniors is your training. Making New Infinite Tool Sword truly yours."

"……?"

"You think you know it all, but you don't. Tons of unthought angles. Polishing them."

Mihaden's puzzled face cleared.

He smiled faintly, nodding.

"Got it. As expected of 'Professor Kirian'."

"You too?"

"Heh."

Mihaden gone, Hierniorn prattled about me being sulky, true to emotions—ignored all.

Mayor Averb visited post-dinner.

"Your requested item, young master."