Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Imps and Exam Time #1
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A few days had passed since my meeting with Professor Vallan that night.
To put it in perspective, the spring flowers were starting to fade, and the summer heat was beginning to creep in.
Precisely two weeks.
A fortnight.
Fourteen days.
Not too short, but not overly long either—in that span, I roughly handled all the annoying matters.
First off, I decided to accept the Sage Council's request to repair the dungeon. Thanks to that, I earned a ton of credits and climbed all the way to 98th place, the rank for the gold brooch.
As a result, I finally got my own private room.
It was shabby compared to the flashy dorms of the single digits, but having my own space felt incredibly good.
━Because of you, my ranking dropped! Duel me—!
Of course, since I'd climbed through tricks rather than skill, there were some jealous types picking petty fights....
━Pauli lost? What magic did that guy just use? I couldn't even see it!
━No idea—some kind of wind blasted through and shattered his armor!
But none of it was worth mentioning in detail.
That said, I wasn't just sitting back sucking the sweet nectar either.
"Oh, look at that. You're finally running like a human. Ten seconds faster than yesterday."
"Haa, huff—."
Thanks to Elga's brutal special training, my stamina was steadily improving.
No dramatic overnight changes, but with consistent effort, I could proudly say I was approaching average human fitness levels.
"Alright, Theo. Drink this. Special tonic from the Lioness family. Tastes awful, but don't taste it—just gulp it down. Got it?"
"Eek...!"
"Eek my ass. I've told you a million times: spit it out and you're dead. It's all for your own good. Understand?"
Didn't work.
"So, could you at least tell me what's in it?"
"Better if you don't know. You really wanna? Think you can still drink it after hearing? Like I said, finish every drop."
"...I'll just drink without asking."
Over the fortnight, things between Elga and me had grown surprisingly close.
No major incidents or mishaps, but she seemed pleased with my diligent workouts and even shared her expensive tonics.
They boosted stamina, but surprisingly also amplified my mana, making it easier to advance as a mage.
My total mana was 200 two weeks ago. Now around 220.
Some might scoff at a mere 10% gain, but in a fortnight? That's impressive.
Even Hainax, the white mage who'd started teaching me spells, was stunned by my progress, clicking his tongue in disbelief.
"Sir Theo, gauging your mana, you'll soon enter the 5th Circle. To achieve in youth what I, Hainax, took thirty years for... the mystery of half-elves...."
"So, what spell do I learn today?"
"Meditation again."
"When do I get something like Fireball?"
"Eager for Fireball already? I didn't graduate from meditation until my fifth year. Meditate."
All I'd learned in two weeks was meditation. Sitting still, clearing stray thoughts, entering a void state—it was torture.
But it refilled spent mana quickly, handy in real fights.
━Zzzzzzz—!
"Theo Gospel, incoming! More spells left? Should I take it down?"
"Miss Mirna, I'll handle it!"
I halted meditation, raised my arm, aimed my wand at the giant hornet's head. Imagining a piercing, high-kill shot.
─Air Bullet—!
Psssh.
The air projectile from my wand cleanly punched through the hornet's skull. It crashed down, wings twitching, then stilled.
Mirna circled me once, checking.
"No injuries?"
"None."
I eyed the small hole in the hornet's forehead, then blew on the flickering mana at my tail wand's tip.
Air Bullet was my adaptation of the high-rank spell Paimon's, low mana cost but focused lethality.
Testing it on Hercules Hornets in today's dungeon worked great—pierced their shells with minimal mana.
Customized my way, no need for verbatim demon lord chants, lowering exposure risk. Should've done this sooner.
* * *
"Looks like a bust of a dungeon. No treasure chests, no demon lord magic circles."
Mirna scanned the final underground room, clucking her tongue in disappointment.
She might regret the empty haul, but I'd racked up mage XP—not a bad day.
Emerging aboveground, it was already evening. Come to think of it, it's been ages since we've shared evenings. I turned to her.
"Miss Mirna, if you have time, care for dinner together?"
"Is that a date invite?"
"If you see it that way, sure."
I scratched my nose sheepishly. Me boldly asking a woman to dinner—felt surreal.
Sure, we'd done worse than dinner, but looking back now, it barely felt real. Did that even happen?
But Mirna shook her head.
"Lately, Narmi's been watching me. Theo Gospel, being alone at night might be... "
"Narmi watching you?"
"Yeah, not onto us, but whenever I try leaving, she pries. Better keep distance for now."
"Hm."
Just days ago, Narmi had said, "My sister's acting weird. Sneaking out nights. Not another guy besides you, right Theo?"
Sharing a body makes conquering sisters tricky.
As I pondered the Mirna dilemma, she glanced around and grabbed my hand.
Her soft, warm hand clung warmly.
"But don't get any ideas. Got it?"
"Ideas?"
"We're not officially married, but you can't go meeting other women."
"Ah—."
"Especially, aren't you too chummy with the Lioness lady lately? I know about morning workouts, but...."
Mirna didn't like my daily Elga sessions.
She'd subtly probed before: "What do you do with the Lioness miss?" or "Not too close during workouts?"
Today, straight to the point—she was bothered.
"Like I said, just exercise with Miss Lioness."
Though sometimes vibes led to other "exercises" in park nooks. No need to mention yet.
"Don't worry. You know better than anyone I adore you. I'm a faithful man."
"I know."
She nodded reluctantly, still uneasy about Elga.
Couldn't outright say "stop," so her mind must be conflicted.
Worried it'd show distrust, or make her seem petty?
No clear thoughts surfaced—just complex layers.
Before she spiraled, I countered.
"But you've chatted with guys too, right Miss Mirna?"
"W-What? Me chatting with men? What do you mean?"
"Not long ago, in Professor Vallan's ancient dead language class. Talking with other guys."
"Group work—unavoidable!"
She protested innocently. I knew she kept it minimal.
Cold to men, no openings.
"But they seem into you. Got a teacup gift from one."
Mirna was pretty and aloof.
Pretty women draw eyes and gifts inevitably. I get letters from girls lately too.
But she frowned, words ready.
"I smashed it right in front of you. Why bring it up? Theo Gospel, you don't doubt my fidelity...?"
"Of course not. I trust you. So trust me as much as I trust you."
"Hmm...."
Reluctant, but yielding. I meant it—I trusted Mirna. She acted accordingly.
Problem: I'm not the Theo Gospel she trusts.
If exposed, I'm dead. Better impregnate her irreversibly for safety.
But second round with Mirna? No openings.
Elga falls for romance or 《Doran Eyes》 pushback with coquetry.
Mirna? Unclear.
Expected easy post-virginity nonchalance. Her piety exceeded expectations.
Any lax guard weakness?
Bond with Narmi?
Tightrope between sisters.
Draco duo always headaches.
So close, yet slippery.
Someday, Draco ladies get Elga-style chokers—conquest symbols, my collar.
Srrk, srrk.
I fiddled with the prepped choker in my pocket.
Perfect for Mirna.
Oblivious, she proposed.
"No dinner, but a stroll? Got time for that."
"Sure."
We walked the dusky path.
Talk stayed pious: faith, bedtime prayers. Not thrilling.
"So, spouse prayers matter. Pray for your ideal partner, Creator provides—"
She halted mid-chatter. Her red eyes reflected a massive banner amid path trees.
「Guarantee Little Devils' Rights—! Ark Authorities, Protect Little Devils' Nap Time—!」
「Radiant Flame Church, Implement Little Devil Quota Hiring in Organizations—!」
Mirna said.
"Heard little devils are rallying everywhere lately. Huge signs, clamoring mobs."
Little devils?
"Little devils—imps?"
Marmar's face popped up.
She'd gather imp friends. This suggested success.
Horde of Marmars? Chatterbox paradise.
Post-stroll, I headed to Marmar's apartment 「Fairy's Paradise」.
Found her, but not as imagined—haggard, sweeping floors frantically.
Couldn't approach easily. The vibe was nightmarish, unlike before.
Her flower-tree garden? Now impaled dead crows, dangling skulls.
What the hell.
"Marmar, what's this? Haunted house opening?"
"C-Comrade...!"
She startled at me, glancing nervously—like caught by someone.