Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Lowly Knight and Mage (2)
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"Haha, I have no idea what you're going on about with this distant junior of mine. Forget I said anything."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he seemed to realize his mistake. Gaius senior gave an awkward laugh and ran a hand through his hair.
Good thing. At least his chuunibyou isn't that severe.
I quietly met his gaze.
His sunken eyes were deeply shadowed.
They were the eyes of someone exhausted and hollow, staring off at something forever out of reach.
...Scratch that, it's severe.
Whoa, this is seriously bad.
He needs counseling or a check-up right now.
I absently rubbed the back of my neck and let a casual remark slip out.
"What are you talking about? Graduation's just the beginning."
"...Huh?"
"You'll be back to being the lowest rung in the Imperial Knights."
Cancel what I said about envying Gaius senior.
Thinking about it, after graduation, he wouldn't get to enjoy a free life as an unemployed bum—he'd be dragged straight off to serve as an Imperial slave?
"Once you're there, getting chewed out and rolling around under your superiors, you won't even have time to complain about stagnation or whatever."
If anything, he might end up nostalgic for these wee-hour emo sessions amid the overwhelming busyness.
At my pragmatic point, Gaius senior blinked.
He stared blankly at me for a moment before bursting into empty laughter.
"Haha, you're right. Looks like I got a bit arrogant for a second."
His expression lightened as he shook his head, lamenting how he was worrying about the end before even starting.
Of course, a lingering thirst still flickered in the corner of his eyes.
Well, I could understand where Gaius senior was coming from.
I'd thought much the same in my own way.
Even a short break felt like it would bury me under a mountain of debt.
The days I'd slammed caffeine and forced myself to keep running.
The days I'd run just to avoid crumbling if I stopped.
But senior, once you drop it all and flop onto the bed, you'll get it.
Blindly fretting and charging ahead isn't always the answer.
Sometimes, just sprawling out and sleeping is the right move.
Of course, telling him that now wouldn't get through to him.
"Still, I can't shake this feeling of being stuck right now."
"Why not set a short-term goal for the semester?"
"A goal?"
"You've got options, right? Beat the top professor or the department head or whatever."
"True..."
Gaius senior suddenly looked up.
Then he stared intently at me.
His unwavering gaze felt oddly unsettling for some reason. Probably just my imagination?
"Conveniently, I've got a perfect target right in front of me."
"...Huh?"
I glanced around instinctively.
What? No one's behind me.
...Wait, no way.
"You mean me?"
"Yeah."
When I pointed at myself in disbelief, he nodded firmly.
A gleam bordering on madness now shone in his eyes.
Utterly different from the hollow voids they'd been moments ago.
"Fate brought us together like this—how about a spar?"
There are plenty of other people, so why pick on me?
"Too much hassle. Besides, I'm out of energy. Truth is, I woke up hungry looking for a snack."
"Exercise is most effective on an empty stomach anyway."
"How's casting magic exercise?"
"It burns energy just the same."
"Not even close. Figures the sword saint... er, sword saint wannabe would say that."
"Did you just insult me?"
"No. Anyway, I'm heading out."
As I turned to leave again,
"The cafeteria’s probably closed by now anyway. I'll whip something up after the spar."
His sheepish voice held me back.
"Not to brag, but I've been in the cooking club all four years. Even did kitchen shifts at a capital restaurant as a underclassman."
My mind quickly ran the numbers.
Hunger definitely trumped hassle.
But foraging for tree fruits would be way easier than sparring with Gaius senior.
I thought it over some more. Tree fruits were iffy, but senior cooking was a sure thing.
"...You mean it seriously?"
"I'd be troubled if you didn't."
"Perfect."
I nodded in satisfaction.
Overwhelm him in a blink, stuff myself full, then crash again.
Yes, a flawless plan.
"What if you pass out, though? Who's making food then?"
"Don't worry. Toughness is one thing I have confidence in."
Everyone starts with a plan.
Until they get hit, anyway.
Gaius senior picked up the wooden sword he'd left on the ground.
His eyes were no longer vacant.
"Teach you a lesson."
"When do we start?"
"Whenever you're ready..."
"Right now, then."
"...?"
Telekinesis Magic
At the word "start," I thrust my right arm high into the sky.
Natural mana drawn by telekinesis magic swirled together with my own.
"...!"
Gaius senior's eyes widened in shock.
He hadn't expected me to unleash high-tier magic out of nowhere, without warning.
The flustered senior tried to rally and wrap his body in mana, but it was too late.
I swung my left arm and clenched my fist in the air.
-Muscles tearing
-Crunch!
"Guh?!"
Telekinesis magic bound Gaius senior's body.
The clear sound of ripping muscles rang out.
Caught off-guard against magic, the senior couldn't budge.
Wow, his raw strength is no joke.
A normal person would've been crushed.
One slip, and I'd be the one in trouble.
So, no letting up until the end.
I learned one thing from the last magic exchange event.
Trying to skimp with basic spells out of laziness just makes more work.
Especially against a fourth-year top student and confirmed Imperial Knight.
And he bragged about his toughness.
Fine, then—no holding back. Full power, one-shot him.
Starlight Summoning Magic
-Whummm!
Around Gaius senior's body, large and small pentacles unfurled in metaphysical orbits.
The same magic that once obliterated an ancient magic golem.
Dubbed the 'Magic that Calls Starlight.'
It just felt so right in my hands the first time.
Ever since, I'd used it at least once in spars with Dean Raymond.
Soon, starlight from the night sky gathered overhead.
"Ultimate magic...? N-No way, already an archmage-level..."
"Still too much for me to claim that title."
It's not like I can wield anything else properly.
I slammed my raised right arm straight down.
A star twinkled right before my eyes.
-KABOOOM!!
Starlight devoured all sound.
A pillar of light tore through the night sky and slammed into the center of the training ground.
The air screamed, and the dirt floor vaporized in an instant.
The light faded, and thick dust clouds parted.
"..."
I stared blankly at the training ground.
A massive crater scarred the floor, like a real meteor had hit.
And at its center...
"Uh..."
Something charred black puffed smoke with a hiss.
Clothes shredded and smoldering, short-cropped hair puffed up like a perm.
No mistaking it—that was Gaius senior.
"Ugh... mm..."
I scratched the back of my head without thinking.
"Was that... too much?"
No, he said he was tough.
Bragged he could take it.
So I trusted him and fired.
But ending up well-done like this—what gives?
Then, with a weak cough—cough—a charcoal lump(?) twitched.
Occasional spasms and puffs of white smoke from his mouth suggested he wasn't dead.
I let out a relieved sigh despite myself.
Imperial Knight material really is different.
A normal person would've been dust.
But relief was short-lived. My lips soon pursed in a pout.
"Seriously, though... what if you pass out?"
I poked at the fallen senior with a finger, grumbling.
"You said you'd cook. Big talk about not fainting, then you go down—who's responsible for my snack now?"
I sighed softly like that.
ACADEMY-WIDE ALARM ACTIVATED
-WEEoooOOOW!!
A piercing wail shattered the air across the academy.
The magical barrier installed everywhere had triggered its emergency siren.
"Eek?!"
I whipped my head up to the sky.
Red magical signal flares painted the night.
Soon, voices of patrolling professors echoed from afar.
Emergency situation detected! Emergency situation detected!
Off-spec mana reaction in Sector 2 Training Ground near Swordsmanship Hall!
What the...?
Measured mana wavelength: Ultimate-tier!
Intruder estimated rank: Archmage-class minimum!
W-We need backup... Request Imperial support!
Too late for that! Get Dean Raymond!
Dean's not here! At Mage Tower meeting, back tomorrow!
Damn it! We handle this ourselves?
Th-This is bad...
All professors and on-duty guards, deploy to the scene immediately!
Students remaining on campus: Do not leave dorms! This is not a drill! Real situation!
Lights flicked on one by one in the professor dorms far off—click, click.
Urgent footsteps and voices drew closer.
I glanced down at Gaius senior sprawled on the ground.
"Uh... I'll grab that food later."
Without hesitation, I compressed mana into my legs.
Then—boom!—exploded the air and shot skyward.
"There! It's fleeing!"
"Catch it! Don't let it escape!"
I blasted toward Linea Hall at full speed, leaving their sharp cries behind.
Ah, seriously... I just wanted a late-night snack, and now this mess...!