Chapter 13
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: First Experience in This Wonderful Town (1)
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"Ugh... blegh..."
I feel like I'm gonna puke.
The sky's turning yellow, and this sour stench is rising in my mouth.
The moment I crossed the finish line, I collapsed flat on the ground.
"Quit whining and get up!"
Professor Loreos bellowed.
But maybe because he'd been watching me during the special training, he seemed to know I wasn't just whining—this was my real limit—so he didn't force me to my feet.
I savored that brief, sweet moment of rest, and then Loreos spoke up again.
"...I'll say it one more time. Get up now and walk to the magic training grounds."
Now I really had to get up.
I nodded and dragged myself as slowly as possible toward the magic training grounds.
Rebelling wouldn't do any good—I'd learned that the hard way—and unlike the grueling physical training, magic training was actually fun.
"「Flame—Orb」 「Wind—Blade」"
The moment I stepped into the training grounds, incantations echoed from all around.
I took my assigned spot, stood facing forward, and stared straight ahead.
The magic training was similar to clay shooting.
Straw golems popped out at a decent distance, and you hit them with spells.
...Like this.
Pong—
A straw golem launched out, and I began chanting.
"「Wind—Blade」"
The one spell I could actually use shot toward the golem.
Shwick!
The blade of wind sliced halfway into the golem's torso before vanishing.
Nice.
It wasn't enough to cleave the thing clean in half like the other students could—my power was only about 60% of what's needed—but...
Even better.
Maybe because I was using it as a skill rather than proper magic, I didn't need all those complicated calculations like the other mages.
"「Wind—Blade」"
I just pictured it in my mind and chanted, and the mana automatically loaded up and fired. The accuracy and speed were actually pretty top-notch.
Pong—pong—
"「Wind—Blade」 「Wind—Blade」"
The golems started popping out faster and faster.
Each one got knocked down by my spells.
It felt just like playing a rhythm game—addictively fun.
"「Wind—Bla...」"
I kept blasting away until suddenly a splitting headache hit me like a hammer, and my vision blurred.
"What happened?"
I staggered but barely managed not to fall.
Loreos must have seen it, because he rushed over.
Oh...
I'd been firing spells on autopilot and burned through my mana already.
A few low-level spells shouldn't have done me in like this. My future as a mage looked pretty bleak...
Whatever.
I'd registered as a generalist mage for the versatility, but in the end, I'm a Unique Ability user.
Mental power matters more than mana for me.
"Seems like my mana ran dry, giving me vertigo."
"...From this much?"
Pfft, check out this guy's attitude.
Mana's gone. "This much"? What am I supposed to do about how little I have?
But I kept my inner thoughts to myself and played it differently.
"...Sorry."
In Carnea Academy, professors are invincible gods.
You always had to suck up to them.
Even if you didn't do anything wrong, you apologized.
"...Poor self-management is a crime on the battlefield. As punishment, after training, gather every fallen golem."
Nope, scratch that.
Gods my ass.
Just a dickhead.
...Looks like I had overly high hopes.
Loreos gave a wry smile as he watched Eugene sweat buckets while gathering the golems.
60%... Generous estimate, maybe 70%.
That was the power of Eugene's spells.
And he could only use one wind-attribute spell—a low-level one at that: Wind Blade.
What a shame...
A family like the Calliopes meant rumors reached even someone like Loreos, who didn't chase noble gossip.
—The Empire's shield guarding the North.
That was House Calliope.
So he'd expected Eugene to have some hidden ace up his sleeve.
Just willpower after all...
Eugene's unyielding spirit against overwhelming odds was impressive, no doubt.
But sometimes that happened.
Talent failing to match the will.
Truly... a pity.
From watching him against the golems, Eugene's situational judgment and reflexes were top-tier.
But his magical talent was woefully lacking, and his mana pool and stamina were below average.
"Haa... this... is... the last... one..."
Sweat-drenched Eugene returned dragging the final golem—even after all the other students had left.
A typical noble heir would gripe about such treatment and throw their family name around, but Eugene showed none of that.
It was enough to shake even Loreos's resolve.
...Still, I have to tell him.
For Eugene's own good, he needed the hard truth.
—You're not suited for the battlefield.
And to do that, he first had to end the special training.
"Eugene, this weekend at the training grou—"
The moment he mentioned the grounds, he saw Eugene bite his lip hard.
...He faltered.
Eugene knew his own limits. And yet he'd stayed till the end, desperate for this training.
Loreos couldn't meet his eyes and looked away as he continued.
"...you don't have to come. Prepare for next week's midterm."
"...Understood."
Using midterms as an excuse...
It had been ages since he'd acted so cowardly.
But telling him no more special training? Eugene's expression made it too painful.
If only they were switched...
A girl with purple hair flashed in Loreos's mind.
「Vivian Beatrice」
If Eugene's talent fell short of his will, Vivian was the opposite.
Vivian had no passion, no confidence.
She just did what she was told.
That was it. Nothing more.
...But she had talent.
He'd sensed something off from their first meeting, when she unconsciously exuded pressure.
"「Water—Arrow」 「Earth—Spear」"
She'd only handled water before, but now earth too.
Still low-level, and her spell count was average for a first-year, but the issue was the timeframe.
In less than half a semester, she'd mastered one element and picked up another.
Vivian's mana control was top of Class 5—no, top of the first-years.
If only they were switched...
How great would it be if their talents were reversed?
Loreos clenched his fist.
He wanted to give Eugene more support.
To tell him effort could make it happen.
If he were some half-baked mentor, maybe.
But Loreos was a battlefield veteran among veterans.
He knew war demanded both will and talent.
No will? Even genius dies.
No talent? Even iron will hits a wall fast.
If only there were some way...
Loreos sighed deeply, watching Eugene's slumped back as he pretended to be fine.
"Eugene, this weekend at the training grou—"
My lips clenched tight. I had to manage my expression, but it wasn't easy.
This jerk... he's really pushing it today.
I've done plenty—shouldn't I get a break?
More time in the training grounds this weekend?
But what came out of Loreos's mouth was the total opposite of what I expected.
"...you don't have to come. Prepare for next week's midterm."
Oh, sweet!
I wanted to cheer and pump my fist, but that'd land me right back in training.
"...Understood."
I schooled my face into reluctant acceptance and got out of there.
Once fully out of Loreos's sight, I grinned ear-to-ear and bolted back to the dorm.
Even he gives time off for exams, huh. Human after all.
Loreos's stock rose a bit in my book.
「First-Year First-Semester Midterms」
The spot where you face the Chapter 1 boss on Lucia's route.
The event story was clichéd as hell—midterms in the academy, then a surprise monster attack injuring or killing students.
I knew it coming, so I could stop it if I wanted...
...But it's essential for me.
This event hid a piece that boosted physical ability and recovery. Vital for surviving this trash game ahead.
The event'll play out naturally anyway. Better stock up on taming tools beforehand.
There was a set way to ‘conquer’ the midterms.
The hiccup was usually Lucia's impulsiveness, but her obedience was maxed now—commands would handle it.
Instead of stressing over exams, better hit the town early and grab Vivian Capture Gear.
"Lucia."
"Yes, Master."
Lucia was cleaning my room like it was routine now.
Not that there was much to clean.
No matter where I touched, not a speck of dust; not a single hair on the floor.
"Tomorrow morning at 10, we're taking a carriage to town."
Shops opened around 6 PM, but to browse items, better go early.
"Ah, yes. Have a safe trip, Master."
"...You're coming too. Disguise yourself so you don't stand out."
"P-Pardon...?"
Lucia, uncharacteristically questioning back.
I scowled at her and snapped.
"...Stupid bitch. Don't make me say it twice."
"S-Sorry! It was just so sudden."
Her eyes darted, words stumbling—like she was Vivian or something.
"Something wrong?"
Come to think of it, I'd told her to act like her first playthrough self, so maybe weekend plans with friends.
...Tch, would've been nice to bring her.
Money wasn't an issue, but I wasn't rolling in it either.
Better milk Lucia for what I could.
Robbing her outright wasn't "first-run me" style, but taking what she offered naturally? Fine.
"N-No, nothing! I'll go! No matter what, I'll go!"
"...If you have plans, go alone."
"No! I'll definitely go!"
Lucia shoved her face right up close.
Her sweet breath tickled my nose.
Heart pounding from the sudden proximity, I forced calm.
"Tch, back off. No approaching without permission."
"S-Sorry... Um, Master? If it's okay, could I head back a bit early today?"
"...Do what you want."
Mana and stamina depleted, maintaining dominance was tough anyway.
Early exit? Music to my ears.
"Yes! Thank you. See you at the carriage stop tomorrow at 10! Thank you! Thank you!"
Lucia dashed out.
Worried she'd trip, but she managed.
"Haa... Right, tomorrow's must-buy items..."
With Lucia gone, I dragged my exhausted body to the bathroom, mentally listing necessities.