Chapter 69
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Way a Sage Avoids Rain
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Sia, Lady Sia!
Dont follow me.
Sia, who was about to step down from the carriage, cut him off sharply.
But the butler was persistent.
But its raining so hard like this I cant let Lady Sia go alone!
Sigh Lawrence.
Sia let out a sigh and scolded her young butler.
You really are an idiot, arent you? Im the daughter of the Ryumin family, beloved by water.
Sia Ryumin stepped out of the carriage into the pouring rain.
At that moment, a bluish ring bubbled up above her head like foam.
I wouldnt get wet from something like rain.
And just as Sia said, it was true.
The ring, spread out like an umbrella, was sucking in the raindrops pouring down on her.
It was literally an umbrella made of water.
Lawrence, who had been momentarily speechless at the astonishing sight, snapped out of it with a cough.
S-Still, allow me to escort you.
Argh, really! Im not a child anymore!
You never know. You might run into bandits on the way
Sigh Were right in front of the school gates right now? What kind of bold bandit would break through this schools security?
As Lady Sia predicts, that may be true. But we cant rule out the possibility of such a bold bandit. Please allow me to accompany you.
What is that Sigh Do whatever you want.
Sia clicked her tongue as if exasperated and started walking toward the school without even glancing back.
The water ring above her head flawlessly blocked the rain, protecting her.
It was a fairly advanced manipulation of mana.
There was probably no genius like her when it came to handling water.
Lawrence, who was hurriedly following her with an umbrella, called out.
Lady Sia! Your steps are too fast.
Was he really asking that without knowing why she was walking so quickly?
She was practically screaming that she wanted to be alone, yet this butler had no sense at all.
Sia ignored whether he followed or not and kept walking.
Her steps were quick, but each one exuded the refined grace of a noble lady from a distinguished family.
Perhaps that was why. Some students had already recognized her.
However, right now, Sia only found their gazes burdensome.
Normally, given the fame of the Ryumin family, this level of attention was something she was used to.
On top of that, Sia was a genius who had never once lost her top spot in the middle or high school divisions.
Everyone believed without a doubt that she would enroll in the empires top institution, Meikahel University, and claim the top spot there as well.
She had even received confirmation from someone in admissions who was friendly with her family that she was the leading candidate for top honors.
She thought it was only natural.
Her skills werent even comparable to those of her peers. That wasnt arrogance. She truly had the talent.
But just before the entrance ceremony, she received notice that she had come in second.
Grit
Sia ground her teeth.
An indescribable irritation welled up.
She felt like she was going to explode from the frustration of having something rightfully hers stolen.
Of course, such emotions never showed on her face.
No storm could ever shatter her dignity.
That was the Ryumin way.
Are you still holding that against it?
It was a gentle voice.
Lawrence had appeared beside her at some point and was walking alongside.
For a butler who was usually oblivious, he occasionally had sharp intuition.
Sia replied nonchalantly.
Not really Its not something to get worked up over. There must have been one student better than me.
Is that so.
Well, you have to acknowledge whats worth acknowledging.
She said that, but inside, she was boiling.
She kept talking to prevent her stomach from turning over if she stopped.
But its strange. Someone good enough to take top spot at Meikahel UniversityI thought theyd naturally be from a great noble family But it was a name Id never heard of. The name was definitely um what was it?
Sia turned to ask the butler, but he wasnt beside her anymore.
Lawrence?
When she looked back, Lawrence was standing stock-still a few steps away.
He was staring at something.
At the same time, Sia noticed the atmosphere around them was off.
Not just Lawrenceeveryones gazes were fixed in one direction.
And in that direction
What the hell is that?
An absurd sight entered Sias eyes.
At the center of those gazes was a girl who looked like a small animal.
It was the student who had given the pledge at the entrance ceremony.
Sia realized she was the one who had taken the top spot from her.
An inexplicable emotion dominated her heart.
So this is the talent worth acting all high and mighty about?
Sia carefully covered her mouth with her fingers.
Between her slender fingers, her lips began silently chanting a spell.
You cant block the sky with your palm, just as pure mana alone cant part the rain.
Creating a wall with mana alone consumes too much and lacks density.
Thats why mediums are needed for barriers or wards.
Conversely, with just a medium, blocking rain is no big deal.
The simplest way is to use an umbrella as a medium and float it above your head.
But no one does something so wasteful.
Its far easier to just hold it with your hand.
Much less casting a barrier to block rainit was downright foolish.
It was like deploying Aslans full military might to exterminate cockroaches in the kitchen.
Thats why Myohails method was the pinnacle of foolishness.
Watch closely! This is how a sage avoids the rain!
A magic circle floated above Wendys head.
Advanced formulas glimmered faintly and then vanished.
That was it.
Huh?
Thats really all?
Wendy tilted her head and reached her hand out toward the raining outside.
But no cold raindrops fell on her palm.
?
Something was off.
Wendy cautiously stepped down from the carriage.
Yet not a single drop of rain touched her.
Even though rain was pouring just a few steps ahead.
Then, a mystical sight entered Wendys eyes.
Raindrops falling toward the ground were stopping in midair.
And a few seconds later, they vanished without a trace.
Wha-wha???
Vaporization.
Myohail said it casually.
I just vaporized all the raindrops about to fall on your head. Heh heh.
Nyee?!
Myohail, who had let slip something outrageous, began explaining for his lacking disciple.
Didnt I tell you before? You must recognize that mana comes in many forms. So I changed the properties of the raindrops. From water to windfrom flowing to blowing.
Only then did Wendy recall it.
The lesson Myohail had taught in class.
But even so, wasnt the scale totally different?
Normally, youd have to set each raindrop individually, but if the magic circle automatically handles the settings its this easy. Heh heh heh. I made it sound grand, but its nothing special.
Its plenty amazing
Wendy marveled as she started walking.
Amid people holding umbrellas, she alone walked with nothing in her hands.
The magic Myohail had mentioned beforemagic is a miraclefinally felt real.
If a mage prays earnestly, the magic will surely come true. It was true.
But Wendy knew nothing.
Of the fact that the real miracle was just beginning.
Uh?
Wendys steps halted.
It felt like the shadows were deepening.
And suddenly, an ominous thought flashed through her mind.
M-Master?
Hm?
The magic circle you activated earlieryou said it vaporizes all the raindrops falling over my head, right?
Mm. Thats right.
Over my head how far?
Heh heh heh My disciple is asking a strange question.
Myohail chuckled heartily.
I clearly said all of them.
Ahh No Nooo!
Wendys premonition hit the mark.
Sunlight was already peeking through above her head.
The magic had split the thunderclouds.
A method so foolish it was unmatched. But bolder than any other.
Myohail felt no shame in it whatsoever.
He only boasted.
Heh heh heh. See that? You, my disciple, must learn to do this too.
Nooooo! Cancel it! Cancel it pleeease!
It was like stairs leading to heaven.
Warm sunlight pierced through the parted clouds, shining only on Wendy.
As if she were the protagonist of this world.
E-Everyones staring at meeee!
Kuhaha! Commoners! Behold! This great magic!
P-Please stop! Master! Im so scaared!
Wendy was in a situation where she couldnt even lift her head.
A rainbow-hued barrier floated above Wendys head.
The people staring at her in a daze murmured.
Th-The Saint?
God really does exist
Eek?!
Unable to bear it, Wendy scurried toward the school.
Covering her flushed face in embarrassment.
That was when it happened.
Hmm?
Myohail seemed to notice something and muttered to himself.
This is interesting. Trying to change the properties of my mana? Cocky, but I like it. Such spirited challenge.
Huh?
But laughable. Utterly laughable. Childs play compared to Mondris pranks.
Muttering something incomprehensible, Myohail fell silent for a moment.
Perhaps about ten seconds.
His mouth opened.
Heh heh. Lets send it back.
At that instant, Wendy felt a small ripple.
Nothing more than that.
Kyaa!
A shrill scream rang out.
When Wendy turned around, there was a female student drenched head to toe in water.