Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Bloodline Limit: Bell Quirius
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The bloodline limit, Bell Quirius, had definitively erased Rivendel Academy’s spirit beast, Yeommang.
But....
The problem was that it had been a 5th-circle spell. By the time he finished the reverse calculation verification, his brain had burned white-hot, and his mana was completely depleted.
“Keuk....”
Blood bursting from his eyes was nothing. His disrupted mana flow caused dark red vomit to spew out, piling up in layers on the ground.
‘In real combat, it would’ve been an impossible gamble.’
First, he’d used Bell Quirius to raise the mana value this illusory world had imposed on his body to nearly 50,000.
That mana had been entirely exhausted when he used Bell Quirius to erase Yeommang, but....
Having forcibly gained such a massive 50,000 mana, the backlash seemed to have damaged his internals. And not just in illusion—actually.
‘Pathetic. It means my vessel still isn’t complete....’
From now on, to avoid losing any more points, his task until the exam ended would be to stay hidden. With this body that could barely cast a single spell.
“What are you doing? Run!”
Gertrude, lost in panic on the border between life and death, snapped to attention at Rain’s shout.
The ponytail girl kicked off the ground and nimbly flipped through the air, landing from the rock atop a tree.
Lilian, who had been stunned in a different sense, saw the situation and steadied her stance.
‘My compatibility with that Fenton family brat is poor. To devour her, I’d have to summon Yeommang again, but....’
For some reason, she hesitated. Because of Rain Ludwig standing there.
Lilian’s mana, blessed with affinity for fire, rivaled a Glados (4th-circle) mage when using flame magic.
Even for such a Lilian, Yeommang was a fairly burdensome summon.
There was an enormous difference in mana cost between resummoning Yeommang and maintaining an already-summoned one.
‘If I resummon Yeommang and it vanishes again....’
She’d have no strength left for the ranking battles in 1st or 2nd place. Lilian glanced between Rain and Gertrude before assuming her stance.
It was instinct.
The instinct that Rain Ludwig was definitely involved in Yeommang’s sudden disappearance. Otherwise, why would he suffer such intense mana overload backlash.
‘No, it doesn’t matter what he did. If he’s that defenseless right now....’
She just needed to devour him.
Rain Ludwig was currently in 1st place.
Lilian turned toward Rain and drew five talismans from her bosom.
‘I have to be 1st, 1st....’
The talismans she released resonated with the brand etched on her tongue, transforming into flames that took the shape of fire serpents and charged at Rain.
Flame serpent, Yeommang.
But perhaps because it was hastily resummoned, or due to backlash from its sudden prior disappearance, it didn’t carry the same terrifying heat as before.
“!”
Rain threw himself forward.
Where he’d stood moments ago, a natural disaster struck, incinerating over a dozen trees in an instant.
He dodged the direct flame hit, but the ensuing superheated blast scorched his skin with stinging pain.
But the moment Yeommang strayed far from its master to attack, a torrent of water poured down over Lilian’s head.
“...!”
By the time Yeommang rushed back to coil protectively around its master, a small girl had lightly landed behind Lilian.
“How bold, looking away elsewhere with this Gertrude right in front of you?”
“Don’t interfere.”
“I have to. If Young Master Rain gets expelled, our dear Christa might fall ill with lovesickness.”
Watching it all in real time, Christa’s face turned beet red.
The cadets whispered as they stared at Christa. Girls covered their mouths with both hands; boys whistled.
Christa, at the center of that uncomfortable attention, watched Logan timidly give a thumbs-up beside her.
“She’s rooting for you, milady.”
Blood vessels bulged from Christa’s clenched fist before it plunged deep into Logan’s solar plexus.
“What did you just say? You’re unbelievable! You think I’d trust that guy? If he comes out, I’m really dead!”
She played it off as a joke, but... in truth, Gertrude’s actions stemmed from a similar conclusion to Lilian’s.
‘From that bewildered reaction, there’s no way Lilian erased Yeommang herself.’
They said the Ludwig bloodline limit, at its peak, allowed free manipulation of all magic—not just one’s own, but the opponent’s as well. No way, right?
‘But wasn’t that only three people in the Ludwig family’s thousand-year history? And even they only achieved it in old age, from what I heard.’
No, too formidable an opponent for lengthy deliberations. She could just ask him later.
‘The Fenton family owes no debts to anyone. We are the pillars supporting the Warden family, so if we must owe, it’s only to the Warden house.’
As Gertrude and Lilian clashed, hyenas began closing in on Rain, who staggered breathlessly into hiding.
This was bad.
He’d wasted precious mana on that, so this was the natural result.
“Here I go!”
One cadet cast a spell as if claiming it for himself. The magic barrier shattered, and lightning daggers overlaid on reality flew sharply.
“Tch....”
Rain’s last handful of mana gathered in his palm, flowing into the twig he held.
Blue light emanated from the twig’s grain, hardening it, and... Rain spun the twig behind his side.
“Form 4, Elephant.”
In an instant, the readjusted twig left afterimages as if infinitely extending, whipping in all directions and batting away every incoming lightning spell.
“T-That’s...!”
“Osarius Academy’s staff arts...!”
The cadets’ pupils dilated.
No, the professors’ shock was greater. Professor Carolline gaped blankly at Elin.
“Come to think of it, I wanted to ask last time too—how does Rain Ludwig know Osarius-style staff arts?”
But Elin’s eyes were surprised too.
“How should I know?”
“I’m asking seriously.”
“Seriously, the only explanation is ‘genius.’ That irritating nephew of mine picks up anything perfectly after seeing it once.”
In truth, it was because Rain was the creator of those staff arts, but... The cadets hesitated at Rain’s feat and fell back, but soon narrowed their eyes.
‘But why isn’t he counterattacking?’
‘Look, he’s panting.’
‘He’s out of mana.’
Of course, the professors wouldn’t miss that fact.
“High-speed calculations for 3rd-circle magic, plus imitation of Osarius-style staff arts... He’s undoubtedly a genius talent, but still lacking.”
“Agreed. It means poor mana allocation.”
“In that regard, Christa Warden is further ahead.”
Elin Ludwig scowled fiercely at those professors.
‘These idiots—he used Bell Quirius earlier, that’s why.’
The thing that erased Rivendel’s Yeommang was Bell Quirius.... She bit her lip in frustration, but in truth, even Elin hadn’t seen that moment.
It was all circumstantial evidence....
The sole witness, Head Professor Marhena, simply gazed silently at the screen showing Rain Ludwig.
‘Helping others is fine. But if it stems from incompetent bravado, it ends meaninglessly, like now.’
Reason or emotion—modern magic seemed at a crossroads, but for mages, raw skill remained paramount.
‘Well, what will you do, grandson of Skalji.’
Rain leaned against a great tree as if about to collapse, aiming the twig sequentially at five cadets.
“5 seconds.”
Draw it out.
Even a single strand.
Recover just a tiny bit—truly the tiniest—mana. Mana breathing. Carefully, solemnly.
“Disappear within 5 seconds, and I’ll ensure you avoid an F. First and last warning.”
An eerie pressure laced his words, and the cadets approaching for his points felt their bodies stiffen.
‘Not bluffing...?’
‘But if it’s not a bluff....’
‘I heard even Logan won with just a broom....’
That ‘if’ became sharp chains clutching their ankles.
Survival guaranteed a B at minimum. But pushing here meant S or F.
As they all hesitated, one cadet flipped open his book to cast in desperation.
Form 2, Wolf.
Preparatory stance for a beat.
In a flash, Rain lowered the twig’s tip—or so it seemed—before kicking off the ground like a shot, piercing the opponent’s grimoire with a crack and striking the solar plexus.
“...!”
“...!”
“...!”
Precisely hitting the mana acupoint.
Watching the foe tumble into the mud backward, he thought: That renders him combat-ineffective....
Now, just spread this fear like a contagion.
“Next.”
Casually slinging the twig over his shoulder, he turned to the rest. The four cadets’ eyes widened as they hesitated awkwardly.
‘Was he faking exhaustion...?’
‘No, he really looked drained....’
‘But what was that just now...?’
That hesitation proved fatal.
Just as they finished calculating and moved to act, a horn blared loudly, and the mana devices on their wrists glowed.
[Exam End.]
Only then did Rain exhale in relief, sliding down the tree trunk to slump into the mud.
‘Went through all sorts of nonsense just to progress my unique magic... sigh....’
Too weak even to stand, he just sat there. For some reason, no cadets approached to help. They slunk away.
‘No need to feel all sentimental.’
Much later, supported by an assistant who entered to clean up, he exited the barrier. A sharp voice came from behind.
“What did you do?”
It was Lilian Karain.
No need to turn at that crackling, fiery tone.
“Who knows.”
“Answer me!”
“I’ll answer if you clear up my curiosity first.”
“What?”
“You—aren’t you actually a fan of your father?”
What.... That struck Lilian’s reverse scale. Mana surged like flames from within, her body heating up.
“You picking a fight?”
“No? That guy Dadan did the same stuff, and you’re copying it. Trampling everything around for your goals.”
At that pure question—like a knife tip plunging deep below her ribs—Lilian staggered to a halt.
“If that’s the adult you aspire to be, I’ve got nothing to say.”
Shut up....
Her throat quivered feebly.
What do you know, raised in a harmonious home with everything handed to you... What the hell do you know....
- Lilian, what kind of mage do you want to be when you grow up?
Trembling as she recalled that long-forgotten voice, the cadets began descending one by one.
“Rain!”
“Young Master!”
As Gertrude and Rain emerged from the barrier, Christa and Logan ran up. Gertrude grinned and charged to meet them.
“Milady, did you enjoy my performance—guwek!”
Naturally, Christa’s fist met her, instantly raising a lump on that small forehead....
“You idiot, what nonsense are you spouting! Unbelievable! You kept staring only at me—how embarrassing was that!”
“...Sniff, but it’s true.”
“Unbelievable! So unbelievable! Quit it already!”
Rain tilted his head watching Gertrude get pummeled by Christa.
“Why’s she like that?”
“There’s stuff like that, y’know.”
“Yeah?”
As long as it wasn’t important, fine.
Supported by Logan, seeking a seat, Christa spoke up.
“Rain, you helped Gertrude earlier, right?”
He couldn’t answer immediately. Because he hadn’t helped. It was solely for his unique magic acquisition. Thus.
“Nope?”
“Don’t lie. No way sudden mana overload like that.”
“Why lie about this?”
Well... that was true. Christa, about to press further, shut her mouth abruptly.
Gertrude looked suspicious too, but under Christa’s ‘say something’ glare, just shrugged—no words to offer.
What could she say?
He says he didn’t help.
‘Then why did Rivendel’s spirit beast vanish? By whose power?’
With Logan’s aid, leaning against a rock, Rain chuckled.
“Ah, that was fun.”
“Why laugh, sir?”
“Just thinking—if I hadn’t come here, I’d never have had this experience.”
If Rista hadn’t left that note, if Delaiten’s top graduate hadn’t met Lin’s corpse per tradition, he probably wouldn’t have.
Is this experience another gift from you, Rista?
Craining his neck to rest his head on the rock, murmuring skyward like a soliloquy.
“Really, just like you said—the world is fun.”
Meanwhile, after sending Gertrude ahead, Christa waited there.
As Group C examinees crowded the entrance, Lilian Karain finally emerged from the barrier last. As if entranced, with listless steps.
As Lilian brushed past Christa—who stood arrogantly with arms crossed—Christa’s eyes gleamed coldly.
“You gave my cute servant quite the fun time?”
“...?”
“Prepare yourself. I’ll repay this debt dozens of times over. The Warden family can’t live owing debts.”
* * *
Day 4 afternoon held the written exam on [Understanding and Application of Runes].
Day 5 morning had another hellish practical, but it was deemed minor compared to the head professor’s battle royale.
Friday afternoon, after all exams and grades finalized, the exam professors gathered in the conference room.
“Four cadets received S in all written and practical subjects: Christa Warden, Nora Reden, Kayden, and Rain Ludwig.”
Delaiten’s yearly top spot—the sun—had traditionally been one alone. Thus, professors conducted extra bonus evaluations for S-graders.
In this, professors tied by blood or school ties to top candidates (like Carolline or Elin Ludwig) were excluded for fairness.
Elin Ludwig sat arms-crossed, eyes shut as if uninterested, but her ears twitched fiercely whenever Rain was mentioned.
“I’ll give my point to Christa Warden.”
“I’ll go with Cadet Kayden. See once, and you’ll understand my rating.”
“What have you seen so far? Nora’s talent is immense.”
Professors could award 1 bonus point each; vice head 2, head 3 exceptionally.
“Professor Carolline, how did you nurture such a vessel? Truly impressive.”
“Hehe, you flatter me.”
Amid praises, Carolline smiled at Elin Ludwig.
Pop—a vein throbbed at Elin Ludwig’s temple. The former senior-junior duo now vied tacitly over disciple and nephew.
Meanwhile, opinions tallied.
Christa Warden led solo with 6; Nora 4, Kayden 3, Rain Ludwig 2—last.
Traditionally, vice and head professors voted last. Vice Professor Kyle finally spoke.
“Cadet Christa Warden was flawless.”
Professors supporting others bit lips tensely. Vice’s 2 points were huge.
“Cadet Nora’s magic precision was indescribable, and Kayden’s musical and magical harmony was astounding.”
“...!”
“But I’ll cast my precious vote for magic’s future.”
Kyle smiled, proffering the slate with the cadet’s name. Far from expectations: ‘Rain Ludwig.’
“...!”
“...!”
“...!”
All gaped at Kyle, but none dared object. Subjective evaluation, after all.
Thus, Christa’s top spot seemed set. Head professor never awarded bonus points.
As professors deflated, someone boomed a laugh. Head Professor Marhena.
“Magic’s future, eh... The brat who only flirted with thorns in chick days now speaks handsomely.”
“All thanks to you, Master.”
“You saw it yesterday too?”
“Probably something different from you, Master, but if you ask, yes, I saw.”
“Hmph... Well said. This vote’s an investment in magic’s future. And I share your view.”
As Marhena, at the head seat, took stylus to slate, professors buzzed in disbelief.
‘Head Professor...?’
‘Awarding bonus points...?’
‘Never once in her tenure...?’
Always: ‘No one deserves points—what to give...?’
Amid the murmurs, Marhena spun the slate forward for all to see.
“...?!”
Carolline’s pupils shook, then she slumped with a hollow smile.
Conversely, Elin Ludwig clenched her fist under the table, struggling to suppress her rising grin.
The tally assistant added 3 points beside the candidate on the whiteboard, then announced shakily.
“Highest score: 7 points. Thus, this cadet is selected as this year’s 1st-year midterms top student... Rain Ludwig.”