Sage's Backing and Ominous Currents

"This friend here provided tremendous help in dealing with the life-and-death archenemy."

"……!"

Mandara, Susei, and Jiruin's eyes widened at Kun's words. Their expressions flickered with a whirlwind of thoughts.

"In a way, you could call him a comrade-in-arms. Isn't that right, Aleck?"

"You could see it that way."

I gave a faint smile in response to Kun's remark. Titanoptera. It was true we'd sealed that thing away together—twice, no less.

But his words rippled through the room far more than I'd expected. They realized my connection with Kun ran deeper than a casual acquaintance.

And Kun drove the point home.

"Hm…… And I'm planning to pass on my essence to Aleck. That would make him no different from my disciple, wouldn't it? Haha! Mandara, since you received my teachings too, you two would be connected that way as well."

"My goodness!"

It was a bombshell declaration. Mandara stared at me with trembling eyes—a clear sign of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her shock.

Everyone in the room began to look at me with entirely new eyes. From a trainee with ties to Kun, to one backed by a towering figure like him.

He's playing this perfectly.

I let out a dry chuckle as I glanced at Kun. Someone of his stature knew exactly the weight his words carried. This was an open endorsement—practically a command to treat me well.

"So, our trainee Aleck could be seen as being in a mentor-disciple relationship with you?"

Mandara's eyes curved into crescents. She'd suddenly prefixed my name with "our."

"Please make sure Aleck has no discomfort during his stay here."

"Yes, understood."

"Aleck, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Susei and Jiruin nodded without protest at Mandara's words. This was the kind of privilege reserved for upper clans.

Back on Earth, it might draw criticism even if done openly. But here? This was a world of the strong devouring the weak. Such favoritism was commonplace everywhere, spoken or not.

Instructors had always gone easy on elites like Max, Polt, Bartea, and Drvito, offering them special treatment. Now, that same convenience extended to me.

"Thank you."

I accepted it without hesitation. In this world, turning down perks like these was for fools.

"Oh, right—I succeeded in one of my recent experiments."

Kun pulled a pouch from his robes. Inside was a blue pill.

"What is this……?"

"It's a thread parasite antidote. Even if infected by thread parasites, swallowing this will kill them inside the body."

"……!"

Another bombshell dropped. This time, everyone gaped in astonishment for entirely different reasons. Susei, sharp with numbers and strategy, looked especially stunned—his mouth hanging open.

Even I, who knew the outcome, was impressed. I'd expected Kun to develop it eventually, but this fast?

"H-how did you even think to create something like this…… As expected of my master."

"This is huge! It'll revolutionize the continent."

"Indeed! Incredible, Elder."

They all grasped the antidote's implications. Mandara's voice trembled with what seemed like genuine awe, while Jiruin and Susei couldn't tear their eyes from the blue pill, muttering exclamations.

"Haha, I owe this success to our friend Aleck here. It'd be embarrassing to claim all the credit myself."

"……!"

The shock and awe shifted straight to me. Knowing Kun never minced words only amplified it. Their eyes bombarded me with unspoken questions.

How exactly……?

"I've heard you're topping the trainee rankings lately…… Aleck really is an extraordinary trainee."

"You're too kind."

Mandara's gaze deepened, her favor toward me skyrocketing—I could feel it without checking.

"Well then, why don't we all grab lunch in the cafeteria and continue chatting?"

Kun grinned as he spoke. That day, our conversation bloomed like flowers even after the meal.

* * *

Word must have spread about me dining and walking with them. As soon as I returned to the dorms, I felt the shift in everyone's stares.

With rumors of my unusual ties to Kun circulating, it felt like a storm was brewing.

Anyway.

A letter arrived.

I received a letter addressed to me at the dorm. It was from Robed.

I'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠replied promptly to her last one, but I hadn't expected a response this quickly.

Exchanging letters like this…… it stirs up some tender feelings, doesn't it?

A silly thought brought an involuntary chuckle. I carefully extracted the letter paper, mindful not to damage the envelope.

"Hmm."

A soft groan escaped my lips.

The vice president was definitely tied to the Amar King Centipede Clan.

A fact I'd tortured out of Zakai.

'Woolly Bear Clan and Legion Ant Clan visiting?'

They were all Amar King Centipede subordinates. Especially the ones who'd served as Craig's blades and spears in the continental war.

'What are the lord and Norton doing?'

A chilling premonition rang like an alarm. I immediately grabbed a pen and wrote back to Robed.

Starting with confirmation of receipt, casual updates including my encounters with Kun, and stern warnings to always stay vigilant around wheel clans—they were never trustworthy.

'I need to send letters to Karimru, Norton, and Monahan too.'

I drafted letters for them as well. Caution in these uneasy times. Detailed notes on ties between Woolly Bears, Legion Ants, and Amar King Centipedes. And that the new Overlord ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Club president was connected to them.

They'd likely verify the truths themselves, but out of caution, I wrote down everything I knew meticulously. Of course, I glossed over how I'd learned it.

"Whew."

Only after finishing did I breathe a sigh of relief.

They're all reliable.

Especially Norton—an ultimate body powerhouse, one of the continent's rare elites. If he prepared properly, no ordeal could overwhelm him.

'This isn't like before regression.'

Pururur!

I silently watched the messenger dragonflies carrying my letters soar away.

'I trust you all.'

* * *

After sending the letters, I headed straight to Chung Hak Gwan's support office for my elixir allotment.

It was the self-training period—and elixir distribution time.

One reason Chung Hak Gwan was the top academy: the periodic elixirs provided.

'Right now, nothing beats Tyrosine Pills for me.'

Tyrosine Pills strengthened skills.

'The academy's Ure Pills and Ome Pills are top-grade too……'

But I had premium True Ure Pills and True Ome Pills from the Shinseon Butterfly Clan.

'Kun gave them to stabilize my post-growth body, but with Transcendent Regeneration and Origin Protection, I'm already set.'

Those two runes stabilized me swiftly after molting.

'So I'll use these for the next molt instead.'

When aiming for Maturity Stage. Consume them then to push beyond.

I had a strong hunch that day was approaching.

'Normally, elixirs alone wouldn't achieve such a miracle.'

But my Elixir Absorption skill—unique even among Shinseon Butterflies—made absorption rates incomparable.

A grin tugged at my lips.

'The premium True Ure and True Ome from Shinseon Butterflies cap at 50% with my A-rank Elixir Absorption……'

I glanced at the Tyrosine Pills I'd chosen.

'But with these, I can upgrade the skill's rank.'

Gulp.

I swallowed a Tyrosine Pill immediately.

Whoosh!

Hot energy surged from my abdomen.

'My choice was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠obvious anyway.'

Elixir Absorption (A). Sure, I'd love to boost Stealth, Predator's Eye, or Ancient Primal Domination.

But right now, Elixir Absorption came first. It'd fuel my rapid molts going forward.

"Hoo."

I exhaled, feeling the mystical power bubbling within. It'd take time, but the sensation was exhilarating.

'Connections are king, even on Abian Continent.'

I owed the Tyrosine Pills to Mandara. After hearing of my link to Kun, she treated me like a fellow disciple.

'Aleck, my junior…… er, trainee, we really click.'

Post-Kun, in her office, our chat flowed effortlessly. She seemed to like me immensely.

'Really, nothing you need? Just say the word.'

Despite my refusals, she insisted on helping.

'Well…… elixirs are coming up soon. Could I get something else instead?'

'Of course, jun…… Aleck.'

Mandara brightened and agreed. Thus, I got the Tyrosine Pills.

Normally rare even at Chung Hak Gwan—reserved for special merits—she fast-tracked me as a "special scholarship student" with one word.

'Once Elixir Absorption ranks up, consume the True Ure and True Ome.'

That'd ensure a smooth molt to Maturity Stage.

"Hoo."

Maturity Stage. The mere thought sent my heart pounding with excitement.

From Maturity, partial primalization begins—imperfect, but real. Ether circuits fully activate.

'Meaning my combat power explodes exponentially.'

Because.

The ether core dormant in my body? I'd finally tap it properly.

'But first……'

Endurance stat's Limit Break was urgent. I bolted to accept the quest from the board.

A hunch told me it'd unlock the key to breaking that limit.