"Ugh…"
I felt like throwing up.
The sky was yellow, and my breath smelled sweetly foul.
As soon as I reached the goal, I collapsed onto the ground.
"Stop fussing and get up!"
Professor Loreos shouted.
But maybe because he watched me during the special training, he knew I wasn't just whining but really at my limit, so he didn't force me up.
So, I enjoyed a brief, sweet rest until Loreos spoke again.
"…I'll say it again. Get up now, and walk to the magic training field."
Now I really had to get up.
Nodding, I walked as slowly as possible to the magic training field.
It was useless to resist; I had experienced it to the point of boredom, and unlike the painful physical training, magic training was fun.
"「Fire ─ Sphere」" "「Wind ─ Blade」"
As soon as I entered the training field, spells echoed from all around.
I also stood at my assigned spot and faced forward.
The training method for magic was similar to clay shooting.
You attacked a scarecrow golem that popped out from a reasonable distance using magic.
…So it went like this.
Thump-
The scarecrow popped out and I chanted a spell.
"「Wind ─ Blade」"
The only magic I could use was shot toward the scarecrow.
Swoosh!
The blade of wind dug about halfway into the torso of the scarecrow then disappeared.
'Nice.'
Though I couldn't split the scarecrow completely in half like the other students – my power being only 60% of the necessary strength…
'I prefer it this way.'
Perhaps because it's used as a skill rather than a formal magic, I didn't need to do complex calculations like other magicians.
"「Wind ─ Blade」"
Just imagining and chanting the spell is enough for the magic power to automatically imbue itself, making it quite accurate and fast.
Thump- Thump-
"「Wind ─ Blade」"
"「Wind ─ Blade」"
The scarecrows popped out faster and faster.
Each time, they fell to the magic I shot.
It was as fun as playing a rhythm game.
"「Wind ─ Blade…」"
As I continued to shoot magic, suddenly a splitting headache came, and my vision blurred.
"What's happening?"
I staggered but managed not to fall.
However, seeing my state, Loreos quickly came over and asked.
'Ah…'
I had mindlessly spammed magic, and now I had run out of magical power.
It's frustrating thinking about my future as a magician after just a few low-level spells…
'So what.'
It seemed easier to register as a versatile magician, so I did register as one.
In the end, I was a person with unique abilities.
It's mental strength that mattered more than magical power.
"It seems I've run out of magical power and am feeling dizzy."
"…Is that all you have to say?"
Ha, look at this guy's character, huh?
I said I was out of magic power.
"Is that all?"
My magic power was limited, what did he expect?
But while my true feelings were one thing, my mouth said something else.
"…I'm sorry."
At Carnea Academy, professors were invincible and godlike.
It meant he always had to look good.
Even if there wasn't much wrong, you said sorry.
"…In battle, not managing yourself is also a crime. As a punishment, after training, collect all the fallen scarecrows."
Forget what I said.
God, my foot.
He's just a damned guy.
"…It seems I had too high expectations."
Watching Yujin sweat profusely as he collected the scarecrows, Loreos let out a bitter smile.
"60%… at best 70%."
That was the strength of the magic Yujin used.
Even though he could only use wind attribute, and that too only low-level magic, among them he could only cast Wind Blade.
"It's a pity…"
Even a noble house like Calliope wouldn't bother about noble pretensions naturally; rumors would come their way.
─The shield of the empire that guards the north.
That was the Calliope family.
So, he thought Yujin had a hidden trick up his sleeve.
"Was it just willpower…"
His will, not to be daunted by overwhelming odds, was indeed admirable.
But sometimes, it happens.
Cases where willpower didn't match up with talent.
"Really… it's a pity."
When observing him deal with the scarecrows, Yujin's situational judgment and reflexes were top-notch.
However, his talent for magic was extremely lacking, and both his mana and stamina were below average.
"Ha… this is… the last… for today…"
Sweat-drenched Yujin returned with the scarecrow. He stayed until the end to collect them, even though all the other students had left.
Typically, a noble's child might feel dissatisfied with such treatment and flaunt their family's influence, but none of that was seen in Yujin.
Even such an attitude shook Loreos's heart.
"…Still, it must be said."
For Yujin's sake, it had to be clearly stated.
─You are not suited for the battlefield.
To start, he must be made to quit the special training.
"Yujin, this weekend at the training ground…"
The moment he mentioned the training ground, Yujin bit his lip hard.
…He was at a loss for words.
Yujin himself knew he lacked talent. Yet, he stayed to the very end to receive special training because he's desperate.
Loreos couldn't bear to look him in the eye as he continued to speak.
"…You don't have to come. Prepare for the midterm exams next week."
"…Understood."
Using the midterm exams as an excuse…
It had been a long time since he acted so cowardly.
However, saying there would be no more special training was too hard, seeing how tough it was for Yujin.
"If only it were the other way around…"
A female student with purple hair popped into Loreos's mind.
「Vivian Beatrice」
If Yujin Calliope's talent didn't match his will, then this girl was the exact opposite.
Vivian lacked both passion and confidence.
She just did what she was told.
That's the extent of it.
She didn't take initiative on her own.
…But Vivian had talent.
Loreos thought it was unusual from their first meeting when she unconsciously released pressure.
"「Water ─ Arrow」" "「Earth ─ Spear」"
Vivian, who used to handle only water attributes, now managed even the earth attributes.
Of course, both were still at a beginner level, and the number of spells she could use was just average among first-year students at the academy, but the issue was the period of acquisition.
In less than half a semester, she had mastered one attribute and was learning another.
Vivian's talent for handling magical power was top-tier in Class 5, or even among the first years.
'If only it were the opposite…'
…How good it would be if their talents were reversed.
Loreos clenched his fist.
He wished he could give Yujin more strength.
And he wanted to tell him.
'If you try hard, you can do it too.'
If he had claimed to be an awkward teacher, he would have done so.
But Loreos was a veteran among veterans had has experienced the battlefield firsthand.
He knew better than anyone that both 'will' and 'talent' were necessary in war.
Those without will, no matter how talented, would just die, and those lacking talent, no matter how determined, would quickly hit a wall.
'If only there was a way…'
Despite acting okay, Loreos sighed deeply while watching Yujin's drooping back.
"Yujin, this weekend at the training ground…"
His lips were tightly bitten. It's not easy to manage his expression.
This guy… he was really crossing the line today.
Wasn't it time to rest a bit after all that?
And now he was supposed to spend the weekend at the training ground too?
But the words that came out of Loreos's mouth were completely unexpected.
"…You don't have to come. Prepare for the midterm exams next week."
'Oh, sweet!'
He wanted to cheer and shout, but that would mean he'd be sent straight to the training ground.
"…Understood."
He managed an expression of regrettable necessity as he left the spot.
Once he was completely out of Loreos's sight, he hurried back to the dormitory with a big grin.
'At least he cares about the exam period for humans.'
Loreos's evaluation slightly increased in his mind.
[Midterm of the First Semester of the First Year]
This was the location where you faced the boss of Chapter 1 when you took the Lucia route.
The event story was predictable to the point where you would feel like you've heard it somewhere: during the midterm exams within the academy, students were injured or killed by an unexpected monster attack.
Of course, since I already knew, I could prevent the incident if I wanted to…
'…But this event is essential for me.'
This event allowed me to obtain a hidden piece that could increase my physical abilities and recovery. It's absolutely necessary to survive in this doomed game.
'The event will proceed naturally, and I should get the training tools before that.'
There's a set way to handle the midterm event.
The main issue was Lucia's unexpected behavior, but since her training level had already hit the limit, just giving an order should suffice.
So rather than worrying about the midterm, it would be better to go to the town and buy tools necessary for approaching Vivian while I have the time.
"Lucia."
"Yes, Master."
Lucia was now cleaning my room as if it's the most natural thing in the world.
Honestly, I didn't even know what she's cleaning.
No matter where I touched, not a speck of dust came off, and there's not a single hair on the floor.
"Tomorrow at 10 AM, we'll take a carriage to the village."
The shops opened around 6 PM, but it's good to go early if we wanted to check out the items in the village.
"Ah, yes. Have a good trip, Master."
"…You're coming with me. Make sure to disguise yourself so you won't stand out."
"Yes…?"
Lucia, uncharacteristically questioning.
I glared at her and snapped.
"…Don't be stupid. Don't make me repeat myself."
"I'm, I'm sorry. It was just so sudden."
Her eyes flitted and she stuttered as if she was Vivian or something.
"Is there something going on?"
Considering I told her to act like it's her first life, she might have plans with a friend over the weekend.
'…Tsk, it'd be better to take her along.'
We weren't short on money, but we're not so well-off as to be extravagant either.
So it was best to milk whatever I could from Lucia.
It's not something I would say isn't characteristic of 'me in the first round', but going out together and naturally receiving whatever Lucia brought was fine.
"Ah, nothing's wrong! I'll definitely go! I'll go no matter what!"
"…If you have other plans, you can go by yourself."
"No! I'll definitely go!"
Lucia suddenly leaned in close.
The sweet scent of Lucia's skin brushed against my nose.
Her sudden closeness made my heart race.
I forced myself to remain calm and said.
"Tsk, back off. Don't come close without permission."
"I'm, I'm sorry. …But, Master? Would it be okay if I went back a bit early today?"
"…Do as you like."
Maintaining a dignified appearance was tough anyway since both my mana and stamina were depleted.
I'd be thankful if she returned early.
"Yes! Thank you. Then, I'll see you at 10 tomorrow at the carriage stop. Thank you! Thank you!"
Lucia dashed off.
I thought she might trip, but fortunately, it seems she didn't.
"Haah.. then, the items I must buy tomorrow are…."
After Lucia left, I dragged my exhausted body to the bathroom, thinking about the necessities.
*****
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