I let out a hollow laugh the moment I saw the notification about the path of a martial artist.
"Ha."
Martial arts? My ass. Not with this trash heap of a body.
With that thought, I opened the trait window to re-examine Roen's hidden trait.
[Nine Yin Severed Meridians]
• Excessive yin energy accumulated in the body overloads the physical frame and mana circuits, causing abnormalities in the Mana Heart.
• Growth efficiency for Mana and Intelligence stats is increased by 100%.
• Vitality, Stamina, and Strength are halved.
• Yin energy is amplified. Lifespan is significantly reduced.
One of Roen's hidden traits: [Nine Yin Severed Meridians].
It was a trait that sacrificed half of all physical stats in exchange for explosive growth in Mana and Intelligence.
In a sense, it was an optimized trait; it gutted the physical stats a mage didn't need anyway to bolster the essentials. A character who excelled in one specific area was always better than one who was mediocre at everything.
Regardless, for a mage with a trait like [Nine Yin Severed Meridians] to abandon his path and switch to being a martial artist was utter nonsense.
…Wait a minute.
Just as I was about to dismiss the thought, an idea flashed through my mind.
In the original Myrillin Saga, once you chose a single profession, all other job trees were locked. For that reason, special classes like Magic Swordsmen who used both magic and blades, or sorcerers who combined spirit and divine magic, were extremely rare.
And yet, here I was. I had already become an Alchemist, yet the Lower Dantian—the very symbol of a martial artist—had just opened for me.
Could this be some kind of player privilege?
If I looked at it that way, it wasn't so strange. In any case, unlocking the martial artist job tree would allow my physical stats—vitality, strength, and stamina—to grow.
Taking it a step further, if I managed to advance to a higher-tier class, I might even be able to acquire mana breathing techniques or combat skills. I had no intention of becoming a knight, but if it could help strengthen this pathetically weak body even a little, I had no reason to refuse.
Ting!
Without further hesitation, I pressed the notification window floating before me.
[You have successfully changed your class to Martial Artist.]
[The Lower Dantian has been opened.]
"Hoo…"
After unlocking the Lower Dantian and the martial artist job tree, I took a deep breath of the cool dawn air. As I continued to meditate with my eyes closed, I felt an unfamiliar power circulating within my body. This subtle flow of energy swirled around my lower abdomen and my heart before being absorbed into both.
Ting!
Your Mana stat has increased by 1 due to the Mana Breathing Method.Your Mana stat has increased by an additional 1 due to the effect of the trait, [Nine Yin Severed Meridians].
[Mana +2]
Nice.
Just a brief session of mana breathing had raised my Mana stat by 2. Stat gains would slow down drastically at higher levels, so I decided to enjoy this rapid growth while I was still low-level.
With the pleasant notification, I finished my mana training and stood up. Meditation was done; next up was my morning workout. Now that I had the martial artist class, I would start with simple exercises and gradually build up my physical stats. Since my trait halved them, I simply had to work twice as hard.
Clank.
Before starting, I took a large belt out of the safe and fastened it around my waist. This heavy, cumbersome-looking wearable artifact was a Power Belt.
[Power Belt]
• Classification: Growth Support
• Rarity: Rare
• Increases the growth rate of the Vitality stat when training while equipped.
• Decreases movement speed and reaction speed when equipped.
It was an item that aided physical training, similar to the growth items you'd find in monster-raising games. It seemed Roen hadn't been fond of his own frail body either, considering he'd acquired a training item like this.
After equipping the Power Belt, I laid out a mat in the office and began my workout. There was a well-equipped fitness center in the academy, but I didn't want to attract unwanted attention with a bizarre item like this. It looked like I was wearing a small tire around my waist. If anyone saw me, I'd be met with a barrage of ridicule.
The Student Council President's Office was a fine environment, so I decided to do my personal training here and only use the fitness center when absolutely necessary.
"Hup!"
I breathed rhythmically, repeating the motion of squatting and standing. The only exercises Roen could manage right now were bodyweight movements. Among them, the most basic: squats, push-ups, and planks.
"Hoo… Hoo…"
Sweat was already pouring down like rain. I hadn't even done that many reps, but my legs were already trembling. I switched to push-ups, but the situation wasn't much different. I eventually collapsed onto the floor, massaging my quivering forearms.
This is… more serious than I thought.
These were basic exercises, but for Roen, whose physical stats were below that of an average person, even this was grueling.
…I can't even do ten.
Usually, if your body is light, push-ups aren't that hard, but Roen's strength was so pathetic it shattered common sense. Even so, I couldn't give up here. If I worked hard, my stats would rise. I would get stronger. It was a principle as simple and clear as killing monsters to gain experience. There was no way I wouldn't do it when a 'guaranteed reward' was promised.
"Hup!"
I pushed myself up again and continued the workout, my entire body trembling.
*
Knock, knock.
"I'm coming in."
The knock came just as I finished showering and changed into comfortable clothes. It was Ciel.
"Come in."
"…"
But no reply came, and the door didn't open.
Ah, she must be surprised. Normally, I wouldn't have answered.
The original Roen would still be dead asleep at this hour. After a moment of silence outside the door, she finally entered. She gave me a slight bow, her eyes wide with surprise.
"You're up early."
"I am."
"The sun must be rising in the west today."
"I'm fairly certain someone said that exact same thing to me yesterday."
I ruffled my hair with a towel and tossed it toward the laundry basket.
Flump.
Thanks to my trembling arm, the towel missed the basket and draped over the side. I got up, placed the towel properly inside, and sat down in my chair. Ciel quietly observed my shaky limbs before asking.
"Have you been exercising?"
"Mm."
I gave a slight nod, clenching and unclenching my fist to feel the effects of my increased strength. Actually, I couldn't feel a thing. Strength growth would only register a day after training due to the system's time lag. My arms just felt sore for no reason.
I took out the coffee and toast I had prepared and placed them on the table. As I sat down, I looked at Ciel.
"The donuts I bought yesterday are gone."
"Yes, well…"
Contrary to her slightly curt tone, her expressionless face softened a little. It seemed she'd quite liked them. I should buy them for her more often.
"As long as you enjoyed them. What's on the schedule for today?"
Ciel took a sip of the coffee I offered and outlined the day's agenda.
"Yes. First, you need to finish your course registration, which was postponed while you were in the infirmary. You have two days left before the final deadline."
"Ugh."
Course registration. Having to personally select 40 credits worth of classes was a massive pain. The fortunate thing was that, unlike in the real world, registration wasn't first-come, first-served. There was no need for a nerve-wracking clicking competition. I would take my time and choose courses that were efficient for Roen's growth and offered plenty of contact with key characters.
"Alright. I'll finish it today."
"Yes. Next, you'll need to look into securing a source of funding."
"Money?"
Ciel's remark made me tilt my head in confusion. Me, Roen Devalis, worrying about money? Unthinkable.
First, even if the Student Council President was a figurehead, the position came with a generous budget from student fees. That alone was comparable to a knight's salary; as long as I didn't spend extravagantly, it was more than enough. And even before the student fees, I was the youngest son of the Devalis Family, the most prestigious house in the west.
The Devalis family was a Great House that commanded multiple knightly orders and countless elite soldiers. Their military strength and manpower were robust enough to maintain the Long Wall at the edge of the continent and confront monsters on the front lines. Naturally, maintaining a force of that scale required massive economic power.
The Seine River, the lifeblood of the west; the golden plains stretching on either side of it; and abundant underground resources. In terms of military and economic power, their domain was comparable to a small kingdom. The only reason the Devalis family still used the title of Duke was out of respect for a fallen kingdom and to remain faithful to their role as the Shield of Humanity.
As an heir to the Devalis family, Roen was practically royalty; he had never had to worry about money in his life. Besides, Roen's personal assets included numerous artifacts and expensive alchemy ingredients, not to mention a thick wad of checks in his wallet.
For this Roen to have to worry about money could only mean one thing.
"Don't tell me…"
"Yes. Her Grace, Duchess Aslan, has announced she will be cutting off your support. She said she has done enough for you."
At Ciel's words, my face crumpled. My earlier pride in the family's wealth felt hollow now that I was in a tight spot. Alchemy materials were inherently expensive, and their prices skyrocketed as their grade increased. Without the family's support, the money Roen currently had wouldn't last long.
Of course, a rich family has enough to last three generations even after ruin. I had enough assets to be fine for now, but the future was daunting. It wasn't an urgent crisis, but I needed to start thinking of ways to make money.
"I understand. I'll figure something out."
I replied calmly, dipping a piece of torn bread into my coffee. Since I knew this world's secrets inside and out, finding a way wouldn't be too difficult. Selling off some useless items on the black market was one option. Beyond that, I also needed to find out why Aslan had suddenly cut me off.
"Understood. And finally…"
Ciel nodded, then delivered the final item on the schedule.
"The Chairman has summoned you."
*
The top floor of the Academy Union main building.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
When I opened the door to the Chairman's office, a kind-faced old man greeted me.
"Ho ho. It's been a while, young Roen."
The old man was bald in the center of his head, with fluffy, cloud-like white hair on either side. With his gentle expression and pudgy belly, he resembled the Michelin Man bundled up in a thick padded jacket.
The Chairman of Academy Union, Hengard Ubelon.
He wasn't particularly talented in magic, but he was a self-made man who had served as the Chief of Staff of the Magic Tower and risen to the position of Chairman through the power of his connections and social skills. He was the perfect man for Union—a place well-suited for a figurehead to quietly spend his retirement.
In any case, he was a wily old fox who had seen it all. I knew I'd have a hard time controlling him. I sighed inwardly and greeted him politely.
"Chairman, I hope you have been well."
"I'm always well. Don't just stand there, have a seat. You must still be feeling unwell."
He offered me a seat and first asked about my condition.
"I heard you were bedridden for a few days after the incident at the inauguration ceremony. How are you now? A little better?"
"Yes. Thanks to your concern, Chairman, I've made a full recovery."
The Chairman smiled benevolently.
"Ho ho. I'm so glad to hear that. Still, don't overdo it. Take good care of yourself."
Tap, tap.
The Chairman gestured toward a luxurious paper bag he had set beside his desk, indicating I should take it later. It was probably some kind of restorative medicine. The fact that he'd prepared something like this showed he was as skilled in social maneuvering as his reputation suggested.
"Thank you for your consideration."
"Don't mention it. It's only natural. By the way… is the Duchess doing well?"
The Chairman offered me a carrot while casually bringing up Duchess Aslan Devalis.
The current head of the Devalis family, Aslan Devalis. The moment I thought of her—Roen's sister—a shiver ran down my spine. It was an instinct etched into this body. That terrifying woman was probably doing just fine, slicing the necks of monsters. Meanwhile, her one and only little brother was worrying about money because his allowance had been cut.
When I nodded, Hengard cleared his throat and continued.
"Ahem. Well then, when you visit home during the break, be sure to give Duchess Aslan my regards. And tell her I'm grateful for the donation."
Aha.
It seemed the Chairman had personally used his influence to get me elected as the Student Council President. The reason was the massive donation Aslan had made to Union. Perhaps this was why my support had been cut off. She had decided that granting Roen's selfish wish to become the Student Council President would be her final act of support.
It wasn't a position I had wanted, but it wasn't hard to give the answer he was looking for.
"I understand. I will be sure to relay the message to my sister."
"Yes, yes. Hahaha!"
The Chairman placed a hand on my shoulder and patted it gratefully. After a hearty laugh, he suddenly seemed to remember something and began to rummage through his desk.
"Ah, and I actually called you here to handle the handover. Take this."
The Chairman slid a card across the table to me.
"What is this…?"
I took the card and examined it closely. It was a white card, emblazoned with the symbol of Academy Union—seven overlapping circles. At a glance, it looked incredibly luxurious. This card was none other than:
[Master Key]
• Classification: Key
• Grade: Epic
• Grants access to most facilities on the Union grounds.
• When possessed by a Union student, it grants the title of Student Council President.