Chapter 187
Vargan, he was definitely a genius.
After watching Leon’s Protector Training for several days, Bell thought so.
Though titled as a Magician, his combat style is unlike that of a typical magician. He tends to rely heavily on the senses, much like a Martial Artist or a Swordsman.
Reflexes, strength, speed.
Even if he hadn’t chosen to be a magician, he would have achieved quite a bit.
So, rather than simply being called a genius, it would be more accurate to say he is a “genius of combat.”
—Kuh-woom!
Another strike from Vargan.
Leon defended with his thick Protector, but a long arc formed at the corners of his mouth.
It was a reaction that seemed to say he liked the punch.
Inherited physical senses. But what was even more terrifying was.
‘What kind of structure does that head of his have…?’
Bell was most astonished by his brain, which enabled him to calculate and act.
Even in a crisis, he always reacts as if he had been prepared in advance. In those fleeting moments of back and forth, is it truly possible to think of so many factors?
For example, if Leon were to thrust.
Would he evade or confront it head-on? If he evades, how would he counterattack? What variables would arise from that…?
Putting aside whether it was actually possible, it felt as though he was fighting while calculating all the elements.
‘Well… he’s only using the Protector, so maybe he has some leeway.’
Currently, he was not using his specialties like curses or familiars at all. His focus was solely on aura and the five senses.
Considering the brain capacity usually utilized in battle, maybe it was possible after all. …Otherwise, it’s hard to explain.
“…What to do… Schugenharz….”
Even in the early morning, Erica had come to the Training Ground with Vargan.
She was watching Vargan’s training from a distance, hands clasped together, definitely looking anxious.
Her expression was twisted with concern. Especially when Vargan took a hit from Leon.
Bell found Erica’s demeanor strange.
The daughter of the Portlet Family, the confidence she had shown during Class Battles or Student Council activities was nowhere to be found.
Had she seen an illusion?
What kind of dungeon could it have been…?
“Um…”
“……!”
As he tried to speak to the fidgeting Erica, she flinched as if startled like a tiny animal.
It seemed a conversation was impossible.
Still, given that all attention was on Vargan right now, he thought there might be hope… but it was utterly fruitless.
It was something I was thinking about, but it turned out to be utterly pointless.
Bell sheepishly scratched the back of his head. Just then…
BOOM—!
With a massive vibration, the morning training of Vargan and Leon came to an end.
Erica, aware of it, immediately dashed out to check on Vargan, ensuring he wasn’t hurt.
Every time training ended like this, it was a devoted effort without any sense of reason.
“Hahahaha—!”
Leon laughed heartily. When he laughs like this, it usually means he’s satisfied.
Seemingly pleased with the training alongside Vargan, he lowered his thick eyebrows and said, “That was a scorching heat, Vargan!”
Vargan replied casually, with just a slight upward curve of his lips.
Wiping the sweat with the towel Erica handed him, she looked relieved only after confirming that Vargan wasn’t injured.
“Thanks, Erica.”
“It’s nothing… It’s not a tough job. You’re the one doing the hard work.”
She was the only one he could have a proper conversation with.
Vargan saw sorrow reflected in Erica’s honey-like eyes.
“Um… By the way, Schugenharz, what’s the schedule like after today…? Ah, you don’t have to tell me if it’s a hassle. I know it would be a nuisance for me to keep tagging along.”
“I don’t see it as a nuisance, so don’t worry about that.”
“R-Really…? You’re not saying that just to be nice?”
“Really.”
“…Thank you.”
She hadn’t said anything particularly profound, yet Erica’s eyes grew moist.
Vargan felt a heavy heart, but he pushed that thought aside for now, deliberately shifting his mindset. Being overly emotional wouldn’t get the job done.
Now, it was day four of their training as Protectors.
Including today, there were two days left.
In two days, the month of olfactory senses would be complete, and then auditory senses would become undetectable.
Fortunately, the Protector was growing as expected and seemed to reach the targeted level.
However, this was merely a substitute at best and couldn’t perfectly replace the original.
Having entered the stage of sensory expansion, he could detect some things through mana via his aura, but there was a clear limit.
Thus, he would need an assistant starting with auditory senses.
‘It’s a bit concerning, but… the most suitable person for the situation is her.’
Vargan looked at the small woman who was solely focused on him.
Erica was extremely reliant on him, and through the official approval of Academia, she could accompany him most of the time.
He could also use Alicia, but she needed to focus on her own growth right now.
Therefore, having Erica, who was currently hesitating, take on that role would be efficient.
“Erica. Let’s stop by the dormitory after the afternoon class.”
“Okay! Just tell me where, and I’ll go anywhere.”
Erica lit up at the thought of being able to join him.
Vargan wanted to reveal the fact he hadn’t told either her or Alicia yet.
Knowing the reaction would be loud, he had kept it hidden, but from now on, they would have no choice but to find out, whether they liked it or not.
* * *
After the afternoon class, I, Erica, and Alicia gathered in the dormitory room.
“I don’t want that… I really don’t want that…”
Unable to bear the weight of tears she had been holding back, Erica eventually sobbed heartbreakingly.
Surprisingly, Alicia remained calm. With a somewhat gloomy gaze, she asked back, as if she had a rough idea of what was going on.
With a look that seemed to suggest she had somewhat guessed the situation, she asked back, “So, what you mean, Young Master, is that during the trial for the Unique Spell, you won’t be able to use certain senses?”
“That’s correct.”
“And in the final month, you won’t be able to use any of your five senses, and because of that, you’ll need a Protector and an Assistant to help you, right?”
Alicia muttered as if to herself. Although her face looked thoughtful, instead of dwelling on the current gloom, she wanted to discuss the future together.
As she was about to ask her concerns, Erica, who had been sniffling, jumped in first. “Is it… really totally fine? There won’t be any problems later on or anything like that, right? Uh…?”
“Yes. You don’t need to worry. But as I mentioned earlier, I need an Assistant nearby to help me, and I hope that Assistant will be you, Erica.”
“Got it… I’ll do it… I absolutely will.”
While most phenomena could be understood with the Protector and other institutions, there would inevitably be unforeseen elements that couldn’t be grasped. To minimize such elements, I needed to have an Assistant by my side to help me.
Originally, I had planned to choose Alicia for this role, but considering her growth and Erica’s current state being unstable, Erica fit the criteria as my supporter.
Also… even if it has little effect, this could ease Erica’s guilt, even just a little…
I looked at Alicia and said, “Remember this well, Alicia. Just because there’s some distance, it doesn’t mean the importance decreases. From the moment the contract is signed, you are my sword. In a world where swords don’t follow their masters, there are only rusted and broken swords.”
“I will remember. If it’s your command, Young Master, I’m ready to serve in any way.”
Alicia’s voice matched her determined gaze. She looked composed enough to exude a certain maturity.
Once I felt that some degree of understanding had been reached, I added a few more words. “And… although everyone will find out soon enough, you must keep this matter confidential. There’s no need to reveal weaknesses unnecessarily.”
“Okay, I understand…”
“I have understood your wishes, Young Master.”
Hearing the responses from the two women, I nodded gently.
Hmm.
It seems this much discussion about the trials should wrap things up.
The mountain of Assignments can also be solved one step at a time… but at this point, the important episode is the Final Exam.
Now, how should I handle this cleanly?
Some discussion is needed.
* * *
In the Chancellor Gulemashia’s office, where he spent most of his time.
On the unusually spacious top floor. At the very top of the uniquely mushroom-shaped tower, Gulemashia, Louisa, and Paula were having a casual chat.
Since it was a personal space, Paula consistently wore a sulky expression.
Louisa poked at Paula, wondering if she was still miffed about the earlier incident, but Paula didn’t budge an inch from her sulky pout.
“Hmph!”
She turned away, overtly showing her displeasure.
As Louisa tried to forcibly rein her in, Gulemashia chuckled warmly.
“Hahaha. It’s alright. Accepting the tantrums of a beloved disciple is also part of being a master.”
“Beloved disciple my foot! I don’t love you at all. How come you still haven’t even said you’re sorry? It’s really too much!”
“I don’t love you either. How is it that you still haven’t even apologized to me?”
Gulemashia casually took a sip of tea instead of answering.
His eyes still wore the gentle wrinkles, but he remained unresponsive to the matter at hand.
Paula subtly glanced at her mentor, Chancellor Gulemashia, and when he showed no reaction, she sulkily gulped down her hot tea.
“Ouch, hot, hot…!”
Paula burned her mouth. She spilled a bit of tea but quickly used magic to erase the traces and cast healing spells to act like nothing happened.
After a moment of silence, Gulemashia slowly spoke up.
“I was going to mention this at the upcoming meeting, but I think it’s better to inform you two first.”
He set down his cup. With a clink, his next words followed.
“This final exam will not be conducted solely by Academia but in collaboration with ‘Rikeion.’ The format remains unchanged.”
The final exams for the first-year second semester would be done in a tournament style.
This meant that both the first-year students of the Hero Training Academy and Rikeion would clash head-on.
“That’s sudden,” Louisa said, resting her chin on her hand, trying to grasp the implications.
Although Academia and Rikeion had a common goal and exchanged visits occasionally, they had never taken an exam together before.
Paula tried to feign disinterest, but the frequency of her glances at Gulemashia rapidly increased. He continued,
“There have been many discussions at the Church regarding the incidents that occurred at Academia over the past year.”
“So you mean Rikeion will intervene… is that what you’re saying?”
“Rather than interference, it might be better to understand it as an effort to reduce risks. Besides, exchanges with other schools can be beneficial for both sides, don’t you think?”
Gulemashia revealed that the people from Rikeion were already on their way to finalize the details of the exam.
This was equally sudden, but Academia had no veto power.
In effect, the Church and Rikeion had already made decisions without including Academia.
Louisa frowned in displeasure, but her rebellion wouldn’t change anything. She asked,
“Then we need to select student council members and professors to discuss on our side.”
“Exactly. We need capable individuals to lead this together. However… the Chancellor of Rikeion has made a special request.”
The reason Gulemashia first brought this up with Louisa and Paula was precisely because of that.
“Don’t tell me….”
Sensing unease, Paula’s lips slowly parted.
She couldn’t help but worry about whose name Gulemashia would mention next.
It would be great if names like Clemens or Alicia, who were gaining attention in Academia, came up, but that didn’t seem likely.
Besides, Clemens didn’t have much connection with them either.
Gulemashia spoke up with his name.
“He mentioned he wants to have a conversation with the first-year representative, Vargan.”
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