Episode 71
The effect of the Closed Training was impressive.
Garsham, the magician from Class 5, where Diphelia belongs, had achieved an impressive ranking of 6 when she enrolled. She’s a specialist in elemental magic.
Garsham, who is both righteous and affectionate, cherished Diphelia, the class leader, so when she brought up Diphelia’s humiliating defeat in the Class Battle, Garsham was outraged and accepted a ranked duel.
The result was clear.
Using the same magic and elemental type as her opponent, she easily defeated her based solely on output and performance. She didn’t use Familiars or Curse Magic.
It wasn’t about winning; it was a chance to see how much I’ve improved. I pulled out only the elemental magic she’d used.
With pink flowers blooming from her earlobes, Garsham showed a strong affinity for the elements of water and soil among the Ain of the Darek Union.
That elemental magic was her pride, but when I pushed it with overwhelming power, she was left dumbfounded.
Her 10 Cattia was taken along with her pride.
Now, it’s 80 Cattia. I’ve collected all the Cattia except for the end of the first semester exam.
*Click clack.*
“Of course, all the members of Arbol Frutal should be gathered, right? If not, there’ll be a penalty.”
“I’ve confirmed everyone’s attendance. As soon as you enter the Research Society, everything is set up for the promotion ceremony.”
“Good.”
Currently, Alicia and I were walking down the hallway toward the Training Ground.
Today, we were proceeding with the promotion ceremony as planned.
After joining the Research Society, we would showcase how much they had developed in front of everyone, determining if they would advance to the next group or maintain their status.
“Alicia, even though you’re an executive, you still need to prove your skills. I won’t do it this time, but from the next promotion, if there isn’t substantial improvement, you will be demoted from the group.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Helping someone develop is not solely about rewards. A little whip is necessary too. Those who fall significantly behind will be mercilessly demoted, even if they are existing members like Root.
The Research Society cultivates talents that will fight for me; it’s not a kindergarten to give out dreams and hopes. This will be strictly enforced.
Arriving in front of the Training Ground, I opened the large door without missing a beat.
“Alright, let’s start the promotion ceremony.”
No one wants to be humiliated in front of others; draw out your true abilities.
I promptly took my seat.
*
Outside the vast Training Ground.
Two people were watching the inside.
“They’re quite active.”
“Yes… they are faithfully submitting their reports.”
“Doesn’t this scale of the Research Society look like a formal institution of Academia?”
“Doesn’t it look that way?”
“…Chancellor, I must express my concern. Arbol Frutal always requires us to be vigilant. Just think about the rudeness the Research Society head displayed during the Entrance Ceremony. He’s clearly a lunatic who poses a grave threat to the Academia in the future… Ahem, what I’m trying to say is that we must look at it with a critical perspective.”
“Hohoho, Professor Fergio certainly cares for the Student Council!”
Fergio was known for prioritizing his Student Council above any other research society, being particularly vocal about his disdain for Arbol Frutal’s ‘New Student Council’ activities.
With Vargan utilizing the Student Council’s prestige to bolster Arbol Frutal’s reputation, it was no wonder he felt frustrated.
“You mentioned a promotion ceremony. How is it conducted, Professor Fergio?”
“Oh, could you please wait a moment?”
Fergio opened the booklet he had in hand, which contained details about the promotion ceremony Vargan had brought up.
“Let’s see… They received a large number of newcomers at Arbol Frutal, and during the first evaluation, information regarding their admission grades was collected, followed by a second evaluation in which their abilities were assessed through interviews and roughly translated into grades.”
“Oh… a grading system!”
“Records have been kept of every member’s growth weekly, so we already have a basic understanding of their levels. However, this promotion ceremony aims to check for possibilities not recorded previously and instill a sense of urgency in all members. It’s a chance to reassess grades by comparing past records with current conditions… as it says here.”
“What a diligent student. I suppose he’s busy with his own tasks too.”
Fergio smacked his lips. Even though he mentioned it himself, there were no glaring issues to criticize.
As he turned to look through a large window, he caught sight of an annoying man’s face. He looked like the Student Council President but lacked even basic manners.
Oh, they made eye contact for a split second. The man shot Fergio a dismissive glance, as if looking at laundry scattered outside, and continued with the promotion ceremony.
That kind of attitude. That kind of attitude really gets on my nerves!
Thinking he’s the be-all and end-all just because he’s Schugenharz. Such things are of no consequence to a Hero!
“…….”
While Fergio gritted his teeth, the Chancellor slowly surveyed everyone in the Research Society, carefully assessing each face and imagining the emotions they felt.
Passion, tension, determination…
They were all youthful and vibrant.
Shining and overflowing with energy like grass sprouting in summer. They were the future leaders. Precious beings that he wanted to treat nicely in every way possible.
“Hohoho….”
But this also carried a bittersweet aftertaste. Such beautiful children. Young lives busily moving forward with their dreams. Coming here at the most crucial time…
“I’m just sorry we couldn’t put an end to things in our generation.”
The now-aged Chancellor felt a sense of guilt towards these future leaders, his eyes reflecting a dullness as he glanced at himself in the glass.
Wrinkled hands bearing the marks of time. White hair looking dry, losing the luster of life.
He felt a pang of pity for them.
Knowing the hardships, adversities, sorrows, and despair they would face. Feeling the helplessness of his own generation that had no choice but to pass it down.
The Chancellor’s eyes, looking at the shimmering green leaves, were filled with sadness.
“Professor Fergio.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s elect the next Chancellor before it’s too late.”
“What do you mean?! Chancellor, you’re still very much here!”
“Why do you say there’s going to be a next chancellor when you’re just fine, Chancellor?!”
The chancellor shook his frail white-haired head. He was about to voice something he had been thinking for a long time.
“How long do you think this old man can hold on?”
“Chancellor…!”
“Everything is a cycle.”
This body will decay into soil, and from that soil, new life will sprout.
As a legendary figure in the magician community, the chancellor was preparing to step down from his throne for the future.
Fergio deepened his gaze and conveyed his resolute thoughts. He couldn’t accept this fact.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Haha… I hope it’s not too late, but we shall see.”
The chancellor began to move, dragging his thin legs behind him. Fergio watched his retreating figure.
The dependable back of the chancellor he had seen in his youth had now hunched over. Those legs that once supported everyone were now so weak they struggled to walk without a cane.
Fergio was well aware that the chancellor was aging. He also knew the day would come when he’d step down from his position and leave the magician community.
Yet he couldn’t let go, ensnared by the passions of the past.
Not yet… not yet, it should be all right.
Compromising with himself.
He quietly followed the chancellor.
*
To proceed with the promotion ceremony, I called upon Francesca’s power.
She could reactivate the activities of dead skeletons, allowing those lifeless forms to mimic some of the achievements they had accomplished when they were alive.
The extent to which she could restore them was limited to Francesca’s abilities.
Therefore, if they had the power equivalent to being scattered on the streets in their past life, they could almost fully regain their strength, but if they had powers that surpassed Francesca’s level, only part of it could be utilized.
In conclusion, her skeleton soldiers remained lifeless. Moreover, their strength could be adjusted according to the amount of mana she poured into them.
I could even provide mana and assist with detailed tasks. Wasn’t this just perfect for a sparring partner?
Francesca seemed displeased that her soldiers were treated as experiments, but such trivial matters didn’t bother me. Good materials should be used correctly.
Every time I shared her spell and created a new combination, I watched carefully. It wasn’t just me gathering intel on her; she was collecting information about me as well.
“Next up is Emily.”
As Serena finished her turn, Emily stepped forward.
Serena had shown better performance than the average member of Arbol Frutal. The time it took her to imbue her bow with aura had significantly shortened, and the intensity had increased.
In particular, the speed and power of the arrows had greatly improved, allowing her to accurately target enemies from a greater distance. This was proof of her willingness to confront and overcome her weaknesses.
This is why I’ve always held Serena in high regard. Quiet, diligent, and achieving the goals set before her. She really is reliable.
“Oh, it’s a bit embarrassing to look like this.”
Emily started with some trivial remarks. What about Serena and the others who went before her?
“No need for idle chatter, just get started.”
“I realized I shouldn’t have said that, and you caught it right away…”
“Fifteen seconds have already passed.”
Each person has a limited amount of time. Within that time, they must showcase their growth.
Emily, in a rush, drew her dagger and concentrated aura into it.
In the past, she would have complained, ‘Why has time passed without even saying “start”?!’ But now she swiftly switched to combat mode without any further comment.
She quickly shifts into combat mode without any unnecessary remarks.
The scattered power gathers and solidifies. Her eyes also become serious and sharp. It’s as if she’s manifesting an image of Alicia slicing through enemies.
*Clink.*
The black-armored skeleton soldier takes a step forward, ready to face Emily.
That skeleton, reminiscing about memories that have faded away, clutches its longsword with rattling fingers. Its sunken eyelids confront not the past, but the present.
Having shared Francesca’s spell, I adjust the skeleton’s details and overlay Emily’s record from the entrance season, which is stored in data.
The skeleton no longer follows its past life. Its newly formed combat style will pose a threat to Emily.
Like this.
*Thud?!*
The skeleton soldier, who was sizing up Emily, leaps forward, launching itself off the ground. It raises its longsword, aiming sharply at her.
Emily doesn’t take her eyes off it.
The blade rushes in.
With her enhanced senses, Emily reads the direction of the sword.
She doesn’t dodge.
She doesn’t flinch from the skeleton soldier’s swing.
Instead, she evaluates and calculates its strength.
Emily faces her past self. Still inadequate, but far behind compared to three months ago. A closer look reveals her stance is shaky and full of gaps.
To think she boasted about being slightly ahead of Finn! And she mourned being overtaken by Liam! She can’t even touch the effort Finn puts in or cast a shadow on Liam’s talent.
She needs to reflect.
She must change.
She can’t remain stagnant.
*Kaang??!!*
Emily slightly twists her upheld sword and slices through her incoming opponent’s blade cleanly.
The smoothly severed sword becomes roughly the length of the dagger she’s holding, and the flying blade buries itself in the ground.
It was something she couldn’t have done before.
However, in about three months, Emily has changed.
Her aura, will, movements, and vision.
She has stepped up and formed a new self.
Emily’s eyes, which were seriously emitting power, begin to soften.
Then she stares wide-eyed, as if struggling to believe her own actions.
She looks toward me, the judge. Still stuttering.
“I, I mean… I’ve gotten way stronger than I thought?!”
With such an impressive feat, whether due to her pounding heart or not, Emily surely must be cheering inside even if she just screamed out loud.
I speak for her elation.
“Next.”
I chuckle at her expression, which seems to desire a specific answer. Since Emily’s turn is over, I need to check on the next person.
“Hey, hey…! Shouldn’t you at least give me some praise here?! Not that I want your compliments, but still… acknowledging my growth or saying I’ve worked hard during this time as the head of the Research Society…!”
“You’ve grown adequately and are passably useful now. Are you satisfied?”
“…….”
Suddenly blood rushes to Emily’s face, making her dizzy as she grips her head, but then without much resistance, she moves forward. Taking it as, ‘…Alright, this is more like you. Don’t stop here; take it as encouragement to keep pressing on.’
While her tone lacks energy, her steps certainly do not.
She flips the page.
Glancing at the next member’s information.
Ah, here it is at last.
Honestly, what I’m most curious about is this character’s growth.
“Show yourself, Finn.”
The underachiever from the entrance exams who trained alongside Helion, Toylen Troa Finn, makes his appearance.
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