Chapter – 17
Mikhail looked at Ethan turning his head toward him and raised the corner of his mouth quite mischievously.
“I knew the moment you got close because that magic tool sparked. Though it seems to have broken down completely after that.”
“What? That’s ridiculous…!”
It seemed to be a story Ethan couldn’t even guess. He jumped in surprise and snapped back with a heated look.
But Mikhail only shrugged his shoulders and replied casually.
“Your abilities are outstanding even among second years. On the other hand, that magic tool was made at best to measure failing students’ abilities. The moment you entered the measurement range, you must have exceeded the measurement limit.”
“…”
“I was fortunate. Thanks to that, I learned someone was hiding nearby. Among those with good abilities who might tail me… it seemed highly likely to be you.”
Mikhail finished his story and looked at Ethan.
Ethan stood blankly and stared at the magic tool in front. He let out a hollow laugh and covered his face with both hands.
He remained silent like that.
An appearance of firmly suppressing rising emotions.
Mikhail clicked his tongue as he picked up the mithril sword.
‘This is why I was reluctant to lie.’
He could guess what Ethan’s feelings would be. Ethan was someone who’d lived constantly swayed by his own abilities.
He’d been called a monster due to the manifestation of unwanted abilities, and because they were even uncontrollable, he’d wandered for a long time.
This situation was similar in context. An unexpected side effect had occurred from power he hadn’t even been conscious of.
It wouldn’t be strange for him to feel unpleasant.
“…”
Mikhail looked at the silent Ethan again. Whatever the case, it seemed better to lift his spirits.
There was nothing pleasant about Ethan being dejected.
And he needed to make him leave soon.
‘It’s a bit funny, like giving disease and then medicine.’
Mikhail let out a low breath, and before the echo of his breath completely faded, he opened his mouth.
“Ethan Welton.”
Ethan’s shoulders flinched.
“Don’t worry about it. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“…”
“That measuring magic tool would’ve broken down eventually anyway. Its durability was at rock bottom too.”
After a silence lasting one breath, Ethan slowly lowered the hands covering his face and looked at Mikhail.
The revealed face clearly showed eyes doubting his own ears. At a glance, it also looked like he’d been hit hard in the back of the head.
‘Well, he might be a bit surprised.’
When he shifted his gaze slightly, a sky so blue and deep it stung his eyes came into view. The leaves laid across the sky swayed like buoys.
Rustle.
At a sudden presence, Mikhail rolled his eyes to look to the side.
Ethan, composed with his usual calm expression, turned toward the outside of the training ground.
“…”
His advancing steps stopped briefly, then he looked back.
Mikhail’s gaze, which had been watching the departing back, was helplessly caught. Ethan hesitated a bit and opened his mouth.
“You’re not going to make an issue of me tailing you?”
So that’s what he wanted to say.
Mikhail laughed lightly as if it was no big deal and answered.
“Yeah.”
“…”
“I said I wouldn’t get under your skin. There’s no real benefit in clashing over it either.”
Ethan didn’t add any other words. His gaze that had been quietly looking at Mikhail withdrew.
Neat footsteps gradually grew distant past the training ground, and finally couldn’t be heard anymore.
“…”
Mikhail, having confirmed Ethan’s complete disappearance, raised his sword toward the training dummy before him again.
The unwelcome guest had left, so it was time to manifest the support function.
Clang! Clang!
The impact traveling up his palm stung quite a bit.
When he’d swung the sword about five times.
Pop!
Golden text appeared before his eyes.
【Notice: One-time support function activated. Please select desired support type.】
( ▶ 1. Enhancement / 2. Blessing / 3. Synthesis )
‘It finally appeared.’
Mikhail put down the sword and reached toward the synthesis option.
【Notice: Please select [items] you wish to synthesize.】
Mikhail rummaged through his bag and pulled out two sheets of paper.
They had the basic magic alchemy formulas for amplification and refinement drawn on them, and he planned to combine these two to obtain a skill.
【Notice: Skills cannot be combined!】
As if reading Mikhail’s mind, a warning message appeared before his eyes. Mikhail glanced at the text and picked up the sword he’d put down.
Clang!
He struck the blade hard against a stone.
The mithril sword split into two pieces.
‘The preparation’s done.’
Mikhail tied the paper with the formulas to the blade and placed it in front of the training dummy. The message content changed.
【Notice: Combination item recognition complete】
- Synthesizing [Mithril Sword Fragment] and [Mithril Sword Fragment].
Expected result: Mithril Sword
…Proceed with combination?
Mikhail nodded without hesitation.
Then the two blade fragments floated gently into the air and began sticking to each other while scattering small lights.
Crrrack…
White powder pattered down from the blade’s joint. The cracks covering the blade surface continued to deepen.
The blade only wore down repeatedly, as if it would crumble at any moment.
Mikhail, watching the scene before his eyes, raised the corner of his mouth.
‘Just a little more.’
That’s when it happened.
Crash!
The moment the blade that couldn’t withstand the impact shattered into pieces, the two sheets of paper immediately stuck together. A bright light flashed.
Flash!
What appeared after the light faded was a single sheet of paper.
Mikhail caught the paper fluttering down toward him. The system message content changed.
【Notice: Item synthesis complete】
- Result: Passive skill [Magic: Mana Enhancement]
‘The durability and hardness of the mithril sword were exceptionally low compared to other items. To the point it couldn’t even withstand the synthesis load.’
As Mikhail smiled faintly and scanned the formula on the paper, the system message updated.
【Notice: Intelligence stat effect allows perfect understanding of the formula】
【Passive skill [Magic: Mana Enhancement] acquired】
- Quality of possessed mana increased by one grade.
- [Origin Mana: Abyss] mana quality: F → E
About an hour had passed since then.
Mikhail sat in the back of the auditorium and stared at the podium.
The second-year temporary secretary, Albin, was conducting the general meeting with precise speech.
“—Now that we’ve entered second year, the proportion of practical classes will increase from now on. We’ll handle various missions. And.”
While Albin’s speech continued, Mikhail rolled his eyes to look around.
The gathered students were murmuring with excited voices. Completely unconcerned with the increasingly noisy atmosphere.
Mikhail sighed in an indifferent tone.
‘I suppose that’s natural.’
Because the continuing story contained content that directly struck the students’ interests.
For example.
“—Prestigious families, knight orders, and places like the Alliance Guild will also be watching our activities. Many places want capable combatants. Especially in times like these.”
Influence, fame, wealth.
So-called such worldly topics.
‘What I’m interested in is a bit different though.’
Like the main storyline that would progress before long.
The moment Mikhail propped his chin with an indifferent expression, a system message appeared before his eyes.
Pop!
【Quest: [Sub] Register for Dispatch Unit 2】
- Quest Reward: Shop Currency +1
‘Right, that was the starting point of the first main storyline.’
As he blinked slowly, the message soon disappeared.
Mikhail shifted his gaze back to the podium in front. Just then, Albin was opening his mouth with a new topic.
“That aside, we need to decide which department to be active in now. From second year, department activities are reflected in academic scores.”
Soon department names were listed on the blackboard.
Dispatch Unit 1 and 2, Academic Department, Exploration Department, Research Department.
Mikhail looked at the written list while tapping the desk with his finger. He’d already decided which department to register for.
‘Dispatch Unit 2.’
A department that participated in combat-related training to gain experience.
The place Ethan and Lloyd belonged to, and also related to the carriage attack incident, the first important event of the main storyline.
However, being Unit 2, support and auxiliary missions were the main roles rather than being on the front lines.
‘Well, that aside. Now soon…’
Clap!
At that moment, Albin clapped loudly to bring attention back from the noise.
“Then I’ll start taking applications for Dispatch Unit 1! Those who want to register, raise your hands.”
Students busily raised their hands. Among the majority who applied, magic department students were particularly numerous.
Tap.
Albin placed the quill pen on paper and counted the applicants.
The quill pen moved busily across the paper according to Albin’s designation. A total of thirty-eight names were written.
“Next! I’ll take applications for Dispatch Unit 2.”
Mikhail raised his hand. Including himself, there were a total of nine applicants for Unit 2.
It was a much easier number to count than before, but Albin soon scratched his temple with a troubled face.
“Sorry, but due to capacity issues, it seems everyone can’t register. Is there anyone who’ll drop out? We just need one person to move.”
Even with Albin’s request, no hands went down.
Students looking around the situation began murmuring.
“They only set the capacity at eight? Well, Unit 2 is unpopular anyway. I understand though.”
“Thinking about playing a supporting role in the back lines, it’s surprising that as many as nine applied.”
Mikhail lowered his eyes. If it followed the original progression, the eight people excluding himself would be Dispatch Unit 2 members.
In reality, he was the unwelcome guest. If someone had to drop out, it would be him no matter how he looked at it, but…
‘I can’t button things wrong from the start.’
That’s when it happened.
Someone in the auditorium said loudly.
“Ethan, instead of staying there, why don’t you come to Unit 1?”
The aftermath of the shout spread in an instant.
“Right. If it’s Ethan, he’s more than capable of pulling his weight in Unit 1.”
“Even though his commoner origin is a bit distasteful… Ahem, his skills are certain at least.”
Even as nods of agreement spread, Ethan remained motionless with his mouth firmly shut.
“…”
The murmuring grew louder.
“What? Why’s there no reaction? Is there something bothering him?”
“That can’t be. Considering practice scores and such, there’s no better place than Unit 1 to catch the attention of important people.”
That’s when it happened.
“—Albin.”
What cut through the noisy atmosphere was a voice from the very back. Students turned their heads toward the corner.
“…Mikhail?”
“Come to think of it, he and Ethan applied for the same department, right? Is this okay?”
Gazes instantly covered in doubt and anxiety.
Facing them, Mikhail said calmly.
“Put all nine people on the Unit 2 applicant list. Everyone will be able to get in.”
