Chapter – 19
The four days after that were spent diligently on academics.
Since they were at the stage of wrapping up theory studies, the classes focused on summary reviews rather than explanations.
Following along with the material wasn’t difficult.
The important principles and useful mechanisms all came from settings he’d created himself.
…On the other hand, practical training was a bit different.
【User approved. Currently proceeding with Stage 5 training.】
Inside a personal training room styled like a European palace hall.
Mikhail threw an empty potion bottle on the floor and caught his breath.
Clang.
The remains of defeated training dummies rolled across the floor. In the middle of it all, a massive training dummy was rising to its feet…
A message announcing a quest appeared before his eyes.
【Quest: [Sub] Destroy 1 Boss-Level Training Dummy】
- Quest Reward: Shop Currency +1
Fizzle.
Mikhail condensed mana in his palm.
The training dummy before him was different from the ones he’d faced until now. It wore armor-like plating and both its arms were enormous.
No matter how he looked at it, crushing it with magic was impossible.
Rummmble…
That’s when it happened. The training dummy moved.
It bent its body back and released a shockwave.
──!
The air shook violently. Mikhail deployed expansion magic to create a mana barrier.
“…Kugh!”
However, he couldn’t completely block the aftermath of the wave. His knees buckled under the surging current that rushed in like a raging tide.
The moment Mikhail faltered.
The training dummy raised its fist as if it had been waiting for this.
Fizzle!
However, Mikhail’s response was slightly faster.
The moment light flashed from his outstretched fingertip, the training dummy’s fist grazed past Mikhail’s side and struck the floor.
He’d fired a bolt spell at the relatively vulnerable wrist, restraining its movement.
‘Good thing I knew the attack pattern.’
Mikhail clicked his tongue while watching the training dummy withdraw its fist.
His whole body felt heavy. He’d only been able to hold out this long because he’d downed energy potions.
…And yet, even that didn’t seem like it would last much longer.
‘I need to end this now.’
Mikhail withdrew his gaze from the training dummy preparing its next attack and turned his head to the side.
Training dummy remains scattered on the floor.
Mikhail moved quickly and stepped onto the debris.
─At that moment.
Boom!
The training dummy’s hands struck the ground. A tremor like an earthquake covered the hall.
Rummmble!
But Mikhail just kept running while stepping on the dummies.
There was no vibration traveling up through his feet.
Tap tap.
‘…Combat training dummies placed in the training room aren’t affected by each other’s attacks. I’m using that to get closer.’
The moment he got close to the training dummy.
As the training dummy withdrew its hands from striking the floor, Mikhail’s eyes fixed on the dummy’s head.
An overheated mana stone blinked irregularly.
Fizzle!
Mikhail gathered his remaining mana in his hand.
Before the training dummy could regain its stance, he leaped high and fired a projectile toward the mana stone, its weak point.
─Boom!!!
With a resounding impact, the training dummy’s massive body lost strength and tilted.
It crashed to the floor with a heavy sound.
【Quest: [Sub] Destroy 1 Boss-Level Training Dummy Complete】
- Completion Reward: Shop Currency +1
‘Done.’
Mikhail slumped down with a sigh of relief. The system messages that had been backed up poured in like a flood.
【Character Stat Change Notification】
- Mana Capacity: D- → C- (Grade increase)
- Casting Speed: C- → B- (Grade increase)
- Spell Accuracy: D → C (Grade increase)
‘Not bad for four days’ results.’
As a result of defeating various types of training dummies, his stats had each increased by one grade.
Though this growth rate was only possible because his stats’ absolute values were low, Mikhail didn’t care.
‘And, one more thing.’
Mikhail raised his left hand.
At some point, a diamond-shaped pattern carved on the back of his hand was giving off a faint light.
Mana Quality: E → E+ (Tier increase)
‘My mana quality increased because of this. The reason I had to hurry and finish Stage 5 training.’
[Elite Training Achiever’s Stigma: Magic]
[A special blessing provided to those who first complete Stage 5 training. Increases the lowest stat grade by one grade as of the acquisition point. The pattern disappears after one week.]
Mikhail smiled faintly.
‘The hidden shop will unlock soon too, so at this rate I’ll be able to reach an average C grade. Things should go smoothly from now on.’
Meanwhile, the system message crumbled and disappeared, and what newly filled his vision was the training ground’s guidance text.
【Stage 5 Training Complete. Please select training difficulty.】
…It wouldn’t be bad to warm up with Stage 2 training for about thirty minutes before heading back.
Mikhail stood up from his spot with a much lighter heart.
Sway.
…No, he thought he’d stood up.
His vision spun. The body he thought had risen tilted downward. Mikhail blinked blankly.
“…Kugh!”
His solar plexus burned painfully, then his heart constricted. His fingertips kept growing colder, little by little.
Rough breaths burst out several times in succession.
The guidance text before his eyes changed form on its own.
【Target not responding. Generating Stage 0 training dummy.】
【Stage completion condition: Destroy Stage 0 training dummy.】
A training dummy the size of a young child appeared.
The training dummy creaked as it took its stance, then toddled toward Mikhail.
Creak- creak-
Mikhail barely rolled his eyes to look at the training dummy standing before him.
Silence continued with only his rasping breaths between them.
“……”
The training dummy’s head tilted to the side.
The hand gripping a blunt wooden sword was raised high, then fell toward the head of collapsed Mikhail.
Thwack!
…And just like that, he was retired.
Meanwhile, at that same time.
Inside a neatly organized professor’s research office.
“……”
Yupion, who’d been adjusting students’ individual training programs, let out a small sigh and reached out her hand.
Where her moving fingertip landed was the ability reassessment results with the name Mikhail Senit written on it.
‘What on earth gives him such confidence?’
Yupion stared blankly at the name written on the paper.
Along with it, the image of the cocky brat who’d left after counseling the other day appeared before her eyes. The conversation they’d had as well.
[…Mikhail, reconsider using magic as a combatant. These are conditions far too heavy to bear while growing. The level of the mana you possess is.]
[……]
[Compatibility, convenience, power. It’s rock bottom in every aspect. You might somehow manage to close the gap with training up to a certain level, but the gap will only keep widening. On the battlefield, you’ll just end up dragging down your comrades.]
[……]
[I’ll look into a transfer for you. Research Department, Support Department. Or if you want to keep learning magic-related things, something related to magic tool crafting would be fine too. Tell me where you want to go.]
…It was after such talk continued for a while.
The Mikhail sitting across from her finally lifted his head, which had been deeply bowed.
With a face that said he was bored to death with the current situation.
[No. I won’t give up.]
He had an appearance that showed he hadn’t considered any of the previous advice at all.
Recalling his calm voice, Yupion narrowed her eyes at the displeasure that suddenly surged up.
[I’m grateful you took the time to recommend it, but that’s all. Whether I accept it or not is my right guaranteed by academy regulations. I’ll say it again. I have absolutely no intention of changing my mind.]
[…Why are you refusing? Is there a particular reason?]
[I’m sorry, but I don’t think I have the luxury to tell you that much. …That aside, Professor. I’d like to be issued two identification ribbons for fantasy creatures. I’d appreciate your approval.]
“…Tsk.”
Yupion, having returned to reality, clicked her tongue and pressed her forehead.
The sight of him confidently reciting his own demands at the end was more and more absurd the more she thought about it.
But still, she could somehow suppress her feelings.
Wasn’t Mikhail notorious for being willful regardless of who he dealt with?
The arrogance displayed by an immature brat was something she could sigh about and let pass.
But….
The future expected for him was truly bleak.
Realistic conditions and circumstances. Combatants who ignored them mostly met similar results.
‘They were either abandoned by their comrades for being the cause of mistakes, or fell into depression consumed by inferiority.’
…That kind of downfall that gnawed at oneself.
“Hmm.”
Yupion let out a low breath.
Though she was considered young compared to other professors, her experience of seeing unpleasant sights wasn’t lacking.
So this time too, it would likely go as expected.
The student’s situation would lead to an unpleasant frustration.
‘But what can I do? Like he said, I can’t forcibly drag someone who says no.’
Yupion put down the ability reassessment results and bent her waist to pick up something from the desk drawer.
Slide.
[Academic Change Application Form.]
Yupion stared directly at the thick stack of papers.
‘Considering the level of his abilities, the turning point…no, a positive turning point might come soon.’
The difficulty of future individual training would only get harder, and the proportion of practical work and field participation would also increase.
Wasn’t there a departmental practical training in just a month?
After repeatedly facing the unpleasant reality through actual combat, the young student would recall this proposal again.
A few hours passed from then, and dusk began to settle over the sky.
Inside the dim room. Mikhail collapsed on the floor as soon as he entered the dormitory.
He didn’t even know how he’d walked into the dormitory. He couldn’t move a single finger.
“I’m dying…”
While his whole body weighed down heavily like waterlogged cotton, what remained vivid was the sensation from before.
The strength draining from his whole body, his breath choking, his heart being crushed as if squeezed.
‘The magic’s backlash was exceptionally severe. It’s probably because it’s hidden grade mana…’
Mikhail clicked his tongue in displeasure and pressed his forehead.
The result of collapsing unable to withstand the backlash and being helplessly beaten by the Stage 0 training dummy crossed his mind.
It was the worst. At this point, maybe it wouldn’t be bad to prepare for unexpected situations….
“─Kang!”
That’s when it happened. A clear cry shook his consciousness.
Mikhail wearily raised his upper body and looked at the window. The sky foxes were hurrying over.
“Krung.”
…Their tails covered in leaves swayed as if delighted to see him.
Mikhail, who’d looked over Han and Ul, smiled with a relaxed face.
“Did you have fun? I haven’t properly seen your faces these past few days.”
“Krrung.”
“Are you upset? Still, I’ll be less busy for a while, so cheer up. …Come to think of it, I have a gift for you.”
Mikhail petted the two hopping creatures and rummaged through his inner pocket. What he pulled out were two blue ribbons.
Identification ribbons for fantasy creatures he’d just gotten issued.
The sky foxes poked at the offered ribbons, then looked up at Mikhail with sparkling eyes. Mikhail smiled softly.
“They’re fantasy creature identification ribbons. They mean you belong to Salvator, so you don’t have to hide anymore.”
Mikhail tied the ribbons around the sky foxes’ necks.
The sky foxes seemed quite pleased with the fluffy knots and spun around in circles in front of the mirror.
Before long, they even staggered as if dizzy.
Mikhail, watching the scene, giggled.
“Let’s sleep early today. You’re going to show them off everywhere tomorrow, right?”
“Krrung.”
…And Mikhail himself should probably go get an item to protect his safety.
Coincidentally, someone with a good item was coming nearby.
“……”
Mikhail rose from his spot.
The moment he stood, his weak legs swayed, but he barely avoided falling by gripping the wall.
Good thing he didn’t look pathetic. Mikhail let out a small breath and staggered toward the washroom.
A day passed from then.
Late afternoon. Inside an empty warehouse behind the campus.
“……”
Mikhail stood at the window and looked inside the barn. Lloyd was sleeping soundly on well-dried hay.
“Zzz….”
Normally he would’ve left him alone whether he was sleeping or not, but not this time. Mikhail brought his finger to Lloyd’s ear and flicked it hard.
Snap.
His brow twitched and Lloyd crumpled his face as he drowsily opened his eyes.
“Ugh, what. Who on this nice weekend…”
“Hi?”
At the calm greeting, Lloyd flinched and bolted upright. The moment his eyes met Mikhail’s, he was startled.
…For some reason, his expression was like he’d seen a ghost.
“Mikhail?”
Mikhail nodded and pointed behind with his thumb.
“Come out. We have somewhere to go.”
“You suddenly show up and say we have somewhere to go? What the…”
“Fioned’s Early Autumn. Bitron said last time he wanted to repay us, remember? Let’s go eat together.”
“Ha…”
Lloyd let out a hollow laugh and rubbed the back of his neck.
Should he follow, or not…. He seemed to be weighing it, but his deliberation wasn’t long. Lloyd jumped down from the hay with a grin.
“Alright, let’s go. I didn’t have anything to do anyway.”
Mikhail nodded slightly and walked ahead, with Lloyd following along leisurely.
They’d walked about ten steps like that. Lloyd, who’d been walking beside him, casually asked.
“…But are we really just going to eat?”
“Probably.”
Lloyd suddenly leaned in and thrust his face forward.
“Probably? Hey, be honest. Where are you planning to stir up trouble this time? Or are you trying to secretly sneak out some alcohol?”
“…I understand very well what you think of me.”
A very brief silence lay between them….
Mikhail soon glanced at Lloyd and replied.
“Perhaps, you might see something a bit unusual.”
