漫画大王

Chapter 247 [Illustration]

I did feel a bit sorry, though. I had serious faith in her, but even by my standards, I was pushing her too hard.

Feeling like it was time to take a breather, I decided to reduce my visits to the Magic Research Club and focus more on my personal training.

I was attending a Mana Reinforcement class. Although I felt some improvement compared to before, I still couldn’t grasp it fully.

Ellen, who had used Mana Reinforcement for rolling snowballs, was already well-accustomed to the power itself.

“You’re really weird,” I snapped at Ellen suddenly out of frustration, and Ellen glared at me with a sullen face.

“What?” Ellen replied.

“Let’s use the word ‘special’ instead of ‘weird,’ Mr. Reinhart,” the Yoga Master teacher said as he tapped my shoulder as if to prevent a fight.

He continued, “Mr. Reinhart, you too are definitely not ordinary. I can see that you are gradually getting a grip on Mana Manipulation itself.”

“... Really?”

“Yes.”

I still didn’t understand it at all, so on what basis was he making such statements?

Still, if the teacher said so, it must be true, I thought. Yet, I still couldn’t grasp it fully...

Ellen was learning so quickly that she was being taught about precision and subtlety in manipulation, while I was still working on the very basics.

Clearly, I was also exceptionally talented. The problem was the being beside me, for whom the word “genius” seemed an understatement.

No matter what I did, I was always Ellen’s lesser counterpart in Swordsmanship and in Mana Reinforcement. In fact, calling myself her lesser counterpart might be too generous.

Perhaps the magic majors around Harriet felt this way too.

The Yoga Master teacher frequently told us not to be discouraged and that we were both achieving significant progress throughout the entire class.

Hearing such words dozens of times throughout the class felt less like consolation, and made me feel more discouraged instead.

Mana Reinforcement was some sort of special supplementary class, so there were no exams and no grades. The classes were held after the other first-year classes had ended, and I was a student who had only joined midway through the semester.

Therefore, while our classes usually ended around three in the afternoon, on days when we had Mana Reinforcement class, we finished around half past five.

Mana Reinforcement classes weren’t physically demanding, so I didn’t feel tired afterward/

What was interesting, though, was that just attending these Mana Reinforcement classes increased my mana capacity to some degree, much like taking a Mana Sensitivity class. Of course, the increase wasn’t significant.

If my mana reached Rank A, the Mana Domination attribute would awaken, but that was still far off, and was something to dream about after Moonshine was created.

We were on the way back to the dormitory after class. Since it was autumn, it was already getting dark.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

Ellen, after exiting the classroom building, started heading in a direction other than toward the dormitory.

“I’m going to see the white-haired ahjumma.”

“... Oh, really?”

Ellen occasionally visited Loyar for sparring sessions, though she hadn’t been there recently.

Now that she was more confident in her Mana Reinforcement, she probably wanted to see how she measured up against Loyar.

“Then I’ll come with you.”

I was aware that the club business was running smoothly, but I was curious to see the two fighting.

“Okay.”

Ellen nodded and led the way, the hem of her school uniform skirt gently fluttering in the autumn breeze.

***

Once one could use Mana Reinforcement, their combat abilities surged drastically.

No matter how skilled someone was, if they couldn’t use Mana Reinforcement, it would be incredibly difficult to engage in combat against multiple enemies.

One would have to equip themselves with heavy armor like plate armor for protection, but that would reduce mobility.

However, Mana Reinforcement not only enhanced one’s physical strength, but the emitted mana also afforded protections.

There was no need for heavy protective gear; one’s physical abilities were vastly improved, and one’s mobility far surpassed that of an average human. Normal blades became ineffective against the enhanced body.

Essentially, one would become a human tank.

These thoughts arose in me as I watched Ellen and Loyar attacking each other with Mana Reinforcement in the forest.

Bam! Clang! Thud!

‘This is truly absurd.’

Since the sun had already set, I could only see the fierce collisions between Ellen, surrounded by blue flames, and Loyar.

There’s a preconceived notion in this genre that warriors have an advantage over mages, and this became clear when seen with my own eyes.

Even if a mage could fly and cast powerful spells, there was no way they could remain calm and cast their spells if a human tank covered in blue flames was charging at them at full speed.

Not to mention the concept of magic resistance. Warriors underwent training to resist lower-level spells, and the Temple provided such training starting from the second year.

Low-level spells were ineffective, and higher-level spells required casting time. However, if the tip of a sword was at your throat in a tenth of a second, it was impossible to cast any spell.

That made Rudina’s No Casting talent seem even more incredible, perhaps even surpassing Harriet’s.

After a long bout of intense fighting, Ellen, panting heavily, deactivated her Mana Reinforcement.

“Huff... Huff...”

Loyar also deactivated her Mana Reinforcement and casually dusted off her hands.

Even though Ellen had become quite adept at Mana Reinforcement, Loyar still held the upper hand.

Nevertheless, it was Loyar who seemed more unnerved.

“You’re a monster,” Loyar remarked.

It was likely because Ellen’s growth rate far surpassed her expectations.

Just a few months ago, Ellen hadn’t even known how to use Mana Reinforcement, but now she could wield it skillfully.

“What am I doing wrong?” Ellen asked.

Catching her breath, Ellen looked at Loyar, asking for some constructive criticism. Loyar seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking slowly.

“You’re too rough.”

“Rough?”

“You’re expending too much mana. While it’s astonishing that you can even do that, the problem is that you’re using your strength too explosively, which exhausts you quickly. Most people who use their power like you wouldn’t last ten seconds in a fight. You can manage it only because you have an absurd amount of mana to begin with.”

“...”

“You’ve buttoned the first button in a very unconventional way. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes.”

Ellen had awakened her Mana Reinforcement in a real combat situation. At that time, what she’d required was explosive and powerful strength. Ellen had first activated her Mana Reinforcement when employing an explosive fighting style.

“But I’ve heard it’s difficult to correct that,” Ellen said.

“... It is. You didn’t learn it in a traditional way, so it will require a grueling amount of effort.”

Mana Reinforcement, in the end, was similar to magic. Though it wasn’t broken down into different schools, methods for harnessing it were passed down like secret arts. Each knightly order might have its own methods, and the imperial family and other noble families might have their own.

We needed to learn the Temple’s secret techniques for Mana Reinforcement, which were very sophisticated.

The usual way would be to start slowly from the first step and gradually understand each method.

But Ellen had carved out her own path, and now that it had been established, other methods would not fit in.

The Yoga Master teacher had already explained this to Ellen, and I too had come to understand it.

Ellen’s Mana Reinforcement technique had become something unique to her. While it was immensely powerful due to its explosive strength, it lacked endurance.

Once someone awakened their unique style of Mana Reinforcement, they could only use it in their own way.

Like Ellen, I too would have unique features to my Mana Reinforcement, though I had yet to understand what they were. However, I already knew that they would differ drastically from the techniques taught at the Temple.

The Mana Reinforcement classes the Yoga Master teacher was conducting were supplementary in nature, since he was unable to impart specific techniques due to our own distinct style.

“Your output isn’t just sufficient, it’s overflowing. So train to control your mana output to increase endurance.”

Despite saying this, Loyar also said that it would be incredibly challenging.

“Yes, I will do that.”

If Ellen managed to control her output, it would ultimately benefit her.

She would be capable of not only producing ridiculous amounts of power, but also using a minimal amount for small enhancements.

I thought about how Ellen used Mana Reinforcement while rolling snowballs. It seemed like she was already practicing how to use it moderately.

“I have a question.”

“What is it? Though I’m not going to answer it.”

“Are you a Master Class?”

Master Class...

If one wielded a spear, they were called a Lancemaster. If they used a sword, they were called a Swordmaster.

A master of any discipline who had reached the pinnacle was referred to as Master Class.

For instance, Sabioleen Tana, whom I recently saw, qualified as a Swordmaster. Likewise, the Yoga Master teacher was probably also Master Class, although I didn’t know what exactly he was a Master in.

Ellen seemed to have been wondering for quite some time whether Loyar was of Master Class.

Reaching Master Class was considered the next stage of Mana Reinforcement.

One could qualify when they could infuse their weapon with mana.

For example, the ability to create something like a sword aura or an energy blade indicated that someone had reached Master Class, and those individuals are extremely rare.

Sabioleen Tana was recognized as the most powerful among that tiny number of Master Class warriors.

If infusing mana into objects that someone handled was enough, then wouldn’t those who used their fists qualify as Master Class the moment they could use Mana Reinforcement? Probably not; there had to be other criteria.

Loyar grinned at Ellen’s question.

“Call me ‘unnie’[1], and I’ll answer you.”

Ellen stared at Loyar with a sullen expression and shook her head.

“... Never mind, then.”

“You really need a good beating, don’t you?!”

And Ellen indeed received a thorough beating.

***

On our way back to Temple, I piggybacked Ellen.

“It hurts...”

Considering she wasn’t one to usually complain, she must’ve been in a lot of pain.

Loyar, who already had a nasty temper, took particular pleasure in messing with Ellen. I wasn’t sure why, but she seemed to find it amusing.

“Why do you insist on saying things that get you beaten up?” I asked.

“... I don’t want to hear that from you,” Ellen responded.

“... True.”

I wasn’t the one to talk, given how often I got into trouble for saying unnecessary things.

Ellen was hanging limply against my back, clearly in immense pain.

“Why do you only act like this with Loyar?” I asked, suddenly curious.

Of course, she had been thoroughly defeated by Loyar before, and even now, despite her use of Mana Reinforcement, she couldn’t match up. Yet, she insisted on saying things that would provoke Loyar, knowing it would get her beaten up.

In the past, she had done it just to get Loyar to engage with her, but Loyar was now already willing to train with her anyway.

Loyar had said she’d answer if Ellen called her unnie, but Ellen had almost exploded with indignation.

‘How much did she want to tease Loyar?’

Considering Loyar’s quick temper, provoking her always resulted in Ellen getting beaten to a pulp, and she was now whining from the pain.

“... Because you’ll carry me on your back.”

“... What?”

“When it happens, you carry me like this.”

Whenever Ellen got badly beaten up, she was unable to move independently.

Thus, I ended up having to support or carry her.

‘So she provokes Loyar on purpose?’

“... Are you a child or something?”

I was a bit taken aback, since she usually didn’t say things like this.

Ellen tightened her grip around my neck. Since she was exhausted, her hold was weak enough that I could dislodge it with a gentle nudge, but I could definitely feel her strength.

Her breath against the back of my neck made a strange sensation rise up within me.

“...”

Ellen didn’t say anything.

I, too, had nothing to say.

We continued walking in silence.

Suddenly...

[‘Preview’ has been activated.]

“...”

A system message suddenly popped up in front of me, causing me to stop.

I had only used this function once before, during the incident involving Olivia Lanche. It was a cheat that could only be used when activated.

I didn’t know the context of it suddenly popping up, but it seemed to signal that something significant was about to happen.

Back then, it had been activated as I ran around frantically trying to resolve the situation. But for some reason, I felt an uneasy premonition this time.

[Preview - 100 Achievement Points]

Unlike the last time, I wasn’t being offered multiple previews. It was just one, costing 100 Achievement Points.

Ellen, sensing the sudden change in my demeanor, squirmed and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

I had 5730 achievement points in store, so there was no reason not to see it.

[Using Achievement Points.]

The world seemed to pause around me, and a scene of the future was projected in front of my eyes.

[Imperial Year 323, October 23rd, Tuesday.]

The date that was shown was the current date, which meant something was about to happen very soon.

What I saw was myself.

I was lying on the ground with a gaping wound in my abdomen.

I lay in a pool of blood.

Ellen, with a deep gash in her chest, was leaning against a wall next to me. Her eyes were unfocused.

Both Ellen and I were about to die.

As soon as reality returned, chills ran down my spine.

Ellen and I were about to be killed by someone. Ellen, currently on my back, seemed uninjured, but she was in no state to even move a finger.

I didn’t know exactly what was about to happen, but Ellen clearly wouldn’t be able to fight back. She wouldn’t even have a chance to fight.

Who is going to kill me? For what reason, and under what circumstances?

Ellen, oblivious to the situation, watched me closely and noted my sudden strange behavior.

“... What’s wrong? Are you in pain? Am I too heavy?”

“No.”

‘Am I the target? Or are they targeting both Ellen and me? Would they kill me and then eliminate Ellen as a witness?’

While I wasn’t sure, it seemed more likely that I was the primary target.

I couldn’t be certain of anything yet.

We were being targeted by an assassin In a situation where Ellen couldn’t use her strength.

‘Should we return to the Rotary Club? No, it’s a secluded area. There was no crowd gathered around my corpse in the vision I saw.’

We might be ambushed on our way back to the Rotary Club.

In the preview, my body showed no signs of a struggle. I likely wouldn’t have noticed the attack.

In that case, it would be an ambush. We were going to be ambushed by the assassin in this deserted area.

‘We need to get to a crowded place.’

The Rotary Club’s headquarters was located in a secluded corner of the south side of the capital, and the route back was perfect for an assassin’s ambush.

Although specific details about the location of the assassination were unclear, one thing was certain. It was imminent.

Should we return to the Rotary Club for Loyar’s protection, or should we head straight to the nearest train station as fast as possible to board the magic train?

We had to choose one or the other.

My heart pounded fiercely. Knowing I was about to die so suddenly threw me off balance.

Both Ellen and I would die...

I had to make a quick decision.

‘Should I use “The Scribe’s Advice”?’

No, the situation was about to unfold, and there was no time to listen to The Scribe’s Advice and contemplate. I had to trust my gut.

Fortunately, this so-called preview feature seemed to have been activated because the system didn’t want me to die meaninglessly. That was why it had given me this warning.

“Reinhart, calm down,” Ellen whispered with concern, noticing the cold sweat forming on my forehead, but I couldn’t afford to respond.

“...”

“What’s wrong? What’s happening?”

Though the area we were in was secluded, it wasn’t completely deserted.

‘Is it that person? Or that one over there? Or, possibly all of them?’

I had to view everyone around me as potential assassins, since I was uncertain when or how the attack would come.

I couldn’t sense any killing intent. I didn’t even know what that felt like.

The wound in my vision had clearly been a puncture, caused by a weapon like a sword.

The chances of a long-range sniper attack were low.

Returning to the Rotary Club seemed more dangerous. We could be ambushed along the way.

When faced with a life-or-death situation, I had to choose between two uncomfortable options.

“I’m going to run. Hold on tight.”

“Okay.”

Tightening my grip on Ellen, I sprinted towards the train station.

‘I won’t let you die.’

That was all I could think about.

1. Korean terminology to address a female who is older than you. Kind of like the English word for “Big Sister” ☜