---

There are things to check before going to the Academy.

1. Pet Shia’s head.

2. Get Siel’s attention (Clear).

3. Challenge Scarlet to a duel.

4. Donate blood to Lucid.

5. Hug Stella (Clear).

Rewards:

Acquire one of Siel’s skills.

Gruwein Swordsmanship Rank: A

Description: A unique swordsmanship specialized in thrusting (Recommended weapon: Rapier).

Water Bomb lv.1

Description: Fires a bomb of water.

Wind Cutter lv.1

Description: Generates blades of wind to slash the enemy.

•

•

•

Tidal Crash lv.3

Description: Slams the target with a powerful wave of water.

Icicle Vortex lv.4

Description: Rotates a storm of frost filled with cold air to crush the enemy.

“Wow, there are a lot of great techniques!”

I was amazed to see excellent skills that I could never have even dreamed of during my adventurer days. Most of them focused on water, wind, and ice.

Gruwein Swordsmanship? Is this something I can learn?

But if I use it recklessly and Siel finds out, I could be interrogated or worse.

That said, it would be absurd to learn low-rank techniques that can only be copied by sight alone.

“If I’m going to learn, it has to be one of these two techniques.”

Tidal Crash and Icicle Vortex—both are among Siel’s signature techniques.

Icicle Vortex was stopped by the Fly Mask Skeleton last time, but it’s definitely not a weak technique.

In the game, it can make early gameplay easier once you master it, but the issue is that its mana consumption is extreme.

Icicle Vortex [Mana Cost: 380]

My total mana is 400; using it once would drain me completely.

At least Tidal Crash costs 150, which is definitely a bargain.

Maybe because it’s a Tier 3 Magic.

Let’s think about this efficiently; this is the answer.

Just before going to the Academy, I arrived at a nearby patch of grass to try out a new skill.

I arrived at the grass patch and immediately selected my skill.

Mana Status:

Elemental Characteristic: Water (Copy Target: Siel)

Mana Amount: 250/400 (-150)

Firepower: C (→ A)

Proficiency: E

Tidal Crash (→ Use)

Swoosh!

The water element began to infuse my sword as I swung it at the tree, unleashing a tremendous wave of water that surged forward.

The water slash smashed the tree and continued onward.

“Oh crap, this is bad…”

I thought it would just get lodged in the tree, but the slash pierced right through and flew off towards the road.

“If it hits someone…”

By the crack of dawn, the news would spread throughout the Empire that an Academy student killed someone.

“Hey, stop!”

If no one gets hit, I’ll be lucky, but unfortunately, someone was passing by the roadside.

“Watch out!”

Just before the water slash could strike that person, it halted mid-air.

“What is this attack?”

“Huh?”

The slash coalesced, turned into droplets, and then exploded.

“Did you just attack me?”

I messed up. Of all the times, it had to be her passing by.

The female student standing on the roadside was undoubtedly someone I recognized.

One of the Three Great Clans, Lucid Vladmir, one of the heroines of Eternal Fantasy.

By the way, she’s the only heroine who’s also basically a walking cliff.

“How dare you attack me, you have some guts!”

Seemingly annoyed, she glared at me with her pink eyes, a symbol of her unique ability.

This is bad; she’s already in combat stance.

Should I just kneel and apologize right away?

“I-I’m so sorry! I was just trying out a new technique…”

“A new technique? Hmmm…”

Lucid stared at me intently, as if finding it intriguing.

“Well, I won’t hold it against you, but be careful next time.”

Huh? She’s just letting it slide? Thank goodness!

*

When I arrived at the Academy and wandered down the hallway, I saw a crowd of students.

Among them, I recognized a few faces.

“Stella, Shia, and that guy…”

Who is that? I’ve never seen him before…

Was he from Stella’s route in the game?

“Oh, isn’t that Stella?”

“Yep, long time no see, Anubis!”

? What? Were they acquaintances?

I thought there was no such depiction in the original, considering that Stella wasn’t even a student.

Before I knew it, I grabbed Stella’s hand as she reached out for a handshake.

“Hey, who are you?”

“Hmm? Who are you, Stella’s acquaintance?”

This guy is tall and good-looking. Could they be lovers or something?

Without realizing it, sharp words continued to slip out.

“Who are you?”

“Uh, my name is Anubis; I come from the land of Beastkin.”

“And what’s your relationship with Stella?”

With my question, the Beastkin responded with a friendly smile.

“What kind of relationship? Hmm… Stella is my close friend. So, boy, what’s your name?”

“I’m not telling you, so keep your distance from Stella.”

At my words, the Beastkin looked puzzled.

“…Why are you so angry? Did I do something wrong?”

“Nova, what are you doing? Stop it right now!”

“Sorry, Anubis. He’s not usually like this…”

“Nova, calm down for a moment…”

“Let’s stop any further violence.”

Swoosh!

In that moment, the ring of blood coiled around my wrist and arm.

“What’s happening? I can’t move?”

“Despite my willingness to forgive your earlier mistake, you dared to be rude to my underling. I hope you’re prepared for the consequences.”

Lucid emanated a threatening aura while ensnared in blood rings.

“Who are you?”

At Lucid’s threat, Stella frowned and stepped in front of me.

“Long time no see, Mage of the Magic Tower. Have you forgotten my name? It’s a bit sad.”

“Release this binding now.”

Stella’s eyes glowed blue, and rocks began to form around her, shimmering with silver light.

“Could you not emit that energy? I don’t wish to fight you.”

With that, Lucid loosened his grip and released my bindings.

“Come here, Anubis.”

“Glad to meet you, Master.”

“Now, Anubis, could you tell me what happened?”

After hearing my account, Lucid smiled and said to Stella,

“I heard you saved Anubis. How can I repay you for this kindness?”

“We’re friends, so there’s no need for you to worry.”

“Then, since this is fate, would you care to join me for a meal?”

“Sorry, but I’m a bit busy.”

“Hmm, is that so? What a pity; I wanted to get close with you. Let’s go, Anubis.”

“I’ll see you later, Stella. It was nice to meet you.”

“Okay.”

With that, they left. The moment they left, Stella struck me hard on the back of the head.

“Ow!”

“What on earth were you doing, you fool!”

“I’m just glad nothing happened.”

Although my head was throbbing, I couldn’t help but say this.

“Stella, do you know that guy?”

Shia also chimed in with an excited tone.

“I’m curious too! What’s your relationship with him?”

“Not much, just acquaintances. Remember that war three years ago between humans and Beastkin?”

According to Stella, we met on the battlefield three years ago.

“That guy was abandoned by his parents and lived with wolves; the king of the Beastkin discovered his strength and forced him into war as a slave.”

“Oh! I’ve heard of a Beastkin warrior who inflicted devastating harm on the human side. Was that him?”

“Yeah, to stop that monster, the Empire requested the Magic Tower. So, I went, and Stella liberated Anubis from the spell that was controlling him.”

The war ended with a victory for the humans, and peace was established through the mediation of the Vladimir clan.

“He’s a vampire now, so I guess he enlisted as one of their subordinates. I really don’t know; it’s been over three years since I saw him.”

“Right? So there isn’t any other relationship, right?”

At my question, Stella looked confused.

“What do you mean by another relationship?”

“I mean… it’s that…”

Shia smiled as if it was amusing.

“You need to step it up, Nova. If you’re not careful, you might lose out!”

“…”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s nothing; let’s head to the classroom already.”

*

“1st-year Class A is here.”

Stella, Shia, and I were all placed in Class A.

Naturally, it makes sense since most of the main characters from the game reside in 1st-year Class A.

Originally, Stella wouldn’t belong here since she’s not a student, but her skills certainly earned her this prestigious placement.

Shortly after arriving in the classroom, a bell rang, and someone entered.

“Hello, 1st-year Class A! I am Amelia, your homeroom teacher.”

Shia reacted with surprise.

“Oh! Isn’t that the supervisor?”

Several students began to whisper amongst themselves.

It’s likely that they had a rough time during the entrance exam.

I always thought she wasn’t an ordinary staff member, but a homeroom teacher for Class A?

At that moment, Amelia’s eyes met mine.

And then she gave a small wink.

‘Does that mean we’ll meet again?’

“Another woman?”

I ignored the chilling voice coming from the side.

 

---