Chapter 28
“That’s definitely strange.”
After finishing the physical examination and heading back to my locker to get dressed, I noticed that the pendant I had left there felt oddly light.
It used to have a bit more heft to it.
And what’s more, even when wearing the pendant, I realized that mana was leaking out excessively whenever I tried to draw power from it.
This is definitely not my pendant; someone has deliberately swapped it out.
Honestly, not having the pendant doesn’t mean I can’t use magic or that my body will fall apart with just a little movement.
However, if I were to crank up the power unnecessarily or use high-tier magic, it’s clear my Mana Circuit would break.
The damaged mana gates are slowly healing, but even after seven years, they haven’t fully recovered.
I really need to find some elixir or something. It’s just so inconvenient.
“Who on earth would do this?”
Only a select few, including my Master, know the secrets of my body. There’s no other conclusion than someone intentionally trying to mess with me…
“Stella, is something wrong? You look…”
Is the Shaman the culprit? No, considering her behavior until now, she hasn’t acted suspiciously at all.
…Well, it can’t be helped.
It doesn’t seem like I’ll need to use magic right now.
I’ll have to contact my Master later and ask for a new pendant. Until then, I should refrain from battling as much as possible.
*
The spacious Sparring Hall located in Aegis Academy was the place where Class A’s lesson would take place today.
“The final class will be a practice spar here in this Sparring Hall.”
At the teacher’s announcement, whispers erupted here and there.
I can’t believe I actually have to use it right away; this is a bit troublesome.
There was a strange blend of tension and anticipation among the students.
No matter how much you call it practice, aiming weapons and magic at each other and determining winners and losers… I just don’t get why they find that so enjoyable.
Including this fool next to me, who is practically glowing with excitement.
“Of course, this is how it goes at the academy…!”
Thud!
“Huh?!”
As I nudged Nova in the side, he looked at me with a confused expression, as if to say ‘Why did you hit me?’
“What? Why?”
“Why did you hit me?”
“Because your face was irritating.”
“…?”
“Everyone, please wear these bracelets.”
The teacher directed the assistant, who brought out a basket and distributed the bracelets to each student.
“These are magical tools modified from items in the Magic Tower. When you take a lethal hit, the shield will automatically activate.
Although it’s still unfinished, I’ll step in during dangerous moments, so don’t be too scared.”
“Wow, they can even create things like this at the Magic Tower.”
The Shaman seemed intrigued by the foreign object, fiddling with the bracelet and tapping it lightly.
“If I take one to Miyako later…”
“You might get chased by the Magic Tower for doing that?”
At this, the Shaman said it would be problematic, thought for a moment, and then smiled, turning to me.
“If that happens, will you come after me, Stella?”
Her eyes are scary. Why does she keep sticking to me?
“…I’ll just get one from the Magic Tower instead.”
“Thank you. Hehe.”
“You’re all from the same class. Aegis is an academy that requires practical experience. It would be beneficial for you to understand the skills and styles of your companions you’ll be fighting alongside.
Don’t just focus on your own fights; carefully observe the battles of the others. Any questions?”
When Shia raised her hand to ask a question, the teacher gestured for her to speak.
“How will the battles be conducted?”
“We will pair off and fight one-on-one. Simply choose someone you want to fight against.”
The teacher’s words prompted our classmates to glance at one another, sizing each other up.
Just then, Nova and I locked eyes, and I smiled.
“Wanna go against me?”
However, Nova shook his head vigorously and said,
“You? Why would I fight you?”
That’s just a bit harsh, isn’t it?
If it were Nova, I could share how my body is feeling to make it easier on him.
But right now, it’s a tough situation to find anyone to spar with.
Should I just say I’m not feeling well and back out?
At that moment, I noticed Nova approaching someone else.
Where’s he going?
*
“Wanna spar with me?”
“What?”
I approached the red-haired heroine, Scarlet, who was fiercely polishing her spear.
‘It’s necessary to fight her to clear the quest.’
Scarlet glanced at me, then huffed dismissively.
“You’re that nuisance from before—go away, I’m not interested.”
Huh? That’s not what I expected. I thought this battle-lover would definitely accept the challenge, but I’ve been completely ignored. This was unexpected.
Just when I was contemplating a provocation, a girl with sky-blue hair approached me, waving it in the air.
“Did you come? Fight me…”
“Please spar with me.”
Interrupting Scarlet, Siel directed her words toward me.
Scarlet’s completely ignored face has a rather amusing expression.
“What? Why are you challenging this guy?”
“The fight between you and me has already been settled. Don’t butt in, loser. So, what’s your answer?”
I never thought Siel would talk to me. Normally, I would be challenged by Scarlet instead.
At that moment, two quest windows popped up before me.
1. Spar with Scarlet
Reward for victory: Obtain one of Scarlet’s Unique Skills
Penalty for defeat: None
2. Spar with Siel
Reward for victory: Obtain one of Siel’s Unique Skills
Penalty for defeat: None
What? Even fighting Siel gives me a reward?
And not just a regular skill, but a Unique Skill?
I haven’t been able to use any of the Unique Skill-related techniques with my Copy ability so far, so the fact that I could obtain one is an enormous perk.
Unique Abilities are already considered cheat-level techniques from the start, being rated as high-tier skills.
Given the broken nature of my Copy ability, this reward is on a completely different level.
‘If it doesn’t matter who I choose…’
“Alright, I’ll accept.”
I accepted Siel’s challenge.
Seeing this, Scarlet seemed furious and clicked her tongue before storming off.
She headed straight to where two non-human beings were.
“Hey, vampire.”
“What is it, lizard?”
“I’m going to fight your pet; allow it.”
“Is that how you ask someone for permission? Still so barbaric… Anubis, what do you think?”
To Lucid’s question, Anubis simply smiled and replied.
“If Lord Lucid says so, I’ll comply.”
“Well, don’t be too lenient.”
“I’ve always wanted to experience the strength that earned you the name mad dog on the battlefield.”
Then, Anubis, with a friendly smile, assumed a stance with both hands raised.
“It’s an honor, Scarlet; please do your best.”
Is Scarlet going to fight that wolf? I hope she trashes him as much as possible.
“Looks like you’ve recovered from your injuries.”
“Ah… yeah, I’m quite sturdy, but what about you?”
“I was simply curious.”
“Curious?”
“I heard from Lucid that you used my technique?”
“Your technique? That was just a coincidence…”
“My technique isn’t something just anyone can use.”
At that moment, Siel’s aura sharpened.
“Who are you really? Are you connected to our family?”
…Did I overuse my techniques too much?
I’d only copied ice-type techniques to keep it plausible, but apparently, that only raised suspicion.
“If I win the match, it’s best for you to reveal everything.”
Siel said that and then walked away from me.
“…If this goes wrong, I might really get dragged into the family and interrogated.”
*
Seeing Nova talking to Siel from a distance, Shia turned to Stella.
“It seems like Nova has already made up his mind. Who are you going to fight, Stella?”
“Look at him hitting on girls again. This is why guys are so annoying; they should be tied up and locked away…”
“Stella?”
“Ugh! Why… why?”
Stella, who had been mumbling as if in prayer, suddenly turned wide-eyed and looked around in shock.
“No, Stella, you should start deciding on your sparring partner too.”
“Then let’s just have a match between the two of us.”
“Wait… what? No, I—”
“Shia said she’s going to spar with me.”
Saying that, Ariel appeared in front of them.
“Princess?”
“Haha… Sorry, Stella, I agreed to a bet with the princess.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
Then, Ariel winked at Stella and continued.
“By the way, Stella, there’s someone who wants to speak to you.”
A girl appeared behind Ariel, and they both recognized her.
“Ah, she’s the one from this morning who saved the Beastkin!”
“You?”
