Chapter 30
Another day like any other.
I'm consistently exercising with the goal of raising my stats as much as possible before the duel with Apollon.
As I sit by the lake after finishing today's workout, cooling off, Isolet asks me.
"I heard the news. You're going to duel with Senior Apollon, right?"
"Yeah. Why, are you getting interested too?"
"Of course. How could I not be interested in your actions? It's the proper duty of your disciple."
...No, that's not the kind of answer I was looking for.
I thought she'd just cheer me on or say she wanted to watch to help improve her skills.
I didn't expect her to openly express her interest in me...
"But Senior Apollon's skills are real. As someone from the same department, I occasionally get to see him, and he's truly worthy of being the top student."
"Well, that's true. I think it won't be easy for me either."
"Still, I'm reassured. Senior Apollon's physique is no match for yours, Senior Herak."
"Huh?"
What's this about now?
There's no way Apollon's stats could be inferior to mine, right?
As I ask with my gaze what she means, Isolet explains with a gentle smile.
"I'm very interested in the human body. I have a good eye, so I can see well how excellent the potential is."
This is a script that appears occasionally in <Song of Sword and Magic>.
The Knight Department students Isolet meets sometimes receive her physical evaluation, which is quite accurate and often baited players.
So it works here too.
"Really? How do I compare to Apollon?"
"Senior Apollon is first and foremost a vessel of an ordinary genius. He's someone who can have a body superior to ordinary people with just moderate effort."
"Oh. Then what about me?"
"Senior, you..."
I wonder what evaluation I, who has 【Ultimate Physique】, will receive.
I urge her to answer with quite an expectant look.
"Actually, I couldn't feel anything."
"Eh?"
This is quite different from what I expected.
"I couldn't grasp your potential, possibilities, or growth potential at all. It's the first time this has happened even after holding hands."
"That's quite a mood killer."
"No. Rather, that's why I'm drawn to you, Senior."
...That's quite a dangerous choice of words. Should I be careful?
"There's no body that my insight hasn't been able to uncover until now. But I couldn't figure you out, Senior. ...This means you have infinite potential that even I can't comprehend."
"Hmm. Thanks for the compliment."
The physical cheat certainly seems to have shaken Isolet's heart.
I received an evaluation she didn't even give to the Chairwoman.
"So I'm not worried. Of course, it won't be an easy fight."
"That's true."
As Isolet says, with the correction from the physical cheat, hand-to-hand combat should be possible even with my stats.
However, that alone isn't enough to surpass Apollon's combat power.
A more certain method.
I'll need a technique.
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【Twelve Star Cloud Fist】
Fist: Element Infusion (Undetermined state)
[Acquisition Condition: When 'Elemental Magic' is understood]
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'This needs to happen soon.'
I've gotten the hang of it since Angelina's assistance last time.
Even now, I can make sparks fly or scatter ice near my arm.
But that's not 'magic'.
'I need to realize magic that only I can use.'
In a way, it's magic exclusive to Battle Mage.
But for me, unfamiliar with the concept of magic, the idea of creating my own magic is quite foreign.
I wish someone could give me advice...
"Do you have something on your mind?"
"Yeah. I've been trying to create a magic recently, but. I can't quite get the hang of it. It's difficult to do alone."
"Hmm. You mean Battle Mage? Then it would certainly be difficult to help."
"That's right. There's no suitable advisor..."
Most magicians in this world follow existing magic.
There's a reason why the Academy is startled and trembling at my Battle Mage.
They've long forgotten the act of creating new magic, which is why I'm so surprising to them.
"...Hmm. A magician who could help Senior... As someone from the Knight Department, I'm not sure."
"It's okay. Don't worry too much about it."
"Or, how about Irina? As she's also your disciple, she might provide at least a clue. I've been talking with her often recently, and she seemed to want to meet you."
"Well, she's probably similar too... No."
My mind suddenly clears from the words I was about to brush off.
'Irina Eletal.'
She, the protagonist of the mage route, is one of the top three genius magicians in <Song of Sword and Magic>.
Although she hasn't bloomed yet, she still has sufficient potential now.
If it's her...
'She could certainly be helpful.'
"Thanks, Isolet. I should go."
"Are you going to Irina?"
"Yeah. After hearing what you said, I think Irina might be the solution."
I stand up and wave my hand.
As I greet her with a bit of gratitude, Isolet smiles gently.
"Fufu. I'm envious. Irina receiving Senior Herak's will. As someone from the Knight Department, I don't have such opportunities."
"No, you're already plenty helpful. Don't be so hard on yourself."
"Then please remember. That it was me who came up with this idea."
...Isolet, do you perhaps feel competitive towards Irina?
Judging by her tone, it somehow seems that way... It's very awkward.
I don't know why she's burning with such competitive spirit over me.
"Anyway. I got it. See you later."
"Yes. Until next time."
*
Irina Eletal, top student of the 1st year Magic Department.
Just for that, some might feel envy, or even jealousy.
But for her, it hasn't been a good modifier at all lately.
Rather, she wants to throw away such a position.
In other words, it's stressful.
"I'm disappointed, Irina."
Flinch, her body trembles at the sigh-mixed tone that pierces her ears.
Irina, true to her usually high pride, tried her best not to show it.
Nevertheless, she couldn't avoid her head bowing.
"Not winning the Inter-year Exchange Competition, that can happen. I'll forgive that, really, giving you a hundred passes."
"......"
"But... I absolutely cannot forgive the word that you seem to be on good terms with the top student of the Knight Department."
Tap!
The teaching stick hits the desk.
Digory, the 1st year guidance instructor of the Magic Department, had a very displeased expression.
The corners of his mouth were twisted as he sat Irina in front of him.
"What on earth happened? Explain."
"No. That's..."
"It would be better to tell the truth. If you dare defend the Knight Department in front of me, I don't know what I might do."
The title of 'lamb' he used during the entrance exam is nowhere to be seen.
Truly hammering the clear hierarchical relationship as a guidance instructor into Irina's skin, Digory continued tapping the teaching stick.
Yes.
Irina hated this attitude of Digory.
No, to be honest, she hated this trend in the Magic Department.
'Why are they so desperate to fight? Really.'
What's wrong with being friendly with a mere Knight Department student?
It's not like she particularly liked that girl called Isolet.
She just made an acquaintance during the Inter-year Exchange Competition and had some conversations, that's all.
That rumor spread and reached Digory's ears, and now she's being scolded here.
'It's annoying. Seriously.'
What does it matter to you what I do?
Who I become friends with or not.
The pride of the Magic Department or whatever, I'm sick to death of it, really.
"Nothing to say?"
...She can't say that to this damn four-eyes, so Irina bowed her pride deeply and apologized.
"I'm sorry. Next time, I won't acknowledge knowing them even if we meet."
"You've thought well. That's fitting for the representative of the Magic Department and the 1st year I guide."
It's annoying. Do you think I'll really do that?
I'll try even harder to acknowledge them when you're not watching!
"...Well, that's enough. It's about time to feed Hilary."
"Hilary?"
"This snake."
What kind of unfunny naming sense is that.
Digory opens the door of a cage near the desk.
Inside, a baby snake with secretions dripping from its scales was wriggling, which was disgusting just to look at.
Digory smiled in a way that didn't suit him, as if that snake was very lovable.
Then he opened a nearby envelope and threw in a worm.
Chomp!
He muttered with satisfaction as he watched the snake called Hilary eat it in one bite.
"As expected, Hilary. There's no one but you."
"......"
Strange naming and unlikeable affection.
But this was also a habit of summoners.
'Digory is also a summoning instructor after all.'
Summoners, magicians who control and summon monsters and such.
Among them, Digory, who was particularly skilled, was famous for giving affection to his familiars.
I didn't know he'd give strange names like Hilary though...
"Alright. You may go now."
"Yes."
I don't want to be here for even a moment longer.
Irina left the instructor's office, inwardly cursing Digory intensely.
Her footsteps are heavy.
She originally entered with high hopes, but once inside, it's full of annoying and irritating things.
She's so stressed that she wants to just return to the Magic Tower.
'Are there only people here crazy about department competition?'
If there are exceptions, maybe Ruby or Sapphire?
Except for those kids, everyone else is the same.
...No, there was one more person.
A man with dull blonde hair.
With a physique that stands out unusually for a magician.
A senior who often fights with the Knight Department, but doesn't go around slandering them.
Herak.
'Would that senior have been different?'
I heard he was maliciously attacked before a duel recently.
It seems he repelled it.
Yet he didn't use it to slander his opponents himself, so the students are busy praising his character.
"...I'd like to meet him once."
I want to ask directly.
What do you think about the Knight Department?
Do you hate them for blocking your path?
What do you think about other magicians' hatred for the Knight Department?
If only I could...
"Hey. Irina."
"Wah?!"
Goodness!
Lost in thought, I couldn't distinguish my surroundings.
Speak of the devil, Herak was suddenly leaning against the wall in the corridor over there.
"Have you been well?"
"W-What's the matter? Do you have business with me?"
"Yeah."
His answers are still simple and clean as ever.
I thought about how to respond for a moment, but it doesn't seem necessary.
'This is what I wanted.'
I should ask now.
"Okay. I actually had something to discuss with you too."
"I see. Then let's change location."
Irina follows with quick steps as Herak pulls her hand, telling her to follow him.
As they were about to leave for a café to talk, Herak suddenly muttered as if he just remembered something.
"...Hey. But, no, right?"
"What?"
"Isolet is already too interested in me, you know. It'd be troublesome if you're like that too."
"W-What, what nonsense are you talking about?! Why would I?!"
"You just said you wanted to meet me once. I heard it all."
"T-That's...!"
...No, you heard that too?!
How lost in thought was I to say such things to myself?!
"N-No, it's not like that! It's not you!"
"Then what's the business you said you had with me?"
"Well, that's... Ugh, fine, think what you want!"
"Geez. Alright, alright."
Flushed cheeks.
Irina raises her voice to hide her embarrassment.
Herak shook his head at her behavior, but Irina's pounding heart wouldn't calm down easily.
It was the innocence of a woman who hadn't yet noticed her own feelings.