Chapter 6
At last, one day until school starts.
Today, I've suspended my usual routine.
Instead of the running and weight training I've been focusing on to increase my strength, stamina, and agility stats, there's something else I need to do.
"...An application form for the Inter-year Exchange Competition?"
There's an administrative office in Olympia Academy's lecture building.
Even in < Song of Sword and Magic >, it's a place you must visit to participate in academic events. Usually, you need to submit a participation application here to enter events.
I was visiting for the same reason.
"Yes."
"Hmm. Student, your name was Herak, right?"
Rustle rustle─
The staff member flips through a roster marked [ Magic Department 2nd Year Students ]. Their hand, quickly scanning the pages, stops at my name.
The single word 'loser' written there is quite the critical hit.
"Student Herak. Um... I hate to say this, but wouldn't it be better to reconsider? It seems like it might be dangerous for you."
"It doesn't matter. Please accept it."
"Hmm..."
The staff member makes a troubled expression.
A phrase slightly hidden so I can't see it. I can guess what it might say.
'It probably says something like "scheduled for expulsion".'
The school administration wants to send me off without any trouble, but they're worried about potential accidents.
"I'll take full responsibility, so please let me participate. I know I'm at risk of expulsion anyway."
"Ah, ahaha. You already knew?"
"Don't worry about it. I'll handle it, so please accept the form."
"Haah. If you insist..."
I watch as the application form in my hand goes into the file.
With this, I've completed the first step in overcoming the crisis of expulsion.
With a satisfied smile, I turn to leave.
This time, instead of exercising my body as usual, I'm heading to a place to exercise my mind.
***
There are several facilities in the lecture building besides the administrative office.
Among them is a space for promoting students' academic progress. For example, there's a library.
Well, it's mostly Magic Department students who frequent it.
─Look at that. It's the loser, isn't it?
─It really is. Why did he come to a place like this? He can't do anything anyway.
─Maybe he wants to try something? I heard he's at risk of expulsion if things continue like this.
I can still hear murmurs from around me.
The air of disapproval towards me remains unchanged.
"Tsk tsk."
It's not right to discriminate against people like that. Uncultured fools.
But thanks to them, it's easier for me to read. As I approach a table, they quietly move away.
It feels like I've got my own private seat.
Thud!
The books in my hands make a loud noise as they hit the table.
It's a mountain of books that other mages wouldn't even dare to carry around.
"Phew."
This should be enough.
I sit down and pick up one book.
The title is [ Introduction to Elementology ].
'It's probably best to start with the books on the 2nd-year lecture list.'
It's not just the lectures I'll be taking.
The reason I brought so many books is to clearly distinguish what I know and what I don't.
'I can't rely solely on the information I got from <Song of Sword and Magic>.'
It's simple logic.
In the original work, various settings about this world are mentioned.
History, countries, regions, culture, and even magic.
But a setting guide alone can't substitute for all information.
Your practical scores weren't evaluated considering the Chairman's wishes, but even looking favorably, your written scores are in the upper-middle range, and you haven't shown any other notable achievements.
The Vice Chairman pointed out my written scores.
In other words, written scores are also something I need to improve.
However, I don't know how useful the information from <Song of Sword and Magic> will be.
So I needed to go through the books directly to distinguish what I know and what I don't.
For example, something like this:
────────────────
【Wind Gun】
※ Element: Wind
※ Rank: Low
※ Nature: Projectile
※ Casting Method
Raise your arm. Extend your index finger and thumb, curl the rest of your fingers, then...
────────────────
'This spell wasn't in the setting guide.'
It's a spell that appeared occasionally, but there was no information on how to cast it specifically.
But if it's included in the lectures I'll be taking, I should learn it.
That way, I can improve my written scores too.
Rather, the spells I'm confident in are special and powerful ones.
Like the "Eye of the Storm" that Irina used in the original work.
I'm good with such 'characteristic' information.
While I was classifying information by poring over books like this.
"Hello, Herak!"
Someone plopped down in the seat right in front of me.
A very friendly attitude compared to those who wouldn't even come near me.
Curious about who would take such an unusual action, I looked up.
Long cherry blossom-colored hair reaching down to the waist.
The side hair was slightly lifted, as if intentionally styled, which added a nice accent.
Among the delicate features, pink eyes gaze at me.
'Why is this person approaching me?'
I remembered who it was.
A character you often meet when taking the mage route.
It was Penel, the top student of the 2nd year in the Magic Department.
"Have you been well? I'm glad to see your face looks a bit brighter."
"Do you have business with me?"
"Fufu. Still playing hard to get, I see?"
The brightly smiling face is strangely familiar.
The way she addresses me doesn't feel awkward at all.
As if she's been through this situation many times.
'Did Herak know this person?'
Being such an insignificant extra, his relationships are unclear.
It wouldn't be surprising if he actually knew Penel, but.
It doesn't seem like they're friends either.
"I've heard a lot of rumors. They say you've been running around the entire academy these days?"
"...Who on earth is spreading these rumors?"
"Ufufu. When a mage is exercising so diligently, of course it becomes everyone's topic of conversation.
You know, you're really famous?"
"I'm not particularly pleased about that."
I'd rather not stand out and get targeted.
"Mm. But I'm kind of relieved? How should I put it, I was really worried because your usual self seemed like you might just dig a hole and disappear into it."
"......"
"Besides, you didn't really respond to what I said before, but now we're having such a good conversation. Ufufu."
'Something feels odd.'
It doesn't seem like she's acting this way because we're close.
But it's clear she has no small amount of goodwill towards me.
'...Could it be she's fallen for me?'
No, that can't be.
Let's stop with these adolescent delusions.
"You know, I... Someday you'll— Whoa!"
"Penel! I told you not to talk to him...!"
A hand grasps Penel's shoulder as she was about to continue speaking to me.
A woman in plain clothes, with high-prescription glasses and carelessly braided pigtails.
Who was she again... I can't remember her name. I think she was Penel's friend.
In terms of significance, she was an extra similar to Herak.
"Ah, wait, I haven't finished talking yet..."
"I told you it's better not to get involved! We'll get dirty looks too. Let's go now."
Penel's friend pulled her away, still grasping her shoulder.
Even as she was being dragged away by her friend's hand, Penel kept looking back at me with lingering attachment.
And then she gave me a wink, which makes it clear she likes me.
I really don't know why, though.
'She took her away nicely. Nice.'
Penel is a character who often gets entangled with Irina.
Even if she's not the protagonist, it's not good for her to show excessive interest in me.
I'm really grateful that her friend immediately pulled her away like that.
"Well then, shall we continue reading..."
The unexpected interruption is over.
I return to reading the book in my hands with proper posture.
I have a feeling I can complete all the work with just one day's investment.
'Somehow, it feels like my brain has been upgraded.'
In terms of specs, it seems like my intelligence is better than in my previous life.
It's probably thanks to the 【Ultimate Physique】, not Herak's.
Literally, as my body improved, my IQ improved too.
I could study with a much more relaxed mindset.
***
After finishing all the work and returning to my room in the dormitory.
I stared into space while lying on the bed.
────────────────
【Herak Leonhardt】
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Status: Olympia Academy 2nd Year Student
※Status
Strength: 1
Stamina: 1
Agility: 1
Mana Capacity: 10
Mana Efficiency: 10
Mana Sensitivity: 0
※Unique
【Ultimate Physique】 NEW!
────────────────
"I wonder how much is left until it rises to 2."
I need to raise it at least before the Inter-year Exchange Competition starts.
I don't know who my opponent will be, but to beat a Knight Department student, the physical cheat alone won't be enough. The basic weight class itself needs to support it for it to be possible.
"Moreover, the reasons for needing to win the Inter-year Exchange Competition have increased."
You can tell by the NEW! mark written in the Unique section.
────────────────
【Ultimate Physique】 NEW!
[Story Progression Reward]
※ Cheat Selection Options:
Strong Heart
Berserker
Golden Ratio
...
[Reward Claim Condition: Act 1 Chapter 4, Win the Inter-year Exchange Competition]
────────────────
"I'm not even the protagonist, why are they telling me to push the story?"
There's a bit of dissatisfaction, but it's an event I'd have to participate in anyway, even without the reward.
There's no reason to refuse when they're offering an additional cheat selection option on top of that.
"I don't know who my opponent will be, but."
I really want to give them the dishonorable title of a knight who lost to a mage in a feat of strength.
Like that guy named Jackson or whatever.
Maybe I'll meet him again at the Inter-year Exchange Competition.