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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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The next day, 7th period.
The first practical class of the first semester final course was magic power class.
However, unlike before, the location was a bit unusual.
-Gather at the basement level 1 of the main auditorium, in the gym, at the scheduled time.
Not the magic power training room, but the basement level 1 of the main auditorium.
In other words, the class would be held in the gym.
“Magic power class in the gym? I guess things are different starting from the finals?!”
“Yeah, seems so.”
While chatting with Im Gangcheol waiting for class to begin.
“Is everyone here?”
The instructor appeared.
He quickly checked attendance and immediately started the class.
“I think everyone has questions about having magic power class in the gym. The reason is simple.”
The instructor opened his mouth while pointing at the last course of the stat circuit training.
“It’s because the practical exam for utilizing magic power stats will be held right here, at the last course.”
Most students tilted their heads at this unexpected exam method.
Nevertheless, the instructor continued his explanation calmly.
“The difficulty level is F+, and unlike the midterm exam, the test will be conducted individually, not as a team. That means each individual must complete all four tracks.”
Sighs erupted from all around at the mention of individual assessment rather than team evaluation.
The reason was obvious.
‘Even with four people sharing the last course, it was overwhelming.’
As if anticipating such reactions.
“With the cadets’ current stat levels, not only high scores but even completion will be difficult.
However, if you add magic power stats, that is, mana utilization, the story changes.”
The instructor added further explanation.
“You fill the insufficient stats with mana utilization, in other words, physical enhancement. Then, completion is possible, and depending on your mana utilization proficiency, you can even achieve higher scores.”
Only then did it make sense.
“Of course, at this point, your mana amount will be severely lacking. You’ll barely be able to complete
the course, or perhaps fall short. However, don’t worry and focus on pacing and mana utilization.”
Then he added the reason.
“The very situation of utilizing mana during dynamic movements greatly helps in acquiring the sense needed for the 4th stage, Mana Road Formation.”
In other words, this class wasn’t simply aimed at preparing for the practical exam.
It also included preliminary preparation for the introduction to the 4th stage of the Mana Breathing Method, ‘Mana Road Formation.’
The instructor added one last comment.
“First, try without mana utilization. Familiarize yourself with an appropriate tempo that matches your level, and then think of using mana to fill in the deficiencies accordingly.”
With those words, the instructor directed the practical exercise.
As cadets began to move one by one.
“Let’s do this, Ilhan!”
“Yeah.”
I also lined up with my friends.
While waiting, I observed the practice of the cadets ahead.
As a result, I could feel the dramatically different difficulty level.
‘I guess it’s because one person has to do all four tracks alone.’
Most people progressed smoothly through the first track.
However, from the middle point of the second track, the situation changed.
Speed decreased, or they stopped momentarily to catch their breath.
Most people’s pace obviously dropped.
“This isn’t easy!”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Of course, there were some cadets who completed the course with just appropriate tempo control.
Yoon Seolha and others in the top tier were like that.
‘Out of a total of 400 points, roughly 240 to 250 points.’
While keeping their pace control timing and scores in my head.
“Next cadet, to position.”
My turn approached.
“Ilhan, confident?”
“Well, more or less?”
I answered casually to Im Gangcheol’s question.
After observing, I judged it was quite doable.
‘If pace control is the key, that skill will definitely help.’
The unexpected gift given last night.
It would be a great help in this class.
“Then begin.”
Following the instructor’s direction, I kicked off from the first track.
Thanks to consistently training my stats during the exam period, I was able to break through quickly.
When I reached the second track, I briefly recalled.
‘This is where they took a breath before continuing, right?’
The top-tier cadets had adjusted their tempo in advance.
Thanks to that, they didn’t stop in the middle or have their pace drop dramatically.
But.
Ta-dat-
Conversely, I slightly increased my tempo.
Yet, without stopping, I was able to maintain a pace similar to the beginning.
The secret was none other than the two skills acquired last night,
The first of which was [Recovery(D)].
-Recovery(D)
All types of rest effects increased by 2 times
Recovery(D), a skill that increased resting efficiency by 2 times.
The effect could be felt throughout my body and in the reactions of those around.
“How can he not take a single break…?”
“That’s An Ilhan, right? He definitely has something.”
“Wasn’t he in the top 20? I’ll have to keep an eye on him from now on.”
While most were amazed, some top-tier cadets showed vigilance.
And so, based on my recovery skill, I maintained my pace by resting as briefly as possible.
As a result.
“Oh, Ilhan! 220 points? You’ve got quite the stamina?!”
I was also able to complete the course safely.
‘Still not up to the top tier.’
220 points, the score was somewhat lower compared to the top tier.
It was because there was an absolute gap in stats.
Therefore, even with mana utilization later on, it would be hard to overturn the results under normal circumstances.
‘Under normal circumstances, that is.’
But now I no longer needed to worry about such issues.
More precisely, I could greatly reduce my worries.
The reason was the second skill given along with rest.
Thanks to [Growth(D)].
-Growth(D)
All types of training effects increased by 2 times
A 2-fold increase in training efficiency.
This effect would fill in my lacking qualities.
Moreover, only after seeing this skill did I realize the secret behind the shadow’s strange growth rate.
‘If that guy had a skill like this.’
Or if he had an even better effect, then his growth speed so far would make sense.
Unexpectedly, one question was answered, but conversely, my curiosity about his identity grew.
For now, I set it aside and organized my thoughts.
‘I’ve felt the effect of the recovery skill. As for the growth skill, well, there will be opportunities to confirm it anytime.’
There was no need to think about it urgently.
As I was settling on that.
“Now we will proceed with practice adding mana utilization. If you calculate the timing considering your previous pace, more effective utilization will be possible.”
The instructor moved on to the next progress.
A different kind of anticipation arose at his direction.
‘I wonder what changes there will be in mana utilization.’
The Mana Breathing Method that the shadow guy had been focusing on.
It was time to check the results.
After waiting for a while, just like before.
“Begin.”
My turn came.
I utilized mana as soon as I started.
The moment I breathed will into the mana accumulated in my body.
Kugugung-!
I felt a tremendous torrent.
“…!”
It was not just at the level of a flow.
At this point, it could be called a rapid current, or slightly exaggerating, a tsunami without any discrepancy.
Was that the cause?
Kudangtang-!
I ended up falling flat.
Like a sudden acceleration, I lost my body’s balance in an instant.
As everyone’s attention focused.
“Puhah, Ilhan! What are you doing!”
Im Gangcheol’s boisterous laughter pierced my ears.
But I didn’t even have time to care about such reactions.
I just murmured unconsciously with my mouth wide open.
“…what the hell did you do to my body.”
I was dumbfounded, but for now, I ran the track again.
At the same time, I thought to myself.
‘It’s too different…’
Compared to before, the mana amount, circulation speed, flow direction, even the sensation felt from mana.
Everything had changed drastically in every aspect.
Up to this point, it could truly be called a brilliant growth.
But perhaps as a recoil.
‘Can’t control it.’
Even after trying to utilize it more carefully once more, the result was similar.
Fortunately, I didn’t fall, but I staggered again.
‘This isn’t like an unbridled colt.’
Like a wild horse, I simply couldn’t control the torrent of mana racing through my body.
The mana flowed on its own through paths never traversed before, amplifying moment by moment.
‘Moreover, there’s something that keeps feeling strange about the mana.’
It felt hollow, yet within it, I could feel a power that was indescribable.
Amidst the difficulty in keeping up with the changes, there was one thing I could be certain of.
‘If only I could properly utilize this power.’
It would surely be a valuable gift.
But for now, it just felt like a homework.
‘Let’s try to control it as much as possible.’
With that resolve, I began to carefully utilize the mana.
….
Two hours later.
“Tomorrow’s practical class will be held in the magic power training room. The progress will be up to the theory and practice required for the introduction to the 4th stage of the Mana Breathing Method. Dismiss.”
As the first practical class after the midterm exam ended.
“Ilhan, let’s go eat dinner! Yoon Seolha, Cha Eunwol, you two come quickly too!”
Due to Im Gangcheol’s insistence, we immediately headed to the cafeteria.
Even while being dragged along, my mind was filled with one thought.
‘Why did the shadow guy accumulate such a tremendous amount of mana…?’
It was none other than mana utilization.
Despite grappling with it throughout the practical class, I couldn’t grasp even a fragment, let alone a clue.
Therefore, I couldn’t focus on the meal.
Was that why?
‘What’s the problem? It’s okay to circulate the mana itself…’
“…Ilhan!”
‘Then is the issue when strengthening the body?’
“Ilhan-!”
Only after Im Gangcheol’s voice thundered in my ears did I belatedly come to my senses.
“Back off, my ears hurt.”
“What are you thinking so deeply about! You’ve been strange today, during class time too!”
“What?”
“You were doing well at first, but from the middle, you kept staggering!”
“That’s, um…”
It was somewhat awkward to explain.
Just as I was trailing off, suddenly Cha Eunwol carefully opened her mouth.
“Um, Ilhan.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you also having trouble controlling your mana…?”
At her question, my eyes instantly widened.
“How did you know?”
“Ah, I knew it!”
She smiled brightly while.
“…Ilhan has already advanced that far.”
She murmured an inexplicable soliloquy.
“Cha Eunwol?”
“Um, huh? Oh, sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. More importantly, tell me how you knew.”
“Actually, I experienced a similar phenomenon right before the midterm exam. So I consulted with the instructor.”
“Really?”
“Yes, they said that mana control instability is a phenomenon that usually appears in the initial process of entering the 4th stage.”
At her answer, I nodded inwardly.
‘So it was the 4th stage after all. By the way, does this mean Cha Eunwol entered the 4th stage on her own…?’
Just as I was marveling at Cha Eunwol’s insane talent.
Yoon Seolha, who had been quietly listening, suddenly opened her mouth.
“Th, then, you two have already entered the 4th stage? How?!”
“Um, yes. More precisely, it’s the process right before entering. We haven’t learned the specific theory yet.”
At Cha Eunwol’s answer, Yoon Seolha continued with a look of disbelief.
“Even so, really, the talent of you two…”
You two…?
For some reason, Yoon Seolha looked at me too with a gaze as if seeing a monster.
At her shock, Cha Eunwol hurriedly waved her hands.
“N-no! I don’t have as much mana as Ilhan yet, so it’s not completely impossible for me to control.”
“?”
The nuance was somehow strange.
Following that, Cha Eunwol.
“…to have accumulated so much mana that control is impossible even before learning the 4th stage. Ilhan, you’re really amazing.”
She expressed pure admiration towards me.
Feeling burdened by the gaze of the two geniuses, I quickly opened my mouth.
“By the way, can you tell me about the instructor’s advice?”
“Oh right, sorry. So what they said was…”
Cha Eunwol began to explain the instructor’s advice.
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