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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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I’d been careless.
I hadn’t considered the existence of Horfin, the overly enthusiastic teacher who’d thrown a wrench in my plans. I’d never learned both Dragon Swordsmanship and the mana circuit method in the same turn, so I hadn’t accounted for this new variable.
‘That was close.’
I’d barely managed to pass it off. It wouldn’t have worked if I weren’t a naive freshman. A clueless newbie, driven by ambition.
Who knew being traitless would be so advantageous?
I’d cursed my lack of a trait countless times, but I hadn’t realized how helpful it would be for my early game build-up.
‘So…’
I wondered if I should wait a bit before revealing my (lack of) traits.
Egenir Talfon.
The insignificant son of a minor baron, striving to become stronger against all odds, hoping to at least maintain his family’s name through connections. It made sense for him to be greedy and learn multiple skills, despite being traitless.
Spenny, as a mage, wouldn’t approve, but…
“Teacher, about…”
I asked Spenny about the mana circuit method, questions taken directly from her future research paper.
She lit up, eager to explain.
It was like a veteran gamer explaining their favorite strategy to a newbie. She enthusiastically answered my questions, clearly thrilled to discuss the core principles of her future masterpiece.
“The circulation and balance of the four elements are crucial. The smaller circuits play a vital role. The main circuit transports the primary mana, while the smaller circuits circulate the mana that determines the attribute.”
“Ah, so that’s why you created these multiple branches?”
“Exactly. Combining attributes can cause unpredictable reactions, from synergy to explosive instability. Fire and wind, or water and lightning, can complement each other, but many dual mages have died from uncontrolled reactions.”
Spenny’s lecture continued without pause. It was the end of the first day, time to head back to the dormitory.
Many students crowded the academy front desk, looking for directions to their rooms, but…
‘I already know where it is.’
I didn’t need directions.
I half-heartedly listened to Spenny’s lecture, enjoying the mesmerizing sway of her breasts and hips.
[Attended Spenny’s class.]
[Spenny’s personal instruction bonus: Magic Skill development greatly increased.]
[Magic Skill level increased to 3.]
[Learned basic magic spell: Mana Arrow.]
[Mana Arrow acquired.]
[Increased probability of inheriting Spenny’s Elemental trait.]
The notifications brought a smile to my face.
Cecilia’s affinity had risen to a concerning 37.
Spenny’s was currently at 21.
The increasing affinity and magic level from the lecture filled me with satisfaction.
[Spenny’s affinity increased by 8.]
[Completed Spenny’s Mana Circuit Method lecture.]
[Magic Skill level increased.]
[Magic Skill level increased to 4.]
[Select an attribute magic.]
‘No.’
[New magic cannot be learned without selecting an attribute. Please select an attribute.]
Spenny didn’t know, but I’d already walked this path. I could achieve tremendous growth just by retracing my steps.
Simply by learning Spenny’s mana circuit method, my magic skill had jumped back to level 4.
And at level 4…came the dreaded choice.
‘No matter what I choose…’
…as a traitless person, I couldn’t achieve a pinnacle.
Without Cecilia’s Salamander trait, or at least a common fire-attribute trait, it was impossible. That’s why Spenny’s Elemental trait was so crucial. It would allow me to achieve pinnacles in all attributes.
“Thank you, Teacher Spenny.”
She looked relieved, as if she’d finally shared her knowledge with someone who understood. It was just a lecture on the mana circuit method, but she seemed satisfied to have someone to discuss her future magnum opus with.
She wanted to shout it from the rooftops.
‘I get it.’
I understood her excitement.
Creating a mana circuit method named after her was like winning the lottery for a mage. It was akin to a scientist winning a Nobel Prize. Sharing her secret with someone would create a bond stronger than with any other mage.
[Spenny’s affinity increased by 3.]
‘This is heaven. This is so good.’
Spenny’s affinity was now at 31.
Still lower than Cecilia’s, but…it was easier to raise affinity with younger girls.
Spenny, having lived among cunning mages, was more mature, but also more difficult to approach.
I was confident I could max out Cecilia’s and Ella’s affinity faster than Spenny’s, although Ella would be a bit tougher.
‘I couldn’t have done this without my clueless student act.’
If I were just another mage, she would never have shared her secrets, fearing I’d steal her research. But now, her carefully guarded knowledge had come pouring out.
I was already fantasizing about undoing her bra and panties, touching her breasts and ass…
“Egenir.”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to publish my mana circuit method soon.”
I’d been waiting for her to say that.
‘There it is.’
She thought I’d helped her, so her next concern was obvious.
‘Co-researcher.’
She was agonizing over whether to include my name.
“Oh, congratulations, Teacher!”
I seized the opportunity for more physical contact, grabbing her hands and acting like an excited child.
“Teacher Spenny, you’re going to be so famous!”
“O-Oh? F-Famous?”
“Yes! You will be!”
My bright eyes and youthful enthusiasm made her heart race.
‘Like a little angel.’
To Spenny, I, the young, handsome student who helped her complete her research paper, was a gift from heaven. If I’d told her my actions were divinely inspired, she’d probably join a cult.
“So, Egenir, what do you think about being listed as a co-researcher?”
She wasn’t asking out of greed.
She was concerned about the potential backlash I’d face.
‘She’s worried about me.’
I chuckled inwardly, pretending to consider her offer.
Egenir, the hick from a minor barony, as her co-researcher? There would be accusations of bribery and scorn from the other magic students.
Most of the magic students were here hoping for sponsorship offers from the Magic Towers.
Noble families had their own resources, but a sponsorship offer could significantly elevate their social standing. Nobles needed sponsors appropriate to their status, and commoners needed sponsors within their reach.
If someone received too many offers, regardless of their achievements, the established noble families would find ways to sabotage them.
That was the reality of this academy.
‘That’s why I usually studied alone.’
The moment I received a recommendation or a letter of introduction from a renowned alchemist, the sponsorship offers would exceed what a minor baron should receive, leading to targeted harassment from the established student circles.
I’d be screwed.
Seeing Spenny’s worried expression, I gave her the answer I’d already prepared.
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“Well?”
I opened the door to my dorm room to find a muscular guy, much more built than his youthful face suggested, lying on the lower bunk.
“You my roommate?”
This guy could be either an asset or a liability. I already knew his name.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Egenir. Egenir Talfon.”
“Yeah, I heard about you.”
He already knew who I was.
“You went up against the Royal Nobles, huh?”
He’d heard about my crazy act with the pig noble.
Freshmen were always interested in gossip, and the story of a nobody from a minor barony befriending Cecilia, using Dragon Swordsmanship, and then going off on a noble must have spread like wildfire.
“I like interesting people.”
He was a swordsman, and his name was…
“Shelton. Commoner, despite appearances.”
He’d enrolled in the academy, hoping to climb the social ladder and receive a sponsorship offer through his swordsmanship.
Dormitory assignments were usually based on social status…
‘So the Talfon family is no different from commoners.’
I shook Shelton’s hand.
‘Fuck…’
I remembered him, on the verge of death, standing his ground against the Balrog. I’d told him to run…but the bastard stood firm, sword in hand, shouting,
[Come at me!!!!]
Crazy bastard. He was completely insane. Even when we were all about to die.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, let’s do our best, fellow swordsmen.”
I’d used Dragon Swordsmanship during class.
The story of a freshman wielding high-level Dragon Swordsmanship against the future Hero, Ella, must have reached the aspiring swordsmen.
“So, why were you late?”
“Just had some questions.”
“Impressive. You learned Dragon Swordsmanship and still had time for questions?”
I simply nodded, avoiding mentioning Spenny’s mana circuit method, and climbed onto the upper bunk.
“Let’s be friends!”
I’d never shown off Dragon Swordsmanship before, nor had I become the talk of the town after swordsmanship class. Shelton’s friendly approach was a first.
‘Wasn’t he usually wary of me in previous turns?’
He was a commoner assigned to the same room as a baron, and he usually kept his distance, busy with his own affairs. But the two incidents – Dragon Swordsmanship and the confrontation with the Royal Nobles – seemed to have earned his respect.
I hadn’t checked his affinity since he wasn’t a girl, but judging by his friendly demeanor…
‘The commoner swordsmanship circle will approach me.’
Various student circles would be recruiting during the first week, and the commoner and regional noble factions would likely reach out.
‘Cecilia.’
She was the leader of the regional noble and commoner faction.
‘I need to be more careful.’
I buried my face in my pillow, satisfied with a productive day, and drifted off to sleep.
It was a rare feeling of contentment before sleep in this hellish academy.
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