Chapitre 4: Mana Mastery

The opening ceremony of the Magic Academy was a grand affair.

"Welcome, everyone, to our prestigious academy. We hope you'll strive to improve yourselves and make the most of your time here."

It was a typical speech, nothing out of the ordinary. Even the introductions by the teachers were routine. I learned my homeroom teacher's name was Samantha, though the academy rules didn't require surnames—skill in magic was all that mattered here.

The academic lessons were familiar territory. I had already covered most of the topics, so it was just review. But during the practical sessions, I discovered something unexpected: mana circulation wasn't a skill every magician could master. While the textbooks suggested it was essential for high-level magic, they failed to mention that only elite mages could perform it proficiently. When I demonstrated my high-speed circulation, the instructor was stunned. I kept my advanced techniques—like compressed circulation or pump-based acceleration—hidden for now. The connection between compression and Death was too dangerous to reveal.

Karina was also at the academy, though she avoided me. I never saw her with Plink either. She was caught between us, no doubt. I silently promised myself that I'd get her back soon.

After classes, I unpacked my things in the dormitory. Students were required to live on campus, supposedly to teach us independence, though most nobles kept servants nearby. I, however, had no one but Phantom, who returned to the city each night.

I decided to explore the marketplace, specifically looking for a defensive magic tool. Phantom guided me to a small, dingy magic shop in the lower town. It reminded me of a junk shop from back home, where treasures lay hidden beneath heaps of clutter.

"Got any magic tool that can neutralize any enemy?" I asked the shopkeeper.

"Something like that... Let me see..." The old man rummaged through a box of trinkets.

"Here it is. But be warned—it doesn't store its own mana. It pulls directly from the user, adjusting power based on the enemy's strength."

"Meaning if I use it against a dragon, it'll drain all my mana and kill me?"

"Exactly. It's only effective against enemies weaker than you."

"Is strength measured purely by mana reserves?"

"Yes."

I smiled. With Mana Absorb, my mana supply was limitless. I had nothing to fear.

The device looked like a stun gun, likely delivering electric shocks.

"How much?"

"One large silver coin."

Cheap.

After purchasing the tool, I threw Phantom a gold coin as thanks for his recommendation.

"Appreciate it, boss," he said, catching the coin with a grin.

"You're not into guys, right?" I asked, more out of habit than suspicion.

"Not in the slightest."

"Good. I respect personal choices, but I prefer to avoid misunderstandings."

"Got it, boss. I'll warn you if anyone with... interests comes around."

We shared a chuckle and moved on to the next shop—one specializing in monster lures. The place was filthy, with the floors covered in a black, greasy film that looked toxic.

"What kind of monster are you hoping to attract?" the old shopkeeper asked, a mischievous grin on her face.

"I need something valuable."

"Wolves for fur, orcs for meat?" she suggested.

"Too weak. I need something stronger."

The grin vanished from her face.

"I have a lure for A-rank monsters. It attracts ogres, but using it could get you killed."

"Let me worry about that."

"Gold coin, then."

"Deal."

The lure would come in handy when I went ogre hunting.

"Do you have a universal antidote?" I asked.

"If I did, I'd be richer than the king," the shopkeeper scoffed.

"So the only option is an elixir, huh?"

"That's the dream. But with the way you carry yourself, it might not be impossible."

"I'm probably the strongest person in this country," I replied with a grin.

The woman chuckled. "I believe you."

With my errands complete, I left the shop and wandered the outskirts of the city, hoping for a fight. However, the roads were clear—monsters had been driven away by patrols to ensure safe travel. I had no interest in trekking through the thick forest, so I stayed on the main path.

"Hey, hey, hey..." A bandit stepped out from the shadows, grinning wickedly.

"Phantom," I called, and he materialized by my side.

The bandit cursed. "A bodyguard? Damn it."

I smiled coldly. "No problem killing bandits, right?"

"None at all," Phantom confirmed. "Hanging's the usual punishment for their kind."

"Good."

I activated Death. The bandit clawed at his throat, gasping, before collapsing lifelessly.

"That's the legendary death magic?" Phantom whispered in awe. "Glad I'm on your side."

"Can you store the body in your magic storage?"

"Of course."

The dead bandit was worth five gold coins. Not bad for a day's work. Killing him didn't bother me—whether it was a bandit or a monster, they were all the same. Anything that saw me as prey was an enemy.

If goblins ever showed me kindness, I'd treat them as equals. But bandits and monsters? No mercy.

Back at the academy gates, the guards panicked when they saw me.

"It's him! He's alive!"

They slammed the gates shut. It seemed they hadn't expected me to return.

Moments later, Plink and my father arrived.

"Plink, I heard you died," I said with a smirk.

"Not quite," he muttered. "We ran into some trouble, but we made it out."

Father cleared his throat. "We've already informed the Kakurdo family."

Karina's family.

"They want Karina to marry Plink, now that they believe you're dead," Father explained.

"And you agreed?"

"We had no choice. Plink refused to reverse the engagement."

So, the little rat had been after Karina all along.

"Father," I said calmly, "I've mastered Mana Transfer. It's a legendary spell."

"Show me."

Reluctantly, I grasped his hand and transferred mana into him.

After measuring the mana flow, Father nodded. "Impressive, but it's the magic of a saint—not suitable for a man."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

"As compensation, you'll be admitted to the magic academy. You're a year behind, but we'll say it was due to illness."

I had no real interest in the academy. My focus was on reclaiming Karina. But if excelling here was the key to winning her back, I'd do it.

That night, I wrote Karina a letter, promising to return for her and stop the engagement. "Deliver this," I told Phantom.

"With pleasure, boss."

As Phantom disappeared into the night, I continued honing my skills. I practiced manipulating mana without physical contact, preparing for the challenges ahead.

Soon, I'd be ready. I'd dominate the academy, crush anyone in my way, and reclaim what was rightfully mine.

Armed with Death and Mana Transfer, I was unstoppable.

commentaire Commentaire 1

Voter

ENVOYER LE CADEAU

Load failed, please RETRY