Chapter 51

In the classroom, while listening to the lesson, I thought about the duel between Anne and Clanel.

One hurdle has been overcome, but if we continue to fight as we are, the situation where Anne will lose first won't change. After the duel, while training Anne, I compared Clanel and Anne's skills, and my frustration grew stronger. I might need to expand my efforts a bit more.

"Souji, are you thinking about something? Is my lesson boring for someone called a genius?"

The elderly instructor, who teaches magical theory, spoke to me with an unhappy face.

Basic lessons are taught by the female instructor, Nakita, but for specialized subjects, a different instructor is assigned.

Magical theory is taught by the elderly instructor, Foz.

If asked if it's boring, I can't help but say it is.

After all, to me, it's nothing but a collection of errors, childish, and outdated.

"That's not the case. I'm listening properly."

Of course, I can't say it's boring, so I smile cheerfully.

Still, I failed. If it were the usual me, I would at least pretend to listen. To be pointed out by the instructor means I was daydreaming.

It seems I'm more concerned about Anne than I imagined.

"Hmm, if that's the case, solve this problem. It's about optimizing a magical formula. If you've been listening to my lessons, you should be able to solve it."

The elderly instructor, Foz, wrote a problem on the blackboard and beckoned me.

The problem on the blackboard is to eliminate the waste in an existing magical formula and reduce the number of steps to activate it.

The formula given has about twenty steps and is a magical formula to create light to illuminate the surroundings.

"Understood. I'll start right away."

This is probably a problem not intended to be solved. At least, it's not something covered in class.

Solving it is easy. The problem is that I need to provide an answer at a level the elderly instructor can understand.

If I make it as efficient as possible, it would be about five lines. But I'll deliberately use only simple formulas, making it longer but easier to understand.

"How about it, Instructor?"

I wrote a magical formula on the blackboard, reducing the twenty steps to ten.

While looking at the students' faces, I tested their understanding of the formula. In this classroom, most of them couldn't even understand this structure.

"It's no good. I've never seen such a formula. You just wrote it randomly. It's out of the question. Besides, you were supposed to optimize it, but you cut out the essential parts. This won't even activate. Your spear skills might be good, but your magic is still lacking."

The instructor laughed mockingly, clearly delighted.

He didn't understand even though I wrote it as kindly as possible.

It's pointless to consider someone so incompetent.

"I see, Instructor. Then let's do an experiment. Lyle, use this formula."

Doing it myself or having my friends Kuna and Anne execute it wouldn't mean much.

If I assign it to him, who has a competitive spirit against me, it would be better. The fourth-ranked student isn't the type to intentionally fail, and he understands the formula, so it should be fine.

"Hmph, you're calling on me. Alright."

When the fourth-ranked student executed the magical formula written on the blackboard, a bright light appeared at the tip of his fingers.

I not only shortened the steps but also improved the efficiency of mana conversion and amplified the effect. No matter how much he complains, the results speak for themselves.

Envious eyes from the entire class were directed at me.

"...Well, it's... qualified."

"Thank you."

"That, that was... I said it on purpose to make you do a practical test. I knew it was optimized."

The elderly instructor made excuses one after another, even though no one asked.

"I understand. There's no way you wouldn't understand the formula I wrote. I'll return to my seat."

"Sure, go ahead. But you seem to lack concentration in class, so be careful."

"I'm sorry."

I returned to my seat, feeling self-loathing for what I did.

◇

"Souji, you looked cool when you put that instructor in his place."

As soon as the class ended, Kuna and Anne ran over.

Since this was the last class of the day, other students were leaving.

A few asked me to teach them magic.

"Stop it, Anne. I'm feeling self-loathing and want to die right now."

"Reflect, Souji. You're making unnecessary enemies again."

Anne tilted her head, but Kuna nodded in agreement.

"Why? Souji's formula was beautiful, and the instructor was wrong."

"True, but I intended to finish it at a level the instructor could understand. However, the instructor's level was lower than I imagined, causing a commotion. This is my mistake for misjudging his ability."

I wrote the formula thinking it would be easy for even a monkey to understand, but in reality, it was only at a cat's level. If I had written it at a cat's level, there wouldn't have been a problem.

"Then, the second failure was getting heated up after being told I failed. I shouldn't have embarrassed the instructor there. I should have accepted it. Now, he's definitely my enemy. Making the instructor an enemy won't bring any good."

"True. He definitely holds a grudge. We might face subtle harassment later."

"Also, it's not good for the instructor to be looked down upon by our classmates. The class's concentration in magic lessons might drop, and the gap with the noble class might widen."

I feel frustrated with my immaturity.

I need to grow up more.

"You think about so much, Souji. I can barely manage my own affairs."

"Well, let's forget about it. Anne, Kuna. This is the third day of classes. We'll be exploring the underground labyrinth starting tomorrow."

"Yes! We'll boost our ranks quickly!"

"Right. We need to work hard. Clanel's skills have improved more than I imagined."

This week has been busy.

On the first day, Clanel challenged me, and on the second day, we had a duel. I thought things would calm down, but the third day ended.

We'll be challenging the underground labyrinth for the next four days.

"Anyway, I plan to push myself quite hard from today until Anne's duel in two months. I think you understand from watching my battle with Clanel that he's strong. At this point, Anne and Clanel's skills are almost equal. It's impossible to bridge the rank gap. At the very least, she needs to reach Rank 2 to even have a chance."

Anne and Kuna swallowed hard.

They must have realized the truth of my words after watching my battle with Clanel. I accepted the duel for that reason.

"The Rank 2 senior I defeated at the opening ceremony is called a genius in this school. Before entering, he had significantly improved his rank, and even then, he barely reached Rank 2. You can understand how difficult it is to reach Rank 2 in two months, right?"

Honestly, I wanted six months.

Securing the necessary magic stones is one thing, but to reach Rank 2, you need more than just magic stones. You need to gain combat experience and hone your skills.

"Souji, does that mean you're giving up?"

"No. I'm asking you to endure quite risky exploration. We'll have to cut some safety margins."

In this world, where dying means everything ends, I've always maintained a significant safety margin. Since coming here, I've increased it even more.

To reach Rank 2, we need to cut those margins.

Anne looked between me and Kuna.

If it were just me, I would have accepted the risky exploration. However, it would put Kuna and me in danger, and she's concerned about that.

"Souji, I'm all for it. I want to get stronger as soon as possible. Even without Anne, I want to be strong enough to resist if my brother comes to take me back."

Kuna declared firmly.

"I feel the same. I want to get stronger as soon as possible. If I stay weak, I can't protect what's important to me."

Indeed, risky exploration is dangerous. However, prioritizing safety and growing slowly also carries risks. Staying weak for a long time is, in a sense, dangerous. Getting stronger quickly is also effective in terms of safety.

"Souji, Kuna... thank you. I want to get stronger. I want to be as strong as anyone. So, let's risk our lives together, Souji, Kuna."

Anne bowed energetically. Kuna and I laughed together.

"Don't bow for every little thing."

"Right. We're the 'Tail of the Magic Sword.'"

Sharing hardships and risking our lives for our friends—that's what a true party is.

"Also, on days we don't explore the dungeon, I want to be more creative."

"Souji is already training us, right?"

"Yeah, after training, I'll add another schedule. I intended to propose this after we got closer, but it's a long-term plan, and we need to start now to be ready for the duel."

I said this while taking out a needle made of mithril, about 0.5mm in diameter and 10cm long.

"Acupuncture. I'll use this to correct Anne's magic circuit over two months and improve the circulation efficiency of her magic."

"Correcting the magic circuit? Is that possible? I heard that the circulation of magic is a matter of talent, and no amount of effort can change it."

Anne looked shocked.

It's understandable.

During the execution of magic, magic circulates through the body's magic circuit. There's some waste in this process, varying from person to person.

If the circuit's performance is poor, resistance increases, and the magic power diminishes. The activation of magic is delayed, and it can even damage the body.

Everyone wants to circulate magic smoothly.

If you can do it, you'll consume less magic power than others and activate magic faster. However, reality is harsh. It depends on the innate magic circuit, and effort can't change it.

"Anne, why are you surprised? It's Souji. Forget about common sense. If I say it's possible, it is."

As expected, Kuna understands well.

"Amazing. If you can do that, we can reach a higher level."

Anne excitedly took my hand and shook it.

I'm glad she's happy.

"But, Souji, if you can do something so amazing, why haven't you done it before?"

"Well, that's..."

It's a bit difficult to say, especially since I was recently criticized for a similar issue.

"...Because I need to see you naked. I need to insert magic into the acupuncture points with the needle. It's a delicate operation. I need to see both the flow of magic and the body. Even a thin layer of cloth can cause errors, and if I fail, I might damage the magic circuit. I intended to do this only after building a relationship where you feel comfortable showing me."

The acupuncture points are mostly in very sensitive areas, like the top of the thighs or below the heart.

Naturally, it's embarrassing.

"Souji, you're not just pretending, right? You can't do it without seeing, right?"

"100% impossible. As I said, if I fail, I might damage the magic circuit. I don't want to lower the success rate by even 1%."

"At least, can I wear underwear?"

"Being constricted can subtly distort the flow of magic. It's better not to wear anything. Inserting the needle is delicate, and a 1mm error can be fatal."

Kuna's face turned red, and she trembled.

Anne's face was also red, and she looked down, gripping my sleeve and whispered.

"Souji, I'm asking you. If it's you, I'm okay with being seen."

That's Anne's resolve.

Then, as a man, I must respond to it.

"Understood. Anne. I'll respond to your courage. ...What about you, Kuna?"

Kuna, who was addressed, trembled and her fox ears stood up.

"Are we going to even more dangerous places?"

"Yes, to reach Rank 2, we need to fight dangerous monsters."

"Ugh, if that's the case, I need to get stronger. If I refuse, I'll be a burden to everyone, but it's embarrassing."

Kuna's eyes spun, and she clutched her head.

"Kuna, if you really don't want to, you can refuse. You're strong, after all."

"Ugh... I've decided. Please do it for me too."

Her eyes showed determination.

"I don't want to regret not doing what I can when the time comes. So, Souji, please. But, don't look at me with a perverted gaze. It's just treatment, okay?"

"Of course."

Kuna, with a red face, approached me.

She looked unexpectedly cute.

"Don't take off my clothes and say, 'Hehehe, first, I'll insert my thick needle,' and then attack me!"

"Kuna, let's talk about this later. What do you think I am?"

While I do have some faults, this is too much.

I chuckled and then spoke.

"Anyway, I promise. I'll see you both naked, but I won't look at you with a perverted gaze."

I promised them.

At least, I'll try not to show it on the surface.

Let's see how much I can control myself.