Chapter 3: Endless Effort (2)
About a week had passed.
“…….”
I couldn’t become a natural person.
My essence was, after all, a civilized person…….
How could I handle the harsh world of the wilderness?
At most, it was life in the forest, but there were many things that were surprisingly troublesome.
First, hunting.
Hunting was absolutely not easy.
Even small and cute rabbits could sense my presence like ghosts.
Yes, those long ears weren’t just for decoration.
The lack of hunting experience was also a problem.
But the decisive factor was not having proper equipment.
The only equipment I had was a longsword.
It wasn’t really suitable as a hunting tool.
Daggers, bows, traps…….
I desperately needed tools specialized for hunting.
But there was no way to obtain them for now.
Then I had no choice but to become a vegetarian.
Wild strawberries, unfamiliar fruits, and mushrooms…….
“…….”
I quickly realized the seriousness of the situation.
Since I did high-intensity exercise every day, I needed meat.
Protein.
My body was crying out for protein.
“Damn! I want to eat too…….”
After completing my exercise quota and swinging my sword.
Even this body with good basic stamina became completely exhausted.
It was truly a vicious cycle.
Even when I tried to do something, I would fail because I had no strength.
“…….”
Well, fine.
Today would be the last day of suffering.
[Achievement Points Owned: 10,000 points]
I had finally reached my target.
I obtained the Mana Sensitivity Ability much earlier than expected.
It was the result of randomly performing Sub Quests.
I had worked that hard, but things would be easier from now on.
If I used Mana to strengthen my body.
Not only would I not fail at hunting, but I could also easily handle hard training.
‘Time will be greatly shortened…….’
I would invest the remaining time in meditation.
To Manifest Sword Energy within a month, there was no time to rest.
The next morning.
After satisfying my hunger with water brought from the lakeside.
I took a comfortable position and immediately entered meditation.
“…….”
Sensing Mana wasn’t difficult.
Since my body remembered it, I just had to rely on instinct.
Right on cue, the secret mental technique of the Crodaine family came to mind.
It was a feeling I was experiencing for the first time in my life.
It was as if I was contemplating myself.
Has my broken Dantian been restored?
Or had I newly created a Dantian?
I wasn’t sure about that.
But I could feel that a vessel to contain Mana had been created.
It was weak.
Even someone as clueless as me could see that the amount of Mana was pathetic.
“…….”
Well, what could I do?
Even a thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.
It would be fine even if I couldn’t Manifest Sword Energy within a month.
If I steadily cultivated the mental technique, I would eventually reach that level.
I wasn’t asking for much.
The power to protect my body.
The power to defeat those who get in my way.
The power to protect precious people who might appear in the future.
It wasn’t grandiose, but it would actually be difficult.
Well, it’s fine. I had something to believe in.
Jace was a genius with S-Grade talent.
Even if I could draw out just half of that potential, it would be enough.
Including the rewards from achievements and quests, I was expected to become strong faster than I thought.
[Achievement Unlocked: Mana Sensitivity Complete]
[Reward: Achievement Points +1,000]
[Achievement Unlocked: Mental Technique Operation]
[Reward: Achievement Points +2,000]
Hmm, this isn’t something I should say…….
Is it really okay to give out so much like this?
I would gratefully accept what was given, but I needed to concentrate since I was currently meditating.
“…….”
Actually, since I was in a state of going with the flow.
A few stray thoughts didn’t interfere much.
My first goal was to return to the Academy.
If I failed, I would think about it then.
For now, I would assume I succeeded.
Hero Academy was a kind of military academy.
It professionally trained talents to face the Demon King’s army.
While discipline wasn’t as strict as the military.
Its characteristic was to constantly induce competition among students.
Upon enrollment, students were graded, and their future direction was determined accordingly.
Monthly promotion battles.
Quarterly martial arts tournaments.
Those essentially replaced exams.
“…….”
That intensity…….
I wouldn’t know since I hadn’t experienced it.
How could I judge with just shallow knowledge?
They were still just teenagers.
It seemed a bit too much, but since everyone was far from ordinary, there didn’t seem to be any major problems.
The fact that they were admitted to the Academy itself.
Meant they could fully carry their weight.
Anyway.
I was in a position where I had to jump into that infinite competition.
“…….”
Would I be able to survive?
I couldn’t underestimate them just because they were kids.
They might be even scarier because they were kids…….
It wasn’t just being intimidated; it was a reality I couldn’t help but worry about.
I was starting from the beginning.
But the other kids were already running and flying.
The starting point was completely different.
Could I really overcome that difference through effort?
“…….”
Sigh, another sigh.
It would be really sad if I got beaten up by kids at my age.
There was no choice.
Jace’s potential, my effort, and the rewards.
I would have to try to make all of that blend together exquisitely.
But the speed at which Mana was gathering far exceeded my expectations.
As if it went against the natural order…….
It was such an unconventional situation that I became anxious instead.
‘It doesn’t seem like anything is wrong…….’
The cause was soon identified.
While the Dantian was broken, Jace’s Mana was scattered throughout his body.
By mastering Mana sensitivity, it was gradually gathering toward the Dantian…….
A smile naturally formed.
Good. With this, I could see hope.
It would take some time, but I no longer had to worry about falling behind alone.
This changed the direction of my meditation.
Instead of slowly accumulating natural Mana.
I would extract the Mana that Jace had accumulated.
Since it was quite clumped together, I couldn’t pull it out rapidly, but this method was still several times faster.
The remaining time was roughly 3 weeks.
Far from feeling rushed, I actually felt more relaxed.
“…….”
I calmly settled my excited heart.
This was just the beginning, nothing had been resolved yet.
‘To carve out destiny myself…….’
I had no choice but to keep getting stronger.
Originally, Jace’s future led to corruption.
By me possessing this body.
The ending of becoming humanity’s traitor had disappeared.
But greater hardships and trials might be waiting.
*****
Summary trial. A one-month grace period.
While it was a hot topic at the time, basically, Jace’s current situation was of low importance.
The ongoing competitive marathon.
The Academy didn’t tolerate elimination.
To survive, one had to train mind and body without rest.
“That scoundrel hasn’t been seen lately?”
“You still didn’t know? He was expelled after a trial.”
“I heard it wasn’t expulsion but suspension.”
“Same difference.”
“Anyway, we won’t see him again.”
“Actually, I think it’s a bit pitiful. If nothing had happened, probably…….”
“Come on, let’s eat instead of chatting.”
Like this, he was only briefly mentioned during lunch break.
Of course, not everyone was like that.
When directly involved, one couldn’t help but be concerned.
“…….”
Seria was particularly severe in this regard.
She wanted to visit Jace and have a conversation, but she couldn’t quite muster the courage.
Trying to sacrifice himself for her sake.
The possibility that he deliberately committed evil acts.
It was a quite plausible assumption, but the case of being wrong couldn’t be ignored either.
‘Even if that assumption were true…….’
What would change?
Human relationships are formed through mutual agreement.
Even if she held onto Jace, what if he firmly refused?
‘It’s not something that can be solved by appealing to emotions…….’
A man who was rarely shaken.
Jace would never abandon his convictions.
If he had resolved to sacrifice himself.
He would hide that fact until the very end.
Her head was complicated.
If she knew nothing, she could just charge in recklessly.
But because she understood his character, the girl’s anguish only deepened.
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“…….”
Seria furrowed her brow.
She had been interrupted by an unwelcome opponent.
Chloe Venice.
The young lady of the Venice family, which boasted wealth.
While she displayed girlishness, her true nature was no different from a snake.
When she wanted something.
She would obtain it by any means necessary.
Everyone who knew her was aware of this.
She should always be on guard, but Chloe’s social skills were at a divine level.
Nine out of ten people got caught even when they knew.
Even when she caused problems, she never got her tail caught.
Rather, victims would voluntarily become scapegoats.
There was circumstantial evidence, but no physical evidence.
She thoroughly managed her image and was quite popular too.
Anyway.
Seria didn’t like her.
If they weren’t both part of the student council, they probably wouldn’t have encountered each other like this.
“Aha, you must have a lot of worries about your fiancé’s problem.”
“Not particularly…….”
“When is the engagement annulment date?”
“…….”
Seria was conflicted for a moment.
Whether to give the other party a bitter taste or not.
What was this rudeness?
Given the circumstances, it was quite intentional.
She must have approached with some purpose.
Normally, she would have tried to calmly figure out the other party’s intentions, but the current Seria didn’t have mental composure.
“Nothing has been decided yet. So I would appreciate it if you could refrain from mentioning it.”
“Nothing has been decided… Yes, I understand well. If it gets difficult, tell me anytime. I can at least offer comfort.”
As if she had said everything she wanted to say.
She turned around and walked away gracefully.
Seria silently glared at her retreating figure.
A woman’s intuition…….
There was no need to even bring that up.
It was certain she was plotting something.
However, this time she had chosen the wrong opponent.
If you touch me…….
I’ll use force without delay.
After making that resolution, the girl once again fell into endless contemplation.
****
Chloe was humming a tune.
This time, the target wasn’t Seria but Jace.
Actually, she hadn’t been particularly interested until now.
Because he was so perfect that no weaknesses were visible.
After the accident, she treated him as if he didn’t exist.
Because he had lost any value to be used in any form.
Why should she care about a loser who would be kicked out of his family?
But the situation had changed.
Chloe detected a strange sense of discord with her characteristic intuition.
Summary trial. In the midst of a desperate crisis.
Jace attempted logical negotiation.
As if claiming he had become a different person…….
No, the expression returned to his true self’ was more accurate.
Why, how?
Even if he had come to his senses belatedly, it was meaningless now.
One assumption that came to mind after repeated thought.
Could it be that he had become able to fix his broken Dantian?
Then the story would be completely different.
The delay in the engagement annulment and expulsion was also suspicious.
“Hmm, it feels like something’s connecting…….”
But she couldn’t be certain.
There was no significant action, so to speak.
The Crodaine family was quiet, and his fiancée was also just quietly watching.
A discarded card that was no longer needed.
They were still maintaining that attitude.
But…….
What if that discarded card made a brilliant comeback?
It would be irresistibly tempting.
Attractive enough to want to possess.
Jace was ruined because he lost his power.
If he could handle Mana again, he would display the dignity of a noble as before.
If she was going to do something, now was the right time.
When everyone was keeping their distance, if she approached…….
“I could achieve the best results with minimal investment.”
Currently, Jace was in a difficult situation.
Even a little help would have great effects.
It was reassuring because he had a personality that always repaid favors.
As befitting the heir of a great family, 10 times, 100 times the repayment was entirely possible.
Since things had come to this, Chloe looked far ahead.
The possibility was slim.
But if Jace fully regained his power.
No, if there seemed to be room for him to become even stronger.
“I’m prepared to invest even more boldly.”
The closest relationship.
Coincidentally, that position was vacant.
“The lady of the Crodaine family…….”
I tried muttering it once, and it had a more ecstatic ring than I expected.
While it felt against business ethics, like a girl who believed the world revolved around her, Chloe didn’t care at all.
“Jace. I’ll be watching you.”
As if thinking of delicious prey.
Chloe brought her hand to the corner of her mouth and lightly licked her red lips.
