Chapter 102

Chapter 102

[Student Council President Election Campaign: Part 3]

[Life Skills Detailed]

Grade: Intermediate Master Craftsman Specializing in: Woodworking Dexterity Lv 16 Design Lv 12 Gathering Skills Lv 13 Woodworking Lv 15 Stonemasonry Lv 9 Hunting Lv 14 Fishing Lv 12 Cooking Lv 7 Repair Lv 5 Skill Proficiency: 25 Amplification Power: 5 Infusion Success Rate: 95%

Fire Elemental Affinity: 6

Water Elemental Affinity: 2

Wind Elemental Affinity: 4 Contracted Spirits: Lesser Fire Spirit Mug Spirit Sensitivity: 22 Elemental Understanding: 27 Unique Skills: Aura of Restoration, Explosive Pact Contracted Spirits: Intermediate Water Spirit Laysia Spirit Sensitivity: 11 Elemental Understanding: 10 Unique Skills: Aura of Tranquility, Watersource Manifestation Contracted Spirits: High-ranking Wind Spirit Merilda Spirit Sensitivity: 4 Elemental Understanding: 3 Unique Skills: Wolf of the Gale, Rising Air Current Skill Proficiency: 6 Demon Engineering Comprehension: 7 Quick Crafting: 4 Collected Crafting Formulas:

Faint Wind Dispenser (Lv 4)

Mountain Echo Noise Maker (Lv 3)

Sensory Automatic Mana Chessboard (Lv 1)

Greenhouse Crystal Orb (Lv 3)

Blue Magic Circle (Lv 2)

Clawed Hand (Lv 3)

Craigel Magic Ink (Lv 2)

Luminous Orb (Lv 3)

Onias Fear Flame (Lv 1)

Teloss Frostlight Aura (Lv 1)

Lightning Struck Millennium Wooden Staff (Formula Unlocked!)

Gluckts Eye (Formula Unlocked!)

Del Heims Hourglass (Lv 1)

Clang!

The big lionesss fang strikes the blade of the dagger Im holding. As expected, Im at a disadvantage in this power struggle, and any resistance seems futile.

Knowing Ill be overwhelmed if I continue like this, I shift the center of gravity and let the lionesss body slide off.

Swish!

As the lionesss body, now transformed into water, rushes toward the spot that was once occupied by my upper body, I quickly duck beneath it.

I use the off-balance moment when the lionesss center of gravity shifts to thrust with strength from my sturdy legs and push into its side with my shoulder, causing the lioness to stagger back with a shrilling cry.

However, a creature of such size wouldnt be subdued by a mere body blow, and the lioness, landing back on solid ground, heads towards the crashing waves of the ocean.

Cliffs and rocky areasthis relatively flat terrain dashed by wavesbecomes our battleground.

The lioness plunges into the water, which in a typical situation, would mean her massive body would sink into the depths. Yet instead, theres no splashing. The water around this rocky terrain constantly pools because of the periodic crashing waves.

And just like magic, the lioness reappears from the opposite side.

Despite the lionesss thunderous roar trying to envelop me, a quick twist of my hand while gripping the dagger wards off its clawed assault.

The pressure of not knowing from which direction the lioness might emerge next continually stimulates my tension.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

After several exchanges, my spirit sensitivity starts to show signs of strain.

[Lets take a break now, Young Master Ed.]

The calm voice of a woman. It was Laysia.

Recollecting how many bouts Ive had with Laysia becomes a blur; sweat drenched, Ive already cast aside my top. Being blasted by waves now and then, it was indeed more practical to train without my shirt.

Breathing heavily, I took a seat on a nearby rock.

[Amazing! Your reflexes and handling abilities are exceptional! I, the humble Mug, am moved!]

Mug, fluttering its wings, is on fire next to the rock as usual, making a fuss.

Laysia, stirring the surrounding water, laid down with her head resting on her double tail.

[Indeed, for a mage, your close combat abilities have remarkably improved. It seems like you have been training for a decent amount of time.]

I wipe the profuse sweat off and recuperate.

The intermediate water spirit Laysia is a fine sparring partner.

Unlike Mug, who is too small to even consider as a combatant, or Merilda, who is simply too large and powerful, Laysia is the perfect size.

It would be impossible to win a serious melee battle with an intermediate spirit, but light sparring is very possible, and its even beneficial as it feels slightly intense.

Training intensity should be slightly uncomfortablethats ideal.

[If you train your intermediate magic and systematize your close-combat training further It may be feasible for you to spar with Lady Merilda. Unlike with me, you can gain immeasurable benefits in various ways.]

How do I even spar with a wolf the size of a house? A mere misstep could send me straight to the netherworld.

[Ha ha, fear not, Young Master Ed. Distinguished high-ranking spirits like Lady Merilda can freely alter their forms. Adapting for a sparring session suitable for you wouldnt pose much difficulty.]

Once my breathing steadied and my sweat started to dry, I got up from the rock. I stretched my arms a few times before beginning to do push-ups with my hands planted firmly on the ground.

During my period of seclusion, it was impossible to attend proper magic lessons. With time to spare, it was necessary to condition my body.

As I gasped for air, my body lowered and rose repeatedly close to the ground.

Huff, huff but before I can spar with that creature, I need to become stronger. Besides, hes so elusive that you never know when he might appear.

[Indeed. Lady Merilda not only roams the Northern Forest but the entirety of Aken Island. Shes considered an elder of the forest, making sporadic appearances in the faculty and residential buildings It can be quite troubling when business arises.]

Why would they visit such places?

[Lady Merilda inherently harbors a great fascination with human civilization. Shes curious about books written by humans, different culinary cultures, ways of life. She wanders to observe directly, borrows books under a guest status at the library, or enjoys the scenery.]

Considering her nature, it made sense why she became friendly with Enika so swiftly.

Keeping that in mind, I labored my trembling arms and core muscles even harder.

Eventually, completely drained, I collapsed and reflected on my face mirrored by a nearby water puddle.

[Name: Ed Rostrailer]

Gender: Male Age: 18 Year: 3 Species: Human Achievements: Astute Survivor (1 year) / High-Ranking Elemental Summoner Physical Strength: 14 Intelligence: 13 Dexterity: 15 Wisdom: 12 Luck: 11 Combat Ability Detailed>> Magic Ability Detailed>> Life Ability Detailed>> Alchemy Ability Detailed>> Its almost delightfully frustrating to look atas if admiring a tower of gold bricks youve built on your own. Reaching a players mid-to-high tier level specifications in just over a year is unbelievable progress. Having embedded in my mind the growth patterns of players, I held an advantage.

As each stat nears 20, progress slows considerably, and nearing the late teens, one might need to complete hidden quests just to see any changes in their abilities. Considering that, I am approaching the upper limit of what non-protagonist like me can attain.

To break through that barrier, I require a solid catalyst.

Of course presently, more urgent than such thoughts is advancing in the field of magic. The longstanding ambition of mastering intermediate magic is due for completion.

Yes I cannot just be content with this

With this resolve, I sprang up.

After being embraced, she seems ready to get to the heart of the matter, her sly smile gone and without curling her words fox-like, she asks directly.

Do you remember the promise we made last time?

Someday, pleas stand on my side just once.

I have a memory of speaking of this during an intense winter, at the river of the northern forest, looking up at the low hanging moon.

I think Ill be making many enemies. Even if I had to turn the whole faculties against me at least I want you, Senior, to stay on my side.

You have something planned, havent you?

Lortel looks up from my chest, meeting my gaze again, and shows her smile once more.

I just really dont want to become enemies with you, Senior.

Then, she says.

Im going to sell off the student council presidency.

Merchants, after all, are those who know how to sell anything that has value.

*

Ophilis Manor has been basically restored. The damage wasnt extensive. It was mostly just simple repair work. The facility operations have already normalized.

That so? Then we can continue using Ophilis Manor without any problems.

If theres nothing wrong with your room, just do as you please.

With her brunette hair falling neatly and wearing her uniform, Kylee Eckne greets the school guide and leaves Trix Manor.

The spring sky, stretching as high as the autumns, with the sunbeams breaking through, stimulating the eyes intermittently.

With the eyes of a holy maiden, still marveling at every single thing in the world, the light of this sky seen from the outside is different from what was seen through the congested windows of Saint Castle.

She has made a fair number of friends, met respectable people, and trusted professors.

After finishing the days routine and returning to the residence, theres no need to preside over every prayer ceremony as a holy maiden and no one comes for confession at every chance I guess this is what freedom tastes like, she thinks.

Kylee sits on a wooden bench nearby, quietly enjoying the crisp spring breeze.

I have to live each day fully! Who knows when such a time will come again in my life!

With clenched fists, Kylee summons her strength but soon releases it with a sigh.

The schools atmosphere has been gloomy lately.

Images of the third-year senior seen shivering in a cabin during the snowstorm, and the concept of freedom being both light and heavy, not a romantic and lovely adventure found only in adventure stories.

The sight of meat and animal skins, formidable hunting tools, and cold creeping through the log floor, and in that gap, a man glancing down at the girl in the dark was vividly implanted in Kylees memory.

It was also shocking when she recognized that face in the newsletter announcing his death, and the fact that her first friend at the academy, Tanya, was identified as a suspect and went missing was beyond imagination.

Such is the tumultuous nature of the world, so much different from the static view from Saint Castle.

Feeling somewhat disheartened for a moment

Still I cant just remain deflated!

Kylee reaffirms her resolve with a firm grip.

Despite the tragedy, theres nothing Kylee can do.

Shes already overwhelmed with studies. Moreover, she must make as many friends as possible, gaining varied experiences to shine in academy life.

Kylee stands up with this in mind. She was thinking of returning to the dormitory, but

A mysterious girl hums past the bench where Kylee was seated.

The first thing that strikes her is the unusual walk. Its light and delicate as if riding the wind. At a glance, it seems almost weightless.

Ah, shes beautiful

The girl has her bright white hair tied back like a horses tail. Her brisk steps make her hair flutter lightly.

Yet, her outfit is strange.

She looks every bit the sprightly young girl of a students age.

However, the simple, thin-strapped, white dress leaves her shoulders bare its clear shes not a student.

She doesnt look like faculty, nor does she seem to be an outsider here on business.

The impression she gives off is bold, but the girl carries a bundle of books. They vary in thickness and material, with completely different content art, history, magic, biographies, economics, philosophy She may seem vivacious, but she could also be rather knowledgeable.

Kylees curiosity piques. Especially since one of her main goals is to make many friends.

With todays classes done, Kylee nods to herself and decides to strike up a conversation.

But the white-haired girl is so fast that shes difficult to catch.

She hums along effortlessly, but with Kylees frail body, she cant keep up with her pace.

Feeling even more fascinated and determined to follow her, Kylee finds herself at the entrance of the northern forest without realizing.

Just as she starts to feel something is off

*

Ooh!

Lucy, buried in her bed playing with a pillow, inwardly admires her own action.

If she shapes the pillow nicely and sets it up she can even stand this soft pillow vertically!

She had no idea! A discovery of the century!

Suddenly feeling futile, Lucy buries herself back into the bed.

Lucy, not taking proper care of her meals, has lost track of how many days have passed. Judging by the long period of endurance, it must have been at least five days.

Hey roughly how many days are left?

The maid currently on duty, keeping a 24-hour close watch in shifts of 4 hours, smiled casually and replied.

You have 646 hours left.

The remaining time D-27!

Oh, right. I found out that the confinement disciplinary measure was passed yesterday. It seems to have been delayed from its original date. Administrative processes are always like this. So Im sorry, but we have to start counting from yesterday.

.

D?29!!