Vol. 1 - Ch. 8 - Feyrune von Dragoon

"But boy, was your sword practice so unusual! At our age, we usually focus on increasing our maximum output when practicing body-strengthening magic. Even the talented ones focus more on burst power, the speed at which they can draw out maximum output."

Fey said in amusement.

"But you, you were mainly focused on removing the aftereffect of the body-strengthening magic. Well, it's not entirely meaningless since it helps conserve mana....... But honestly, I don't think it's something that people would do when they can't sleep due to anxiety right before an exam. If anything, your stance made it clear you have a specific goal in mind."

I see, I understand...... I freaking don't understand anything! What kind of monstrous insight did this girl have?

All I did was just practice swinging my sword, you know?

If it had been me watching others practice instead, I bet I wouldn't have gotten an inkling as to why that person was swinging their sword no matter how much time passed.

It was impossible unless you were a veteran.

But this esteemed lady said she was aspiring to be an Artificer....... Don't tell me the Royal Academy has monstrous people like her at every corner...

"It is my honor to receive such praise. But as much as I am delighted, you're overestimating me, Fey-sama. I'm embarrassed to say my mana capacity is barely at the threshold for a knight. Hence, I'm just trying to practice how to save my mana as much as possible."

This was a situation akin to a soldier stepping on a landmine area, I didn't know where the next landmine might be, so I could only tread carefully and look for a way out.

I quickly tried to cut short any interest she might have for me.Th.ê most uptodate novels are published on n(0)velbj)n(.)co/m

"Is that so? But isn't your mana capacity around 2480 units? I don't think it's low enough to warrant special training."

Fey said while having an amused expression on her face again.

What in the nine worlds?!

Leaving everything aside, guessing someone's maximum mana capacity just from their practice was impossible. It was ridiculous. It wasn't like I practiced until I exhausted myself.

Should I try to say she got it wrong?.... No, the number was too accurate to refute.

The last time I checked it, my mana capacity was 2400, so I could more or less guess that my current mana capacity should indeed be around 2480.

"Pfft. You don't need to look like someone asked you for your soul. Of course, I didn't guess it just by watching you practice. ——Ta-dah!"

Fey took out a video camera-like something from her purse.

"This is the Mana Capacity Measuring Tool I have invented. It calculates the target's total mana capacity from the remaining mana they have left.

But I didn't have any compelling reason to refuse her. Alright, let's just say yes for now and then I would make sure we never crossed paths in the future.

Also, I should quickly escape from this situation.

After formulating my plan, I put on a smiling expression and spoke.

"Of course, I'll introduce you! My sister would certainly appreciate interacting with a talented young lady like Fey-sama. Oh, excuse me, my frequent chronic urination..."

"Fufu, Well you were practicing for at least 6 hours, sweating profusely without drinking any water. It must be an awful disease, no? Also, we're already friends so you don't need to be so formal."

Fey may as well have a permanent amused expression on her face at this point.

'Not again,' I thought. I already tried to ignore her 'we are friends' remark, so any ad-lib wouldn't be enough at this point.

I straightened myself and said,

"Unfortunately, this is the type of illness it is. Also, I make it a point to sleep for at least three hours a day. I'm not sure if Artificer Fey-sama needs any rest, but there are just three and a half hours left until we arrive at the capital. I'm afraid I need to go or else I might leak here."

I hurriedly said and extricated myself from the situation.

"Kyahahaha! Yeah, my apologies for that. Pfft— Also, Artificers indeed don't put sleep as their priority. Good night then, Allen."

Fey winked while running her fingers through her short, glossy hair.

How do I put it, she was wrapped in the liveliness peculiar to young girls, reminiscent of a cat, with striking eyes, and her slender fair-skinned nape was like a piece of artwork. Well, such things were inconsequential as of the moment.

My body right now was screaming at me to get rest already. Who would have thought such a small practice session would lead to me being completely exhausted? I need to get ready for tomorrow (though the date has already changed).....

As I was heading for my berth while being annoyed at the situation, Fey raised her voice from behind me.

"Speaking of which, you know nobles shouldn't kneel and bow their heads without any reason? That posture is meant for criminals in a courtroom! Hahaha!"

Fey had kept her amused expression until the end.

Strange, this world didn't have the culture of kneeling, huh? I thought it was a common practice since my father often did that while apologizing to my mother...

T/N - So far, there is no romance/harem tag in the web novel.

Editor note - Take a shot every time Fey has an amused expression on her face.