All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 44

44. What’s Wrong with Your Body – 2

Graizin nodded, agreeing that Ian had hit the nail on the head.

Even with talent, without the necessary time and effort, it remains just potential.

It needs time and effort for that talent to truly blossom.

The ruins suggested an attempt to gather talent to create a dimensional gate.

“Why sacrifice something like that?”

“There was a popular theory at the time called determinism, and they say that’s the basis for the sacrifice used,” Graizin explained.

“I’ve never heard of that theory. So, is that even possible?”

Wildy asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice, and Graizin shrugged.

“I wouldn’t know. The attempt failed. There was no sign of a dimensional gate opening. The investigation of the ruins and artifacts only recorded the failure.”

He said it lightly, shrugging his shoulders.

“But they say those who were sacrificed lost their talents and became useless.”

Widia, who had been listening silently, chuckled.

“What nonsense. So, are you suggesting that Ian lost his talent, as the theory suggests?”

“No, not exactly…”

“Then why only magic talent? Does the sacrifice in those ruins only extract the desired talents?”

“That… wasn’t what it said…”

“So, Ian lost his talent? Then what are we even doing here? Stop talking nonsense, Graizin.”

Everyone grumbled, but Ian shook his head.

Even to him, all the talents within his body felt like they were at their lowest point.

Maybe Graizin was right.

‘Kirke, do you know anything about this?’

As expected, it’s quite high-level information.

While he was listening to Kirke, Haryun asked.

“So, the conclusion is that the experiment just failed? Is that the conclusion? Then what happened to the gathered sacrifices, the talents?”

“Yeah. They couldn’t open the dimensional gate, so they just wasted the sacrifices?”

“That… I don’t know.”

As everyone looked deflated, Graizin said urgently.

“Hey! No one knows that! Archeology is about discussing existing artifacts, not making wild guesses!”

“Alright. Keep looking diligently. Anyway, Ian, it’s not like there’s no way at all.”

Haryun said very seriously.

“Come to the Salt Marquisate [a territory ruled by a marquis]. There’s a magic concentration device in the mansion; you can use that.”

“No, Ian. If you come to our territory, we might be able to solve that problem. It will take time, of course, but our family doesn’t skimp on support for those who ask for help.”

“There’s also the method of getting help from artifacts or ruins.”

“The witch’s potion that our teacher has might help.”

The four mages spoke, but Ian only showed a cold reaction.

“I can gather it with magic extraction, so it’s fine.”

“Of all things, that…”

The method of extracting magic power from artifacts to accumulate it is magic extraction.

It was such an inefficient and wasteful method that almost no one in the Magic Tower used it; it was practically obsolete.

But when Ian chose that, everyone was dismayed.

“Don’t you want to reconsider?”

“That’s right, Ian. Are you sure?”

“I don’t recommend it.”

“Me neither. You know you can’t gather much magic power with that, and once you extract it, the artifact’s magic breaks, and you can’t use it, right?”

He knew that much.

But the magic extraction method Ian mentioned was not from this world.

‘What about the methods of the Predeon Continent?’

That’s good enough.

Ian flatly refused the four who were looking at him worriedly.

“I’ll take care of the magic power myself. Oerina, just teach me self-attribute magic.”

Monster hunting itself wasn’t a big problem.

Ian caught a drake [a type of dragon] on the first day.

In addition, he also caught an arachne [a spider-like monster] and an ogre that were wandering around the foothills in search of food.

Besides that, the other Class B students also caught quite a few monsters.

At this rate, it could be said that first place in the monster hunting section was confirmed.

“Ah. It was a very satisfactory test.”

Graizin smiled contentedly.

There had never been a Heroic Feat test in Class B that was this easy.

“I know, right? But the individual scores are a bit disappointing.”

Ian caught the drake, arachne, and ogre.

So, it could be said that his contribution to this monster hunting was the highest.

Haryun muttered briefly because he was usually in first place, and Wildy chuckled.

“Are you sad that you couldn’t get first place in practical skills?”

“Oh, come on. It’s not a big deal. I have a plan.”

“What plan?”

“If I can’t get first place, I can just bring someone from our family who did get first place.”

“No way! I’m working on the same plan! Amazing!!”

Besides the two of them, someone else was grinning and chattering next to them.

“Wow~ What a coincidence. I’m working on that plan too.”

“There’s a perfect place for Ian in the Southern Plains.”

The person who’s supposed to give the rice cake [a Korean idiom for benefit or reward] isn’t even thinking about it, but everyone else is already drinking a bowl of kimchi soup [another Korean idiom for counting one’s chickens before they hatch].

Haryun smiled at those who were chattering here and there and raised his staff.

With that, the barrier that had been protecting the base for the past week was lifted.

“Hey! Pack your things well!”

“Ian! Let’s go!!”

Ian also got up from his seat.

Oerina, who was in front of him, closed her book.

“It’s important to keep practicing and adapting to magic circles like this.”

“Hmm. It’s easier than I thought.”

“What’s not easy for you? Man, it’s such a waste. If you had a high magic aptitude, we could have had a great mage from our school. Mastering all the theories of beginner magic in a week.”

While Oerina was lamenting, Wildy approached Ian.

“Is it going well?”

Ian lightly raised his hand.

At that moment, a magic circle quickly took shape on his hand, and a ring made of iron moved.

“It doesn’t seem like a circle has been created yet… but the implementation of spells and magic formulas is perfect. As expected of Ian.”

Haryun looked at Ian’s hand with regret.

“The problem is the circle. We’re sharing our magic power now, but… we can’t keep doing this, can we?”

“Are you really going to be okay with just the magic extraction method?”

“Getting artifacts is going to be a pain too. Hey.”

Ian shook his head at them, who were worried.

“Don’t worry. I think I’ll get a good artifact soon.”

“What kind?”

“Boheran’s Bow.”

Haryun smiled bitterly at those words.

* * *

Aranse writhed with joy as the Class B students returned.

“A drake!! A drake!! What is this I’m hearing! A drake!!”

The other intermediate instructors who were waiting wore sour expressions.

Class B, which could be said to be the biggest dark horse of this Heroic Feat, had finally caused a major upset.

“An S-class monster… Ha. Unbelievable. Isn’t this cheating? Did another master get involved, or…”

Hauzel grumbled, but Aranse coldly sneered.

“Then bring the evidence! Haha! Guys!! Well done! Very well done!!”

He jumped off the platform and ran to the students.

“Oh, my pretty little ones!”

“Ah. Why am I your little one, Instructor?”

“Just adore Ian. He caught the drake, arachne, and ogre.”

“Oh?! Really?! You pretty little guy!!”

He hugged him tightly and ruffled his hair.

Aranse, who praised not only him but also the others generously, wore a triumphant smile.

“Are you going to take first place in all the tests like this? Hahaha!!”

“What will you give us if we do that?”

Oerina asked with a grin, and he said with a boastful face.

“Anything! Anything! What can’t I do for you!!”

As soon as those words came out, Ian raised his hand.

“I want to go to the Forgotten City.”

Aranse flinched for a moment and avoided his gaze.

“E-except that.”

“You said you’d do anything.”

“…Hey. Do you really have to? I’ll teach you the Secret Sword Technique instead.”

“No thanks.”

Ian lightly shook his head, and Aranse sighed deeply.

Haystings glared at the harmonious Class B as if he wanted to kill them, and Ian, who met his eyes, gave him a sly smile.

It seems that he was quite proud that what he had prepared had become useless.

Haystings, who was huffing and puffing until his face turned red, eventually couldn’t say anything and turned around roughly and left.

“Alright! Those who want to rest, go rest, and those who want to play, go play!”

Regardless, Aranse shouted happily to everyone.

When they returned to the dormitory, the students dispersed.

Among those who were playing or resting on their own, Ian chose to patrol.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I can’t be tired with just this much.”

“Just rest and practice magic.”

Ian held out his palm as Haryun, who had joined the patrol, said.

“I’m doing it.”

There was a faint ring of light on his rough palm.

The detailed magic formula inside the ring was enough to make one dizzy.

“…You’re constructing the magic circle so small and detailed? No, before that. How did you gather the magic power?”

“The artifacts I received from the Class C kids last time. It’s not good enough to create a circle, though.”

Ian said casually and discarded the ring, which had become useless after the magic power was forcibly extracted.

“Will it be okay to extract it like that? I’ll get you a good one later.”

“Oh. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. By the way, is it possible to transform the magic circle while talking?”

“I can do even more complicated things.”

In the past, he used to design circuit diagrams thousands of times more complex than this magic circle while eating.

As Ian didn’t think much of it, Haryun shook his head.

“Haa. How can someone like this not have talent? It seems like he’s overflowing with talent.”

“It’s not like that…”

It was then.

“Hey! Ian!”

“Huh?”

Ian and Haryun were puzzled as Graizin, who had chosen to patrol like Ian, ran over.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“Remember those scammers we caught last time?”

“The guys who were talking about the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“Yeah. I found out about the person who gave those guys and other street vendors permission.”

Graizin held out the permit he had received from the patrol team.

Haryun, who received it, wore a serious expression.

He muttered in a heavy tone after seeing the name of the permitter written on the permit.

“…Senior Instructor Romentle.”

All the academy students knew.

That he was like Haystings’ right-hand man.

Ian and his group headed to a nearby tea house to sort things out.

The tea house was quite crowded thanks to the people who had flocked to the Heroic Feat, which was in full swing.

Some of them were uncomfortable when they saw Ian’s group wearing patrol armbands, but who cares.

They ignored the gazes and sat down in an empty seat.

“You know that the price of goods goes up during the Heroic Feat, right?”

As Graizin brought up the story, a clerk approached.

Ian, who ordered his usual tea, Dajeel, nodded.

“Dajeel is 5 Cooper [currency] a cup, but now it’s 20 Cooper.”

“Yeah. In other words, the market price goes up three to four times during the Heroic Feat. Anyway, that’s why merchants…”

“It’s a matter of supply and demand, Ian. Do you understand?”

“If there are many people looking for something, the price goes up. It’s natural.”

Graizin felt bitter as Ian understood, and Haryun, a noble from a merchant family, was satisfied.

“That’s why there are many people who want to do business during the Heroic Feat. And of course, they go through a strict screening process through the academy.”

“Instructor Romentle gave permission to these guys in that screening. That must be it. What does the Adventurer’s Guild say?”

“They say they don’t know anything and leave it to the academy.”

They were just consistently telling them to inquire with the side that issued the permit.

As Ian closed his mouth, Graizin continued in a bitter tone.

“And this matter. It seems like it’s been going on for quite some time. There was even a report once.”