All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 81

◈ Chapter 81

41. Reading Faces – 1

“Huh?”

“The welcoming ceremony for the Imperial Academy is tomorrow. Even if they arrive now, there’s no need for us to rush around.”

Aran-se stated firmly, and Ian agreed.

What’s the point of having a schedule?

There was no reason to adjust our plans just because they decided to come early on their own.

It’s not like we’re on good terms anyway.

“Let’s just do as we’ve been doing.”

As he casually said this and left, Hound looked at Ian.

“Ian, is this really okay?”

“Has this never happened before?”

“Never.”

“Then let’s just follow Instructor Aran-se’s instructions. If they cause trouble, we can go deal with it then.”

“Myaa~ Myaa~.”

Mya-ne meowed softly, as if agreeing.

Hound sighed softly as he looked at him.

“Then I’ll inform the other instructors as well.”

“What are the other instructors saying?”

“It’s fifty-fifty. Some say we should welcome them since they’re guests, while others agree with Instructor Aran-se that we don’t need to cater to their needs.”

“What about Headmaster Karzid…?”

“The Headmaster is busy right now. He’s coordinating with the Magic Tower and the Archaeological Society regarding the abandoned building incident.”

The Magic Tower insisted that they should investigate the Balrog ruins themselves.

The Archaeological Society claimed that they should investigate the traces of black magic.

And the Academy argued that since everything was discovered on the Academy’s grounds, the Academy should take the lead.

As a result, Karzid, caught in the middle, was having a very hard time.

“He must be busy.”

“You can say that again. When Instructor Hastings was here, he took charge of these matters. Tsk.”

Hound sighed softly and patted Ian’s arm.

“Anyway, you’ll do well, right?”

“Of course.”

Hound smiled back at Ian, who grinned, and then turned away.

After the two instructors left, Wildy, who was training in the lobby, tilted his head.

“Did the Imperial Academy come?”

“Yeah. You saw them earlier.”

“That’s strange. Why did they come so early?”

As Grajin asked, breaking his concentration, Ian explained the situation he had mentioned earlier.

As the two nodded, Oerinna looked at her hands.

“Done!!”

“Gasp!”

“I can’t believe it?!”

Two magic circles were overlapping in her hand.

It was unstable, but it was complete.

Oerinna smiled and aimed the magic circles at the target she had placed earlier.

“Magic Missile!!”

A magical arrow was fired from the overlapping magic circles.

As it pierced the target, she looked at her hands and said,

“This is pretty good.”

“The mana consumption rate isn’t significantly different compared to regular magic. But the power is stronger.”

Fredeon-style enhancement requires only pure computational ability.

Ian said nonchalantly and raised his hand.

Instantly, dozens of magic circles appeared and overlapped into one.

“Two are already hard enough, how do you do dozens…?”

“Consistent training. It requires complex thinking and computational abilities, so read a lot of books.”

As he dispelled the magic circles, Wildy’s eyes sparkled.

“By the way, Ian. Where did you learn this kind of enhancement method?”

“Does it matter where I learned it?”

Ian said with his hands in his pockets, and Haryun agreed.

“Yeah. If we start questioning that, his very existence becomes questionable.”

He said lightly and raised his hand.

At that moment, two magic circles overlapped naturally.

“And instead of worrying about that, why don’t you practice more?”

“Ugh… Haryun. Even you…?”

Grajin and Wildy envied them, then closed their eyes and focused.

As Ian watched them train, he was about to return to his room when.

Widia and Blanche entered through the lobby doors.

“Oh? Ian.”

“Didn’t you say there was a service tonight?”

“What time do you think it is? It’s already over.”

“Really? Then watch me train. I think I realized something while sparring with her. Let’s check it out.”

Widia tossed a necklace.

It was one of the sacred objects of the Sun Cult.

Ian, who caught the necklace flying through the air, handed Mya-ne to Blanche and grabbed his sword.

“Come at me.”

* * *

The next day arrived.

After morning training as usual, Ian put on a neatly laundered white ceremonial robe as the time approached.

“Myaa~ Myamya~.”

Mya-ne, who was eating next to the bed, climbed onto Ian’s shoulder.

Seeing that, Grajin also finished preparing and stood up, then looked out the window.

Other students were already outside.

“You were groaning all night yesterday. Did you get anywhere?”

“It was difficult. Seriously. I never thought I’d be stuck on something like this.”

“For now, I recommend using both hands, even though it’s a shortcut.”

“Both hands?”

“Like this.”

Ian created a magic circle of magnetism magic in his left hand and another in his right hand.

He brought his hands together, combined them, showed the enhanced magic circle, and then dispelled it.

“But this is really just a shortcut. Practice it to get a feel for it.”

Grajin pondered and looked at his own hands.

Then he slowly shook his head.

“That kind of shortcut isn’t my style.”

“Really? It’s going to be tough.”

Ian’s expression was bright, considering he was worried.

It’s good to see him struggling and trying to challenge himself.

Grajin glanced at Ian, who was grinning, and picked up his staff.

“Let’s go.”

When they went outside, there were even more students than before.

As Blanche and Oerinna came out last, Aran-se said to Ian.

“Just do what you always do. Don’t be nervous.”

“I think the instructor is more nervous.”

“…Does it show?”

“Yes.”

Large beads of sweat were streaming down his forehead.

Aran-se wiped the sweat with a handkerchief and forced a smile.

“No. It’s just that it’s my first time welcoming the Imperial Academy…”

He had never won the Heroic Championship, so he had never faced them before.

Aran-se said softly and looked at the Class B students.

“Ian is one thing, but why are you all so relaxed?”

The students chuckled.

What’s there to be nervous about?

If they pick a fight, we’ll just crush them.

“Good. That spirit. I like it. Let’s go.”

As the Class B students, led by Ian, moved, some of the instructors who were seeing them off clenched their fists slightly.

Until now, Fredeon Academy had always been evaluated as inferior in exchanges with the Imperial Academy.

Moreover, they had been ridiculed for Rakid’s incident last time.

But this time, the instructors were thinking that they would be able to return that ridicule.

Even when looking at the entire history of Fredeon Academy, he is one of the most outstanding talents.

Because Ian is moving as the representative of Class B.

As they were walking under their expectant gazes, Kirke’s report came in.

While Kirke was briefly reporting, Haryun, who was walking next to him, said.

“I checked with the Magic Tower, and they said that a 5th Circle level mage was included this time. They must be trying to keep us in check.”

Haryun, Wildy, Grajin, Oerinna.

These four are currently 4th Circle mages.

Being 4th Circle at their age is definitely considered genius level, but the opponent is a 5th Circle.

Osnen, who is called a monster.

Plus a 5th Circle mage.

They must have sent them to gain an advantage in two important areas: swordsmanship and magic.

As Haryun assessed, Blanche also agreed.

“I heard that those participating in this exchange are only the most outstanding from the Imperial Academy.”

It seems they sent only the best in each field, as if they were determined to suppress them.

Haryun chuckled at Blanche’s words.

What could they possibly do?

“Okay. Wait here.”

Aran-se, who was leading them, stopped and said.

For now, they have to wait at the Academy’s main gate until the time comes.

Ian, who checked the time by looking at the sun, put his hand on the hilt of his sword, and Mya-ne meowed softly.

“Myaaaaaa…”

People walking from the end of the road can be seen.

The one at the front was an old man with white hair.

But for an old man, he was in good shape.

The appearance of those coming under the guidance of the burly old man in armor was.

“What? What’s wrong with them?”

Widia said blankly, and Ian smiled.

The man at the very front.

The eyes of everyone except Osnen were filled with venom.

“I heard they ran all the way here.”

“From where?”

“Generally, when coming to the North from the Empire, they pass through Red City, the capital of the Scarlet Kingdom.”

As Haryun said a word, Oerinna was horrified.

“Wait a minute. So they didn’t use the gate [teleportation gate] and ran all the way here from there?”

How far is that?

Everyone’s expression hardened slightly at the words that they ran a distance that would take several days even by carriage, and Aran-se muttered seriously.

“Should we try it later?”

Everyone was disgusted, and the students of the Imperial Academy arrived.

They stared silently at Class B, who was waiting, and the old man, the leader, took out a scroll from his chest and held it out.

“I am Baron Vilfrost Kalin, instructor of the Imperial Academy.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Aran-se, the homeroom instructor of Intermediate Class B of Fredeon Academy.”

Aran-se, who simply accepted the greeting, pointed behind him.

Instructors were standing behind the open Academy gate.

“Thank you for your hard work in coming here.”

“It’s nothing. It’s common to run for days on the battlefield.”

“This is not a battlefield.”

“The students of the Imperial Academy are all like excellent Imperial soldiers. Also…”

Vilfrost twitched his thick eyebrows.

“This place is also a battlefield for us.”

“Is that so?”

Even while facing the aura of a Master, Aran-se didn’t even blink an eye.

He had been tormented by the Fredeon instructors for days for this moment.

Vilfrost’s eyes were filled with interest as he faced the results.

“This is Ian, our representative of Intermediate Class B.”

“Ian Brandon.”

Vilfrost stared intently at Ian.

As Ian smiled at him while meeting his gaze, Osnen stepped forward.

“The one I saw yesterday.”

“That’s right.”

Was he trying to have a preliminary skirmish?

He looked at Ian and nodded.

“To bring a pet to the welcoming ceremony for the Imperial Academy. I can’t help but admire your audacity.”

The Class B students were furious at his sarcastic tone.

“Also, for an intermediate class to step up as the representative of Fredeon Academy. I’m curious about the level of the advanced class.”

Some of the students gritted their teeth at those words.

“Intermediate class is enough for the Imperial Academy.”

“Are you curious about the skills of the advanced class? How about defeating us first and finding out?”

The students of Class B and the Imperial Academy glared at each other.

In the tense atmosphere where it seemed like they would fight at any moment, Wildy looked at Ian.

Normally, when faced with such provocation, Ian would immediately retaliate with his unique sarcasm.

But Ian still had a nonchalant expression.

“That’s not like you. Is it because he’s a Crown Prince that you’re letting it slide even if he’s picking a fight?”

“Huh?”

“Excuse me?”

As Wildy wondered, Ian said calmly.

“He was praising me.”

“Excuse me? No, how can you interpret that sarcasm as praise…?”

Wildy, who was talking to Ian, looked at Osnen.

Looking at that expressionless face, it didn’t seem like that at all no matter how he looked at it.

But he couldn’t not believe what Ian said.

“…Really?”

“Judging by his face, that man is someone who doesn’t hide his true feelings. I think he was genuinely impressed and genuinely curious.”

Ian, who had examined him using face reading techniques used in many worldviews he possessed, stated firmly, and Wildy was flustered.

“You can tell that just by looking at his face? Really?”

“If you’re really suspicious, let’s ask him.”