What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 495

#495

Self-Sacrifice (3)

That’s right. Today is the 9th day of the operation.

Pulling down the furry monster fur hood halfway, I stood next to Sir Johann.

The students were taking the chilly wind head-on, but I was an exception.

Thanks to Herrit’s father’s consideration, the air where I was felt just right.

Wearing thick thumb gloves and a scarf, I stayed warm the whole time.

-Whoo-oosh…!

“This time, Guild Master Heineken will present you with a ‘moving enemy’.”

“Yes?”

“The priest?”

“The Lizard Administrator?”

As the Cardinal explained to the students, their young eyes widened all at once.

Half of them seemed to openly distrust the teacher’s words.

I would have reacted similarly, so I gave an awkward smile.

It would have been much more educational for Instructor Johann to fight 30 to 1 alone.

I don’t have muscles, I’m skinny, and my stamina and endurance are only slightly better.

That was only when compared to the average person.

To these teenagers who have trained their whole lives in the harsh winds and sea breezes, ‘Elite Seo’ was just a pushover.

Sadly, that was the reality.

“Did you really learn to control lizards?”

“Ahahaha!”

“Hey! Apologize, heh-heok!”

The hand slapping his friend’s back was almost as spicy as Buldak ramen [a very spicy Korean noodle dish].

Class 7 of the 3rd grade was as cheerful and lively as all the other classes.

Only the class president, Cory, was glaring fiercely at his classmates with his eyes wide open. ‘How dare you laugh in front of the instructors!’

Only then did the giggling children clear their throats, purse their lips, and try to control their expressions.

Sir Johann sighed softly. I smiled bitterly and opened my mouth.

“I am not a combat priest, but I know a few techniques that can be useful in battle. Today, I will introduce one of them to you and help you train. Starting with Class 7, I will conduct the same class for other 3rd grade students.”

“……”

“It won’t be fun if I explain it with words, so I’ll show you a demonstration right away.”

Then the children’s cheeks turned red with curiosity.

It’s easier than eating Diborce [likely a simple food], but I took a deep breath with a more serious attitude than ever before. Hoo-oop―

-Paaaah!

Saaaah…!

At the same time as a dazzling golden light burst from my body, a wide sanctuary opened.

The students’ jaws dropped in unison.

Some children jumped up several inches in surprise.

Over the cold, frozen dirt floor, golden orbs of light drew splendid patterns.

Everyone exclaimed at the sight of the circle’s patterns vividly coming to life before their eyes. ‘Wowwww…!’

“It’s so pretty, so pretty!”

“Oh my gosh… I’ve only seen this in books!”

“Me too! I only saw it in picture books when I entered school!”

“This is what it feels like to be blessed…”

“It’s much more beautiful than I imagined!”

The reaction was very good!

Class President Cory looked up at the sky with reddened eyes, trying hard to hold back tears.

I smiled slightly and released even more Aether [a magical energy source].

In times like these, my teacher would gracefully gesture as if dancing, but I couldn’t do that because it felt awkward.

It seemed okay since the students were happy as they were.

Although the 3rd grade Class 3, who we met for the first time, had seen it before, it was a completely unfamiliar sight to the other children.

It was said that all the priests of the Barun Territory were gathered in the lord’s castle.

Even then, there were only two or three of them, so I heard that they were mainly in charge of healing and hearing confessions of the lord’s family.

Even though it was called a theocracy, the situation was not much different from the countryside of the Empire.

No, there were quite a few general practitioners there, so it was worse here.

“This is not the end. It’s just the beginning.”

“Waaah…”

Instead of taking out a scripture from my chest, I stretched out my right arm. It was for concentration and explosion.

And―

[Come out, Almighty Arm!]

“Hmm.”

-Charrrrr!

Chwaaa, chwaaa, chwaaaaa…! Thick streams of Aether gushed out like a fountain and burst into bloom.

The sound resembled the song of the waves, and in another way, it was as clear as the sound of jade beads colliding.

Startled, Class 7 scattered and retreated in all directions.

I created familiar and round creatures so that the students wouldn’t be too scared.

The easiest form is, of course, streamlined.

Typically, Tite!

[Deploy!]

-Charrr! Charrrr…!

“Wow, so cute!”

As the lumps of light resembling harp seals jumped up and down, the young mouths widened like gourds.

Even I couldn’t help but smile at those faces.

They were friends who looked older than their age because they were big and had rough skin, but they became younger when they smiled like this.

I continued to create shapes resembling lesser pandas and wrens.

-Slap, slap, chaaa…!

“Waaah!”

“Today, you will train against this illusion. Sandbag training is good, but this is perfect for dealing with randomly moving enemies. And as you know, monsters don’t care about our circumstances and act as they please.”

As I explained calmly, the students nodded with their mouths open wide enough to reveal their uvulas.

They were big kids, but still cute. Then Cory raised his hand brightly.

“Teacher Heineken.”

“Yes, student Cory.”

“May I ask the name of this wonderful technique?”

The class president finally cracked.

The girl had an expression of excitement at the feast of Aether, but I couldn’t answer right away, so I pursed my lips for a moment.

Hmm, that.

That is…

‘I have to give that technique a name too.’

‘Light-Bounce. Light-Fries.’

Ugh! My eyes snapped shut for a moment.

It was because the protagonist’s voice, which I had heard in the carriage sometime, began to linger around my ears like a curse.

That was probably around this time last year.

I heard Sir Johann whispering next to me, ‘Princess?’

My eyes opened solemnly. There will definitely be a better name. This is not an assumption, but a fact.

…I will find the answer. As always.

“The name of the technique, you see. I put a lot of thought into it.”

But I needed time to think. First, I bought some time with unnecessary sentences.

In fact, I had asked my teacher for this ultimate move first.

I also thought that there might be a priest who used the same technique before me.

But the answer that came back was so unexpected.

‘Yeser. I have never read or heard of such a technique.’

‘Yes? But it’s quite simple…’

‘Not simple at all. Ordinary priests already consume a considerable amount of Aether in the act of opening a circle. Of course, it’s not enough to strain the body, but it’s almost impossible to create concrete shapes like our disciple because they are overflowing with power. I have never even imagined such a thing, even with Aether.’

‘Ah…’

‘In short, it’s a matter of innate total amount of Aether and imagination.’

That’s what Oreli said, and then gently stroked my forehead.

Then she added softly.

‘And if you are a full-fledged priest, you must name your own technique. Or your partner can name it for you.’

‘Gasp. Is there such a principle?’

‘It’s more of a promise than a principle. Frederick gave the activation word for one of the circles I created. This is a long history of priests.’

Oh, that’s right. I don’t have a way to call the Crown Prince right now, so what should I name it?

Should something pop up like when I used Crown Aether?

But this is literally a variety show…

Since it’s not a circle, it’s the rule to make it in Latin like a stigmata.

Ugh. Still, ‘Carpe Diem’ is too much, right?

“Teacher?”

“Guild Master?”

“Oh, yes. After a long agony, I came up with a wonderful name… I’m embarrassed to say it like this. Edelweiss, sir?”

Oh well, I don’t know. Please help me!

“……Yes?”

There was a clear bewilderment in Sir Johann’s eyes.

I nodded quickly because I was afraid he would refuse.

I believe in you, Herrit’s father! I heard that you automatically learn the divine language when you become a cardinal!

“Please name something good. I’m sorry for asking you this on the spot.”

“Princess, I am not your partner.”

“Yes. But shouldn’t we keep it a secret from them?”

“Good heavens.”

Whisper, whisper, murmur, murmur.

We subtly turned our bodies and exchanged a barrage of conversations.

The man lowered his eyes as if lost in thought for a moment, then lifted his eyelids again to capture me.

For some reason, I had a good feeling.

“…Can I ask you for one favor in return?”

“A favor?”

“Yes. Of course, you can refuse comfortably.”

“No, not at all!”

I quickly nodded and looked up at him. Sir Johann has something he wants from me.

I was so happy that he was saying what he wanted himself. Jackpot!

“Just tell me. I will do anything I can. What is it?”

“…Can I see Herrit?”

“Yes?”

Blink, blink. Suddenly your son?

“With your ability, Princess. It will only be very occasionally.”

“Ah…! Of course, of course!”

‘I can do it three times a day!’ Only then did I realize what he meant, and I smiled brightly and turned to face forward again.

Somehow, I felt indescribable, and my heart was full and warm.

Sir Johann, who turned his body slowly, had a strangely unfamiliar face.

But it was far from a negative feeling.

That alone made a silly smile hang on my lips.

Good. It’s really good.

“…Noctiluca.”

I hope we can continue to do this in the future. I’m happy even if it’s one step at a time.

“Oooooh…”

“That’s the name of the Guild Master’s disruption technique.”

Sir Johann explained in a gentle voice.

The students nodded their heads and repeatedly exclaimed.

They awkwardly tried to follow his pronunciation. I belatedly widened my eyes.

Wait, ‘Noctiluca’?

“Wow.”

The nuance is good! Does it have a good meaning?

*

At the same time. Barun Territory’s lord’s castle.

“Therefore… Oops.”

The audience chamber, where those who came to meet the lord arrived first, was a very crude space despite its importance.

Even a blue-haired knight would be speechless because there were only two magic lights.

Even those were placed on the left and right of the upper seat, so the floor where the guest stood was so dark that even the floor was not visible.

It was a bonus that all sides were rough because they were densely packed with wide rock chunks.

The young man with the herald’s flag staggered for a moment and continued.

“…’Therefore, from December 25th to January 8th, for exactly fifteen days, I order you to suspend all punishment of criminals and combat activities that follow your authority. This is the solemn royal order given to you by Princess Eliser Venetian as the King’s representative, and it is the will of the proud god.’ That is all.”

‘Tak.’ The woman who folded the scroll bowed politely.

“…I heard you well.”

In response, a rough voice answered. The person sitting behind the screen in the highest seat was two people.

Among them, chocolate-colored eyes narrowed like a crescent moon.