12
Oh no.
The black dragon’s nostrils flared again.
But, Catherine’s reaction was unexpected.
Normally, with her strong pride and filthy temperament, she would have burst into anger and charged at Rich.
“…What are you talking about?”
“Huh?”
“…Ban Gongja, why are you protecting me? Have you really gone mad?”
Her tone was still rough, but there was something missing in her voice.
Looking closely, beyond her fierce gaze, I sensed a faint bewilderment.
“…Could it be that she took my words as genuine concern?”
I realized the reason.
“Catherine has never been protected by anyone before.”
Catherine was abandoned by her parents from birth.
Even after coming to the magical family, no one protected her.
Everyone was her enemy.
Catherine had never experienced the protection that all children rightfully receive from adults.
So, this was her reaction.
In other words, “You’re the first one to treat me like this!”
“…Should I take advantage of Catherine?”
I secretly pondered.
The reason I tried to exclude Catherine was because I didn’t think she would obediently follow my orders.
Given the atmosphere, it seemed possible to manipulate things to one’s advantage.
“Do you want to capture that lich? Then follow my instructions.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?!”
“Or do you actually believe you can capture that lich? Quite the audacious presumption.”
Catherine hesitated.
Because it was a valid point.
“Master Ban, are you saying you can capture that lich?”
“Yes, with my greatness, anything is possible. Trust me.”
“Ha!”
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll handle it myself. Stop hindering and step aside. It would be more fitting for you to admire from behind as I deal with the lich.”
Finally, with determination, Catherine spoke.
“I won’t let such nonsense slide.”
Bingo.
She took the bait.
I extended my hand.
“Accept this magical sword.”
“…A magical sword?”
“Yes, when I give the signal, use all your strength to strike down the lich with this magical sword.”
Catherine frowned.
“I am a wizard. I’ve never handled a sword before…”
“Still, wielding a magic sword might be better than your shabby magic. Surely you don’t think your inadequate magic would work against a lich, right?”
Catherine fell silent like a cat that had licked honey.
For reference, despite being 17, the age of academy admission, she hadn’t mastered even the first level.
Considering her lineage from a prestigious magical family, it was an immensely lacking achievement.
“Remember. Swing the sword as I signal, then immediately step back.”
I walked towards the lich after the signal.
The lich showed no particular reaction, as if it were asleep.
“Because it’s responsive to the opponent’s mana and stays in a conscious state.”
My mana was so insignificant that it remained in a dormant state.
A gap I could aim for.
“But once I start using my hands, it’ll wake up. I have to shatter the life vessel with my apprentice’s ability before the lich reacts in earnest.”
It was a battle against time.
Would the lich’s counterattack hit me first, or would I shatter the life vessel first?
“Let’s do this.”
I swallowed nervously.
Thinking of a comfortable and bright future. I can do this.
I looked into the lich’s chest.
Deep within, the life vessel, the core, was visible.
As I concentrated, magical formulas came into view.
It was a magical ritual that concentrated a total of seven stars in the 7th constellation.
“The star in the center is the core!”
My Grand Magus’ abilities pierced through the essence of the stars, discerning which star played the most crucial role.
“The 2nd star protects the whole, while the 4th and 5th stars envelop the core like satellites.”
With the core’s inherent protection, it was a triple defense that my mere one mana couldn’t possibly breach.
“But if I seize the opportunity…”
The 2nd star provided extensive defense.
There were faint openings.
The 4th and 5th stars moved like satellites, filling those gaps.
For a moment, the two stars intersected, revealing a gap.
A gap that only I could target.
“Now’s the time!”
I raised my hand.
The charisma of the Black Flame Dragon seized the opportunity without fail.
“Disappear, foul creature of chaos.”
The magic was activated.
It was a 1st constellation “Mana Needles.”
A basic attack magic that pierced the opponent with mana needles.
It only caused a slight pain and had no lethal power, but at the precise moment, targeting the exact spot, it could have an effect beyond imagination.
[Kiaaah!!!]
Wajangchang!
The defensive barrier of the Life Vessel crumbled down.
But, it was just the barrier that had been dismantled, not the core.
Ritch spat out a voice full of rage.
[How dare you…! To the recluse of darkness…!]
Ritch raised his hand.
Paaah!
The mana of darkness, “magi,” gathered, and dark magic was about to manifest.
At the moment when the dark magic was to strike, I would be like a fly swatted by a flyswatter.
But.
“Now’s the time!”
“Haap!”
Katrinn, who had been waiting behind, drew her sword.
Clumsy skills. However, it was a decisive blow without hesitation, befitting of the future “Hero of Light.”
[Grgh! How dare these insignificant humans…!!]
The magic contained in the sword was the holy attribute “Holy Sword.”
It made Ritch falter.
It was a fleeting moment, but it was as precious as gold.
‘My victory!’
Rich belatedly invoked black magic, gathering a mist of darkness. However, breaking the core of the Life Vessel would be quicker for me.
But then, something unexpected happened.
“You foolish idiot! Pretending to be all great! Be careful!!”
Thinking I was in danger, Katerina leaped in front of me, wielding her magic sword towards the mist of darkness.
I was grateful for her heart, but…
“Dangerous!!”
The mist surged towards Katerina in my place.
Darkness enveloped my vision.
Originally, I planned to break the core and use magic to escape backward. I had prepared in advance.
But if I fled like this, Katerina would be engulfed by the mist and die.
“No! If Katerina dies, who will save the world?!”
I gritted my teeth.
I needed to find a way.
Then, a sudden thought occurred.
“Perhaps?”
I didn’t know if it would work.
If I failed, I would be entwined in that dreadful mist too.
But.
“Katerina is the fool who should fight in my place! I can’t let her die under any circumstances!”
“Foolish. Haven’t I told you to trust me?”
Tap. Tap.
As I reached out my hand, a sound like the scattering of dust echoed.
Mana dust.
More precisely, residue flowing from Catherine’s magic sword, Holy Sword, which she had wielded.
“W-What are you trying to do?”
Catherine’s eyes widened.
She must have realized that I was attempting something absurd.
What I was trying to do was to manifest magic using the remnants of mana.
I don’t know if it will succeed.
Manifesting magic on the spot using the floating mana in the air is fundamentally impossible.
But.
‘Somehow, it feels like I can do it.’
“Watch closely.”
The remnants of light mana formed a pattern around me.
Like a single star.
The faint mana dust that had been swirling between the vertices connected into lines, forming an instant magic circle.
“This is true magic.”
The manifested magic was a 1st-tier shield spell.
However, its power was unimaginably formidable for a 1st-tier spell.
The fog of Richie’s death could be temporarily dispelled.
Simultaneously.
Boom!
The Life Vessel was destroyed.
[GOOOOO!!!]
-The core of Richie has been destroyed!
-Conquered the cave of lamentation!
-Obtained the mystical magic, ‘Shadow Sword’!
Alright!!
It was close, but it was a success.
‘Shadow Sword is the best match for a Grandmaster. With this, the promotion exam will be…’
However, an unexpected message popped up.
-You have become the patron of Katarina (Hero candidate)!
-Katarina’s ‘Affinity’ towards you increases!
‘…What is this?’
Cold sweat trickled down.
* * *
Affinity.
It was one of the systems of the Hero Academy.
Through interactions among the protagonists, they could raise ‘Affinity’ with each other, and this Affinity would have a significant impact on future scenario developments.
“…I’m not even the protagonist, just an extra. What the hell is this intimacy!”
It didn’t seem like a false message.
I came out of the cave, taking a breather, and Catherine was glaring at me intensely from the opposite side as if she wanted to kill me.
“What should I do?”
I felt awkward.
I should say it again, but I have to avoid the protagonists.
But of all things, to attract the aggro of the most dangerous bomb.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Ugh, I couldn’t just let her die. If Catherine dies, who will save the world?!”
I had to clean up the mess.
“Don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t trying to save you or anything.”
Ah.
This doesn’t seem right.
Catherine’s gaze became peculiar.
I was about to say more excuses, but Catherine interrupted with a sigh.
“…When did you become so skilled in magic?”
“I haven’t. I was a genius from the beginning.”
“Confucius, are you talking about yourself?”
“Yeah, the world has just been wandering without recognizing my genius.”
Catherine made a face telling me not to talk nonsense, but I remained confident.
If she’s like that, what can you do?
In the end, Catherine couldn’t press further.
Instead, she sighed and unexpectedly asked, “… Can I become like you?”
Her heavy voice carried the weight of her contemplation.
‘Hmm.’
I pondered.
‘That’s impossible.’
Catherine had a fundamental ‘issue.’
It was impossible for me to provide a solution.
She had to realize it on her own.
‘Wait. What if I do this?’
A method to make Catherine realize her problem crossed her mind.
Above all,
‘With this method, I can distance myself from her!!’
“It’s difficult for you to become like me. I’m a genius bestowed by the heavens, and you’re a dullard of the mundane.”
“…”
“But it’s not impossible. Experience a lot in practical situations from now on.”
“Practical situations?”
“Yeah, as a future distinguished professor, I guarantee that real-life experience will be more effective for you than simple studying. Go to Peridot Academy.”
Peridot Academy was located near the magical realm.
Pragmatic learning style was renowned.
In the chaotic encounters with monsters, even Catherine would come to realize her own shortcomings.
“Above all, Peridot Academy is the farthest away from Luviness Academy, so you’ll never have to see it again!”
It’s not that I dislike Catherine.
But, isn’t it true?
The farther, the better the relationship.
Maintaining only positive emotions and being forever apart is the best way.
However.
“Professor Myung? Are you trying to become a professor? At which academy?”
“…Luviness Academy. Why do you ask?”
“Just curious.”
Catherine closed her mouth firmly.
“I’m saying this for your sake. You must go to Peridot Academy. Trust me.”
Emphasizing sincerity once again.
“…Understood. Luviness Academy.”
“No, I said go to Peridot Academy.”
“Yes, Luviness Academy.”
“….”