Chapter 69
A short 20-day closed-door training had begun.
Having informed Professor Louisa in advance, there was no need to worry about any disturbances.
Although there were cases in Academia where training continued in solitary confinement without attending classes, it was rare to notify and enter as I did.
Since she was someone who turned a blind eye as long as the rules of Academia were not excessively violated, my decision this time was not interfered with.
However, it was stipulated that at least once a day, I should have my condition checked by a relevant person, which was replaced with Alicia through discussion.
During the closed-door training, Alicia did not conduct inspections, and most external contacts were blocked.
Once a day, Alicia brought meals and checked my condition. Even if Alicia came in, I gave a signal not to speak and she quietly left.
There was no need to waste time conversing with anyone for the time being.
It was truly the optimal environment for training.
It was a precious time ahead, not much left.
“Well… I should make the bead tower again.”
There were several ways to increase the total amount of mana, but rebuilding the bead tower was the most revolutionary method to drastically increase mana in the current state by gathering mana again, shaping it into a concrete form, and reducing its size.
Recently, I was able to stack mana with a diameter of 1m reduced to 5cm up to 7 floors, so I needed to increase the floors first.
It is efficient to have at least 10 floors before moving on to the next stage.
However, starting today, a more special method will be implemented.
“….”
I look ahead.
There is a young boy in front of me who seems to be holding Vargan in his hands.
That’s the 10-year-old Vargan.
To be precise, it’s the magical power Vargan possessed at the age of 10.
Before receiving the assignment from Haleion, a doppelganger created to contain all the mana available at the time. That’s this Little Bargan.
Among Bargan’s working horses, solely for storing mana, a mana-supplying working horse.
This transparent child, who does not have a physical form, can only recognize the contractor. Occasionally, spirits or unique entities can be perceived, but generally not.
In the original work, since Bargan already had a lot of mana, through this working horse, he received additional supply, making it even easier to utilize vast spells.
However, I decided to view this child not as a mana-supplying battery, but as a rival to compete with fiercely, comparing progress in training.
Unlike other working horses, with whom interaction is not smooth, and who only store mana seemingly in an on-and-off manner, this child can be versatile in terms related to “mana.”
For example, like this.
Ziiing?.
As the bluish light gathers in the hands of the 10-year-old Bargan, centuries are added. As the concentration increases, the distance between magical particles shortens. Soon, the form becomes a small bead held in the hand.
This working horse, through “supplying,” cannot manifest other magic but can handle pure mana.
The mana currently being activated by the supply is at the level of the 10-year-old Bargan.
The maximum is my mana from two weeks ago, and the intensity can be adjusted. Furthermore, the supply is not sealed as an artifact.
In other words, with limited power, I can train against the record of mana growth Bargan has achieved so far.
While progress can be confirmed by the height of the tower built or the diameter of the bead, it is more intuitive and effective for comparison.
“Not speaking is even better.”
As the 10-year-old Bargan quietly begins to build the mana tower, I also took action. The supply shows no response other than providing mana and requires no sustenance, making it the best competitor.
“I’ve grown accustomed to this unpleasant sensation.”
Even with artifacts limiting mana, I have now become quite accustomed, making it possible to create beads naturally despite the uncomfortable sensation and restrictions.
Of course, I cannot say that I am satisfied with recognizing and experiencing even higher perfection, but I feel the progress steadily as I know the level.
In gaming terms, it feels like seeing experience points and levels in a reality that had nothing before. I embrace the sense of achievement.
Once again, I create beads.
And stack them up.
As the mana circuit heats up, as stamina and mental strength wear down, the sense of achievement grows.
It has been 20 days.
Only 20 days.
Realistically, by the time the training is over, the age of the supply facing me would be around 13.
With mana being restricted by artifacts, in reality, I might not be able to properly compare with the 13-year-old Bargan and there’s a chance it might end before that.
However, this is not a pessimistic statement but a positive one.
The three years of Bargan’s childhood. There’s a possibility of surpassing this time within the remaining 20 days. Even if it’s an achievement related only to mana, it’s like a miracle.
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Therefore, not a single day, not an hour, not even a minute can be wasted.
No room for any deviation.
Sleeping is a luxury.
Let’s invest every moment.
…
Like that,
Layer by layer.
The tower of mana is being built.
***
From the distant realm of the mind, a woman’s voice is heard. The voice becomes clearer and eventually wakes another woman.
“Alicia… Alicia!”
“…Yes, yes?!”
Alicia blinked in surprise. It was her colleague Emily who had woken her up. Emily, who had been waving her hand in front of Alicia, stopped her motion when Alicia responded.
“You finally answered. You’ve been staring off into space for quite a while, you know?”
“Ah… Did I do that?”
“Yeah, it wasn’t a joke, it was like you were under hypnosis or something. Right, Emily?”
Frida suddenly interjected into their conversation. Every time she turned her head, her fox-like ears perked up in response.
Emily looked at Alicia affirmatively. Concerned eyes.
“Are you okay? If you’re not feeling well, wouldn’t it be better to take a break and rest today?”
“Thank you for worrying, Emily. But I’m fine. I just had a bit of a dizzy spell because it hasn’t been long since I had lunch.”
Alicia tried to ease Emily’s concern with a faint smile.
Watching Alicia like that, Frida rested her chin on her hand and pondered for a moment. Alicia, who was diligent and reliable, lost focus while studying. There must be a reason. What has changed here now?
“Barghan’s absence.”
“Ah, I see.”
Frida smiled with a meaningful look in her eyes.
“Why are you like that, Frida?”
“It’s nothing, really. Since I haven’t completely given up yet, I can’t push aside Alicia, a strong competitor.”
Becoming Barghan’s woman would be a great advantage, but being the second wife is better than the third, and the main wife is better than the second. That’s a fact.
Frida bounced the idea around in her mind and then closed her mouth.
As the conversation came to an end, the door of the research room opened.
“Oh, Erica.”
Alicia stood up to greet her.
‘Wow… She’s coming in here.’
Frida marveled silently.
The surprise inspections by the student council continued regularly. Once or twice a week, someone from the student council would come to observe activities or inspect reports.
Today, Erica was in charge of Arbol Frutal.
Sitting at the table, Erica, having finished her checks, looked around to find someone.
“Where’s Shugenhardt?”
“His Lordship has started closed-door training for the next 20 days, so he won’t be coming out for a while. …Didn’t you hear about it?”
“Closed-door training?”
Upon hearing Alicia’s response, she showed a puzzled expression. It seems Erica had no knowledge of the closed-door training.
Frida turned her head for a moment, relaxed her facial muscles, and with a naïve expression, said:
“That’s quite strange. His fiancée, Erica, wasn’t informed about it. We were aware in advance.”
Erica’s sharp eyes met Frida’s.
“You, what’s your name?”
Though Frida showed no malice with her puzzled eyes, she was different from Dipheliana and Alicia. Erica felt a strange discomfort.
“It’s the first time you’re greeting me like this. I’m Frida. I’m one of the executives of Arbol Frutal, Barghan’s research group.”
“Oh, is that so…? So you’re Frida.”
Erica’s expression slightly furrowed upon hearing Frida’s name. She was the one who had betrayed Dipheliana’s class and sided with Barghan.
From Erica’s perspective, Frida was the main instigator who contributed to the defeat in the class battle and strained the relationship with Dipheliana.
Although she hadn’t specifically investigated Frida’s identity due to the incident in the class battle, rumors were circulating so she had some information about the kind of person Frida was.
However, it was the first time seeing her face… It seemed like something I wouldn’t be able to forget for a while.
Facing Erika, Frida turned her head swiftly, holding a teacup with both hands and sipping the tea. Her curly tail swayed slightly.
“……”
Erika, handling Arvol Frutal’s report more roughly than usual, picked it up and sat down in a spot with some distance.
On the other hand, Emily, who had experienced Dane’s incident before, began to pack her textbooks into her bag quietly. Her actions continued without hesitation.
“Oh, now I remember. I completely forgot about the promise with Liam, didn’t I? Ha, hahahahaha. I… should I go first?”
Emily tried to leave quickly.
“Is that so? I’m not sure if you’re not late. Take care on your way in, Miss Emily.”
“Uh, yeah… See you tomorrow, Alicia.”
Innocent Alicia’s response turned into a gesture to help her leave smoothly. Emily lightly greeted everyone and left the lab.
As if filling Emily’s empty seat,
Within the silence for a while, the three of them immersed themselves in their own tasks. Since no one spoke up first, silence was the only thing that lingered.
Finally, after about an hour, the first words began to exchange. Erika, who had scrutinized all of Arvol Frutal’s records, found Alicia’s progress fascinating once again.
“Shugenhardt brought you here, right?”
Alicia, who was reading her textbook, looked at Erika with rabbit-like eyes. Seeing that she didn’t seem to understand, Erika added an explanation.
“He suddenly showed up and brought you here from the quiet village.”
“To bring me here so forcefully… Hmm. Yes, he brought me from the countryside.”
“Did he know about your talent from the beginning? Or was he unaware until then?”
“Oh, that’s… well.”
Erika could see a hint of hesitation in her expression. She is Shugenhardt’s exclusive attendant. It’s delicate to talk about him in his absence.
“You don’t have to say if it makes you uncomfortable.”
Forcing her into an awkward position without a clear purpose or benefit is not appropriate. If one truly wants to know, they can ask directly later.
“No, it’s not that I’m uncomfortable, but I didn’t know well, so I couldn’t tell you. I haven’t heard how Lord Vargan knew about me and came in person.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes… But I can tell you about the things I’ve experienced. There are quite a few people who already know, and especially if it’s you, Erica, I don’t think there would be any problem.”
Although Erica wondered why Alicia thought there would be no problem, she decided to listen quietly to Alicia’s continuation.
Alicia briefly explained the process of how she came to the Academia.
He suddenly came and took her, told her about her talent that she herself didn’t know about in the carriage, and through various trainings, she was able to come here.
While pretending to read a book, Frida listened attentively to her conversation, and Erica narrowed her eyes as the story progressed, deep in thought.
“Hmm….”
She’s a genius with this level of talent. People in magic or martial arts at a high level can assess her talent by observing her.
But what needs attention is that Alicia had not attended a separate church and had not encountered anyone resembling a hero. Perhaps they had met without her even knowing, but is it possible that this information only reaches Vargan’s ears, far away without a sound?
As Erica pondered, Alicia added more to her words.
“In fact… I asked once before. I too had the same curiosity as you, Erica, and wanted to confirm it with Lord, even if I had to seek permission.”
“And then?”
“He just mentioned there is a way to know and didn’t elaborate on the process.”
Is Shugenhardt hiding that process?
A small bud of doubt blossomed.
“Is it just because I’m pretty?”
Suddenly, Frida opened her mouth. She closed the book she was reading, scanned Alicia from head to toe, and finally gazed into her blue eyes.
“It’s strange that such beauty hasn’t caused a stir in the village. There must have been plenty of persistent men around. I bet the rumors spread to neighboring villages and beyond. If Alicia’s talent hadn’t been kept under wraps, I’d think this side of things would seem more realistic.”
Frida turned her gaze towards Erica.
“Don’t you think so?”
“……”
Though her eyes still held a hint of discomfort, what she said seemed to have its own validity. It was a different perspective that Erica hadn’t considered.
“Well…! No! I’m just a common…?”
“Stop it, Alicia. If you say more, it’ll be deceit. It may sound strange to say this, but it’s quite remarkable that you, with such looks, haven’t been involved in any crimes so far.”
Having lived in a rough harem, avoiding others and surviving by deception, she knew well the kind of looks mixed-race individuals like her received.
Frida had faced such crisis situations several times, overcoming them with a strong mind and resilience.
“Baragan seems more interested in training and power than women, but still, he’s a man. It’s only natural for him to be interested in pretty women.”
Referring to Baragan’s appearance, power, wealth, and abilities, it was said that even if the rumors about beauties spread worldwide were combined, it wouldn’t be surprising.
By the way, it was mentioned that if it were oneself, one would have thought the same.
“You’re quite mischievous.”
“Oh! If I offended you, I sincerely apologize. There were no bad intentions.”
Frida showed a surprised reaction, bowing her head. Although she verbally apologized sincerely, her expression didn’t match.
She raised her head and spoke. With the corners of her eyes and mouth drooping, she looked like someone who had committed a sin.
“Hah.”
Erica let out a short fake laugh. She closed the book with a thud, indicating she didn’t need to engage further, then stood up as if there was no need to continue.
“Alicia, thank you for sharing.”
“Oh, no. It’s nothing.”
Alicia could sense the tension between the two and, with a stiff movement, accepted the document Frida handed over.
As Erica turned away after handing over the document, she looked at Frida with a piercing gaze, and Frida turned her eyes away as if unaware.
Swoosh.
As Erica disappeared, Alicia asked urgently, “F-Frida, why are you acting like this?”
“It’s just… a bit of jealousy from a woman who can’t even become a concubine. Besides, I didn’t actually say anything. I didn’t lie.”
“Well, it might be true, but the tone of your words…”
Seeing Alicia’s puzzled expression, Frida snickered.
“Alicia, I really like you.”
Contrary to the conversation’s flow, Frida began to praise Alicia. She found her appearance, personality, and way of speaking ideal and perfect.
“To the extent that I, who doesn’t give advice to anyone, would want to specially advise you.”
Tap. She lightly tapped Alicia’s shoulder.
Her voice, a mix of playfulness and seriousness, echoed.
“Don’t hide too much.”
“Yes…?”
“Or you might really miss out.”
With that statement, Frida left the lab.
Alone, Alicia was left to listen to the silence of the vast research lab.
“……”
What is the meaning of Frida’s words?
I ponder slowly.