Chapter 26 - Poster

"I don't want to become a mere Silver level. I'm going to become a Gold level in less than seven days."

"Gold?!" Vermeil raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Does that mean you already have a plan?"

"Yes, I imagined that my reputation could go up and down the drain after I summoned you and made you my familiar. So I talked to Moka in the carriage yesterday, and she explained a few ways we can use to rank up quickly, especially for those in an... unusual situation like ours."

"I'm listening. And what would those ways be?"

Basara put his hands in his pockets and kept walking. "There are three principal ways to rank up here. First, there are the Direct Duels. These duels are the riskiest but, at the same time, the fastest way to earn rank points. Any student can challenge another of equal or higher rank and, if they win, they get some points. According to it, it's possible to move up a rank after beating three different people of the same rank."

"A duel, then? Well, that sounds like my style."

"I knew you'd like it, but duels are under official regulation, and there are several restrictions on family members. Moka also said that duels that cause serious injury can end in expulsion, so even if it were allowed, it would be a risk to let you fight these people with Iron, Silver and even Gold levels."

Vermeil shrugged. "I can control myself when necessary."

Basara continued. "The second way is more technical. We have the Graded Extensive Magical Examinations — or simply GEMEs. These are rigorous tests that assess the student's knowledge, control, and magical power. It's a more stable route, but it requires patience and intense study to pass the various stages."

"Sounds tedious..."

Basara nodded. "Yes, and the third way is through Continental Dungeon Exploration. Students who get permission to enter the dungeon and register as adventurers are allowed to carry out expeditions into dungeons. Successful quests, award points and some magic items as well, which allows them to advance in the wizard rankings."

Vermeil smiled, with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Now that sounds interesting. What if we used your idea of reaching Gold in seven days by exploring one of these dungeons?"

Basara nodded. "That won't be possible. At least, not yet. The physical tests took place this week, but the magical tests will take place next week, and unfortunately I'm not very good with magic yet."

"You're at an academy, and you're no good with magic? How did you get in?" Vermeil asked, looking at Basara.

Basara put a hand to the back of his head and laughed, a little awkwardly. "My father is a civil servant. He works on the defense of the walls."

"I see...." Vermeil commented, tilting her head to look at him more closely. "That explains how you got a job, but it doesn't explain this aura you carry."

"That subject again? What aura? I don't understand."

Vermeil stopped and, leaning closer, the tip of her purple hair almost touched Basara's shoulder, who seemed to instinctively hold his breath.

"Don't be modest. I can feel your mana. Is... dense, almost as if it's being repressed. It's not the kind of energy you'd expect from someone who isn't 'good with magic'. You've obviously received training and have a powerful lineage."

Basara looked away, a slight blush appearing on his cheeks. "Well, that's..." Basara thought of an explanation, but nothing came to mind, so he sighed and decided to tell the truth. "Come on, let's take advantage of the break to go somewhere more appropriate to talk."

Basara took Vermeil's hand and walked with her through the school corridors at a fast pace. Everywhere they went, they attracted looks of envy, anger, laughter and even attraction, because Vermeil's appearance was striking for boys in the throes of puberty.

They left the busy corridors behind and headed towards a less frequented area of the gym, where there were a few trees and bushes.

"Ohh~ You brought me to a very discreet place, didn't you? What are you going..." Vermeil was about to tease Basara, when she remembered last night.

"No one comes to this corner, so I think we can talk without being interrupted." He said and looked at her seriously. "You're right. I had some training in magic, because I lived in a village of..." Basara thought of a word other than 'heroes'. "Anyway, my village had a lot of magic knights and all the children in my village were trained to defend ourselves. However, my specialization in magic is more for physical combat."

She tilted her head. "Hmm... So, if you can't go to the Dungeon and don't want to wait for the exams, then you'll follow the plan the second way, huh?"

"Exactly. While everyone thinks I'm weak for summoning a human, I'll get points from the duels. Just get the unsuspecting to come to me."

"But how do you intend to do that?"

Basara stared at her for a second, his lips still smiling enigmatically, but said nothing more. Instead, he turned around and started walking out of the secluded garden, showing with a slight gesture for Vermeil to follow him.

When one bell rang, announcing the end of classes that morning, the murmur of hundreds of students filled the stone corridors of the academy.

Many students stayed until after class for club activities, study groups in the library and other activities. And there was one area that was frequented by many students. This was the central stage, an area in the middle of the academy with a large garden, benches, tables and, of course, a large stone stage. On the central stage, some duels, festive events, meetings and performances took place.

Basara went exactly to this place. When he got there, Basara was carrying a makeshift poster that he had prepared himself after lunch. It was a simple piece of paper, but the letters were large and visible.

[Do you think I'm weak? Take my points. I'm willing to fight anyone.]

As a first-year student, Basara already started with 30 points and at Iron level. It was necessary to defeat two opponents in order to move up to Bronze level, but Basara was aiming for gold and so wouldn't take the points from any of the first opponents who fought him.

As he held up the poster, the curious gazes of the surrounding students became attentive.

"What's he doing?"

"Does he really think he can challenge anyone? Being a guy who's made a human as a familiar? What garbage..."

"Is he trying to get attention or something?"

"No one will challenge him, that's for sure. Taking points from someone who has nothing isn't worth it."

Basara ignored the comments about him and, as he had predicted, the wait didn't last long.

Footsteps resounded among the laughter and mocking whispers. A brown-haired student approached, and it was someone Basara was familiar with, having met him on the first day of school. It was Issei, the same one who had guided him and Moka to the classroom when they were lost.

"Basara-kun, is what you say on the sign serious?"

"Yes."

"You know, there's someone I want to impress. Someone who... honestly, seems out of my league for now. But you're here, giving me the chance to go even higher. I can't let that go to waste. So, Basara-kun, I'm sorry, but I'm going to take what few points you have."

"Very well, Issei-san. I'll fight you, but on two conditions." 

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