New Opportunities and Mirco Academy

It's been a busy week.

I've made some progress on Lucia's procrastinated research for a cure, I've begun to learn some spells, and I met with Benjamin over the weekend to deliver Hosan's swords.

Lucia's research is still very time-consuming, so there's no immediate resolution, but I'm making progress with her magic.

Hmph.

Her first non-Earth magic.

Something made of flames bloomed in the air.

'It's still at the basic magic level, but thanks to your mana talent, you should be able to advance to the beginner level quickly.

The reason why I mastered fire-based magic first was because it was compatible with earth-based magic, which was now my mainstay.

'However, due to the nature of my mana, my firepower is not very good.

Aside from my rapidly increasing magical proficiency, my firepower was weak due to the altered nature of black magic. To overcome this, I've been analyzing Salem's mana waves in depth, but I'm not sure if it will produce the results I want.

'Rather than that....'

That wasn't the important thing.

The reason why I was trying to master another type of elemental magic, even if the firepower was a bit lower.

Grunt.

I drew Galakshur and infused it with mana.

Black mana flashed around the sword in an instant.

"If I arrange the mana here and enter the formula.

My head felt dizzy.

But as he finished his calculations, Galakshur's once-black blade was engulfed in black flames and began to roar.

'Fusion of magic and sword.

I had tried to do this a few times in the game and failed miserably.

This time, however, I managed to get it right.

"The answer was 'bowl'."

If I had been "dual-core," I would have failed again.

In fact, every character I've tried in the game has tried dual-core and failed.

'The mana used for the sword is used for magic. I can't just use this instead.

For one thing, the concentration required was staggering.

It was hard enough to activate my body and put mana on my sword, but having to think about complex mana arrangements and formulas would overload my brain.

'If only I could use it properly instead.

I swung my sword at the training dummy in my personal training room.

The sword flames transferred to the dummy, which was neatly sliced open and began to burn.

It was like a follow-up to a single attack.

"The vessel is a unique attribute. Only I can mix magic and sword in this world.

There must be people who can use them at the same time.

Salem alone could use martial arts and magic at the same time.

But fusing them into this form was a skill that only he had.

There were many other types of magic, but the number that could actually be applied was limited.

"But the important thing is that I can create new magic.

For now, he had to build a foundation and learn all the magic he could.

From there, I could acquire or evolve my magic-related talents, and then create magic or fusion magic that I could use as a sword.

"Easier said than done.

As I thought about it, I realized that words were a big deal, but I didn't know how many years it would take to reach that level.

For now, I'll just have to work hard on my magic.

'If I make elixirs in the meantime, I'll gain talent, so it shouldn't take too long.

In addition to learning magic, I had to brew a potion with the ingredients from the meeting.

The elixir I would make would grant me a 'Talent'.

Among the many talents, I chose the one related to magic power.

To do this, I decided to stop practicing swordsmanship for a while.

Deshun's progress in his sword technique, the Nirvana Sword, had stalled, and there was no sign that he would improve with further training.

"Still, I should keep up with my training.

I tidied up and stepped out of the private training room.

The air was still chilly, cooling the sweat on my body.

Tomorrow, the exchange meeting with Mirko Academy would begin.

It was an unexpected scenario, but I wasn't afraid of it.

I'll just do what I always do. Just doing the best I can.

* * *

After the morning lecture, Vivian was heading somewhere with an excitement she hadn't felt in a long time.

Her destination was the administration building.

She was on her way to greet the students from Mirko Academy on a field trip.

"Adrias is coming, too.

But right now, the last thing on Vivian's mind was Mirco Academy.

All she could think about was meeting Adrias.

She hadn't really been interested in the exchange that Headmaster Deos had suggested a few days ago.

But when she heard that the academy was organizing an exchange for those who had performed well in the tournament, her first thought was whether or not Adrias would be participating.

"Would he be okay?

Arriving at the train station, she took a moment to draw her own sword and run a hand through her hair in the reflection of the hilt.

She took a moment to check for any unexpected corners before the train arrived, and then began to wonder how she should look when she met Adrias.

"Smile?

She tried to smile once, thinking her face looked a little dark in the reflection of her sword.

But it felt unnatural, like a forced smile under duress.

'If only I were as cute as Lucia.'

Unhappy with her expression, she frowned, but then forced herself to smile once more.

Tou-tou-tou.

The sound of the train pulling into the station could be heard, and Vivian made a last-ditch effort to force a natural smile.

Poof.

The train came to a complete stop and the magical automatic doors opened.

A familiar voice drifted through the open doors.

"Vivian?"

Still practicing her facial expressions at the reflection of her sword, she looked up, startled.

There, staring back at her, was Adrias, shaking his head.

"Ah, ah, ah...."

A flustered Vivian stammered with her mouth open, and Adrias was the first to raise his hand and wave.

"Uh, yeah. hello. It's been a while. You're on the train, right?"

She nodded hastily and stepped onto the train.

The sword in her hand had already been sheathed.

"Is Vivian coming to the exchange as well?"

"Yes."

"Then I guess we can go together."

"Adrias."

"Yes."

Vivian, who had suddenly called Adrias's name, looked him in the face and smiled softly.

"Hi."

"Yes?"

Adrias involuntarily looked away at Vivian's sudden smile and then back again.

She'd always had a stern expression and a look that said she didn't know what she was thinking, but when she smiled, it was devastating.

There was a moment of awkward air, and as the train began to pull away, Adrias spoke again.

"I know I'm late, but congratulations on your runner-up finish, and I'm sorry I didn't come by and congratulate you earlier."

"No, it's okay, Adrias was sick."

Adrias, who had already been declared cured, felt strangely guilty at Vivian's words.

After a moment's hesitation, he glanced at Vivian, who was looking out the window, and asked cautiously.

"Did you come right after your morning lecture?"

"Yes."

"Have you eaten by any chance?"

"No. Not yet."

Vivian had been walking as soon as the lecture ended, excited to see Adrias.

Adriàs was on his way to catch the train, as he hadn't eaten in a long time and was looking forward to filling his stomach at Aven Street.

"Well, since we still have time, why don't we have lunch together, and I'll buy you something to celebrate."

"Lunch?"

Vivian's eyes widened, and Adrias nodded.

"Yes. Are you not hungry by any chance?"

"No. Very hungry. Very hungry."

Vivian's eyes lit up as she spoke urgently.

Adrias was slightly embarrassed by the reaction, but didn't let it show.

"Then let's eat first on Alven Street and then go to the Administration Building."

"Okay."

Since Alben Street was closer to the administration building, they quickly got off the train.

When they got off the train, the streets were deserted, probably because they had left as soon as the morning lecture was over.

Adrias glanced at Vivian and wondered which restaurant they should go to.

He was now earning enough money to be considered well-off, but out of habit, he was always hesitant to spend it on frivolous things.

"Still, it's Vivian, and I've never been able to repay her for all the things she's done for me, so maybe I should treat her to a nice meal.

Adrias made up his mind and told Vivian.

"I heard that the restaurant called 'Alfonso's Star' is good, let's go there, have you ever been there?"

"No. No. I'm good anywhere."

Soon they were on their way to Alfonso's Star, the most upscale restaurant on Aven Street.

The restaurant was gorgeous from the outside, like being in a luxurious private mansion, with a huge garden and a small pond behind the building.

Adrias took a moment to take in the enormity of it all, then told himself it was fine and went inside.

"It's pretty."

Vivian innocently took in the sights of the restaurant, happy just to be walking and eating with Adrias.

As they stood in front of the restaurant building, someone who appeared to be an employee came out.

"Do you have a reservation?"

"No, we didn't."

"Are you two?"

"Yes."

"Then let me show you this way."

As we were escorted into the restaurant, we were greeted by a small fountain and a small band playing.

It was getting more and more expensive, and I was mentally calculating how much it was going to cost, when I realized there were diners inside.

"Hmm? Adrias's students!"

Adrias was just about to follow the staff when someone called out his name.

He took his time to recognize the caller, who turned out to be Morgan, a member of the Academy under Deos's direct supervision.

He was seated with what seemed like ten others, but Adrias recognized them at once.

"Mirko Academy.

They must have gotten there first and were eating.

Adrias ducked his head at Morgan, who had been feigning acquaintance, and tried to walk past them, but Morgan continued.

"I see that not only Adrias, but also Vivian is here! Since you are both going to participate in the exchange, why don't you say hello to the students of Mirko Academy beforehand? Why don't you join us and eat together?"

Adrias wondered inwardly.

Keshern Violga is a playable character from Mirko Academy.

I wonder if he's in there.

"But for now, I'm buying Vivian a meal in return.

I wonder if I should be in the middle of it, since we're about to share a common name in the administration building.

And if I join them, the meaning of buying Vivian a meal will fade.

When I looked at Vivian's reaction, it was hard to tell what her expression meant.

At first, Adrias refused and backed away.

"I'm sorry, but...."

"Wait!"

Just then, a student from Mirko Academy stood up and began to stumble over.

"Shuffling?

As Adrias's thoughts flashed through his mind, the fat figure trudged over to stand in front of Vivian.

He wore ornate jewelry all over his body, and the light reflecting off of it was blindingly obnoxious.

"I like it, are you also a student here?"

Adrias recognized the figure speaking to Vivian in an arrogant tone.

A playable from Mirko Academy, a character who had always been a stumbling block when playing Keshun.

"Grace Mayne, 3rd Prince of the Kingdom of Mayne, home of Mirko Academy.

Adrias' emotions turned cold as he looked at Prince Grace.