Name: Rohan
Health: 100%
Magical power: 79%
Affiliated Nation: Southern Ruins
Affiliated Organization: Orion Academy
Attributes: [Physical] [Fire]
Status: —
Remaining Points: 2304P
Whew.
The lingering effects of mana exhaustion had disappeared by the time Rohan opened his eyes the next day.
The sticky and damp discomfort that he’d worried might persist was gone.
Was it thanks to the bluish IV drip he had received in the infirmary? Or perhaps because of the most satisfying meal he’d had since arriving in the academy city?
Whatever the case, he would need to thank Joo-yeon again.
Looks like I’ll be able to work out properly.
Rohan slowly lifted his upper body from the bed.
Though a slight grogginess lingered from just waking up, it wasn’t a problem.
After preparing lightly,
He opened the dormitory door to head to the Orion Academy training room.
When he stepped outside and started walking down the street, Rohan looked up at the sky.
The weather seems to be easing up a bit.
The early morning chill, which he had grown accustomed to feeling every day, seemed to have lost some of its bite.
A faint hint of spring was beginning to drift through the Academy City of Elysium.
When Rohan arrived at the training room and set down his bag,
Ichinose who had just arrived called out to him from behind.
Seeing her in a short-sleeved shirt, unlike usual, made him realize the weather really had improved.
“I didn’t expect you to show up today. You’re not overdoing it, are you?”
“I felt fine after waking up.”
“Hmm… Your recovery is impressive.”
Rohan had exchanged a brief message with Ichinose the day before.
She was the first friend to ask if he was okay.
“I’m only a bit bothered about the theory part. I couldn’t focus, so I didn’t manage to review properly.”
“Mana exhaustion makes it hard to even hold a pen. I’ve experienced it myself, so I get it.”
After chatting and finishing their stretches, Rohan and Ichinose headed to the treadmills together.
It was a routine that had become somewhat established by now.
“Rohan, want to hear something fun?”
“What is it?”
“Noah started studying yesterday.”
“…….!”
To think that girl would start working on mastering theory the very day they made their promise.
What an earnest girl. It was very admirable of her.
Noah Frozenheart sitting at a desk and studying…
Even in the flood of fan art that testified to her considerable popularity, he’d never seen such a depiction.
For Rohan, who had enjoyed Abyss City, it was an equally unfamiliar sight.
“The instructor must be happy.”
“Right? So, I told her it’s fine to ask me questions, but she should also consult the instructor if there’s anything she’s curious about.”
“Wow… If I don’t step up my game, I’m going to end up dead last.”
Sensing an unusual hint of tension in Rohan’s voice,
Ichinose smiled silently and asked:
“How’s it been lately? Are you starting to enjoy studying a bit?”
“Thanks to someone who’s been teaching me well.”
“Fufu.”
Rohan and Ichinose continued their conversation as they ran on a machine that gradually increased in speed.
After finishing their workout, they headed to the academy.
When Rohan opened the door to Class 1, he was greeted by Gilbert’s fierce face.
“Rooohhaaaannnn!!!!”
“Ah, I almost punched you, you crazy bastard.”
The surprise was so intense it made his heart ache slightly. His ears were still ringing from the volume.
“What! To be startled by something like this… Could it be the aftereffects of your mana exhaustion?”
A passing student from another class was startled to the point their legs gave out and had even fallen over.
Rohan apologized to the unknown student, helped them up, and then turned back toward Gilbert.
This guy really has an incredible set of lungs.
He figured there was no point in saying anything since it wouldn’t change anything. To be honest, he considered it part of Gilbert’s personality.
“I’m fine, so move aside already so I can get in.”
“Hmph!!!”
As Gilbert stepped aside, it was like watching a pillar move out of the way.
After setting his bag down, Rohan exchanged greetings with his friends including Dick who was seated in the back row.
He let out a long breath and sank into his chair.
Thinking back, he hadn’t done much properly yesterday, so he might have pushed himself too hard with this morning’s training.
“Phew.”
At the sound of his exhalation, Gilbert, ever the “sigh detector” turned sharply toward him.
“A sigh!? Like I thought, you’re pretending to be fine, but the aftereffects of mana exhaustion…”
“It’s not that. Why are you making such a fuss?”
“Gah—!!! Rohan, you must conduct a self-diagnosis immediately! You’re not being complacent just because youth is on your side, are you?”
“This is driving me nuts.”
The surprising thing was that the other students in Class 1 had already adapted to such commotion.
Most of them either ignored it or continued with their own tasks as if it were nothing.
“The fact is, Rohan wasn’t the only one who collapsed from mana exhaustion yesterday. Before that, someone who’d been running wild with a shield passed out, and it was Rohan who carried him back.”
At Dick Wikitree’s pointed comment, Gilbert’s head snapped toward him with an audible creak.
Sensing the start of yet another loud exchange, Rohan tried to slip away.
But both Gilbert and Dick abruptly fell silent.
“….…”
It was because Joo-yeon was approaching for the morning assembly. The sharp sound of her footsteps echoed through the room.
···
···
Joo-yeon’s class was as engaging as ever, making it easy to focus. Time flew by quickly.
If there was something notable about today, it was the fact that Noah had begun to show signs of struggling during the theory class.
The practical lessons went on as usual, but there was also news that, as the formation training proficiency improved, the frequency of sparring sessions would gradually increase.
After diligently completing his academy schedule, Rohan settled for a cheap meal at the cafeteria.
As always, he headed toward the Spider Lily Bookstore.
On the way, his thoughts continued.
I need to grow stronger, and fast.
Once he saved enough to buy a decent sword, he planned to venture outside the city.
It was a decision he had already made to accumulate points.
If I can find monsters whose parts sell for a good price, I might be able to earn more that way.
With his finances tight, his thoughts naturally went in that direction.
He wasn’t in a situation where he could focus solely on earning points.
“Manager, I’m here.”
“Ah, Rohan, you’re here.”
While he was lost in thought, he soon arrived at his workplace.
Rohan placed his bag in the corner and tied on his apron.
“See that on the table over there?”
“Yes, I see it.”
“It’s some snacks we received as a gift. Eat them while you work. Grandma and I can’t handle hard stuff with our teeth these days.”
“Thank you! I’ll enjoy it!”
Rohan bowed his head deeply.
The manager, with his wrinkled hands, began preparing to leave for the day.
“Then take care of things here, will you?”
“Have a good evening!”
As the manager left, Rohan stood behind the counter at the Spider Lily Bookstore.
Time passed.
Today, Clara arrived at the store later than usual.
As always, it was during a quiet time with no customers.
Rohan casually asked the girl when their eyes met. Her trembling from before was still vivid in his memory.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“…Yes.”
Recalling her embarrassing behavior from the previous day, Clara averted her eyes and gave a small nod.
Seeing the girl’s lips move hesitantly as if she was trying to form words, Rohan cut her off preemptively.
“Let’s not bring up apologies, okay? You already sent one via message.”
“Ah!”
Clara who was caught off guard flinched and then shuffled away between the bookshelves.
Bzzzzt—!
A vibration soon rang out.
Rohan took out his phone to see a message from Clara.
[Clara: I have something I want to ask. (X﹏X)]
When he lifted his head, Clara was looking in his direction.
“D-Did you clear stage 5 of the weekly boss?”
“I’m still stuck at stage 3 because my level’s too low. I plan to focus on leveling up this week and try stage 4 on Sunday.”
“Uhh… I see.”
“Even with one support, my characters’ stats are still lacking, so it’s been a bit tough.”
The girl nodded her head quietly before slipping away again.
Rohan wasn’t sure if his answer satisfied Clara.
Bzzzt—!
Thinking it might be Clara, he checked his phone, but the call was from an unknown number. He thought it might be important and answered it immediately.
“Yes, this is Rohan.”
– Ahem…
He recognized the voice instantly.
The princess!
Turning his back to the counter, Rohan lowered his voice as much as possible.
“I’ve been wondering when I’d hear from you.”
– I’m currently in Academy City. Tell me the time and place.
“It’ll take me about two hours. Anywhere near District 2 should work.”
– Fine.
“Do you have a specific place in mind where you can wait?”
– It doesn’t matter. I’ll call again in two hours.
With the abrupt clatter of a payphone receiver being hung up, the call ended.
Rohan stared at the screen for a moment before slipping the phone into his apron pocket.
I’ll have to think about how much I can tell her.
While reviewing the day’s book inventory, he began to strategize.
After finishing a customer’s purchase of a magazine, Rohan stepped away from the counter to organize the bookshelves.
“E-Excuse me…”
“Yes?”
Clara had approached silently and called out to him again.
Rohan stopped what he was doing, straightened his back, and met Clara’s gaze.
“Uh…”
“Feel free to say whatever’s on your mind.”
Without pressuring her, Rohan waited while tidying up the books protruding from the shelves.
Finally, after a great deal of hesitation, Clara sat down in a corner of the bookstore and began to speak.
“T-Today! After you finish work, would you like me to help you clear the weekly boss… together?”
Rohan’s eyes widened at Clara’s offer.
What a great development this was.
However—
“Well, about that… I already have plans today, so I don’t think I can make it.”
“……!”
Such an extensive social life!
Clara’s mouth fell open at the unexpected development.
Leave a Reply