1-Second Invincible Player in the Game - Chapter 55

1-Second Invincible Player In The Game 55

55. The Duo (1)

[The Relationship Between Aura and Mana]

Written on the blackboard.

True to its name, this class was a joint session between the Knight and Magic departments.

Seated at the very back, I surveyed the interior of the circular hall.

The building’s structure, with lower elevations towards the front, reminded me of a concert hall, so packed that it could fill both the Bürger and Adel halls.

The old professor on the podium adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat.

“Ahem. It seems I’ve brought the wrong textbook. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be. Just wait a moment.”

While the professor went to fetch his book, I felt a strangely prickly stare.

It wasn’t too difficult to locate its source.

While others were busy chatting face-to-face with friends, a few were looking up in my direction.

“Hershel, seems like things aren’t going well with your fiancée?”

Limberton asked, glancing at Leana.

“Good or bad, what’s there to say.”

She’s practically a stranger to me.

“But why has Liamon been staring at you this whole time?”

Just as Limberton said, Liamon was also watching me closely.

Our eyes met.

He gave a slight nod.

“…”

Why is he acting like that?

Ah, that must be it.

Before entering the classroom, I had bumped into him by chance, and he had said something to me.

-Enjoying yourself, I see.

If he means enjoying, he’s probably talking about the boss I caught and the fortune I made.

“Must’ve heard some rumors about the defense battle, maybe he’s just curious?”

The coins I earned totaled about 3,000.

A thousand was prize money, and the rest came from selling the boss monster’s corpse.

Boss monsters are different from the regular ones; they have high-quality materials or structurally unique organs that are in high demand.

Their hides fetched a high price from the Sewing department, and their innards were bought up by the Alchemy department.

On top of that, I received a share of the money that Ashleigh and Limberton earned, making it 3,000.

They each made a thousand coins, and Rix’s group, who joined late due to their numbers, seemed to have pocketed about 300 coins each.

“Anyway, be careful with Liamon, Limberton. He might be eyeing our coins, ready to snatch them away.”

Limberton frowned.

“I’m already on it. That guy seems to have a twisted personality.”

Rix, who was sitting next to him, joined the conversation.

“Are you talking about Liamon, the one who topped the entrance exam alone?”

“Yes, you be careful too.”

“No way, I didn’t expect the top student of the grade to be such a person. Well, I’ll be cautious.”

Just then, the professor returned with a book in hand.

The gazes that were on me gradually faded until they almost disappeared completely.

Except for one persistent stare…

Sitting at the center of the scholarship students was a man with black hair tinged with a shallow red.

Our eyes met, and he smiled gently with his eyes.

“…”

It was not pleasant.

The man’s identity was the first act boss of Frost Heart, and the current president of Lethe.

He was the one who should have taken over immediately after Hershel’s death.

This formidable guy is smiling at me?

No, let’s think positively.

The current scene is the result of me untangling the twisted narrative by leaving Lethe, putting it back on its proper course.

Given that I was the founder and the former president, it’s possible that our paths may cross in the future, but there’s no need for major concern.

The scholarship students live under strict supervision in the special ward.

Even now, a professor in a black robe was monitoring them nearby.

When the time comes, they are destined to retire by the hands of the main actors of Adel Ward, so as long as I don’t approach them, it’s safe.

“Ah, I’m quite late. Let’s proceed with the lesson quickly.”

I turned my gaze away from him at the sound of the professor’s voice.

“To start with the basics of the relationship between Aura and Mana, the source of Aura is ultimately Mana. The human dantian has a special function; it assimilates the Mana spread in nature and transforms it into a new power. That’s why sometimes, during the use of Aura, strange magical phenomena occur. Some mistake it for mysticism…”

It was all familiar content, and my eyelids began to feel heavy.

“Aura, as it is trained, can become as hard as armor, but because Mana is its source, it has a vulnerability to magic. To put it simply, to remain unscathed from a level 5 magic attack, one’s Aura needs to be at least level 10. How this principle works is…”

As the boring explanations continued, the students of Schlafe Ward began to close their eyes one by one.

Well, they must be tired from the defensive battle early this morning.

The professor sighed deeply as he glared at the sleeping students and then etched large letters on the blackboard with telekinetic magic.

“An aura…”

It seemed like they were willing to let it slide this time, given the special circumstances.

Maybe I should take advantage of the situation too.

And with that thought, I fell asleep to the lullaby of chalk sounds.

* * *

It was after class, as I was leaving the lecture hall.

“Would you reconsider?”

Atra was annoyingly persistent.

Originally from the Beurger Clan and now representing the Shulrape Clan for a fee, she’s a woman who’s been tainted by those Shulrape guys.

No need to treat her nicely.

“I believe I already said no?”

So, what she was asking me to do was…

“Look, those troublesome Ee-injo guys. If you don’t deal with them, you’ll end up getting hurt too.”

It was a request for a hit job.

“…Do I look like a thug to you?”

“Honestly, a little… No, a lot?”

This woman?

“If you don’t want to hear harsh words, why don’t you leave? Besides, you’re a senior. Shouldn’t you be doing something other than hanging around here?”

“Ugh…”

Atra’s expression after being scolded by me was quite a sight.

Even I would have felt ashamed, being lectured on propriety by someone she marked as a thug.

“Ah! So you’re really not going to do it?”

“Stop making me repeat myself.”

“Well, just so you know. Those Ee-injo guys are getting out today. You might not have to worry, but what about your friends? There’s a rampant rumor that they’ve made a fortune in coins.”

With a snort, Atra left.

She must have thought that I couldn’t avoid clashing with those guys.

Living in the Shulrape Clan does mean dealing with troublesome people.

Ee-injo, Makdal, and Bidon.

Those who lived in the third-year Adel Clan, caused trouble, and were then expelled to the Shulrape Clan.

They were the enemies one would face when starting as a playable character in the Shulrape Clan.

It was quite a notorious name, so disgustingly strong.

Even if Rix and his friends ganged up, they’d be smeared.

Of course, that’s a story from the early days, and those guys were destined to be vanquished by the later grown playable characters.

But to expect me to take them down just two days after enrollment?

“Better to just pay the protection money they demand.”

Just a mere 10 coins a month.

For someone who’s saved up 3,000 coins, it’s just a few pennies to pay off the guards.

After all, as trashy as those guys are, they do their job well enough to keep the thugs from the burger joint from messing with us, so it wasn’t a waste.

‘Disappointment, Hershel.’

Here he goes again.

‘What is it this time?’

‘I thought you had grown a bit, watching you thrash those lowly ruffians. But to refuse even the plea of a lady asking for help, what a disgraceful act?’

As Donatan showed his disappointment, I replied with a sly smile.

“I only fight those I can beat.”

The exception being those who dare cross the line and try to take what’s mine.

Then I’ll bite with my teeth to protect it.

* * *

The underground detention center, the Punishment Wing, beneath the fortress.

A place of correction for those who can’t come to their senses even after the professors lovingly cast their controlling curses.

Rendel, dragged here for the crime of pushing Clave off a cliff, managed to barely stand up, his body wrapped in bandages except for his face.

‘Ugh, a prison underground. This insane academy.’

Cursing Frost Heart inwardly and grinding his teeth, hunger panged him.

Rendel gulped down the cold soup and even licked the plate clean.

Meanwhile, chattering voices leaked from the next cell.

“Ah, still five minutes left.”

“Ay, I can’t wait to lick the new student’s nape.”

“There must be some cute ones among this year’s new students, right?”

“I hope some handsome guys came too. Heh.”

The crazed ones had awakened.

Apart from sleeping hours, they do nothing but spout lewd talk.

Rendel, with a particularly delicate voice, was bothered by a guy who only talked about the blues, so he clamped his mouth shut as if a mouse had died.

“…If they see my handsome face, I feel like it might be dangerous.”

It was when he was slowly putting down his plate that Rendel’s ears perked up.

Because a detestable name had been mentioned.

“By the way, Makdal. Did you hear the news? The president has moved into our Schlafe coffin.”

“Ah, are you talking about Hershel, who drove us out? Keke, looks like an opportunity to get even.”

“Oh no, you shouldn’t. The vice president came in too, didn’t he? Looking to get thrashed again?”

Wait, Makdal?

Rendel realized their identities.

Makdal and Bidon, former executives of Lethe.

The reason for their expulsion must have been clear.

“That Bidon guy. Isn’t he the one who got kicked out trying to take down Hershel?”

Makdal was also expelled for contributing to that incident, wasn’t he?

Of course, they were stopped by the vice president who had foreseen the situation and were terribly beaten…

Listening to their conversation, Rendel had a bright idea.

Could this be used to my advantage?

“Excuse me, seniors? If it’s about that, you don’t have to worry.”

“What? Weren’t you mute?”

“Oh my, why have you been hiding such a lovely voice?”

Because of you.

“No, ahem, that’s not what’s important. I wanted to let you know that Hershel is no longer the president. He left on his own accord, you see? Not only that, but he beat up our members so badly that even the executives are after him now.”

Were they so delighted by this fact?

The two men’s voices grew louder.

“What? Is that true?”

“Really? Oh, how wonderful.”

The excited response was short-lived.

Bidon’s tone suddenly turned menacing.

“But you know, I have a feeling we shouldn’t mess with him. The vice president, Ruon, was his loyal dog after all.”

“Right. Definitely different from those who came just to gain some advantage.”

“What should I call it… Admiration?”

“Indeed, whenever I saw that guy, he always had that look in his eyes.”

Rendel flashed his dimples.

Now the chairman, Luon, was also silent about this situation.

With the first-class executives targeting Hershel, it was a role he couldn’t step into.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. The executives have already promised a reward for taking him down. So, isn’t it as good as the chairman’s tacit approval? Haha.”

Magdal and Bidon laughed heartily.

Then, the professor walked past the bars.

“Magdal, Bidon. You’re being released. Don’t even think about causing trouble again.”

“Sure, we’ll be new men, professor.”

“Yes.”

The iron gate opened, and the two men walked past.

The burly Magdal ignored it and went his way, but Bidon, with his face caked in makeup and bristly chin beard, stopped in his tracks.

He scrutinized Rendel’s face closely.

“Hmm, the voice is not bad…”

Bidon spat on Rendel’s face.

“You look like an octopus.”

Bidon left with a look of lost interest.

Rendel felt ashamed, but at this moment, he thought it was rather fortunate.

Even after being released, he wouldn’t be targeted by that pervert.

* * *

The lobby of the Schlafe building I saw on the way looked like a refuge.

The seniors were all making a fuss about them coming, and the freshmen looked on with uncomprehending eyes.

But for me, it was a positive thing.

The lazy seniors would work harder because of their presence.

Then the economy of the Schlafe building would improve, the country would become wealthier, and ultimately the people would live well.

Besides, the people of the Schlafe building had low grades and worked like slaves every day, so the guys from the Bürger building would blatantly call them beggars and torment them.

From noble mtl dot come

Lee Injo would fully play the role of a soldier protecting the residents of the Schlafe building from such guys if paid.

So, it was a necessary evil.

Then, a horrified sound came from the corridor, and someone knocked on my door.

It was undoubtedly them.

Knock, knock!

I rose from my chair and grasped the 10 coins I had prepared on the desk.

It was the tax meant to contribute to the national defense.

As I opened the door, as expected, Makdal and Bidon were standing there.

“Here, take these 10 coins.”

As I offered the coins, Bidon uttered something meaningful.

“Oh my, they really existed. Hello? Mr. President. Oh, that’s right, you’re not the president anymore, and I’m not Lethe either, am I?”

Was this guy from Lethe?

Well, it’s all in the past if we both withdrew.

It shouldn’t be a big deal.

The bulky Makdal grabbed Bidon by the shoulder.

“Hold on, Bidon. Remember, it’s because of you that I broke. So this time, I’ll do as I please.”

“I know, I know. So, let’s just say hello for today.”

Bidon winked.

I wanted to kill him but restrained myself.

“My arm’s going to fall off. Hurry up and take the coins.”

The bulky Makdal looked at what was in my hand with wide eyes.

“Huh? Just 10 coins?”

“Is there a problem? Everyone else pays about that much.”

“You’re a different case. I heard on my way here that you have roughly over 3,000?”

Makdal sneered uncleanly.

“You’re quite skilled. So, you owe 1,000 coins a month.”

It seemed impossible.

I might as well bite these guys to death.

I called out the name of the secret weapon staying in the next room.

“Ashley.”

There was a rough sound of a door opening from the next room.