Chapter 55

[Theory of Aura and Mana]The words written on the blackboard. As the name of the subject suggests, today’s class was held together with the Knights Department and the Magic Department. Sitting in the very back seat, I looked around the circular hall. The structure of the building, with the seats lowering in height the closer they were to the front, reminded me of a concert hall. The lecture hall was huge, packed with students from both the Buerger Hall and Adelle Hall. The elderly professor on the stage adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. “Ahem. It seems I brought the wrong textbook. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be. Please wait a moment.” While the professor went to fetch his book, I felt a peculiar sting of eyes on me. It wasn’t difficult to find the owner of the gaze. While others chatted with their friends, a few people were looking up at me. “Hersel, you don’t seem to get along well with your fiancée,” Limberton said, glancing at Leana. “…There’s nothing good or bad about it.” We’re practically strangers. “But why has Riamon been staring at you since earlier?” Limberton asked, noticing Riamon also keeping an eye on me. Our eyes met. He gave a slight nod. What’s with him? Ah, maybe it’s that. Before entering the lecture hall, when we accidentally ran into each other, he had said something to me. “Enjoying yourself, aren’t you?” If by enjoying he meant catching the leader and making a lot of money, then sure. “It seems he might have heard about the recent defense battle. Maybe he’s interested,” I said. The coins I made amounted to around 3,000. A thousand was the prize money, and some of it was from selling the leader’s corpse. Unlike regular monsters, leader monsters have high-quality materials or structurally different organs, making them highly sought after. The leather was purchased by the embroidery department, and the entrails were entirely bought by the alchemy department. Additionally, Aslay and Limberton’s share of the money brought it up to 3,000. Each of them made 1,000 coins, and Ricks’s group, who joined later, shared about 300 coins each due to their larger number. “Anyway, be careful of Riamon, Limberton. He might be eyeing our coins.” Limberton frowned. “I’m already wary. He seems like a twisted guy.” Ricks, sitting next to us, joined the conversation. “Is that Riamon the guy who ranked first in the entrance exam?” “Yeah, you should be cautious too.” “I didn’t expect the top-ranked student to be like that. I’ll be careful.” Just then, the professor returned with his book. The gazes that had been fixed on me started to fade, eventually disappearing altogether. All except for one persistent stare… The person sitting among the donation students had black hair with a hint of red. When our eyes met, he smiled softly. It wasn’t pleasant. This man was the boss of Frost Heart Act 1 and the current president of Lethe. Originally, he should have been inaugurated right after Hersel’s death. Why is this fearsome guy smiling at me? No, think positively. This scene was the result of my departure from Lethe, returning the story to its proper course. Since I was the founder and former president, there might be future interactions, but there shouldn’t be much to worry about. Donation students live under strict supervision in the special hall. Even now, a black-robed professor was watching them. When the time comes, the main characters of Adelle Hall will retire him, so as long as I stay away, there should be no problem. “Ah, I’m quite late. Let’s proceed with the class quickly.” I shifted my gaze back to the professor. “To explain the basics of the relationship between aura and mana, the origin of aura is mana. The human danjeon (dantian) is a special organ that absorbs mana from nature and transforms it into a new power. This sometimes results in strange magical phenomena when using aura. Some mistakenly consider it mystical…” As he covered familiar ground, my eyelids grew heavy. “Aura can become as solid as armor with training, but because its source is mana, it’s vulnerable to magic. Simply put, to withstand a fifth-level spell, your aura needs to be at least at the tenth level. This principle works as…” As the tedious explanations continued, students from Schlaphe Hall began to close their eyes one by one. Well, considering they fought a defense battle early this morning, it was no surprise they were tired. The professor glared at the sleeping students, sighed deeply, and began to write large letters on the blackboard using telekinesis magic. “Aura is…” Given the special circumstances, it seemed he was willing to overlook it this time. So, I decided to enjoy the benefit as well, falling asleep to the sound of chalk. I was leaving the lecture hall after class ended. “Think about it again, won’t you?” Athera clung to me, being annoyingly persistent. Originally from Buerger Hall, she took up the role of Schlaphe Hall representative for a fee, but she had become quite influenced by the Schlaphe lot. There was no need to treat her well. “I said no.” So, what exactly was she asking me to do? “Those troublesome duo, we need to deal with them somehow. If not, even you will be affected.” She wanted me to beat someone up. “…Do I look like a thug to you?” “Well, to be honest… a bit? A lot?” This woman… Searᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. “If you don’t want to hear any harsh words, just leave. Besides, aren’t you a third-year? Shouldn’t you be busy with other things?” “Ugh…” Athera’s expression was priceless after I lectured her about being a role model when she thought I was a thug. “So! You’re really not going to do it?” “Don’t make me repeat myself.” “Fine, but know this: those duo are getting out today. You might be safe, but your friends won’t be. The rumor about your coin earnings is all over the place.” Athera snorted and left. She seemed to think I wouldn’t be able to avoid clashing with them. The truth is, those guys are a real headache if you live in Schlaphe Hall. The duo, Makdal and Bidon. They caused trouble in their third year at Adelle Hall and were expelled to Schlaphe Hall. They were enemies you’d encounter if you started as a playable character in Schlaphe Hall. And they were infamously strong. Even Ricks and his friends would get beaten up if they ganged up on them. That’s the early story, of course, and those guys would later be defeated by the grown playable characters. Considering the situation, am I supposed to deal with them just two days after entering? “Paying them protection money is a better option.” It only costs 10 coins a month. For someone like me with 3,000 coins, it’s a small price to pay for security. Even though they’re trash, they do their job of keeping Buerger Hall guys from messing with Schlaphe Hall folks. – Disappointing, Hersel. Here he goes again. – I thought you had grown a bit seeing you teach those ruffians a lesson. But refusing a woman’s plea for help? How disgraceful. Donatan expressed his disappointment, and I responded with a smirk. “I only fight against those I can beat.” Exceptions are those who try to cross my line and take what’s mine. In those cases, I’ll defend it fiercely. *** Beneath the fortress, in the underground detention center, the punishment wing. It’s a place for those who couldn’t be disciplined even after receiving control curses from professors. Rendal, dragged here for pushing Gravel off a cliff, managed to stand up with his body wrapped in bandages, except for his face. Grinding his teeth, cursing Frost Heart internally, hunger set in. Rendal gulped down the cold soup and licked the bowl clean. Then, he heard voices from the cells around him. “Ah, five more minutes.” “I can’t wait to lick a freshman’s neck.” “I hope there’s a cute one among this year’s freshmen.” “I’d like a handsome guy to come, too. Huhu.” The lunatics were awake. Except for sleeping, they would constantly spew dirty jokes. Rendal, wary of the particularly effeminate voice talking about men, held his breath, keeping as quiet as a mouse. As he slowly put down his bowl, his ears perked up at a name he loathed. “Hey, Makdal, did you hear the news? Our hall’s president has moved into Schlaphe Hall.” “Ah, that guy who kicked us out? Hersel, wasn’t it? Hehe, time to pay him a visit.” “Oh no, you can’t. The vice president is there too. Do you want to get beaten up again?” Wait, Makdal? Rendal realized who they were. Former Lethe executives, Makdal and Bidon. Their expulsion reason was clear. Makdal was expelled too for being an accomplice. Of course, they were thwarted by the vice president, who had anticipated the situation, and were terribly punished. Listening to their conversation, Rendal had an idea. This could be useful. “Hey, seniors? No need to worry about that.” “Huh? Weren’t you mute?” “Oh my, why hide such a good voice?” “No, ahem, the important thing is that Hersel is no longer the president. He quit on his own. And to top it off, he beat up our members, so even the executives are after him now.” The two men’s voices rose with glee. “What? Is that true?” “Really? Oh, I like this.” Their excitement was short-lived. Bidon’s tone suddenly turned cold. “But you know, I feel like it’s best to leave him alone. The vice president, Luon, is fiercely loyal to him.” “Right. He’s definitely different from those who are just in it for personal gain.” “What to call it… Admiration?” “Yeah, his eyes always had that look when he saw him.” Rendal smirked. Even Luon, now president, was silent about this situation. As long as the first-class executives were after Hersel, he couldn’t act either. “Oh, don’t worry about that. The executives have promised a reward for taking him down. So, it’s almost like the president tacitly approved it, right? Haha.” Makdal and Bidon laughed heartily. Then a professor walked past the bars. “Makdal, Bidon, you’re being released. Don’t cause any more trouble.” “Of course, professor. We’ll be model citizens.” “Yeah.” The cell door opened, and the two men walked out. The burly Makdal ignored Rendal, but the heavily made-up, bearded Bidon stopped and scrutinized his face. “Hmm, nice voice but…” Bidon spat in Rendal’s face. “Ugly face.” Bidon left with a disinterested look. Rendal felt humiliated but also relieved. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about that pervert after his release. *** The lobby of Schlaphe Hall looked like a refuge. Seniors were in a frenzy, shouting about the duo coming, while freshmen looked on in confusion. However, for me, it was a positive sign. The useless seniors would work harder because of them. That would improve Schlaphe Hall’s economy, make me richer, and ultimately, benefit everyone. Moreover, with low grades and always working like slaves, Schlaphe Hall students were often bullied and mocked by Buerger Hall students as beggars. The duo, for a fee, did a good job protecting Schlaphe Hall residents from such abuse. They were a necessary evil. Just then, I heard fearful voices in the hallway and someone knocked on my door. It must be them. Knock! Knock! I got up from my chair and grabbed the 10 coins I had prepared on the desk. It was my contribution to national defense. When I opened the door, as expected, Makdal and Bidon stood there. “Here are your 10 coins.” I held out the coins, and Bidon spoke meaningfully. “Oh, they were right. Hello? President. Or should I say, former president, since I’m no longer with Lethe either?” So, he was from Lethe? No matter, it’s all in the past since we both left. The big Makdal pulled Bidon back by the shoulder. “Wait, Bidon. Remember, I got beaten up because of you. This time, I’ll do things my way.” “I know, I know. So, we’re just saying hello today.” Bidon winked. I wanted to kill him, but I held back. “Take your coins before my arm falls off.” Makdal’s eyes widened at the sight of the coins in my hand. “Just 10 coins?” “Is there a problem? Everyone else pays this much.” “But you’re different. I heard you’ve got over 3,000 coins?” Makdal smiled nastily. “You’ve got talent. So, you’ll pay 1,000 coins a month.” I guess there’s no choice. I’ll have to bite back at these guys, even if it means dying. I called the secret weapon staying in the next room. “Aslay.” The door to the next room opened with a bang.