Chapter 42
The Suitor?
“Alright, let’s begin!”
A student from Boreas dorm stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, and stood before Karl.
Karl extended one hand towards the student.
An invisible force flowed from the student to Karl, and the student suddenly collapsed, overcome with magical vertigo.
“Ugh?!”
“Magical absorption?!”
“How?!”
Everyone was stunned, but Karl immediately cast the spell again.
He absorbed the student’s mana and used it to cast another extraction spell.
“Next!”
Another student stepped forward and was absorbed by Karl.
‘No way…’
‘Is he insane?’
The students from the other dorms were speechless at the madness unfolding before them.
Boreas students stepped forward one after another, offering their mana to Karl, and he continued to cast extraction spells using the mana he had absorbed.
Absorbing mana wasn’t an easy task.
In games, it might be easy to absorb an opponent’s mana, but here, mana is a byproduct generated from one’s spiritual activities.
Absorbing that and converting it into usable mana was an advanced technique, classified as a grand spell in magic.
“It’s an application of the Intangible Sword.”
Idnia realized, comparing the game data, that Karl Gustav Ansbach was performing a unique technique.
The Intangible Sword, passed down from the Ansbach royal family, was one of the most powerful close-combat skills in the game.
Even reaching level 1 of the skill would provide:
A defense reduction effect that lowers the opponent’s defense level.
A ghost touch effect that allows attacks to hit incorporeal beings, such as ghosts or flying entities.
A mana absorption effect that absorbs mana to strengthen the user.
Karl was focusing solely on enhancing the mana absorption effect, using the Intangible Sword to stab his comrades, absorb their mana, and then cast extractions.
However, such a mana absorption technique could never be perfect.
When absorbing the opponent’s mana, naturally, there would be mana loss during the conversion process. The act of using the Intangible Sword to absorb mana consumed a great deal of focus.
In other words, he was wasting most of the students’ mana in the process, gaining just a little bit of extraction mana.
Yet…
“Yongchuul-hara!”
Karl laughed as he cast another spell, summoning the Intangible Sword and absorbing mana, unable to manage the process and causing blood to pour from his nose.
But Karl was still smiling.
His eyes were sharp, flashing brightly, though he was likely suffering from mana depletion.
Yet, he continued casting his spells, showing increasing efficiency with each attempt.
His mastery of extraction magic was rising.
The benefits from his growing skill were far greater than the mana lost during absorption.
‘Isn’t this going against the educational purpose? He’s robbing other students of their practice opportunities, raising his skill at the expense of others?’
Idnia thought this, but she couldn’t help but admire Karl’s courage for actually carrying out this dangerous act and the unity of the Boreas students who followed him.
They were willing to offer their hearts and necks to Karl for the mana absorption, and Karl controlled the process perfectly. However, any slight mistake could have resulted in a fatal blow.
The Intangible Sword, formed from aura, could easily pierce vital organs if Karl made a mistake.
The same technique that Karl used to slay the Invisible Stalker in the punishment room would have enough power to kill an ordinary person.
“Wow… this is the black iron of the north…”
The Euros students, including Percival, Athos, and Dupont, who had some understanding of aura, were astounded by Karl’s prowess.
But Karl had reached his limit.
Blood streamed from his nose, and the blood vessels in his eyes burst, making his eyes turn red.
Karl, having surpassed the limits of a normal human several times, had finally absorbed all the Boreas students’ mana and extracted 48g on his own.
He had surpassed Idnia by 1g.
However, all the Boreas students had collapsed.
In the end, Boreas dorm, with 48g, came in last place.
At this point, it seemed it would have been better if everyone just rushed in to do the extractions together.
But nobody laughed.
The united Boreas students, who were willing to sacrifice themselves for Karl, and Karl’s full effort in response, made the mood too serious to laugh.
“…Well, in the end, they came in last place and basically self-destructed, right?”
“…”
I must correct myself — it was actually Sendia Aspinal who couldn’t hold back and said it aloud.
“Now, as promised, I will award 4 points to Euros dorm.”
“And to the students who demonstrated remarkable achievements, Idnia and Karl, each will receive 1 point.”
“Now, penalties.”
All the students tensed.
Because of Idnia, the average extraction had increased, so many students would receive penalties.
The average extraction was a massive 1.224g.
For Idnia, her earned exemption points were greater than the total number of students in Euros dorm.
That meant Euros dorm didn’t need to receive any penalties.
As for Karl, he had absorbed all the mana from Boreas dorm’s students, turning it into exemption points, meaning he had 38 exemption points.
Boreas dorm had 47 members, and excluding Karl, only 8 members would receive penalties.
This meant that many students from Zephyrus and Notos dorms would receive penalties.
‘Wait, can they really be penalized like this?’
‘This extraction is clearly a clever tactic, but getting penalties for not doing it enough? Isn’t this like being whipped as a slave in a sugarcane farm?’
Students, now facing penalties, realized the unfairness and cruelty of the system.
But at that moment, Dryad instructor Nayli couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.
“I will exempt all penalties.
We’ve gathered the best students from various places, and to penalize them just because they were below average is too barbaric.”
Most students, who were about to receive penalties, sighed in relief. However, the students who had fully committed to the extraction, like Idnia, couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
Euros, which had no penalties, and Boreas, which only had 8, felt tricked but couldn’t say anything.
“Thank you for the instructor’s decision to exempt penalties.”
“But if you keep changing the rules like this, it might erode trust in you.”
Idnia subtly redirected her words to the instructor.
Thus, Euros received 4 points, Idnia received 1 point, giving Euros a total of 5 points… while Boreas only had Karl’s 1 point.
Looking at the current point rankings…
Boreas led with 20 points and 25 penalties.
Euros followed with 12 points and 2 penalties in second place.
Zephyrus had 10 points and 0 penalties in third place.
Notos ended last with 2 points and 20 penalties.
In individual rankings, Karl of Boreas was first with 8 points.
Isolde of Zephyrus was second with 6 points.
Idnia was third with 5 points, but she also had 4 additional points she could distribute at her discretion as dorm leader.
If Idnia decided to keep all those points, she would instantly surpass Karl with 9 points.
However, Idnia, of course, did not keep them all for herself.
“I will keep these points to distribute if someone needs to go out for public matters or personal reasons.”
“If no one asks, I will use them to reward those who have contributed to public order and the academy’s interests.”
Idnia declared that she would keep the points for future distribution.
Politically, it was a statement to strengthen her control as dorm leader, but seeing her prioritize the public good, the students were once again moved.
‘Ah, Idnia is truly remarkable.’
‘My parents told me not to offend the Betelgeuse Duke and his family, and indeed, it’s for good reason.’
‘Even though the duchy has fallen, she is still a master to serve.’
The academy students were all deeply moved by Idnia’s dignity, authority, and maturity, far beyond their peers.
“Idnia Betelgeuse, may I have a moment?”
As Idnia was about to leave the alchemy lab, Karl stopped her.
“Yes, are you feeling alright?”
“Honestly, not really. I pushed myself too much. Using the Intangible Sword in front of everyone like that…
But I can’t help but feel pathetic for not even being able to handle you.”
‘He’s really full of confidence. He means he was confident before, huh? Heh.’
Idnia smiled, recalling how Karl had self-destructed, and couldn’t help but feel entertained.
“I know well what comes from the willow.
Your efficiency did improve later on.
It was just… a matter of experience.”
Idnia humbly replied.
It wasn’t a lie.
Her experience learning chemistry on Earth and her past life gave her insight, wisdom, and maturity.
“So, what’s the matter?”
“I heard you broke off your engagement with Rudolf. Have you found a new fiancé?”
“What?”
“If it’s alright with you, would you consider an engagement with me?”
“…Ah.”
Idnia was taken aback by Karl’s sudden proposal.
“Of course, I know it’s rude to speak like this about a noble marriage. If you agree, I’ll prepare a formal matchmaker and gift, and we’ll speak with your father, Duke Betelgeuse. But I wanted to ask first.”
“Let me ask first. Why me?”
“Why? Your family is great, you’re beautiful, and your magical ability…”
Idnia’s background, her abilities, and her incredible magic were certainly valuable in noble circles.
Having a child with her would make their offspring heirs to both northern and eastern territories, with immense magical talent.
However, the Betelgeuse Duchy had too much independence, making it hard to control after marriage.
Karl, though, believed Idnia’s value surpassed even that of her prestigious family.
Such is the thinking of a true noble.
Idnia chuckled.
She could easily see through Karl’s thoughts and smiled at his words.
“Well, then let me ask you this:
If Rudolf, who is handsome, has magical ability, and has the emperor’s seat promised, why did I break off my engagement with him?”
“Ah, that…”
Karl was taken aback, unable to answer.
“Don’t focus on conditions, family, or background. Only after you win my heart, should you propose.
I don’t move by conditions.”
With that, Idnia gave her farewell and left.
“Ah… I made a mistake.”
Karl realized his mistake and covered his face with his hand.
But his lips were curling up, smiling.
“She’s amazing. Idnia. She’s someone who could kick Rudolf to the curb.”
