Page 16

Inside the Magic Classroom.

Having finally finished the red bean bun, Sharin was clutching her forehead.

"Did you really have to hit me?"

"You deserved it."

I actually smacked Sharin on the head.

It was the consequence of her taking things too far with her pranks.

Sharin, sniffling, rubbed her forehead and glanced at me.

"So, you want me to keep it a secret?"

Finally, we're getting somewhere.

"Yeah."

After hearing my answer, Sharin slumped over the desk.

"Then, who are you exactly?"

I knew this question would come eventually.

Sharin's eyes, like a starlit galaxy, stared at me intently.

It was hard to discern what she was thinking from those languid eyes.

One thing was clear, though — it wasn't a friendly gaze.

'Sharin is Isabel's close friend.'

Sharin had been friends with Isabel for a long time.

And I am the person Isabel hates the most.

Naturally, Sharin wouldn't be too fond of me either.

"Recently, you know, Belle always talks about you."

"Talking behind my back, huh? That's a nasty hobby."

"Well, more like she's just venting her anger about you."

Sharin started twirling a strand of her hair around her finger.

"Ever since Lucas died, Belle always seemed deflated. And it's only gotten worse over time."

Isabel was breaking down.

The death of Lucas left an irreversible void and pain in her life.

In a world without Lucas, Isabel couldn't find any meaning in her life.

"She regretted it every day, cried, and barely slept. At some point, she even stopped talking to me."

I realized just how serious Isabel's state was.

"She seemed to lose interest in everything around her."

Recalling that time, sadness filled Sharin's eyes.

It seemed she was pained by the fact that she couldn't do anything to help her friend.

"But since you showed up, Isabel's changed a bit."

Sharin's gaze shifted back to me.

"Every day, she gets angry, vowing she won't let you disrespect Lucas. She does whatever she can."

Anger is one of the most energy-consuming emotions.

To be angry, one must eat three meals daily, sleep, and move their body.

Without doing so, the body cannot maintain its normal state to be angry.

Right now, Isabel is living to pour out her anger on me.

In her otherwise meaningless life, I became a target for her anger.

"And that's something I couldn't do."

Sharin couldn't become a purpose for Isabel's life no matter what form it took.

"But you managed to do it."

Now I understand why Sharin wanted to speak with me alone.

"I didn't intend for this. All I did was insult Lucas."

"Yes, and that is what's keeping Belle alive."

Sharin stood up from her seat.

"Honestly, I don't really care who you are."

She took a step closer until she was right in front of me.

"Belle was slowly sinking because she couldn't find a new purpose in life. But thanks to your presence, she's starting to come back up."

Sharin moved even closer, her unique jasmine scent tickling my nose.

At some point, her soft, white hand overlapped with mine.

"I want you to stay in this role until Belle finds a new meaning in her life."

"...Anger doesn't last forever."

"I know. That's why I'm asking you to do it until then. If you do this, I'll do anything for you."

I quietly looked at Sharin.

She wasn't much taller than me in my current form.

Because of that, I could clearly see her small, delicate face.

It was a pretty face with a slightly languid gaze.

Whatever she was thinking, her eyes held a mysterious allure unique to women.

But sorry to say, I recently encountered a woman with even more intense allure.

"So, this request comes with the condition of keeping my secret, right?"

I had already figured that out.

"Ah."

Sharin's voice escaped her lips as if she had just realized that herself.

Her eyes darted around with a look that said she had overlooked something.

"Did you really intend to do anything for me?"

Sharin took a step back.

As the jasmine scent drifted away, I found myself strangely missing it.

Women who know they're beautiful and use it to their advantage are dangerous.

I made a mental note.

"Pinky promise?"

Sharin, looking a bit embarrassed, held up her pinky.

I stared at it for a moment before speaking.

"Sharin, I need to score high in the upcoming mock battle."

Sharin tilted her head, not understanding why I suddenly brought this up.

"For Isabel's anger to persist, I need to be ranked higher than her, don't you think?"

Sharin's eyes widened at that realization.

Seeing this, a smile crept up my face.

At last, I had taken control of the conversation with Sharin.

"You, you're good at magic, right?"

"Yes, I'm the best."

How arrogant.

But she's right.

Sharin's unique trait, her innate gift:

Mirinae

Her eyes, which sparkle like a galaxy under the light.

A talent that allows her to understand the principles and logic of magic at a glance.

Thanks to this talent, Sharin held the top spot in the second-year magic studies.

That's why I decided to take a chance.

"In that case, how about magic engraving?"

Sharin blinked.

Her head tilted slowly to the side.

"...That's an ancient, almost forgotten magical technique."

She's right.

Magic engraving is an art from before the concept of a "mage" even existed.

It can be found in the ancient magical artifacts unearthed from magic dungeons.

"So, can you do it or not?"

Sharin slowly clasped her hands together, slightly emphasizing her chest as she narrowed her eyes.

"I can."

As always, she showed absolute confidence in her magic skills.

Just as I expected from Sharin.

"But the magic engraving isn't very efficient."

As she said, the efficiency of magic engraving is not high.

It's originally only about one-tenth the power of regular magic.

That's all the efficiency magic engraving can muster.

Moreover, most of the usable spells are low-level ones.

"But it's easy for beginners to use. And someone else can engrave it for you."

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I can't use magic.

Magic is a skill based on knowledge.

With no knowledge whatsoever, there's no way I could use magic.

Additionally, the body I’ve possessed, Vikamon, is hopelessly untalented in magic.

In fact, realizing this, I decided to focus on physical training with Aisha.

'Normally, I would neglect magic entirely.'

But it's different with magic engravings.

Even beginners can use them as long as they know how to inject mana and the engraving method.

Vikamon had studied magic for a long time.

So at the very least, he meets the minimum requirements to use magic engravings.

'This world has more variables than I thought.'

To prepare against such variables, it's good to have at least one tool at your disposal.

"Are you thinking of learning it yourself?"

"Yeah."

"Just bring a weapon. I'll engrave it for you."

"Sorry, but it’s not a weapon."

She tilted her head.

Not a weapon?

Then what is it?

That was the look on her face.

Seeing her expression, I smirked suspiciously.

"If you’re curious, watch my mock battle later."

I'll show you something you never expected.

"Huh? What’s this, it's Sharin and the Prince of Nothing."

Just then, a familiar voice called out.

Looking towards the door, I saw Card standing there.

He still looked completely out of place for someone from the Magic Department.

"What’s the occasion? Are you trying to charm Sharin like you did Isabel?"

"Yeah, I almost had her, but you ruined it."

I replied casually, and Card whistled.

So carefree.

"Why do you call him the 'Prince of Nothing'?"

Sharin seemed more curious about Card's nickname for me than my joke.

Card looked at me for a moment before grinning.

"Hannon has something incredible about him."

Sharin glanced at me.

"What is it? I want to see."

No chance I’m showing you that.

"Sharin, come to the study room after dinner. I'll learn it from you there."

I left her with those words and made my exit.

Staying any longer, I might get caught up in the banter between Sharin and Card, so I quickly escaped.

The secret weapons are gradually being prepared.

‘The mock battle.’

Look forward to it.

I’m going to make quite the scene.

* * *

Time fliew by.

After adding the magic engraving sessions with Sharin to my daily schedule, I’ve started living a bit of a tougher life than before.

I had to give credit to Vikamon’s stamina once again.

Stamina is power.

During a typical lunchtime, as always, I was in the student council office, working on paperwork with Nikita.

It's surprising how much work piles up in the student council.

The workload is particularly high, especially at the start of the year when the first-years join.

In about a month, the workload will decrease.

Nikita said things would ease up a bit then, allowing us to enjoy the student council activities more.

"Thanks again for your help today, junior."

"Not at all. It’s you who impresses me, Senior Nikita, for working diligently every day."

"You sure know how to speak kindly."

Genuine compliments are always well-received.

At that moment, there was a commotion outside the student council room.

"Are we moving this to Building A?"

"Yeah, and there are a few more to move after this. Let's hurry up and finish before lunchtime is over."

The voices belonged to the teaching assistants and student council members.

They were helping set up for the mock battle scheduled for after lunch.

Nikita, who often did more work than other student council members, was pushed into the office to take a break by her peers.

I, on the other hand, had won a game of rock-paper-scissors, so I got to skip out on the work.

Real men always go with rock.

"It's almost time."

Nikita seemed quite excited about the upcoming mock battle.

A mock battle is a chance to showcase the results of one's efforts.

For someone like Nikita, who embodies hard work, it's naturally an event to look forward to.

"This is your first mock battle, right?"

"Yes, it is, considering I just transferred here."

Having transferred this year, it was indeed my first mock battle.

"Have you been preparing well? I’ve seen you working on various things."

Hearing this, I let a slight smirk form on my lips.

Nikita noticed and let out a small exclamation of admiration.

"Looks like you’re pretty confident, huh?"

"Those who prepare every day will always score well on tests."

"Indeed, I know better than anyone how hard you work every day."

Nikita said this while tapping the desk with her index finger.

It was a habit of hers when she was thinking about something.

"Hmm, hard work deserves a reward. Alright."

Nikita looked at me with a smile, as if she had thought of something.

A beautiful smile.

"If you get a high rank in this mock battle, I'll give you a reward."

What is this?

A proposal?

"I’ll take first place, then."

"Hehe, I look forward to it."

"I’m aiming for first place since you're offering to marry me as a reward."

"Huh? Th-that’s not the kind of reward I was talking about!"

"We’ll go to a southern resort for our honeymoon."

"Junior!?"

I enjoyed Nikita’s flustered expression for a moment before she pouted slightly.

"You’re taking the joke too far."

"But I only make this kind of joke with you, Senior Nikita."

Hearing this, her pout quickly melted away.

"I'll win too, so you better make sure you win as well."

Nikita’s solid encouragement followed.

With such a cheer, I must win.

The grand mock battle is about to begin.

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