Episode 138 – Second Quarter (1)

Second Quarter (1)

“‘I’m a fan──'”

Trick City, a Hilton villa overlooks the famous natural landscape of the beach ‘Helios’.

In fact, it’s not the sea but an aquarium? A fish tank? It is maintained by the Hilton family, but Layla is doing someone’s voice imitation there anyway.

“‘Great Mila. I admire you. Hehehe. Yes. Respect──'”

She murmurs in the lowest possible tone and then takes a gulp of beer.

“He said that to me, right? Hmm.”

─Congratulations. It seems the world is finally starting to recognize you.

Artificial secretary Berrie replied. Layla lay sprawled out on the bed. (This was previously translated as Eri. The author has named this ai two different entities. 에리 and 벨리. In the Previous chapter Eri was the official name, and Berrie was what Layla called it. Now Berrie seems to be the official name. This is subject to change in the future, so keep that in mind)

“Right? I’ve been smashing too much lately, so I was a little worried… but there are people who recognize me~”

She upholds her father’s legacy as a hero, an apostle of justice, but it’s still a bit ambiguous. The property damage caused by smashing things in the name of saving people is too much.

So far, it’s been a pattern of reducing casualties at the expense of property damage.

So, the capitalist media of Trick City hates her terribly. They even say nonsense that she’s not a hero but a monster.

But, is it better for people to die or money to die?

Layla has no regrets.

Because I saved a thousand people at the expense of 100 million Ren.

“But my body hurts so much. The suit is a bit torn too.”

─The opponent was excessively strong, but I definitely feel the need for an upgrade.

“Was it a brute?”

─Yes.

Blind brute. According to the level scaling that indicates the danger of a monster, a whopping 10th grade.

“It wasn’t the main body, was it?”

─That’s right. It was a clone.

The brute’s 「Spectrum」 is very tricky. It can divide its body into as many pieces as it wants and send them here and there. Therefore, in the underworld that knows the brute well, they sometimes call him a ‘part-timer’.

“What was the output?”

─It is estimated to be a 25% clone.

“Wow… it was 25%, and I was beat.”

Layla was slightly discouraged.

However, research is progressing steadily anyway. The fabric of the suit will infinitely evolve with better materials, better enchantments, and better mana stones as fuel.

“Oh, I wish Kain’s mana stone mine would open soon~”

Ding-

Just then, the smartphone rang. Layla glanced at it. Her eyes widened.

[At Your Service: I will guide you on the assignment.]

It was [At Your Service] who she had been waiting for!

“Wow, finally!!!”

She quickly got up and flew to the chair.

“I thought you really quit!”

Layla didn’t do a single holiday assignment.

Of course, there are no assignments on the college board, but there are in the Hilton family. Those annoying elders keep giving out assignments.

─Yes. Then. I’ll go to work.

“Yep! Good work, Berrie! Thanks as always!”

The light of the organic body glowing in the aquarium, Berrie, goes out.

She is an artificial magic intelligence. However, unlimited ultra-high-speed calculations unique to artificial intelligence in movies are impossible. It’s not a computer; it’s just like a very smart human.

The core of the Hilton family’s operation is none other than her, ‘Berrie’. A legacy left by her father and completed by Layla.

Well, that’s that.

Layla opened her notebook.

[At Your Service: 1. Latinel literature composition.]

[At Your Service: 2. Column on the current trend of high stone prices.]

[At Your Service: 3. Reflections on the Trick City’s former senator election.]

[At Your Service: 4. Edsilla election issues…….]

[At Your Service] delivers all the requested assignments perfectly and at her level.

“Good, good. This is great…….”

Layla gleefully copied everything down.

* * *

College Board Provisional Assembly D-1.

─I think it would be good to make this place our base~

A wilderness in the outskirts of Edsilla’s capital, a mountainous region where nothing but trees and grass can be seen as far as the eye can reach.

“Alright.”

The reason for choosing this place is simply because Grawl wanted it.

Surprisingly, the 「Treasure Hunter」 radar was also triggered.

I don’t know why yet.

“So, is 300 square meters from there to here enough?”

─If it’s not enough, we can always extend underground.

“So, I just need to buy the land?”

─Of course~ I am the land~ Leave the construction to me~ However, I do need materials for construction and fuel~ Mana stones.

I nodded.

“Got it. But, have you thought about what my ancient mana is?”

R-elix’s magic. I accidentally used the implanted ancient magic power, but I still don’t know its identity.

─Yes. As far as I know, the ancient mana is connected to 「Treasure Hunter」, right?

“That’s right.”

The ancient mana is grafted onto the root of 「R-elix: Treasure Hunter」.

─So, I think it’s 「Treasurization」.

“Treasurization?”

─Yes. Try making that chain again, not with ancient mana, but with your original mana. Recall the formula.

“What…….”

I closed my eyes. The chain that had bound the brute for a full 10 seconds. A level-4 formula connecting four magic formulas.

I recalled the memory of it and deployed it.

Chrrr—.

A chain flowed out of thin air.

It wasn’t as solid as before.

It means ‘it doesn’t feel real’. The characteristic fluid feeling of mana is still there. Of course, even this would be a result of being upgraded by my magic.

“It’s different from when I fought the brute.”

After all, a normal level-4 magic spell couldn’t possibly bind the brute.

─Yes. Now, try activating the R-elix.

I did as he said and put my hand on my right forearm. I activated the mana.

Chrrr—!

The ancient mana naturally manifested as a pure white chain.

It was a perfect entity.

I could feel it more distinctly by touching it. It doesn’t feel like mana. It feels like a real physical chain.

─This ancient mana seems to ‘Treasurize’ the formula when a formula that works like a tool is activated. So, the chain, a tool-shaped magic spell, exhibited treasure-grade performance.

“Hmm…….”

“The ancient mana wasn’t initially like this, I believe. Instead, it adapted after being linked with your r-elix, the 「Treasure Hunter」.

That could be quite useful.

Of course, forming the ‘shape of a tool’ with a magic spell is difficult, and with the power of two people, a chain is the best we can do. But even that chain has high value.

“Is this ancient mana still growing?”

“Yes. The volume of the mana is slowly increasing. Right now, it’s about the equivalent of 2.2 adult men?”

“Okay.”

I gently stroked Grawl’s head.

“Good job. Let’s buy the land right after visiting the hospital.”

Today is the day I receive mana quark treatment from Professor Yu Hains.

“Yes~”

Grawl, who answered, subtly turned his head. And then, covering his mouth with his hand, he chuckled.

He looked somewhat wicked, but right now, he was just adorable.

* * *

On the day of the provisional assembly of the College Board.

[This stop is the terminal station ‘Amanta’, terminal station ‘Amanta’.]

I got off at the train station.

The station’s name is ‘Amanta’. As soon as I stepped out, I was greeted by the fresh wind of Edsilla’s highlands.

Usually, it’s a rural area with hardly any visitors except adventurers, but today it was crowded.

“Wow, it’s been a long time. How have you been?”

“We’re doing the second quarter here.”

“We’re going to Planarium, right? Is it open? Wasn’t it originally a sealed area?”

About a thousand seniors participating in the second quarter, their families, the representatives of various companies and families, scouts, journalists, reporters… A total of 4-5 thousand people gathered.

Among them, of course, were Kain and Asher. It was surprisingly good to see them.

“Hey.”

I waved my hand. Kain frowned slightly but raised his hand in response, and Asher gave a hollow laugh.

“Oh, Shion. Nice to see you. Oops-”

Soon everyone was swept away by the crowd. The arrival of the second train brought in more people at once.

We were practically washed out of the station by the wave of people.

“…The view is nice.”

Outside the bustling train station was the serene nature.

The view was wide open, with no buildings larger than three stories. Most of it was a ranch-like landscape; in the distance, a mountain range stretched up to the sky. At the end of it, a flat area shrouded in clouds was formed.

The location for the second quarter of the College Board: Planarium Academy at an altitude of 2,700m.

In other words, we have to climb the mountain now.

“…Ah.”

I hate climbing.

Still, I moved my feet, and the sight of numerous seniors climbing was indeed a spectacle.

It wasn’t a typical climb, of course. Some were riding wild beasts, and some were sitting on the shoulders of golems they created.

I’m jealous.

It must be so comfortable.

Whee-

Elise also launched a hoverboard powered by telekinesis. She zoomed past the others at a breakneck speed.

That girl, despite being an Edsilla noble, has no hesitation in embracing hip culture.

I climbed the mountain on foot.

For reference, the second quarter of the College Board is a traditional ‘camp’. It’s about gathering all the seniors who survived the first quarter in one place.

The location changes every year, but [Planarium Academy] is quite unique. It’s a place you can only visit with the permission of the Magic Association.

Vroom-

Suddenly, Elise’s hoverboard floated past me. It was moving at a leisurely pace.

“……?”

What’s going on?

I thought she just zoomed past me a moment ago.

Was it a misunderstanding?

I continued up the mountain trail.

As the altitude increased, so did the mana density. My breathing was slightly heavy, but it was bearable.

Vroom-

Elise’s hoverboard floated past me again, slower than before.

Deja vu. Why does she keep passing me and then appearing again?

Despite my confusion, I focused on climbing. I was drinking a bottle of water when it happened again.

Vroom-

Elise’s hoverboard floated past me once more, this time almost crawling.

It wasn’t deja vu. Nor was it a misunderstanding.

“What the…”

I muttered under my breath, and she immediately stopped. She looked back as if she had been waiting, tilting her head and flipping her hair.

“Did you call me?”

“……I didn’t.”

“You did. You said ‘hey’.” (뭐야 is essentially what, but to make it more fluid, what the… was created to make it fit the situation better and show that he was mumbling to himself. 야, which is the latter half of 뭐야, is hey. Showing she only heard the ending of his mumbling)

“No…… Didn’t you pass me three times?”

“You must have seen things.”

She chuckled nonchalantly, slowing down her hoverboard, and I kept my stride steady. Soon, we were walking side by side.

Elise spoke.

“The mana density is high. It’s easy to see things.”

I wasn’t entirely convinced, but I had no reason to believe she was intentionally circling me.

Elise glanced at my feet.

“Do you want a lift?”

“No.”

“If you don’t want to ride together, I can lend you mine.”

I waved her off. The high mana density and thin oxygen at this altitude made even talking difficult.

“Just go.”

“…….”

Elise pouted. Without anything else to say, she picked a few blades of grass from her hair and flung them at me before flying off.

What a temper.

──Anyway.

Ten minutes later.

“……I should have taken her offer.”

I immediately regretted my decision.

* * *

[Planarium Academy], located at an altitude of 2,777m.

The facilities here, visible above the clouds, were as large as two university campuses combined. There were dormitories, lecture buildings, a sports field, seminar rooms, a plaza, and even a park. It wasn’t called an ‘academy’ for nothing.

However, oddly enough, all the buildings were empty.

That’s why the atmosphere was a bit eerie. It felt like non-human entities were lurking around.

──Everyone, please gather at the sports field.

The sports field of Planarium.

The administrators, including Chedric, were already on the stage, and the seniors had voluntarily lined up.

──Welcome. This is Planarium Academy. I am ‘Deloh’ from the University Association.

The speaker on the stage was ‘Deloh’, an executive of the University Association.

──The number of participants for the second quarter of the College Board is exactly 2,535.

The number had significantly decreased.

It wasn’t that there weren’t any, but there were quite a few who got jobs based solely on their first-quarter grades. Especially the poor commoners, who easily fell for the temptation.

──Today is the provisional assembly. The official start is in three days, but you are welcome to stay here until then.

I found Soliette loitering around.

She was yawning with the most tired face in the corner. She must have been up all night playing Bethune.

──First, let me explain about the second quarter. Here in this Magic Space, you have to ‘earn’ your own grades.

Deloh pointed to one side of the academy grounds. There was a building with a sign that read [Exchange Center].

──In these mountains, countless monsters inhabit. There are also many tasks that need to be solved. In addition, you can take special ‘classes’ in the Magic Space at various facilities here. All these achievements can be converted into CP at that exchange center.

Achievements are converted into CP. It probably means you can get CP if you catch a monster or solve a task.

──The rest you will gradually learn as you stay. So, now I will explain the main principles of this place, the Planarium Academy.

Deloh raised his finger.

──First, ‘self-sufficiency’. As you can see, the residence, that is, the accommodation, is provided.

He stretched out his arm. There was a dormitory there. A tall building that seemed to be connected to the underworld, wrapped in a particularly thick fog.

──Food from the outside cannot exist here at Planarium Academy. Therefore, whether you hunt or gather in the Magic Space here, you have to ‘provide for yourself’.

Another name for this Planarium Academy is ‘the place where the souls stays’.

It’s a very special and unique magical space on the continent, and it even becomes a magical realm later on.

I know because I’ve been here before my regression.

In fact, food touched by the outside world spoils in an instant.

──Second, ‘self-help’. In case of any danger, you in the Magic Space have to save yourself.

There was a rustling sound next to me. I glanced over. Elise was standing there naturally.

When did she get here?

──Third, you must never lose your ‘student ID’ that will be distributed today. If you lose it, in the worst case, you may ‘lose your way’. Of course, the person in charge will stay at the central lighthouse and care for your safety… but the illusions here are dangerous.

Deloh warned.

──Now, then. Everyone, go to the entrance control room on the first floor of the dormitory, get your student ID, and choose the room you want. It’s first come, first served. Once you select a room, it’s yours until the end of the second quarter.

The moment he finished speaking,

Whoosh!

Almost all the seniors rushed to the dormitory.

──Ah, move!

──What, hey! Let’s go together!

──”We have to get high up!

It was a mess, but I just stood there. Elise paused as she was about to run. She just turned her head and looked at me.

“…Aren’t you going? The upper floors should be safer.”

Elise asked in a cautious tone. Her eyes were on me, but her mind was already at the dormitory.

“I don’t care.”

“There are many souls in Planarium. The first and second floors will suffer.”

It seems that this guy knows what kind of place Planarium Academy is.