Chapter 14

13.

The meeting with the Dean ended in compromise.

If adjusting the assignment’s difficulty was impossible, then moving what was originally first to last would have to do.

And providing a few more clues needed to solve it wouldn’t hurt either.

“If all we show the distinguished guests is students floundering, it might bring shame to the name of Premus.”

Understanding the Academy’s position, I nodded without much argument. While my desire for more practical assignments hadn’t completely disappeared, pressing further would just make things awkward for the Dean.

Thankfully, the basic and intermediate mana design courses required no significant changes.

Probably thanks to the previous professor’s examples I referenced when designing them.

‘Though too easy for advanced students – which is why I made a separate one myself.’

Still, this year marks the first time an advanced mana design test will appear in the Trial of Ascension.

In other words, whatever I create will set the precedent going forward.

I made it slightly more complex than usual to better simulate real-world conditions since these are top students nearing graduation.

They need preparation for what comes after.

Most importantly, keeping the advanced tests practical ensures future Premus students stay prepared for the world ahead.

Letting them experience upcoming disasters early might help them survive longer.

‘Even if they’re still better off than death.’

Even my old students struggled but managed these tasks.

Premus students being top talents from across the continent shouldn’t find it too difficult.

With our agreement finalized, the Dean stamped the revised documents and handed them to me.

After promising to prepare thoroughly, I left his office and started down the long hallway.

“Professor! Hello~”

“I have a question about mana schematics. Can I visit your office?”

Dealing with students left me realizing how late afternoon had become.

Meaning Princess Irina’s appointment time was fast approaching.

This led to much contemplation upon reaching my office.

How exactly should I train Her Highness?

“Hmm, maybe like Lillian…?”

Like her sister Lillian, Princess Irina inherited dragon blood, likely making her magically gifted among students.

What concerns me is her lack of practical experience.

From observation, she’s neither aggressive nor calculating, though her kind and honest nature isn’t inherently bad.

Experience has shown such types often understand little about combat until personally experiencing it.

…Though that sounded strange somehow.

Perhaps Princess Irina’s loss in last year’s one-on-one tournament stemmed from insufficient practice.

-Knock knock-

“Professor, it’s Irina.”

“Ah, yes. Come in.”

A few hesitant steps followed.

Princess Irina sat across from me, subtly nervous yet determined.

My first question: What kind of person does she wish to be in Lillian’s eyes?

“What’s your goal for this year’s Trial, Your Highness?”

Knowing her purpose would help direct her training.

Her response…

“It may sound silly to you, Professor…but I want to become the top student in this Trial.”

An unusually ambitious answer unlike her usual self.

I sensed the weight Lillian held in Irina’s heart.

Their correspondence didn’t seem strained…

Could her desire for Lillian’s approval be stronger than I thought?

“While I’m here because of Master Dragon’s request…achieving excellent results will surely mean seeing you again.”

Unwavering determination burned in her steady gaze.

Tightly clenched fists showed her resolve.

Thus, I suggested heading to the training grounds.

The Trial involves only practical exams this year.

I wanted to directly assess her abilities.

Then develop standard training to enhance strengths and address weaknesses.

So…

“Alright then, attack me with everything you’ve got, Your Highness.”

Our long-awaited ‘training’ began.

Her startled voice echoed.

“A-attack you?”

“Who else?”

“But how can I possibly…”

Typical really.

Pointing her staff at me proved challenging even before actual combat.

“I’m fine really, so come at me like you mean to kill.”

“T-that’s a bit extreme…”

“There’s method to my madness. Now hurry up.”

Spreading my arms wide, I convinced her this was entirely for her benefit.

Only after reminding her of Lillian did she tightly close her eyes and channel vast mana into her staff.

Apparently intending overwhelming power, the air itself bent toward her.

Normally such mana output would leave opponents defenseless.

But if it fails…

-WHOOSH-

“I’m coming!”

Should such powerful magic fail, even unintentionally worrying about the opponent…

-RUSTLE…

-THUD!

“Wha? I…blocked it?”

Of course she’d be surprised.

The battlefield requires adaptability most of all.

Reading rapidly changing situations, making optimal decisions to maximize gains while minimizing losses.

The ultimate goal for those entering battle.

“For the next ten minutes, I’ll stand here motionless. No counterattacks.”

Confidence on the battlefield can often become a poison.

One must always unconsciously consider and prepare for unexpected variables.

“Therefore, use every means at your disposal.”

Thus, I aimed to determine Irina’s limits.

Then teach her how to effectively utilize her capabilities.

Adaptability remains the fundamental skill in real combat after all.

“Knock me down.”

Know thyself and know thy enemy, and you shall win a hundred battles without peril.

The first step in training must involve understanding oneself.

Hence, I planned to draw out Irina’s absolute limits.

Certainly, she’d never before faced someone capable of handling her maximum potential.

*

A few minutes earlier as Letter spread his arms encouraging attacks against himself.

Irina felt extremely conflicted.

No matter how esteemed the professor…

No matter how adorned with ancient dragon patterns…

-BOUNCE BOUNCE-

-BOUNCE BOUNCE-

‘This, this cute child? How?’

Appearing so young…

An existence where merely showing hostility required great determination.

Thus, normal values made Irina’s gaze waver.

At least there were no observers for her duel with Letter, having closed off the training ground.

“Come on now!”

-BOUNCE BOUNCE-

-BOUNCE BOUNCE-

‘Too, too adorable…’

Even without spectators, attacking such a small figure proved exceedingly difficult for Irina.

She’d have attacked freely if facing a mere training dummy.

Yet lacking alternatives, she eventually gathered mana.

Then tightly shut her eyes and conjured a massive fireball in midair before launching it.

“Here I go!”

Thus, PENG.

The roaring fireball instantly surged toward the distant child-like figure.

However for some reason…

Letter remained standing without a scratch.

“For the next ten minutes, I’ll stay right here. No counterattacks.”

The calm voice continued.

The composed tone instructed her to attack until her mana depleted, unwavering.

Though seemingly unprepared to take a life…

Realizing her own inability to defeat him through skill alone still made her staff tremble.

Just aiming already pained her heart.

To Irina currently, the greatest obstacle wasn’t her inadequate skill but her conscience.