Chapter 38

Afternoon, Awakened One Training Ground.

“Everyone, stand to attention! Salute the teacher!”

At Clarissa’s command, everyone salutes. After checking the students’ forms, she salutes the teacher last.

A faint smile graces Iryna’s face as she acknowledges the salute, then nods. Clarissa calls out once more.

“Alright, everyone, at ease!”

Only after her words does Iryna slowly step forward.

“Well, is everyone gathered?”

““““Yes, Teacher!!””””

With excitement, the students respond in unison.

“In that case, please maintain a distance of two meters between each of you. Ah, Edyu, you may remain seated on your drone.”

Iryna continues, addressing me.

From the corner, faint murmurs from the silent trio—”tsk,” “whatever”—reach my ears, but they’re clearly not worth paying attention to, so I disregard them.

“Alright, then, let’s begin?”

“Teacher! Are we not using gear today?”

No sooner had Iryna finished than a male student raises his hand to ask.

“Today, we are focusing on basic foundational work and will primarily deal with mana, so there’s no need to use gear.”

Having completed her explanation, Iryna takes a sip from a water bottle at her waist.

“Hem hem, what you will learn today is a practical method for using mana more smoothly.”

As she begins speaking, it’s evident that everyone is listening intently.

“To that end, there’s one thing we need to cover first—do you know the difference between Awakened Ones and ordinary people?”

“Yes, Teacher!”

Clarissa raises her arm to respond.

“The difference between Awakened Ones and regular people lies in whether or not they are born with a special power called a Talent.”

“Exactly.”

Satisfied, Iryna smiles and nods.

“Yes, the sole difference between Awakened Ones and ordinary people is this Talent. Everyone has mana within them, but what exactly is mana?”

“Uh, well…”

Caught off-guard by the question, a female student trails off, prompting Iryna to smile gently and continue.

“There’s no need to overthink it; I’m not asking for a correct answer. Just share how each of you personally perceive mana.”

“Power needed to use skills?”

“Energy…”

“Spiritual power? MP?”

Different answers come forth, likely due to the varied teachings they’ve received over the years.

Mana…

In the midst of contemplating this, I unconsciously mutter a word.

“Choices…”

“Hmm? Which student said that just now?”

Iryna asks, looking around.

“Huh?”

“Wasn’t there a student who said ‘choices’?”

“Yes, yes!”

Raising my hand in response, Iryna nods with a smile.

“Choices, that’s correct. Mana can be expressed in many ways, but the term ‘choices’ is the most fitting description.”

“Oh…”

“Indeed…”

Her words draw glances from my classmates, their expressions tinged with admiration.

…Are you guys really going to be impressed every time I breathe?

“To explain more thoroughly, you’ll learn it in your Mana Studies class, but the reason the term ‘choices’ is appropriate is because, literally, mana allows you to perform a much wider range of actions than you might think.”

At this point, she surveys the area, her gaze stopping on Jack.

“Jack, was it? Would you mind coming forward for a moment?”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Upon hearing Iryna’s request, Jack obediently steps forward.

“Do you know how to handle mana?”

“Somewhat.”

“Then please release mana for me.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Mana radiates outwards from Jack’s large body. It almost seems like a scene from a comic where someone gathers power.

“Jack, could you extend your arm this way?”

“Yes.”

As Jack extends his arm, Iryna lightly grasps it with her left hand while raising her right hand to form a V with her index and middle fingers—an image reminiscent of playing rock-paper-scissors, where the winner might tap the loser’s wrist as a playful penalty.

“Hmm… Teacher?”

Looking slightly uneasy at this gesture.

“Don’t worry, I’ll tap gently.”

“…Yes.”

And with that, Iryna’s hand comes down sharply. The sound of it echoes, and Jack flinches slightly.

“How did that feel?”

“…It stings a bit.”

“Right? Now, try it again without releasing mana.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Jack suppresses his mana, and Iryna taps once more in the same manner.

“Urgh!”

“How was that?”

“It hurts.”

“That’s correct. Now do you understand?”

“What do you mean? Oh…”

At Iryna’s words, Jack’s eyes widen as if realizing something.

“Just now, I hit you with the exact same force both times. The first strike didn’t hurt too much, but the second one got through to you. Right, Jack?”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“Exactly. Mana isn’t only used to manifest the special abilities you’re born with. With proper understanding and control, it can also be applied in various other ways.”

“Oh wow, really…”

“Cool!-”

Exclamations of wonder fill the air.

“In the case just now, we used the resistance of mana to protect the body, which might also be seen as a way of strengthening the body using mana.”

Having said this, Iryna smiles encouragingly at Jack.

“Good job, Jack. You can return to your spot now.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Jack returns to his place.

“By the way, when your control over mana becomes proficient enough, feats like this are possible.”

Saying this, Iryna extends her arm. Soon after, mana visibly blossoms at the tip of her fist.

This time, she places her palm outwards, spreading the mana with each finger in turns, then covering her hand in a glove-like layer of it.

“Wow.”

Another involuntary murmur of admiration.

“Alright then, how about everyone practices? You all likely already know how to release mana, so today, try practicing by focusing it on just one part of your body—say, the right arm.”

““““Yes, Teacher!!””””

The training continues.

Iryna moves around, advising the students who are working hard. Eventually, she comes to stand in front of me. After scanning the surroundings, she whispers softly.

“Edyu? I heard from the Principal that you went through something major. Are you feeling alright physically?”

Her voice carries a tone of concern, and it’s clear that Iryna genuinely cares about me.

“Yes, the Principal took good care of me, so I’m fine.”

“That’s really good to hear. And with the Invaders too…”

She hesitates slightly.

“You fought very well, even in such a difficult situation. Thanks to you, the incident didn’t escalate into a bigger problem.”

I feel her hand pat my head gently. Unlike Ryouje’s, hers feels warm but not overwhelming.

“Yes, thank you.”

“In that case, let me guide you, Edyu. Since you have an enormous amount of MP—mana, mastering control over it will be extremely beneficial. Let’s focus and try.”

“Yes!”

…

And thus, the class goes on. Through this, I manage to meet Mili and Sita, informing them of recent events and calming them as the week flies by in a flurry of activity.

Friday evening.

At Banetta’s call, I’m riding Bungbungi toward an open space deep within the Academy.

Breathing in the crisp night air, I slowly scrutinize my surroundings. In the distance, a large object comes into view with Banetta standing nearby, seemingly lost in thought.

Still disheveled with her prominent white gown and her long green hair in an untidy mess, her appearance is starting to feel familiar in its untamed charm.

“Hello there, Banetta.”

“Oh, you’ve arrived, Edyu.”

“Yes.”

Tung tung.

Banetta drums her hand on the large object behind her, her face brimming with pride like a child showcasing a prized toy.

“Hmph, this is what happens when somebody tells me Edyu needs something and the Principal asks me to go all out!”

Looking at what lies behind her, I can’t help but break into a cold sweat.

“Uh… this is… not a tank, is it?”

A tank, or tank.

Since the age of cold weapons, these formidable vehicles with their massive cannons, thick armor, and powerful engines have been kings of the battlefield.

Yes, weapons. Not something intended for a comfortable overnight stay.

Of course, this one is different from typical tanks, with smooth curves running from front to back and, oddly, a disproportionately large rear section. Still, no matter what, it’s unmistakably a tank.

“Yes, the MBT-4S Saver Tank. A bit pricey, so it’s not being produced much anymore but it’s versatile, sturdy, and perfect.”

“But, why a tank?”

Tanks are strong and robust, but no one hands out tanks for people to relax in during travels.

“Think about it, Edyu.”

“Hmm?”

“Is the ground not incredibly dangerous? You know that, right?”

“Yes.”

“And what is the strongest thing humans have ever created?”

“Uh… Titan?”

The walking fortress Titans.

With a towering length of 30 meters, reaching up to 50 meters in height, these colossal mobile weapons crafted by humans created small earthquakes with every step—they’re almost the epitome of every boy’s dream—

“No, not inefficient things like that.”

The sharp word ‘inefficient’ cuts through me like a dagger. Sigh, robots are pretty awesome though…

“…Is it a tank?”

“Yes.”

Satisfied with my response, Banetta smiles and nods.

“Honestly, can you expect to sleep safely on the ground just by reinforcing a car? A car is a car, and a tank is a tank. Throwing some more plates on a car doesn’t make it a tank.”

“That….”

In short, carving lines on a pumpkin doesn’t make it a watermelon. Her definitive statement highlights the clear limitations of certain platforms.

Anyway, I’m not the expert here—Banetta is.

“You’re not wrong.”

“Right? Now go check inside too.”

With that, she beckons me toward the tank’s rear.

Upon following her, I see a hatch at the back of the tank, large enough for a person to easily pass through. Considering my situation with Bungbungi, they’ve designed it to be wide enough.

Peering inside, I can’t help but gasp.

“Wow, it’s just like a room!”

“Right? This one was originally designed for joint infantry operations, so there’s quite a bit of space in the rear portion. That’s where I made the modifications.”

“Amazing.”

Though there’s no bed, there’s a fluffy-looking mattress, properly secured storage units, a compact kitchenette on the left, and a restroom and shower unit on the right.

A hotel inside a tank—practicality hidden within its rough exterior.

“And, since men and women will share this space, I added capsule-like covers for the sleeping area.”

At her explanation, I notice cylindrical covers above the mattress, confirming her words.

“Thank you for the consideration.”

“And don’t worry about driving; I’ve installed a pretty capable AI. Just specify the destination, and it will move there on its own. The AI will also keep watch at night.”

“Oh!”

A detailed setup from start to finish.

Having experienced excellent AI systems like Bungbungi or Hands, I instinctively feel excited at the mention of AI.

“Just keep in mind it’s a clever AI, so it might have a lot of questions for you too.”

“It will ask questions?”

“Yes, it’s a learning-capable system. Since the tank needs to handle combat and various tasks, I made some efforts here.”

“Oooh!”

The excitement builds.

“It might even improve with time, then?”

“That’s right, take good care of it.”

“Yes!”

“Oh, and for your safety, I’ve added extra armor at the back, so this is where you should ride. And that thing over there is your tool for giving commands to the AI.”

Following her pointed finger, I see an old-school intercom-like device with a handset.

“Yes, thank you so much.”

“No problem, if you’re really grateful, you can help me with a thorough experiment some time—”

“I’ll just keep the gratitude in heart, thank you.”

“Tsk.”

Despite her teasing tone, she backs away willingly.

“Well then, we should quietly relocate this—”

“Right, we should summon someone to drive it—”

Just as we’re having this conversation, a notification reacts.

– Notification: You can use the Collection Function. Would you like to use it?

“Huh?”

Collection? Right, after clearing the Bloodstorm Valley, this notification appeared.

“What’s wrong, Edyu?”

“It’s nothing… some kind of notification…”

“Notification?”

“Yes, just a moment.”

Whatever function this is, I can’t figure it out until I try. Hence, I activate it.

“Use Collection.”

– The Collection Function has been activated.

Instantly, the tank glows white before vanishing.

“Huh?!”

“Eh?!”

The startled exclamations of Banetta and myself. Regardless, the notification remains calm.

– The Collection Function has been completed. The MBT-4S Saver Tank has been stored in the collection.

Stored? It stored it?

“Edyu, what did you do?!”

Banetta shakes me, a spark of curiosity and excitement in her eyes.

“Wait, just a second! I’m feeling dizzy—”

“Oh, sorry.”

Realizing her mistake, Banetta stops shaking me. After steadying myself, I issue another command.

“Release Collection.”

– The Collection Function will deactivate. There is one stored item. Releasing the MBT-4S Saver Tank from the collection. Please select a place to place it.

Instantaneously, a rectangular green box resembling a building placement window in a strategy game appears.

It seems to materialize in the direction I’m facing. I point toward the same spot as before.

“Put it here.”

– Position confirmed. The MBT-4S Saver Tank will be released from the collection and placed at the selected location.

As white light flashes, the tank reappears.

The sight leaves Banetta gaping in surprise, and I can’t help but instinctively mutter the word. This is literally…

“Do, Doraemon Pocket…!”