Chapter 40

(1)

1.

First Monday of March.

As the long winter ended and warm spring breezes enveloped the campus, the first class for the new students of Arsen Academy began.

Right on the sports field.

“Alright, twelve laps to go!”

With Professor Miel’s shout.

The students began running across the vast field.

The reason they were doing this on the very first day was because the first class for Class 3 was the common subject, “Physical Training.”

However, not everyone was struggling.

“Huff! Hoo!”

Ivella ran with a steady posture.

Her breathing was regular too. And students like her, who had chosen the Military Department as their main major, ran across the field without much difficulty.

On the other hand, students from the Magic, Arts, or General Departments were on the verge of collapsing. It was even harsher than the physical fitness test they had taken during the entrance exam.

Among them, some were practically dying.

“Ugh! Hah! Ughhh…”

A girl groaned and staggered.

It was Noa. Perhaps due to her trembling legs, flushed face, and sweat pouring down like rain?

Professor Miel quickly ran over and shouted.

“Noa Darshen, step out!”

He probably thought she might actually die if left alone. Of course, thanks to that, she narrowly avoided collapsing.

After sitting under the cool shade of a tree.

Noa blankly stared at the sports field. While still trying to calm her ragged breathing, a water bottle suddenly appeared before her eyes.

“Here.”

“Ah, thank you.”

The water bottle handed by Professor Miel.

As the cool water went down her throat, her mind sharpened. Then, Professor Miel, who had been watching Noa, spoke up.

“I can’t understand. How did you pass the entrance exam with such poor stamina?”

“I got a recommendation letter.”

“Hmm, so you have a strong backer.”

Professor Miel had a look of understanding. After all, only royalty or grand nobility could write recommendation letters.

“Still, it would be good to build up at least some stamina. Especially if you want to achieve good results in the mock battle in two weeks.”

“Ahaha, I’d like to, but…”

“Anyway, rest well for now.”

After lightly patting Noa’s back.

Professor Miel headed back to the sports field. To run with the other students. Left alone, Noa pouted her lips.

“…I really wish I could.”

But she couldn’t.

The reason lay in Noa’s “traits.”

━━━

[Name]: Noa Darshen

[Age]: 17

[Grade]: A+

[Traits]: Blessing of Mana

[Characteristics]: Research, Memorization, Eyes of Magic, Poison Immunity, Curse Immunity, Language Mastery, Frailty, Poor Stamina

━━━

Noa’s recently unlocked traits.

Of course, many of these were good.

“Eyes of Magic” allowed her to observe or intervene in the Flow of Magic, amplifying or reducing the effects of spells or sorcery.

“Language Mastery” enabled her to hear, speak, and interpret all languages.

“But the problem is…”

The two penalties attached at the end.

Frailty and Poor Stamina.

First, Frailty reduces physical abilities by up to 70%, and the strength and stamina points gained through training are reduced to a quarter.

For example, if someone does 10 push-ups to increase their strength, Noa would need to do 40 to achieve the same increase.

“And Poor Stamina.”

This penalty increases all stamina consumption by five times the average. Thus, Noa tires more easily and feels stronger fatigue.

“If only these penalties weren’t there, my grade would’ve easily been S-tier…”

But that’s not possible.

All Named Characters are given at least one to a maximum of three penalties to balance them out.

Like Ulan’s penalty, “Thickheaded.”

As she sighed at the frustrating reality.

Suddenly, Professor Miel’s shout was heard.

“Ulan! You can stop running now!”

It was because Ulan hadn’t stopped running even after completing his target laps.

In fact, as if to show off his remaining stamina, he kept sprinting across the field at full speed.

And as a result.

A cloud of dust rose wildly.

“Cough, cough!”

“Ugh! Dust in my eyes!”

The damage was fully passed on to the students following behind. Seeing this, Professor Miel urgently shouted again.

“Stop running, you lunatic!”

Ulan didn’t even pretend to listen.

Watching the field turn into chaos, Noa stared intently at Ulan.

‘Since getting Kazan…’

Ulan’s stamina had improved even more.

Even after sprinting dozens of laps around the field, his breathing wasn’t even disturbed.

And the effects didn’t stop there.

His physical limits had doubled, so with training, he could grow even stronger.

‘Should I just go all-in on Ulan?’

Since he already has Kazan.

Should I pour all the Hidden Pieces and treasures I remember into Ulan and use his strength to break through the main scenario?

I’ve thought about it.

But I couldn’t decide recklessly.

‘Because Ulan…’

Dies fighting the Giant King Rargtan.

This is the fate, role, and purpose given to the Named Character Ulan. No veteran player has ever saved Ulan from his fate.

‘Of course, this time he has Kazan…’

But I still hesitate.

If I invest everything in Ulan and he still can’t escape his predetermined fate, then it’s all over.

While pondering the future for a while.

“Silfi Rudina, step out!”

A second student was called out.

A girl with ashen hair staggered over as if about to collapse. Seeing her, Noa immediately snapped out of her thoughts.

━━━

[Name]: Silfi Rudrik

[Age]: 16

[Grade]: D