Chapter 97

After the fight ended quicker than expected, we approached the center of the plaza. While the Violet Squad 1 positioned Daphne in the middle and Irene in front, the other two squads wandered through the forest near the ruins, hunting the remaining monsters.

“Rawr!”

“Die!”

Violet 219, crawling on the ground, beheaded a Scrags that popped out. These fierce little creatures seem to be everywhere. It’s fascinating.

Once safety was secured, I decided to do what needed to be done. I noticed the curious sparkle in the eyes of the two girls looking at the Ether Amplifier placed in the center of the plaza.

“They said this enhances our abilities, right? How intriguing.”

“It’s more appropriate to say it helps us grow. So, Violet, what’s the principle behind this device?”

After clearing my throat a few times, I slowly explained the nature of this ruin’s device that I remembered.

There are several methods for an Awakened One to grow.

The first method is to kill creatures that possess Ether within themselves and absorb their magical power. Usually, we hunt monsters, but strictly speaking, the target doesn’t have to be a monster. There are other beings with a significant amount of Ether in them as well. It’s just that cultured individuals tend not to choose this method.

The second is to repeatedly practice controlling magical power, which increases the Ether within. Ether interestingly responds to human will, so with diligent training, it increases just like muscles do. There are other methods such as training in specific locations or taking drugs and undergoing risky procedures, but they’re usually regarded as exceptions.

“This lets us grow our power.”

“Really?”

As the name Ether Amplifier suggests, this device amplifies the Ether within an Awakened One, boosting their capabilities. In simpler terms, it’s like a machine that gives experience points. In the game, it provided a small amount of experience and money every time it was activated, but I wasn’t sure how it worked here.

For now, it’s certain that there are no side effects. The only drawback is that it’s a one-time use. Once you use it, that’s it.

“How long does it take?”

“Right after you activate it!”

Upon hearing my words, Irene asked with a hint of concern in her voice.

“It’s safe, right?”

“It’s safe. Absolutely! It’s nothing to compare with those kinds of things! Trust me.”

Hearing my earnest plea, my friends followed along, albeit with some skepticism. This wasn’t recommending anything harmful like a quack or multi-level marketing scheme. We Violets would never do anything to harm our friends.

I reached into my memory and operated the device. All I had to do was inject magical power and turn the three round handles attached in order, clockwise. There was even an arrow beneath the handles.

After completing the operation, a large yellow crystal began to glow brightly. The magical power enveloped us all, and I felt something inside me grow. It felt like the volume of my existence was increasing inside, just like a skilled potter gently enlarging a bowl on a wheel.

“Wow…”

I marveled.

After about a minute, the light from the crystal gradually diminished. The Ether Amplifier, having fulfilled its role, flickered a few times like a broken TV screen before completely shutting off.

“How do you feel?” I asked my friends.

“It reminds me of when I first learned how to use magic. I feel a bit lighter.”

“I recall when I first learned magic.”

Initially, Irene and Daphne looked unsure as they examined their bodies, but gradually, their expressions brightened.

Irene pulled out her spear and swung it in the air.

“I think I can do things I only imagined before. It’s beyond my expectations. This power…”

The golden light of magical power emanating from the tip of her spear grew even stronger.

“I’m still having a hard time grasping it. It seems like the amount of magic within me and the magic I can handle at once has increased, though.”

Daphne still seemed uncertain about how things worked.

While my friends were inspecting, the Violets cautiously checked the situation too, swinging their weapons in the air or jumping a few times on the spot.

“Our weapons feel lighter. Our strength has increased!”

“Our bodies have gotten faster!”

It was time to check the status screen.

<CHARACTER STAT>

Name: Violet Dunhind Rugilinn

Alias: Pest Control Specialist

Status: First Year Student at Polaris Comprehensive Academy

Lv: 33

Health: 4800/4800

Magic: 44100/44100

…

My level increased by three all at once. Nowadays, you don’t level up much just by defeating lower-tier monsters, but it seems I had achieved something.

By the way, a question arose. There were many Violets around the Ether Amplifier; would the effects stack?

“At least the level of power increase seems to be the same for everyone.”

“It looks like this device treats us as a single entity.”

Confirming this, it wasn’t so. The effect of the Ether Amplifier only applied to the existence that is “Violet.” I don’t know what principle governs it, but it’s fascinating.

Now that I had confirmed I gained experience, it was time to investigate our surroundings. In the game, you would get everything with just a click, but here in reality, I had to search for it myself.

“Where was it again?”

I spotted a suspicious protruding brick right beneath the Ether Amplifier. It seemed like it would open something if pressed. Once I touched it, I heard a clunk, and a suspicious box popped out from the ground.

“What is this?”

“I don’t know, either!”

My friends stared at the suddenly appeared box. I genuinely had no idea. What’s inside is randomized.

Usually, it’s gold bars or liquid assets, and if lucky, a unique relic might come out, but typically it’s a 3 or 4-star weapon. 5-star items are rare.

“I’m going to open it now.”

As I was about to open the box, Daphne cautiously stepped in to stop me.

“Wait a second! It could be dangerous!”

She said this and gave me a light tap with her staff. Looking at the Barrier, I thought Daphne might be a bit too cautious.

When I unlatched the box and opened the lid, a dazzling light burst forth. I shielded my eyes with my hands.

“Ahh!”

“What is this?”

The startled Violets whispered amongst themselves as they saw it.

“This light…!”

“It’s rainbow-colored!”

Rainbow colors have significant meaning in Crimson Scholar. A 5-star character or equipment typically appears with a rainbow glow in gacha. I don’t know why this light appeared in reality, but my instinct strongly suggested that what’s inside this box is likely a 5-star item!

As the light soon faded, the surrounding people peered into the box with eyes full of anticipation.

“Gloves?”

At the bottom of the box lay a brass gauntlet. At a glance, it looked like a giant had left behind a glove. The wrist part was of average size, but the hand section was enormous. The brass hand, intricately carved with patterns, was so vast that it appeared unbalanced.

I wondered if it was a relic I could equip as I picked it up. When I opened the status screen, it sparkled with stars.

[Hand of Destiny ☆☆☆☆☆]

Artifact left behind by a civilization from beyond an unknown dimension.

The lost Ether technology used in the artifact emphasized magical energy release.

So, evil beings, step away before this hand.

Beware of the light’s power. Otherwise, the will of strength shall cleave the darkness.

* Every 24 hours, you can use a portion or all of your current magical power to launch three small attacks or one powerful magical beam.

…

The moment I read the description, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a 5-star item. An unusual weapon not seen in the game!

“It looks just like a decorative gauntlet on the outside…”

“It has special conditions attached! It can unleash beams using all held magical power.”

Considering our amount of magic, its power wouldn’t be trivial. Now I had a secret weapon I could use alongside the Flame Blade.

I turned to my friends.

“Can I keep this?!”

They replied.

“Then do as you wish. It’s customary for the first finder of a relic discovered in a dungeon to keep it unless there’s a special agreement. And this place, Violet brought us here. So what we gain here is rightfully yours.”

“I think so too. But, Violet, is that a toy?”

“No! It’s a relic weapon.”

Irene, examining the Hand of Destiny, tilted her head in confusion. She seemed to be pondering what value this oversized glove could have as a weapon.

“Ah… If you want to sell it later, I can help you find someone.”

“No need.”

I could imagine how surprised they would be when I showed this weapon’s power later.

“Violet, are we done here now?”

“Yep, I’ve found everything.”

“Then let’s head out!”

We dusted ourselves off and retraced our steps back through the passage we came from.

Now it was time to return.

*

It took some time to handle various matters inside the ruins. When we stepped outside, it was just past 1 PM.

I cautiously emerged to avoid being seen by anyone. I reverted the clone back to magical power, as there were too many to bring out.

The surroundings were a bit noisy. Other students participating in the experiential learning had also arrived and were busily searching for the fake relics hidden by the instructors.

Our team had no further tasks here. We had already collected the fake relics meant for the assignment long before entering the ruins.

The party compositions among the students varied. Few teams were like ours with three members. Most consisted of four to five, with some occasionally having six.

First, there was a group of female student witches wandering around with composite staves.

“Is this right? It’s not up in the trees or anything, is it?”

Then, a group of archers, each armed with a bow.

“It’s hot. So hot… I want to finish this and go home…”

There were medieval-style combinations that seemed out of place in this futuristic world.

A male student wielding a sword and a one-handed shield, followed by a female support mage holding a staff.

A male student armed with a crossbow and a dagger.

A male student with a gigantic shield and axe.

And a female combat mage wearing enchanted gloves engraved with magic circles and equipped with auxiliary magical gear.

“Wow! I’ve seen that combination somewhere before.”

“Isn’t that the hero party?”

The setup follows the classic hero party of warrior, saint, rogue, and mage.

While clad in tech-wear style outfits made of functional fabric and armed with modern swords and bows, their essence resembles that of classic fantasy novels.

“There might be a demon lord similar in another dimension, but to see such a combination here is surprising.”

“Very traditional.”

The overtly distinct party composition is seen as outdated in the academy city. Monsters are agile and can appear from anywhere, making the division between frontline and backline fuzzy.

Instructor Frederick or Professor Albert’s comment on our party being ‘classic yet traditional’ was similar in essence.

Well, at least we secured flexibility with our numbers.

In this harsh world, even support or ranged attackers ultimately needed to handle close combat.

“Well, I guess they’ll manage to fight well.”

“I’m just surprised.”

Anyway, there were many fascinating students beyond that party. There were mid-armored parties, phalanx formations, and even Viking combinations specific to the academy city.

As we walked toward the break area, I unexpectedly bumped into a familiar blue-haired male student. It was Lucian, a 4-star mage character.

I had run into him again after he suddenly mentioned a duel last time and I had tricked him and fled.

Uniquely, a girl with black pigtails and a large male student followed him.

“Oh, it’s Levi.”

“And that’s Granite behind her.”

I spotted friends I had met during the freshers’ torture, and occasionally we attended classes together. I hadn’t realized they were in the same group departing today.

“I didn’t think they would team up with that mage friend.”

Interestingly, that group also consisted of three members.

I casually exchanged glances with those I knew as I passed by.

Just then, Lucian suddenly called out to me from behind.

“Hey, you! You!”

“…?”

When I turned around, his face was filled with certainty.

“I knew it! Violet, I didn’t think we’d meet again here!”

He suddenly pointed a finger at me.

“You! How dare you trick me and run away?!”

“Oh, right. I did that, didn’t I?”

“What? Did you forget about it?”

As I retorted with a feigned expression of remembering, he jumped up excitedly. Irene, watching him, interjected with a puzzled expression.

“Lucian, huh? So you know Violet?”

“There you are. The first-year representative. Long time no see. But more importantly…”

Lucian glanced at our party. He moved his head once towards Irene, then once towards me. As he surveyed us both, he muttered something that sounded incredulous.

“This doesn’t make sense…”

Not knowing what he meant, I asked.

“What doesn’t make sense?”

Lucian replied.

“How could someone like you, looking all goofy, be on the same team as someone like Irene?”

Our party members’ expressions scrunched up at his response.

What’s this middle school-level light novel protagonist up to now?