Class Representative Ranking Battle (5)

"Great work, Master!"

With drooping shoulders, Carla greeted me, who was pulled along by Iona's telekinetic magic.

Thanks to the protection spell, there wasn't a single injury on my body. But, of course, this only applied to my physical body.

The new school uniform that I had meticulously worn was soaked within just a few hours, and it had been a long time since it got torn all over.

However, Carla, as if accustomed to my disheveled state, began to wipe my face with her sleeve.

And she even took out some refreshing water from the bag of supplies we bought together last time.

Well, it made sense. Carla has been attending these kinds of classes for four years now, so she should be accustomed to them.

While gulping down the cold water and being taken care of by Carla, Elisha, who was left alone, started leisurely walking towards us.

Everyone, including me, was sprawled out in disarray, and the fact that only she looked perfectly fine was annoyingly conspicuous.

She barely moved herself, continuously casting magic like a fixed artillery piece… So this was what a mage was like, I thought.

Come to think of it, Carla was also impressive in the dungeon.

Just a while ago, Carla was running around, continuously casting spells.

Not only did she deplete a mid-level mage's enormous mana, but she also fired low-level spells until her stomach became bloated due to excessive potion use, right?

She even blew up the area with a mid-level spell in the end, didn't she?

I didn't understand at the time because I only considered magic a skill, but now that I've tried it myself, I get it.

Just how incredibly amazing Carla really was.

Enjoying the soft touch on my body, I casually patted Carla's head.

"Huh? Master?"

Carla tilted her head in confusion.

When I kept patting her without saying a word, she started to straighten out her tattered clothes.

"Hehe."

I looked at the fumbling Carla for a moment and let out a sigh.

"We'll need to buy a new school uniform. Or should we apply for one since the academy provides them?"

"Huh? Ah, I forgot to mention it. The academy uniform has an auto-repair function enchanted into it. If you charge it with enough magic, it'll be as good as new by tomorrow. So don't worry."

"…Isn't that information originally from the booklet Carla said was unnecessary?"

"Hehehe…"

"What's so funny?"

I lightly gripped Carla's hair and tugged it.

"S-sorry! I'll make sure to mention it next time!"

"Do better."

"Yes."

After patting Carla's platinum hair a few times, I focused my magic on the uniform, as she had advised.

Woong.

For a moment, it felt like the magic was being absorbed, and shortly after, the uniform started to repair itself.

It made sense why they'd enchant auto-repair into a uniform instead of cleanliness or size-adjustment features.

By the looks of things, even if not today, there are bound to be intense classes in the future. Buying new uniforms every time would be inefficient.

Even if the academy was rich, it wasn't like they were throwing gold away.

…What was the principle behind this, anyway?

Until now, I'd casually overlooked the convenience spells in games or fantasy worlds, but now, they've started to appear more impressive.

Should I ask Carla to teach me a cleaning spell next?

No, prioritizing spells for combat is essential now.

I was just contemplating this when Elisha, the ultimate winner of this practice match, arrived. Iona, who had been quiet until then, greeted her with a beaming smile.

"Good job! Good job! The last survivor is Elisha Sylvan Glenchiel! You are the representative of Class A! Everyone, clap!"

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Standing in front of Iona, who was clapping like a seal, Elisha placed a hand over her chest and answered with grace.

"I'm not yet sure what a class representative is supposed to do, but I will do my best to live up to the title."

In her natural demeanor, as if she had prepared in advance, a deep conviction emanated from her.

It must be that she knew there would be no match for her, even in Class A.

It was a bit vexing, but I couldn't complain. Elisha was indeed overwhelming.

Even with H&A's deadly combos and the tips Carla hastily taught me, along with fully utilizing the system's adjustments, I couldn't lay a finger on her.

If I had known a broader range of spells, the story might have been different… Anyway, there is currently a significant gap between us.

The other students, who had been scattered around, started to clap as if acknowledging Elisha's prowess, either from experiencing it firsthand or witnessing it up close.

I was also clapping when…

Gently.

Carla suddenly tightened her arm around me and whispered softly,

"It's alright, Master. There's a reason the Sylvan Magic Tower has never surpassed the Lindelheit family. Once you truly awaken your core characteristics, Elisha won't stand a chance. You're doing incredibly well now."

"No, I wasn't that disheartened, you know? But I do feel that I need to learn more spells."

If I could even use a shield spell, I wouldn't have been so overwhelmingly defeated.

More than anything, this duel was not without gains.

Near the end, I attained a semblance of enlightenment and increased proficiency in Wind Cutter.

And then.

Ding!

[You've achieved excellent results in the ranking battle\! Your stats will grow by one level!]

[Status Window]

Name: Yandel

Title: Talented Freshman

Basic Abilities

Strength: 11->12

Endurance: 10->11

Agility: 12->13

Talent: 14

Magic Power: 18

Traits:

Endless Mana (A)

Elemental Affinity (B)

Excellent Memory (B)

Clumsy Weapon Skills (E)

Lintblum Mana Core (C)

Low-level Mage (D)->(D+)

Blessing of the Sun God (C)

Not only did each of my lower stats increase by one, but the 'Low-level Mage' characteristic also got a plus attached to it as my Wind Cutter spell advanced.

If I continue to learn more spells like this and increase my proficiency in those spells, I might reach Grade C.

Becoming the class representative would have given me much better bonuses and an active role in various events to come… but there was nothing that could be done about it now.

I would aim for the class representative role next year.

Still, where were we? Even if you knew the strategies and leveling methods for H&A, the real difference would appear only after a certain level of growth.

And in that, I had to fight not with a keyboard and mouse but with my own body and mind.

At this rate, I did well, as Carla said.

Of course, 'doing well' wasn't enough to pave the way forward. I put my character development plans on hold for a moment.

"Attention, everyone! Attention! Ah, if anyone fainted, it's time to wake up! Yap!"

Iona waved her arms, and reddish energy flowed from her fingertips into the bodies of the unconscious students.

"Ugh!"

"Ah… Where am I?"

The students quickly regained consciousness, as if someone had shaken them awake.

Iona didn't even give the students, who were still dazed, time to grasp the situation and immediately started speaking.

"The class representative has been decided as Elisha, so ask your friends or servants for more details! Anyway, about today's class…"

Her usually playful demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Her gaze felt piercing, as if she could see right through me.

The room tensed up at the sight of Iona's deep, crimson eyes, which seemed to hold the centuries of experience she had amassed as a vampire since before the great war.

The only exception was Carla, who had become somewhat accustomed to Iona.

Iona surveyed the room with a serious face before speaking,

"You've experienced it firsthand now. While magical skill itself is important, fighting well is even more so."

Some students glanced nervously between Elisha and me at her words. Noticing this, Iona chuckled,

"Is fighting well such a big deal? Use your advantages to break the advantages of your opponent. In that sense, Elisha fought well too. She fought like a mage should."

Everyone nodded, seemingly convinced by Iona's explanation.

"Of course, Yandel fought well too. Interestingly, he didn't make a single mistake. His situational awareness, body movements, even the spells he cast while rolling around—all of it was the best choice for the situation. That's why, despite only knowing the lower-level spell Wind Cutter, he managed to survive till the end."

The game world was far more lacking in various ways compared to real life, but even so, I had been considered a seasoned player.

Fighting against top dungeons or apostles of the evil Gods wasn't the case here. It wasn't that difficult.

As I proudly shrugged off the amazed glances from the other students, my eyes met Elisha's, who was staring intently at me.

Just then…

Snap!

Elisha opened her fan to cover her mouth.

Carla promptly covered my mouth with her hand.

"Master…?"

"Just stay still."

Carla obediently, yet incredulously, followed my instructions.

The students around us, who were making surprised expressions, all shook their heads as if they had seen something insane.

Well, what? Why?

Even Iona couldn't help but laugh at my audacious demeanor.

"Anyway! Anyway! You all understand the aim of my lesson now, right? The means and methods of fighting well! The ways to kill aristocrats and monsters by whatever means necessary! That's what I'll be teaching you!"

With her tone returning to its usual casualness, Iona pulled out a stack of papers and tossed them toward Elisha with a whoosh!

"Here, read this! It's a summary of the duties and responsibilities you'll have as the class representative!"

Iona enthusiastically said.

"Ah, yes, Professor," Elisha replied, taking the papers.

Iona nodded her head approvingly, pleased with Elisha's respectful bow.

"Great! Great! Now that I've assessed all your levels through this activity, the lessons from tomorrow will be tailored to that, so keep that in mind! Any questions?"

"….."

"None, it seems! Then that's it for today's lesson! Everyone, head back to the classroom as there are more classes coming up. I have somewhere to be!"

Iona walked away, humming a tune, as she always did after completing her own agenda.

Everyone else, perhaps now getting used to Iona, slowly stood up and adjusted their clothes. Then they began to head back to the classroom, their faces serious, perhaps reflecting on the many thoughts that the recent duel had provoked.

Carla and I were discussing the recent duel as we also began heading back to the classroom. However, unlike the other rumpled students, someone impeccably groomed blocked our way.

Blue wavy rolled-up hair, matching blue eyes, elongated ears, a graceful stride, and a fan she seemed to always carry with her.

It was Elisha. Then she called out to me,

"You."

"Um… what can I do for you, Glenchiel?"

"Would you consider being sponsored by the Sylvan Magic Tower?"

"???"

I wasn't a fan of betting against a falling coin, so to speak.