As Ren delved into the complexities of the Academy and the intricate plot surrounding it, a sense of frustration crept into his thoughts. "This is becoming unnecessarily complicated," he muttered to himself. "I need to focus on what truly matters instead of getting lost in all these details."
He took a deep breath, attempting to push away the clutter in his mind. His emotions threatened to cloud his judgment, but he refused to let them take over. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, inhaling deeply as he activated his Calm Mind ability. Almost instantly, the excess noise in his thoughts faded, leaving only the most essential information.
A serene clarity settled over him. It was as if the mental fog had lifted, sharpening his focus and reinforcing his determination.
When he opened his eyes again, he felt like a completely different person. "Alright," he whispered, his voice filled with renewed conviction. "Now I can concentrate on what truly matters."
Ren straightened his posture, exhaling slowly. With a clear mind and an unwavering resolve, he was ready to proceed.
---
Once he regained his composure, Ren set off toward the library.
His footsteps echoed softly through the long corridors of the Holmes estate, each step measured and calm. As he walked, he noticed how steady his breathing had become, the lingering frustration from earlier dissipating entirely.
His Calm Mind ability was working perfectly.
Soon, he arrived at the grand entrance of the library, its towering double doors standing imposingly before him. He reached out, pushing one open, and stepped inside.
The vastness of the library stretched before him, its towering shelves packed with countless tomes. The scent of aged parchment and leather-bound books filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of polished wood.
"Wow… this place is enormous," Ren murmured, his gaze scanning the impressive rows of books.
Being the heir to the Holmes Family came with privileges, one of which was unrestricted access to the estate's elite facilities. Their main estate housed not only a library but also a state-of-the-art training ground, an entertainment area, and several other amenities. A massive mansion stood at the heart of the estate, home to the family head and his direct relatives.
Ren was free to use any of these resources whenever he pleased.
Despite this, he had rarely set foot in the library before. Not because he disliked studying—far from it. He simply preferred practical combat training over theoretical knowledge.
However, as he stood amidst the towering shelves, he had to admit—the Holmes Family library was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was vast, even larger than the city's most renowned library, where he had often read in his past life.
The atmosphere was quiet and undisturbed, with only the faint rustling of pages and occasional whispers breaking the silence.
Ren strolled down one of the aisles, running his fingers over the spines of ancient books as he skimmed the titles. A deep sense of tranquility settled over him, the library's stillness wrapping around him like a comforting embrace.
Selecting a book at random, he made his way to a secluded corner and settled into a chair, flipping through its pages.
A few students and scholars glanced at him upon his arrival, curiosity flickering in their eyes. But after a moment, they returned to their own work, uninterested in his presence.
Ren immersed himself in books covering basic education subjects, refreshing his memory on topics he had learned as a child.
In this world, every child underwent a coming-of-age ceremony upon reaching ten years old.
For noble and high-ranking families, this ceremony marked the beginning of intense academic training. Education was considered a crucial pillar of success, and wealthy families spared no expense in ensuring their children received the best instruction available.
The most privileged students were enrolled in prestigious academies, renowned for their rigorous academic standards. Additionally, private tutors were hired to provide specialized lessons at home.
But education in this world wasn't just about academics.
High-class families ensured their heirs were also trained in public speaking, leadership, etiquette, and diplomacy, shaping them into future rulers, strategists, and influential figures.
However, this immense pressure often proved overwhelming. Some children thrived under the weight of expectations, while others crumbled, struggling to keep up with the relentless demands placed upon them.
The core curriculum focused on subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Language, Environment, History, and the Arts, mirroring the educational structure of Ren's previous world. This structured education continued for five years.
At fifteen, a crucial event occurred—children awakened their magical abilities.
This process was meticulously supervised by the government to ensure proper control and training.
After awakening, students continued their education, but the focus shifted drastically. While academic subjects remained important, combat and practical training took center stage.
Students were trained to wield weapons suited to their natural affinities—some excelled with swords, others with spears, axes, or bows.
The training was intense, brutal, and exhausting, but it was also immensely rewarding.
Mana coursing through their bodies granted them superhuman abilities, enhancing their speed, strength, and reflexes beyond what ordinary people could achieve.
By the time they turned twenty, most students completed their advanced education. This was equivalent to earning a college degree in Ren's previous world, though the process here was significantly faster, thanks to mana's influence.
With the accelerated learning potential granted by mana, people in this world could master advanced skills in a fraction of the time it would take in an ordinary world.
Standing amidst the vast collection of books, Ren made a decision—he would absorb as much knowledge as possible and compare it to the information he had acquired in the game.
But he wouldn't stop at theory alone.
He also planned to train physically in his private chamber, utilizing artifacts and potions to hasten his progress.
If he pushed himself to the absolute limit, he estimated that he could reach Rank E- within a short time. Though it was far from his previous peak, it was still a respectable milestone.
However, he couldn't afford distractions. Involvement in unnecessary conflicts would only slow him down.
His priority was to grow stronger—everything else was secondary.
---
Ren devoted himself entirely to his studies and training.
Days were spent poring over books and manuals on swordsmanship, mana control, and combat theory.
Most of the material was familiar—his past as a scholar gave him an edge.
His Calm Mind ability, paired with his exceptional memory, allowed him to retain vast amounts of knowledge effortlessly.
But he didn't neglect his physical training.
Each night, he pushed himself to his absolute limits, training until his muscles burned and exhaustion threatened to overtake him.
Whenever fatigue became overwhelming, he took short breaks to meditate and used fatigue recovery potions to restore his stamina.
Artifacts and growth-enhancing potions gave him an added boost, though he knew they were only useful at lower ranks.
His efforts bore fruit—his stats steadily increased, and with each passing day, he felt himself becoming stronger.
Throughout it all, he entrusted various tasks to his assistant, Mathan, fully confident in his abilities.
As Ren sat on his bed, his body sore from another grueling training session, a mischievous smirk crossed his face.
"I can't wait to see what Mathan has prepared for me," he muttered, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.