I Got a Fake Job at the Academy-Chapter 785

Chapter 785 - Side Story 58: Special Class (4)

Seeing the giant meteorite falling from the sky, Hermoa felt breathless.

It was the first time she had seen such magic, but from the immense pressure felt through her skin alone, she could tell it was no ordinary magic.

In fact, there was no need to even consider it through synesthesia perception of mana. The massive metal falling as if to fill the training grounds was visually very violent as well.

Rudger also whistled as he watched the giant meteorite falling.

"Did you activate a 6th-tier magic spell of your own volition?"

6th-tier metal attribute magic, Heaven Collapsing Cloud Metal Jade. It was magic similar to dropping a meteorite, crushing everything with the overwhelming mass of metal.

What was even more shocking was that Mina had not used any formula to cast the magic.

'Without any formula or preparation process, the magic manifests and falls with just a single warning.'

Using 6th-tier magic without a formula was impossible even for Rudger. A sight so shocking that if magicians saw it, they would lose their reason and fall into panic.

However, upon closer inspection, one could notice that Heaven Collapsing Cloud Metal Jade was not a properly completed 6th-tier magic spell.

'The surface is different to begin with. The real Heaven Collapsing Cloud Metal Jade has a smooth surface, and golden circuits flowing along the surface's grain are beautifully embossed. But that magic imitated it similarly, yet is crudely done everywhere.'

Moreover, the size and the falling speed. Compared to the real thing, its inadequacy was unavoidable.

Because that was not magic manifested through the formal process of a formula. It was closer to something manifested by the girl named Mina purely manipulating mana through her own will.

Of course, even that alone was impressive. Using pseudo-6th-tier magic without a formula.

"Magnificent."

Rudger showed a gentle smile toward Mina, who was looking at him with eyes that said to hurry and surrender.

The student with unique series magic, the student with multiple magic eyes, the student with a unique constitution.

They all paled in comparison before Mina.

A girl loved by mana. Because her very existence was close to high-purity mana, she had reached a stage where mana automatically reacted to manifest magic through her will alone.

Truly. This seemed like it would be worth teaching.

"Since you've gone this far, I shall also show you. What level of skill your teacher possesses."

After all, 8th-tier magic would take too much time for him to use, and 7th-tier might be too stimulating for the children.

Against Mina's pseudo-6th-tier magic, he was thinking of showing real 6th-tier magic.

A mist of mana formed around Rudger's body. Densely gathered mana particles formed currents and embroidered a formula in the air as if drawing with a brush.

Blue magical lines spread out like constellations in the night sky, and with beautiful light, the attuned mana manifested the form it sought to achieve.

6th-tier wood attribute magic [Giant Tree Willow Forest]

A giant tree rose from the center of the training grounds. As if watching the birth and growth of a tree in fast-forward, the giant tree that grew at tremendous speed extended countless branches and caught the metal jade falling from the sky.

The magic Mina used was quite destructive, but crudely cast 6th-tier magic could not beat the real thing.

Heaven Collapsing Cloud Metal Jade was ultimately blocked by the giant tree and failed to accomplish its original purpose of falling to the ground.

"My, my goodness."

All the students who saw Rudger manifest 6th-tier magic in such a short time made sounds of shock.

Mina was equally surprised. She hadn't even imagined that the magic she used would be blocked so easily. Rather, she had worried whether the opponent before her might be seriously hurt, but it had all been excessive arrogance.

As the two magics that had fulfilled their purpose disappeared, Mina sat down in the training grounds that remained empty.

She had completely lost her will to fight at the overwhelming spectacle Rudger had shown while casting his magic.

"I, I've lost."

Rudger approached Mina.

"Mina. Your talent is certainly remarkable. Perhaps even if you searched the entire continent, it would be hard to find someone like you."

With talent like Mina's, one would have to bring up even past history to compare.

A brilliance already close to a gem even as a raw stone. If properly refined, she could become a hero who would remain in history.

Rudger thought it fortunate that his mentor, Grandel, had suddenly departed for Earth. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

If she had remained in the capital, she would have watched Rudger's movements and shown tremendous interest upon seeing Mina.

Though the possibility was extremely low, she might have even taken Mina as a new disciple. Mina's talent was outstanding enough to make him think that.

"However, if you neglect your training despite possessing such great talent, that is nothing but an insult to your own talent." 

"But I didn't want to become like this."

Mina spoke in a completely dejected state.

She thought of her talent as a curse. Because she was born this way, she couldn't even receive proper love from her parents.

The excessively powerful mana burned anyone who came close. Even the parents who gave birth to her couldn't hold her.

Moreover, her hair and skin color were strange, and her growth was slow, so she was even ostracized by children her age.

Mina couldn't understand at all why she had to live like this. It was inevitable. She was still young. The talent was too enormous for her age to bear.

"I will help you."

Rudger extended his hand toward Mina. Mina's body flinched at the sight.

She knew through countless experiences what happened to people who touched her.

However, Rudger did not withdraw his extended hand. He simply gazed steadily at Mina.

His eyes were saying this. Trust me. Your teacher is far more remarkable than you imagine.

After hesitating, Mina, as if having made some decision, extended her cute little arm and grasped Rudger's hand.

Tap.

The moment she clasped Rudger's hand, Mina unconsciously opened her mouth.

"Ah."

Nothing happened. The mana that protected her body while simultaneously reacting instantly to external threats with excessive exclusivity was docile.

It felt like a hunting dog that doesn't obey its master had tucked its tail after meeting a proper natural enemy.

But what was even more surprising than that was the warmth of the clasped hand felt through her palm.

Tears flowed down Mina's cheeks.

She had forgotten.

Because she had spent so long without contact with anyone, she had forgotten human warmth.

She had become so accustomed to such a life that she didn't even know what she had lost.

But now Mina could remember again that a human hand is this warm.

Rudger pulled Mina's hand to lift her body up.

"Do you manifest magic just by imagining it?" 

"What? Oh, no. Not imagination, but if I wish for it, the mana in my body automatically uses the optimal magic to match it." 

"Have you seen Heaven Collapsing Cloud Metal Jade before?" 

"That magic's name is Heaven Collapsing Cloud Metal Jade?"

Judging from Mina's reaction, it seemed she had never actually seen 6th-tier magic itself.

She had manifested 6th-tier magic without knowing it. Though its implementation was low-grade, it was simply amazing that she realized it from a blank slate without any knowledge.

'A girl loved by mana.'

Rudger recalled Mina's constitution once again.

What formed her body was vast mana.

The amount of mana she possessed was truly transcendent, and it was possible for her to use it without any problem as long as she simply wished for it.

In fact, casting Heaven Collapsing Cloud Metal Jade against Rudger was the result of her will being manifested to strike her opponent as strongly as possible.

The mana that responded to her will used the optimal magic it could cast.

'The weak power is probably because Mina herself lacks will, knowledge, or experience.'

If she had actually seen 6th-tier magic and used magic based on that experience, the result would certainly have been much more sophisticated and powerful.

Truly a talent that denies all magicians' efforts and makes one feel deprived.

However, such excessive talent was ultimately a double-edged sword that cuts even its user.

Because of this talent and constitution, Mina couldn't form proper human relationships with people.

Since she injured others just by touching them, she suffered from serious trauma because of it. So Mina kept running away to avoid hurting others and to avoid being hurt herself.

She must have known that even that action isolated her and made her lonelier. But did this girl really have any choice other than this?

If Mina had been just a bit more experienced and clever, she might have found a way out somehow.

But she was a student now. She needed an adult to teach and guide her.

"I will help you live a better life from now on." 

"Yes, teacher."

Rudger wiped away Mina's tears. Even the tears she shed contained vast mana.

In environments with mana overdistribution, beasts and plants undergo transformation. Beasts that evolved repeatedly in such environments are said to become spirit beasts.

What would happen if a person went through a similar process? Should she be called a spirit person? Rudger didn't know either. There had never been such a case.

Rudger looked at the other students and said.

"The test is over. From now on, you will attend my class in the special section."

The students, overwhelmed by the majesty Rudger had shown, obediently listened to his words.

"I can tell you this for certain. My teaching will be different from any of those classes you felt were stuffy."

"You really did it properly, didn't you?"

Those were the first words Elisa spoke as she entered the empty training grounds after the students left.

It was unavoidable. The training grounds, which had special protective treatment, were seriously damaged.

Moreover, the massive mana waves that occurred while using 6th-tier magic. Students and workers passing nearby would certainly be quite surprised, and strange rumors were bound to spread.

"It was something that had to be done." 

"The students aren't easy, are they?" 

"I can't understand how such children gathered in one place." 

"I'm thinking the same thing. But my choice in selecting Teacher Rudger doesn't seem to be wrong. Only you can firmly grasp those individualistic children." 

"If I let my guard down, I'll struggle too, so I had no choice but to try my hardest." 

"You're being modest. When you weren't actually like that."

Considering Rudger's skill, the ability he showed in the training grounds today didn't even amount to half of half of his full power.

"Still, I'm relieved. Those children, as talented as they are, all carried wounds inside their hearts." 

"Yes. I'm aware of that too."

Difficult-to-handle talent instead becomes poison that ruins its possessor. The fact that those children didn't die midway and safely enrolled in Theon like this was something that could be called a miracle.

"Rather, do you have any plans next?" 

"Yes."

Rudger answered sharply.

"Since I've returned after so long, I should go see my old colleagues." 

"Hehe. That's right. If I join such a gathering, I'll only ruin the atmosphere for no reason."

Elisa cleanly acquiesced and withdrew. Rudger stood in the training grounds for a moment to review the sparring with the students, then slowly went outside.

Walking through the estate that hadn't changed much from three years ago, he could really feel that he had returned.

When he arrived at the meeting place like that.

There were still 30 more minutes until the appointment time, but there were already people who had arrived first.

"It seems I'm the latest one." 

"Teacher Rudger!"

The first to welcome Rudger was Selina. 

Beside Selina was Merilda.

"Teacher Merilda, it's been a long time." 

"It really is Teacher Rudger. When I heard you'd returned, I was skeptical."

Merilda looked Rudger up and down with wide eyes as she spoke.

"Teacher Bruno, it's been a long time." 

"Really, this isn't a dream, is it?"

Bruno, who was in charge of golem studies, pinched his chubby cheeks, wondering if he was still dreaming.

The first time they gathered here was four years ago. It was from the time when the children who had now graduated enrolled.

And now, after many years had passed, those who had been hired together were gathering in one place once again.