I Will Carry as an Academy Veteran

7

“Are you here for magic training? Indeed, this is a good place to do something on your own. Ahahahaha.”

Melwood Elion.

Top student of the 4th year in the Department of Magic.

With elemental affinities for lightning and ice, as the boss of Act 1, he showcased an incredibly flashy pattern.

I still remember.

The majesty of the Act 1 boss, who swept everything with 【Intermediate Ice Elemental Magic: Icebound Spear】 and 【Intermediate Lightning Elemental Magic: Thunderbolt】, was unforgettable due to the somewhat, no, quite intense patterns.

Due to the challenging patterns, this guy, including the past me, became the eternal nemesis of the newbies.

More than half of the newbies who entered could not endure this section, leading to laughable nicknames like veteran seedling detector or newbie-exclusive Gatekeeper.

When a question like ‘I’m a 5-day-old newbie, how do I defeat the Gatekeeper?’ is posted on the strategy community board, the only answer is, ‘Keep trying until you succeed.’

A boss where even if you memorize each pattern, without supported control, you inevitably fall victim, known as the newbie slayer.

In this damn game, if even one significant heroine dies, achieving a normal ending becomes impossible, so at least to see a ‘normal ending,’ one had to restart from Act 1, Scene 1 as soon as a character died.

There was no choice.

Our Gatekeeper does not let the unskilled in.

So.

During the boss battle, if you didn’t convince Lumen Rebirth in the Knight Department’s main office to come along, it was an automatic game over.

Being called a genius magician, having two elemental affinities, and being a 4th-year top student, it would be strange if a newcomer who just entered could defeat him alone.

Of course, to balance this, the Act 1 boss Melwood Elion does not use anything above ‘Intermediate Magic.’

As I mentioned before, laying the foundation for the ‘Hearty Rice Soup Party’ is given in Act 1, Scene 3.

Even if I know the patterns well, there’s no way I, who is limited to casting the basic magic Wind Blade three times, can defeat someone who unleashes intermediate magic.

Even if I dodge everything physically, without Lumen Rebirth, it’s a forced game over.

“…Hmm, I see. So you’ve been practicing magic here.”

Melwood nodded his head and looked at me.

I was tense.

How will it turn out in the end? If I suddenly raise my hand and say, “Well, then I guess I’ll just die now,” can I survive? With my current skills, I might be able to escape this place by maximizing the use of his magic.

However, the words that actually came out of his mouth were completely different from what I had expected.

“Good posture. If you want to learn magic, it’s better to start with the basics and master them diligently. It’s called the foundation, right? From intermediate levels, there are many spells that modify basic magic by quoting lower-level spells, so if you learn the basics poorly and move on, it becomes difficult.”

“…?”

Looking puzzled, I listened to Melwood.

“And it’s fascinating. Originally, Wind Blade is a single magic that sharpens the wind element to be used like a blade…”

Melwood paused for a moment as if lost in thought before continuing.

“Lord Soho’s magic condensed that wind blade and released it, transforming it into a more efficient wide-range attack. This kind of usage is quite unique.”

“Unique?”

“Yes, using lower-level magic for different purposes… the discovery of new magic. I’ve learned something too.”

Watching Melwood casually share his thoughts with a light smile, my head spun for a moment.

Wasn’t this guy… supposed to hate nobles and the world from the beginning?

“Can I try it too?”

“…It doesn’t matter.”

“Okay, [Lower Wind Element Magic: Wind Blade].”

Upon saying that, Melwood immediately reached out and manifested Wind Blade.

Concentrating on the swirling wind in his hand, he then released it like I did, condensing the wind into a blade.

“Wow…!”

A voice full of pure admiration.

His eyes, watching the spreading wind streams, were as pure as a child’s.

They seemed to twinkle like stars.

“Amazing! I didn’t know there was a method like this!”

After that, he quickly unfolded a notebook from his pocket and began writing something in detail.

“…”

I quietly observed his expression.

The genuine expression and refreshing personality made it hard to believe he was the boss from Act 1 who scattered magic in all directions and wailed two weeks later.

Was that why?

“Melwood.”

“Yes? Yes.”

“What do you think when you see these new students?”

I asked straightforwardly.

“The new students?”

Melwood’s expression, which turned somewhat serious as if questioning why I was asking, was different from his usual demeanor.

After scratching his chin, he raised his head slightly and replied.

“…Well? Um, if I have to say, it’s pitiful?”

“Pitiful?”

In response to my question, he took off his glasses, wiped them on his clothes, put them back on, and looked at me again.

“Yes, won’t they end up like me later on? They’ll go through a lot in the academy for four years. There will be midterms, final exams, sports festivals, and ceremonies to attend, and they have to maintain their grades. Especially in the Department of Magic, from the 3rd year onwards, they have to write papers and prepare for graduation…”

He smiled as if reminiscing, then his expression turned slightly sad.

“Especially for someone like me, a commoner who became the top student, it’s quite a struggle. Professors telling you to go to grad school, or, well, pressure from everywhere to become a family magician. Now it’s the final year. I just want to finish everything smoothly, graduate without any trouble.”

Melwood’s eyes, speaking thus, flowed as if filled with some sort of grace.

“Is there a place to go?”

“Yes, I have a place in mind. Though it might be a bit challenging to get in, my grades should make it quite possible, as my professor assured me. Once confidently accepted, I plan to briefly return to my hometown. I must show off to my family and friends, after all.”

With a smile, Melwood walked towards the meadow on the other side, picking up his robe again.

“But, didn’t you usually avoid the lecture hall area, Master Sohojak?”

“I’ve had a change of heart now.”

“I see. I was planning to take a break from studying and unexpectedly met someone honorable.”

“What? I was honored to foresee the future of the Imperial Magic Realm.”

Melwood chuckled charmingly.

“Sometimes, I find myself wanting to emulate your relaxed demeanor, Master Sohojak.”

“Hmm?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. In fact, since my first year, I’ve been experimenting with various spells here alone, but now it seems unlikely that I’ll come back here again…”

Swirling his robe, he left a brief farewell.

Melwood headed back towards the lecture hall area.

I stood there for a while, watching Melwood’s retreating figure.

Eventually.

“…What on earth.”

It was unbelievable.

Was that gatekeeper Melwood Elian?

Nowhere in the Melwood I just spoke to could I find a glimpse of a first-act boss.

Then what is the Melwood I know?

If that diligent attitude is Melwood’s true self, why did he become a boss in the first act?

There was no mention of Melwood Elian in the “Selenium Saga” setting book.

It might be natural.

Melwood was an extra character who was subdued in the first act and exited.

“Just a commoner, a commoner.”

I pondered over the words Melwood had uttered.

No matter how much it’s an academy, as long as nobles and commoners coexist, conflict is bound to arise.

What would nobles think when they see commoners better than themselves?

“Is that so.”

I had a rough idea.

* * *

Starting tomorrow marks the beginning of the awaited new semester.

What does that mean?

It means that the noble-exclusive dormitory Adel Manor and the prestigious student dormitory Rubrium Manor will soon be filled with new and returning students.

In reality, some have already arrived, and the dining hall of the regular dormitory, Merin Manor, was abuzz with various stories.

Just mentioning the individuals present was enough to spark a commotion.

─ Do you guys know about this? I heard that the son of Viscount Rohheim, famous for his swordsmanship, has enrolled in the Knight Department this time!

─ I heard that Shukross Yeong-ae has returned? She’s been arguing with Wolfgang Yeong-ae over the position of Chief of the Magic Department! The second year of the Magic Department seems exciting!

Now that I’ve been driven out, I am the likely successor to the current Marquis of Repelheight.

Before long.

With rapid footsteps, the restaurant door swung open, and a student shouted loudly.

“Hey, everyone! Lady Repelheight is here at the Luvrium Hall right now!”

That impactful statement turned the dining hall of Merin House upside down.

“Lady Repelheight? The one who excels in both martial arts and academics?”

“Oh! I heard she’ll greet us if we go now!”

The students of Merin House quickly rose to their feet.

After a brief commotion, the once crowded common dormitory dining hall was now left with only two people.

I looked across while slicing meat and asked, “Aren’t you going?”

On the other side, my roommate, instead of answering, questioned me, “Aren’t you going since she’s a member of your family?”

I chuckled and put a piece of meat into my mouth.

“I’m not going.”

Am I crazy to go there?

I’ll live long and prosper. I’ll even succeed the Marquis.

Anyway… this is really just the beginning.

“Tsk, why is everyone making a fuss just because she’s of noble descent?”

“…?”

Kalene seemed surprised by my words, her eyes widening.

“Is it okay for you to say that?”

“Whether noble or common, they’re just people. There’s no reason to be amazed.”

Upon my words, Kalene pondered for a moment, then resumed focusing on her meal, stabbing the meat with her fork.

Yeah, come to think of it, she was always like this.

She’s only interested in training, nothing else.

“After dinner, are you going straight to the training grounds?”

“Yes.”

I chuckled while looking at Kalene.

“Take it easy. Proper rest is also a virtue that a knight must possess.”

“Yes!”

[Your affinity with Highrin Snowhite has increased.]

[Highrin Snowhite evaluates you as ‘a somewhat trustworthy person.’]

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

Kalene saluted lightly and looked at me.