Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

Chapter 471

After finishing the deal with me, the Skeleton, who had started intervening in Joy’s magic, flaunted his presence as a Grand Mage without holding back.

“Are you thinking of having the academy’s mages use this? That’s inefficient. It would be better to directly imbue this property into the academy's barrier.” “You don’t know the magic circle for the barrier? Doesn’t matter. I laid the foundation, so we can imbue magic into that base. Ah. There might be compatibility issues in this case. I’ll need to think about it.” “Should I just modify the foundation of the barrier? Yes. That would be better. It’s been around for a long time, so there must be some issues.” “We’ll update the barrier and imbue this property at the same time.” “Who will make these modifications, you ask? Naturally, you, the mage, should do it. I’m stuck here, unable to leave.”

As the Skeleton adjusted the magic circle according to his ideas, he suddenly addressed Joy, who had been asking practical questions.

“Me?!” “Don’t worry. It’s not too difficult. With your decent talent, you’ll be able to learn it quickly.” “Is that so?”

Joy, praised by the Grand Mage, grinned and let out a melting smile.

The Skeleton wasn’t wrong. Joy’s talent was among the top ranks in Soul Academy, after all.

However... there was still something uneasy about entrusting something to just Joy.

“Prince Patran, stop standing there and come closer to listen to my words.” “...Me too?” “Are you planning on leaving everything to this absent-minded mage? I can’t do that. Regardless of the mage’s talent, this child isn’t someone we can trust.” “I can’t deny that.” “The devout one, come here as well. The more safety measures, the better.” “Yes, understood.”

Oh, the Grand Mage really is impressive. He quickly figured out what kind of person Joy was.

If I hadn’t seen her begging for her life in front of the silly fox, I would have truly admired him. What a shame.

While I was thinking this, Joy’s face turned red as she raised her voice.

“It’s not that bad! I may make mistakes sometimes, but it’s not like I deserve such insults!” “Sometimes? Joy, do you really think it’s just sometimes? Let me list all the mistakes I’ve seen you make up until now.” “I’m sorry! I overstepped my bounds!” “Pitiful prince. Do you remember every time this fool made a fool of herself? It’s a bit creepy, but still, I’m curious.” “I’m curious too. Prince, I’d like to hear about all the mistakes Joy made that I don’t know about.” “I’m human, so I don’t remember everything. But there are a few things that stick out in my memory.” “Prince?! You’re the prince!? Can’t you hear me!?” “Wasn’t it when you were just learning magic? You said you were going to show off your fire magic, but while creating the magic circle, you ended up burning down the palace’s flower garden...” “If you keep this up, I’ll burn you this time, prince!”

Joy actually had the ability to burn a few people, so we all stopped talking.

I’ll have to ask her about this later when we get back to the academy. A story about her disastrous failure, one that didn’t even appear in the game. It sounds like it’ll be hilarious.

While Arthur, Joy, and Faivi were learning about the barrier from Erginas, I did my best to materialize the blurry fairy dance.

However, there was one crucial problem.

The last time I saw the fairy dance was a long time ago.

The last time I saw that dance was when I first started playing the game.

Cutscenes in games tend to be like that, don’t they? When you first see them, you can’t help but gasp in awe, but once you’ve seen them two or three times, you naturally start skipping them!

Honestly, I think it’s impressive that I even remember it vaguely!

Truly!

Was it like this? Or was it not? Was it something like this?

As I struggled to recall the vague memory, I felt my frustration growing.

I thought once I got over the mountain, it would be all downhill, but here comes another uphill!

Who’s the idiot who made such a terrible course?!

Aren’t you afraid of me causing a ruckus, you brat! You bastard!

<At least you’ve found a path. Compared to when you didn’t even know the proper road, this is a huge improvement.>

“You’re so positive, Grandpa.”

<Heh. It’s not being positive. It’s just the natural reaction.>

“Natural, huh?”

<You may have grown quickly, but the path of nothingness is inherently one of wandering around aimlessly. You should be happy that you’ve spotted a sign far away. Now, you just have to go toward it.>

“That doesn’t mean the hopelessness is gone, though.”

<So what? Don’t I have plenty of advice for you? There’s the blessing from the Goddess of Beauty and Art, the blessing from the God of History, and there’s me.>

Grandpa’s words were quite reliable. If I hadn’t heard something similar before, I would have believed it.

“Do you remember when we first tried to develop the new stone technique? You said something similar then too.”

<...Oh.>

“But guess what. The path you led me on was a cliff, wasn’t it? What do you think about that?”

<A cliff? That wasn’t your path. For others, it’s clearly the right answer!>

“That was the wrong answer for me, Grandpa. Are you really trying to justify your incompetence like that?”

<Hmph.>

Grandpa didn’t seem to have anything more to say. He cleared his throat a few times and then fell silent.

I couldn’t see his expression, but I could feel that he was glancing at me.

Trying to pretend to be sulking, I held back my laughter, but my lips betrayed me.

A laugh naturally escaped from my mouth.

<Ha. So you were teasing me.>

“Now you understand why I say I shouldn’t hit you with the truth, right?”

<Ah... I’ll be more careful with my words next time.>

“You’ve learned, huh?”

What else could I do? The memory’s already too blurry, and now there’s no way to see the scene again.

I had no choice but to push myself and try my hardest to get as close to the original as possible.

As I thought this, I readied my stance again, and just then, Freya, who had been sleeping soundly all this time, opened her eyes and silently watched me move.

She then stood up, stretched, and came over to me with quick steps.

“Lucy. Lucy.”

She didn’t say much, but her sparkling eyes conveyed everything.

“Do you want to get beaten that badly? A masochist, huh?”

“I think it’ll be fun.”

Freya easily deflected my attack, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

It’s true that I still have a lot to improve before using it in real combat.

I had only just learned the fairy dance a few hours ago.

But I wasn’t going to refuse Freya’s challenge. I was just as eager to move my body.

Ah, how did I become this muscle-brained person?

I was once a weak young man who used to shout, “The outside world is dangerous!” before falling into this world.

“If you want to come at me, then do it. I’ll make you roll on the ground until you’re sick of it.”

“Is that a promise?”

My duel with Freya proceeded as usual.

My taunt made Freya, now heated, charge toward my shield. I blocked her attack and then countered the moment I saw an opening.

My shield was strong enough to block even Rasha’s attacks, so no matter how sharp Freya’s sword became, it was impossible to break it.

As I saw her sword growing sharper day by day, I felt like it was only a matter of time before it would break, but not yet.

Was there anything different from usual? No, there was a definite difference.

“...Lucy, your movements are so annoying.”

Freya, exhausted and now lying flat on the ground, mumbled in a voice full of frustration. It was clear that my movements, mimicking the fairy dance, were particularly skilled at ruffling her emotions.

I don’t know for sure, but I think it felt like a heat rising in the head just by watching.

Grandpa said the more malicious part of the dance was that it had a captivating charm, making it hard to look away.

You’d get frustrated just by watching it, but you couldn’t stop watching either.

It was such a perfect match for me!

It wasn’t even finished yet, but just imagine what the full power would be like!

Hehe, it’s so exciting just thinking about it.

If I ever get a chance to talk to the God of Martial Arts, I should ask him for some advice.

I’m sure the God of Martial Arts would have some decent suggestions.

...But when is that sense of crisis he promised going to come?

Ganshu! Are you working or not?!

Muttering to myself while comforting my tired body, the Skeleton, leaving the three who were half-spirited, came over to me.

Even when we stayed up for nights preparing for exams at the academy, it wasn’t this bad.

How hard did he push them?

“I’ve finished the method to deal with the Void’s powers. Now, all I have to do is apply it at the academy.” “Are you confident? If that magic turns out like that cowardly mage’s, even the chicken lady will be stuck in a dream forever.” “I don’t know who that chicken lady is, but don’t worry. As long as that mage doesn’t make any strange mistakes, it’ll be fine.” “...But the fool always does something foolish.” “I know. That’s why I attached two safety devices next to her.”

Erginas, speaking confidently that there was no chance of any problems, looked at me and chuckled.

“Well, then I’ll wait.” “I’ll be back soon. It’ll be problematic if that cowardly mage falls apart.” “Ha. I see. Oh, by the way, didn’t you promise to show me how you broke the ceiling? You have to keep your word.”

“I don’t know exactly either. I’ll show you the breaking, and the cowardly mage can analyze it herself.”

Having said this, I grabbed Joy, whose eyes were spinning, and brought her over to attach the bomb to the ceiling with her magic.

Then, after Faivi made the shield, we broke the ceiling just like before.

Since the Skeleton had already analyzed Joy’s magic in an instant, he probably figured out the principle right away, right?

Expecting him to explain confidently, I turned my head slightly and found the Skeleton with his mouth hanging open, tilting his head.

“Cowardly mage? Why are you making such a foolish face?” “…What is that?” “…Hmm?” “No, huh? What’s going on?”

Well, I can’t answer you, even if you ask me.

“Wait. Just wait a moment. Do it again. I’ll engrave it in my eyes, please.”

Sorry, but we don’t have the materials or time. Our business is done, so we’re leaving now. You understand, right?

“Just a moment! Just a little bit! Please!”

“You fool! Attack again!”

“Lucy, I think you’re using me way too well.”

“So, you don’t like it?”

“No. It’s fine. But if you treat me more like a tool... Ugh, urgh.”

While the silly fox neutralized the Skeleton, we escaped through the ceiling and out of the dungeon.

Now, let's go back to the academy! Let’s go take care of the Void’s followers!