English Translation – Part 31: A New Idea
Part 31 – A New Idea
"Huff… Oh gods. Why can't I find anything? Why Is nothing useful?"
I had read more than six volumes on wind magic techniques—rare books, nearly impossible to find, even in the Academy's grand library, the largest In the Empire.
But I understood nothing. Learned nothing.
Exhausted, head aching, I rested my forehead on the book.
This idea of learning a new technique began because…
First, I already knew about the upcoming tournament and exam. I knew who the top four would be, and I knew the powerful techniques they possessed.
Second, over the past three days, I had watched my rivals—Henry, Den, Adriana, and Prince Estio—train relentlessly. Compared to them, I felt empty, worthless.
I only had four spells: Blue Marsh, Death Marsh, Death Whirlwind, and Solentar Storm. Plus two skills: spear and archery. Enough to reach the top eight, maybe. But then I'd face Adriana—a master of dual blades and close combat. My long-range magic would be useless. I needed new techniques.
I could have learned from Instructor Ziar. But…
Because of Lucas's rumors, spreading through the Academy, and the Flor, Melodia, and court exploiting them, everyone believed I hadn't passed the entrance exam by talent, but by the Church's support and the Hyper family's wealth.
The silence of the Church and Hyper family only made the rumors stronger. My name darker.
And since everyone knew I had trained under Instructor Ziar, the gossip grew worse: that I was still secretly being taught by him.
So I decided—I would not learn from Ziar. I would create new techniques myself, and prove I could reach the top four.
But… it didn't work. Those six books were outdated, useless. Still, better than nothing.
I took two of them and left the library.
To my surprise, the halls and courtyard were empty. The perfect time for rest and conversation.
Boom!
A thunderous sound echoed from the far end of the hall. I rushed over—
Students were training. The blast was Lucas's magic, earning cheers and admiration from everyone.
I quickly decided to leave, before Lucas noticed me and provoked me into hitting him again.
"Fresh fish!
Best sweets!
Sharpest swords of the Empire! Finest spears!"
I wandered through the market, trying to clear my head from the pounding headache. Then a merchant's shout about spears caught my attention.
I approached his stall. He kept yelling, ignoring me.
Me: "Where are your spears?"
No response.
Me (louder): "Where are your spears?"
This time he noticed.
Merchant: "Ah, yes, young master! What kind of spear do you want? I'll give you the best." He gestured to the weapons displayed.
I scanned them. None seemed special—until my eyes fell on a naginata. A Japanese spear once used by nobles and samurai.
It was the same weapon my teacher, Hiroshi Maito, had trained me with. Its shaft was made of rare silver-like wood or metal, a green gem embedded at the joint, and the blade itself a swampy green. Unique. Powerful.
Merchant: "Young master, young master! What caught your eye?"
I pointed at the naginata.
Merchant: "Ah, excellent choice. My finest work. just yesterday, a friend brought it from the battlefield…"
Me: "Price?"
Merchant: "Well…"
Me: "Price?"
Merchant: "Impossible. Already purchased by the Flor family."
"Too bad." I turned to leave.
But no—I couldn't lose to the Flor family again. Not here.
Me: "I'll pay double."
Merchant: "What?"
Me: "Whatever the Flor family paid, I'll pay twice."
Merchant: "I said impossible."
I sighed. I'll have to use the Church and Hyper family's influence.
Me: "Listen. If the Flor family bought it, I'm supported by the Church and Flor family. Sell it to me, and I'll ensure all your weapons are bought by them in the future."
The merchant looked stunned, silent. I walked away.
"Two thousand coins!"
"What?"
"Two thousand coins!" He stood, arms crossed, naming his price.
Merchant: "Plus trade with the Church and Hyper family."
Me: "Agreed."
I went to the bank. Unlike the banks of my old world, this one held the wealth of both nobles and commoners. With a letter from the Hyper family, I withdrew 2,200 coins—200 for tax.
Finally, after signing the contract, the naginata was mine.
By then, evening had fallen. On my way back, I noticed a crowd gathered.
I pushed through and saw a man slicing pineapples—not with a knife, but with his fingers.
The crowd cheered. It wasn't skill—it was magic. He concentrated power into his fingertips, cutting effortlessly.
And then—an idea struck me.
Clutching the naginata, I rushed back to the dormitory to put my new idea Into practice.
End of Part 31