I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 20

The blood of a monstrous creature filled with mana.

It’s an elixir made into an easily absorbable form through the secret arts of the 4th District. A potion that boosts the maximum mana and physical abilities. The scions of other noble families grow up drinking such potions from a young age.

‘Of course, such an original elixir would be hard for anyone to obtain.’

For Ji-en, who was about to face a battle survival, such a potion was a great help. There are limits to relying solely on swordsmanship without a proper magic device.

Gulp.

As he drank the elixir, a hot surge began to course through Ji-en’s body. A formidable backflow of mana. Without sufficient concentration, the mana would lose its way and dissipate. Then, only a fraction of the mana would be absorbed.

‘Concentrate.’

To absorb more mana, Ji-en closed his eyes. He gathered the mana coursing through his body to make it stay as much as possible.

After three hours, the meditation ended.

When Ji-en opened his eyes, much had changed.

With the residual effects of the mana gone, not only did his complexion improve, but unlike before when he couldn’t use magic devices, he had now reached the realm of a 2nd-grade Saver.

Whoosh.

A blue flame of mana ignited from Ji-en’s hand. A feat usually possible only for a 4th-grade Saver. However, Ji-en, who had rolled and tumbled in his past life, could manifest it even with the mana of a 2nd-grade.

Now, if he kept consuming potions, reaching the 3rd-grade mana was just a matter of time.

“All I need is to form a party.”

Ji-en knew all too well that even the strongest Saver is meaningless alone.

Rather than any one person excelling, it was always the overall balance and combination that served as the key to higher gates.

* * *

[Truth-3rd Class]

A classroom visited only once a month.

It was the first lesson in a while, but it held little significance for Zien. It was just one of many steps towards graduation.

“Did you prepare for the Stigma Studies exam?”

“It’s a mess, mixed up with history.”

“Ah… there he is.”

Contrary to Zien’s thoughts, as he entered the classroom, all eyes were drawn to him. The once noisy room fell silent in an instant.

“He moved to dorm A1.”

“Does he have a backer?”

“He’s an orphan, what backer? Heard he did well on the test.”

The whispers grew louder and spread further.

“His ranking is still undecided?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Despite the interest, no one dared to speak to Zien rashly. The reason was different from the disregard he faced as a failing student in the past.

“So you do come to class?”

“You look pretty good for someone who just got eliminated, Eria.”

“Late news? The relative grading system was abolished because of you. Didn’t you know?”

Eria, seemingly in a good mood, pointed to the ranking next to her name tag.

27th.

Certainly, an improvement from her previous 44th rank. It was the rank she had wished for, allowing her to participate in off-campus activities.

“Both the kid and I moved up in rank. Well, it was unexpected that the kid knocked Rita out.”

Listening quietly, Lake spoke with a displeased expression.

“Keep it down, will you? Did you rent out the whole classroom?”

“Sorry. I guess the topic is unpleasant for someone who dropped 20 ranks?”

The number next to Lake’s name tag had changed from 31 to 51. His temples throbbed momentarily, but Eria continued to taunt.

“I heard it was a team kill. Tough luck, huh~”

“27th rank, sir. Shall we spar in today’s duel?”

“Don’t you know my magic tool is a pen? What’s the point of winning with a sword against a pen?”

Eria continued, mocking Lake.

“And logically, would I even take that subject? Ugh… It really lowers the standard.”

“Just you wait…”

Even a saber, at 17, is still 17. As their childish argument intensified, Romina entered the classroom.

Her eyes looked more tired than usual due to exam preparations. Her hysteria had doubled during this period.

“…You all seem lively. Just in case you’re considering it, I’d advise against any cheating. There won’t be any warnings.”

Romina’s gaze turned towards Gian, seated in a corner.

‘It was Class 3.’

That guy Kashen, causing a fuss at the computer since morning over the Class 3 roster…

‘Normally he’s so laid-back, but gets all fanboy over Gian. Really.’

“Tsk.”

Act your age, will you.

Still, Romina felt inwardly pleased seeing Kashen’s mood brighten after Gian’s performance.

* * *

Is this the last question?

Gian glanced at the clock. About 5 minutes left until the end of the exam.

Stigmata studies had advanced since before, becoming quite challenging with many new concepts, but there were no problems he couldn’t solve.

‘After all, it’s just child’s play.’

Just as he thought that.

[Which of the following ＜options＞ is incorrect?]

1. 422 people participated in clearing the 8th-grade Dimension [Serpent that Devours the World]. There are 17 types of stigmata systems.

2. To date, there are 7 known hallucination-type stigmata holders.

3. The individual with the highest synchronization rate with a stigmata was Pale Elquines.

Gian faced the most difficult question of the exam.

‘Why is this so hard?’

It was a question Romina had set, expecting them to get it wrong. Gian had no clue about the contents of options 1 or 2. However, the name in option 3 was quite familiar, not because of the test but…

[Evan. Did you know? During my student days, everyone said my stigmata, oh I mean my magic tool, was ordinary.]

[…Pale.]

Pale, a long-time comrade, was a man with striking aqua-colored hair.

[So they say a Level 4 Gate is my limit.]

[To you? What a joke.]

The place where Phael brought up this story was a Level 7 Gate. By then, Phael was already a Saber ranked among the top five.

[But Evan, just because you’re given ordinary power doesn’t mean you’re only meant to do ordinary things.]

Phael Elquines.

Though he was a prankster, he knew the right words for those with broken spirits—a comrade who could speak words of grandeur.

‘Yes, if it’s Phael.’

Jean’s face, lost in sentiment, naturally hardened, and Romina, mistaking his expression, let out a long sigh.

‘Ah… must be dead tired. That’s why I told you to study.’

She was still unaware of the truth.

* * *

“Huff huff! Those b*stards are really…”

Chris pressed himself against the wall of the building.

“Hey? Where did this guy go?”

“Looks like a rat, too… Really good at hiding.”

His pursuers were thugs associated with Dayven.

‘Half-baked brats calling someone a rat?’

Chris clenched his fist in anger. But he couldn’t just jump into a fight.

‘How did it come to this…’

Chris looked at his ranking next to his name tag. 97th. He had risen a whopping 47 places from 144th after eliminating Rita from the exam.

‘That was fine until.’

The problem was Dayven. After the exam, Dayven’s subtle torment began because Chris didn’t betray Jean.

At first, it was petty pranks like tearing up textbooks. But with no reaction, they now resorted to beating him up like this without hesitation.

‘That coward. Can’t take it out on Jean, so he takes it out on me!’

What made him angrier was that despite being bullied by Dayven, Dayven himself never showed his face.

Always commanding his underlings or thugs to do his dirty work.

‘Big in size but narrow-minded…’

To resolve this situation, a more fundamental change was necessary. For instance, becoming much stronger than those guys.

“…Are you there?”

“…Where are you hiding?”

As the voices of the group faded away, Chris stifled his breath and crouched low, distancing himself from the building.

‘This should be enough…’

“Chris?”

“Ah!”

The sudden appearance of someone.

Chris, having fallen backward, spoke gruffly, perhaps out of embarrassment.

“Jien? What the heck, you startled me.”

“Aren’t you too old for hide and seek?”

“Hey! Does this look like hide and seek to you?”

“Of course not. We’re not that close, it seems.”

“Stop scratching at my personality and get to the point. Why are you here?”

“Join my party.”

Chris turned his head at Jien’s unexpected words.

“Pa, party? With me?”

“Yes. We need three people for this event.”

“I’m now ranked in the double digits.”

“Rankings aren’t important. I was at the bottom of our grade until recently. You know that, right?”

‘Yes, I know well.’

Despite being ranked lower than Chris, Jien had defeated Isabelle. The rankings were still undecided, but it was a well-known fact at school that he was being treated as number one.

“That’s not what I mean. Why me? You could find stronger party members.”

“Well, Chris. What’s your standard for strength?”

“Uh… what?”

“Do you think a Saber’s strength is just swordsmanship or mana? It’s not those things that decide the outcome at crucial moments, that determine success and failure.”

Overwhelmed by Jien’s presence, Chris couldn’t open his mouth. Jien, who had been just a classmate moments ago, had become someone else.

“The judgment that overcame the skill gap with Rita. The sacrifice for the team. The resolve not to fear even drowning. By my standards, you’re strong enough.”

Jien reached out his hand.

“You may not know your own worth yet, but it’s okay, I know.”

‘Me, strong?’

Chris pressed his lips tightly together and stared at Jien’s hand for a long time.

Receiving someone’s expectations is certainly a joyous occasion. It’s sweet enough to inadvertently take the hand extended before you, even though it’s frightening that you might not be able to reciprocate.

“Sure.”

In the same fallen posture, Chris grabbed Jian’s hand. A handshake that finally came to fruition. Chris, suppressing his embarrassment, opened his mouth.

“What, it can’t get worse than now, can it?”

“You’ve made a good decision, Chris.”

Jian, who had helped Chris up, handed him a crumpled piece of paper.

“First schedule…? Mana circulation? What’s this?”

Chris, puzzled, asked, and Jian replied as if it were obvious.

“What do you mean? From now on, this is your schedule. I’ll talk to the principal and get you out of all your classes.”

“Schedule? You mean to say you’re pulling me out of classes? Is that even possible?”

To Chris’s skepticism, Jian showed the text message on his phone.

[Principal, may my party member be excused from class for the preparation of the off-campus event? For the victory of Arcana.]

[I, as the principal, gladly permit it for the victory of Arcana. -Selfis-]