Chapter 178 Chapter 40.3 - A test
'What the hell?'
Irina turned to see Sylvie with her eyes subtly glowing, a faint aura of mana surrounding her. The timid healer had somehow managed to execute Mana Observation on her first attempt, and she couldn't help but open her eyes wide after seeing this.
'She did it instantly?'
It was really a surprising scene. Even she herself, one of the most gifted mages in this whole world, was able to use Mana Observation on the try.
'How come someone like this was missed?'
Even if it slightly scratched her pride, the thing concerning Sylvie wasn't her talent but how it went unnoticed by the eyes of others.
A person with such a talent meant to be someone who would shine amongst others, but Sylvie hadn't shone.
'Is she lying?'
In the end, she couldn't help but narrow her eyes. It was suspicious, a lot suspicious. There was no way the information forces of the Emberheart Family would have missed such a talent.
That meant it was highly likely that Sylvie was bluffing to get their attention.
'Does she think I would be impressed by this?'
As Irina subtly scrutinized her, Sylvie's demeanor shifted. The timid healer, sensing Irina's gaze, began to fidget nervously, her eyes avoiding direct contact.
"I-I'm sorry," Sylvie stuttered, her voice wavering. "I-it wasn't right, was it?"
Sylvie's self-esteem, already fragile, took a hit as she assumed Irina disapproved of her actions, but at the same time, her fragile look awakened something weird inside Irina.
'She doesn't seem to be lying, though. How can such an innocent girl lie?'
Her heart melted looking at fidgeting Sylvie, her previous assumptions getting pushed back at her mind.
In an unexpected turn, Irina reached out and gently patted Sylvie on the shoulder. "No, Sylvie, you did well. In fact, you surprised me. It's impressive that you managed to use Mana Observation on your first try."
However, while those two were interacting, a pair of purple eyes filled with mana noticed something different.
********
'As expected, Sylvie's power is really overpowered.'
In a world where countless different powers exist, every being that will hold special positions in the future is special.
The main cast of the game is especially included in this.
If Ethan is the hero that will save the future, then Sylvie is the one that will make him shine.
Future Saintess.
Such a position can't be held by someone who doesn't have the power to hold it.
[First Lord's Authority]
The special power that makes her shine.
It is such an overpowered trait that makes life for Sylvie easier and harder at the same time.
It is harder because she is now a contender for one of the world's biggest powers, and any other powerholder knows this will target her and will want to be in possession of such power.
It is easier because she is the contender for one of the world's biggest powers, which makes her special and above others. She can now understand mana as she wished and can make [Her Will Become True].
This is what [Authority] means.
It even has the power to affect other people's feelings and minds.
Just like how I can see right now.
'That small shiny aura must be her trait.'
With my eyes now amplified with mana, I could see the world differently. And that was also how I could see Sylvie's shiny aura now.
Of course, if I hadn't known about her powers beforehand, I would also possibly have been affected by them. After all, her aura makes others believe in her a lot more easily.
It is as if you instinctively know that she is an innocent being.
'Such a crazy power.'
Manipulating people's emotions in such a manner was indeed crazy and dangerous.
'She still doesn't know how to control her powers.'
Even in the game, it took a lot longer for her to understand her powers and their extent. And, considering it had just been a week for Sylvie, it was normal for her to be unaware of the powers she had possessed.
"What about you?"
While I was thinking about that, suddenly I heard Irina's voice addressing me. Turning my attention to her, I could see her eyes shining. "Were you able to grasp how Mana Observation works?"
She was looking at me with expectant eyes.
"No, it's not really clicking for me. I couldn't get it."
Of course, there was no way I was going to tell her that I got it on the first try. After all, I was already trying to lay low; there was no need to gather too much attention on me.
[Perceptive Insight] did work on the concepts and the soft skills as well. There were many things I could observe by just watching.
That was especially true with things like this.
Irina used Mana Observation while moving her mana around her eyes, which I was able to observe. Adding the knowledge she had provided beforehand, it was very easy for me to get a grasp of it.
'I just needed to move my mana into my eyes.'
Of course, I knew it was easier said than done, but at this point, I should also thank Senior Maya. Her way of teaching me how to control my mana innately made it very easy. While she was teaching me, she made sure to lay the foundations perfectly.
I had been constantly revising those memories from time to time to make sure that muscle memory was fetched in my body. Thus, moving my mana into very specific locations also didn't take too long, and this made me appreciate her teachings more and more.
'But, to think I had been missing this for so long.'
The game lacked when it came to the aspect of magic. Since Ethan wasn't a magician, there weren't many explanations regarding skills, and Mana Observation seems to be one of those that were forgotten. The academy also hasn't taught us many things, either, until now.
So, I was actually quite illiterate in this aspect, and that also made my creativity limited.
'I should research after returning to my room.'
It was important for me to broaden my horizons so that I would be able to utilize every little strength I could.
"Well, well, Astron. Having trouble seeing the invisible forces around us? Maybe you need a bit more magic in those eyes of yours."
'Huh?'
Hearing her words made me cringe. The choice of her words certainly made me remember that she came from a noble family, especially one with traditions.
'What is this girl talking about?'
Seeing Irina's smirk, I wanted to retort but held it in.
'It is a small price to pay.'
"Guess so."
Shrugging off, I replied in a nonchalant tone, the same as usual.
"…."
And the expression on Irina's face was something to take note of. She was probably expecting me to retort, but seeing me accepting that fact easily, her plans crumbled.
"Cough….It is good that you know your place."
"Yeah, yeah, miss Mage….So what is the plan?"
Since Sylvie was also able to use Mana Observation, Irina probably didn't want to spend much time waiting either. At this point, she also must have realized the purpose of this training and why she was paired with students like us.
Irina rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a small grin.
"We shouldn't waste any more time. Let's focus on finding those mana formulas in the forest. Remember what I showed you about Mana Observation. Since you have already figured out how to use it, Sylvie, you and I will look for the possible Mana Formulas around."
"I will do my best."
It seemed Sylvie was relatively weak to acknowledge, as her demeanor immediately changed after Irina spoke to her with a trusting tone.
'Maybe I should have used the same approach?'
It was just an assumption, but in the end, the past was in the past, and there was nothing I could change about it.
"And, since this useless guy over here still can't use Mana Observation, I will leave him the scouting. We need to be aware of the other students as well."
'Tch.'
I clicked my tone inwardly, hearing her words.
'She changed.'
However, slowly but surely, she was improving. Irina's ability to understand how the groups worked and how to analyze situations was almost nonexistent at the start, but now she finally became someone who could make rational decisions and lead the group.
'At least, she satisfies the bare minimum for the leadership.'
Of course, it wasn't that easy to lead, and a good leader needed to possess a lot more characteristics; however, at the very least, she was at the starting point.
"Any problem with that?"
'Maybe I should take it back?' Looking at her crossed arms, the thought passed my head. I really wanted to see her haughty face crumble, but that was the case for a later time.
"No."
"Good, we can start moving then."
Just like that, the group started moving in the terrain.
*******
After walking for a while, the forest began to reveal its secrets. Irina and Sylvie, using their Mana Observation, were looking at the forest from the eyes of mana and mages.
"So this is how it feels?" Sylvie mumbled, looking at the forest in awe. Everything was a lot different from what she had seen in the past.
Even the trees possessed a unique mana that made the forest more colorful than it had ever been.
"How is it?" Irina asked, a proud smile on her face. Even though it was Sylvie's talent that she learned this fast, at the very least, she could be considered as her teacher, right?
Sylvie, still marveling at the newfound perspective, nodded enthusiastically. "It's incredible, Irina. I never imagined the mana in the forest would be so vibrant and diverse. It's like seeing the world in a completely different light."
Irina chuckled, enjoying the genuine excitement in Sylvie's eyes. "That's the beauty of Mana for a mage. It allows you to perceive the world in ways others can't. You'll find that it's an invaluable skill, especially in our line of work."
Sylvie's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Have you always been able to see mana like this, Irina?"
"Well, you can say that. I was taught how to use Mana Observation after the moment I awakened."
"Ah…Right." Sylvie remembered that Irina came from a renowned mage family, and she understood it was a pretty normal achievement for Irina. "It must have been great to learn something like this at such a young age."
It was an innocent remark coming from a girl who didn't know much about the world. However, for a second, Irina's expression faltered, and a shadow passed over her face.
'….'
The mention of her childhood and early training brought back memories she often tried to push aside. The expectations, the relentless training, the pressure to excel – all of it was etched into her past.
"Yeah, great," Irina replied, but her tone held a hint of bitterness. Of course, she instantly masked it with a forced smile. "But not everyone starts like this, so it is normal for you to learn it right now. I could even say you are pretty talented at this."
Sylvie noticed the subtle shift in Irina's demeanor, realizing she had unintentionally touched on a sensitive subject. After all, her eyes could see the feelings the person had, and the ones Irina held weren't certainly pleasant.
"Irina, I didn't mean to..." She wanted to express her concern but stopped after seeing Irina shaking her head.
"No, it's fine; you don't need to fret over it."
With those words, a momentary silence ensued, making the atmosphere awkward.
"Did you finish your empty talk?"
At least, until the guy on the back opened his mouth.
"What?"
Irina turned to look at Astron speaking, and she realized his purple eyes were shining with mana.
'Huh?'
"If you finished, should we capture the target in front of us?"
It seemed even if he wasn't a monster like Sylvie, this guy wasn't that bad after all.
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