The Protagonist Already Knows

Chapter 15: Weapon Selection

[Note: Jasmine’s name changed to Haerin]

Sneaking a look at the prototype iron sleeve covering Lily’s right hand, I immediatly found the problem she was running into.

To circumvent elemental reactions, many heroes opt to use only a small amount of mana particles, but this significantly decreases their power output.

Lily’s metal armband, however, was attempting an entirely new solution without sacrificing any firepower.

The metal armband would inject itself into the user’s arm with sharp needles, creating what was coined a "mana node," or an artificial bloodstream meant only for mana particles.

After sucking all mana particles in the vicinity into the top area of the user’s bloodstream like a vacuum, the metal armband would split the user’s bloodstream in their arm into two halves: one for blood and one for mana particles.

Thus, there was no possibility of death-mana particles hitting a red blood cell. Additionally, the metal armband would aid the user in controlling the mana particles in the mana-only portion of their bloodstream, helping prevent those elemental reactions as well.

All you had to do was absorb mana into your body and move it far enough into your arm to where the metal armband could reach.

From there, the metal armband would pull those mana particles to your desired location in your arm (palm, fingertips, etc.) for casting without causing any elemental reactions.

Imagine all the mana particles in your body lining up in a single-file line like kindergartners and simply marching through the top half of your bloodstream and toward your hands.

If successful, this invention could increase the firepower of beginner magers ten-fold, but of course, there were limitations.

Your firepower would be capped, as there is only so much space within the mana node for particles to gather versus your entire bloodstream, and your casting time would significantly increase, as you must wait for the metal armband to vacuum and split your bloodstream.

All in all, it was a way for those who either couldn’t or didn’t want to waste years mastering internal mana control to increase their firepower significantly.

Snapping me back to reality, a sudden voice sounded as the sliding door flew open, almost falling off its hinges.

"It’s weapon selection time!"

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Glancing at numerous weapons within showcase blocks all around the dimly lit warehouse, I didn’t hesitate and immediately found a War Scythe, the pole stretching all the way from the ground to my neck and the scythe blade long and curved.

However, pausing for a moment, I seriously imagined trying to use the massive thing.

I could barely even lift it, let alone push it forward and try to accurately hit someone with the scythe blade portion of it.

Recalling how the wraith in Ascent had chased me around with the scythe, effortlessly wielding it, I sighed and turned away.

In the future, for sure...but for now, I needed to be realistic.

The virtual reality Castle Defense would start tomorrow, and if I didn’t want to be immediatly eliminated, I needed a weapon I could genuinely use.

Passing by massive war axes, where Leon stood near axes taller than me, I glanced at the corner of the room where the striking recurve bows stood.

"I want that one!"

"But, you just said you wanted the other one!?"

"Are you questioning my judgment?"

"You’re just trying to take whatever bow I want!"

Although Carissa was clearly trying to pick a fight, Ren happily smiled and conversed with her, not even glancing at the bows they were fighting over.

Turning away, I passed by Lily, who was jabbing a thin and delicate rapier at the air before her, and Haerin, who was playing with a broadsword, before finally arriving.

A saber: a lightweight sword with exceptional speed that I could easily wield while maintaining my balance.

More importantly, it was the sword that the previous Ash had used.

Feeling a sharp glare on my back, I groaned and tilted my head, heading to the exit of the warehouse full of weapons.

Glancing down at her clipboard as I approached, Professor Sooyung looked up and scanned me for a moment.

I silently avoided her gaze, feeling my breakfast at the bottom of my throat.

"What? You can’t even say ’hello’ to your old sensei, now?"

Besides Ren, Professor Sooyung had been the greatest contributor in taking down Anubis’s vessel, Ash, with her backstory of being Ash’s old sword tutor revealed during the battle.

How was I supposed to act? What was I supposed to say? What would the old "Ash" say now?

"..."

As a result of my copious thoughts, I stood there in silence.

Clicking her tongue, Professor Sooyung simply nodded, permitting me to exit.

Sheathing my sword, I eventually arrived at the school’s library: a maze-like structure with bookcases and a long wooden table with chairs and lit-up lamps on both sides that stretched across the entire floor.

Seeing a few hard-working students already studying, I immediatly marked one of them, feeling an overwhelming sense of motivation and ambition.

Not skipping a beat, I rapidly found a book and sat down.

[Absorbing Mana for Dummies]

An entrance requirement for all first-years at the Sunken Pearl was possessing the ability to absorb mana, being tested during the academy’s entrance exam.

Additionally, by the first semester’s end, first-years would have to, at least, possess the ability to control their internal mana enough to successfully create a mana shield.

Once again, I was playing catch-up.

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As the natural sunlight streaming in through the library’s windows faded, I turned on a lamp and marked another student, as the previous marked one had left.

Firmly shutting the book, I gazed upward at the library’s wooden ceiling, noting various artistic depictions of glowing heroes fighting demonic dregs.

Each hero’s method of absorbing mana was different for one reason: intent.

Mana particles, for a reason unbeknownst to researchers today, respond to the intent of humans.

I had to have a clear, thorough, and genuine goal with the mana entering my body before actually absorbing it.