[Raul's PoV]
A few days later, the holidays came to an end, and the academy students all returned to their respective dormitories. After the final results were posted, my rank climbed to the top 4 of the second-year class and 25th among the entire student body.
There are also several talented students in the third year, though they are currently undergoing field training in various regions of the Empire and will only return a few days before the year-end tournament begins.
"Does anyone know what an Unreality Field is?" asked Instructor Torun, who was currently lecturing the elite class.
Valeria raised her hand and answered. "An Unreality Field is a manifestation of a defense mechanism resulting from the evolution of one's mana."
Valeria's answer wasn't wrong, but it was incomplete. The reason someone can use an Unreality Field isn't that simple.
One must frequently receive magical attacks from others so that their own mana can evolve. However, allowing foreign mana into your body is dangerous if you don't know how to balance it. Foreign mana will disrupt your own internal flow; that is why it's difficult for someone to activate their magic when struck by an attack with a high concentration of mana.
"You are correct, Valeria, but do you know how it happens?" Instructor Torun asked again. This time, Valeria couldn't answer.
"It's better if I show you directly," the Instructor said, stepping into the center of the dueling arena. "Valeria, come here and try to fire a spell at me."
Valeria stood up and walked to the center. She stood about 30 meters from the instructor. She extended her hand, and a magic circle manifested in front of her palm. A green laser shot toward the instructor, creating an explosion upon impact. However, when the smoke cleared, the instructor stood perfectly fine without a single scratch.
"Huh? How is the Instructor fine after taking Valeria's powerful magic!?"
"Then how are we supposed to defeat someone using an Unreality Field!?"
The students watched in awe, seemingly thinking that if they mastered this technique, they would be invincible.
"This technique can only be used if your body remains stationary. Only experts can utilize this while actively fighting," the Instructor explained.
However, that wasn't entirely true. The glaring weakness of this technique is that while using it, one cannot use Multi-casting to fire several spells at once, which is why it is more commonly used by brawlers or Knights.
"This is not an absolute defense," the Instructor continued. "A powerful magic can pierce an Unreality Field, like attack from a Profound Codex."
Again, not entirely true. An Unreality Field is harder to maintain if the user is fighting or moving because their focus is divided, making the defense less solid. In those conditions, even magic like fireball can break through if the user didnt have enough focus.
"By graduation, you must master this technique, especially the Knights," Instructor Torun concluded. "Practice hard, but don't overdo it—foreign mana in your body is not a good thing."
The Unreality Field is one of the two techniques I want to master soon. They are incredibly useful because they don't require massive mana, only extreme mana control.
The second is the Redirect technique, which can reflect an opponent's magic back at them. However, this is even harder to execute than the Reject Impact I frequently use. The risk of failure in combat is much higher; it's like trying to settle turbulent water in a basin using nothing but your bare hands. My timing, momentum, and composure must be perfect the moment the spell makes contact.
Unreality Field and Redirect—low mana cost, high utility. But why are the risks of mastering them so dangerous? I've always been jealous of protagonists who can use overpowered magic on a whim without any risks.
Let's look at my current "reliable" spells:
Reject Impact: Automatically paralyzes my arm for days.
Prince of Darkness: Useless if I'm not in a dark area.
Shadow Link: The opposite—only works if there's enough light to cast a shadow.
Shadow Lock: Same deal; the enemy needs a distinct shadow.
I inevitably have to unlock other skills within my Profound Codex themes. The problem is, the character "Raul" has no strong AoE (Area of Effect) attacks even if I unlock everything. He only gains massive AoE after selling his soul to a Demon for power. I can't take that route; it's the same as letting them control my body.
That's why I'm going to gamble when a member of The Masquerade eventually recruits me. I'll get a random unique skill in exchange for becoming a hunted man by the Temple of Diana if I'm ever seen in public with that mask. I'm starting to regret making the Raul character this weak.
After class, I returned to the dorm. It's only noon, and there are no more lessons today. I think I'll visit Olen Musk to check on the progress of the artifact I requested. Afterward, I'll stop by the entertainment district to see Aliya's progress as an assassin before I give her any critical missions.
***
[Alisha's PoV]
After a long 12-day journey, we finally reached the capital of the Aragon Empire. From there, we headed straight to the Garcia Family Mansion.
I was amazed by the crowds and the grand buildings in the heart of the strongest nation on the continent. The citizens seemed enthusiastic and full of energy, a stark contrast to the state of the world right now—where every day is shrouded in the fear of monster attacks that show no signs of receding.
Before long, we arrived at the Garcia Mansion. I peeked out the window; my servant was speaking with the gate guards. Soon, the gates opened, and the carriage pulled up in front of a luxurious manor. Stepping out, I was greeted by an elderly butler and several maids.
"Princess Alisha, welcome to the Imperial Capital, the City of Terragon," the butler said, bowing deeply. "My name is Alfred, the Head Butler of the Garcia family. We are here to serve your needs during your stay."
"Thank you for the welcome, Alfred," I replied with a smile.
"I apologize that Duke Alvaro could not be here to greet you," Alfred said regretfully. "He is currently in an important meeting with the Emperor at the Palace."
"Ah, it's fine. I don't wish to disturb the Duke's busy schedule," I said understandingly. "However, I would like to meet Lord Raul as soon as possible—the man who is to be my fiancé."
At my request, Alfred paused as if in thought.
"Is it possible to see him tonight after we've rested?" I asked again.
"Currently, the Young Master is at the academy. But at night... I believe he will be at that place," Alfred said ambiguously.
"That place?" I muttered, not understanding what he meant.
***
[Aliya's PoV]
A few days after swearing my loyalty to the Young Master, I was immediately given training to prepare for missions. Currently, he is watching me perform several movements with a dagger.
However, it's still difficult for me to do it correctly. This is because the Young Master ordered me to practice while wearing my entertainer's outfit and high heels—clothing completely unsuitable for combat.
"Young Master, may I change clothes?" I pleaded. "I don't think I can master the techniques you're teaching me while wearing this."
"I did it on purpose," the Young Master replied, sitting on a sofa while observing me. "You must be able to do it like this because, in the field, you will more often be wearing those clothes to get close to your targets."
His words made sense, which meant I had to work extra hard for this training to bear fruit. I resumed the movements he had shown me: stabbing and slashing. Everything had to be precise, without error, so I could strike a target's vital organs without missing. With my weak body, failing to execute a target in one strike could be fatal for me.
"You're still doing it wrong," the Young Master said, standing up and approaching me. He walked behind me, his hands gripping my arms and thighs. "Don't spread your legs too wide, and lower the hand holding the dagger slightly."
I followed his instructions, but the touch of his hands made my body feel flushed. My breathing grew irregular, and for some reason, I instinctively leaned my body against him.
Ahhh... He released his grip and stepped in front of me.
"You aren't focused, Princess Aliya," he said, sounding disappointed. "Don't you want to avenge your family?"
"O-of course. I'm sorry, Young Master," I answered, bowing my head in shame.
"Extend your arms," he commanded.
I obeyed. He then took a whip and struck both of my arms sharply.
"Ahhh...!"
It hurt... my skin was scraped and bleeding.
"You must be more serious, understood?" he asked in a flat voice.
"I understand, Young Master."
After the training, we discussed the current situation in the Kingdom of Kuwalid. The Young Master explained the influx of immigrants trying to enter the Empire from there.
"Is the situation there really that bad?" I asked.
"Indeed. I expect in a year or two, the country will be in turmoil again," the Young Master replied casually. "When that time comes, you and Umaya can begin operations there."
According to the Young Master, the Wadiya Clan led the rebellion against my family. They are now the wealthiest clan since the war ended, and the current Sultan apparently only follows their will.
"It's getting late; we'll continue at the next meeting, Princess Aliya," the Young Master said, standing up.
We walked out of the building. Our training ground was not far from the entertainment district the Young Master built. We rented this specific place for the guards and intelligence agents under the command of "KJ."
After we exited, the Young Master escorted me back to the entertainment house, ensuring no men with ill intent approached me on the street.
"Ah, so this is the man who is to be my fiancé?"
The Young Master suddenly turned around at the sound of a woman's voice. I followed his gaze and saw an incredibly beautiful gray-haired woman standing before us. Her blue eyes and cold gaze made her look like the incarnation of the Snow Princess told in the legends of the bards.
"What are you doing with an courtesan at this hour, Raul de Garcia?"