The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 37

Laura Freeze’s magic manifestation was on the right track. She was contributing to the elevation of Cletta Barriet’s potential and, by now, it was highly likely that Cletta’s affinity for Ether was on the verge of awakening. However, amidst all this pressure, a collision had occurred.

Putting aside the trivial matters, there were two major issues to pinpoint.

First, they hadn’t observed Laura Freeze’s magic manifestation closely enough.

Arthur Floyd had thought that the magic stone he used on Laura was just an early-phase research product and therefore assumed its performance would be mediocre. Consequently, he dismissed Laura Freeze’s manifestation as a flawed item.

But what was the reality?

Laura Freeze was maintaining a trans state that oscillated between [Reason] and [Rampage].

As a result… her power had swelled, revealing a glimpse of her future capabilities. In short, the moment Laura Freeze used ‘Freezing’ (결빙), Cletta’s winning momentum completely crumbled. Even if Cletta could eventually unleash her affinity for Ether and skillfully wield [Svarlin], it would be nearly impossible to close the gap in their abilities.

“Damn… I never expected she’d chew the Frost Bracelet whole.”

I was genuinely shocked.

Cletta was a girl with a good sense limited to combat. She had instinctively recognized the gap between herself and Laura Freeze and resorted to such means. Yet, her operation was nothing more than a reckless bravado rooted in illogical understanding. Chewing through the Frost Bracelet to boost her ice attribute efficiency?

Is this a shounen manga or what?

And don’t forget the second issue…

Because of the ‘Frost’ spell that followed the year of freezing, no one could intervene in this place.

Arthur Floyd probably didn’t know this either. Maybe he was panicking over developments he hadn’t anticipated.

‘Or maybe not. I might be better off than him.’

In truth, there was a divine beast that could turn this all into a brilliant move. The problem was… I was left only with the resolve to put it into action.

‘There’s no time to dawdle.’

Because it wouldn’t be long before Cletta’s heart would freeze.

Laura Freeze, in her trans state, had no chance of saving her.

There were no means left.

The role of saving Cletta and controlling the year of regression rested solely on me.

Clack——

I tightened my [All-Purpose Coat] and grabbed the [Insight’s Blade].

Arthur Floyd’s gaze was fixated on the Class B testing grounds.

“What a nightmare.”

He couldn’t care less about the mid-term tests for his A-Class students. He wanted to check the status of the magic manifestation right now.

“Hmm? Instructor Floyd. What’s wrong with you?”

“What do you mean, Instructor Oliver?”

“You’re fidgeting like a puppy that needs to pee!”

“When have I ever—”

“Look at you! You’re still fidgeting!”

Arthur Floyd detested that conversation with her. The A-Class instructor, “Instructor Oliver Enishi,” whom he deemed more capable than himself, continually teased him like a cat.

Surely, once she got started, he’d be tormented for hours.

“God, I wish she’d just be quiet…”

It was already enough of a headache. Why were there no symptoms regarding the magic manifestation? By now, there should have been some kind of ruckus on the Class B side relayed over here.

If an ‘Irregular’ named ‘Kiring’ had controlled Laura Freeze’s magic manifestation, the repercussions would have come in. And if the instructor had failed and intervened, that situation would have been reported too.

‘So why is there no news at all?’

What on earth was happening…?

Before long, a piece of good news streamed through the communication channel.

[Kzzzt— Class B requests support troops.]

“Oh?”

Got it. It seems Laura Freeze’s magic manifestation has proven tougher than expected. It was obvious the delay in relaying the situation was due to difficulties in managing it.

[Requesting engineer dispatch. Kzzzt-]

[Apologies for the trouble. Monitoring and portal adjustments went haywire. Hahaha…]

“What?”

Not a combat unit, but engineers?

Was Laura Freeze struggling with her magic manifestation?

Arthur Floyd casually peeked at the magic stone tucked into his chest. He could indirectly check the status by looking at the magic stone synchronized with Laura Freeze.

Crack——

But to his shock, the magic stone in the inner pocket shattered completely.

‘No way.’

Arthur Floyd stood frozen, staring at the Class B testing grounds.

The magic manifestation had slipped out of his control.

Rampaging out of control.

There was no greater negligence than this. He hadn’t wanted things to escalate this far. If he wasn’t careful, ‘President Martin Lucia’ might move.

‘No, that can’t happen.’

If he did, a massive investigation would follow, putting his own safety at risk once again.

‘Goddammit…’

Right now, he couldn’t make a move.

If he disregarded his duties, he would become a suspect.

‘What am I supposed to do?’

Arthur Floyd was burning with anxiety.

With each breath, chill enveloped his lungs.

But that would soon fade away.

[The cold resistance of the ‘All-Purpose Coat’ activates.]

Cletta was trapped inside a massive pillar of ice that had risen from the ground. Only her face was poking out, maintaining a fragile breath. The area had been transformed into a freeze, causing [Svarlin] to rampage.

Laura Freeze picked up [Svarlin], which had fallen onto the ice, and faced me.

“You’re here… Prophet…”

“I arrived, Miss Laura.”

“Everything’s gone wrong because of you.”

“Blaming others doesn’t help.”

“Is this another pointless sermon?”

The conversation was hardly rational.

In fact, there was no light in her pupils. Only the malevolent essence of a dark mage replaced it.

“Did you think a wise prophet wouldn’t see this far?”

“I came because I saw it.”

“That’s a contradiction. If you foresaw this future, you shouldn’t have come.”

“Why not?”

“Everyone values their lives.”

Laura Freeze’s mace was brimming with cold affinity Ether. She shaped it into a sphere and raised it into the sky.

I recognized this wasn’t a close-range attack.

I too brandished [Insight’s Blade].

Whoosh!

In a split second, her ‘sphere’ shattered.

“……”

No matter how much she struggled, she couldn’t surpass me. Laura Freeze showed no reaction to the absurd reality that followed. This was a clear sign that her consciousness had sunken deep within the swamp.

Magic manifestation is a mechanism that takes control of heightened emotions to dominate consciousness.

It was like applying electric stimulation to a frozen heart, squeezing the blood out of it. To drag her consciousness back, ‘stimulus’ was required.

“Excuse me.”

“Huh!…”

With agility that left her unresponsive, I approached her. I immediately restrained Laura Freeze’s arm and pushed her against the wall.

“Ugh…”

“It won’t take long.”

“Gasp!”

“Brain fog. I’m coming in.”

I brought the blade’s hilt up to her chest.

“Ha!”

“It’ll tingle.”

A powerful surge of mental Ether was unleashed.

Kzzzt!

As the electrifying current flowed, Laura Freeze’s body bent like a bow. Finally, she clutched my shoulder, erupting in an exclamation.

“Fuhhh!”

“Not yet. This time I’ll aim for the area closer to your heart.”

“Ugh… not there…”

Kzzzt! Kzzzt!

“Ughhhhh!”

The effects were noticeable.

Bit by bit, life was returning to her eyes.

Kzzzt!

“Gahhh!”

“Not even close.”

“P-please… I beg you… stop…”

“Not possible. As a prophet, I cannot allow Miss Laura to stray down the wrong path.”

“You’re… dirtying me more and more…”

“What are you talking about? This is purification.”

​

Kzzzt!

Her uniform was soaked with sweat.

The icy terrain had long melted. I laid the drenched Laura Freeze on the ground.

Was that a slightly strange smell? Nah, must be my imagination.

Her magic manifestation was successfully purified. I’d say it was quite a marvelous strategy.

I was truly proud of myself.

Amazing, incredible!

Now, all that remained was Cletta’s freezing.

I had means to resolve that too.

But I was a little hesitant.

Though it was legal…

Whatever, I didn’t care.

I approached the ice pillar that was still barely holding its shape. I steadied my breath, facing Cletta, who was bound within.