Chương 21: First Battle

In just a single evening, rumors that Asher Griffin had betrayed Jullius Griffin for Kale Derick spread like wildfire throughout the Academy. Tsk. It sounded like some scandalous high-society love triangle. For the next three days, Jullius refused to even spare me a glance. I wasn't entirely sure if this turn of events was a blessing or a curse, but since the die was cast, I could only adapt on the fly. Overnight, I had been dragged from my role as Jullius's invisible shadow into the harsh glare of the sun.

Everywhere I went, people whispered and pointed. I'm not exactly complaining; it's just a bit of an adjustment. However, this "drama" didn't last long before it was buried by a far more significant event: the Church issued the first official mobilization order for the Hero candidates. Marbour had always been the first territory to fall under siege whenever the Demon King awakened. It sat right on the edge of the Black Forest - the border between Averula and the Demon King's domain.

Averula had once attempted to build a Great Wall spanning the entire frontier, but due to the sheer distance, the project proved nearly impossible to complete. Fortunately, the northwest and northeast of Averula were flanked by two massive mountain ranges, which served as natural barriers against the monster hordes. The first battle was always a important experience for any Hero candidate; thus, tradition dictated that every single one of them must attend.

Historically, a full-scale invasion rarely occurred within the first month of the Awakening Day, yet this time, barely half a month had passed. This anomaly left everyone deeply unsettled. The previously relaxed atmosphere of the Academy suddenly turned somber, as taut as a bowstring. The candidates, who until now had only tasted the glory of their titles, finally began to feel the crushing weight of their responsibilities.

The summons clearly stated that in three days' time, the candidates were to gather at the Cathedral to use the teleportation gate to Marbour. If we still have three days, then surely the attack isn't too critical yet, people told themselves, seeking comfort in the delay. These days, the candidates were being put through intensive briefings on various types of magical beasts and how to counter them.

While this material had always been part of the Academy's curriculum, it was the first time the candidates realized just how much they had neglected it. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. At first, I found this "once every fifty years" setting rather cruel. Fifty years is a long time; long enough for people to grow accustomed to peace and forget the sheer brutality of magical beasts.

These Heroes were all born in an era of tranquility, yet in such a short span, they were being forced to adapt to slaughter. It was obvious they would struggle to be ready. But then I reminded myself, was Earth any different? War still broke out even during the most peaceful hours, when no one was prepared for it. Those sent to the front lines were often just youths who didn't yet understand how the world truly works.

Certain things are inevitable, and most of the time, humanity is just looking for a way to survive a little longer. At least these "wars against the Demon King" could be easily categorized as being on the side of justice. Having lived through this once before, I wasn't overly stressed. Contrary to the peaceful atmosphere of the capital, the soldiers at the border were highly disciplined and well-prepared for this first wave of monsters. The candidates were being sent to Marbour merely to gain combat experience.

I recalled from my first isekai life that all the candidates returned safely without a single scratch after a week. Due to the large number of people requiring teleportation, for this first mission, no candidate was permitted to bring along assistants or attendants. Well, the Princess was surely an exception. I doubt the Royal Family would feel at ease letting Rachel head to the front lines without supervision. Since I couldn't follow them, I dedicated those ten days to physical conditioning.

Ten days wasn't a long period, but I could feel my strength increasing day by day. There was only one thing that, no matter how hard I tried, I simply could not achieve: utilizing mana. I suspected that the "flowing sensation" I'd perceived during my spar with Kale was his mana. I had tried to find a similar feeling within myself, but to no avail. To be honest, it was deeply frustrating. In this world, being unable to use mana feels like having your hands and feet bound.

Ultimately, that massive surge of mana I'd absorbed was good for nothing other than checking people's stats. What a waste. Is innate talent truly a prerequisite for wielding mana? I refused to believe that. I was capable of using Halunar's Eye, a tool that requires mana to activate. This meant it wasn't entirely impossible for me to control mana. Perhaps the method varied from person to person, and I simply needed to find my own "key."

During the breaks in my physical conditioning, I frequented the Imperia library, searching for texts on awakening mana manipulation. After days of research, I reached a conclusion: those who wield mana don't actually choose how they control it. They simply do what they can do instinctively. Jullius could use mana to enhance his swordsmanship not because he wanted to, but because that was all he can do. He could not channel his mana to heal others like Iris, nor can he used it to manipulate fire like Andrew.

Therefore, my approach was flawed. I couldn't force mana to obey my will; instead, I had to discover the specific way it naturally functions within Asher Griffin's body. And Halunar's Eye was the crux.