CHAPTER 36: INSTRUCTOR RACHEL [1]

"How on earth did this happen...?"

It was something I didn’t understand. Clearly, the only thing left where the Mandrake should be was a pit.

Anyone could clearly see that the soil had been dug up. Even judging from the size of the hole, the Mandrake here seemed to have lived for at least 100 years.

"... It looks like someone got it first."

"I know, right? I guess someone got it before us?"

Charlotte, who belatedly witnessed this scene, screamed in shock.

"Hey! Commoners! Do you think that makes sense? In the first place, no group other than our group could enter this place. Unless you become a supervisor!"

For some reason, Eden did not back down from his opinion.

"But just take a look at this. Even if you see it, Charlotte, don’t you think so?"

"... ... ."

I was lost in thought for a moment.

’Charlotte is right. Dividing into groups in the first place may have been intended to separate test locations. Since the ban imposed on each group is different, an appropriate test would be needed. Therefore, the premise that another group except ours took the Mandrake first cannot be established.’

However, her last words bothered me.

—Unless you become a supervisor!

Supervisor.

In other words, if it was an insider who stole the Mandrake, things would be different. Or an outsider who invaded with the help of an insider.

However, even if that were the case, it did not explain why this was done.

What if they were to steal the Mandrake from this place that was originally created as an illusion...?

’Wait a minute, illusion...? If the Mandrake isn’t an illusion...? If someone actually targeted the Mandrake and broke in...?’

When I thought about it that far, I shook my head.

’No, no matter what, this is too much of a leap. If something like that had happened, the supervisor who was watching all of this would have stopped the test right away... That’s how it should be... Why hasn’t there been any notice yet?’

It was then.

"Captain! Come here!"

I was awakened from my thoughts by Eden’s urgent call and approached him.

"Look at this."

The place Eden pointed to was not far from the pit. I said, slightly distorting my face.

"... Blood?"

"Right? I thought my eyes were wrong."

Even a passing mutt could see the blood stains. At this point, I started to feel anxious.

The Mandrake disappeared.

Unidentified blood.

Supervisor giving no notice.

Isn’t it too unnatural to dismiss all of this as mere coincidence?

There is one thing I have definitely realized since becoming possessed in this world.

The ominous premonition usually turns out to be correct.

I began to memorize the chant in advance to prepare for any unexpected situation.

It was a multi-strengthening magic consisting of a total of three complex techniques.

"I wish for strength as powerful as a wave that splits the ocean, agility to move like an eagle soaring across the sky, and boldness that will not collapse in the face of any injustice. Mana’s agent commands."

A circle-shaped ring emitting white light appeared above my head, but it quickly disappeared.

Five mana rings.

That meant I was a 5th Circle wizard. Typically, wizards store mana in their brains, and knights store mana in their hearts to create circles.

As an exception, there were magic swordsmen who created circles on both sides, but exceptions were only exceptions.

Experienced wizards do not reveal their circles even when chanting.

This is because, just by doing that, you are revealing your power.

However, for spells that are complex or powerful enough to require tremendous concentration, the circle will appear regardless of the user’s will.

Of course, it was just a mistake. Fortunately, it disappeared before the circle was fully revealed, so no one would have seen it.

"Full body strengthening."

Due to the total amount of mana, I started to feel out of breath after only using strengthening magic a few times.

It was also the decisive reason why Abel Croy, who showed outstanding talent in manipulating magic, stopped at the 5th Circle.

Of course, the fact that it is a single-source attribute with only ’strengthening’ also played a role. As a result, he stayed as an assistant wizard, but because he was the best in the empire when it came to strengthening, he was able to join the warrior party.

It was truly ironic.

Gradually, my body began to gain vitality. The mana flowing through my veins enveloped my entire body.

Every time my heart pumped vigorously, my muscles expanded explosively, my blood vessels bristled, and my blood flow became faster.

I felt blood flowing throughout my body.

"... Captain, are you a user of strengthening magic? That’s surprising. But why did you suddenly use magic?"

"Hmph, it’s just a strengthening spell. After all, it’s nothing special."

"Charlotte, it’s not nice to say that to a comared."

Charlotte, embarrassed by the completely unexpected reprimand, lowered her head like a downcast puppy.

"... Huh. Sorry."

Frey, who had been comforting Charlotte like an older sister, turned her gaze to me. She asked with a serious look on her face,

"It’s okay, Charlotte. If you don’t do that next time, it won’t work out. Better than that... Are there any enemies around? I can’t feel anything..."

Perhaps because she was destined to become a sword master in the future, she did not let down her guard and prepared in her own way even in this situation.

’As expected, the only one I can trust is you, Frey.’

There was no way such a promising talent could be taken away by that murderer.

"I can’t say for sure, but... I think it would be best not to relax. It looks like there’s some problem with the test. First, let’s follow this blood trail. I will take the lead."

There was silence. The companions also seemed to realize that something strange was going on.

We slowly followed the blood trail, holding our breath.

Sabak. Sabak.

The blood stains continued for quite a long time.

Since no one spoke, the only thing that echoed in this space was the sound of footsteps.

There wasn’t even any wind. In fact, if the Mandrake had been here as planned, I was planning to abstain from hearing further.

Mandrakes can never be pulled out using normal methods.

This is because the moment they are pulled out of the ground, they make a loud roar that can burst your eardrums.

Therefore, I planned to pass the test by abstaining from hearing and also get extra points by abstaining from the four senses.

―However, all plans went awry because of someone ahead.

"... Wait for a moment."

I muttered quietly and stopped. The blood trail had stopped.

"... ... ."

.