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After returning to the dorm.

“…….”

I looked down at the thorn that didn’t even budge, as if I was putting silent pressure on it.

[…….]

Samuel was silent, as if he had fallen asleep.

So I gently raised my hand.

Thud-.

Flinch.

The thorn twitched once.

I knew it.

Samuel wasn’t asleep, he was just pretending to be.

“I know you’re awake, so open your mouth. While I’m still being nice.”

[…….]

Samuel still had his mouth shut tight.

Did he think I didn’t notice?

What an impudent fellow.

I immediately started counting.

“One, two……”

[H-Hold on a second. Alright. Alright, I’ll wake up, okay!]

Samuel was startled and reacted violently.

He should have done that in the first place.

Tsk.

I clicked my tongue and stared at Samuel.

I was giving him a chance to explain himself.

But Samuel, on the contrary, began to speak confidently.

[Didn’t you hear from the medical instructor? This is just a part of the training method. Of course, you have to endure it.]

Oh, look at this.

There was a fallacy in Samuel’s words.

“Then why didn’t you tell me at the infirmary?”

[Th-That’s…….]

If he was really being upfront, he would have proudly said it was a training method.

But he didn’t tell me right away and pretended to be asleep because he wasn’t being upfront.

It wasn’t that the training method was wrong.

If the medical instructor said so, then it must be a good training method.

The problem was that he didn’t tell me how much pain I would be in.

He did it on purpose to make fun of me.

Samuel, unable to come up with a rebuttal, immediately changed the subject.

[That’s not important. We need to move on to the next step right away.]

“Are you changing the subject?”

[……Now, shall we begin?]

Samuel started explaining without a care in the world.

I gritted my teeth inwardly.

Once I learn how to properly use Mana Manipulation, I’ll teach him a lesson.

For now, I decided to listen to his explanation because correcting Samuel’s bad habits wasn’t important.

[You’ve already heard that the training method is to release all your mana and then take it back in.]

“That’s right.”

The medical instructor had explained to me what Samuel had not.

The problem was this:

How does this help with Mana Manipulation?

Samuel continued.

[If you keep releasing and absorbing your mana, you will naturally become proficient at it. But I’m sure you’re wondering what that has to do with Mana Manipulation.]

“You’re right. I don’t even know what effect it will have, except that it will put a strain on my body.”

[That’s true, but I’m sure you can do it with your talent. If you keep repeating this, you’ll be able to master Mana Manipulation within two weeks.]

“……That’s hard to believe.”

Despite Samuel’s confident words, I couldn’t hide the distrust that was growing in my mind.

Common sense dictated that if I kept releasing and absorbing mana, my body would only be damaged, and it had nothing to do with Mana Manipulation.

As I narrowed my eyes, Samuel clicked his tongue.

[Just trust me on this one. I have to live with your body for the time being. If something happens to you, I’ll die too.]

In other words, we were in this together.

Indeed.

If he had really asked me to do something that wouldn’t help me, the medical instructor wouldn’t have said such a thing.

Then.

“How long do I have to repeat this?”

If I release my mana again, I’ll pass out again.

Each time, the pain was excruciating.

It was clear that it would put a strain on my body.

Despite my worried tone, Samuel’s voice was firm.

[You have to repeat it continuously for a week. Otherwise, it will take half a year to improve your Mana Manipulation skills. Do you want to do that?]

“…….”

I had no choice but to remain silent at his words.

Half a year was too long.

There was only a month left before the final exams started.

The number of students avoiding me was also increasing day by day.

And I had a lot to do during the vacation, so I had to get rid of the task of Mana Manipulation as quickly as possible.

I finally resigned myself.

“……Alright. Let’s do this.”

[Good thinking.]

That didn’t mean I forgave him.

Samuel will have to pay dearly for making fun of me.

Especially if I can’t improve my Mana Manipulation skills…!

As I stared at Samuel with murderous intent.

[Then try releasing the mana that’s been restored while you were asleep.]

Hoo.

At his words, I took a deep breath and recalled the previous sensation.

It was as if my body was a grenade, exploding and sending shrapnel flying.

I didn’t want to experience it ever again, but I had no choice.

Bang-!

As I poured all my mana out.

Smirk-

An excruciating pain swept over me along with Samuel’s sneering laughter.

Even though my consciousness was fading, I could clearly hear the laughter, and I gritted my teeth.

…Damn it.

I’ll get back at him once I learn Mana Manipulation.

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