Chapter 232: Atlas Seminar [2]

Chapter 231

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Episode 59 - Atlas Seminar [2]

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My mind went blank as I processed the words she had just said.

’The way she talks is seriously weird. I’d better seal her back inside the sword.’

But thinking about it, I don’t think she’s capable of manipulating people’s souls anymore, so that’s a shame.

Honestly, if anyone happened to walk by and overheard what my master had just said, they’d completely misunderstand it, and by the next morning it’d be making headlines.

I rubbed my temples and said,

"When we get back to the Academy, remind me to buy some duct tape to keep your mouth shut."

"....."

She stared at me before clicking her tongue.

"Tsk, I’m being serious. What I mean is that your affinity with beings born from Mana is absurd. I could even say that you are Mana itself."

I stroked my chin and mulled over her words for a moment.

According to my memories, this body truly is a complete mystery.

Its talent surpasses even Lumina’s. Even though she’s a Returner, my growth is on par with hers—or perhaps even slightly greater.

And even though I’m a Dark Attribute user, for some reason Liora, a Light Attribute Fairy, accepted me.

Me, of all people, whose attribute is Dark.

We’re complete opposites, yet she still loves being around me.

’Mhm, I think there’s a term for this... let me remember...’

I searched through my memories, and after a few seconds, it finally clicked.

"It must be ’Natural Affinity,’ right?"

Natural Affinity was a term used to describe Awakened individuals or members of other races who naturally attracted beings born from Mana.

The higher one’s Natural Affinity, the more attention and attraction they would draw from Fairies, Spirits, Elementals, and other similar beings.

And now that my master’s soul resided within the body of the Ancient Spirit, she could sense a person’s Natural Affinity.

That included mine as well. Still, something felt off...

"Natural Affinity can’t be increased by any means. It’s something we’re born with."

My master explained as she carefully studied me.

"Yeah, but why is my Natural Affinity so high?"

"High...? Calling it high is an understatement. It’s overwhelming—like an ant standing in the middle of an endless ocean."

Either way, I let out a sigh and shrugged.

It didn’t really matter whether my Natural Affinity was as outrageous as my master claimed.

I’m a Swordsman, after all, so having an exceptionally high Natural Affinity doesn’t really do much for me.

If anything, had I been a Summoner or an Elementalist, I could’ve become far stronger in a short amount of time and changed many things.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

"Forget it. It’s not that important."

"Not that important? Are you kidding me?"

I slowly made my way down the mountain while my master lectured me like a walking encyclopedia about the importance of Natural Affinity.

As for me, I simply let her words go in one ear and out the other.

***

After noon, I returned to the Imperial Capital and headed to Mia’s potion shop.

Once inside, I took a seat and waited for Mia.

About a week ago, Astella should have delivered a report on the Abraham Clan’s activities.

The Abraham Clan was responsible for draining massive amounts of my blood and distributing it throughout the Empire as Recovery Elixirs.

Elixirs that, as long as you weren’t dead, could regenerate your entire body and restore all your Mana in less than a second.

More importantly, during the events of Chapter One, Part One, the Abraham Clan had sent a villainess who later managed to escape.

’I wonder where that woman is right now.’

The woman who had appeared as an unexpected variable during Chapter One. So far, I hadn’t heard anything about her.

In fact, I didn’t even know whether she had actually survived after escaping back then.

’I should track her down after the vacation.’

I would definitely capture her.

Snapping out of my thoughts, Mia appeared a short while later with several documents in her hands.

She sat across from me and said,

"This is the report Astella brought back, master."

Nodding, I gestured with my hand, and Mia began reading the report.

As I listened to her, I occasionally took a sip of the coffee I’d picked up on my way here.

"It seems the Abraham Clan will be working together with the Order of the Red Roses during the Academic Exchange between Holy Academy and Elvenheims Academy, which will take place during the final semester for first- and second-year students from both academies."

I gave a slight nod, though I already knew that.

The reason was simple: the Academic Exchange, held at the end of the first academic year, was essentially a tournament between the top ten students from both academies.

The leader of the Abraham Clan and the leader of the Order of the Red Roses would work together to keep Director Bernice occupied for as long as possible.

Meanwhile, their subordinates would split into two teams, each assigned a different objective.

Naturally, one of those objectives was to kill the top ten cadets from both academies.

In any case, all of that would take place during Chapter Four, Part One.

’About six months left.’

I already have several plans in motion, and on top of that, I still have a Hidden Piece I obtained a long time ago.

"Over the past few months, the Abraham Clan has mobilized several teams to fully infiltrate the Imperial Capital and the Holy Church. It seems they’re planning to make their move within the next few months."

"However, most of them are currently focused on establishing numerous safe houses and legitimate businesses."

"And what about their movements toward the Holy Church?"

"Ehm, well... it seems the leader of the Abraham Clan is keeping that information secret, so no one knows."

"Mhm..."

I rubbed my chin and thought for a moment.

The Abraham Clan and the Holy Church.

Hardly anyone knows this—aside from Lumina, of course.

But according to my memories, the Holy Church and the Abraham Clan have been working together for the past three years.

And the main objective of Chapter Three, which will begin in a few months, is directly tied to the Holy Church.

’Besides dealing with the Holy Church, I’ll probably have to fight some of the Abraham Clan’s higher-ranking members as well.’

I’ve grown considerably stronger, but the primary enemies in Chapter Three are on the same level as Apostle Kaiser from Chapter Two.

That means I have to completely master the Third Form of Inverted Heaven and reach Six Stars.

And above all...

’...The protagonist of Chapter Three is, naturally, Rinna.’

Which makes the difficulty considerably higher.

"And lastly, it seems a few villains are planning to come after you, master."

"....."

A smile slowly spread across my face.

"Do they have names?"

Mia nodded.

"The leader is a Class 7 villain named Torner. He’s around five foot three. His second-in-command is a Class 6 villain named Amanda. Those two are the only important ones."

"The rest of the villains under their command are Class 5. Also, it’s likely that someone else will be monitoring them—a Class 8 villain—in case the mission fails."

"....."

I couldn’t hide the smile on my face.

To think I’d been wondering about that woman just a little while ago.

’So her name is Amanda, huh.’

I’d assumed she was the leader who’d been after me. Either way, a Class 7 villain wouldn’t be much of a problem, but if that Class 8 villain turned out to be exceptionally strong, I’d have to use Eyes of the End.

’Especially if they’re one of the Abraham Clan’s higher-ups.’

Most likely, they were an Executive. The Abraham Clan’s Executives possessed strength equivalent to Class 8.

Meanwhile, those who stood directly beneath the leader of the Abraham Clan were known as the Ancients.

Their strength was on par with Class 9, and as far as I knew, there were only three of them.

’Either way, they’re saving me the trouble of hunting them down.’

Since they’re coming after me themselves, I have no reason to let the opportunity slip away.

"But, master, will you really be okay? They’re stronger than you, aren’t they?"

"....."

I tilted my head to the side and asked,

"What makes you think they’re stronger than me?"

Mia narrowed her eyes before answering,

"First of all, their leader is a Class 7 villain, while you, master, are only a Five-Star Awakened, right?"

I gave a slight nod.

"So under normal circumstances, they’d be stronger. That’s what you’re saying."

Mia nodded. At that moment, I looked into her emotions and realized that her concern was genuine.

Which wasn’t something a villain like her should be feeling.

A villain worrying about me.

Absurd. Completely absurd.

"Mia, why did you become a villain?"

My question caught her off guard. Her hands clenched together, and I could sense several negative emotions from her, especially regret.

That only made me even more curious.

"Well, I... the reason is much simpler than you’d imagine. I became a villain because I desperately needed money for my sister back then, but..."

"Your sister died in the end, and by then there was no turning back because you’d already become a villain."

She nodded.

At that moment, several thoughts crossed my mind.

Among them, one in particular caught my attention.

’Is it possible to turn a villain into an Awakened?’

As long as you possess the necessary Traits.

And above all, my Unique Trait, Annihilation, might be the key to answering that question.