1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

84. Bellen Quest (2)

Bellen had set forth conditions beyond mere drink for the Frost Heart.

It was that only one student would remain to begin training.

Today, that moment had arrived.

Screech!

On the training grounds, Leana plunged ice into a steaming basin.

Bellen approached her and asked,

“You’re annoyingly persistent. Why do you seek to learn from me?”

Leana replied calmly.

“You may not remember, but I received your help when I was young. Since then, I’ve wanted to become a knight. If I’m to learn, I wish to learn your swordsmanship.”

Bellen stepped closer, his gaze sharpening.

“I know people like you. You won’t put down the sword out of stubbornness. I’ve seen countless souls perish because of it. Even if you survive, you’ll end up just like me. You’ll cling to the knight’s path until there’s nothing left. If you don’t want that fate, then just drift through graduation and live like an ordinary noble.”

Two professors, assigned as assistants, approached with awkward expressions.

They must have come to address the breach of conditions.

Bellen gestured for them to stay back, focusing on Leana’s words.

“Still, I want to become a knight.”

Her unwavering gaze.

—

I had hoped, perhaps, that he might change his mind, but it was not to be.

Bellen let out a sigh.

‘…Stubbornness truly runs in the blood.’

It was a moment that made me think of how my father must have felt each time he looked at me.

“Indeed. But this ice, it seems you’ve fetched it from the peak of the snow-capped mountains?”

“Yes.”

“It’s been several days now; have you grown less sensitive to the cold than at first?”

Even clad in a thick coat, the weather was bitterly cold.

Yet, seeing her shiver not at all, it appeared she had adapted sufficiently to the chill.

“Take off your coat.”

Without hesitation, Leana laid her outer garment upon the ground.

Though Bellen’s cold hand touched her belly, Leana remained unflinching, showing no sign of discomfort.

‘Her body temperature is quite elevated.’

If she possessed this level of resistance to cold, she could certainly be taught the basics.

Bellen commanded the instructors.

“Bring it forth.”

From the air, a long ladle flew into his grasp.

“From now on, you will remove the impurities from the water you’ve brought.”

“The water is clean.”

“Ice harvested from nature often harbors unseen microorganisms and dust.”

To prove this, Bellen stirred the basin’s water with the ladle like a sword.

After several repetitions, he withdrew it, a drop of murky liquid clinging to the ladle’s tip.

Leana’s mouth fell agape as she watched.

“There is no flexibility in your wrist. Moreover, with your lack of sensation, you cannot even discern whether it is water or dust. Thus, this training is indeed the most suitable for you. Should you succeed, you may advance to the next stage.”

“Then…”

“I shall teach you my swordsmanship.”

Bellen chuckled softly, poking the snowfield lightly with the ladle.

Whoosh!

A searing heat radiated from the ground, and the snowfield about three meters ahead began to steam and melt away.

“The blade of the fire demon, which I have honed throughout my life.”

—

Leana’s eyes widened.

* * *

I was on my way to learn how to handle hundreds of gold from Henderson.

Just then, steam rose from the training grounds, prompting me to stop and watch.

So it has already begun.

Though it was I who hastened Bellen’s heart, witnessing it firsthand struck me with a rather fresh shock.

What would have taken a month for the Bellen quest had concluded in less than a week.

The quest that would allow Leana’s buried blessing to shine…

◆ Blessing of the Flame Spirit King Alkin ◆

λ It is a matter of choice whether to create a warm embrace or a consuming flame.

When using fire-based attacks, power increases threefold.

The body does not burn.

A blessing that triples all fire-based attacks.

In her current state, Leana was like oil that had not yet received the flame, while Bellen was the one gifting her the spark.

With this, she would surely navigate the scenarios to come with ease.

Still, it was not the time to worry about others.

If I didn’t want to end up like a shrimp caught in a whale fight, I had to at least hold my own.

I pulled out hundreds of gold.

Adding the invisibility spell that Klave often used, the already vaporous gold became nearly invisible.

With this, I picked up a rock about the height of my shins.

‘Surely, your telekinesis is weaker than this.’

‘Isn’t it? Plus, the mana consumption is remarkably low.’

Thus, with the rock held aloft by the gold, I arrived at the front yard of the Shulafe mansion.

It was just as I was about to hurl the rock at the statue that resembled me.

Limberton emerged from the entrance.

“Tch.”

I’d have to smash it next time.

“What are you doing instead of studying?”

“It’s torture to be cooped up inside, just reading textbooks. Can’t I get a breath of fresh air for a moment?”

In Limberton’s hand was a thick belt.

“But what’s that you’re holding in your hand?”

“Oh, this? It’s something the instructor gave me to build arm strength. The tension is no joke. They say I should be pulling on it whenever I get the chance, so I can use it as a bowstring later.”

Was that the thing?

Limberton stretched it taut, like kneading dough, as he adjusted his belt.

Though it barely pulled to the width of his chest, it would surely expand more with time.

“It’s nice to see you working hard.”

“Hehe.”

I left the chuckling Limberton behind and stepped into the Shulafe hall.

The lobby was once again filled with people studying.

There seemed to be more than yesterday.

Not wanting to disturb their focus, I moved quietly.

Then I caught the sound of Atra and Makdal bickering.

“Doesn’t seem like they’re going to get good grades, does it?”

“Ahem, well… It doesn’t look like Hursel is the type for that.”

“But why are you keeping an eye on Limberton? He’s the one who should be studying the hardest.”

Their conversation echoed a bit too loudly, and soon other students began to chime in.

“True. I’m from the Northeast, and I can tell you, there aren’t many good stories about Hursel from that direction.”

The Lethe folks joined in.

“Hey, hey, remember that time at the tavern when he hit the owner with his change? No, he got the bill right, but the owner claimed he was cheated, and what a ruckus that caused!”

“Ha, that was hilarious. It was funny he couldn’t even do subtraction. If he weren’t the president, he would’ve burst out laughing right there!”

I crept closer and gave both of them a playful smack on the head.

“Gah!”

“Ah! My head!!”

Then I glared at Atra and Makdal.

“Do you think my head is foolish?”

“Eek!”

“H-Hursel…”

Atra and Makdal stepped back, their faces pale as if they’d seen a ghost.

“N-No, it’s just that… it’s not that bad, really, it’s just that, um…”

“Right, Hursel. I meant to say you’ll manage to get by. Isn’t that right, Makdal?”

“Cough, yes. Lord Hessel, you could achieve good grades without even studying.”

It felt as if they were trapped in their own prejudices, viewing me as some dullard.

Considering Hessel before I became this body, I could understand why.

Yet feeling bad is still feeling bad.

What I despise second only to spiders is being treated as ignorant.

I spoke to them with a voice laced with irritation.

“Just a midterm, is it?”

I heard the sound of someone swallowing hard around me.

Ignoring it, I scanned the entire lobby and let out a chuckle.

“Shall we make a wager? The topic is whether I will come first in the Ministry’s written exam. If I don’t, you win. What do you say?”

Atra spoke softly, as if to calm me.

“No, that’s a bit much. We were wrong, so just cool off.”

“If you’re going to say that, put your wallets down first, will you?”

Before I knew it, everyone around was pulling out their wallets and approaching me.

“Cough, Hessel. Of course, I believe you’ll come first. But betting is just an act of charity. You understand my heart, right?”

“I’m betting that you won’t come first. Don’t take it personally.”

Atra raised her notebook and pen high, shouting.

“Alright, alright. Let’s keep it orderly. Those betting on Hessel coming first to the right. The rest to the left.”

All the humans shifted to the left.

I stared intently at Magdal, Rix, and Klave, who hesitated in the center.

Even so, they hurriedly averted their gazes and stepped to the left.

Only Asley dared to step to the right.

Returning from the breeze, Limberton joined Asley, making it two.

“What’s going on? What’s this situation?”

“I trust the boss. Even if I lose everything, I will stay here.”

“Huh?”

As Limberton reacted in confusion, Atra explained in his stead.

“Right now, we’re betting on whether Hessel will come first in the written exam. Limberton, where will you place your bet? Just so you know, that’s the spot for betting on Hessel coming first.”

“F-first place, you say?”

“So how much will you wager? By the way, the minimum is 10 coins.”

“Ah, then just 10 coins…”

I presented the amount to Limberton.

“1,000 coins. At least that much, Limberton. And you too, Asley.”

“What?”

“I’ll wager 3,000 coins. Since it’s on me, it shouldn’t matter, right?”

Atra nodded.

“Of course.”

Limberton, sweating profusely, gripped his trembling knees.

“Th-three thousand, you say?”

He glanced at Asley’s unyielding expression, then, with a conflicted face, squeezed his eyes shut and shouted.

“…Fine. I’ll stay here just like Asley!! Isn’t that what a team is for!!”

I swore silently as I looked at the cluster of humans to my left.

I would surely bankrupt these wretched fools.

* * *

Today, the Adel Hall was as noisy as ever.

Berndal granted a break to the first-year students training in the drill yard.

This was because Atra had come over to speak.

In her hands were a ledger and a pen.

“Don’t you want to join the wager?”

“The odds are extreme, but there’s not nothing on the Hursel side either. What do you think?”

Berndal shook his head with a sour expression.

“Don’t think I’d fit in with such nonsense, Atra.”

“Really? I was just on my way back from the Bürger Hall. Emmerich had wagered 10,000 coins on Hursel taking first place, if I recall correctly?”

But then Atra let slip a provocation that would never be overlooked in Adel Hall.

“If you’re not confident, then don’t. Ah, seeing the great Berndal so scared and backing down, I wonder if that fellow might actually take first in the written exam.”

Taking first place in all exams was a tradition.

This was a statement that could not be easily dismissed by a representative.

Berndal shouted loudly to the first-year students.

For now, it was a calculated move to gauge Hursel’s intellectual level.

“Hursel van Tenest dares to claim he’ll take first in this written exam! What do you all think of this?”

What returned was nothing but mockery.

“Pfft! Huh, Hershel? First place?”

“Did I hear that wrong?”

Leana barely managed to suppress the twitching corners of her mouth.

Eruzel lay sprawled on the floor, clutching his belly.

“Bwahahaha! That man? Ugh, what nonsense is this? It’s like catching a fish in a barrel. Hehe.”

Berndal was taken aback by the raucous laughter that echoed around him.

‘Just how foolish can that guy be…?’

At this point, it seemed worth placing a hefty bet.

“What are the odds?”

“Here, take a look at this.”

Atra presented the betting board.

The number of first-year magic department students was 81.

Except for the first place, all the betting ratios were written in units of five.

Most bets were placed on ranks 75 to 80, dwindling as the ranks rose.

“If you bet on first place, it’s 89 to 1. The lowest rank is about 1.3 to 1. Of course, the fluctuations will keep changing. There are plenty of folks eager to wager more.”

Berndal grinned slyly.

1.3 to 1 meant a 30 percent profit on the principal.

It was a chance to make easy money.

“Alright, I’ll place my bet. I’m wagering 30,000 coins.”

“Oh ho, quite the bold one, aren’t you? But wouldn’t it be good to let the first-years know? If they had their own money on the line, they’d surely try harder.”

Berndal clenched his fist and shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Everyone, pay attention!”

“Ah, your voice is too loud, so I think I’ll take my leave. Please pass the word to the second and third years. And tell them to come to the Shulafe Hall if they want to bet.”

Ignoring Berndal’s explanation about the gambling, Atra pulled out her notebook.

‘If this goes well, it could be a jackpot!’

The names placed on the bet for Hershel to take first were Limberton, Asley, Hershel, Emmerich.

And Atra herself.

The amount wagered was nearly all her wealth—5,000 coins.

Yet she boldly placed the bet, spurred on by the whispers she had overheard in front of Rockefeller’s office for the report to Shulafe Hall.

—

– Make the first-year exam at the Magic Department as difficult as possible.

– Is it because of Hessel?

– Exactly. That brat passed the entrance exam with a perfect score on the hardest question. I don’t care if the average score of the entire class drops. Expand the scope of the exam significantly and double the number of questions.

Atra muttered softly, a bitter smile curling on his lips.

“If that man acknowledges it, it means his intellect is no ordinary thing.”

This had been the plan from the start.

When Hessel cautiously entered the Shulafe coffin, pretending to be oblivious and throwing a line to Makdal, it was all part of the scheme.

Originally, Atra had intended to propose a wager, but it was surprising that Hessel had spoken first.

Thus, an unprecedented scale of gambling was unfolding at Frost Heart, a first in its founding history.