The Legendary Programming Mage

Chirp. Chirp.

Hmm...

A cool breeze slid across my skin.

It wasn't air conditioning, that much I knew, and it was rather refreshing.

Like I was in the embrace of my mother, though I never had one before.

But still, it was comforting and...

Jolt.

"Haaa... Haaaa."

I shot upright, my breathing ragged.

My clothes were covered in dirt, and so was my hair.

I covered my face with a hand and sighed. "Can't believe I slept outdoors."

Still, I was able to—

Argh.

"Damn, it hurts."

Running a hand through my hair, I darted my gaze around until it landed on a basket a few meters away.

Staggering to my feet, I moved toward it.

Inside were a bunch of sandwiches, bottles of water... and a letter.

...

From Your Funny Master:

Hello, disciple. I hope you are well.

I saw you sleeping on the floor, but since you were so adorable, I did nothing.

Your exams are starting soon, so get your ass here, fr fr.

A girl—I mean chick—with white hair gave me this to give to you, type shit.

Okay, that's all, goodbye XD.

...

Who the hell tried to teach her slangs?

I rubbed my temples. "First thing I see in the morning is this."

I had to cancel every bit of bad luck.

Exhaling, I leaned against the tree and slowly slid back down to the ground.

Staring at the sandwich in my hand, I muttered.

"It's good."

I didn't get why the white-haired girl was being nice to me, but I wasn't about to throw away free food.

Plus, Beatrice had probably checked if it was poisoned.

"Today's the day, huh?"

I rose to my feet, swallowing the last bite of the sandwich.

Channeling mana through my body, I activated Flashstep, hovering briefly in the air before bursting into a streak of light.

Zoom!

I streaked across the garden, darting from edge to edge without ever setting foot on the ground.

I could now move while clearly perceiving my surroundings.

Plus, I had control, and...

Zzzrrr...

Ending the technique, my shoes scraped against the earth before I skidded to a stop.

I couldn't suppress a wide grin, and before I knew it, I shouted,

"Yesss!"

A soft laugh slipped from my mouth as I dropped onto my backside. "I did—"

My words were abruptly cut off by the sound of the system.

Ding!

『 User has consumed a substance with pure mana 』

『 Active Flow (mana) + 5 』

"What?"

My eyes instantly flicked to the basket. "No way, right?"

I quickly used distortion to blink in front of it.

Opening it up, I instinctively took another bite, and to my utter shock—

Ding!

『 User has consumed a substance with pure mana 』

『 Active Flow (mana) + 5 』

"How did she...?"

A storm of questions raced through my mind.

How did she pull this off?

Why would she even do it?

God.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I know this is going to be trouble, still..."

I took another bite.

I had already drained all my active flow (mana), so this was the fastest way to replenish it.

Pulling the water out of the bag and taking a deep gulp, I watched most of the wounds on my body fade away.

After a few more swallows, every single one disappeared.

Healing water.

I shoved the thoughts of the strange white-haired girl aside.

"I'll talk to her properly next time."

For now.

I quickly ate and drank everything in the bag, grabbed my blazer hanging on the tree, and sprinted forward.

There was no time to return and bathe—I needed to head for the test immediately.

I channeled mana through my body, forming an outer layer of protection, and dashed out of the barrier Beatrice had set.

The moment I emerged, several students turned their heads toward me, but they didn't have long to gawk as I sped past them.

The streets of the school were nearly deserted, which meant most people had already left.

My blazer fluttered behind me as I sprinted.

My feet pounded against the ground as I made my way to the nearest high-rise building.

Without sparing a glance at who the building belonged to, I dashed up the stairs.

My mana control was nearly flawless, and my vision sharp.

I wasn't in peak condition, but even my less-than-perfect state was what others would consider ideal, so there was no need to worry.

The moment I reached the ninth floor, I was greeted by a group of men repairing the floor.

A sign in front of me read:

DO NOT STEP!

I bent my knees.

Tap!

And sprang over all of it.

Whoosh!

The world blurred for a moment as I landed at the edge of the hall.

"Wha?! Did you see that?"

Gasps erupted from the workers as I bolted across the tiles, my shadow streaking past their stunned faces.

At that moment, I didn't know what had come over me, but...

My body moved on instinct, a rhythm I hadn't realized I'd carved into myself after countless Flashstep drills.

Bang!

My fingers caught the jutting edge of the railing on the ninth floor.

A young professor stood there smoking, his jaw nearly dropping as I vaulted past.

"Oi! Kid!"

"Sorry!" I called back, a grin already spreading across my face.

I launched off the edge and landed on the roof of a smaller building with a soft thud.

I broke into another sprint, loosening the tie around my neck.

With one hand, I yanked it free, letting it whip in the wind.

My reddish-pink hair, damp with sweat, fanned out behind me.

The air was cold against my skin, yet exhilarating.

I narrowed my eyes at the treeline in the distance.

The forest at the island's edge. The test grounds.

"Almost there."

I channeled mana through my body, feeling the familiar tingle, the pressure coiling beneath my skin.

Flashstep.

Boom!

Red light erupted around me.

My entire body dissolved into a streak of brilliance, cutting through the sky like a comet.

The world fractured into lines and fragments, the wind shrieking in my ears.

In an instant, I landed at the forest outskirts, dirt crunching under my boots.

The noise around me hit a heartbeat later.

Hundreds of students.

My classmates, other first-years, even seniors, all gathered in a massive clearing at the cliff's edge.

Teachers sat to one side like judges, and at the center sat the Dean.

Every pair of eyes turned to me at once.

I had made it, barely in time.

I straightened, sweeping my hair back with one hand as sweat traced down my chin.

"Hope I'm not late."

Silence lingered for half a heartbeat.

Then—

"Kyaaaaaaa!!"

Almost all the girls present, both those who disliked me in my class and even the seniors, screamed in unison.

Professor Mirabel smiled. "You're indeed late, Mister Apex, but..."

She extended her hand from where she stood. "I think I'll let it slide this time."