The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 178

Semir and the dark mages would eventually be dealt with by Han Taesu.

There’s no way Han Taesu would let those who messed with his family live. I had no reason to hope for their leniency either.

However, something about Semir’s words still bothered me.

I wasn’t suddenly moved by his talk of human equality or anything like that.

But there was something odd about the way Semir spoke, as if those words were his genuine beliefs.

“It might have been just a cover story, but something feels off.”

Semir seemed endlessly serious, as if it were his own conviction.

The original story didn’t delve deeply into this, and I didn’t recall him being portrayed with any kind of belief system.

They were simply depicted as a group of lunatics willing to slaughter hundreds for the sake of obtaining a cube.

Especially the final boss, Abaddon, who enjoyed revenge and slaughter.

Yet, the dark mages who attacked the engagement party yesterday, as Semir mentioned, didn’t seem intent on shedding blood.

Instead of cowardly attacking civilians, they targeted only me and Han Taesu with relentless precision.

Their sole objective seemed to be obtaining the cube.

What they intended to do with the cube, I had no idea.

“Do they have factions—radicals and moderates, perhaps…?”

I thought about the factional struggles often discussed in history class.

It was worth investigating.

Knowing whether our enemies were one unified group or split into two would be quite significant.

Regardless, we still needed to head to the Odryse Mountains, where the dark mages’ supply line was rumored to be.

The same went for the entire squad.

Eventually, we gathered in one place to strategize.

“Alright—focus up!”

Natalie’s family workshop had now become our familiar meeting space.

Natalie, sitting at the end of the table with her fingers interlocked, began to speak.

“Just heading there might be a bit dangerous, don’t you think?”

We barely escaped danger when about twenty dark mages attacked.

Heading to the Odryse Mountains, where the enemy’s base might be located, with this team was practically a suicide mission.

“It’s dangerous.”

Some of the people who were at the scene wore grim expressions. Seymour nodded, agreeing with Natalie.

“So, I’ve been thinking.”

Natalie pushed a book towards us.

Her family had a treasure trove of rare books aside from those donated to the Ardel Library, and it seemed she’d brought something useful.

[The Blooming and Variation of Abilities]

“I think it would be best to strengthen our powers.”

The idea was to grow our abilities.

Natalie brought up the topic.

“Our powers? How do we enhance them?”

There was no set method for awakening new abilities or leveling up existing ones.

All that was known was that powers could improve through mindless repetition or by awakening in extreme situations.

The book Natalie presented didn’t provide any concrete direction. It was full of abstract ideas, most of which we already knew.

However, there were a few things worth trying, as Natalie suggested.

“It’s in the third chapter, in the ‘Stimulation and Variation’ section. It says the way abilities develop differs according to their nature. While the research is limited, I think it’s worth exploring.”

It essentially meant that the stimulation method varies depending on the ability.

This categorization was something Professor Grint also taught in Magical Combat Studies.

“Hm… Let’s see.”

For example, abilities like Solia’s light emission, Adela’s telekinesis, and my own magic control fall under the release-type magic, where mana is manipulated to produce magical effects.

Natalie slowly read the first line.

“Except for a few exceptions, emotional interference is noted as the most significant factor in the growth of release-type magic.”

“Emotion?”

“Seems plausible.”

In Adela’s case, it was vengeance, and for Solia, it was a sense of justice.

Both powers were undeniably strongest in extreme situations.

“For necromancy… it requires ki and blood.”

It’s a magic amplified by the life force and blood of living beings—something well known.

“And, illusion magic is most affected by experience.”

This type can be enhanced through repetitive practice.

Compared to other magic that requires specific sacrifices, illusion magic can be developed relatively comfortably.

As Natalie flipped through the pages, she recited each ability’s growth method, and I absorbed the information.

These methods required ample time and investment, but knowing them certainly couldn’t hurt.

It’s as crucial as developing artifacts. Everyone agreed that it was worth a shot.

I nodded and raised my hand toward Natalie.

“Let’s try it.”

According to Natalie’s explanation, illusion magic had the most straightforward awakening process.

Basilus’ polymorph magic came to mind first.

“Ah.”

Basilus’ polymorph had always been so low-level that he had never properly utilized it.

Similarly, I’d never considered developing it seriously.

Currently, it is still a basic polymorph.

He could change from a red dragon to a blue one, or adjust his jawline slightly—beyond that, it was as useful as a cosmetic surgery cube.

But if Basilus’ polymorph could reach a high enough level where he could entirely alter his appearance and apply it to others…

We might be able to infiltrate the Odryse Mountains’ base without a hitch.

A dragon’s advanced polymorph spell is at a level that ordinary mages can’t easily discern.

“Basilus!”

“Kuu?”

That’s why I dragged Basilus over.

“It’s still at a basic level, but I’m counting on you.”

* * *

One week later.

One group was busy developing artifacts, while another trained with Basilus.

The training involved pouring enormous amounts of mana into polymorph magic until exhaustion.

Basilus looked confused, unable to comprehend why he was going through this, but he obediently followed Natalie’s instructions.

Meanwhile, I was deep in thought about how to develop my abilities.

“Amplifying through emotions….”

For Adela and Solia, the sources of their emotions were clear.

Adela nodded knowingly, as if she understood.

“For me, it was revenge.”

Her calm admission pierced my heart.

She had set aside the revenge that had been her sole motivation and now sat casually in front of me.

It seemed she was making a conscious effort not to dwell on those past events.

“…Not anymore?”

Adela smiled faintly and shifted the topic.

I didn’t know what kind of conversation she had with Han Taesu, but she appeared to be suppressing her emotions.

Sensing the slightly heavy atmosphere, Adela changed the subject.

“But you’re still hard to figure out. I think it’s best if we go over this step by step. Do you remember any specific moments?”

If I had to list the newly awakened abilities, there were two that stood out: [Tamer’s Touch], which I acquired during the Drake subjugation, and [Healing Light], gained at Professor Grunui’s residence.

Both had been activated in dire situations, but…

Nothing really stands out.

If I had to pinpoint something…

“Survival, maybe?”

“So, does it react in moments when your life is on the line?”

“…But isn’t that true for everyone?”

“Hmm.”

Adela scratched her head at my question.

Trying to find any clues, I began recounting whatever memories came to mind.

Though I hadn’t tried much to expand [Tamer’s Touch], I had attempted to increase the range of [Healing Light].

“To be honest, I figured healing would improve the more I used it… so I tried doing just that.”

Healing is a release-type magic, so no matter how much repetitive training I did, it probably wouldn’t have had much effect.

But not knowing that at the time, I tried various things.

Adela, curious, asked further.

“How?”

“Well, I tested how quickly I could heal wounds, and when that didn’t seem enough, I tried… uh, shocking myself with electricity….”

Oops.

“What?”

“No, no, I didn’t do anything.”

“Who shocked you?”

“N-no one! I didn’t do anything like that.”

“…Yourself?”

“Th-that couldn’t be!”

Damn it, she figured it out.

I wasn’t completely sane, but I didn’t want her to think I was outright insane.

As Adela pressed further, I shook my head fiercely.

How could I explain that I tested my abilities by electrocuting myself?

And how would I even begin to tell her that I passed out doing it?

“It’s true, isn’t it? I’m sure you did.”

Adela kept her suspicious gaze fixed on me.

I waved my hands belatedly in denial, but it was already too late.

Frustrated, Adela shouted.

“Hey, are you insane?”

Shake, shake.

Adela grabbed my shoulders and shook me, questioning my sanity.

“Are you trying to kill yourself?”

“Hey, hey, let go. I’m getting dizzy.”

“You… You seriously! You shocked yourself!”

Even I had to admit that self-electrocution was a pretty crazy thing to do.

I needed to change the subject quickly to avoid more of Adela’s nagging.

Back then, I didn’t know any better and did something stupid, but this time, I could test things properly.

“So, what if we force an extreme situation?”

“What?”

I didn’t know exactly what kind of emotions triggered the awakening of new abilities, but since my abilities awakened in extreme situations, shouldn’t we try to replicate a similar environment?

I suddenly recalled something Adela often joked about.

As an earth mage, she always talked about burying people whenever she got the chance.

With a bright smile, I made a request.

“Why don’t you bury me?”

“…?”

“Not to the point of death, but close enough. Can’t you control it?”

Adela blinked, looking dumbfounded.

“Oh, come on. Just… on the edge, you know. If you try, you can manage it.”

Now she looked at me in disbelief.

“Are you serious?”

Whether it was self-electrocution or being buried alive, both were insane ideas, so it didn’t seem much different to me.

I was that desperate.

With my pathetic abilities that would faint against a dozen dark mages, how could I even think of storming the main force?

That’s why I needed Adela’s help.

“Can you do it?”

Adela, still hesitant, closed her eyes tightly.

“Ha… this….”

“You’ll do it, right?”

“No one’s ever asked me to bury them before… you’re the first.”

Adela still looked utterly baffled but didn’t argue any further.

Alright, burying it is.

I smiled at Adela and asked.

“When should we do it?”

“Sigh….”

“Is it cold at night?”

“Of course it is!”

“Where’s a good sunny spot? Any recommendations?”

“Aaaagh!”

I was busy teasing Adela when Seymour, who had been training Basilus in the corner, came running over urgently.

“It’s done! It’s done!”

His voice was loud enough to make everyone in the workshop turn and look.

I glanced over, wondering what the fuss was about.

Seymour pointed excitedly at Basilus, who he had dragged along.

“Basilus has awakened a new intermediate polymorph spell!”

“What?”

“Really?”

“Polymorph?”

Everyone shot up at once.

“Holy crap.”

Seymour wasn’t lying.

Above Basilus’ head floated the [Intermediate Polymorph] window.

It was a step up from his previous basic polymorph.

The speed at which this happened in just one week was hard to believe.

Naturally, gasps erupted from all around.

I couldn’t hide my excitement either and pressed Seymour urgently.

“So! What can he do now?”

Until now, Basilus’ polymorph was limited to minor changes in body color or appearance—nothing substantial.

Although it wasn’t an advanced polymorph, a dragon’s polymorph spell should be at quite a high level.

Adela’s eyes sparkled as she waited for Seymour’s explanation.

“So, now Basilus can….”

“Yeah, hurry up and tell us.”

“Finally….”

Seymour shouted with a face full of emotion.

“He can grow a third eye!”

What the hell is that?

All eyes turned towards me.

Blink, blink.

Basilus, looking proud, wriggled and let out a happy noise.

“Kuu! Three eyes!”

He really had three eyes.

“Fuck.”