How the Shadow of the Marquis Lives

Episode 12

‘Instructor Jung.’

An instructor who is said to have been from the guardian castle that guards the royal family of the fairy palace.

That short name peculiar to half-elves was influenced by the natives who lived there in the past.

A mixed-race half-fairy who is neither a fairy nor a human.

Because of this, they were not accepted as companions by the pure-blooded fairies and were not given their names.

The Salmans, natives of the northern land, embraced such half-elves.

All half-fairies in the current fairy palace are their descendants.

Because of this, they are living under the name of Salmans, not fairies.

Although it is said to be a half-fairy, in reality, the blood of a human, a savage man, is thicker.

only.

‘Even with that sip of blood, he still looks completely different from humans.’

How great is fairy blood, and despite being diluted for hundreds of years, there is still a big difference between half-elves and humans.

Not to mention the characteristics of mana, everything from eating habits to living culture was different.

“Eggy. Is that all there is to it?”

“Oh, it can’t be helped! I am still a student… … .”

“That’s why you should have practiced hard on a regular basis.”

“… … When it’s your turn, I’ll watch. how much does it come out?”

Even so, they are also living in the same era.

If you just listened to the conversation, you weren’t much different from normal human students.

They chatted loudly and measured mana one by one.

Of course, compared to the instructor’s light, the students’ light was like grains of sand on a sandy beach.

Compared to her, who was not enough even after covering the entire classroom, the students’ things were like small candles or, at best, bonfires.

And so did Allen.

“It’s the same with the human elementals.”

“I know. I thought there might be something special.”

The light he lit was a shimmering blue color, as if something were flowing.

The color was unique, but the size was not much different from other half-elves.

“Student Allen… … .”

However, seeing his light, Instructor Yong called Allen with a thoughtful expression.

Is there something different about him as an instructor?

“Is there anything unusual about it?”

“Oh, no. it’s nothing. Good job.”

But she just waved her hand.

Sian tilted his head. It’s a response that doesn’t seem like anything… … .

Well, it wasn’t a dangerous or negative atmosphere.

That’s how Allen Kruger finished the measurement and finally.

Xian’s turn came.

“Finally, it’s Xian’s turn, right?”

“yes.”

Xian approached the podium and placed his hand on the crystal ball.

The students, who were excited when it was Allen’s turn, lost interest like ghosts when it was Xian’s turn.

He looked at Allen’s measurements for the reason that he was a human elementalist, but lost interest in the results that were not particularly unusual.

“I thought I practiced hard, but… … .”

“I’m a bit regretful that this is all I can do. The results are visible, so it’s more piercing.”

Among them, who were talking about their own measurements, Xian raised mana.

I stayed up all night last night and replaced all the existing mana with Ravi’s energy of the night.

The mana that had been accumulated for 12 years with Yeomno.

―Your achievement is amazing, young master. Are you much faster than when I was young?

-okay?

―There is probably no one among his peers who will follow the young master, heh heh heh.

Yeomno said so.

Xian knows he doesn’t talk nonsense. But that didn’t mean I was realizing what he was saying.

Having been confined to the mansion and living alone with Yeomno, he hadn’t met many people his age, let alone his peers.

‘Although the amount of mana increased while changing to the energy of the night.’

Because of yesterday’s incident, the amount of mana increased considerably. I know that fact well, but I don’t know how well the increased mana is compared to others.

It was the first time comparing mana with such an objective indicator.

How high would Yeomno’s guaranteed achievement be compared to others?

With some curiosity, he blew mana into the crystal ball.

however.

The crystal ball did not shine at all.

“huh?”

“what?”

The time when everyone including the instructor raised question marks.

Darkness fell over the entire classroom.

* * *

after class.

“Xian student. Can I see you for a second?”

Xian stood up at Instructor Yong’s call.

After I left the classroom following the instructor, I felt the classroom stir up.

It was a completely different meaning from before the lecture started.

-Awesome… … human… … .

-Guardian… … Instructor… … .

-no way… … Still… … .

When I was measuring mana earlier.

The crystal ball that Xian had picked up was not a bright light like others.

Darkness sucking light. It was so huge that it covered the entire lecture hall.

It didn’t reach the instructor’s light green light, but it was incomparable to other students.

To be honest, even Xian was surprised.

I hope the results will come out like that.

From then on, not only did the half-elves look at him differently, but Allen’s eyes also changed from the beginning.

“amazing! Not only swords, but even spirits!”

It became three times more burdensome than the first time.

How did Instructor Jung soothe such students and proceeded with the class, and now that is over.

Xian received her invitation and arrived at Instructor Yong’s private study room.

After a while.

On the wooden table, a small translucent green spirit faced a round, unknown black creature.

Silane, the wind spirit, and Labyrinth, the black spirit.

Seeing Ravi hesitant as if covering his face, Shilaine tilted her head.

Then, he brought his hands together as if grabbing something and gently waved them towards Ravi.

Ravi, who was intrigued by that, approached Silane little by little.

Let’s come closer

phut!

“yes!”

「Kyahahahaha-!」

As Silane spread her hands wide, a small burst of wind blew out.

Ravi was startled and hurriedly jumped at Xian.

Sian gently stroked him as if to soothe him. Silane laughed and flew around Xian.

“Silain. Don’t be too playful.”

Instructor Yung brought a steaming teacup and spoke with a wry smile. Then Silane flew to her.

She handed the teacup to Xian.

“thank you.”

Sian raised his glass and moistened his lips with a sip.

It’s pretty hot. It wasn’t to the extent that I couldn’t drink it, but I think it should cool down a bit to bring out more flavor.

When I put the glass down again, I saw the instructor’s gaze staring at me.

She smiled.

“That child is the spirit of the Xian students.”

“yes. dark… … No, it is a night spirit.”

Xian answered, recalling what happened last night.

Speaking of dark spirits, regardless of day or night, their powers are activated when they lie in the dark.

But Ravi wasn’t like that. The energy was amplified at night.

The time zone of night, not darkness, was important.

“Then, if you measure it at night, you’ll get better results than before, right?”

“Yes, maybe… … .”

At that, Instructor Yung looked even more surprised.

This is the reason Xian was also surprised at the measurement.

The time when mana was measured was in the morning, far from night.

Even at that time when the power doesn’t come out properly because it’s daytime, what would the night be like?

“Wonderful! It’s not easy to make a contract with a spirit in a human body, but that much. How did you meet that child?”

“We met by chance at the family’s remarks.”

“What if it’s a family?”

“I am the Marquis of Agrid of Somer.”

“aha. Student Xi’an must have been a student of a very high status.”

“… … No, not so much.”

he is only a shadow

A simple terminal that can be used and discarded at any time.

Even if it’s not necessarily that, if it’s the guardian castle of the fairy palace, it’s a much better position than a child without a marquess title.

It’s not like you’re bragging about your status in front of her.

“Whoops, even being humble. No, it’s not humility, is discernment good? Either way, it doesn’t change that you’re a great student.”

Heeding her words moderately, Xian drank the tea. Perhaps because it cooled down to just the right temperature, the fragrance began to rise more abundantly.

After enjoying the aftertaste of the tea for a while, he asked.

“So, why did you call me?”

“There is no particular reason. I just want to have a cup of tea.”

Do you mean that you want to take a picture of your eyes?

“Do you have classes right away?”

“Not in the morning. In the afternoon, there are practical training subjects.”

“If it’s actual training, I’ll be able to go through the day with just one.”

“Perhaps.”

Originally, today, there are classes in the morning and practical training subjects in the afternoon until evening.

It was fortunate that spiritism class was in the morning. If it was in the afternoon, I wouldn’t have been able to apply because it overlapped.

Field training is a compulsory subject that all freshmen must take.

“Ah, may I ask you something, student Xian?”

“What is it?”

“How do you see student Allen?”

She was smiling as usual.

But the only thing smiling is the mouth. Her eyes were more serious than ever.

“Why are you asking that?”

“yes? Ah, what is that, among the freshmen, only two of them are spiritists from Somer? Half-fairies like us have seen quite a few spirits throughout our lives, but humans aren’t like that… … . That’s why I think it would be nice to have a relationship where we depend on each other.”

“okay.”

Nodding his head, Xian thought.

That’s a lie.

Maybe the purpose of this tea time might not be to take a picture of myself, I thought.

Perhaps the main point was to ask about Allen.

‘Since they’re from the same Somer, they seem to be trying to get information from me.’

Unfortunately, there was nothing he could say.

Instructor Yung of Elemental Sorcery cares about Allen Kruger, and with that fact engraved in his head, Xian answered appropriately.

“He seems like a good guy. He seems to be very sociable and seems to be very considerate of others. As appearances are also appearances, they must be popular in the social world.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I… … Other than that… … .”

“well. It’s the first time I’ve seen it, so I don’t know anything. There was no exchange between the families.”

“is it so… … ?”

Instructor Yong sipped tea with a rather disappointed look.

For her purpose being thwarted, Xi’an wasn’t particularly happy or upset.

I don’t even know why she cares about Allen in the first place.

After that, small talk ensued.

When she asked in detail about the first time she met Ravi, Xian made up words to answer.

Eventually, the car fell and Xian stood up.

“It’s a lot of work, everyone. In a foreign country far from home.”

Instructor Yung spoke to him as he was about to leave.

Slightly bittersweet tone.

Does she miss her hometown too? If you miss it, it would be nice to take a vacation and go back.

“It’s not much different from when I was at the mansion.”

Xian replied.

Whether it’s in the mansion or in the dormitory here.

It’s the same for Xian. Because neither was his real home.

He hadn’t set foot on his real home soil since he was five years old.

However, she couldn’t understand Xian’s words and just laughed.

“Ahahahaha. Saying that puts my mind at ease as an instructor. I feel like I am adjusting well.”

“… … Enough then.”

Receiving her send-off, Xian left the lab.

* * *

“Have you been bored for a week?”

A practical training course that all freshmen must take.

Instructor Tail, who came in exactly on time, spoke to the class 1 students.

“Most of you are probably children who have already received considerable education from your family. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have passed the entrance exam. For those of you, the past week must have been really free. Moth must have been sore.”

“… … .”

“… … .”

Silence fell among the students.

Not worth it at all.

The week-long theory classes were intense with no time to rest, and the simple physical fitness tests conducted in between were not simple at all.

Is it time for a break after class?

Not like that.

Someone challenged to a duel aiming for the top ranking, and someone received his duel challenge.

There were people who were stuck in the training room and constantly building their bodies, and there were others who were busy reviewing insufficient theories.

Not a single freshman spent a week comfortably.

But, of course, Instructor Tail didn’t know that.

“I think I’ve been able to relax my body for a week.”

I know everything.

But that was nothing more or less than a warm-up from his point of view.

Because the real thing starts from today.

“It seems that I have adapted well to life here, and from now on, ‘classes’ in Everwhale will begin in earnest. One of them, the long-awaited first class of practical training subjects.”

He looked around at the nervous students and smiled.

“It starts with the actual subjugation. Everyone has good weapons, right?”

Xian’s eyes light up at the words of nervous students and real battle.

and after 30 minutes.

Dozens of wagons carrying all the freshmen gathered at the front gate of Everwhale.