45 Chapter 45 - Entrance Ceremony [2]

A/N: Maybe a day off tomorrow, depends on how I'm feeling really.

***

I stood on the stage, looking down at this year's group of first years. As I was about to introduce myself, a certain child caught my eye. He was well built, tall and had long, white hair along with a pair of piercing, golden eyes.

Fascination.

That is what I felt when I looked at him, a human with an almost transcendent amount of Mana. But, what really intrigued me was that feeling he gave off. Or rather, it was the lack of a presence that I was so enthralled by. It wasn't some high level of presence concealment, he just didn't have a presence.

'And, that kid, the rank 1 of this batch of first years. I remember seeing his fight with Reinhardt. He's a weird one.'

Efficiency. To use Magic, you needed a certain amount of Mana that was based upon the scale of the spell. As Awakened could only vaguely estimate how much was needed, they tended to waste lot's of it. As one's understanding of Mana tended to tie in with their experience, I couldn't fathom how it was possible.

How is it possible for someone to have a better understanding of Mana than I did? The way he used was more efficient than even I, actually, scratch that. It was the most efficient use of Mana that I had ever seen in my life.

But to be honest, I'm more interested in the Reinhardt fellow. He's the first user of Arcane Magic that excels at healing and strengthening themselves. The Arthur guy? Sure, his swordsmanship is amazing, his efficency and his ability to manipulate a grand total of 6 attributes along with his understanding of combat are all amazing.

But it's no fun watching someone who already knows how to do everything grow. I'm more interested in watching Reinhardt grow, and become a real beast.

'He's body, weird. I can't put my finger on what's weird though..'

And with that, I began my speech.

***

I looked at the principal, I was getting a pretty creepy vibe from him. He was giving me weird looks.

'I don't think I've done anything to annoy him..?'

Then, he spoke. His voice was deep, but what was most interesting was that the moment he opened his mouth, everyone in the room shut up without a second. Nobody dared to speak over the man who was touted as the strongest.

"For those of you who don't know, I am Ludwig. I have more than few nicknames, but please, in this Academy, call me 'Principal.' "

He said all of this with a gentle smile, as he smiled, I thought of ways I could kill him. It was an instinctual reaction that stemmed from fear.

It was foolish, a bit silly, and most of all, it was irrational. There was no reason for him to kill me, and it wasn't like he was a bad guy either.

And so, he continued speaking, and I didn't really listen. It was just generic stuff about trying our hardest, to ask for help when needed and stuff along those lines.

"In any case, we'll host a small party for you kids. Just enjoy yourself, you should've been informed of your dorm room already, so once you've had your fun make yourself at home. Your belongings will already be inside. You may leave."

And with that, everyone began to get up, but just as I was about to get up. The old man locked eyes with me, and so, I didn't get up.

I waved a goodbye with the people I was familiar with, and so, the man walked down the stairs of the stage. His steps made almost no sound.

"Reinhardt, your body. Has it undergone... an augmentation surgery of some variety?"

I looked at him, a bead of sweat forming on my forehead. He shouldn't have been able to detect my Dragon God Heart, my soul constantly suppressed it. It should appear to be a normal heart... right?

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He smiled softly at my words.

"Don't play dumb. That body isn't normal. Muscles aren't supposed to be so dense. Bones aren't supposed to be so dense. And, your bones are also... wrapped with an enamel?"

'Ah. Right. My body, of course he could tell that something was weird about it.'

The principal had power over life to some degree due to his bloodline ability. Plants and animals, Mana Beasts included, submitted to his will. Humans were out of his dominion, thankfully. In any case, he had a better understanding of life than others. He could gain an in depth understanding of your body composition, Mana Capacity, and overall strength with a glance.

That was why he could tell that my body was slowly breaking free from it's natural limits.

"It's an effect of my Arcane Attribute's ability to heal, every time I regenerate, my body gets stronger. My body also adapts to poisons I've been infected with previously."

His eyes widened a little, he stroked his chin. As if thinking, before speaking once more.

"Ah yes, regeneration. That's what you specialise in. I think I get it now. Do you know what happens when you regenerate generic wounds? Cell replication, when it comes to regular wounds anyways. In any case, do you know when mutations tend to occur?"