Academy Graduation

It's only been around 2 months since I crafted the Training Accessories.

So, even though they've been steadily aiding my growth, it doesn't mean the results will show immediately.

Well, I suppose my physical strength has grown significantly over the past 3 years, thanks to my Growth Skill, [Strength].

Boosted by my recent gains from the connection of Authorities, I finally managed to surpass the [High] Combat Prowess I'd been stuck in for some time.

Following [High] Combat Prowess, I anticipated reaching [Extreme] Combat Prowess. However...

[Status: Injured ➔ Healthy+

Level: 145 ➔ 180

Mana Pathways: Perfect

Combat Prowess: Weak ➔ Highest

Martial Arts: Karate(Lv.1 ➔ 5)

Sword Arts: Sky Art(Sky Footwork(Lv. 33 ➔ 50), Sky Sword Technique(Lv. 33 ➔ 50), Sky Slash(Lv.23 ➔ 40))

Active Skills: Cooking Master(Lv.6 ➔ 10), Turtle Shell(Lv. 25 ➔ 50), Mirage Veil(Lv.15 ➔ 40), Shadow Step(Lv.1 ➔ 20), Mana Explosion(Lv.1 ➔ 17)(NEW!), Overload(Lv.MAX)

Passive Skills: Body Zen(Lv.15 ➔ 30), Mind's Dominion(Lv.15 ➔ 30), Perfect Human Body(Lv.40 ➔ 60), Mana Control(Lv.34 ➔ 51), Regeneration+(Lv.1 ➔ 30)(NEW!), Limit Breaker(Lv. MAX),

Growth Skill: Strength

Magic: Body Strengthening(Lv.25 ➔ 60), Sword Infusion(Lv.20 ➔ 55), Equipment Enhancement(Lv. 9 ➔ 41), Slime Manipulation(Lv.30 ➔ 77), Restricting Magic(Lv. 5 ➔ 30), Healing Magic(Lv.1 ➔ 39)(NEW!), Weight Adjustment(Lv.1 ➔ 5)(NEW!), Fly(Lv.1 ➔ 10)(NEW!)

Talent: Sword(Lv. 33 ➔ 50), Movement(Lv.33 ➔ 50), Wisdom(Lv.33 ➔ 50), Intuition(Lv.33 ➔ 50), Body(Lv.33 ➔ 50), Determination(Lv.33 ➔ 50), Mana(Lv.27 ➔ 45), Elemental Manipulation(Lv.1 ➔ 22)(NEW!)

Awakening: Sword(7.0% ➔ 10.0%)

You have 60 unused Skill Points]

[You have to wait 83 days until you can return to your consciousness]

Tch.

What a pain in the ass.

But well, I suppose that means my enemies are that strong.

Despite the increase in my skill levels thanks to the interaction between my Talent [Sword] and Talent [Mana], the progression wasn't limitless.

In reality, there has been a significant slowdown in the upgrades to my skill levels recently. The only consistent improvements have been in the levels of my Magic skills, which seem to naturally advance.

As long as I enhance my control over Magic or gain a deeper understanding of a particular spell, it's sufficient for its level to rise.

This explains the hurdle I've been unable to overcome.

What surprises me the most, though, is Alexia's growth.

In the past, I casually imagined she might develop a decent sword technique, something I wouldn't mind incorporating into my own [Sky Sword Technique].

It wasn't something I considered essential, more like a pleasant addition—a nice souvenir.

However, she defied my expectations.

From the beginning, I ceased to view her as merely a means to achieve my objectives.

But that's beside the point.

She may have believed she lacked innate talent, but in my eyes, she was an astonishing prodigy unlike any other I'd encountered.

Comparing herself to me is her only misstep, as I possess several advantages as a Trial Taker originating from a mundane and tranquil world.

But even so.

She drew inspiration from my skills, adopting them as her own and delving into their intricacies more thoroughly than I ever did. In the end, she transformed into a lethal weapon, one I had to approach with caution.

My obscene regeneration doesn't work against her.

Unlike in the initial months when I could effortlessly overpower her, she now compels me to engage in serious combat.

Even after I had so many unfair advantages given to me by the connection of my Authorities, she still forced me to act somewhat seriously.

It would not be a lie to say if we ever fought to kill each other, I'd have an 82.2% of winning.

Some might perceive this as a relatively low percentage, thinking I still hold a considerable advantage.

However, from my perspective, it means that in 10 fights, there's an average of 2 instances where I could die.

To put it in context, my current self boasts a 94.9% chance of winning over Delta.

Despite her magical and physical prowess reaching extraordinary levels in the past 3 years, she is no match for me.

This stark contrast highlights the extent of Alexia's monstrous growth.

Even when the gap between our abilities seems insurmountable, she possesses the capability to kill me.

---

On a different note, I continued exploiting the small 'quirk' I discovered to enhance the strength of [Turtle Shell] and [Mirage Veil].

However, after just a year, I was disheartened to find that there was no further improvement. Well, I guess it's only natural.

My [Turtle Shell] had developed immunity to Magical Power, and my [Mirage Veil] couldn't be pierced anymore either.

It's even more absurd how the limitation of the latter still suggests that anyone capable of using magic would easily see through it.

It wouldn't be effective against someone with [Extreme] Combat Prowess, so it's not exactly a strong asset when facing the final bosses.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even notice when a pair of arms snaked around my neck from behind, pulling me into a soft embrace.

The warmth of her body against mine brought me back to reality, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Are you ready? We need to attend the graduation ceremony."

It's already time, huh.

Attending classes again, even if the Academy experience differed from a typical school, felt peculiar – embracing the role of a student once more.

Yet, I lacked any profound attachment to this sensation, so I casually dismissed it.

"...Yeah. Let's go, Alexia. It's a pain we have to attend the banquet too, though."

To celebrate the graduation from the academy, the Royal Family is throwing a massive banquet.

Attendance is mandatory, given that every graduate represents a potential addition to the Kingdom's military strength.

Though, the Kingdom is not the only one recruiting us.

Nobles from far and wide flock to the event, eyeing the graduates as potential assets for their own agenda.

This arrangement proves beneficial for the graduates and the nobles, creating a win-win situation that makes the banquet a widely accepted and even eagerly anticipated event.

---

Author's Note:

Small explanation here

Status: Healthy+(A result of Akira's [Regeneration+])

Meaning: If the Status says Injured+ it means Akira is recovering. If it's Injured means Akira cannot regenerate atm.

What Akira is seeing: Healthy(Regeneration in progress)

But it's bothersome to write, so Healthy+ it is.

Next chapter we'll focus briefly on Alexia and Akira's relationship.

After that, we will finally be ready to introduce the last part of the Second Trial.

This means we're reaching the end! 

If you have any additional question you believe was not explained throughout these chapters, please feel free to ask them away!