Chapter 14


    On a weekend morning, near Ians lodging, there was an open field.


    In the lingering chill of early dawn, Ian and Danya faced each other.


    In the end, three things are important.


    Danyas eyes widened at Ians three raised fingers.


    Three things? What are they?


    Heart, mind, body.


    I dont understand what that means.


    Danyas eyes started to ze over as difficult words were introduced.


    But Ian, who had learned how to deal with this feline beast, persisted.


    As he waved his fingers gently, Danyas eyes followed their movement.


    Ian began his lecture.


    First, heart. Heart means your attitude.


    Attitude?


    Yeah, your attitude. It signifies how dedicated you are to your growth.


    Hmm.


    Look around. Do you see anyone else waking up early like us for training? No? So, attitude is crucial.


    Attitude.


    The theory Ian was currently conveying to Danya wasnt the Mind, Body, Spirit doctrine that had spread in 21st-century South Korea.


    It was more appropriate to call it the Mind, Body, Spirit Growth Theory.


    A weekend without sses.


    On weekends without sses, there was no day off from training, no matter how much it felt like a weekend.


    Without fail, he woke up early in the morning near their lodging to train, and Danya joined in.


    I just happened to pass by and thought Id check it out!


    Thats what I say.


    At least, thats what she imed. Well, whether training alone or together, the benefits were simr, so Danya decided to participate.


    Next is mind in Mind, Body, Spirit. This one represents mana.


    Mana Mana is difficult.


    Danyas ears and tail drooped.


    It was understandable.


    Being a beastmen, she found it challenging to filter out only the mana of her elemental affinity due to her overly developed senses.


    On the other hand, Ian had no difficulty handling mana.


    Thanks to Pongpong, who had worked diligently at the top of Emilias hierarchy, Ian had deeply ingrained mana sensitivity.


    Hmm, give me a moment.


    ?


    Ian looked at the perplexed Danya and had an idea.


    Among the various elements present in mana, could I extract only the grass element?


    Danya was a Grass Elemental Mage.


    If she could feel only the mana of the grass element, her growth might explode exponentially.


    Anyway, Danya was Ians firstrade in the academy. She was someone he could trust enough to throw himself into the dark hole for her sake.


    I thought it wouldnt be a bad idea to help Danya grow.


    The thought of assisting Danyas growth didnt seem bad at all. Ian also believed that refining his mana perception might be beneficial for his own growth.


    Ian lightly closed his eyes and began expanding his senses.


    Being a modern person, feeling mana wasnt too difficult for Ian.


    Exclude one familiar sensation at a time, and what remains is the unfamiliar feeling Mana.


    Normally, I only felt the earth element.


    This time, he concentrated harder.


    The faint scent of soil flowing from the earth element. Beyond that, he imagined seeds. From those seeds, small sprouts emerged.


    The scent of grass swaying in the wind and the y of light filtering through the leaves.


    <Extraction>


    The moment he grasped something, Ian immediately used extraction and transformation magic in session.


    Ian quietly opened his eyes.


    On his outstretched index finger, small green droplet-shaped crystals were scattered.


    Danya approached as if spellbound.


    Is this for real?


    Touch it.


    Woo wow.


    Like a cat with its favorite toy, Danya toyed with the green grass elemental crystals here and there.


    Watching her with satisfaction, Danya, who cherished the elemental crystals, looked at Ian and her eyes sparkled.


    Ian! Youre a genius, nya!


    Lately, it wasnt well-known, but Danya sometimes added nya to her sentences when she got excited. Maybe it was a habit from when she was young?


    Anyway, you could tell she was quite excited at a nce.


    Ive never heard of a mage who can crystallize other elements!


    Is that so?


    Yeah!


    Isnt that because youre only in the Holy Land?


    Uuuuu! Now that I think about it, maybe thats true.


    Just kidding.


    Ian teased the sulking Danya for a moment, lost in thought.


    Is this really that difficult?


    Certainly, even in the setting of Fantasy X Academy, there were no characters who dealt with multiple elements.


    Well, its not like I was handling different elements.


    In fact, he had only used the most basic <Extraction> and <Transformation> spells for the earth element.


    He still felt that hecked an understanding of this world.


    Ahem.


    Standing up from his spot, Ian extended hisst finger, the final piece of the Mind, Body, Spirit Growth Theory.


    Lastly, body refers to your physical form, your body.


    Danya narrowed her pupils as if she were skeptical.


    Why are you looking at me like that?


    Even skinny one like you


    Hitting where it hurts, huh?


    Heh, I have to be.


    Hop.


    Danya leaped onto a nearby tree stump and raised her arm.


    Ian carefully examined Danyas small yet seemingly resilient body. As he observed her body, which was quite different due to her being a beastperson, when he was about to check her chest muscles, Danya suddenly hugged her own body.


    What are you looking at?


    It doesnt seem like theres anything special


    Thats !!!


    He received several punches.


    It was unfair.


    He swore it was about the chest muscles.


    Getting hit like this made him realize once again.


    Pongpongs body is definitelycking in muscles.


    It was only natural.


    Pongpong had never exercised. At most, he had walked around stalking heroines.


    His body was practically no different from a skeleton.


    Of course, Ian was paying attention to this aspect as well.


    Push-ups, nks, lunges, and more.


    After building a basic core, he nned to start serious strength training.


    Anyway, bnce is crucial in the Mind, Body, Spirit Growth Theory. Thats what I meant.


    I understand now.


    Now, it seemed like Danya finally got it as she nodded her head.


    However, Ian was different.


    Even after saying it himself, he still felt something wascking.


    What am I missing?


    His contemtion didntst long.


    There was one element that was subtly missing from the Mind, Body, Spirit Growth Theory.


    Knowledge.


    More precisely, knowledge and experience about this world. Of course, he had yed Fantasy X Academy all night to the point where he had mastered even the minor settings.


    But that was learning and experiencing the world from behind a screen.


    The library.


    That was the reason Ian had left Danya and headed to the academy on the weekend.


    As always, he got lost on the way.


    The Academy was just too vast. It would have been nice if there were mini-maps or something.


    Hey! Im Ian! Sorry, I have a boyfriend right now!


    When he asked people for directions, no one responded normally. He couldnt have a proper conversation with anyone.


    After wandering around, he finally reached the library.


    The smell of paper and books definitely warmed his heart.


    However, the library was quite vast.


    At a nce, it seemed to stretch endlessly.


    Fortunately, there was a librarian near the entrance. She seemed to be engrossed in her book, not paying any attention to who wasing.


    Still, he felt bad for interrupting her.


    Excuse me. Id like to ask a question.


    Name.


    Ian ckangers. Do I need a library card or something to read here?


    The librarian raised her head.


    No, did she raise it?


    Her movements were so subtle that only her sky-blue hair briefly came to mind before sinking down again.


    Verification for reading eligibility. Just read the books.


    Can I borrow books as well?


    Your grades are low.


    Why are you suddenly poking at my weak spots?


    You can borrow one book. Reading is unlimited. You can borrow more if your grades improve.


    But something feels off?


    Wait a moment.


    In response to Ians question, the librarian nced at him indifferently.


    Why shouldnt those who cant study be allowed to borrow more books, while those who do well can?


    He didnt expect an answer.


    Nevertheless, the librarians gaze remained indifferent.


    Silently, she lowered her head.


    Was there no point in responding?


    People get hurt.


    Then, she opened her mouth slightly.


    You must read quietly, and dont damage the books. Return them to their original ces after reading.


    Ian shrugged.


    Well, I didnt n to borrow any anyway. Ill be spending all my time studying magic and exercising at my amodation. Ill only read books here.


    Even if she goes to the dorm anyway, time flies because she has to learn magic and exercise. I only read books at the library.


    Ah, if possible, could you rmend some books?


    The librarians head tilted ever so slightly.


    It seemed like a positive response.


    Hmm.


    Come to think of it, it was difficult to express the type of books he wanted to borrow. A beginners guide to the Fantasy X Academy world what should he call it?


    After a brief moment of contemtion, Ian spoke.


    If there were a first-time traveler to this world, what books would you rmend to help them understand this world?


    For a moment, the librarians gaze seemed to change.


    Did her lips curl up slightly?


    Perhaps she found the question unusual?


    She jotted something down on a small piece of paper and handed it to him.


    Thank you.


    A rather peculiar librarian.


    Ian nodded his head and turned to leave.


    But then, her voice reached his ears once more.


    And


    Silently, she raised her index finger to adjust her sses and looked at him.


    Her voice was hushed, like a whisper.


    No dating, confessions, etc., are allowed.


    That b*stard Pongpong.


    Was he going around confessing to people even here?


    Alright.


    Ian rubbed his slightly dizzy forehead and continued walking.


    But he couldnt help but think that the library was just too vast.


    The width of one floor of the building was about the size of a ser field.


    At first, it was impressive, but as he walked, it became daunting.


    How could he find books in a ce like this?


    Ian checked the note the librarian had given him in frustration.


    The writing seems like it was printed by aputer.


    [History of Lichten]


    [A Tour Around the Continent]


    How on earth was he supposed to find these in such a vast ce?


    Frustrated and overwhelmed, Ians inner Modern Man Kim Ian began to surface.


    These uncivilized fantasy b*stards.


    They dont even have book search machines, and they justy books out like this in such a disorganized manner? Wasnt this extremely inefficient?


    Do I have to teach them the <Dewey Decimal ssification System> from my world or something?


    Oh no.


    Once again, Ian found himself immersed in a scenario that felt like it belonged in a story of his own. A surge of unfounded confidence welled up within him.


    Sparkle!


    The note handed to him by the librarian suddenly illuminated, and it then pointed him in the direction where the books he sought could be found.


    She was remarkably intuitive and helpful.


    Ah.


    Ian nodded in understanding.


    Indeed, magic was superior to science in situations like this.


    Ian systematically went through the list of books, focusing on the essentials.


    [History of Lichten]


    A book detailing the history of Lichten Academy and the city-state of Lichten.


    [A Tour Around the Continent]


    Sacred Constantine in the south, the Kingdom of Galia in the west, and the Prussian Empire in the north.


    This book described important countries and key geographical features of the continent.


    And.


    [Elemental Gods]


    The content about the Earth Element could not be omitted.


    Of course, there were no secrets rted to mana magic found in publicly avable books, but stories about each element were even more detailed.


    Is this more specific than I thought?


    Above all, there was a detailed description of the Goddess of Earth, Gaia.


    It would be quite helpful when seeking her blessings in the future.


    For now, he pushed it as much as possible into his memory.


    As he concentrated and skimmed through only the essentials, he suddenly found himself at the end of the list.


    [Hero Daves Chronicles]


    [A quiet, wicked girl prefers a rough but caring butler.]


    Dave the Heros Chronicles seemed like a fairy tale book, maybe.


    Wait a minute.


    ?


    Whats thisst book?


    Did she write it poorly?


    Ian recalled the librarians face.


    An endlessly rational andposed face.


    Would she read a book like that?


    No, she probably wouldnt.


    Actually, she was either tired or half-closed his eyes.


    She must have been mistaken.


    Lets pretend he didnt see it.


    Then lets assume theres nost book.


    Hero Daves Chronicles.


    Following the guidance of the note, Ian naturally walked toward the bookshelf filled with fairy tale books.


    Why did she rmend fairy tales?


    As he scanned the titles of the fairy tale books on the bookshelf, Ian became lost in thought.


    Maybe the librarian wanted to talk aboutmon sense.


    Even though it was just a book, maybe she wanted to say that if people in this world could share their childhoods, they could create empathy with each other.


    Its romantic.


    As he searched through the titles of the books


    [Dragon Hunter James]


    [Hero Daves Chronicles]


    Found it.


    He reached out towards the book.


    Tock


    At the same time, someone elses hand reached out towards the book and collided with his.


    Im sorry.


    Ian quickly lowered his head.


    Th-thi-


    But the other persons reaction was strange.


    Why were they stumbling over their words like that?


    When Ian raised his head, he finally understood the reason.


    You Ian?


    Messy ck bangs that covered her eyes.


    A chestrge enough to contain her holy power.


    Her unstable mental state matched her gloomy personality.


    And, a Saintess Candidate.


    Aria?


    Aria Lumines Bell.


    Standing there was another heroine and Pongpongs childhood friend.


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