Looking at his hand, Enrico stared at the place where he had injected the syringe into his veins. As he had asked the heavens and they surprisingly accepted his request, a bit of blood was left in the syringe. He had used it right after Renzou.
Name: Enrico Solcren Ferreira
Fire magic circle 6 27%
Water magic circle 6 27%
Mana amount: 1786
Unique ability: Elemental Clone/Transformation
Soul: 119
'To think that just that little made my percentage evolve so much… without a doubt I would become a seventh circle at eighty percent.'
[It's so good to see you regretful.]
'I'm almost regretful. I still haven't changed my idea that this was the smartest choice.'
Enrico was in the carriage heading back to Astrong Academy after three days at the festival Tsuyokuni held for the emperor for becoming a tenth circle. He couldn't lie that it was a bit tiring, because the entire Akirama family hovered over him thanking him and making several promises to help him for having made someone from the family reach such a level.
[What's really tiring is seeing you receive all these gifts, not only from the family but also from mages and elders.]
The system was right. Right behind him there were at least ten more carriages full of gifts and guards escorting them. Without a doubt, he had received a lot from them.
'Well, that makes sense if you think that I gave the information about the castle in the sky, the two daughters who made a deal with me are considered among the five strongest, I cured the emperor—'
[I get it, you did a lot of things for him.]
In front of him, Rina, Aoi, and Yumeha were talking about something. Sitting on the floor with her knees forward near the carriage door, her hands raised and three magical bricks of three tons each, was Sisaka, with a serious face but trembling as if she wanted to cry.
"Teacher… can I get out?"
"No, this is your punishment for putting yourself in danger."
"How long… will I stay… here?"
"Until we arrive at our academy."
Upon hearing his words, she trembled even more, and this time a small tear fell from her left eye. She didn't like the punishment, but if her teacher said so, she would accept it.
'I thought he would give a lighter punishment… I hope the teacher forgives me for being reckless.'
They were now halfway there, and she already knew what her mistake was, so she would admit it without doubt. Seeing his disciple understand her mistake, he nodded slightly with satisfaction.
'Very well. Ten minutes before we arrive, I'll release her.'
[…you really are cruel, there are still five hours left to arrive.]
'That's right, and ten minutes is enough for her to understand and not do it again.'
Even while punishing her, Enrico decided that he would give her some tips about manipulating spiritual construction magic. He would talk about the purple samurai armor; it was already time for her to start developing and, of course, awaken her ego weapon.
'I really am a good teacher.'
[Maybe you are, but to me you're a cruel teacher.]
Ignoring the comments of someone he didn't care about, Enrico spoke to Sisaka, who became excited upon hearing the words "special training" to do during the five hours in total. Upon arriving, Enrico said goodbye to a relieved Sisaka, who was now free. With her fist raised, she thanked him sincerely, determination in her eyes.
"Thank you for releasing me early, teacher. You're the best."
"I know that."
"I promise I will work hard so your percentage won't be wasted."
Aoi had asked him what that was, and he replied saying it was an ability for the girls. He only asked them to tell the others in the dormitory; it was better to keep it secret for a while until he became stronger.
'Unique abilities are really a good excuse for my abilities, hehe.'
[Please wipe that sly cat smile off your face, it's uncomfortable.]
'Never.'
With a final goodbye, he took his leave, and with an arrogant face she was already planning to reveal her evolution to Kaela and Irina, unable to wait to see their reactions, especially that of her rival.
"Shall we go back to the dormitory then, Master?"
"Not now, I have to go talk to someone first."
"Who?"
With a wink from him, Yumeha already knew who it was, since he had mentioned to her before that he would go to the prison. With a nod, she dragged Rina and Aoi along, who wanted to enter the dormitory with them, hugging him.
"Why, Sister Yumeha? Don't you want to make the others jealous?"
"That's right, they would make such a funny face seeing that our relationship increased."
"I want to, but the master has to settle some matters, and I want you to help me arrange a new bed for someone who is in a coma."
With awkward expressions, the two followed Yumeha while Enrico walked toward where his objective would be. It didn't take him long to arrive, and on the way he ran into Narisse, wearing a light noble cloak, arms crossed, without a doubt waiting for him.
"You knew I was coming back?"
"Of course, Sanos always manages to get information about its greatest assets."
"Why do you talk as if I were an object?"
"You were born to feel that way. You are Sanos' most valuable object."
For the first time, Narisse caught him off guard by admitting that so easily. Maybe that was because he liked it when people simply told the truth right away.
[Tsk, I hate her and Elowyn.]
'At least they're honest.'
Upon entering the prison, he was escorted by Narisse to one of the deepest cells. Along the way, some guards bowed before letting them pass.
"Why all that bowing?"
"Of course they would do that, you are the princess's consort."
"Did you reveal that to everyone by any chance?"
"Yes, everyone has to know that you belong to her."
With an annoyed expression, Enrico entered the last door, stepping into a prison with the name "traitor" written in front. Looking inside, Enrico narrowed his eyes upon seeing a former subordinate of Elowyn.
"You were really cruel to her."
"Before we knew what you told us, she had betrayed us, so…"
"She should have listened to me years ago and accepted my help."
Enrico scratched his head with his left hand while looking at Velka, who had marks of several burns and cuts spread all over her body. Her hair was short, and he could see that she was truly unconscious.
'It's going to be hard to take care of someone in a coma, but if I get what I want, it'll be great… damn it.'