Flash-!
-Grrrraaaar!
It seems the saying that it gets destroyed when Aura touches it was not just empty talk.
As soon as the hurriedly released Aura touched the combat doll, it let out a grotesque scream and literally 'melted'.
"Ha...."
I truly overcame a crisis of death.
Having seen my life flash before my eyes, enough said.
A sigh of relief flowed out naturally.
Maybe it is because of the overly stimulating experience.
Extreme fatigue rushed in.
I want to rest.
To be precise, I want to feel the addictive taste of Super Recovery.
I must hurry to Kailon Hall.
'Ah, right.'
As I turned my body trying to escape this place, something I had to tell Ailon came to mind.
"Ailon."
Since the schedule for the academic conference has approached right before my nose, it seems it will be unreasonable to join Ailon's research-
"Going easy ends here."
Although I omitted something quite significantly, since he is a smart guy, he probably understood roughly.
Let's rest now.
Quickly.
***
Ailon could truly be described as a crazy bastard.
If it is to collect the data he wants, he does not look back.
Of course, he prepares safety devices.
This experiment was the same.
The rampage of the combat doll was not an experiment failure, but a part of the plan Ailon devised.
He intentionally staged such a situation to collect data to melt his strength into D-Log.
He tried to refer to Professor Lucas's Aura, but what was known was suspiciously nonexistent.
It was so during the lecture, and it was so when the demons invaded Kailon Hall.
So he had no choice but to step forward directly.
Ailon intentionally manipulated the situation to see his Aura.
He planted a rampage code on purpose and created a situation where Lucas had no choice but to draw out his Aura.
Furthermore, since the combat doll used in this test was made of special alloy material so that ordinary strikes wouldn't even leave a scratch, he would have no choice but to bring out Aura.
Of course, there was a moment he thought was dangerous, but he believed in Lucas firmly.
Because there cannot be even an inch of doubt regarding his strength.
Essentially, it was because Lucas existed that he could plot such a reckless plan.
In other words, Lucas was the safety device of this experiment.
Ailon's prediction was accurate, and he was finally able to check Professor Lucas's Aura directly.
'Is this Professor Lucas's Aura?'
It is an Aura of a color difficult to describe.
He has seen countless Auras until now, but it was definitely a color he had never seen before.
It looked holy like that of the Holy Empire's knights, yet it seemed to have a blue tint at a glance, while a reddish energy hovered around.
It looked turbid yet clear.
He could assert that it was an Aura of a color he was seeing for the first time in his life.
It is to the point of feeling ecstatic.
Ailon recorded this entire situation as a video.
Satisfactory.
"Ailon."
While he was calculating in his head for a long time how to graft the newly collected data this time, Lucas's voice was heard in Ailon's ear.
Perhaps because he had a guilty conscience, it sounded like it had sunk even colder than usual.
"...Going easy ends here."
Lucas, leaving a chilly warning, brushed past Ailon and headed outside just like that.
He couldn't find room to make an excuse, nor could he think of doing so.
It is blank, as if the thing called 'thinking' has stopped for the first time in his life.
'He knew... everything.'
The cool warning Lucas left wrapped around Ailon's whole body with a sting.
***
Slash-!
The downward cut that is now all too familiar.
Unlike the beginning when it was difficult to perform properly due to the characteristic of Basic Swordsmanship which treats even a millimeter deviation as a failure, now it is at a point where it is harder not to receive a success judgment if I set my mind to it.
[You have completed the daily training.]
[Daily reward is provided.]
The effect of Super Recovery washed over my whole body refreshingly.
The fatigue that was weighing down my whole body until a moment ago disappeared like a lie.
'Phew, shall I prepare for the academic conference in earnest now.'
As the method called Ailon's combat doll appeared, a breakthrough was created.
On top of that, I even obtained the best option called Aura.
'There is no problem with the demonstration.'
I just have to perform a perfect 'act' with thorough practice during the remaining period.
The skills of numerous strongmen that will follow as a side benefit will overwhelmingly increase my survival power.
And above all.
'This Aura.'
My Aura possessing a profound color.
Perhaps because it is made in the Gold Shop, it is indeed a quite peculiar color compared to other Auras described as close to primary colors.
'Essentially, I thought I wouldn't be able to have it in my lifetime....'
That price is not 10,000 or 20,000 Gold, but 100,000 Gold.
It was the first item I checked in the Gold Shop, but that amount was a tremendous barrier.
Although many readers give donations, isn't the amount of 100,000 Gold an absurdly high price?
The reason I started saving gold without using it much in the first place is because I kept this Aura in mind the most.
To increase the possibility even a little.
If the damned system hadn't forced unreasonable choices in the middle, I would have let it sit until it became 100,000 Gold.
Although there was one setback (?), I eventually got it in my hands.
The emotion is new once again.
Gratitude towards the readers springs up wildly.
'Wait. I think I saw... something about a condition earlier.'
At that time, it was a moment where my life was hanging by a thread, so I couldn't check it.
Since I remembered, let's check it.
===
Aura (Identity Skill)
Trait: Evil Crushing Possesses overwhelming dominance limited to Evil attributes. However, points are consumed for activation and maintenance.
'This thug-like system. I knew it would be like this.'
Points are consumed not only for activation but also for maintenance.
In other words, it means it is a skill where points leak out just by keeping it on.
However, if there is a fortunate thing, it is that it consumes points which increase in proportion to views, favorites, recommendations, and comment counts, not a currency like gold which has a limit in acquiring.
Furthermore, when urgent, I can convert gold to points.
'It was good that I carefully saved it.'
The fact that I barely used points until now became a godsent move.
It isn't that I didn't think about raising stats.
Actually, I tried raising other stats besides Presence and whatnot.
Strength, which is the highest among my current stats.
But investment itself was not possible beyond 100.
I was thinking of setting other stats to 100 as well, but I was refraining thinking there might be something, and to think it tries to consume it in this way.
I held back well, myself.
And thank you to all the readers who added to favorites, recommended, and commented.
When I used it briefly to check the consumption amount, I could confirm the tremendous rip-off where just activating it consumes 1,000p, and 10p per second.
However, since I have accumulated a lot, it is not at a level to worry about.
Still, the remaining points are plentiful.
'It is time to consume points.'
The three stats called P, S, A.
Physique, Strength, and Agility.
I should set at least these three to 100.
In an instant, tremendous points drained out, and Physique and Agility also hit 100.
And at that moment.
[Minimum condition has been reached.]
[Stat grade lock has been released.]
[Physique – 100>1(F)]
[Strength – 100>1(F)]
[Agility – 100>1(F)]
[Limited to stats with assigned grades, the cost of currency consumed during upgrade increases twofold.]
'Right, it should be like this to be a shitty game.'
Now this level of betrayal doesn't even itch.
***
'No, this isn't it.'
Jesse's Trionic Sword was developing brilliantly day by day.
It was already at a level easily surpassing the previous family heads, and was getting closer and closer to that of Trion, the founder of the Trionic Sword.
But Jesse was still feeling an endless inadequacy.
'Professor Lucas did not move like this.'
Just the 1st Form.
It was the easiest, most concise, and fundamental form among the various forms of the Trionic Sword.
Yet with just that form, Lucas delivered a resonance of the soul.
However, his own Trionic Sword still remained a dance.
Since the comparison target is Lucas, naturally his existence looks pathetic enough to be wretched.
He hated his weak self.
"Your worries seem deep, Jesse Athlon."
At that time, someone's voice struck Jesse's ear.
Jesse turned his head and checked the owner of the voice.
"What brings you here? #@%."
"Did I come to a place I shouldn't come?"
"That isn't it but...."
"To be diligent in training until this late hour. You must want to become strong quite badly."
"...So what."
He gave a natural answer to an all too natural question.
"How about if I can grant your wish."
"My wish?"
"Right. To place everyone beneath your feet with powerful strength. Isn't that your wish."
He hit the nail right on the head.
Just like his words, isn't the thirst for strength the driving force that makes Jesse alive.
"Can I really become as strong as I want?"
"Of course."
He nodded confidently.
"Here, take my hand. Then I will give you the strength you want."
His eyes glistened with demonic energy.
"...You, were you a demon...?"
"Yes, I am the Monarch of Yokai and Demons, Baltan. The one who will grant you power."
Jesse's eyes wavered.
***
[Temporary Class Cancellation Notice]
We inform you that Professor Lucas, the instructor of 'Everything About Battle', has been invited as a lecturer to the 'World Combat Studies Forum' held from XX Month XX Day, so 'Everything About Battle' will be temporarily cancelled until the academic conference schedule ends.
Students of 'Everything About Battle' please take note of this.
Inquiries regarding the lecture: Combat Dept. Teaching Assistant, Rit (MXQ52472XZ) Extension 117
***
Preparations are perfect.
Using the combat doll received from Ailon, I perfectly mastered the content of the lecture, and prepared for every question within the predictable range.
[A new notification has arrived.]
[k2929 has donated 100G.]
[Onibi has donated 300G.]
[Astore has donated 1,000G.]
[cat956 has donated 1,000G.]
[Agubagu has donated 100G.]
[Pinic has donated 100G.]
[Pinic has donated 100G.]
[JokerJotker has donated 300G.]
[BedSloth has donated 300G.]
Readers even packed me a hefty allowance (?) telling me not to be nervous.
"Rit, let's go."
I loaded myself into the highest-grade magic carriage prepared by Dust Industries.
The destination is the capital of the Ermel Empire.
"Let's depart."
With a heavy sound, the carriage departed but-
Screech-!
"S-Sorry, Professor."
It stopped suddenly.
Fortunately, an incident where I lost my balance and lost my dignity did not happen.
"What is the matter?"
"I will resolve it soon."
The driver got out of the car in a hurry.
But it seems it is not being resolved easily; it is noisy.
When I activated the window to check the situation, the scenery outside was clearly visible.
The face seen outside the car window is quite familiar.
As I lowered the window, he rushed over this way.
"What is the matter, Torres."
His whole body was covered in sweat, and with not a single drop of blood in his face, he looked precarious like a person about to die soon.
"I don't think you are a person who would do such a thoughtless act."
"S-Sorry, Professor. I-I was in such a hurry that I didn't have the leeway to think this and th...."
"The introduction is long. Just say the main point."
"P-Professor, please help!"
He couldn't control his emotions and began to howl desperately.
"With what."
"Y-Young Master. Young Master Jesse is...."
In an instant, an ominous premonition began to storm in.