[Raul's PoV]
Several days have passed since the duel between Brian and me...
With the awakening of Brian's power as a Hero, my first objective has been met: making him strong enough to at least protect himself if he ever ends up with his back against the wall.
The next problem involves the Demons. The Demon King surely felt the Hero's awakening the other day. He will likely send his subordinates to root out whoever was chosen for the mantle.
Fortunately, I still have a little time before the Demons track Brian down.
For now, my primary focus is training a select group of students at the Academy to stand against the demonic tide in the future. Some members of the Disciplinary Committee resigned recently, unable to endure the grueling training I imposed.
Honestly, it's for the best. It was mostly the seniors and a few second-years who quit. Now, I just need to find some recruits with actual potential to fill those empty slots.
"Today, you will learn to project your individual Nature Mana."
I was currently attending magic class under Master Erina. In the future, she is destined to become the Head of the Wizard Council, replacing Valeria's father after he falls in battle against the Demon Prince Asmogold.
She was also the one who discovered Brian and brought him to Grunbelt Academy.
"Every human possesses only one Mana Nature," Master Erina explained, lecturing on elemental magic. "Only one in a million can wield more than one." Her gaze briefly flickered toward Valeria.
Mana Nature defines a person's innate affinity. It determines how compatible someone is with specific spells. For instance, if a mage has a Fire Nature, their fire spells will be exponentially more powerful than those cast by someone without it.
Conversely, forcing a spell outside of one's Nature is a waste of energy—it drains more mana and yields pathetic results.
Valeria de Artagnan, however, can use every type of Mana Nature thanks to her Blessing—Endless Wisdom. With that power, she is fated to become the greatest mage in the history of the Empire.
"Attempt to project your respective Natures now. The instructions are on page 17."
Following Master Erina's lead, I opened my palm and focused on projecting my inner energy. Before long, a layer of black mist coiled above my hand.
Raul possesses a Shadow Nature. It's an affinity that boosts stealth and agility. With it, he can manipulate shadows to his whim. However, I recall from the game that when Raul eventually sells his soul to the Demons, he gains a second Nature Mana: Black Flare.
"Once you have identified your Nature, come forward and show me," Master Erina said. "I will record them for the Academy database."
The database is essentially an information card detailing every student's capabilities. The Empire wants to ensure they know the specific magical strengths of their Knights and Mages to better assign them to missions suited to their expertise.
I watched as President Elena stepped forward to face Master Erina.
If I remember correctly, Elena de Aragon possesses a Lightning Nature. This element grants attributes that can multiply the user's speed and physical strength several times over.
The Imperial Family possesses a special kind of mana because they are direct descendants of Aragon, a Wizard with epithet the God of Thunder. This ensures their bloodline always holds a Lightning Nature far superior to that of an average mage.
It wasn't just the Aragons; several Great Noble houses descended from legendary figures were the same, inheriting the signature magic of the ancestors who built their dynasties.
After magic class, Eric and I were scouting the Academy grounds for new recruits to replace the deserters from the Disciplinary Committee.
"Are you sure about this guy?" I asked him, skeptical.
"You have to trust me, Captain. He's easy enough to sway if you give him exactly what he wants," Eric said, trying to reassure me of his choice.
Eric de Andalus is an elite class student and the heir to Count Gerold de Andalus, a high noble from the Western Empire. While Eric's combat skills are mediocre at best, his utility will be invaluable to me in the future.
"Fine. Let's go see him."
We headed to Melina's Tavern, located just outside the Academy. It was a popular spot for regular class students because the prices were much lower than the Academy canteen.
"That's our man, Captain." Eric pointed to a guy slumped at a table.
With a vacant stare, a face that suggested he hadn't washed in days, and an aura of pure gloom, he looked more like a vagrant than an Academy student.
I shot Eric a look that clearly said, 'Are you serious?'
Eric, catching my drift, simply gave a confident nod. We approached the dismal-looking man.
"Joshua de Ginoa?" I asked.
He looked up at me with the glassy, unfocused eyes of a heavy drinker.
"Hic... Yeah... I'm... Joshua... Son of... Hic... Blerrrhhh..."
Mid-introduction, the man vomited all over the tavern floor.
Judging by his behavior, the guy was absolutely hammered.
"Ngghh... Zzzzz..." He suddenly fell fast asleep.
Eric and I dragged him out of the tavern and dumped him in a nearby pigpen. Even in his sleep, a creepy little smile played on his lips. Was he dreaming of something pleasant?
I grabbed a bucket of water and threw it straight into his face.
"Ha...! Marina! Where are you, Marina!?" He bolted upright and tried to hug me with his filth-covered body.
— BAM!
I landed a heavy punch on his face. He tumbled back, clutching his nose and groaning in pain.
"Damn! That hurt like hell, you bastard!" he barked, glaring at me with bloodshot eyes.
"Are you sober now?" I asked coldly.
"Huh? Who are you? What do you want with me? And why am I in a pigpen!?"
Ugh, now that you're awake, you have a lot of questions? How troublesome.
I pulled a gold coin from my pocket and dangled it right in front of Joshua's face. I moved it slowly left to right, then up and down. Joshua's eyes locked onto the coin with predatory focus.
"You want this?"
Joshua nodded frantically, his eyes glued to the gold.
"Join the Disciplinary Committee, and you can have it," I said, feeling like a devil offering a soul-binding contract.
"I'm in! I'm in! Just give it to me!"
I tossed the coin into a huddle of feeding pigs. Without a second thought, Joshua dove into the mud and livestock to retrieve it.
"See, Captain? His dedication to a goal is quite commendable, isn't it?" Eric joked.
No, it just showed how pathetic his life had become.
I let out a long sigh at Eric's ridiculous logic. "Follow us, Joshua."
By the end of the day, we had successfully recruited six new students and brought them to the training arena for an orientation. I surveyed the six "specimens" I had essentially picked up off the street.
A drunkard, a playboy, a magic maniac, a troublemaker, a fallen noble, and a loser.
Rather than a Disciplinary Committee, they looked more like a criminal gang.
Why was I stuck with such a grim bunch? Because no one in their right mind wanted to join a group led by a "rotten noble" like Raul, who was famous for being a cruel jerk. But, given their backgrounds, these people would be far more loyal to me than any ordinary recruit.
"Attention!"
The six of them looked at me, confusion written all over their faces. They were likely wondering why I had brought them here.
"Listen closely," I said, pacing back and forth and catching each of their eyes. "You are losers! Your lives are meaningless, and you are nothing but stains on your family names!"
At my words, they looked down in shame. These were students who had failed their advancement exams—outcasts with only one chance left to pass before being expelled.
"But today, that changes. I am going to turn you from street curs into hunting hounds that the whole world will fear!"
I would turn this committee into the foundation of my army. Now and in the future, these men would be the vanguard against the Demon King's invasion.