I stood in the middle of the room, holding a suitable length of tree branch that I had found outside.
The student-exclusive free dormitory at the Empire Academy provided spacious rooms for each individual, even though it was free, so it didn't hinder my training.
Speaking of the dormitory, while there were dormitories provided for free, there were also dormitories that required payment.
Most of those dormitories were occupied by noble heirs or children of influential figures.
I heard that the quality of the rooms didn't differ much from here, but it felt like they occupied those dormitories to showcase their wealth and status.
"I bet the previous Adrias would have tried to get into those dormitories if he had the money."
There's a saying that birds of a feather flock together.
Naturally, friendships were formed within each dormitory and gatherings were common.
The connections I made through such interactions often continued even after graduating from the academy.
Of course, graduates are welcomed anywhere simply because they graduated from Rodren Academy.
However, it cannot be denied that paid dormitories were more efficient in forming connections.
"What are connections? I should be worried about graduating first."
As I muttered to myself, Nickel glanced at me with a strange look.
Was it an overreaction? Even though Nickel was just a skull, there was no reason for it to give me that kind of look.
Focus!
Nickel wrote something with its finger.
"Yes, Master."
I wasn't sure how much self-awareness Nickel had, but it seemed to have a unique personality.
What kind of person starts practicing swordsmanship right after being resurrected as a skeleton?
Whether Nickel knew about my thoughts or not, I took the branch I had given it and assumed a stance.
Since I had asked for the basics in detail, we started with how to hold a sword and the proper stance.
"Like this?"
As I followed the basic stance somewhat accurately, Nickel lightly tapped my body with the branch.
But unexpectedly, it had some force behind it.
"Is it because I'm a skeleton? Why is it so strong?"
From then on, I learned the basics under Nickel's guidance.
It was the guidance of a level 4 master.
Perhaps enjoying such luxury is rare in this world.
No, maybe I'm the only one.
Those high and mighty individuals are too busy with their own nonsense to bother training disciples.
Of course, it was just my speculation.
At least the people I met in the game were all abnormal in their own ways.
It wasn't limited to just Aura Master, but most of the named individuals who seemed somewhat powerful were like that.
Just think about Bahat, whom I met last time.
His inspiration was a concept that blinded him.
Maybe when I meet him again, he'll be doing some other strange disguise or trick.
"Ugh, am I in a position to criticize others?"
Strength is everything.
As long as you're strong, you can get away with anything.
Thud!
"Ah!"
Nickel's branch struck my forehead.
But it hurt more than I had imagined.
Focus!
I immediately took the branch and wrote something.
Looking at it now, my own skull wasn't normal enough to be considered an Aura Master.
Mana doesn't just increase by existing in this world.
Of course, as you age and your body grows, your mana naturally increases.
But the moment growth stops and aging begins, mana decreases.
The only way to increase mana was through consistent mana usage.
Just like muscles in the body, if you use and recover mana continuously, the amount gradually increases.
However, using mana without any meaning or purpose was inefficient.
It increased, but the growth was slow.
That's why, regardless of being a magician or a swordsman, training alongside practical experience was essential.
"Hoo, hoo."
A foul odor escaped from my mouth.
Sweat poured out like rain, and my arms were already trembling at their limits.
But I never lowered my arms or let go of the branch.
Swish!
Nickel swung its sword.
Standing beside it, I swung my sword as well.
But there was no sound of cutting through the air like Nickel, and it wavered weakly.
When I lifted my swinging arm again, my shoulders felt like they were about to tear apart.
"Hoo!"
I barely managed to lift my arms, but it felt like they would fall to the ground any moment.
Still, I took a deep breath and didn't let them down.
That's enough.
Nickel wrote something in the air.
"I can still go on."
Although I tried to provoke it for no reason, my arms immediately dropped.
Tremendous pain spread from both shoulders to the muscles in my back.
"Did I overdo it?"
But there was a good reason for pushing myself so hard.
Unlike magicians who could naturally handle mana with their innate talent, swordsmen awakened their understanding of mana through constant physical training.
Of course, those with talent close to zero couldn't awaken their understanding of mana even through training, but generally, this method worked for about four or five out of ten people.
That's why most nobles who lacked talent as magicians immediately started knight training.
"In other words, if a magician's talent is around 90%, a knight's talent is only about 60%."
While talent was an important factor, it wasn't comparable to magic, so it was worth a try.
Moreover, many weak individuals had talent but didn't put in the effort.
That's how important effort was to swordsmen.
"Effort? I worked out like eating when I was Kim Jin-hwan."
I may have done more than just eat.
I had confidence in my physical abilities.
As I indulged in pointless thoughts, I decided to check my skill proficiency.
―Black Magic: Basic Command (22/100) 〉〉 Skeleton Summoning LV3
"Wow."
It had increased by 2 in just five hours.
It was sweet to see the proficiency increase without consuming mana.
The story was that if I summoned it for about 200 hours, it would become an elementary command.
"Of course, once it becomes elementary, the rate of proficiency growth will slow down significantly. And it's meaningless if I don't learn elementary magic."
I admired my increased proficiency and took a break when Nickel approached me and patted my shoulder.
It felt like the touch of a grandfather saying, "Well done."
And then, Nickel immediately began swinging its sword again.
It was my own skull, but it felt tingly.
In a way, it could be considered an advantage of being a skull.
As a skull, I never got tired.
"You might have been better off becoming a skull."
Because I ended up training endlessly, how great was that?
As I absentmindedly watched Nickel's movements, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
If I continued training without any instructions, my skills would surely improve quickly under Nickel's guidance.
To prevent fatigue?
In the game, I used tricks with potions.
Whenever my stamina ran low, I would drink a potion and continue training.
'Can't I do it too?'
Coincidentally, I have Bahat's card.
It grants unlimited use of potion ingredients.
Of course, simply using health-boosting potions alone was meaningless.
What I need right now is...
"Restoration and Regeneration potions."
Restoration potions and Regeneration potions are different.
Restoration potions restore the body to its original state and are mainly used for healing internal injuries and fatigue recovery rather than external trauma.
For external injuries and visible wounds, Regeneration potions were used to accelerate the healing process.
In the game, I used health potions and restoration potions as tricks, but this is reality.
'With Regeneration potions, I can shorten the time it takes for muscles to be destroyed and regenerated, and recover from fatigue with health-boosting and restoration potions.'
In theory, with just potions, infinite training was possible with determination and effort.
Of course, drinking Regeneration potions doesn't immediately heal torn muscles, but at least it significantly speeds up the training cycle.
But that's not the case here.
"I need to make it right away. This year is the only chance to suck up honey."
When I have Bahat's card, as much as possible!
It's time to create new potions.
On the continent of Luderion, there were numerous countries and factions.
Among them, the Empire of Roderen exerted immense influence at the heart of the continent.
There were few places untouched by their influence, except beyond the northern mountains, to the point where it was not an exaggeration to say that their dominance was displayed.
As such, leading the trend and being most sensitive to information, the capital of the Empire was bustling with its daily affairs.
"Lord Gaja, I have updated the list of incoming freshmen and the reports of current students scheduled to enroll next year."
Upon the butler's words, Count Claus, with his intense red hair reminiscent of a lion's mane, nodded his head.
"Yes, good job."
He was the owner of a prominent family contending for power within the mighty Empire and, at the same time, a formidable figure as an Oro Master himself.
Visiting the capital for a short while due to official business, Count Claus stopped by his mansion located in Roderen and quickly scanned through the tablet.
"These kids are promising."
The students of the Roderen Academy were talents closely observed even from various countries around the world.
Although the focus was mainly on the graduates, some of the incoming freshmen for next year stood out with remarkable backgrounds, so a smile of interest appeared on Count Claus's lips.
"To think we would have a candidate recommended by Deshern Inspiration."
"According to the intelligence report, it was already half expected."
"Expectations and what actually happens are worlds apart. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Well, it's not surprising, considering that he surpassed the records of all the previous Monas Academy top students."
Children of noble families recognized for their talents and the offspring of the commoners generally applied to the Monas Academy around the age of 8 or 9.
As a subsidiary concept of the Roderen Academy, the top 50% of the Monas Academy automatically gained eligibility for admission to the Roderen Academy.
An exception was made for the high-ranking noble families of the Empire, as they could be admitted to the Roderen Academy regardless of their grades or qualifications.
Ultimately, admission itself held little significance if they couldn't graduate without talent.
"In addition to that, there are a few noticeable students."
"Yes, there were several who caught our attention."
"Well, then. We should start checking other students as well. They are the ones who will enter Roderen Academy from now on."
As Count Claus flipped through the tablet, he suddenly paused at a certain point.
"What's this? It says a new potion has been invented?"
"I have prepared it here in advance."
"Bring it to me."
A potion that hadn't been officially registered yet but came into Count Claus's possession through his authority.
He gazed at the yellow-tinted potion in his hand and spoke.
"Lucia Everlast, huh?"
"Yes, she's an upper-ranked solitaire duelist. Although it's not precise, according to the secretly obtained information, she seems to have a congenital incurable disease."
"What a pity. To create something even skilled magicians couldn't accomplish at such a young age."
After flicking his tongue a few times, he consumed the potion.
As he briefly savored the taste, he looked at his own hand, clenched and released it repeatedly.
"It's on a different level. Have you tasted it?"
"I haven't experienced it yet."
"It's truly remarkable. The comparison with existing potions is impossible due to the clear difference in perception. And there are no side effects either?"
"For now, that's correct."
"If it is officially registered and commercialized, it will create quite a sensation."
"I didn't realize it would be to that extent. Should I raise its priority level?"
"Yes."
To feel the ability of the potion, Count Claus moved his body.
As someone experienced in manipulating the body, he could quickly feel the changes in his body.
'Maybe this is not suitable for people like me, but rather for those with insufficient stamina.'
That was his train of thought.
The thought that had come to him was that he should give this potion to his subordinate MacKayne, who hadn't seen his child for over 50 years, as a sign of gratitude for his hard work.
"Your Excellency, there is one more unusual matter related to the potion."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"It is mentioned in the report, but there is a co-creator."
Upon the butler's words, Count Claus checked the tablet again.
"Adrias Cromwell? Ah, the son of Cain Cromwell."
He briefly recalled the Cromwell Viscountcy.
If his memory was correct, the Cromwell Viscountcy was a family in crisis, facing the threat of demotion in the forthcoming nobility evaluation at the end of this year.
"There was hardly any report about that guy. Did he have any talent in this field?"
"According to the investigation, despite being in the third year this year, he is only now taking intermediate herbology. There is a record of completing basic alchemy last year."
"So, you mean to say he didn't have talent?"
"That's how the intelligence division judged it."
"I see. Still, let's take a closer look this time. This potion seems to have significant value."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
The butler immediately adjusted the importance level of Adrias Cromwell's report.
'Adrias Cromwell, importance level changed from "none" to "low".'