CHAPTER 8: TARGETED

The first period was Magic Theory and Application.

Professor Mireille Anselm — a strict logic-type mage — adjusted her glasses and tapped the podium, instantly silencing the room.

"Today, we will review the fundamentals of elemental circulation and the safety protocols for spell casting," she announced. "We cannot have cadets exploding themselves before midterms."

No laughter. Everyone knew it wasn’t a joke.

Her eyes scanned the class... and settled on me.

Ah.

So that’s how it was going to be.

"Lucien," she called, "can you explain what determines the affinity threshold for basic spells?"

Every head turned toward me.

Some smirks already forming.

Of course.

Lucien was infamous for dozing off and making stupid remarks.

Professor Samantha Everhart, sitting in the back as supervising instructor, watched closely too.

Her expression made it clear she wouldn’t stop the professor from tearing into me if I slipped up.

So this is what it felt like to be actively targeted in an RPG... in first person.

’Why so much malice directed toward me? I haven’t even breathed loudly today.’

Still, if she wanted to test me...

"The threshold depends on the mage’s mana channels and elemental resonance," I replied steadily. "Stability increases once mana conductivity reaches the minimum safety value assigned to that element."

A pause.

"...Correct," Professor Mireille said, sounding mildly disappointed.

Mild disappointment apparently wasn’t enough.

She continued, "Next. Define the formula for core stabilization when handling dual-element mana."

Again?

So it’s like that.

Trying to fish for a wrong answer just to punish me.

’Oh, you are targeting me.’

’You want to see me embarrass myself?’

Fine.

I had thousands of hours in this game.

Lucien might be trash at magic, but I wasn’t trash at knowledge.

"It requires two conditions," I answered lightly. "Mana balance ratio at 5:5 or lower variance, and a stable circuit formation that prevents collision between opposing traits. Fire and water are the common example."

Professor Mireille’s eyes narrowed.

Classmates whispered.

Miss Samantha leaned forward slightly.

Was she actually rooting for a wrong answer?

I could almost hear her inner voice: Just make a mistake so I can lecture you properly.

Too bad.

The questions kept coming.

"What happens when elemental polarity collapses?"

"Describe the mana recoil phenomenon."

"How many cycles in a standard spell framework?"

"What is the safe distance from spell detonation?"

Every time, the stares intensified.

Every time, I could feel the room holding its breath.

And every time... I answered correctly.

’Oh? Disappointed again?’

’Let me sprinkle my knowledge as a gamer who sadly spent more time in menus than on dates.’

By the tenth question, even Professor Mireille’s patience had run dry.

"...Good. Sit down."

"I’ve been sitting the whole time..." I murmured quietly.

The class atmosphere was complicated now.

Some students looked annoyed their expected entertainment hadn’t arrived.

Some seemed confused — as if they were questioning whether they truly knew who Lucien was.

Kael and his group still stared in disapproval, though slightly less amused than before.

Miss Samantha, however... looked as if she just lost a delightful opportunity.

She cleared her throat and turned her gaze away.

I leaned back, exhaling slowly.

’I really can’t afford to slip even once.’

Because the moment I did...

everyone here would jump at the chance to bury me.

The bell rang shortly after, marking the end of first period.

But the way the class watched me gather my notes...

It felt like this was only the beginning.

I was placing the last notebook into my bag when a familiar chime echoed in my head — the first sound from the System since it activated.

A string of messages appeared before my eyes:

*****

[System Notification]

• Classmates witnessed unexpected academic performance

• Samantha Everhart has taken interest in you

• Your public perception has shifted from "Hopeless" to "Confusing"

Points Earned: +1000

****

I froze for a moment, staring at the floating messages.

Finally, some points.

But the bigger question remained — what could I even do with these points?

"How do I use them?" I muttered internally toward the System.

No reply.

Of course.

"Dumb system..."

The words slipped out louder than intended.

The timid girl sitting in front of me practically jumped out of her seat, hurriedly shoving her books into her bag before escaping like I might bite her. The surrounding cadets who witnessed this exchanged looks.

I blinked.

...Oops.

Whispers erupted instantly.

"I told you, he’s still the same."

"I almost thought he changed when he answered everything right..."

"Yeah, what was I even expecting?"

I didn’t bother returning the attention.

Seeking approval from them wasn’t part of my plan anymore.

Without looking at anyone, I opened the System interface again to check my updated status.

A panel appeared smoothly in front of me:

Name: Lucien Ashborne

Age: 16

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Affiliation: Imperial Academy / House Ashborne

Stats:

Strength: 4

Agility: 3

Endurance: 3

Intelligence: 12 (+6)

Mana: 4

Charm: 63

Skills:

Mana Control Lv. 1 ↑

Horse Riding Lv. 3 ↑

Basic Etiquette Lv. 4 ↑

Intimidation Lv. 3 ↑

Cooking Lv. 7 ↑

Points: 1000

System Shop: [Locked]

My eyes lingered on the changes.

My intelligence stat had doubled somehow. Maybe the exams and system influence merged with my memories? Then there was a hilarious addition — Cooking Lv. 7.

Out of all things, the skill I was strongest in... was cooking. The system must have acknowledged my cooking skills I had honed in my previous life.

A warrior cadet with culinary excellence.

Great.

Still, it was proof of something: I was actually good at atleast one thing.

"...If things go really bad, I could just open a restaurant and call it a day."

A small laugh escaped me — quiet, but genuine.

A quiet chuckle slipped out.

It felt ridiculous, but oddly comforting.

Then my eyes fell on a subtle detail — a small upward arrow beside each skill.

I stared at it for a moment.

A guess formed in my mind, one that made my chest tighten with both hope and caution.

If this was what I thought it was... then I might owe the System an apology.

With a deep breath, I tapped the arrow next to Mana Control.

A window appeared.

[ Upgrade Mana Control to Lv. 2 ]

[ Points Required: 50 ]

[ Confirm ]  [ Decline ]

My heart gave a sudden jolt.

It was what I thought.

I pressed Confirm without hesitation.

The number changed from 1 → 2.

A faint warmth pulsed through my body — subtle, but noticeable.

Mana felt... less slippery, easier to guide.

I tried again.

Lv. 2 → Lv. 3 (100 points)

Then Lv. 3 → Lv. 4 (200 points)

Then...

Lv. 4 → Lv. 5 (400 points)

I stopped at Mana Control Lv. 5.

Each level cost more than the last — 100, 200, 400 — and by the time I reached level 5, my 1000 points were almost gone. I decided to stop there.

I took a slow breath and concentrated.

The difference was unmistakable.

Before, whenever I tried sensing my mana, it felt like trying to move thick syrup through a straw — slow, resistant, irritating. Now, the flow was smoother, more obedient, like water following the curve of a channel. It moved where I guided it instead of resisting every command. Though my mana was still pitiful but my control has increased.