When the Villain Joined the Knights to Avoid Doom Flags, but Somehow the Heroines Started Approaching Him - Chapter 07: Total Mana Capacity

Chapter 07: Total Mana Capacity

“Master, the Knights’ exam is finally tomorrow.”

Just like Iris said, there was only one day left until the entrance exam for the Knights. 

Between swinging his sword, training in magic, and studying the basics that Iris taught him, time had flown by before he realized it. 

It really was surprising how quickly time passed. Hearing Iris’s words, Yulis made a tired face.

“Seriously…? I still had so many things I wanted to do.”

In Yulis’s room, Iris offered him some tea as he browsed through study materials.

“‘So many things’… Master, you’ve been working really hard, haven’t you? What else could you possibly have left to do?”

“Well, let’s see… for example, ‘my personal maid’s lap pillow,’ or ‘cuddling with my cute maid,’ or ‘sleeping next to Iris’—wait, why am I saying all this out loud!?”

It was a moment that revealed a glimpse of someone’s true feelings.

“Sigh… The real issue is that I’m still not good with the sword. My special knowledge cheat skills as a mid-game recruit aren’t helping at all, and I never even practiced kendo before.”

“Kendo?”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s just something from my world.”

Iris tilted her head, puzzled by the unfamiliar word. 

But Yulis, not paying it much mind, slumped over his desk.

“And then there’s studying… What’s with all these questions like, ‘What did this person do in the past?’ How is that supposed to be useful in life? Just teach me things that are actually relevant to the present.”

“You sound like you’re voicing what every young person secretly thinks…”

With a soft touch, Iris sat down next to Yulis, leaning closer to him.

“Don’t worry, Master. Honestly, I don’t think you need to stress over it too much, but as your capable maid, I’ll make sure to support you during the exam.”

“…You mean, help me study?”

“I mean, support you in cheating♪”

She said it with a sweet smile, despite how outrageous it sounded.

“Alright, I’ll count on your support on the big day.”

And Yulis, in turn, accepted her offer with a serious expression, as if it was the most normal thing. 

It was clear he was ready to do whatever it took to get through this.

“Oh, by the way, Master,”

Iris shifted her position, leaning into Yulis’s chest as she spoke.

“I just realized, Master, you’re actually pretty cold, aren’t you? It’s like you took an ice bath in the middle of winter or something.”

“You’re getting pretty touchy these days, aren’t you?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Well, not really.”

“Yay♪”

As Iris nuzzled her cheek against his chest, she thought to herself.

Even through his clothes, the chill radiated from Yulis. She had joked earlier, but it really felt like he might have jumped into a frozen lake—his body was that cold. 

Well, for her, being on the outside of his clothes, it was more like a refreshing coolness.

“So, why is your body temperature so low anyway? If it’s just poor circulation, it’s pretty extreme. You should probably see a doctor.”

“Ah… Well, I’m working on increasing my total mana capacity right now.”

When Yulis mentioned this, Iris, still clinging to him, tilted her head in curiosity.

“Huh? You suddenly warmed up.”

“That’s because I’ve been using magic nonstop until just now.”

The total amount of mana a person has is determined by their natural constitution.

For example, someone born with a larger “vessel” for mana will naturally have more of it, while someone with a smaller vessel will have less. 

This vessel grows as the body matures, but its growth is still closely tied to a person’s inherent nature, which means that growth rates can vary.

However, this vessel is similar to muscles. The more you use your magic, the more it expands. Whether or not you use magic regularly also plays a role in increasing your overall mana capacity.

“My affinity is ‘Ice,’ so if I want to keep using magic without affecting my surroundings, this is my only option. That’s why my body temperature ends up like that of a kid who jumps into the snow in just shorts, even in the middle of winter.”

“…Wait, do you do this all the time?”

“There’s no point unless I do.” 

Just continuously using magic would be easy. 

He could head to a training ground and keep firing off spells until he completely emptied his mana reserves.

But maintaining a steady, constant use over time leads to far greater growth than a single bout of overexertion. 

That’s why Yulis keeps using his magic even while sleeping, eating, or taking a bath.

─This was actually a training method revealed midway through the game.

Thanks to it, his mana capacity had increased so much that no one his age could match him now.

(In the game, this technique was used by the protagonist’s mentor who appears later. Thanks, mysterious mentor, wherever you are… That guy was almost a shut-in, overweight, and pretty much the worst.)

Recalling his early days after being reincarnated, Yulis’s gaze drifted into the distance for a moment. 

Iris looked up at him, tilting her head in confusion.

“Well, I think I get the logic behind it… but isn’t it tough?”

“It’s insanely tough, okay!?”

“U-Uh, when you respond so aggressively like that, it makes this poor Iris feel a bit flustered…”

When Yulis leaned in with a desperate expression, Iris flinched for a moment.

“…When you keep using magic, your mana naturally drains, right? A-And when it runs out… the nausea and headaches are awful… When you’re sleeping, and suddenly that wave of nausea hits, and you can’t fall back asleep… it’s just…!”

Although he’s gotten stronger now and it’s not as bad as it used to be, remembering those tough times brought tears to Yulis’s distant gaze.

“There, there, my master with emotions as wobbly as a half-built pier, don’t cry now.”

Iris gently patted Yulis’s head, trying to soothe him as he quietly sobbed.

“Alright, alright, let’s get back to studying our little cheating strategies.”

“Sniff… Okay…”

“W-Why does my heart race like this whenever I see my master’s vulnerable side…!?”