Free Web NovelChapter 12: Chapter 12: I’m no Solomon
Ursula had her doubts.
They were pretty valid.
Roe was supposed to be an S rank like her.
In this world, after awakening, one can’t really get any stronger.
That just doesn’t happen.
There’s also barely any disparity in one’s strength, and between others of the same rank.
What makes one S rank mage come out on top when facing another is matchup.
What kind of skills are accessible to the mage.
The mage’s ingenuity.
These were the main deciding factors.
Ursula knew she was just about normal as an S rank.
Everyone was normal in fact.
Ursula was adept.
She was brilliant.
She knew how to move her body.
She used her words to her advantage.
She didn’t doubt the result of a possible clash.
She knew she would win if it came down to it.
This wasn’t what she doubted.
She knew she’d win not because of something arbitrary as potential.
It was really simple.
It was just experience.
Hard, raw, grounded, gritty, hellish experience.
"You heard me, Master," she reiterated.
"I know you did."
Solomon’s expression was bland.
His lips flat.
His eyes basically emotionless.
He knew all the students.
The others required answers.
"I’ve already alluded to it."
"You know, see, he fainted."
"He’s used up all of his reserves and look at you."
"You can still use mana."
"I’d wager you haven’t even gone halfway down the tank," Solomon said.
"Don’t patronize me!" Ursula yelled.
’Here she goes,’ Gwen thought.
"Calm down," Solomon said.
"You’re getting out of control," Julian pointed out.
Ursula turned to see the others didn’t care as much.
They completely bought it.
They completely bought what he said.
’Why though?’
’Is it because it’s Master?’
’Why settle for a wrong answer?’ she thought.
’Why settle for an answer that doesn’t suit you?’ she shouted.
’I need to pivot,’ she thought.
’They’re not going to believe me.’
’I’m clearly not changing their stance like this.’
’Damn.’
’I always get like this when heated.’
’I’m sorry.’
She said so without realizing she said it.
She tried to retract her own statement.
She didn’t.
She just walked out.
’I’ve had enough.’
’Okay. Enough.’
’I don’t get you, Solomon.’
’Why?’
’Is he.....’
Her thoughts were running wild.
She didn’t know what to think.
Nothing was certain.
All she knew was that she was right.
She was only wrong in her execution.
’I shouldn’t have handled things that way,’ she thought.
’I just shouldn’t.’
"Okay. I’ll address her later."
"You guys get back on with your training."
"I’ll take Roe to his quarters."
"I’ll wait by his side, read a book and then....."
’Oh, he’s staying by his side,’ Max thought.
Solomon left them to continue their personal training.
Class ended early today but not the grind.
"I know we’re all thinking it," Max said.
"Yeah, you’re right," Julian replied.
"He’s already getting the talk," Gwen said.
"Yes, I think it’s too early."
"And Ursula?" Max was the one who asked.
No one responded.
No one knew what to say.
One of them ought to at least go see her.
Talk it through or whatever.
But none of them wanted to.
None of them thought it was their place.
’Ursula is cool.’
’We shouldn’t worry about her.’
’She’s S rank.’
’She’ll figure it out.’
This was the thought that echoed through all their minds.
They all just wanted to abandon and ignore responsibility.
No one wanted that burden.
They all just really wanted to get their own things done.
—
Lashes shook like grasses in the wind.
It wasn’t anything as majestic as one would think.
It was just Roe.
He was coming to.
He had just come to.
"Hey. Don’t push yourself," he heard.
He turned.
Solomon was by his side.
He looked around, still trying to take in his environment.
"Let’s talk."
"Important stuff."
Roe got up.
He focused intensely.
"Oh, and this is your room."
"Huh?"
—
Solomon wasn’t the only student of Merlin who was acclaimed.
There were a couple.
He was only acknowledged as Merlin’s best student yet. freēwebnovel.com
Other factions had their favorites.
Others tried to push narratives.
Among these, a popular pick was Lot.
Lot came along much later than Solomon.
He was noted to be plenty talented.
His attitude just made him sour to some.
Solomon had his class.
Lot had his.
The others as well.
The Merlin Circle cultivated mana to achieve tasks Merlin assigned.
It was a more spiritual philosophy.
They didn’t get fancy payment like other association-funded circles.
They took odd jobs.
This was because their assignments weren’t primarily clearing rifts like the others.
Assignments came from Merlin directly.
Merlin only outsourced when the situation was truly dire.
There was a one-way rivalry between Solomon and Lot.
Solomon never reciprocated.
He never would.
—
’I need to talk to Solomon about his new recruit,’ Lot thought.
’He got lucky getting the SSS.’
’Merlin must be so proud.’
’I’m sure Solomon’s feeling real good right now.’
’Getting an ace over me.’
’Damn it.’
He snapped.
He was still in class, teaching his students.
One of them asked what happened.
He didn’t respond.
"Go back to your wand, Zach."
"Yes sir."
’I don’t get why Merlin told Solomon I needed this class.’
’Solomon got to pick his students, I mean.’
’I just get whatever’s handed over to me.’
’The worst?’
’Well that’s Zach.’
’He’s only C rank.’
’Merlin’s never accepted one so unloved by mana.’
’What’s the old man thinking these days?’
’I mean Zach.’
’I don’t even care.’
’It’s probably Solomon’s fault.’
"Tsk."
"Tsk."
He grit his teeth.
He snapped.
Things had gotten too quiet.
’I need some air.’
*******
Zach knew he didn’t fit in.
He wasn’t going to let that stop him. He would give perserving to get his goals attained.
"Hey can you pass me that book". He asked.
He got no response, he was used to this.
He had to perserve.
Whenever he wanted to give up. An image would come into his mind.
An image of an old man.
This would reingnite his fire.
He sighed.
"No response again, huh?"
