Chapter 88: Magic Overdraft
"Janna, are you okay?"
Skipping past the unconscious Bell Moonshadow, Vivian, who had been anxiously waiting outside the arena, immediately ran up to Janna upon noticing her pale complexion and grabbed her arm.
"It's just that I used up a bit too much magic. I'll be fine after some rest."
"That damn shadow apprentice!"
Feeling the slight tremble in Janna’s arm due to exhaustion, Vivian, who was fiercely protective, couldn't help but curse at the still-unconscious Bell Moonshadow.
"She got it way worse than I did."
Due to the shortage of magic, the neurotoxic paralysis poison Janna secreted when transforming into the man-eating flower wasn’t very potent.
Though the poison had sent Bell Moonshadow into shock, it wouldn’t last long.
She would wake up in half an hour or so without needing much additional intervention.
"Vivian, could you help me over to those stone steps to rest for a bit?"
"Over there? Walk slowly—don’t trip."
Seeing how weak Janna looked, many apprentices wanted to rush over and offer their help, eager to curry favor. But before they could approach—
They were all driven back by a single glare from Vivian.
"These stone steps are filthy. Wait a moment, I’ll cast a Cleaning Spell."
"No need, Vivian. My wizard robe has a self-cleaning function. Besides, if my clothes get dirty, I can just use a Cleaning Spell once I get back."
"Alright then. I just find it a bit uncomfortable, that’s all."
After helping Janna onto the stone steps, Vivian reluctantly sat down beside her, acting as a human backrest so Janna could lean on her and rest.
"Honestly, it’s hard to believe you’re still a First Tier Apprentice."
When they had first entered the academy together, Janna had still been an ordinary person, far behind Vivian, who came from the prestigious Rose family, in terms of basic wizard training.
Vivian had already learned much about wizardry and apprentice tricks from her family before enrolling.
But over time, Janna had caught up at an astonishing pace—then surpassed her, eventually crushing their peers on the same level.
To outsiders, Janna's progress might seem purely the result of talent. However, as someone who had been closest to her since enrollment, Vivian knew better.
Janna's terrifying perseverance and relentless hard work were just as awe-inspiring as her talent—enough to make even Vivian feel inadequate.
Moreover, in an environment where learning resources were theoretically equal, Janna had much less access to actual resources.
It was daunting to imagine how fast she might rise if she ever had ample support.
"With her talent, even among Second Tier apprentices who consider themselves geniuses, Janna might still outshine them—"
Watching Janna focus intently on the ongoing duel in the training arena, Vivian couldn’t help but reiterate the thought in her mind.
"She definitely would!"
"Real combat is always more effective than theory, and real battles are far crueler than training—"
"Those I called out today, I better not see you making the same mistakes next time—"
"Of course, those who performed well today, I hope you’ll keep it up."
As she spoke, Grace Eva's gaze naturally landed on Janna, who had rejoined the lineup.
"Alright, class dismissed."
"Goodbye, Professor Eva!"
With a burst of wind, Grace Eva, her bat wings unfurled, quickly flew out of the combat training field.
The exhausted apprentices also began leaving in small groups.
Among them was Bell Moonshadow, now awake from her earlier shock.
"Janna, are you sure your magic has recovered?"
"About forty percent—it’s enough to fly us back."
"Maybe we should just walk—"
"I’m not pushing myself. Don’t worry."
With that, Janna, who had regained a fair bit of magic, chanted a spell and smoothly transformed into her butterfly-winged form.
"Let’s go."
"Alright, let me cast Featherlight Spell first—"
Flap—
With a light beat of her wings, Janna took Vivian by the hands and, just like when they arrived, soared back toward the dormitory.
"We’re here."
Gently setting Vivian down, Janna retracted her wings and descended to the ground.
"Are you sure you don’t want to eat something? You’ve had a rough day—you need to replenish your energy."
"You go ahead. I’ve still got some food in the dorm. I’ll eat there."
"Okay then, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
After watching Vivian leave, Janna turned and entered the dormitory building, stepping into the elevator.
Ding—As the elevator door opened slowly, the Door Spirit, who had recognized Janna’s heavy footsteps from afar, spoke up in worry before she even reached the door.
"Miss Janna, are you hurt? Why do your footsteps sound so heavy?"
"I’m fine, Door Spirit. Just a bit tired from class."
"You must take care of your health! Don’t overwork yourself! Otherwise, I’ll be terribly worried—"
Looking at the Door Spirit’s gloomy expression through the doorframe, Janna found it somewhat amusing.
"Alright, I’m going in to rest. If anyone comes looking for me, just say I’m not here."
"Understood, Miss Janna! Please get a good rest!"
Pushing the door open gently, the wave of exhaustion hit Janna like a tide the moment she stepped back into her room.
After removing her wizard robe, she slowly walked over to the bed, sat down cross-legged, and prepared to begin meditation early.
"Professor Grace was right—I absolutely can’t let my magic run dry like that again in the next duel—"
In truth, it wasn’t just her magic.
During the fight with Bell Moonshadow, the unfavorable terrain and the opponent’s relentless chaining of targeted spells had forced Janna to remain hyper-focused throughout.
As a result, she was not only drained of magic, but mentally exhausted as well.
"In combat, terrain advantages can sometimes turn the tide of battle. I need to pay more attention to that in future duels—"
Just as Janna was about to close her eyes and meditate, a half-forgotten thought suddenly popped into her mind.
"Right—David mentioned that starting next week, Bloodshadow Rose’s weekend shows would begin presales.
To ensure the performances go smoothly, the actors in Scene A will begin extra rehearsals at night starting tomorrow—"
"And I still haven’t checked today’s quest reward—"