Entering the Game with a Cheat Physique

Episode 14 Doll

Episode 14 Doll

────────────────

【Twelve Constellation Fist】

1. Finger Flick

[Acquisition Conditions: Strength, Stamina, Agility stats are all at 2]

────────────────

‘The timing is just perfect.’

While fighting the boss werewolf in the secret room, my stats grew explosively, reaching 2.

Thanks to that, I was able to acquire the skill ‘Finger Flick’ from the 【Twelve Constellation Fist】.

The skill description reads as follows:

────────────────

1. Finger Flick

Flicks a finger to send out a powerful shockwave.

The power increases depending on the user’s strength, stamina, and agility.

※ The ‘Magic Slayer’ has granted me anti-magic power.

────────────────

The first and second sentences I already knew, so I’ll skip those.

The important thing is the third sentence.

※ The ‘Magic Slayer’ has granted me anti-magic power.

An effect that perfectly matches the alias ‘Magic Slayer’.

It’s a technique that’s already useful enough just for attacking. But if it can be used to nullify an opponent’s magic or mana, even better.

If that’s the case, I can’t help but be curious about its actual feel.

“Let’s give it a shot.”

A lake located in the southern part of Atenel Island.

It’s usually used as a weight training zone, but today I changed the schedule for something special.

To test the Finger Flick.

*Crack….* I bring my index finger and thumb together.

The remaining three fingers are spread wide open, pulling the connected fingers taut.

I aim for the very center of the lake. Towards the spot filled with crystal-clear water.

*Thwack!*

I release, flicking my fingers and sending out a shockwave.

*Thwakaaang!*

The shockwave crashes into the center of the lake, creating a huge surge of water.

The water droplets that were sent flying into the air make a U-turn and return to the lake like a downpour.

*Swishhh…*

An unexpected rainstorm over the lake.

After watching the surface finally settle, I moved my fingers back and forth.

‘It doesn’t hurt as much as I thought.’

Back in ‘Introduction to Elementalism,’ when I shattered the rock.

Back then I relied solely on my body, not technique, to flick my fingers.

‘This is way better now.’

Considering how my arm ached and my muscles were sore for so long, the current Finger Flick’s effect is undeniable.

This wasn’t something done with my own physical power, it was purely the skill.

Therefore, nothing that would strain the body.

“Hmm.”

Power, good enough.

Recoil, good enough.

Then what’s left?

“I should check its anti-magic power as well.”

Testing it on some low-level mage would be perfect.

And since I’m heading to that alchemy geek, it works out perfectly.

‘That guy.’

He’s probably getting bullied right now.

*

When young students gather, they tend to form hierarchies.

The Olympia Academy was no different, and the weaker students were often bullied.

If the knight academy thugs favored physical torment using their bodies.

What would the magic department b*stards mainly use?

It’s that right there.

“Hey. When did we say we were gonna take it? We just said we were gonna look at it.”

“You b*tches. You’ve never returned anything…!”

“Ugh, you talk too much. Gonna break it, you want that?”

A secluded spot in the magic department lecture building.

In a place where students’ eyes rarely reached, two second-year female thugs were bullying a student.

“Aren’t you ashamed? Playing with toys like this at your age.”

“Shut up! Don’t you dare look down on my ‘Armored Knight HR3’!”

“You even named it? Ahahah, I’m dying of laughter.”

However, the appearance of the girl being bullied was quite familiar.

High-prescription glasses, roughly braided black hair. And most of all, her plain impression.

It was Penel’s friend, Berry.

‘Tsk tsk.’

It was something briefly mentioned in the original work. She really was being bullied.

‘Does Penel know about this?’

No, that can’t be it.

Knowing Fenel’s personality, she’d never let this slide. She’d definitely help Berry.

It’s more likely the opposite.

‘Berry’s hiding it.’

So Fenel won’t find out.

One of the delinquent girls, the one who seems to be the ringleader, is holding a doll.

No, “doll” isn’t quite right. It’s more like a figurine, or a small knight, something that brings to mind a model kit from a previous life.

It’s clear the owner put a lot of effort into making it, and now, it’s being tossed around in the delinquent’s hands.

It’s going to lose a leg or something at this rate.

“Get a grip. You’re a second year now. When are you going to stop playing with this childish stuff?”

“……”

“A girl who’s always got her head buried in her books, muttering about alchemy in the back of the class… predictable, huh? She’ll never change. Heh.”

Berry bit her lip.

So hard, she drew a little blood.

But she didn’t say anything, just shut her mouth.

Resisting here won’t end well.

‘The magic department guys are sneaky, after all.’

Unlike the knights department, these guys harass you with petty stuff, like sabotaging your assignments or ruining your work.

That alchemy otaku over there knows that kind of future awaits her, so she doesn’t resist.

Of course, if she were more skilled, she wouldn’t get pushed around.

But seeing how she struggled with the wind gun in Basic Elementology, that’s not gonna happen.

‘Besides, from what I’ve seen so far, she definitely doesn’t want any trouble.’

She’s overly conscious of Fenel.

She wouldn’t want a fuss to get her exposed.

…Well, let’s leave this unpleasant, mood-ruining story here.

Thud!

I take a big step. Loud enough to be heard on purpose.

Thanks to that, their eyes are immediately on me.

“What?”

“……?”

Hoodlums, eyes bulging, and Berry, looking bewildered.

Her dark pupils widen the instant she sees me.

I smirk and walk towards them.

“You guys are so childish. Picking on someone weak, is that fun?”

“Who do you think you are? So cocky!”

“Do you think you’re on the same level as us?”

Seriously, they’re spouting lines straight out of a villainess manhwa.

“I don’t care how you guys play, but how about leaving her alone? I’ve got something to talk about.”

“Ha! What are *you*, anyway?”

The head bully steps closer to me.

With only a few steps between us, a ball of fire erupts above his shoulder.

*Whoosh!*

A low-level fire magic, ‘Fireball’.

The head bully blatantly increases the size of the Fireball, a smirk spreading across his face.

“Herak, you’ve always been bullied by the guys, did you lose it? Maybe you two outcasts connect? Shall I show you what it’s like, huh?”

“Oh. That line you just said, that was totally third-rate villain-esque. I liked it.”

Slightly impressed, I clap my hands together. The head bully’s eyes narrow menacingly.

*Whooshing!* The Fireball grows larger as if threatening me.

But I’m sure of it.

‘He can’t actually fire it.’

The motto of magic department bullies is underhandedness and pettiness.

They’re never going to openly use a strategy that’ll cause real harm.

“Scared? You’re scared, aren’t you? Ha! That’s all you are. Who do you think you–“

“Okay, enough. I’m taking her, this is annoying.”

I raise my hand.

Just like I did at the lake earlier, I touch my index finger to my thumb.

I tense the muscles, ready to unleash a flick-shot.

The head bully’s mouth twists when he sees me.

He still doesn’t understand the situation.

Guess you can’t get through to these guys with words.

“Go ahead and try it!”

*THWoooM!*

The moment the boss’s words ended, a shockwave erupted from my hand.

The noise was so loud it reverberated throughout the entire hallway.

I could see the solid walls visibly tremble.

And at the same moment.

“……Huh?”

*WHOOSH!*

The fireball, which had been growing in size, immediately lost its shape and vanished.

The magic that had just moments ago been filled with his power had disappeared. The boss’s face instantly fell into a daze.

‘Not bad?’

I tried to lower the power as much as possible to test the anti-magic effect.

But still, it wiped out the fireball right away, so the anti-magic’s power is for sure.

“Wh-what the….”

—*THWOOM!*

Following closely, a delayed second shockwave.

The wall at the far end,

a huge ripple swelled across the wall behind the thugs.

‘I went easy on purpose but it’s still strong.’

If I hadn’t reduced the power as much as possible, the villainess’s head probably would have disappeared instead of the fireball. Good thing I held back.

“…….”

The thugs, who had watched the whole scene, had their mouths agape. Their jaws could have hit the floor.

“What was that you said?”

Shoulders shrugged, mouth curled into a smirk.

Seeing my relaxed attitude, the thugs made a quick judgment.

“What’s with her? Is she crazy? Why’s she shooting stuff at a girl?!”

“What if she’d hit her wrong and her head got messed up? Psycho!”

Why do losers sound so pathetic when they bark?

The thugs judged that going any further was too dangerous, and quickly retreated.

I chuckled, watching them run while grumbling and gossiping about me, then approached the guy who was my original target.

“……”

Lips, with a hint of blood showing through.

Black pupils inside round glasses, trembling slightly as they looked up at me.

Then, abruptly, she turned her head, ignoring me.

“You okay?”

“……Why did you help?”

A brusque question spat out.

Berry didn’t look directly at me, speaking as if she were chewing her words.

“You could have just ignored it. There was no need to help.”

“Are you a masochist? Is it actually good for you to be bullied?”

“Like hell, I am?!”

Seriously, if it’s not, it’s not, why is she yelling and making such a fuss?

She flew into a rage at my question, then, her spirit dampened, she whispered.

“……It’s okay. I don’t want your half-assed acts of kindness. Just pretend it never happened and go back.”

And then, shrinking into herself, she tried to move away from me.

My hand shot out and grabbed Berry’s shoulder just as she was about to leave.

“……What? I told you, if you’re just trying to help, it’s fine.”

“No, sorry, but there’s a reason, okay? Since I already helped, can I ask you a favor?”

“What is it?”

I declared to Berry, with a surprisingly serious look.

“Take me to your room.”

It was an extremely reasonable request.

The place where alchemists practice is usually their own room.

That way, even if there’s a leak of chemicals or an explosion from failure, it’s alright.

They take all the responsibility. That’s the motto of an alchemist.

Anyway, to entrust her with the 【Werewolf Lung】, I need to go to her room and explain things a bit.

Again, this is extremely reasonable.

“W-what, wh-whaaat?!”

……However, Berry’s face flushed crimson in an instant.

It was only after her shrill voice pierced my ears that I realized my words might have sounded strange. That’s a secret.