Chapter 76

The next day arrived quickly, but this time around Billy wasn’t there to oversee the Beta Students' training.

Instead…

“Hello, everyone! I’ll be in charge of your Magic Training today!”

… Bella from the Alpha Class was the one in charge of their training for the day.

Just the same way it was with Billy, there was a bit of pushback, considering how very timid and weak Bella looked.

She was always known to be a nice girl.

But as soon as the training commenced and Bella showcased her magical abilities, the Beta Students were left in awe.

Once again, an Alpha Student had made it clear that they were the superior students, their abilities surpassing even the most exceptional Beta Students.

It was so unbelievable that it defied explanation.

If anyone was told that the Alpha students had arrived in this world at the same time as the Beta students, they wouldn’t be able to believe it.

The power gap was simply that huge.

Fortunately, the Beta Students didn’t have to experience this despair for too long.

As soon as the session ended, everyone was dismissed, and they could return to the once-enjoyable activities that now seemed to have lost their luster.

However, a few students, like Trisha, refused to leave and continued training long after the session had officially ended.

Adam and a few others also stayed behind for extra training, but none of them matched the intensity and dedication of the ebony girl.

While they worked hard, she seemed to push herself beyond her limits.

Meanwhile, as the majority of the group headed back to their rooms for showers or leisure time, among them was a student who often blended into the background, an average extra in appearance and demeanor.

He seemed to follow the routine, appearing to head towards his room.

… But was he?

**********

“Alright. I’m here now.”

“Eeep!”

Rey’s voice startled Noah, who had erected an illusion around himself with the [Projection] Skill.

He had currently disguised himself as one of the many bush clusters in the Royal Estate, situated close to the walls.

“Why do you look so shocked?”

To any passerby, it would seem like Rey was talking to a mere bush, unaware that it was actually Noah in disguise.

“Y-you can see me, even with [Projection]?”

Noah had planned to wait for Rey and reveal himself at the right moment.

However, before he could execute his plan, he had already been discovered.

How…?

“That Skill doesn’t work on people with Levels or Stats that are much higher than yours,” Rey replied with a smile.

Pretty much anyone with over 10 Levels higher than the caster would be able to spot them.

Rey, being significantly stronger than Noah, had no trouble seeing through the [Projection] Skill.

That’s all there was to it.

“In any case, I apologize for being late. There’s this girl in our class I was trying to avoid…”

“You mean Trisha?”

Noah was in the Beta Class, just like Rey, and he had noticed the two’s odd dynamic ever since Rey defeated Billy.

Despite his innocent appearance, Noah was quite observant, which was evident from the knowing smile he gave Rey.

“Y-yeah…”

Rey rubbed his forehead and then shrugged, sighing softly.

“Well, since we’re both here now... might as well get started.”

Rey set up his own [Projection], but excluded Noah from its effects.

As a result, despite standing in plain sight, he seemed invisible to anyone looking.

“How do you plan on doing this?” Noah asked with a curious gaze.

Noah had an Invisibility Necklace for such occasions and could use [Phase] to pass through walls.

As for Rey… he didn’t have any of those Skills.

“Let’s just go,” Rey replied, urging them forward.

Noah observed in disbelief as Rey walked straight toward the Estate wall and effortlessly passed through it as if it were a mere illusion.

"E-eh?!" Noah exclaimed, his mind reeling in shock.

He hurriedly approached the wall and touched it to confirm if it was actually real.

‘It’s solid! That only means… he has the [Phase] Skill too?!’

Noah felt a lump form in his throat, which he quickly swallowed down.

‘Just how many Skills…?’

Realizing he couldn’t answer that question right then, especially without more information, Noah decided to focus on following Rey’s lead instead.

He couldn’t afford to dwell on Rey's abilities at that moment.

~WHUSH~

Noah mimicked Rey's actions and phased through the wall, leaving the Estate behind for a far more troublesome place: the Market!

************

‘Noah seems like a sharp guy, but sometimes I forget he’s only a teenager…’

As Rey walked down the town’s street, he could sense the awkwardness in the air around Noah.

Sure, the boy was currently wrapped in his shadow, and was using [Projection] to make himself appear much taller than he was, but to Rey, he just seemed ridiculous.

‘I guess that’s why they were able to take advantage of him so easily…’

For Rey, this was an affirmation of his decision to study this world very thoroughly before deciding to interact with its denizens.

Noah had jumped the gun, and as a result, he had ended up being scammed.

‘I’ll have to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again…’

That was why he was here, to begin with.

Rey was also wearing what he deemed a more appropriate disguise compared to Noah’s makeshift appearance.

Using [Mimic], he transformed into an adult, pairing it with a black mask he had crafted in the Hobgoblin cave from Orichalcum, fitting his face perfectly.

He had done this little side project to pass the time, so he hadn’t expected it to play such an important role now.

His cloak was raven black, obtained by sewing a dark robe he got from the Royal Estate together with the fur of the NightWolf he killed.

He had learned a lot of everyday skills and handwork techniques from studying, so it was quite easy for him to do these things.

“Is that even comfortable?” Noah asked, stealing a glance at Rey.

His face was currently obscured with his mask, so it was pretty much impossible to tell what kind of expression he was making.

‘Not really…’ Rey admitted internally in response to Noah's question about comfort.

The bristly NightWolf fur wasn’t pleasant against his skin, especially now that he was a bit sweaty.

“It’s better than shrouding myself in a shadow, at the very least.”

Once Noah heard this, he instantly regretted asking his question.

"Touché…" Noah whispered in response.

After a brief silence, Rey couldn’t ignore the discomfort anymore.

He looked at Noah, who was quiet and sighed softly.

“We should probably find a store and get some new clothes,” Rey suggested.

Noah nodded in agreement without hesitation.

The marketplace was awfully crowded, but Rey easily spotted a store where clothes were being sold.

It was in a building, and it seemed like a high-end shop.

‘We need to look very presentable for the people we’re going to meet…’