* * *
I made my way through the academy.
My destination wasn’t the first-year building, but the one designated for second-year students.
The instructor responsible for teaching about Familiars also happened to be in charge of a second-year class, hence my presence here.
…It was my first time visiting this part of the academy, and a wave of nervousness washed over me.
But there was no need to lose confidence.
‘…I’m stronger than them.’
The second-year students at Sytan were generally considered to be inferior to their first-year counterparts.
The same went for the third-year students, actually.
Of course, the average ability of students naturally increased with each passing year.
However, the Children of the Seven Deadly Sins, including myself, were an exception.
We possessed abilities that far surpassed those of even the senior students.
It was a fact that didn’t require any further confirmation.
“…….”
I glanced at the second-year students chattering amongst themselves.
A student sporting the first-year uniform, strolling through their domain, was bound to attract attention.
Perhaps it was due to my Mana Manipulation skill leveling up, but my senses had become incredibly sharp.
I could accurately estimate the total amount of Mana each second-year student possessed just by being near them.
There were a few students with a significant amount of Mana.
They were probably the ones we would face in the upcoming inter-year competition.
However,
Not a single one of them came close to my own reserves.
It was only natural.
Among the first-years, only the Children of the Seven Deadly Sins possessed a Mana capacity exceeding 4,000.
‘I might have slightly less Mana compared to the others, but…’
It was still far greater than that of any second-year.
The Children of the Seven Deadly Sins were an anomaly, possessing an absurd amount of Mana.
My own capacity was nothing to scoff at.
Moreover, thanks to Adel’s Mana technique, my reserves were growing at an alarming rate.
It wouldn’t be long before I could rival the other Children in terms of sheer Mana capacity.
Therefore,
With a confident stride, I continued on my way.
And as I reached a particular door, I paused.
The sound of the door creaking open reached my ears.
― Growl.
― Screech!
― Kyaa!
― Hiss….
Inside, I was met with a sight I had never witnessed before.
Creatures I had never laid eyes on were imprisoned within cages, their roars and screeches echoing throughout the room.
This was the research lab of Instructor Tammy, the one responsible for teaching us about Familiars.
Hmm.
Should I turn back?
For a moment, I considered retreating, my face contorting in disgust at the sight of this menagerie. But I quickly composed myself.
This was, after all, the research lab of an instructor specializing in Familiars. It stood to reason that it would house such creatures.
Besides, the magical beasts were safely locked away in sturdy cages.
There was no way they would keep them here without taking proper safety precautions. I could proceed without worry.
As I navigated through the lab in search of Instructor Tammy,
‘…!’
My eyes widened as I spotted a familiar creature—one I had only read about in the original story.
It was just a newborn, far from its full potential, but it was a creature I had always wanted to see in person.
― Yelp….
A three-headed beast, its gray fur matted against its small frame, whimpered from within its cage.
The Cerberus, a creature said to guard the gates of hell, inspired by the mythical guardian of the Demon King’s castle.
And here it was, a mere pup, residing in Instructor Tammy’s lab.
…Its unexpectedly adorable appearance piqued my curiosity.
‘How intriguing.’
I lowered my gaze to get a better look at the Cerberus pup.
Just then, I sensed a presence behind me and turned around.
Standing there was an instructor with a high forehead and light yellow hair, her gaze fixed on me.
Instructor Tammy, the second-year Familiar instructor, the woman responsible for officially recognizing Sijo and Gu Poison as my Familiars.
Our eyes met.
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