Chapter 97 Physique

"Yes… I'm going to try it, Professor." Vale answered with a smile as everyone looked at him with mixed feelings.

"You can do it, Vale! Just don't rush on it." Chad suddenly said as if he really believes that he can accomplish this task.

For some reason, Vale's circle of friends were looking at him with envy as they believe that he'll get the amulet this time. On the other hand, some were looking down on him since they believed that Vale just wanted to try experiencing the stone platform.

Well, seeing their magic zone manifest with their naked eyes is quite an interesting experience after all.

'Hmph… Let's see if Leonore will still look at you favorably if you fail.' Neil couldn't help but think of this as he glanced at Leonore who seemed to be hoping that Vale would succeed.

Neil shifted his glance with a bitter heart as he waited for Vale to fail.

Although he doesn't like Leonore since he already has someone in his heart, it just doesn't sit well with him that an outstanding girl like her would like Vale who didn't come from a notable family compared to him who had a decently influential family and he's also good looking.

"Alright… You can go ahead and try, Vale. You might feel a bit of resistance since you're standing on the platform but it's fine. The Platform is still a mystical item but you can just ignore that bit of resistance… You can  show your magic zone whenever you're ready."

Vale nodded at the instruction as he maintained his gaze on the platform. He wanted to properly see how the magical platform will show his magic zone…

After taking a deep breath, he entered his Phantasm State.

At the same time, the stone platform detected this and indeed felt a bit heavy and cold but it was bearable.

'As expected, the platform is delayed by a few seconds… In that case…'

Realizing that the platform can't instantly show the range of his magic zone, he swiftly controlled it to only cover 17 meters. He certainly can't reveal his real Magic Zone or Wilfred might refuse to continue the duel.

Anyway, since Wilfred and Zeno have 9 meters in range, then it shouldn't be that surprising to show 17 meters since he has 25 Spirit Strands.

'This should be enough...'

Soon, the illusory shadow which was equivalent to his magic zone started spreading outward and stopped at the distance that Vale had set up 17 meters.

"T-that's… What was his range, professor?" Aubrey immediately asked as she realized that Vale's Magic Zone wasn't something that can be ignored.

She initially thought that they have the same range because they were almost in the same position during the battle against the Evil Creature.

She thought his range was also around 10 meters! However, she was actually wrong!

"..."

The three assistants, who were previously making fun of Vale since he dared to get into a duel while only in his first year, found themselves speechless after seeing the range that Vale had just shown.

They may have a higher range right now but that is because they were already in their sixth year. They already have more experience and couldn't compare to the first-year students. However, they realized that they were only better than Vale by a few meters!

'Is this the benefit of having a higher Spirit Strand?' One of them couldn't help but lament after realizing the difference in their talents.

Neil almost choked after seeing this as well...

'How is this possible?!'

Professor Charlotte Vermont immediately calmed herself as she answered Leonore's question. "It's 17 meters."

Her voice was soft but everyone heard it very clearly.

She then shifted her gaze back to Vale as she showed a satisfied smile.

"That's very impressive, Vale. However, since it is a bit too big, it will be harder to shrink it. After all, your physique will be receiving the burden if you deliberately suppress your Aura. It's not something you can easily learn—"

She wanted to explain to Vale how difficult it is and how he shouldn't be discouraged even if he fails.

However, she hadn't even finished speaking when Vale's magic zone trembled as it started shrinking!

"Ahhh! He's doing it!"

"H-how can it be so easy?!"

"Are we just dumb or he's just too good?"

"How come our difference appears so big?"

"He should start in the higher year…"

Vale's classmates reacted differently as soon as they saw the magic zone displayed by the stone platform started shrinking.

As soon as it stopped, they can already tell that Vale had succeeded. He didn't simply shrink the magic zone by a meter but by over 3 meters!

This was an incredible performance and even Professor Charlotte has to admit that. She can still recall how it took her a couple of months before she was even able to control her magic zone so smoothly like how Vale did it.

"Professor, did I pass?" Vale asked but he wasn't simply looking at the Professor. He was also eyeing his classmates who were previously doubting his capabilities.

"Yes… You pass. How did you do it? Do you have a special physique that works really well with your control over your magic zone?"

Professor Charlotte was really curious about this since it was just too unbelievable.

She can only think of three possible ways how Vale did it so easily.

First, Vale must've learned how to do it already since he's simply a genius. He must've consumed the Darkness Possession Potion at an early age and was able to practice for a longer time than the others.

Next, Vale was probably hiding a Mystical Item that she can't detect that allows him to control his Magic Zone like a real expert. However, that is very unlikely to happen since the Secret Order should've reported this to them if Vale entered the Academy with such a high-level Mystical Artifact.

Lastly, Vale probably has a unique physique that makes it easy for him to bear the burden of shrinking his Magic Zone!

'You're right, Professor. It seems to be a benefit brought by my unique physique.' Vale answered in his mind.

He also realized this fact today after Professor Charlotte mentioned how having a special physique can help him finish this task.

Of course, he decided to not say this openly since his Incorruptible Body can't be revealed to the public yet.