The swindler always says only what’s pleasing to the ear.
After all, whether for financial or other gain, the swindler must see “unconditional benefit” and thus must somehow entice the victim into making a purchase.
Those who have fallen victim to a swindler know this.
They often think, “If only I could turn back time,” or, “I should have responded that way.”
In numerous tales of reincarnation, the so-called “cathartic moment” arises, where the victim confronts the swindler or outwits them, expressing thoughts that come from this line of thinking.
So, what about those who avoid falling victim to swindlers?
They, too, know how to counter the swindler’s rhetoric.
They avoid damage by forming responses in their minds beforehand, responses they wish they’d had, and then confidently standing their ground.
And whether one has been conned or not, anyone who deals with a swindler reacts similarly.
[Does that really make sense?]
The first to open the conversation after my long monologue was Keyarnim, the Student Council President.
“You seem very interested, given that you’re in a growth phase, President.”
[No, it’s not that…]
“Someone in your position as the Student Council President has already reached maturity. Are you really aiming to grow even more?”
[…]
In front of the male dormitory, the gazes sent toward the Student Council President by the male students likely held many meanings.
Whether prince or not, men tend to respect one who is physically mature.
For those of a similar age who are still growing, there are often mixed feelings of admiration or jealousy toward someone who’s “already grown”.
This was my taunt.
While showing deference, I was subtly prodding him.
Fine, we know you’re big.
But don’t you want to grow even more?
[So you’re saying anyone can grow to be like Phoenix just by using the Kegel technique?]
“Absolutely. Anyone can become just like you, Mr. President.”
If others heard it, it could be interpreted as a slightly dangerous statement.
To some, this might sound like a risky statement. If it was about abilities, one might think, “Oh, a mutual respect between the strong,” but for some students with vivid imaginations, it could inspire a whole new daydream.
However.
[I don’t believe it.]
Aside from all that Student Council President Keyarnim is someone who prioritizes everyone’s safety.
[It’s still hard to believe that this Zerk technique could be a countermeasure against Mana Drain.]
“That’s true. Any theory needs to be empirically tested first.”
I get it.
When superconductors were first shown on video, people joked that the U.S. might invade to “deliver democracy.”
Without a universal validation process for any theory or phenomenon, it lacks persuasive power.
“If you don’t believe me, I could verify it through experimentation myself.”
[What… did you say?]
“All we need to check is whether the barrier created by the Kegel technique holds up against Mana Drain, isn’t it?”
“Wait a moment.”
Yunia, who had been chatting via the magic pad, interrupted.
“That’s a dangerous suggestion.”
“It’s alright, Miss Yunia. I don’t intend to recklessly dash out of the old school building and test Mana Drain on the spot.”
I won’t go around making hasty decisions.
“If we do proceed, we’d probably need help from those in the old school building.”
“What, what did you say?”
Yunia quickly looked back and forth between Instructor Esta and Instructor Kadisha, and the two exchanged glances as well.
Perhaps you?
That was the look.
“Of course, only with their permission.”
Though unspoken, it subtly planted the thought in their minds.
“President, don’t you have at least one ‘safe woman’ who could withstand Mana Drain?”
[We’re not in that kind of relationship-]
Bingo.
[Ahem. I can’t easily step forward to experiment with Mana Drain. After all, we’re still students, regardless of what’s being discussed.]
[Then I suppose I’ll step in.]
As Keyarnim retreated under the shield of student status, Ederson immediately took the lead.
[Is it alright for an old man who’s immune to Mana Drain to step up?]
“Dean.”
[It’s fine, Ludmila. There’s a method to protect the students, but if a professor doesn’t take the lead in verifying it, what’s the point?]
As Ludmila attempted to stop him, she couldn’t hinder the ‘resolve’ of Dean Ederson.
[How about it? Want to try it on me? I’ll face Mana Drain with the Kegel technique. Fortunately, I have some people who can assist. Haha!]
“Dean Ederson, are you aware that if Mana is stolen by Mana Drain, it’s taken permanently?”
Instructor Kadisha voiced her concern.
“Though the amount varies per person, men who suffer Mana Drain cannot offer any resistance.”
[That’s true. Even the Sword Master from the South was incapacitated by Mana Drain. Though they say he was swarmed by several women, I don’t think he could have resisted.]
Mana Drain—this technique makes men utterly “helpless.”
No matter how strong a man is, once he’s captured by a woman, he can use physical strength but not “Mana”.
At that point, one would have to rely purely on physical strength to escape, but a muscle-bound warrior with no mana would struggle even to win an arm-wrestling match against a ten-year-old D-rank girl using a sliver of mana. That’s the essence of mana.
[So, if I test it on myself and withstand Mana Drain, your Kegel technique would become a kind of ‘baptism’ for all the Academy students here.]
“I think calling it a baptism is a bit much.”
I acted embarrassed, but that expression was exactly the response I wanted.
[No, no. You’re a savior. You allow those who have bowed their heads, or those who cannot lift their heads, to find courage and build their pride at critical moments.]
In other words, to some, this makes you a saint.
[However, there’s a serious problem.]
“Are you already confident you won’t succumb to Mana Drain?”
[I know you’re not one to make exaggerated claims in front of everyone here.]
“Thank you for trusting me. So, what’s the serious issue?”
[It’s this.]
Dean Ederson coughed awkwardly.
[If someone is stimulated for 24 hours, wouldn’t that be essentially a death sentence?]
“Excuse me?”
[Someone like you or me might withstand an extended ‘active’ state, but we need to consider what it would be like for ordinary people. It seems you haven’t thought of that.]
“Ah.”
So that’s it.
“Even if the Kegel technique is active for 24 hours, it doesn’t mean one’s body is in a constant state of full charging.”
[What… did you say?]
“Just as blood can rush at a moment but then quickly settle when one relaxes, the Kegel technique works similarly.”
Since the blessing from Hydra is a ‘magical phenomenon’, it doesn’t overly stimulate physical matters.
“Every man has moments of discomfort when that happens spontaneously. At such times, the Kegel technique monitors the ‘moment of growth’ and continues its mana stimulation only during that moment. Because…”
[Because?]
“Normally, the Kegel technique focuses on the ‘magazine’ below rather than the pillar.”
[What!!]
Ederson, taken aback, reacted quite dramatically.
[Are you saying the magazine grows too?!]
“With sufficient training, one could manage solo against 1:17 with ease.”
[Huh, huh…!]
“It’s beneficial. If there’s any downside, it’s that randomly deactivating full charging won’t allow for continuous growth.”
Meaning, it’s a loss if you don’t try it, but no harm in doing so.
The Kegel technique is a blessing bestowed by the [Mother of Earth] for all living beings on this land.
[You… just what are you?]
“Well, if you’re still doubtful, consider me a divine apostle who seeks to build the self-esteem of those lacking pride.”
And I am that apostle, and also a demon who will rebel against the Goddess up in the heavens, aiming to tear down her divinity.
“You all just need to enjoy.”
A demon never tells of future problems when offering something for the first time.
What’s known as ‘the price’ sometimes even acts as a blessing for some.
Even if everyone loses faith in the goddess of the heavens, humanity would merely be unable to use divine power or angelic abilities.
“Dean Ederson? Actually, our concern shouldn’t be the safety of the Kegel technique.”
[Then what?]
“Using the Kegel technique 24 hours a day at the Academy means that sometimes, one would have to attend lectures while in an ‘active state’.”
[Hmm…!]
“And, another issue is that men experience several moments each day when the Kegel technique deactivates.”
[Ah. I see what you mean.]
Even a mana-based barrier can be detrimental if it’s blocking you during a restroom visit, impacting your health.
“In the dormitory, it’s safe, but in the classrooms or break room, it would be more dangerous for the men’s restroom.”
[Hmm….]
“Therefore, I propose a suggestion. Although it might negatively impact the Academy’s schedule, in the interest of the male graduates’ health and the happiness of the women they’ll eventually marry, let’s consider a grand solution.”
17.
For the men alone?
No.
The women would benefit too.
For their sake.
“I propose remote classes.”
With only the upper body shown on the magic pad, no one would notice what’s happening below.
“We’d be able to focus on studies while simultaneously training both our bodies and mana.”
