It was incredible synergy. One that I had intellectually known about, but didn't realize until now.
My Trait, [Stellar Mana Physique], combined my stamina and mana pool.
On the surface, that would just seem like it created a new net total of resources to draw from. And it kind of did since they were linked.
But that wasn't the case.
And I was experiencing it first hand right now.
'Interesting.'
I could feel my mana pool depleting as the fight continued against Roland. But I remained at peak physical condition.
It wasn't like this before... Maybe [Combat Dictation] was influencing it?
Rather than a combined pool of resources, it was more like my body could use either. As an analogy... instead of having a gallon of coffee mixed with milk, I had a gallon of black coffee and a gallon of milk.
And to sate my thirst, I could drink from either.
Or in other words...
"As expected, Alex." Roland laughed as he knelt on the ground, drained from straining himself with healing magic and pushing his body beyond its limits. "You always have another ace up your sleeve."
...I was always in peak physical condition as long as I had mana. And any stamina regeneration I had went to my mana pool as well.
As I stared at Roland's sweat-covered and blood-stained body, I couldn't help but reflect.
'I didn't think I made this much of a cheat with Stellar Mana Physique...'
I originally made it to simply bypass Alex's naturally low reserves. Since his body and his mana weren't trained very well, I had derived the Trait as a means to make the most of a bad situation.
But it seemed like I stumbled upon something ridiculous instead.
'I thought that combined meant synthesis and mixing. But it seems like the definition used for Stellar Mana Physique is more like using in tandem.'
Like how hybrid cars could use either electricty or gasoline to power them, I had done the same with my body.
Which led to this ridiculous situation where I looked completely unbothered by the spar while Roland looked about three breaths away from passing out.
"Did the commoner just... beat Lionheart?"
"No way! Lionheart MUST have gone easy on the commoner!"
"Look at him, idiot! Can YOU go easy on someone while being that drenched with sweat?"
"If Lionheart went easy, then he should consider becoming an actor instead because that 'performance' would fool anyone..."
...Yeah, everyone around had clearly noticed.
But that was good. Because...
> You have successfully acted out the scenario 'hidden prodigy reveals his true depths for the first time!'
> The audience is stirred beyond belief!
> You have gained a tremendous amount of SP!
> Current balance: 5,425,333
> It is recommended to use SP to prepare for the First Disaster!
...That was my intention.
I tilted my head, listening to the messages being read out inside my mind.
...Five million SP.
Three million had been enough to push back the replica of the Demon God in the simulation.
...But that was a 'being.' It would have been possible to push him back with other methods too.
The problem was that Eve's situation was an anchor point of this world. The entire future would change depending on her fate.
If I wanted to use external powers to change it...
'Five million might not be enough.'
I still remembered.
Putting it in perspective...
I only had 0.5% of the required influence to resolve the ending by myself using the system.
Considering the disasters compounded on each other, the amount of influence required to nip them in the bud... or at least shift it enough to save Eve...
'No. We stay the course.'
It was tempting to just flip the table and generate SP to try and perform something like I did in the battle against the Demon God in that simulated reality.
But that was gambling.
Rob had created the system for me, and the system granted me tools.
But that was it.
I had already seen firsthand how it wasn't omnipotent or absolute. After all, it couldn't account for my own actions or knowledge. That was shown in how I acquired a Talent that Alex didn't possess just now.
SP and the System were both useful. But they weren't the solution. It was a privilege I was granted as the Author...
But at the end of the day, I was the one who had to write the revisions. Changing history... changing the future had to be done with my own hands.
And so...
I sheathed my training sword and walked over to Roland, holding out my hand. "Thanks, Rolo."
Roland laughed and took my hand. "Any time, Friend. Although..." He pulled himself up and gave me a once over. "...It seems like I still need to train harder."
I laughed too. "Well... It would be great if you did. But no rush."
Yeah.
For him, there was no rush.
He would be able to save everything he cared for if he had time.
I was the one who needed to rush.
So...
'I need to confirm. Just how much I can accumulate before then.'
===
December 14th. A week before the Winter Solstice Ball. Also a week after Roland's spar with Alex.
Since then, things had been a bit hectic at the academy overall, what with everyone scrambling for dates that night. But in terms of actual classwork and events, it was relatively mundane.
For most students.
But...
The northeast quadrant of Starlight Academy, where the training facilities were located.
Roland had initially gone there to test his skills by using the academy's measurement devices. But when he arrived, he noticed two familiar faces, training side by side but also without a word: Alex and Evelyn.
'Strange.'
Usually, the two were stuck together like glue. The princess was surprisingly clingy and Alex accommodated her.
But today, the two were at opposite sides of the training facilities and doing their own things. From the look of focus on each, they also didn't seem to realize the other was there.
Roland frowned and quietly moved to a spot out of their vision to watch over them.
'...It's odd.'
Something was wrong. His instincts were practically screaming at him.
Not in terms of their relationship, but...
'They are preparing for something. No, they are both fighting something on their own.'
Evelyn was straining herself, utilizing [Mana Body] to its fullest by enhancing herself with support magic while simultaneously attacking with both her rapier and elemental magic.
It was impressive, and like always, she wore a stoic expression as she trained.
But every now and then her right hand would twitch towards her chest. Like she wanted to massage her heart.
Meanwhile, Alex was straining himself too. Various training golems calibrated to measure damage rushed towards him. As they did, Alex moved, his body flowing with precision as he punched, kicked, slashed, and attacked with magic.
A stream of motion without a single pause, like clear flowing water carving a ravine into the earth.
But something was bothering him too. Every time he finished and checked the readings on the golems, he clicked his tongue before resetting them.
'...What in the world is going on right now?'
Roland wanted to ask. But he knew both Alex and Evelyn. Neither of them would tell him what was going on. Both of them were far too self-sacrificing for their own sakes. So instead...