Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: King of the Plains and Power Thief #02
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Snore! Puhahaaa!
'Fuck.'
The ear-piercing snoring jolted me awake from the deep sleep I'd fallen into out of sheer exhaustion.
Peeking out the window, I could see the dawn sun just barely rising. Considering the academy's long days, it had to be just shy of 5 a.m.
Mmm... Turururu!
"What the hell, is this crazy horse whinnying in his sleep too?!"
I chucked a pillow at the face of the Unicorn sprawled belly-up on the top bunk of the bunk bed, then tried to lie back down and sleep.
No dice. I'd gotten so pissed off that I was wide awake now.
"I've got a packed day ahead, and this guy's ruining my sleep..."
Last night, when I got back to the dorm, I couldn't just leave the Unicorn somewhere else, so I'd hidden him with an invisibility spell and snuck him into my room.
"Human, what is this pigsty of a room even narrower than? You're not seriously telling the great one to sleep in this cramped space, are you?!"
"Come on, anywhere's gotta be better than a stable. What's your problem?"
The moment we got in, he took one look at the room setup and started whining again. I seriously considered putting him in his place right then, but decided to let it slide for now.
"Never in the days of the great One-Horned Duke Amducias have we pureblood Unicorns endured such shabby treatment! I demand a room large enough for my true form! Otherwise, I won't get proper rest, and it'll cause major issues with the mission!"
He went on like that for a solid thirty minutes. By the time I came back from washing up, he'd already claimed the top bunk and was passed out spread-eagled in human form.
Where did all that dignity go? I wondered, but figured him keeping his mouth shut and sleeping was better anyway. So I just scarfed down a chocolate bar for dinner and hit the sack without waking him.
But this guy—who'd been yapping about dignity and shabby treatment—was now chomping on the pillow I'd thrown at his face, deep in sleep. What pissed me off even more was that the second I woke up, he stopped snoring like some ghost sensing me.
"Fucking horse bastard..."
I had no idea how it worked, but in polymorphed form, he looked like some noble young lady in a pristine white dress woven from snowflakes.
I'd seen this form a few times back when we first contracted, and yeah, it had tempted me then. But now? I just wanted to kick him out on the spot.
The Photon I'd bunked with before snored too, but not this loud. I'd mastered sleeping through anything on patrols beyond the barrier last regression, but who knew this lunatic colt would wreck my rest?
"Sigh. I've got a ton to do anyway. Might as well get an early start."
Glancing at the clock, it was just past 5 a.m. after my little monologue.
'After washing up, I need to meet those three before morning roll call and hash things out.'
Those three, obviously: Shaomei, Agnes, and Violet.
In a normal regression, I'd be running myself ragged alone, mouth dry from yelling, to stop some massive incident. But this round was different.
Those three were cheat-level in their respective fields—talent and experience-wise. And since their memories regressed too, we didn't need to hunt for proof or reasons; we could jump straight into action together.
'...Maybe memory regression is the real win?'
Nah, Kaiyen remembered too and was just force-feeding me sweet potatoes, so it's case by case.
Anyway, Agnes was third-year, but all three were in Gold Class dorms. Quick wash-up, hit two spots, then hole up in the warehouse.
'Gotta apply for that club with Teacher soon to ditch the warehouse life.'
Whoosh.
"Ah, shit! Hot! Too hot!"
Lost in thought, I yelled as I scalded myself under water boiling way past hot.
I rushed through a combat shower, fixed my hair a bit, and stepped out to find the Unicorn flailing blindly as he climbed down from the top bunk, eyes barely open.
"Ugh... Why wake the great one at this ungodly hour..."
He yawned lazily, rubbing his eyes, and I was tempted to flick his forehead, but I swallowed my urges, stripped off my clothes, and changed into my cadet uniform.
"Y-You! Stripping naked in front of the great one?! Have you no shame?!"
"I don't have a fetish for getting horny over horses."
Any guy who didn't know better might have to fight urges upon seeing her, but I'd spent five years with this manure-stinking nag.
Plus, now I had Shaomei and Agnes in the picture. No reason to turn into a horse girl simp. Super-Arthin status achieved.
"Defiler of purity! If you dare lust after the great one's beauty, you'll face severe punishment!"
Fuck, I was just grabbing my wallet when I booted the colt right in the shin for his bullshit.
"Gyaaaaak! Did you just strike the great one with violence?! How dare you anger—Ow! It hurts! Hurts so much!"
"Shut up and hurry up if you wanna catch the thief!!!"
I grabbed his ear, dragged the yowling, teary-eyed Unicorn out of the room by it, and felt a rush of satisfaction.
If he thought I was still kowtowing as his contractor due to the pact, he'd be dead wrong.
I hadn't forgotten how he'd called me "bald eagle" instead of Arthin.
That's life. I'd pay him back bit by bit during this mission.
Pfft-yeah.
**
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Each dorm's supervisor matches their class's vibe. Probably some setup by the author.
The Bronze Class supervisor uncle is laid-back and easygoing. In a world where talent and bloodline dictate most strength and success, most folks are content just with the "academy enrollee" label.
They're the extras in novels who whisper and react to the protagonist or villain's antics.
The Silver Class supervisor lady is super strict and rule-obsessed. Silvers are in that diamond-tier flux where you can climb or drop, so they've got the fiercest competitive drive and clear ambitions.
They're the ones who get jealous of the hero's innate talent and spread nasty rumors or bully subtly. Kaiyen's in Silver right now, for reference.
And the Gold Class supervisor assigned for Kaiyen—who'll shock everyone in the first semester and ascend to Gold amid cries of "hero's amazing!"—is...
"Oh dear, I didn't realize I was dealing with nobility! I'll pass on the message right away!"
The frog-faced, goateed supervisor who'd been grimacing at a Bronze student bothering him switched attitudes the second he heard I was tight with Shaomei, Violet, and Agnes.
That lightning-fast sycophantic groveling? Peak Gold Class energy.
For Gold students—blessed with overwhelming talent or untouchable bloodlines/positions—what matters isn't strict rules or neighborly chill. It's just keeping the academy brass happy without friction.
This guy's perfect for Gold. In the original story, he'd turn full supporter the moment the hero name-dropped his heroines and allies.
"Thanks, then."
I left as the bowing supervisor bobbed his head behind me.
"Now, decide whether to rope in Kaiyen or not..."
"Kaiyen? Who's that? Trustworthy?"
The Unicorn, who'd been ogling the glittering Gold dorm decor, trotted after me with sparkling eyes.
"Trustworthy? Kinda... but..."
Honestly, this Kaiyen had me stumped. His behavior this regression felt off.
I knew it was the memory regression, but it clashed hard with his previous self. Like pre-pounce Shaomei vibes.
Or maybe just toward me, since Claire seemed fine around him.
"Either way, he's the most helpful guy out there. No other solid ally candidates..."
Jorba might flip and ask why I'm doing this crap.
"Speaking of, where's Sion?"
I'd portaled her back to the academy last time, but hadn't seen her since amid the chaos.
"Sion? Is he helpful for thief-hunting too?"
"Who? You saw her. The naked chick kowtowing and apologizing to me."
"That spiritless, defiled harlot? She's been outside the window since last night, tailing us."
"What? Where?"
"Over there," he said, pointing to the Gold dorm rooftop. Focusing, I faintly sensed Sion's presence.
"She's been following since last night?!"
"I thought you'd assigned that wench as your guard knight! What lunatic spies on a man's bedroom all night?!"
I stared at the Unicorn in disbelief, and he protested his innocence.
Logically, he had a point; I couldn't argue. Even I'd assume assassin or guard.
Thud.
Sensing my gaze, Sion lightly leaped from the roof, landing feather-soft before me and dropping to her knees.
"Do you need me, Young Master Arthin? Just give the order. I'll do anything you desire."
She whispered, lifting her head—flushed with anticipation, eyes dulled to dead-fish blankness.
"Arthin! The great one finds that harlot creepy! Look at those dead eyes like a zombie!"
Sensing my mood, the Unicorn pointed accusingly at her. Sion shot back a brief killing glare.
"What're you staring at?! Defiled wench daring to glare at the great one?! Bow your head before I gore your guts!"
He had some dignity in true form, but as a scared human yelling, he looked utterly pathetic.
This was getting awkward.
"You just flashed killing intent at someone with me, Sion?"
"N-No, Young Master! I showed my foolish side!"
I narrowed my eyes—what the hell?—and she frantically shook her head, bowing deeply in apology.
'No wonder Rexton tried backstabbing her.'
Every regression, I'd met Rexton, but never with Sion intact.
Always modded-up by fallen Rexton, turned Death Knight, sacrificed, used and discarded.
I thought it was just his villainous habit of abusing minions, but maybe he just cut losses on this psycho.
'Could use her, maybe...'
For now, tame this obedient-mad-dog act. Past regressions taught me ignoring types like her turns them yandere villain stalkers.
"Head up. I've got a job for you. Obey well, and I might forgive you."
Trembling in terror of abandonment, her face lit up as she gazed up at me.
"Whatever it is, I'll stake my life on it!"
Some past-life YouTube said to break a feral dog's spirit first.
So, how do I tame this mad bitch?