Chapter 336
Chapter 336
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 336
Chapter Title: Side Story 20. Blue Spring to You (2)
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#07
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The airships bound for Adren were docked in Phileon Academy's grand plaza, waiting for the students to board.
The second-years swarming the plaza were all buzzing with excitement.
And they had every reason to be.
They were getting to visit the Dragon City—a place ordinary folks couldn't even dream of seeing—simply because they were students at Phileon Academy.
Clap!
Professor Baren Phanasir, in charge of chaperoning the field trip, clapped his hands.
"Alright, everyone, settle down. We'll board the airships by class order!"
"Professor! How long does it take to get there?"
"These are express airships, so about twelve hours. Once we enter Adren's territory, we might run into sentinel summons or hatchlings, so please don't agitate them."
Baren's mane and belly jiggled with every word.
It was the polar opposite of Zaifa's warrior build—he was still living as a warrior, after all.
This were-lion, fresh off his 75th failed diet, was currently the wealthiest person at Phileon.
Even though his family had enough wealth to live off forever, he stayed with the academy because he genuinely loved teaching students.
What a fulfilling life.
Baren gazed warmly at the students—until his eyes suddenly froze.
'That said, I'm worried about her. Hope nothing goes wrong...'
His gaze lingered on a girl in the middle of the crowd.
The girl with sun-kissed skin was growling fiercely, looking ready to bite anyone nearby.
It was Naviroje, who had unintentionally reverted to her youthful self.
'Rejuvenation, huh. At this rate, she might actually be stronger than Sir Zaifa now.'
Her youthful form looked like any teenage girl to the untrained eye.
Of course, her mind hadn't regressed too, so she could clearly feel her energy being siphoned by the fresh-faced students around her in real time.
He wanted to help, but he couldn't.
She'd warned him that if the students found out, who knew what she'd do.
It was a clichéd threat, but coming from one of the empire's top five sword masters, it carried real weight.
"I'm insane. I must be insane. Why did I fall for that?"
Naviroje muttered, rubbing her forehead.
She'd beaten up Jarodin for a good five minutes before admitting there was no better alternative.
Her rejuvenated teenage body was clad in Phileon Academy's Martial Arts Department uniform.
'Damn it. Feels so exposed down there.'
For the first time in her life, Naviroje was feeling actual shame.
She could handle the shirt and blazer somehow, but the skirt was the problem.
She'd never realized skirts let so much air through.
Even in midsummer, she always wore long pants—baring her legs like this took serious mental fortitude.
'How the hell does Sanya want to wear stuff like this?'
To make matters worse, Sanya's clothes were a bit small on her.
Her figure was outlined inevitably, and even though her signature heft had shrunk by more than half, it still drew eyes.
The students sneaking glances proved it.
"Who's she? Never seen her before."
"She's Instructor Naviroje's distant cousin. They look so alike—I thought she was the daughter at first. No idea if that's why, but... damn."
"Southern passion alright... Pretty face too. Should I go say hi? Bro said girls from the sticks are easy to charm."
Naviroje sighed.
Even at a prestigious academy, boys were boys.
They probably thought they were whispering quietly, but unfortunately for them, her hearing was sharper than a wild rabbit's.
'Lucky bastards. Normally, I'd slap them with immediate suspension for harassing a teacher.'
They were in the middle of rock-paper-scissors to decide who would approach her.
Naviroje glanced back and released a tiny wisp of killing intent.
"Hiiik! W-what?!"
"C-can't move... W-wait! You peed yourself!"
"What the hell...!"
It was extremely faint killing intent, but the effect was certain.
The boys, hit by the invisible strike, froze in paralysis.
Streams of liquid burst from all three pairs of pants simultaneously.
Their muscles had relaxed uncontrollably from the overwhelming intent.
"Kya aaah! Get away, you bedwetters!"
"W-wait, Penny! It wasn't me!"
"You're still going! Shut up and scram!"
Nearby students screamed and fled.
The three pissers tried to make excuses, but once started, the streams wouldn't stop easily.
Feeling eyes on her, Naviroje turned forward.
Baren, who had witnessed the whole thing, stared at her in bewilderment.
"Ins... Instructor...?"
"Shh."
Naviroje silently held a finger to her lips.
Let this slide.
Baren nodded reluctantly and fetched them spare pants. Overcome with shame, the boys bolted.
The sight was so ridiculous that Naviroje let out an involuntary chuckle.
"...What am I even doing with these kids."
Was her mind regressing with her body?
It was childish behavior the old her never would have done.
Soon, with all students aboard, the airship unfurled its wing sails and took off.
Her first—and last—school trip began.
"It's really been ages. Dragon City."
Naviroje murmured to herself.
It was her first visit since the war.
She was on the airship's deck, watching Adren draw nearer.
A massive floating island loomed high above the sea of rippling clouds.
'Not bad scenery.'
Even for Naviroje, who had wandered the world, it was breathtaking.
Moonlight from the full moon bathed the airship and cloud ocean in silver.
The wind was just rough enough to feel good, and the faint sea scent was pleasant.
She walked to the edge and leaned on the railing.
If alone, she'd have stripped her top and lit a pipe.
As she fiddled regretfully with the pipe in her bosom—
"Hey, wanna eat lunch together?"
"Hm?"
Naviroje turned, eyes widening.
A familiar face stood right behind her.
Black hair inherited from his father, sunset-orange eyes.
A calm voice like his mother's.
Small but sturdy-looking hands held a lunchbox.
Snapping out of her daze, she frowned.
"Lanse."
"You know me?"
Lanse tilted his head.
He'd heard she was a transfer student—how did she know him?
From Naviroje's perspective, of course she did.
He was Ronan's son—and her current student.
But she couldn't let on now, so she shook her head.
"Kinda. Heard from your... aunt."
"Ah, so the rumor you're Instructor Naviroje's niece is true. You really do look alike."
"What's the deal?"
"Whoa, even your speech is similar... Anyway, wanna eat together? I saw you alone earlier."
Come to think of it, it was about dinnertime.
Lanse thumbed behind him.
Beneath the main mast, a red-haired girl sat slouched.
Her uniform marked her as Magic Department, and Naviroje recognized her too.
Asel and Marya's eldest daughter.
Sechika, scanning Naviroje up and down, muttered with narrowed eyes.
"Who's this chick?"
Her face, build—everything screamed trouble.
She growled openly, hostility plain.
Lanse asked worriedly.
"Sechika, you okay? Did you not finish in the bathroom earlier?"
"Shut up, idiot! Don't say that in front of people!"
"Whoa, why yell? If your stomach hurts, I'll give you meds. Just wait."
"Kyaaah!"
Sechika finally snapped, unleashing telekinesis.
A spoon flew, slicing past Lanse's ear.
Naviroje stifled a laugh at the sight.
Their dynamic was crystal clear.
Lanse scratched his head.
"Sorry. She's not usually like this."
"No biggie. She's cute."
"Thanks for that. You haven't heard of Sechika from Magic Department? I'll introduce—"
"Hey! Lanse!"
As Lanse spoke, a voice called from the stern.
Two boys waved him over.
"Eek, time flies."
Lanse looked flustered.
The boys' sour faces suggested trouble.
Glancing between them and Naviroje, he said apologetically.
"Uh... sorry. I'll be right back, so you two eat? Won't take long."
"Whatever."
"Thanks. Oh, didn't catch your name."
"Call me Naro."
"Got it. See you soon, Naro!"
With that, Lanse vanished.
Naviroje chuckled dryly at the name she'd blurted out.
Not bad for off-the-cuff.
"W-what? Suddenly... "
The mood turned awkwardly hellish.
Left alone by chance, Sechika panicked briefly.
But she adapted quick.
"Sigh... Hey, don't just stand there. Come here."
Naviroje did.
Seeing her empty hands, Sechika unpacked her lunchbox and offered it.
Enough for two, easily.
"If you didn't bring any, share mine. I'm Sechika Karabel."
Mostly meat—Marya must've made it.
Staring at the lunch, Naviroje smirked.
Suspicious or not, what a sweet kid.
Might as well help a little.
She popped a fried cutlet and spoke.
"Relax. Not interested in your boyfriend."
"What?!"
Sechika spat out her barley tea.
After pounding her chest a few times, she recovered.
Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, she yelled passionately.
"What are you talking about? We're not like that...!"
"I like guys who don't talk much. Anyway, that Lanse kid takes after his dad too much. Even eyeballs on his ass would have better instincts."
Naviroje sighed.
Anyone could see she liked him, yet he was oblivious—just like Ronan.
She jabbed Sechika's side with a finger.
"Lemme tell you a good trick. Come here."
"Aang!"
Sechika twisted, a bizarre noise escaping as electric tingles spread through her.
Regaining her wits, she clapped a hand over her mouth.
"W-what was that? Everyone's staring...!"
"Mana vein press. Should feel better now."
"What? Oh... yeah, actually..."
Sechika's eyes went wide.
Her stiff body had loosened up.
Naviroje chuckled.
"I'll show you the exact spot. Press his now and then. Helps him out, and you get to touch sneakily. Win-win, right?"
"You... you really...!"
Sechika gaped.
First girl like this in her life.
Butting in on her love life with advice—and skinship tips, no less.
After a silent beat, she grabbed Naviroje's hands.
"You're awesome! Wanna be friends?"
"Friends?"
"Yeah. I needed someone like you. First time anyone's given such straightforward, practical advice!"
Sechika's voice brimmed with genuine excitement.
Too adorable—Naviroje chuckled again.
Friends, huh.
She'd faint if she knew who I was.
No answer came, so Sechika tilted her head.
"Don't wanna?"
"...Nah. Let's do it, friends."
"Yay! If there's anyone cute in Magic Department, lemme know. Most are wimps, but a few gems pop up."
"Noted."
Naviroje nodded and stood.
Her sharp ears caught ominous chatter.
- So... haven't seen Navardoje...?
- Horrific... But we can't back down...
Navardoje's name—trouble.
From the stern.
Lanse's voice mixed in with three others.
"So... what the hell are these boys plotting?"