Chapter 119
Chapter 119
Academy’s Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Chapter 119
We passed through the frozen mountains in just one day.
Fortunately, there was no blizzard or snowfall, but the cold was still so intense that everyone was shivering nonstop.
There were a few close calls where the campfire nearly went out from the fierce gusts of wind.
What would they have done without me?
If the fire had gone out even once, without any flint to relight it, everyone except those two would have been done for, frozen solid.
Those two definitely seem used to the cold.
Termiya, who moved all day in her armor, enduring this brutal chill like it was everyday life, and Isis, who exuded temperatures even colder than the freezing cold around them.
Neither paid the least bit of attention to the weather, silently doing their parts.
"Is that the kind of adaptation Russians have? Impressive. Maybe I should head to Russia for training over break."
"Don't even think about it, Izzy. You think everyone's like Isis there? Kids like her are one in a million."
"Where I come from, everyone adapted to cold like this. If you didn't, you died."
"......Teacher."
"Yeah, you're right. Go to Russia over break, come back stronger. But make sure you come back alive."
Isis's words steeled Izzy's resolve.
I gave the kid a push on the back.
This world's RussiaBear Country, as they call itmust be way rougher than I thought.
How brutal does a place have to be to produce someone like Isis?
After that, we marched toward the city, chatting about this and that.
Maybe because we'd crested the toughest part of the mountains yesterday. Crossing the forest today was a breeze, both physically and mentally.
But still.
Why haven't I seen hide nor hair of any magical beasts since yesterday?
Not just the bangwolf Isis took down last time, but every kind of beast that had shown up during those thousand kills while we stayed in the snowbound villagenone of them were even giving off a presence now.
It felt like the whole population had been wiped out.
The students were thrilled, saying it meant less energy wasted on top of the march, but I saw it differently.
My eye-made map clearly showed... up until two days ago, beast nests scattered all over the place.
Something was off.
But there was no explaining it.
I had no choice but to address it at our final camp before the city.
"I'll handle watch alone tonight. You all go get some solid sleep."
"For real, Teacher?!"
"Yeah, I'm used to pulling all-nighters anyway."
Normally, watch duty was my job unless there was a big fight.
This was nothing tiring.
But the students, oblivious to that, fretted over me.
They were giving me those looks like I was sacrificing myself for nothing.
They looked way more worn out than I didyou're the ones I'm worried about.
"Still, we could at least rotate an hour each...!"
"Don't be ridiculous. Go sleep. We'll hit the city tomorrowplenty to do there. Conserve your strength."
"Then... goodnight."
"Goodnight, Teacher."
"Night, Teach."
"Sleep well, Teacher."
The kids ducked into their tents and conked out right away.
Termiya took off her armor and stared at me right up until the end before slipping into hers. Once I heard the six of them breathing steadily, I got up for a bit.
Pyrokinesis
I lit a fire.
It wasn't because we were low on firewood or the embers were about to die.
No, after crossing those eye-filled mountains, the air had turned refreshingly cool in a weird way.
It felt like we'd stepped into a whole different climate just by topping the ridge. I'd have to look into that later.
I conjured a flame lantern to light the path ahead.
Still on watch, so I linked the coordinates of the Blink embedded in my boots to this spotfor instant return if needed.
"Without Isabel... the vibe's totally different from usual."
Think she's in the city?
"Gotta be."
What if she's not even there?
No way.
While crossing the mountains and forest, my Demon Eye and [Ten-Li Eye] had taken in 51.2% of this world's surface.
The local ecosystem and geography might as well be mapped in my head.
And yet, no trace of humans.
Especially no sign of Isabel anywhere.
Not even clues of major injury or damage sending her back to her original world.
So the city's the only option left.
But if I can't find her there either.
"I'll find her. Somehow."
Still got feelings for your ex-fiance? Or is it the student crushing on you? Which is it?
"Where'd you even hear that?"
Overheard some students gossiping about you. You must've heard it too.
"A couple whispers don't mean much."
That she still liked meBaek Seung-woocould be inferred from her telltale fidgeting.
I'm not that oblivious.
I just pretend to be because it's easier.
I know what I need to know.
So you gonna accept her?
"Huh? Accept what?"
Her confession.
"She hasn't even confessed outright. Accepting what? That's just overthinking it."
Crushes are normal at that age for anyone.
I had them. Everyone does.
And most fade before a years up.
No need to overanalyze. I scanned the surroundings instead.
Using my skills, Demon Eye and [Ten-Li Eye], I checked the beast nests I'd scouted ahead no signs of life in the past three days.
Kept probing nests and caves until I heard running water.
A small stream there, perfect drinking spot for wild animals.
Why stare at the stream so hard? Planning a bath?
"Not a bad idea. Good chance to test water quality and check for aquatic life while cleaning up."
A [Clean] spell handles basic hygiene quick, but it's no substitute for a real soak.
I stripped off my clothes, folded them neatly, and set them on the grass.
Right where I could see themno one'd snag 'em without me noticing.
Not dropping the undies?
"Obviously. Who's gonna flash this sorry bod in their underwear?"
Kinda... no, really disappointing.
"Your tastes are something else."
Tamamo took an interest in my body.
I wasn't impressed.
Sure, my face has it, but the rest? Ugly no matter how you slice it.
Really ugly.
My personal take, but obviously anyone else would agree.
Right then.
Rustle rustle.
The bushes shook.
Weird to have bushes after the snow village, but weirder stillno strong wind, no animals nearby, yet they rustled.
"Who's there? Come out."
"!!!"
"Won't come out? Fine, I'm coming over."
Thud thud.
I strode naked toward it, and the rustling intensified in panic.
Finally, whatever was hiding emerged.
A wild magical beast
"Isis?"
Da...?
I'd heard everyone's sleeping breaths before stepping out.
What the hell? I looked down at her, baffled, but Isis just stared up at me blankly.
"Uh, um...!"
Isis's mind went blank as she burst from the bushes.
Beautiful...!
His naked form was like a statue.
One weathered by time.
A masterpiece sculpture, damaged in spots, desperately needing restoration.
Pygmalion would've ditched his creation to cling to the Teacher instead.
"Mm..."
What do you do in a spot like this?
Her brain raced through first-time protocols. Thena flash of memory.
Come to think of it, I'd seen this scene in comics a few times.
So... the characters always go...
"Kyaaah! Pervert...?"
Is that right?
Right at that moment.
"S-sorry, Teacher!"
She apologized, mixing in polite speech she rarely used. I shrugged.
No need to apologize, really?
If anything, she'd be grossed out.
My body was covered in scars and burns.
Vicious burn marks spread across hands and elsewhere.
Hard to call it human skin anymorethat's the state of me.
At least my face was desperately guarded.
The body's a wreck.
Though better than before.
That thought for real?
Yeah, this is as good as it gets now. Back then, I protected my face, but the body was just a battlefield prop after endless fights and surgeries.
That's why I stick to suits or anything with zero exposure risk, then or now.
Armor or uniforms work too.
Your 'back then'whatever it means exactly, I'd love to see it sometime.
That curious? Just ask.
Heh, asking direct would spoil it. I'll wait for you to spill it yourself.
Stubborn fox.
Barring something huge, I wouldn't talk about those days.
"No need to apologize. We're hitting the city tomorrowgo sleep."
"No, I mean... uh, yeah?"
"Get back with your friends and crash. I've got investigating to do first."
"B-but... no watch? No one by the fire?"
I showed her the sigil tattooed on my hand.
A protective ward that fades if trouble hitsorder and direction reveal what happened.
A subtle sorcery spell; no average mage could detect it.
"This pattern's fade tells me everything instantly."
"Oh... got it. But you're not sleeping, Teacher?"
"I don't need much sleep. Tons of all-nighters under my belt, plus my realm helps, and my constitution doesn't crash easily."
All lies.
Lots of all-nighters?
Most days, no sleep or even rest unless it's extreme. Nine-tailed fox body makes it possible.
Realm perks?
Higher realms speed fatigue recovery, but not sleep needs much.
Constitution?
Biggest bullshit.
No one marches all day then volunteers for all-night watch claiming bad sleep hygiene unless they're a vampire.
Oh, constitution might actually fit.
Title: Vampire's Heir.
With partial vampire powers, I could kinda claim nocturnal tendencies.
Doesn't hold up since I work days too, but whatever.
"So I'm fine. Go sleep."
"I barely slept in Russia too. I'm good."
"No telling what tomorrow brings. Gotta be at peak condition, right? Ace that exam."
I patted her head like an older brother sending his sibling to bed, but her face looked weird?
Why do they all blush when I pat their heads?
Hot hands maybe.
Can't help it with Solar Vein Blockage.
"Um... T-Teacher."
"Yeah?"
"Y-your body is really pretty...!"
"Huh...?"
Sudden critique out of nowhere?
It's no artwork.
So abrupt I froze.
Strange kid.
Not just her.
All my students have their quirks.
Novel characters, maybe.
Or like how dogs resemble ownersmaybe they take after their teacher.
"I-it really is my type... um, could you maybe...?"
"Maybe?"
"Put on some pants? Can't look up."
"......Ah."
My gaze dropped south.
Superman mode. Forgot.