Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: 37-1. The Professors' Progress is Too Fast.
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Even Grand Hearts Academy had begun its second semester after the Demon Kings' assault had passed.
The leaves were turning and falling in the autumn breeze.
A cool wind blew as I unpacked in the fully repaired dormitory building.
The road paved with neatly cut stones felt nice underfoot with every step. Had they repaved it recently?
"Licht, you here!"
"Good day, Kainel."
A blond hero slung his arm around my shoulders from behind without warning. Kainel and Ariel must have spent time back home.
"Helmet Guy, hi!"
The red-haired mage had edged just a bit closer to the hero.
The Love Meter only rises if I make it happen, huh. It hadn't budged during break.
'Updates are slow, and I couldn't check that homewrecker's name here.'
Does the status window only show relationships I confirm or observe myself? Same with Nex, the Heavenly Demon, and Dennis.
As I mulled over these status window mysteries, Ariel spoke up.
"Helmet Guy, where's Mardol?"
"Ah, you mean Mardol?"
She was asking about Pine Granasia, who'd vanished from my side.
We used "Pine" among ourselves but "Mardol" as her alias in public.
If word got out she was a princess, she'd draw too much attention. Other nobles at the academy might target her.
It was my idea to respect her wishes, even if it got out eventually.
"...She's over there."
I pointed at the glass knight in heavy armor between the trees in the distance. She'd been keeping her distance since that cheek kiss up north.
Pine flinched when she noticed I'd spotted her. Now that we shared mana circuits, I always knew where she was.
Even sending evening greetings via telepathy magic only got back a cute "...Perverted puppy..."
"Mardol, everything okay? Come here!"
"Ariel... stop..."
Pine clutched branches with leaves in both hands. Did she think that hid her? Ariel grabbed her arm and dragged her over, fed up.
"Hello, Mardol."
Pine hid her hands behind her back, embarrassed by her antics. I lifted my visor to greet her gently so she wouldn't be scared.
"Licht... hi..."
Even with my softest smile, she mumbled shyly.
"What's up with you two...?"
"..."
Ariel's sharp eyes widened as she watched us.
I couldn't just blurt it out—we'd mixed bathed in a northern hot spring and shared a cheek kiss. I snapped my visor shut before my blushing gave it away.
"...Licht, you register for classes okay?"
"Yeah, of course."
The mutt changed the subject to break the awkwardness. Second-semester lectures were shifting.
"Even just the required general ed ones are packed."
"We're still first-years. Second year probably specializes."
Did that mean sticking with Master Drake till graduation? He hated my slow mana control reactions—probably drill me to death.
"First class is Professor Dennis's."
The morning bell announced [Applications of Combat Magic].
A follow-up to first-semester basics, now taught by the original protagonist free of the Demon King's power.
"Mardol, shall we?"
"Eep..."
I took Pine's hand and walked to the lecture hall. If she pulled away, I'd have to grab on this time.
You can't even cast without me anyway. I ignored her weird squeak. If I took the lead a little, maybe the hero couple would follow suit.
Dennis looked healthier than ever in the lecture hall—no more booze-soaked haze.
"Welcome, students. I'm Dennis, handling this semester's [Applications of Combat Magic]."
His once-glowing white eyes were back to blue, his drunken stagger replaced by confident poise.
"Most of you saw me last semester, but this course elevates those basics further. For example."
Dennis drew an X with chalk.
"...Our world consists of spatial coordinates—x, y, z axes—and the t-axis timeline."
His hands shook slightly from sudden sobriety, but a faint smile bloomed. Reunion with the Heavenly Demon, naturally.
"Theoretically, knowing spatial coordinates and the timeline makes travel to other worlds possible."
Could I Grand Route without and go home? I glanced at Pine beside me, shook my head, and ditched the bad thought.
Three Demon Kings left—had to make a happy ending first. Pine startled at eye contact, slamming her textbook shut.
She'd been doodling my way, not the board. The question fled as someone called Kainel.
"Student Kainel."
"Yes."
Dennis paused mid-lecture, pointing his chalk at the blond hero, who replied calmly.
"Your affinity is light, and your swordplay fits."
"Yes, Professor Dennis."
The blue-haired prof cited Shine Strike as an example, resuming. He spread one palm, forming a 3D Magic Circle.
"Student Kainel, what if light exceeded time's speed?"
"...What happens?"
Silence fell; Dennis grinned eagerly, spinning the circle's satellite.
It accelerated into a ring, then shredded the main circle's edge.
"See for yourselves."
Once it stopped, the surface gaped like leaves eaten by bugs.
"Thus, scraping the timeline becomes possible."
I'd seen that on TV—red-pantied hero over blue tights and cape, flying opposite Earth's spin to rewind time.
"What does 'scraping the timeline' mean exactly?"
"Still theoretical. Maybe altering or erasing specific times."
Dennis enlarged the 3D Magic Circle in his palm. His favorites dotted it.
"Uh...? That one's weird, Professor!"
Ariel spotted the anomaly first, pointing. Dennis nodded knowingly.
"It's clearly a 'Heavy Rain' circle, but different!"
"Right, Student Ariel."
Like pizza with the crust carved out. The rain spell had morphed into a drizzle version.
"This summons heavy rain. But now it's drizzle. Why?"
"Because you touched the 'time' of raining?"
"Correct, Student Ariel."
Genius mage indeed—nailing tough questions instantly. Protagonist chats always felt fresh.
"Light mage Kainel, this may be your limit."
"Light... defying time..."
Kainel stared, stunned. Light's 'speed' touching 'time'—understandable shock.
"By course end, you'll wield your specialties to touch other 'concepts.'"
Professor Dennis announced from the podium, hands planted. Seeing sober Dennis was moving.
"Magic defies physical laws."
He breathed deep, starting slow. Mana ignores rules—boosts speed with barriers,
"Challenge the extremes with me, students."
Enchanting weapons/armor with attack/defense. Timeline-scraping Light Hero—cool.
'No such thing in game Kainel. Did I butterfly too much?'
Even Dennis free of Head's curse defied canon.
Per original [Knight Heart], they reunite near ending.
Good's good. Forgetting happiness from Ignorance's power ain't right.
Plus saving Pine meant early reunion for them too.
'Without me, it'd be five years at least.'
Worst case, ten years pining if Head survived. Pride swelled; shoulders lifted.
"This week, I'll check your spells."
Dennis was naming from the roll when a mischievous grin hit.
"Student Licht."
"Yes, Professor."
First up—not alphabetical?
He eyed me top to bottom. Can't solo-spell, but hand-link with Pine works.
Finally relaxed for this class.
"What's the difference 'twixt dragon and human, in your view?"
Long silence, then the question. My implanted Dragon Heart?
"...Mana capacity?"
Not a dragonkin playthrough. As plain-human Licht gamer, unfamiliar turf.
Pulled game lore: Dragons devour mana-beasts. Apex predator.
"Yes. Average human mana holds a wine drop."
They hoard treasures—possessive—but not the point. He knew what beat in me.
"Dragon mana? An oak barrel."
"Quite a lot."
"Source is the heart. Dragon Hearts fetch high prices."
Knew they sold dear, but this? Grateful to Pine for transplanting such treasure to save me.
"Better you meet her than my explanation."
"What...?"
Whistle. Fingers in mouth, Dennis whistled. Black shadow over academy.
"Wife gets anxious if alone."
"No way..."
"Greet her, everyone. Number two of the Ten Heroes."
Sky brightened; brown-haired woman flew in window. Eastern dragon polymorphed—deer antlers, dragon tail.
"And my wife... Lady White Magnolia."
"Dennis's disciples? Quite the amusing faces!"
My second master, White Magnolia, grinned fangs. Couples' lecture tag-team. Got me good.