Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Professors Are Progressing Too Fast
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The next lecture was Professor Maria's Advanced Spiritology.
The first semester had been theory, which was nice enough. But why advanced instead of basics? With mild curiosity, I headed to the outdoor classroom.
"Helmet."
"What is it, Miss Ariel?"
In a spot dyed with maple leaves and ginkgo, the red-haired mage called my name as we climbed the hill behind the academy.
"You and Mardol... are you that close? Why are you always holding hands?"
"..."
As expected from Ariel, the quick-witted cat.
I was just holding her hand to guide her over tree roots and rocks. Even in full plate armor, she could get hurt.
"The path is rough."
"Right, right..."
I answered confidently, while Pine looked down shyly, embarrassed. She seemed to like interlocking fingers, so I obliged.
"You're holding hands too, aren't you?"
I shot back with a smirk. Ariel was sticking right next to Kainel right now.
Childhood friends could do it—so why couldn't we?
"Th-this is... because clumsy Kain might trip!"
"I'm doing this because you might get tired, Ariel."
Tsundere Ariel couldn't express her true feelings well, her face flushing bright red, while Kainel played it cool despite knowing better.
Watching them stirred a question I'd felt for a while.
They look just like me and her.
Lately, Pine's reactions had been oddly off. Was her true self emerging more? The cold, stoic side was starting to melt away.
"Pine."
"Y-yeah...? What... Licht...?"
She was like the tin woodman who'd regained his heart. The obsessive side from the North had vanished; now she reacted like this every time I called her name.
Obsession and love needed distinguishing. Even if inseparable, it was worth separating them once in a while.
If it were other guys, she'd have said yes to a kiss request...
But I was the Black Knight. I wouldn't exploit someone ignorant of love.
In the hot springs, just the sound of a kiss had her reacting wildly—she was an innocent wolf who didn't even know how to kiss properly. Without me watching over her, she'd be in trouble.
Especially since she'd only read weird stuff in books.
After returning from the North, I'd steeled myself. I'd erased her grim future as the Nameless Saintess firsthand, which had made her run.
But with Pine being so forward, I needed ways to respond.
Once she truly understands love...
As a game character, she'd likely drift away. But what if, just maybe, she chose me?
Running away wouldn't solve it anymore.
Just as she'd saved me as the Saintess, I was changing bit by bit too.
"Watch your step. I'll match your pace, even if it's slow."
I squeezed and released Pine's hand. Through my glass gauntlet, only a firm, smooth feel came through—but that was enough.
She was my favorite character, seen only through a screen. Who'd refuse holding hands with their crush?
"Licht... don't tease..."
I stopped Pine as her steps quickened. A red maple leaf had settled lightly on her shoulder like a bookmark; I brushed it off.
"Just removing this."
"..."
Pine flinched, trembling like she'd been shocked. She seemed scared of men's touch. She'd reacted the same when I disguised as Kuer.
No interactions with other men except me.
Her close friends—like Sophitia or Sharutineth—were all women. Nex and Kainel felt like familiar older brothers or friends.
When I'd introduced myself as her boyfriend and Locke got mad, that confirmed it.
...At least she doesn't hate me. Good.
If Pine ditched the glass armor for academy life, guys would swarm her. Even elf Ariel got advances that Kainel barely fended off.
Noble heirs or handsome guys pestering for one date.
Each time, I'd mutter Bite him, mutt! inwardly as the blond hero handled it.
Pine was the prettiest by my standards—attention would be even worse.
"We're here."
Lost in thought, we'd reached the forest clearing from last semester.
"Welcome, students."
As we pushed through the trees to the site, the pink-haired dryad on the podium greeted us.
"Hello, Professor Maria."
"Oh my, everyone seems more honest with their feelings now?"
Professor Maria covered her mouth, smiling at me with crinkled eyes. Hamster spirits scampered from around her to me and Pine's feet.
"What do you mean...?"
"You're all holding hands. Like two couples."
Maria laughed at the hero couple and Pine. Just for interlocking fingers? Pine panicked, waving her hands.
"Licht and I... aren't a couple..."
"Eek! Professor, that's too much teasing!!"
Before Kainel or I could speak, their words blocked us. I glanced at the blond hero.
Just stay quiet, Kainel.
Yeah, let's.
Our eyes met in silent agreement. No telepathy needed—both girls blushing was a sight.
It didn't take minutes into Maria's class to understand why it was "advanced."
"Starting this lecture, with permission from House Aureus's head, we can demonstrate spirit affinity magic!"
Asha must've talked to her son after returning home. Love Meter at 62%.
Nex probably confessed his spirit growth to his mom.
Even postponing his engagement to Second Saintess Sharutineth showed mother-son progress. Confessing his past of lies.
"She's your affinity teacher too. Back at the academy this semester—you might run into her!"
I'd better flee if I saw the golden-haired woman. I'd carelessly stirred family trauma.
But ignoring wounds just festers them. Parents mirror kids, often erring in over-identifying.
Tiny hamsters climbed students' hands, holding something.
"Ta-da! Hamsters will distribute scrolls—stick them to your chest centers..."
Maria pulled small parchment scrolls etched with magic circles from her bosom. Similar to what Nex did on my back before, but different pattern.
"Reborn from the flames."
⟨ Spirit Affinity Magic ⟩
Group affinity magic. Fitting for one of the Ten Heroes, the Living Sun. Such fiery support.
Pine adored my spirit, so even if I collapsed like usual, worth a try.
"Reborn from the flames."
Pressing the scroll to my chest and chanting, a black furball popped out.
Bigger than last time...? No, just fluffier, looks fatter.
Other students' spirits emerged one by one. Kainel and Ariel got a puppy and kitten, predictably.
"Woof!"
"Nice to see you, Blackie."
Surprisingly, no backlash on me. Sharing mana circuits with Pine?
Thrilled to see me after so long, the Pomeranian spirit panted, tongue out. Standing on short legs, demanding pets vigorously.
"...Blackie."
"Boof!"
I gently stroked its fur to calm it when glass-armored Pine approached.
"So cute..."
Blackie bolted into her arms, ignoring me like I wasn't the owner.
Being sidelined highlighted what I'd missed before.
...Spirits see through Masterpieces.
I'd skimmed it as PVP trivia. Irrelevant since I never hid my identity.
Black armor and knight helmet screamed me.
Always fainting post-summon hid it too. This guy knew Mardol was Pine before I did.
Blackie rolled belly-up in submission, ears flat like a seal.
"Hee hee, Blackie doesn't look like you, Licht."
"Is that a compliment...?"
Her hee-hee laugh chilled today, so I stared down intently.
"If only you listened this well..."
Chill. Her eyes on Blackie's belly lacked life. Instinct said she projected me onto it.
Yandere route...?
She'd imprisoned me in the North. Using princess power to chain me—what horrors?
"Blackie, no licking... reminds me of what you did with Licht..."
"Pant pant."
Spirit licked her glass helm; tickled, her eyes lit up.
Good boy. Blackie flipped her switch off. Dodged being branded a princess-toucher, doomed to live by her side forever.
...Might not be bad.
Shook off the dark thought. Housebound was fine, but it'd ruin Pine's image.
Avoid it unless she wanted...
"Whine..."
Something tugged my pant leg. I turned.
"Wolf...?"
A spirit blending snowy wolf and sly fox bit my clothes. Obvious whose.
Bigger than Blackie. Puppy vs. wolf difference?
"...Like this?"
Stroking the white-furred, golden-eyed wolf's head slowly wafted a familiar rose scent. It purred happily.
Don't canines hate head pats? Ears flat like Blackie's.
Scratching chin cautiously, the Platinum Wolf rubbed its face on my hand.
"Whitey... don't do that to Licht! It's embarrassing!"
Pine's for sure. She yelled as Whitey tailed me, wagging furiously.
Blackie and Whitey. Cute naming, so like Pine.