Eccentric Professors and Used-Book Treasures
In fact, I'd long since given up on finding any normal people.
Even by ordinary standards—not just mine—finding someone who could pass for "oh, perfectly average" at this school felt damn near impossible.
'At best, maybe Professor Nipella...'
The other professors? I hadn't seen many, but after spotting ones who showed outright hostility and jealousy toward a student like me, I couldn't help forming some preconceptions.
And that preconception had just solidified into concrete.
What kind of professor throws a wooden sword at a student, anyway?!
"Wh-what is this...?"
The female student looked flustered, staring at the professor who'd suddenly burst in.
The professor ignored her gaze completely and turned to me.
"No interest in my class?"
"...I don't even know what class you're teaching, Professor."
"Ah, sorry about that. I got a bit carried away. That final strike you pulled off at the end... it set my blood boiling."
From her walking posture and the aura she gave off, I could guess her profession.
Swordmaster! Only swordsmen carried that stench of blood and iron, that atmosphere born from countless battles.
If she hadn't chucked that wooden sword first thing, she'd have left a good impression.
The professor took a step back and introduced herself.
"I'm Professor Eroy, in charge of first-year swordsmanship this term. Used to handle diplomat escorts, but as you can see, I lost an eye and a leg."
She fixed her single remaining eye on me, brimming with passion.
"I've fought in my share of battles. But I've never seen talent like yours!"
Yeah, figures.
Kids my age who threw themselves into combat would've gotten sliced by a blind swing and dropped dead.
"So, I'd love for you to join my class."
"...Was throwing that wooden sword at me really necessary? It felt pretty vicious."
"A student who took down a boss in perfect condition couldn't possibly fail to handle that."
And if I had failed?
I started to nitpick but let out a sigh and gave up.
The common sense in this world was pretty far removed from mine.
This was a place where aura and mana existed, gods were real. As long as you didn't die, most wounds could be healed with a priest's Divine Power—the ultimate cure-all.
'Swordsmanship class, huh... I have to take it anyway.'
I could learn from Ash's sword style, but broadening my skills never hurt.
I wasn't here at the academy to rack up grades and build a resume. I was stocking up on useful stuff like swordsmanship, divine mathematics... things that'd actually help me.
'Reform the kids along the way, make some cash. A diploma on top would make even more money.'
Normally, I'd have yelled "Sure thing!" But this professor seemed a bit off, so I hesitated.
Sensing my deliberation, she dangled some bait.
"I'll hook you up with plenty of credits. Fewer assignments for you, too."
"...For real?"
"Of course."
"I'm in."
"Great. I'll be waiting."
Everyone here's a weirdo anyway—might as well go with the one who gives a little extra.
I shook hands with the devil.
Wait, no—I'm a priest of the War God.
I shook hands with an angel.
"...?"
The girl next to me was staring like I'd lost my mind.
Once the professor left, I finally got to talk properly with the girl.
Her name was Jenella. She'd scored high on the entrance exam and entered as a promising talent, but her low status meant she'd gotten swept up by the nobles and come after me.
I apologized profusely for it.
'Man, she's way too scared of me...'
Anyone would think I was gonna eat her alive.
But I kept that to myself.
I just nodded with a benevolent smile.
"I get it."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. Though the spot where you hit me still kinda stings."
"S-sorry...!"
"Nah, kidding. I didn't even get touched."
And I meant it—no bullshit.
I'd preemptively smashed anyone who could land a hit, and countered any wild swings or blades.
Jenella kept nodding vigorously, still stiff as a board despite the tease.
'Now I feel bad...'
"Anyway, jumping me's no big deal. What can commoners like us say to nobles?"
"R-right..."
"Still, go harder next time. We're students now, but after graduation? You'll probably outclass most nobles."
"R-really?"
"Of course."
As I kept sweet-talking, her guard slowly melted away.
Thank goodness.
Good thing she's still young. Kids are easy—my silver tongue'll handle it...
"Hey. What're you doing?"
Adria butted in then, Eodukshini perched on her shoulder like it was her pet now, not mine.
"Huh? Chatting with a friend."
"You have friends?"
"...Just made one. Got a problem?"
"Nope, no problem."
Her surprise at me having a friend kinda pissed me off.
Damn it. How loner am I, anyway?
One friend, two, four... nope, zero.
The loner in me decided to shut up quietly.
Adria turned her attention to Jenella, whom I'd been talking to.
"Hi there?"
"H-hi...!"
...Huh? Weird reaction.
She was stuttering a bit, but the tone and vibe were different.
Like a fan meeting a celebrity...
"Y-you're Adria, right? I-I'm a fan!"
"Oh, really? Wow~ Such a pretty fan. I'm thrilled!"
"M-me too...!"
...Took me an hour to get her talking normally, and this idol pulls it off in one minute.
Cheating, right?
'Screw you popular kids.'
Ash and I shuddered in unison.
A day after the investigation wrapped, I got discharged.
I rubbed my aching arm, shivering.
Hospitals... never wanna go back...
'Why's your body so damn tough, kid? No mana use, got it.'
'I didn't.'
'Then why'd the needle snap?'
'Why ask me?'
'Who else?'
'Blame the manufacturer. Too flimsy.'
'Nah, it's premium. Sigh, guess you'll need this instead.'
'Uh... that's not a syringe, that's an awl.'
'No it's not! C'mere! Butt up!'
'Aaaah! You crazy doctors!!'
'I'm a nurse!!'
'Aaah! Help!!'
Crazy nurses...
Unlike Korea, nurses here had real authority. Fair enough, but terrifying...
Free meals were the silver lining, though.
'Gotta heal with some hearty soup.'
I slurped down my soup at my new regular spot, casually checking my class registration form.
'This, this... oh, and this looks fun.'
I quickly picked basics I needed and stuff that interested me.
Basic Combat, Basic Alchemy, Basic Swordsmanship, Basic Divine Mathematics.
Basic Alchemy might help with holy water production.
Mass-produce it later as a healing tonic? Cha-ching.
Though Arcana would kick my ass for it.
Registration completed.
Whoosh.
As I filled in the classes, the paper flashed faintly from my hand. A fresh "Registration Complete" stamp appeared at the bottom.
Oooh...
Oh yeah—where's my class?
Current class for Eugene: S-Class.
Move dorms—head to your original dorm by 6 PM.
S-Class? Top tier, right?
Facilities must be sweet.
'Can't see other students' results, huh.'
Everyone else was retaking a light provisional exam.
Otherwise, they'd flunk two-thirds of the students—protests would rain down.
'Not my problem.'
Anyone hearing that after overtime would foam at the mouth, but I meant it.
Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Slurp.
Thud.
Focused on eating, more blood sausage arrived.
I eyed it curiously, and the soup granny beamed warmly.
"On the house."
"No need, really..."
"Reminds me of my grandson. Just eat up. Heh heh."
Turning down freebies is rude.
I tossed the sausage into the soup and mixed it in, nice and proper.
"Slurp!"
After downing about three bowls' worth, Granny emerged from the kitchen, hands behind her back—dishes done.
She glanced at my form.
"Class registration?"
"Yep! Heard you do it early."
"Smart kid. Gotta be quick with these. Lemme see... Huh, what's this? Summoning Basics?"
"Nah, Divine Mathematics."
"Eyes ain't what they used to be... Back in my day, different subjects."
My day?
Was she a student here?
Sky Academy had deep history.
Started when the current principal—the lich—converted, so over a century easy.
"You were a student here, Granny?"
"Yup. Tasted different back then. Kids were proper and sweet... Nowadays, no manners. 'Cept you, o' course."
"Haha, thanks."
"Heh... So, need books?"
She pulled out glasses, pointed out the window.
"See that?"
A bookstore visible even from here.
I nodded, and she smiled warmly.
"Buy there—cheaper. Heh. Kids these days think pricey books are better. This old bat knows better..."
"No, no! I love cheap ones."
Words were odd, but saving money's smart.
"Good boy. Here, take some extra for books..."
"Whoa, no! Granny, I'm loaded. No need. Your soup and hotpot give me all the energy I need."
Just stay healthy! Luckily, she pocketed the money.
I paid up, headed out to the bookstore.
Looks rundown...
'Eh, whatever.'
Content's the same anywhere.
[Used Bookstore]
'...Used bookstore's fine, I guess.'
As long as pages are intact.
Then someone snuck up behind me.
"Eugene!"
"What? You're out already?"
Ash Blue.
Band-aid on her cheek, she shrugged lightly.
"That much heals in a day. The shot hurt like hell, though."
"Right? Bringing out that monster needle 'cause it wouldn't go in... overkill."
"...Why'd your needle snap?"
"?"
"?"
Was that just me?
I changed topics.
"Anyway, registered yet?"
"Yeah. Basic Combat, Basic Alchemy, Basic Swordsmanship, Basic Divine Mathematics..."
"...You got no divine beast."
"I'll get one later. Love animals. I'll take responsibility."
Divine beasts are pets?
Well, kinda...
'Why're our classes identical?'
Coincidence? Had to be. I hadn't told her my picks.
'Lucky guess.'
"Here for books too?"
"Yep. Was heading there?"
She pointed to the shiny new bookstore—obvious.
"Not there, this one's bett—"
"...I came here on purpose?"
"...?"
"...?"
Ash shot me a baffled look, then sighed with a helpless smile and nodded.
"...Fine. Let's go in."
"Cool."
Inside, that musty old-book smell hit.
Hm, paper stench.
Not great.
Far from books most my life—unfamiliar whiff.
Counter: bespectacled grandpa reading a paper. I nodded hello, but Ash grabbed my wrist.
"?"
"Follow."
She dragged me deeper in.
Like a regular, she rummaged back shelves.
"Used books are like..."
She picked well-worn tomes.
Flipped one open, grinned.
"Notes, tips, prof quotes scribbled in."
"!"
"Alumni sell notebooks to juniors on the sly... Ah, here—top grad from two years back."
"...!"
"Oh, and a book on god communication methods. Not super relev—"
"Gimme!"
Granny, you're a saint!
Regular customer for life!