Academy Day 3: Hellish Classes and Mercenary Mix-Up
Academy Day 3.
Just when we thought we'd gotten somewhat used to it—no, the professors who couldn't care less whether we had or not—started working us to the bone and dumping assignments on us like bombs.
Basic Mana Lecture?
Don't even get me started. I seriously wanted to quit. I'd rather they just make us do physical labor!
'Ah. I wanna drop out.'
At least alchemy was tolerable.
"As expected, you... have talent..."
"Thank you."
"It's not... just words... My prized disciple..."
"Sorry!! I'll be going now!!"
The fact that it was only 'tolerable' was the problem.
And that was just the beginning?
"Your sword stance is off! Hold it straight! Don't mess up your breathing! Get your form right!" "That's not how you move! It's like making dalgona—you keep rotating and repeating endlessly!"
"You buy dalgona with money?"
"You've never done the dalgona challenge?"
"Nope, never..."
"..."
In swordsmanship class, the professor and Ash worked me endlessly. That was the first time two hours felt like two days.
I'd rather use my head... Ah, no, I hate both.
Just stop grinding us!
Divine math class was at least listenable. Truth be told, there wasn't much left for me to learn. It was just Eodukshini getting chewed out in my place.
"Th-that devilish bastard..."
"Calling the War God's priest a devil? Call me an angel."
"That little shit...!"
The professor for Basic History, one of the foundational courses, was a kindly old man with a gentle face.
Oh. Saved...
"Alright. Since it's the first day, lightly memorize these two pages."
"Um... Professor. Which parts do we memorize?"
"What do you mean?"
"?"
"Everything, of course. But since it's the first day, I'll go easy. Don't worry too much. Memorize the entire text. We'll have a test on Friday, so keep it all in mind."
"..."
This place really is hell.
Time flew by like water. Luckily, thanks to the chaos I'd caused beforehand, no crazy bastards picked fights with me or my friends.
If there had been any?
'That might've been better...'
I could've beaten them up and relieved some stress. Might've even been a good thing.
The other students seemed focused on studying too, quietly getting ground down by the professors.
Basic Mana Lecture.
A minute before the bell, I set down my pen.
Right on cue, Jayyan spoke up.
"Time's up. Everyone submit your papers."
I barely finished memorizing it all...
I dragged my limp arms, slinking like a squid to hand in my paper.
"Good work."
"Yes. Thank you..."
Ah, if only Arcana weren't the War God but the God of Intelligence or Strategy—how great would that be?
The War God's Blessing helped when moving the body, but it was useless for brainwork.
'What help would my blessing give your head? Oh, but it does help move your brain muscles.'
That's probably what Arcana would say if I complained to her.
Uwaaaah!
Suppressing the urge to scream internally, I slumped over my chair. My back was definitely cracking in this posture, but I couldn't deny it was comfy.
'Ah, I vented all my complaints back then...'
Next time I see her in a month, I'll unload everything I couldn't say.
I scanned the surroundings with blank eyes.
Ash was sitting calmly at her desk, even after tutoring me.
Her head drooped. Oh, she finished, so now grading...
Thud!
"..."
Ash wasn't superhuman either. With her face planted on the desk, she didn't move an inch.
I shook my head.
But there was one unexpected thing.
It was Adria.
She'd studied so hard her dark circles were cavernous, and she showed insane focus during the test.
"Adria. You alive?"
"...Yeah. For now."
"You gotta stay alive. 'For now'? Whatever, as long as you're breathing. You must've studied like crazy, huh?"
"...I can't lose."
"?"
"To my sister... no, Princess Banasi."
But didn't you sleep through the first day?
I held back the jab. Tackling her now would get me hit for real.
"But why's Banasi—er, Princess Banasi—your sister?"
"Banasi?"
"Misheard it."
I put on my most shameless face, and Adria let out a short burst of laughter in disbelief.
But she quickly shook her head and explained.
"...I'm the younger one by ten minutes. She's first, I'm tenth, differing by one minute each."
Banasi the first princess.
Adria tenth, ten minutes apart.
Then second is one minute...?
'Whoa, legendary.'
What kind of family tree is that?
I was momentarily stunned, but hey, ruling the entire continent—he could be that virile.
Multiple wives too, and supposedly top-tier strong.
"But aren't you basically friends at that point?"
"...Yeah, technically. But imperial rules are strict. Like how I'm in the succession fight now."
Fighting with family.
'Hmm. If they're rude, sure.'
If I had a little sister or brother acting up? I'd grab 'em by the hair and beat sense into them.
I beat up strangers, so what's family?
I nodded in understanding, but Adria looked at me like I didn't get it.
"...You didn't misunderstand something weird, right?"
"Huh? Of course not. Just thinking it'd be fun to fight family~."
"No..."
Adria tried to retort in exasperation, but Jayyan approached first.
"Student Eugene?"
"Yes?"
Did I forget my class number or name?
Thankfully, that wasn't it.
"Looking at your note exam, you added some personal thoughts at the end."
"Ah, that..."
"Not a mistake. Quite the opposite—you did well. You covered all the essentials, and this 'additional opinion'..."
A smile crept onto the cold professor's lips.
"Excellent. A knight's perspective on mana is unbelievable. The link between divine beasts and mana... This could make a fine paper someday."
?
"Come to my office later."
Jayyan turned and left coolly.
All eyes turned to me.
Especially vicious ones from Bulria and Banasi. Yahan was out cold, face-planted on his helmet stand.
'No...'
I just wrote it to pad the length...?
'Why you guys looking at me like that...'
No matter how I thought about it, having too much talent seemed exhausting.
But where'd Eodukshini go?
He bugged me nonstop while I studied.
* * *
"Ughhh..."
Jenella rose like a zombie, stretching languidly.
Back-to-back practicals in second period had drained her stamina and mental energy.
She wanted to head to the dorm and crash, but...
'Gotta find a part-time job.'
Jenella wasn't from a rich family. Unlike Eugene or Ash, she couldn't earn her own money, and no guardian either.
Daughter of an exile—average, no, below average.
No way she had cash.
She'd worked part-time for admission fees, but now school expenses meant hunting for more gigs.
'It'll work out, right?'
Student at a prestigious academy.
Top of her entrance and class placement!
That should help snag jobs.
"...Huh?"
Rising from her seat, Jenella felt something squishy in her pocket and reached in.
A white slime, Eodukshini.
"Guuuhhh..."
Snoozing, sprawled out, snoring like an old man.
'...Why's this guy here?'
Should be with Eugene?
'Escaped?'
Makes sense. Every time she saw him, Eodukshini was getting reamed by Eugene.
Escape? Understandable. But why here?
Jenella stood first. Didn't know why, but she needed an outing pass priority.
"Eodukshini! Where are you?!"
A familiar voice boomed.
Classmates scattered like roaches.
Thought a boss appeared.
...Flinch!
Eodukshini, who was just sleeping, jolted awake.
He blinked, then peeked only his eyes from her finger.
"...Hey! Where are you?! Come out now or I'll drag you to training?!"
"Eek!"
Realizing he heard right, he shrank dramatically.
Jenella and Eodukshini's eyes met.
He huddled, pleading desperately.
"H-hide me, just once."
"...What'd you do?"
"D-danced next to him during study, made noise..."
"..."
Jenella smiled brightly.
Sweet as could be—Eodukshini relaxed.
She's hiding me!
"Wha—?"
But she strode forward.
"Huh? Why're you here?"
"Oh~ Eodukshini was here."
"Nice. Gotcha, you punk."
"N-nooo!!"
"Told ya not to mess during study?"
"S-save meee!!"
Yanking Eodukshini every which way, Eugene spotted Jenella.
"Where you headed?"
"Huh? Oh, outing pass."
"Outing pass?"
"Yeah. Um..."
"Part-time gig? I'll come too."
"Huh?"
...Somehow, they ended up going together.
* * *
The next day.
Weekends restored energy instantly.
I left the academy with bouncier steps than ever.
"Be late, and you get deduction points accordingly."
"Yes!"
"If delayed, contact this number. No word for three days? Rescue and pursuit teams dispatched immediately."
"Got it!!"
Descending Sky Academy via warp gate.
Airship?
Screw that! Not riding it!
Grinning, I gripped my sword tight. First time in days.
Vmmm!
Yeah, yeah. You missed it too?
Meeting spot: Cheonggong Square, right below Sky Academy.
The square teemed with daters, strollers, tourists, escapee students, even ninja runaways—every type imaginable.
'Where's Jenella...'
Oh, fou—huh?
"Why're you guys here?"
"Why not? Can't we?"
Jenella wasn't alone.
Adria and Ash.
Adria, out for the day, ditched her usual plain clothes for something dressed up.
Chin high, haughty expression.
"Thought you'd go have fun alone?"
"No, it's not fun—it's part-time work."
"...Part-time?"
"Yes. Part-time."
...Did they think it was a outing?
Jenella didn't explain?
I eyed Jenella. She looked clueless.
'...No way?'
I turned to Ash.
Her deep blue eyes wavered. Avoided my gaze, fake cough.
"Ahem."
You the culprit?
"Ash?!"
"I-I don't know anything?"
"How could you trick me! What now! I wouldn't have worn this!"
Adria's outfit screamed outing, not work.
"It's fine! I brought spare clothes!"
"...You did it on purpose! To see me in that?!"
"Oops. Busted."
"Mean!"
I ignored their bickering and asked Jenella.
"Shall we just go?"
"Yeah."
"Wait!"
Ash, latched by Adria, raised a hand.
"I'm coming too! I'll help!"
"?"
"I know an awesome part-time gig."
"Okay. You're hired. Nice to work with ya."
"Likewise."
"...You're teasing me right now?? Right?!"
Oops. Busted.
* * *
Jenella backed away.
I muttered at the 'awesome' job spot.
"...Wow. Truly mind-blowing."
"Right?"
Jenella shrieked.
"This isn't a part-time spot—it's a mercenary guild!"
Yep. The mercenary guild, where all sorts flock for cash jobs!
Ash grabbed Jenella's fleeing arm.
"Yes. C'mon in. In you go~ Don't be scared!"
"No, you crazy—aaack."
Eh, mercenaries? Probably catching rabbits or finding missing folks.
Following them in, my feet halted.
Whoosh!
I whipped around at the staring gaze.
But nothing there.
'Felt it clear...'
Not hostility, just eyes...
'Imagination?'