Chapter 33: The Freshman Doesn't Hide His Slave (3)
Chapter 33: The Freshman Doesn't Hide His Slave (3)
Vowing to one day show Carla—who had become quite provocative lately—what was what, I left the crowded bulletin board behind.
A lot had happened with Elisha, but since I’d confirmed my placement in Class A, it was time to head to the classroom.
“Carla.”
“Yes, Master?”
“You know the way, right?”
“Of course I know the way to the 1st Year Class A room. Shall I give you a tour of the Academy while we’re at it?”
“That would be great.”
Carla marched forward confidently, not even glancing at the signs posted in prominent spots or the servants lingering nearby to help freshmen who might lose their way.
Following her deeper into the grounds, a wide-open plaza soon came into view.
“Whoa…”
The circular plaza was even more massive than I had imagined, and the crowd moving across it was just as large.
In the center stood a statue of a handsome young man with a drawn sword, and behind it, four towering spires rose into the sky.
Good grief.
To think I’m actually seeing this in person.
It was a sight I’d grown sick of seeing through a monitor while playing H&A… but seeing it like this felt entirely different.
I stood there for a moment, dazed by the scenery, until Carla spoke up in a quiet, melodic voice, sensing I’d seen enough.
“This is the Central Plaza, Master. It connects to every facility in the Academy, so you’ll be passing through here quite often.”
I knew. Every time I moved between regions in the game, I had to pass through here.
I’d sent multiple inquiries asking for a fast-travel feature on the map, but they never added it—just like they never added a tutorial skip.
“The statue you see there is of the First Hero, Rahim, who ended the War of the Gods and established the peaceful world we live in today.”
“A peaceful world, huh…”
Rahim was certainly an incredible man.
Even with the help of reliable companions and the Good Gods, he had managed to seal all the Evil Gods and the source of their corruption while still in a human body.
But it wasn't perfect.
Cultists and dungeons still remained in the world, and the seal was fundamentally designed to break one day.
This world was maintained by a seal; it was a world that had merely postponed its destruction.
In such a situation, becoming the new Hero to succeed Rahim and completely annihilating all the Evil Gods once and for all—that was the player’s role as a hero in the world of Hero & Academy… and now, it was the task I had to accomplish.
“…Master? Is something the matter? Is there a problem?”
“No. I was just thinking that it finally feels real—that I’ve actually enrolled in the Academy.”
Unlike the past three years, where my only goal was personal survival, I now had to stick my neck into dangerous situations of my own accord.
The weight of that realization felt quite heavy.
But Carla, whether she sensed my inner turmoil or not, pumped her fists in front of her soft chest to cheer me on.
“Come to think of it, you used to have a Mana Insensitivity Constitution, Master. But it’s okay. You aren’t like that anymore! And since I’ll be right by your side, I’m sure you’ll do great at the Academy!”
Did she think I was worried about school life?
Looking into those sparkling ruby eyes, I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
“Good grief… Forget it. Just tell me about those towers.”
“Oh! Where are my manners? Those are the most important buildings, Master. They are the department buildings, the very heart of this Academy.”
“From the left, it’s the Knight Department, Magic Department, Theology Department, and Production Department, right?”
“Gasp! How did you know, Master?”
I couldn't exactly tell her I’d seen the ending for every class multiple times, so I just gave a casual shrug.
“It was all written in the guidebook.”
“Oh…”
Carla looked visibly disappointed, perhaps because she’d lost her chance to explain.
I gave her butt a light pat.
Spank.
“Eek!”
“I only know which tower is which. So keep explaining as we walk.”
Carla rubbed her backside and pondered my words for a moment before nodding with a bright expression.
“Yes! Then, first, let me tell you about the Production Department—specifically the Alchemy Department—which has a good relationship with your Magic Department…”
Accompanied by Carla’s incessant chattering, we crossed the Central Plaza and headed toward the Magic Department.
*
Ding.
【 You have been successfully assigned to the Magic Department’s top class with excellent grades. 】
【 Special Experience Requirement Met! 】
【 You have acquired the new title: ‘Talented Freshman.’ 】
“Oh.”
The moment I stepped into the Class A lecture hall following Carla’s lead, a string of notifications filled my vision.
This was one of the reasons I’d aimed for the highest class possible.
======================
【 Title: Talented Freshman 】
You are one of the most gifted geniuses even within the Academy, where all the geniuses of the Eurelia Continent gather.
However, being a genius does not mean everyone reaches great heights. Do not be arrogant; strive even harder.
You are not a hero yet.
======================
Hell yeah!
It’s only for a month, but how could I pass up a 20% growth buff?
And this was just the beginning; there were still plenty of benefits to be gained from being in the top class.
Since titles only provide their full effect when equipped—and only half when just possessed—I quickly navigated the status window to swap them.
I took a brief look at my old title, "Lost Stranger," which I’d grown fond of.
======================
【 Title: Lost Stranger 】
Do you know where you came from or where you are going? You don’t?
Oh dear.
Hurry and find your path.
======================
Yeah, that’s garbage. Goodbye.
I swapped the titles without hesitation, a smirk creeping onto my face.
“Hehe…”
But I suppose standing there giggling to myself looked a bit strange. Carla poked me in the ribs.
“Master…? What’s wrong all of a sudden?”
“It’s nothing. Let’s go in. …Ah. Carla, what are you going to do?”
“Who would guide you if I weren't here? I’ll wait right here.”
Since the Academy officially recognized attendants, quite a few students brought them into the lecture halls.
There was even a school rule stating that attendants should sit in the chairs provided at the back of the room and wait for the lecture to end.
Naturally, attendants couldn't participate in the class. However, their ears were open, so they could listen in.
Usually, it was pointless for an attendant to listen to a lecture… but occasionally, talented individuals were said to awaken their abilities just by auditing.
In such cases, it was customary and considered a virtue for the Academy to grant the attendant special admission and for the master to support them.
Of course, that attendant would then owe lifelong loyalty to the master who gave them the opportunity.
…Well, that was impossible for Carla since she was a slave.
While an attendant was a person employed by someone, a slave wasn't considered a person to begin with.
I watched Carla’s back with a slightly heavy heart before looking around for a place to sit.
The room was a mix of familiar faces I’d seen through the monitor and strangers I’d never seen before.
The people I didn't recognize were likely those implemented as extras.
However, there was one person who stood out more than the rest.
Whether she’d already formed a faction or they were old acquaintances, a blue-haired elf was the only one surrounded by other people.
My eyes briefly met those of Elisha, who was chatting lightly with those around her.
Nod.
After a brief acknowledgment with a simple tilt of the head, I picked a suitable seat.
Class A was interesting; because it was the top class, the facilities were great and the lecture hall was spacious, but there were very few people.
Meaning, there were more than enough seats to go around.
While waiting for the professor in charge to arrive, I pulled out one of the magic books Carla had recommended from my inventory.
‘Simple Formulas and Imagery for Bypassing the Law of Incremental Mana Consumption. Plus, the Author’s Highly Personal Method for Mental Management.’
The title was ridiculously long, but it couldn't be helped. Most magic books were like this.
According to Carla, the book explained how to use formulas and intuition to suppress the terrifyingly rapid increase in mana consumption that occurs as one’s imagination and will are depleted through spellcasting…
But for me, who received system corrections, the content wasn't very important.
If I set my mind to casting, I could produce magic stably without any significant drain on my mental strength.
Of course, I’d have to understand the principles behind the corrections eventually. But not right now.
The only reason I’d pulled this book out was for a little performance I had planned for what was about to happen.
Before long, the students around me began to whisper.
It’s starting.
I pretended to be engrossed in my book, acting as if I knew nothing, as the murmurs grew louder.
“Why is that attendant kneeling on the floor instead of using a perfectly good chair? Did her master order her to?”
“Even for an attendant, this is a bit much…”
“Idiot. Look at her neck. She’s not a normal attendant; she’s a slave. …Wait, her face looks familiar.”
“Carla Lindelheit! I’ve seen her at a social gathering before! I’m sure of it! It’s Lady Carla Lindelheit! I heard the Lindelheit family collapsed under charges of cultism and she became a slave… It was true.”
“Wait. So he bought someone who was a student here as a slave and brought her back to the Academy? And he’s publicly shaming her like this?”
“…I saw it. I’m sure he’s the one who walked into the classroom with her.”
At that last comment, every eye in the room turned toward me. I took that as my cue to look up from my book, feigning a sense of unease.
I looked around with a deliberately flustered expression, reacting to the cold stares from the surroundings.
Finally, looking as if I were thoroughly intimidated, I stole a glance toward where Elisha was sitting.
As if I were checking for her reaction.
Following my lead, the gazes that had been fixed on me shifted toward Elisha.
“……!”
Elisha’s sky-blue eyes shook violently.