Chapter 78
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 78
Neigh—!
“Hehe, how is it, everyone? Doesn’t it feel wonderful to be out in the fresh air?”
“Yes!”
We were in the Voltimir Territory.
When Professor Isley announced that today’s Spiritology lecture would be replaced with a field trip, the students welcomed the news with open arms. They left the confines of Alfheim Hall to bask in the lush, untamed nature of Voltimir.
It was a natural paradise, filled with a cool breeze and the melodic chirping of birds. Given the nature of the Spiritology class, many of the students were elves or beastkin with a high affinity for nature; they reacted with particular delight to the crisp air and gorgeous scenery of the Voltimir Territory.
Isley surveyed the excited students before turning to check on me.
“Roen, are you feeling better now?”
“Yes. Thank you for your concern, Professor.”
“I remember you were ill at the beginning of the semester as well. Please, take better care of yourself. You may not realize it since you’re still young, Roen, but your health is your most important asset.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
I had been bedridden for three days due to the side effects of consuming Bell’s Magic Orb, forcing me to miss all my classes. I’d exhausted the last of my sick leave, so while my attendance score hadn't taken a major hit yet, any further absences would inevitably result in a penalty.
I really did need to manage my condition better to avoid another collapse.
‘…Ciel warned me, too.’
I scratched my cheek, recalling the past few days. While I was recovering in the Student Council President’s Office, Ciel had given me quite the earful. She told me that while working hard was admirable, I shouldn’t overdo it—and if I was going to conduct a dangerous experiment, I should at least give her a heads-up so she could be prepared.
Since everything she said was true, I’d had no choice but to sit there and take the lecture.
‘Even setting aside Ciel’s warning, I can’t let this happen again.’
This time, Ciel had fortunately arrived just in time, and I’d pulled through without any major issues. But if it happened again, there was no telling what the outcome would be. If I was unlucky, I could actually die. Worse, if another student found me and I was taken to the infirmary or the Divine Knights, my half-human, half-demon nature might be exposed.
I had to be more careful from now on.
As I was chatting with Professor Isley, Kiriel—who had been eavesdropping from a distance with her ears perked—sidled over, likely looking for another chance to pick a fight. However, after a moment of hesitation, she didn't start an argument. Instead, she asked cautiously:
“You… are you actually okay?”
“Are you worried about me? I’m deeply moved.”
I’d expected her to be thrilled to hear I was sick, but surprisingly, it seemed to have been weighing on her mind. Was she disappointed that her rival had suddenly vanished?
I shrugged and added, “Unfortunately for you, I’m perfectly healthy. You don’t need to worry.”
“W-What are you talking about? Worried? Of course not! But were you really sick? You used to use sick days just to skip class and fool around all the time.”
“Think whatever you want.”
“And I heard you were hanging around the port recently, too. Where did you wander off to this time? Are you going out and mixing with strange people? Like gangsters or thugs?”
“…”
‘She’s pretty sharp.’
Calling the people of the underworld ‘gangsters’ was a more or less accurate description. From digging into my relationship with the Chairman during the Student Council President appointment to this, she had a surprisingly keen intuition for someone so foolish.
“You’re quite interested in other people’s business.”
“Of course I am. I have to dig up enough dirt to kick you out of that seat. Just you wait.”
Kiriel warned me sternly, her eyes flashing with hostility. Watching her teal ponytail sway as she huffed, I could only shrug. If only she’d pour even half of this intensity into her academic performance.
Well, to be honest, I couldn’t even imagine a studious Kiriel, so that was likely just wishful thinking. Besides, the current situation wasn’t all that bad for me. It wasn’t like she would discover anything significant by digging into my past, and as long as she wasted her energy on these side projects, it would be easier for me to win the favor we’d bet on.
‘What should I make this insolent elf do with that favor…?’
As I pondered the possibilities, a thought occurred to me.
‘Could it be…?’
I stared at her with a serious gaze. “Kiriel, you remember the bet we made, don’t you?”
“W-What bet?”
“The one where we agreed to compare all our theory-based assignment and exam scores until the midterms. The winner gets to ask for one favor.”
I had no intention of letting her play dumb. When I brought it up, Kiriel seemed to feel a pang of guilt and answered defensively.
“O-Of course I remember! What do you take me for? Do you think I’m like you—someone who’d go back on their word and act like nothing happened?”
“Not really. However…” I tilted my head slightly and muttered just loud enough for her to hear. “I was just having the wicked thought that… since it would be difficult for you to win based on scores, you might be trying to get me expelled just to nullify the bet entirely.”
“!”
Kiriel flinched, her ears shooting straight up. Looks like I hit the nail on the head.
“I hope it’s just a groundless fear.”
“Groundless fear?”
As Kiriel tilted her head blankly, her aide whispered from her side. “It means a needless worry, Milady.”
“R-Right! It is a needless worry! So mind your own business!”
Seeming desperate to drop the subject, Kiriel turned back to Professor Isley. “So, what is the lesson for today, Professor?”
“Hmm, I haven’t planned anything specific. It’s literally just an outing—a break I prepared for all of you who are constantly stressed by assignments and pop quizzes.”
“Ooh!”
A murmur of excitement rippled through the students. If what Isley said was true, it meant they could relax for the entire two-hour Spiritology block. It was a truly sweet respite.
Isley nodded with a smile, confirming their expectations.
“Yes, you may all simply enjoy the abundant natural energy in this Bulbul Garden to raise your spirit affinity. And…”
Isley had the spirits distribute the baskets that had been floating behind him.
“These are some mats and simple snacks I’ve prepared. I thought it would be nice for you to gather for a tea time of sorts. For your information, I made the sandwiches and strawberry juice myself. Please, don’t be too harsh with your criticism.”
*
Here, where nature breathed and thrived, sat a low hill situated in the heart of a dense forest. Students sat in circles on picnic mats spread across the green grass, enjoying their outing.
It was a picturesque scene, but there was no place for me in it. I didn’t have any close friends in my Spiritology class. Hakone, who had been on my team during the practical exam, had invited me to join her, but I politely declined, knowing the other students with her would feel uncomfortable. I couldn’t just barge in and ruin the mood while they were having fun.
But was it a bad feeling, being left alone to wander? Not entirely. As it happened, I had something to take care of now that I was in the Voltimir Territory.
Chomp—.
I broke away from the groups and walked alone through the forest, taking a bite of the sandwich Professor Isley had personally prepared with his own four hooves.
Tangy cabbage blended perfectly with the fluffy bread. The fresh ingredients—including soy meat and a plant-based dressing out of consideration for the elves—seasoned the sandwich perfectly. A refreshing flavor spread through my mouth; it was a sandwich that spoke of considerable culinary skill.
Professor Isley was over a century old, so the number of sandwiches he’d made for his students over the years must have easily surpassed ten thousand. I chewed and swallowed, washing it down with the fresh strawberry juice. Both items were good enough to be sold at a high-end cafe on Traum Street.
Thanking Professor Isley for his consideration in my heart, I moved on and soon reached my destination.
‘Is this the place?’
It was a secluded area, a significant distance from the Bulbul Garden where the students were gathered.
Oink—!
With a loud cry, something with glowing red eyes emerged from the bushes. With a rustle, a plump, reddish-brown wild boar revealed itself. It might seem strange for a wild boar to be living on academy grounds, but sightings of common predators like lions and tigers were frequent within the Voltimir Territory, so it wasn't that unusual.
Oink—!
The boar, which looked as big as a small house, charged at me the moment it saw me.
Thud—!
Its charge was in vain, blocked by the transparent barrier protecting me. The boar slammed its head against the Aegis Shield and fell into a groggy stupor. Staggering as if dizzy, it eventually kicked off the ground and fled in a hurry instead of attacking again.
Fwoosh—.
Its shadow vanished into the distance. I didn't bother chasing it. It was likely fleeing from ‘something’ else when it ran into me, anyway.
Chomp—.
I finished the rest of my sandwich, then took a pair of gloves from my pocket and pulled them on. Millia’s magic gloves fit my hands perfectly, as if custom-made, with a soft, premium texture. I clenched and unclenched my fists, enjoying the sensation.
I assumed a combat stance and waited.
Grrrrr—.
With a sickening growl, a massive creature emerged, parting the thickets.
Thump—.
I lifted my head and quietly looked up at the enormous, dark-red boar that had appeared before me. It was several times larger than a normal boar, with sharp, menacing tusks that seemed to pierce the sky.
It was a ‘Crazy Boar,’ a monster that had evolved after coming into contact with a Dark Mana Stone. True to its name, it was far more ferocious and aggressive than a normal beast, known for rampaging wildly through its territory. The fact that it hadn’t been eliminated by the automated golems that managed the ecosystem suggested it hadn’t been long since its transformation.
‘Lucky me.’
If I took this thing down, I could obtain a Dark Mana Stone several times more potent than one from a Dark Rat.
Grrrrrrr—.
I extended my hand toward the beast, which was huffing out hot air and looking down at me like prey.
Clang—!
Chains of mana, memorized within Millia’s magic gloves, shot out toward the beast. The mana chains flew at the Crazy Boar, circling it and binding its forelegs, neck, torso, and hind legs before anchoring themselves firmly to the ground.
Squeeze—.
The beast was bound tightly, immobilized like a prisoner. I clenched the magic gloves, twisting my fingers to add pressure to the constricting chains.
Crrrack—.
The mana chains pressed down, crushing the beast’s thick hide.
Grrrrrrr—.
Just as I thought I had it subdued, the beast’s red eyes flashed, and it tensed its massive muscles.
Shatter—!
“!”
The mana chains wrapped around its body disintegrated into particles of light.
ROOOOAR!
The Crazy Boar let out a ferocious roar, as if mocking the weakness of the spell. Normally, a mid-tier monster like a Crazy Boar should have been subdued by mana chains. Something was off.
‘…I have no choice.’
I was going to go easy on it, but if this was how it wanted to play, I’d have to beat it into submission myself. Just as I reached into my pouch for some Enhancement Stones to prepare for a real fight—
Shwuaaa—!
Suddenly, massive vines shot up from the earth and began to coil around the Crazy Boar’s body. The huge vines constricted its entire frame, just as my mana chains had.
At the same time—
Gurgle—.
The grassy ground beneath it instantly turned into a swamp, beginning to swallow the vine-bound Crazy Boar.
Oiiink! Oink!
Its previous mighty roar was now a distant memory; the Crazy Boar let out a pathetic, pig-like squeal as if begging for its life. But the green vines wrapped around its body showed no mercy, dragging it down into the depths of the mire.
OIIIIINK—!
With a final death cry, the Crazy Boar disappeared beneath the swamp, leaving only a trail of bubbles. Once it was gone, the swamp reverted to solid ground as if nothing had happened, and the giant vines dissolved into mana particles.
Swoosh—.
A coin-sized Dark Mana Stone was left behind where the Crazy Boar had vanished.
Flick—.
It was instantly snatched up, flying toward someone behind me. When I turned, I saw a figure appear with the rhythmic sound of hooves.
“That was a little dangerous, Roen.”
“…Professor Isley.”
The head of the Spiritology department, Professor Isley. He adjusted his glasses and gave me a knowing smile. When I glanced at the mana stone he’d taken, he shrugged.
“I’ll give this to you, Roen. You were collecting Dark Mana Stones for the Student Council, weren’t you?”
The professor summoned a small vine and handed the stone to me. I carefully placed the Dark Mana Stone into a glass bottle.
“Thank you for your assistance.”
“Of course. By the way, Roen, what do you plan to do with the Dark Mana Stones you’ve collected?”
“I plan to gather them and incinerate them safely. The Chairman will supervise the process.”
It was difficult to admit I was feeding them to Kabeltar, so I used the Chairman as an excuse and provided a plausible answer. Nothing was more suspicious than a spirit that hatched by consuming Dark Mana Stones instead of pure mana.
“Aha. I see.”
Professor Isley nodded readily, then asked cautiously.
“But, Roen. Is it possible that your collection of Dark Mana Stones is related to the spirit you summoned?”