Chapter 18: Elicia 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 18: Elicia 2
"Loki, step forward."
"Yes, ma'am!"
At Professor Elicia’s command, I scurried to the front of the room.
Among the Academy professors, Elicia looked the youngest, second only to Professor Idra. Her ash-grey hair was tied back in a ponytail, likely for ease of movement.
"So, what is the reason for being late on your very first day?"
The students of the Special Class stared at me intently, curious to hear my excuse. Among them, Lucas waited for my answer with a scoff, looking as if he found the entire situation absurd.
"There is a profound reason hidden behind my tardiness!"
"Let’s hear it, then."
I spoke with exaggerated gestures, like a storyteller addressing a captivated audience.
"Last night, knowing I had to come to the Academy today, I finished my training and went to bed much earlier than usual."
"And?"
"Perhaps because I went to sleep so early, I woke up much earlier than usual this morning. But that is where the problem arose."
As I paused for dramatic effect, the students leaned in, hooked by the narrative.
"Since I woke up earlier than expected, I thought I could afford a bit more sleep—so I went back to bed!"
At my words, both the students and Professor Elicia wore expressions of pure disbelief.
Professor Elicia let out a short sigh and asked, "And that’s why you were late?"
"No! Even after waking up from that second sleep, there was still enough time to get ready leisurely and walk here slowly without being late!"
"Then why were you late?"
By this point, even the students were listening closely, wanting to see where this was going.
"I thought to myself, 'If I have enough time to walk slowly, wouldn't it be better to sleep even more and just run really fast?' So I went back to sleep again, but I slept longer than intended. And that is why I am late!"
"Pfft."
I heard someone stifle a laugh.
Hey, this is a serious matter.
Professor Elicia let out a deep sigh, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"So, the reason you earned demerit points on your first day is simply because you overslept?"
"Uh... if you summarize it simply, I suppose so?"
"Ha. Kneel and hold your hands up."
"Yes, ma'am!"
I immediately knelt beside Professor Elicia and raised both arms high.
Being at the front, I had a clear view of all the students. A few of them were stealing glances at me. When one student made eye contact with me, they burst out laughing.
"Pffft!"
The other students were also struggling to hold back their laughter at the sight of me. Technically, Academy students were practically adults, so seeing one kneeling with his hands up like a naughty child was bound to be funny.
"Everyone! I know I’m handsome, but if you keep staring and laughing like that, won't it interfere with the Professor's lecture?"
The moment I finished speaking, I felt a sharp impact on my head.
"Ow! I think my skull just cracked!"
Professor Elicia had given me a sharp rap on the head. Fortunately, she hadn't put her full strength into it, so it only stung a little. If she had been serious, my head would have cleanly exploded.
"Stop exaggerating and go sit down. Don't be late again."
"Understood!"
I scrambled up and returned to my original spot.
"Now I can finally speak. It’s a bit late, but I’ll introduce myself. I am your advisor, Professor Elicia. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
Clara was the first to raise her hand.
"Why is the Special Class located in the basement?"
Clara asked the question, but everyone else seemed just as curious, waiting for Elicia’s answer.
"The reason is related to the classes you will be taking. As Special Class students, you differ from the other freshmen in two ways."
Having played Croaka, I already knew how the Special Class differed from the rest.
"Unlike other freshmen, you will experience practical combat starting from your first year. By practical combat, I mean dungeon exploration and monster subjugation."
If I recalled correctly, dungeon exploration and monster subjugation were usually only permitted from the third year onwards.
"Then what is the second difference?"
"All of your morning classes will be with me. In the afternoon, you will be split into two groups to attend classes with other professors."
Usually, there were four morning sessions, and while other students moved between four different professors, we would be spending that entire block of time with Professor Elicia.
"What does that have to do with our classroom being in the basement?"
At Clara’s follow-up, Professor Elicia gave a smirk.
"Because it would be a nuisance if the noise echoed everywhere."
"Pardon?"
"From now on, you will fight me every morning. No, 'fight' isn't the right word. All of you will hunt me."
"What do you mean by..."
Clara and the rest of the Special Class were taken aback, but Professor Elicia ignored their reaction and continued.
"In truth, there isn't much other professors can teach you."
Elicia’s gaze shifted to Clara.
"No one can teach magic to the disciple of the Tower Master."
Then, her gaze moved to Sepia.
"No one can teach a spiritist whose affinity is high enough to contract with all four elemental spirit types."
Next, she looked at Kuran.
"No one can teach the art of tribal warfare to one who carries the blood of the Isar Tribe so strongly."
.
.
.
Professor Elicia went down the line, explaining why every student—except me—couldn't be taught through conventional means. Finally, her eyes landed on me.
"And no one can teach someone their own Innate Magic."
Silence fell over the room. In that stillness, only Professor Elicia spoke.
"You will all become incredibly strong in the future. And you will face those weaker than yourselves."
"However," she added, "that is not the case right now. Right now, the world is crawling with people stronger than you. Therefore, to help you grow, you will learn how to fight those more powerful than yourselves."
"When do we start?"
This time, the question came from Lucas. He drew his spear as if he were ready to fight at any moment. Following his lead, everyone else prepared for combat. Sepia summoned a spirit, and Clara began preparing an incantation.
Even as everyone readied themselves, Professor Elicia spoke with a relaxed smile, showing no sign of concern.
"Right now, of course."
Just as Elicia finished speaking and everyone was about to lunge, my voice rang out through the classroom.
"Wait a moment!"
.
.
.
"Wait a moment!"
At Loki’s shout, the students who were about to rush Elicia all froze. Elicia looked at Loki, who had suddenly cried out.
"What is it?"
"Since ancient times, it has been said that a teacher's grace is as vast as the heavens. How could I possibly swing a weapon at Professor Elicia?"
At first, everyone thought Loki was joking. However, unlike his usual self, there were no exaggerated gestures, and his voice was incredibly solemn.
"The Professor might not remember, but about six years ago, I ignored the warnings of the village elders and wandered deep into the forest until I got lost."
"......"
"Young and helpless, I was surrounded by magic beasts. It was Professor Elicia, an adventurer at the time, who saved me."
"......"
"From the day I resolved to become as strong as the Professor until now, I have worked tirelessly every single day. How could someone like me possibly swing a sword at the Professor?"
Everyone fell silent. They hadn't realized that Loki, who always seemed so playful, had such a past. In the lingering silence of the classroom, Elicia was the one to speak.
"Six years ago, you say? I remember that time clearly. Back then, I wasn't an adventurer yet."
"""...?!"""
"Eek! You caught me~"
The serious voice vanished in an instant, replaced by his usual mischievous tone. Furthermore, the voice didn't come from where Loki had been standing, but from above. Everyone looked toward the sound.
There was Loki, hanging upside down from the ceiling.
"I guess I should do more research before writing my script next time."
As he spoke, Loki pulled on something in mid-air.
Everyone knew exactly what it was. The powerful threads that had bound the golem during the entrance exam. Those same threads, which had restrained a golem, now coiled around Elicia’s body.
Hmph.
With a slight flex of Elicia’s muscles, the threads that had held a golem snapped effortlessly.
"Tougher than I thought."
"I don't think the person who snapped them like toothpicks should be saying that."
Loki lunged at Elicia, swinging his cane. Using Shadow Step, he aimed for her vitals—head, heart—without hesitation, but Elicia dodged him with ease.
If the Emperor had dodged by matching his speed... Elicia dodged with sheer, overwhelming speed. As if she were truly teaching them how to fight someone stronger.
"You've grown this much in such a short time?"
Elicia caught Loki’s cane as it aimed for her neck and threw him bodily against the wall.
CRASH!
With a thunderous sound, Loki slammed into the wall. Fortunately, he managed to twist his body just before impact to minimize the damage.
Loki shouted to the students who were still standing there, dazed.
"What are you all doing? Get in here and fight!"