Chapter 22: Cafeteria
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 22: Cafeteria
I finally came to two hours later, courtesy of the pummeling I’d received from Professor Elicia. How did I know?
"Hmm. Waking up exactly when class ends... was that on purpose?"
Because Professor Elicia was kind enough to explain it to me. She likely knew I had actually just regained consciousness, but she was making a joke in her own way.
"On purpose? Now, that’s just uncalled for."
I stood up and scanned the room. The classroom, which had been a disaster zone of overturned desks, had been neatly tidied while I was out cold.
Thanks to the effects of an Artifact, the room itself looked brand new, and the scattered desks were perfectly aligned. It seemed they had cleared away the broken ones and left only the functional ones, as there were exactly enough desks for the students of the Special Class.
"The other students regained consciousness long ago and have been waiting for you. Hurry up and take your seat."
Just as Professor Elicia said, every student except for me was at their desk. Or rather, 'slumped over' their desks would be a more accurate description.
"They don't exactly look like they're 'waiting' for me, though?"
I didn't know what had happened while I was unconscious, but the eyes that had been so bright and sharp when I first saw them were now dull and lifeless. They even trembled every time Professor Elicia spoke.
"Good afternoon, everyone! It’s lunch time, so let’s eat and cheer up!"
I gave a bright greeting to the slumped students, but they only stared at me with dead eyes. No one responded. The only one who reacted to my words was Professor Elicia.
"It is not lunch time yet."
"As far as I know, lunch starts after morning classes are over?"
"There is still about an hour left until the lunch period begins."
Upon hearing that there was an hour left, the students began to shudder in unison. They seemed terrified that Professor Elicia might suggest another round of fighting during that hour.
"So, feel free to rest for that hour."
"""Phew..."""
A collective sigh of relief escaped the students the moment she gave them permission to rest.
"I will say one last thing before I leave. Everyone, listen closely."
At the news that she was leaving after one last remark, the slumped students sat up straight and looked at the professor.
"There is likely no first-year student who can defeat any of you in a one-on-one fight. However, that does not mean you are strong."
No one disputed her words. They probably all considered themselves strong, but not a single person here had managed to lay a finger on Professor Elicia.
"You all possess extraordinary talent, but you are still young and harbor weaknesses or bad habits."
Every student who had received advice from her during the fight flinched as if struck.
"Therefore, you will continue to fight me for the next year. Through these battles, I will expose the weaknesses that even you are unaware of."
She was essentially saying that from now on, they would fight every day until they passed out, just like today.
"If there is any student who does not wish to fight, does not want to know their weaknesses, and simply wants to coast on their mediocre strength, raise your hand. I will take responsibility and have you transferred to another class."
No one raised their hand. Seeing this, Professor Elicia gave a satisfied smile and walked out of the classroom.
The moment she left, the students collapsed back onto their desks.
I walked toward an empty desk to get some rest myself. Since there were exactly enough desks for the number of students, my spot was already determined.
Taking the only remaining seat, I spoke to Clara, who was sitting to my left.
"Hello, Clara!"
"…Right."
Clara seemed like she wanted to ignore me, but perhaps knowing I’d keep talking until she replied, she gave a short answer.
She looked exhausted, answering me while slumped over her desk. Her black hair was splayed across the wood, and her crimson eyes, peeking through half-closed lids, made her look even more captivating.
"When did the professor get you, Clara?"
She closed her eyes completely, as if even keeping them half-open was too much effort.
"Not long after you went down."
Clara was currently slumped over while sitting in her chair. The words themselves were mundane, but the way the chair accentuated her thighs and the desk naturally highlighted certain parts of her figure meant my eyes had no intention of looking away.
It was a good thing I was wearing a mask. If I weren't, Clara probably would have smashed my head in with her staff.
"Well, get some rest then."
My conscience pricked at me for peeking from behind the mask, so I got up. I didn't trust myself to look away if I stayed there.
The first place I headed was toward the Sorcerer who had cast a curse on Professor Elicia after listening to me earlier.
"I should have raised my hand when she told us to. What am I even doing here? Everyone else is so amazing except for me. Someone like me shouldn't be in this class. No, I shouldn't even exist in this world..."
I placed a hand on the shoulder of the Sorcerer, who was muttering an incredible amount of self-deprecation. If I left him like this, a valuable talent might just desert the school.
"Now, what kind of sad talk is that!"
When I shouted while grabbing his shoulder, the Sorcerer’s mouth fell open in shock, and he went silent. Wait, he didn't faint, did he?
"Huh?"
Fortunately, he hadn't fainted.
"Your sorcery actually worked on the professor! So have some pride! Got it?!"
"What? Yes! Yes, sir!"
The Sorcerer blurted out an answer in his confusion. Then, seemingly embarrassed by how loud he had been, he bolted out of the classroom.
If he really left just because he spoke too loudly, then I’m the one who should probably leave this world.
As the Sorcerer left the room, I naturally shifted my steps and stopped where Lucas was.
"You look like you have a lot on your mind, Lucas. It’s a waste of a handsome face—though not as handsome as mine—to wear such a gloomy expression."
"Haha."
Lucas let out a short laugh at my words, but the worry remained on his face.
"Loki, do you also think it is my arrogance to use only the spear?"
‘I have no particular advice regarding Lucas’s spear. But why isn't he using that power?’
It seemed the reason for his worry was that he was still dwelling on what Professor Elicia had said.
"Lucas, I don't know what 'that power' the professor mentioned is, but I’ve thought of a way for you to keep using only the spear without getting lectured by her!"
At my claim of having a good idea, Lucas looked at me with a mix of hope and skepticism.
"And what would that method be?"
"Simple! You just have to defeat the professor using only your spear! Then, even she won't be able to say a word to you."
Lucas burst into a loud laugh. Unlike before, the worry had vanished from his face.
"Hahahaha!"
"So, is your problem solved?"
"Yeah, thanks to you."
After a brief conversation with Lucas, I approached the person who looked the most dejected among all the Special Class students.
"Sepia, why the long face? If you keep making that expression, all your good luck will fly far away."
Sepia checked my face for a moment before dropping her head again.
"Even the Pushover fought well against the professor, but I couldn't do anything."
It seemed the shock of her spirits not listening to her was quite significant. But in reality, that was only because her opponent was a Dragon. If it had been anyone else, the spirits would have obeyed her.
However, I couldn't exactly tell her that Elicia was a Dragon.
"Aaaargh!"
Sepia ruffled her hair frantically, turning her pink locks into a complete mess.
Whoosh.
The Wind Spirit appeared out of nowhere and began tidying her hair. The Wind Spirit and the other elemental spirits hovered around her, looking like they didn't know what to do.
Sepia was pointedly ignoring them.
To reconcile Sepia and her spirits, I decided to use my 77th special talent.
I gently caught the Water Spirit, held it in front of my face, and spoke in a soft tone.
"Sepia, please don't be mad~"
Then I caught the Earth Spirit and spoke in a gruff voice.
"I was wrong."
With the Wind Spirit, I used a slightly coy voice.
"I'm sorry."
And with the Fire Spirit, I went for something passionate.
"I apologize!"
This was my 77th special talent: Ventriloquism.
For the record, my 1st special talent is 'Being Handsome.'
"Pfft!"
Seeing my performance, Sepia burst into laughter. As she laughed, the spirits flocked to her.
After nuzzling her cheeks against the spirits, Sepia gave me a bright smile and a suggestion.
"Pushover, do you want to grab lunch with me?"
If I didn't already have plans, I would have gladly accepted, but I was already booked.
Just as I was about to decline, Kuran called out to me loudly.
"Loki, there's a woman here to see you."