Chapter 28: Provocation 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 28: Provocation 2
My body trembled. The men who had collided with my shoulder glanced back at me, raising their voices so I was sure to hear them.
"Look at this guy. He bumps into us and then acts like he’s the one in pain."
"He’s just a lowly commoner; he’s probably looking for an excuse to extort some money."
Fortunately, they didn't seem to hear me laughing. From the way they were talking, they clearly thought I was just faking an injury.
Barely suppressing the laughter that threatened to burst out, I looked at the men who had run into me.
"If you bumped into someone, don't just stand there staring. Apologize."
Was their arrogance born from the belief that they could take me, or did they think that Vermin would protect them?
"What are you doing? Hurry up."
I was debating how to handle them, but the need vanished. Clara, who had been walking ahead of me, had turned back.
"L-Lady Clara?"
Even though they were from the Archen Kingdom and Clara was from the Empire, they recognized her instantly. Then again, Clara had awakened her mana the moment she was born and was the sole disciple of the Tower Master. It would be stranger if they didn't know who she was.
"I am Albham Ricotta of the Ricotta Viscounty, Archen Kingdom."
"And I am Saez Baraham of the Baraham Viscounty, also of the Archen Kingdom."
Though flustered by Clara's presence, they immediately introduced themselves. As I expected, they were from the Archen Kingdom.
"I asked what you're doing. Why aren't you coming?"
Clara completely ignored their introductions. It was as if they were invisible to her.
"I was admiring your beauty, Miss Clara, and happened to bump into these gentlemen," I said.
"Is that so?"
Only then did Clara look at the men. They seemed delighted that she was finally acknowledging them, but their expressions quickly soured at her next words.
"What are you doing? If you bumped into him, you should apologize."
"Pardon? Lady Clara, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. We didn't bump into him; this fellow ran into us."
Clara didn't even bother responding to the man. Instead, she looked at me and asked, "Did you bump into them?"
"I may have been staring at you blankly, Miss Clara, but I certainly didn't bump into them."
"Really? Then you two must have bumped into him. Apologize. Now."
Clara, who hadn't granted the men so much as a rebuttal, took my word as absolute truth. The men tried to argue, but—
"I’m in a hurry. Just apologize."
When Clara spoke with a frown, they were rendered speechless.
"Is something going on over there?"
"Huh? Isn't that Lady Clara?"
Perhaps because of Clara's presence, students walking down the hallway began to stop one by one to watch the scene unfold. Realizing that more attention wouldn't do them any favors, the men finally offered an apology.
"Our apologies."
The man's face was twisted in a grimace as he spoke.
"Well, everyone makes mistakes. Just don't let it happen again," I remarked.
Their expressions soured even further. I was satisfied with that, but Clara apparently wasn't.
"You should bow your heads when you apologize."
"That’s..."
The men looked at Clara as if bowing to me was a fate worse than death, but they quickly lowered their gaze upon meeting her eyes.
"We are sorry."
After bowing and apologizing, they fled the scene, their faces flushed with humiliation.
"What are you doing? Aren't you coming?" Clara called out to me as I stood there dazed.
Snapping out of it, I called her name in a serious tone.
"Miss Clara."
"What?"
"Can I call you Noona from now on?"
Clara shot me a look of pure contempt before turning and walking toward the classroom for our next lesson.
"Wait for me!"
* * *
Clara and I arrived at the classroom for the afternoon session.
Several other Special Class students were already there. After exchanging brief greetings, I naturally took the seat next to Clara. If anyone else had tried to sit there, Clara would have told them to move, but once she saw it was me, she said nothing.
The regular students stole curious glances at the Special Class, but none of them dared to strike up a conversation.
"Miss Clara."
"..."
Clara ignored me. She knew that my playful tone meant nothing important was coming.
"Miss Clara."
"..."
"Miss Clara."
"..."
When she continued to ignore me, I leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"Clara Noona."
"You!"
Startled, Clara was about to snap at me, but she was interrupted.
"Good afternoon, everyone!"
The professor entered the room, her voice booming. She was a cute woman with a petite frame. If she weren't so famous, no one would have taken her for a professor.
The youngest daughter of an Imperial Marquis, the youngest S-rank adventurer, and the youngest professor at the Academy—these three prestigious titles all described her.
Professor Idra—more famously known in Croaka as the "Crazy Professor." She stood at the podium, greeting the students.
"Hello! I am Idra, and I'll be teaching you from now on. Please, feel free to call me Professor Idra!"
Students unfamiliar with her beamed at her cute appearance, while those who knew of her reputation found it hard to believe such a petite woman possessed such an incredible resume.
And I, knowing Professor Idra all too well through Croaka, began to prepare myself.
"Oh?! We even have Student Loki here, the one who ignored me to side with the Captain."
"Professor Idra, you hurt my feelings! The amount Professor Elicia offered was simply too much to refuse."
"Well, the Captain does have deep pockets."
Professor Idra didn't seem to hold a grudge.
"Now then, shall we begin the lesson?" She placed something on the podium as she spoke. "How much do you all know about Magic Tools?"
Professor Idra began to explain. Magic Tools are man-made items modeled after Artifacts. Unlike Artifacts, which can only be obtained from Dungeons, Magic Tools can be created by humans.
"This item on the podium is also a Magic Tool I created."
Professor Idra possessed an extraordinary talent for crafting Magic Tools. Even that insane Golem from the entrance ceremony was one of her creations.
"Among Magic Tools and Artifacts, there are items that can amplify magic. Today, you will all experience that magic firsthand."
She finished her explanation and scanned the room. I tried my best to avoid eye contact, but there was no way my handsome face would go unnoticed.
"Let's start with Student Loki. And just to be clear, this isn't because I'm bitter about you taking the Captain's money."
She activated the magic, and a splitting headache suddenly tore through my mind.
* * *
Idra watched Loki, who was hunched over and screaming in agony.
Originally, she had planned to inform everyone which spell she would use before casting it. However, before the class, Elicia had given Idra a specific order.
“Give the Special Class students a harsh trial. Especially Loki. He is the type of child who grows stronger through such things.”
As time passed, Loki’s screams grew more horrific. A strange glint appeared in Idra's eyes as she watched him with a hint of pity.
"I really made the right choice becoming an Academy professor," she muttered to herself in a voice too low for anyone to hear, observing the reactions of the other students.
"Hahaha! Look at that. An Academy student can't even hold it together; he's just screaming like a common peasant."
"Hahaha!"
Seeing Loki helpless and in pain, the Archen Kingdom students seized the opportunity to insult him. The others joined in, mocking and jeering at him.
Idra found the display disgusting, but thinking of what was about to happen, she spoke with a smile.
"The spell I used is one that causes the target to feel a headache. It isn't a powerful spell on its own, but when used in conjunction with a Magic Tool, it becomes quite threatening."
After explaining the magic, Idra cast the same spell on all the students.
"Aaaaaagh!!"
The ordinary students began to scream and writhe as the magic took effect. The Special Class students protected themselves using their own various methods. Idra kept her eyes fixed solely on Loki.
Clara was shielding herself with mana, but she occasionally glanced down and frowned.
After a short while, Idra ceased the magic. As the spell ended, the students gasped for air, trying to recover. However, Loki was still screaming in agony.
"What is wrong with that guy? Pwahaha!"
The students laughed, seeing Loki still suffering even after the magic had stopped. Idra walked over to Loki's desk and knocked on it.
"Student Loki, it's over. You can come out now."
As soon as Idra spoke, the writhing Loki vanished in an instant, like a fading illusion. While the students who had been mocking him stared in stunned silence—
"Hwaaaa-am~ Is it over already?"
Loki appeared from under the desk, stretching his arms wide.