I Like the Professor (1)
I Like the Professor (1)
"Gyaaah—!"
At Entrance 3 of the Cave Maze Dungeon, Aiden burst through the vortex with a shriek fit for a slaughtered pig and planted his face into the ground.
"My leg! My leg!"
He flipped over and grabbed his leg. Fortunately, it was his left leg—the very one the Earth Dragon had nearly swallowed whole moments before.
"Ah... ahuh... shit..."
Visibly relieved, Aiden collapsed in a heap. Loreine and Nam Yeon-jung, who had flung themselves toward the exit ahead of him, were also sprawled nearby.
That was understandable.
They'd spent hours fleeing at full speed while fending off monster attacks from every direction. No matter how superhuman you were, your stamina would be wrecked.
"...I didn't think we'd all make it back alive."
Yoo Se-i's condition was much better. He was breathing hard but hadn't crumpled gracelessly onto the ground.
Kneeling, he glanced back at the vortex and shook his head.
"I figured two or three of us would be eliminated. Though, with support like that, I suppose it makes sense everyone lived."
[You had the skill to receive support effectively, so everyone made it out fine]
"Fine is... certainly one word for it. I'm tired enough that I'd love to just collapse right here."
[Haha...]
I shrugged with a wry smile.
'He didn't notice the doppelganger after all, huh.'
When the retreat began, I'd gone after the Earth Spirit while sending a separate doppelganger to support the team.
Then, as we exited the dungeon, I switched back with the doppelganger.
Naturally, the doppelganger's capabilities were extremely poor. It couldn't handle close combat at all. In a sense, it was practically a trick.
'Still, it can manage remote manipulation, and it's not hard to maintain as long as it doesn't take a hit.'
Yoo Se-i had sharp senses, and Loreine was a Detection Type. Granted, the situation had been desperate, but neither had shown any sign of noticing.
Flutter—I unfurled the wings I'd momentarily folded to swap places with the doppelganger.
"Hm? Those wings... the color's deeper than earlier. No, the energy feels different too..."
[I took in a lot of spirits while we were escaping]
"Putting aside how easily spirits are supposedly taken in... would absorbing a few lower spirits deepen the color that much?"
[Yeah, it can change depending on which spirits I take in]
"I see."
Not a spirit caster himself, Yoo Se-i accepted the brief explanation with a nod.
"Ipha Class, Team 1... Cadet Lee Ha-yul and four others, exit confirmed at approximately 2:53 PM on Wednesday. Your grades will be tallied later. Good work."
As everyone was catching their breath, a facility manager walked over.
No need to head to the facility ourselves—that saved us some hassle.
"Um, I've got a question."
While I confirmed the end of our practice exercise as team leader, Aiden, who'd been looking around, spoke to the manager.
"Would you happen to know if the teams that entered through the other entrances have returned?"
"The other two teams exited via emergency escape."
"Ah, okay. Thank you."
Crazy, they got totally wrecked. Once the manager was out of earshot, Aiden muttered in horror.
'That was pretty expected, though.'
A high-ranking Earth Spirit.
Its true body's power had been significantly diminished, but it had a perfect environment to compensate, plus full backing from a Grade 2 Dungeon.
And it was commanding the monsters too. Even a decent prodigy would've struggled to retreat with their whole team.
[Great work, everyone. We got plenty of dungeon intel and made it back safely, so I think we can look forward to decent scores]
"Waaah... finally dismissed."
Outside the controlled zone, as I clapped—clap—and said that, Aiden responded in a listless voice.
...His eyes were gradually losing focus, as if he didn't even have the energy to be happy. Everyone's condition varied, but they were all roughly the same.
[...Well then, let's call it a day. Good work, everyone]
"Dis... dismissed..."
"Home... home... I miss my bed..."
"...I'm gonna rest properly... until Friday..."
The zombies dispersed.
"...See you next time. Though we'll probably run into each other within the week anyway."
[Yeah, take care going back]
Yoo Se-i, the most functional zombie, finished his goodbyes and turned to leave. Though his stride was slightly unsteady.
[......]
I, on the other hand, had no problems at all.
This wonderful body of mine stays fine whether I'm on the move for days or over a month.
More importantly, I'd been manifesting Taesan and Gale until just moments ago.
Steadily drawing energy from the earth and the empty sky meant my stamina and mana hadn't even been depleted.
...Though mentally, I was a little worn down. What's worn down must be replenished. And I knew a very fast and effective way to replenish it.
[Anticipation]
I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and turned around. My insides, which had gotten twisted while concentrating Earth Energy and Wind Energy, had long since mended.
.
.
.
- Oh my? Ha-yul~ You're out already?
I arrived at my destination. As I stood before the door, a spark flickered to life in front of me.
The spark coalesced into a human shape. Two arms, two legs. Long hair and a woman's figure.
[Hello, Bestia]
Bestia, a high-ranking Fire Spirit. The spirit under contract with Professor Liana.
[There were some circumstances. I finished earlier than expected, so I came by]
- Yes, yes, glad you came! Come on in—oh...?
Bestia, who had been approaching with a bright smile, stopped in her tracks. Her crimson eyes blinked several times before her gaze slid past me.
- Hmmm...?
To the six wings that still held a deep brown. And among them, to the one wing with an especially dense color.
- ...No way?
A question. But her eyes held mostly certainty. Setting aside senses, it seemed another spirit could feel it clearly.
I gave a small nod.
[Yeah, I encountered it in the dungeon]
[I'll explain the details inside with her]
- Wow, freshman...! Understood!
Her surprise, hand covering her mouth, lasted only a moment. Eyes sparkling, Bestia opened the door. I smiled brightly, softly took Bestia's hand, and gave it a little shake.
[Thanks]
- Uh, hehehe...
Passing by Bestia, I stepped into Professor Liana's research lab.
"I've been waiting."
A long desk. The green eyes that had been fixed on several holograms floating in the air turned toward me.
When I opened my eyes too, her already gentle gaze curved even more softly. That warm look started easing my mood immediately.
"I just saw the training-completion notice. I haven't read the details yet, but you finished awfully early. Something special must have... Ah, I see."
Professor Liana's gaze landed on my wings. The one deep-brown wing that occasionally fluttered on its own. A glint of interest flickered in her green eyes.
[Yes]
[I've got a bit to explain]
I nodded and took a step closer.
- Flinch
Professor Liana's shoulders gave a small tremor. She cleared her throat with a soft ahem, the pen in her hand stilling.
"...Ahem. Sweetie? Just a moment... would you mind... waiting in the lounge for a second? I forgot to change my clothes, so right now I'm..."
[I've detected the alcohol you hid under the desk]
[And I can smell it too? I can also sense its presence]
"Huh? The sensing, I understand. But the smell? I blew all the indoor air outside..."
Consternation spread across Professor Liana's startled face.
I walked around the desk toward her. Professor Liana, who had been raising her wrist to her nose to sniff, flinched.
Her green eyes rolled about, not knowing what to do. I understood what she was worried about. I stretched out both arms.
"Won't you hold me?"
"...No, if you put it that way, there's no refusing, is there?"
Her wavering eyes stilled. With a small puff of breath, Professor Liana took hold of my waist with both hands, lifted me up, and settled me in her lap.
"Hehe."
Soft thighs supporting my bottom. I beamed and burrowed into Professor Liana's embrace.
My face sank into the plush, generous softness. My body, which had been so tense, melted from the warmth seeping through the fabric.
"Mmmnn..."
I wrapped my arms tightly around her slender waist and inhaled.
The slightly off-putting scent I'd been carrying was uprooted in an instant. A sweet and comforting body scent filled my nose and chest.
"Ehehe..."
[Happy happy happy...]
About ten seconds. My happiness, which had been running lower than usual, skyrocketed all at once, and the stress of the past two days simply vanished.
"...You don't smell any alcohol? I was drinking just a moment ago."
A hand came to rest above my head. Professor Liana carefully stroked my hair, voicing a small concern.
Naturally, I knew what she was concerned about.
I tightened my arms around her waist and buried my face even deeper into her chest, breathing in the scent.
"...Snff snff..."
Especially the inner part of her chest, where that body scent pooled the most. With my nose nestled there, I couldn't detect the slightest hint of alcohol.
[Milk scent]
[Cozy]
[Hunger]
"I only smell nice things..."
"Uh, ahem. Well, that's reassuring, but... uh, eep? Hold on, that tickles..."
Softness, warmth, and a scent I'd gone nearly two days without. From some perspectives, that might seem like nothing, but to me, it felt like an eternity.
So I clung tighter and enjoyed the happiness, and Professor Liana let out a giggle, squirming slightly.
But her arm stayed wrapped around my back so I wouldn't fall.
"Alright. If it's not a problem, that's a relief. Yes, yes, I'm not going anywhere. Let's calm down...?"
Even the gentle touch that swept steadily through my hair. My already drowsy eyelids grew heavy.
The sleep that had been nowhere to be found for two days began creeping sluggishly in. Meanwhile, my squirming body gradually stilled.
"Huh, you quieted down right away. Sweetie? Can you look up for a moment?"
At the touch softly pressing my temple, I lifted my head. My face popped free from her chest, and through my drowsy vision, a beautiful face filled my sight.
- Smooch
"Heehee, hehe."
A brief kiss pressed to my lips and pulled away. Professor Liana smiled brightly and planted another kiss on my cheek as she asked,
"Did you get back safely?"
"Yes, I'm back."
We'd already exchanged that greeting earlier, but I didn't mind.
Without suppressing the smile spreading freely across my face, I leaned in this time and pressed my lips to Professor Liana's cheek.
At that, her smile turned even more luminous. She swept my bangs aside and pressed a long kiss to my forehead.
"...You weren't seriously hurt or anything, were you? The Vice Headmaster's insurance exists, of course, but minor injuries can still linger depending on the individual."
"No, I didn't get hurt."
[I got a little hurt]
—Freeze—
The hand stroking my head stopped dead. My breath stopped for a moment too.
"...Hm. Those answers are a little different, aren't they?"
Her eyes fixed intently on me. That soft gaze, normally dripping with affection like honey, had hardened slightly.
I buried my face in her voluptuous chest to avoid her eyes.
"...I got... a little hurt..."
"Hmm..."
Professor Liana let out an ambiguous hum and tilted her head.
- Liana's bullying the King again
- Hey, shouldn't we go rescue him?
- Honestly, I think this is the King's own karma...
- What do you mean by that, Euros... I concur
The spirits who had been sneakily watching the situation whispered among themselves.