Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: A Rewarding Entrance Ceremony!
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"Everyone saw it, right? With Hepai, you can instantly change into the outfit you've set and swap your main weapon, just like Eldra demonstrated. This is going to have a huge impact on the hunter industry going forward. But! Cadets assigned to the front lines, don't rely solely on magic barriers—make sure you pick your gear carefully too! And..."
Jura Dias, the instructor, scolded Chisaki before explaining Hepai's functions to the cadets once more.
He also earnestly warned them not to do something as stupid as pitting ultimate techniques against each other in sparring matches.
"Ugh... why am I the only one getting scolded? The priestess used hers too."
"Mine was for defense."
Dias knew that, which is why he didn't scold you.
You would've gotten chewed out just the same if you'd countered with an offensive super move.
"Young Master, well done."
Rize approached and handed me a towel and a water bottle.
As expected, Rize was the perfect maid—always prepared.
"Thanks, Rize. Gulp gulp!"
"Ah, so mean. Only the priestess gets to drink?"
Chisaki glared at me with narrowed eyes as I drank.
"Phew, if you want some, have it."
I handed her the half-empty bottle, and Chisaki immediately grinned mischievously.
"Ooh, thanks! Gulp gulp gulp!"
I figured she'd hesitate because of the indirect kiss, but she chugged it right down.
I knew she had a personality like that, but her master must have a tough time with her.
"Lord Rubelt!"
"Rubelt!"
Following Rize, Eli and the others came over.
"You were amazing, Lord Rubelt!"
"Rubelt's as strong as ever."
"Y-yeah! That was cool."
"I heard rumors you were strong, but... you were incredible, Rubelt."
A barrage of compliments marveling at my skills.
It felt great getting praise from my beloved Eli, of course, but also from my friend Sihoon, Yume, and Kagura, whom I planned to bed someday.
Above all, it thrilled me that characters from Blaze Blood were praising me.
"Why's everyone only saying the priestess was great? Wasn't I awesome too?"
Everyone made awkward faces at Chisaki's innocent question.
Rize was the first to speak to her.
"Chisaki, your skills were impressive too."
"Oh, right?"
"But did you really think we'd praise you sincerely after you unleashed an ultimate technique on Lord Rubelt?"
"Ugh..."
Chisaki looked away, conscience-stricken by Rize's blunt fact-bomb, and quickly returned the water bottle.
"A-anyway, let's go watch the other cadets~."
And she bolted.
Her guilty conscience showed she wasn't a bad person at heart.
She was a heroine, after all.
Her problem was how she got carried away and went all out.
Well, in the game, that impulsiveness was part of her charm, and once you entered her route, she turned into a total sweetheart for that gap moe appeal.
The afternoon was mostly free time for cadets getting their first hands-on with Hepai.
After watching my spar with Chisaki, upperclassmen and same-year cadets got fired up and asked instructors to let them spar with Hepai too, spending most of the time spectating.
The faculty didn't stop them, figuring it was fine to loosen up a bit on the first day.
They did earnestly warn against using ultimate techniques, though.
And just like that, time flew to 3:10 p.m.
With afternoon classes over, Jura Dias addressed the cadets gathered in the classroom.
"You've all gotten a feel for Hepai and its tricks today. Starting tomorrow, we dive into serious practical training. Make sure you're prepared! And Denrai, stay behind!"
"Uwaaaah... I'm sorry, so please forgive me, Instructor!"
"If you're sorry, take your lecture quietly!"
Chisaki stayed behind, and the rest of us left the academy.
Cleaning was handled by hired staff, so cadets didn't need to bother.
New cadets like us could leave right away today, but starting tomorrow, most would stick around for club activities.
As explained that morning, not every cadet became a top hunter.
But with their mana-awakened superhuman physiques, they had great odds in other fields.
Like pro sports.
There were sports leagues made entirely of hunters, and the intense matches drew huge crowds.
Some cadets realized by second year they lacked combat talent and focused solely on clubs.
The academy respected those choices.
Whether they committed to clubs or not, they needed fresh recruits every year.
The day after the entrance ceremony, clubs would get an hour in the morning slot to promote themselves.
So today was the last time you'd see so many cadets heading home or to dorms all at once this year.
"Does anyone have plans after this?"
Rize asked as we walked.
"Not really. My schedule's wide open since starting at the academy."
"Me too... nothing specific."
"Just buying side dishes for dinner on the way back."
"Same here? Oh, right! Rubelt! How about hitting the arcade on the way? I've been practicing like crazy!"
"Sounds good."
Rize gathered everyone's input and began carrying out my request.
"Then how about you ladies—Eli, Yume, Kagura—hang out together? Sihoon can go with Young Master."
"Just us girls? Hmm... I'm fine with that."
"Uh... yeah! Sounds good."
"Same academy, same class. Building camaraderie isn't a bad idea."
No one objected to Rize's suggestion.
She turned to me and bowed politely.
"Young Master, I'll be away from your side for a bit."
"Sure thing, Rize. Have fun with everyone. Sihoon, arcade it is."
"Yes! Let's go!"
The group split: girls with Rize, boys me and Sihoon.
"Lord Rubelt! Sihoon! Looking forward to tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow, Rubelt. And Sihoon."
"Rubelt, Sihoon, see you tomorrow..."
As Yume smiled warmly for a friendly goodbye,
Whoosh! A strong gust blew through.
Rize, Eli, and Kagura grabbed their skirts in time.
But Yume, who had her arm raised behind her in a wave,
couldn't block it.
Flutter!
Yume's skirt flipped up dramatically.
And I got an eyeful of her underwear.
Wow, black lace.
In the game, she wore white or yellow with ribbons.
Had meeting me influenced her lingerie tastes too?
She thought it matched her black stockings perfectly!
By the time her skirt started settling back down,
Whoaaa...!
Yume's face turned apple-red.
"Kyaaaaah!"
She screamed and bolted away from us.
"Yume!?"
"Let's chase after her."
"W-wait, Yume!"
Eli, Rize, and Kagura pursued her.
Running off from embarrassment rather than slapping someone—pure, kind-hearted Yume.
"Uh, um, th-that... Ru-Rubelt?"
Sihoon, who'd seen the same thing beside me, looked utterly awkward.
"Wh-what do we do?"
"It was an accident, but we'll apologize tomorrow."
"...Yeah."
We promised to apologize to Yume tomorrow and headed to the arcade.
"Ughhh... now I'll never get married... Why'd the wind have to blow right then..."
A cafe near the academy.
Caught by the others, Yume received comfort as they entered the cafe.
But the shame of flashing her underwear to guy friends overwhelmed her; she hung her head and sighed the moment she sat.
'It was the entrance ceremony, so I wore something bold for once! And Rubelt saw it! What if he thinks I'm some slut?! Aaaah!'
And there was an extra-personal reason for her embarrassment, driving Yume mad inside.
"I-it's okay, Yume! Chin up!"
Kagura tried to cheer her up, even if she wasn't sure how.
"Ugh... but I wore something so daring today! And I showed it off... to them! Rubelt and Sihoon will think I'm a total perv. Ugh..."
Surrounded by girls, Yume confessed what she'd only thought privately.
Rize watched her intently.
'Perfect timing to start.'
"Sihoon might not, but I bet Lord Rubelt would like it if you were a little naughty."
"What!?"
Yume and Kagura gaped at Rize in shock.
"Lord Rubelt's quite the pervert, after all."
"Huh!?"
They jolted again at her follow-up.
Rize, the maid always at Rubelt's side.
No one expected her to call him a pervert.
"P-pervert? Rubelt?"
"What do you mean?"
The statement clashed so hard with their image of him that curiosity spiked.
To Yume, Rubelt was the perfect, reliable friend she admired.
To Kagura, he was the gracious benefactor who valued her shrine and extended a saving hand—a man who intrigued her.
Both saw him as gentlemanly, kind, and dashing, making Rize's words hit harder.
"You two wouldn't know. Lord Rubelt is an incredible pervert. He doesn't refuse naughty things—he enjoys them."
"R-really?"
"Rubelt... does?"
"Yes. And his stamina is overflowing."
"St-sta—!?"
"St-stam—!?"
Yume and Kagura's jaws dropped at the bombshell.
"Right? Lady Eli?"
"Oh, passing it to me? Well... Lord Rubelt has tremendous stamina and endurance. That night... kyaa!"
Eli blushed, shaking her head as she recalled her steamy night with Rubelt, letting out a delighted squeal.
"Ah, ahh..."
"Eee..."
Yume and Kagura could infer the rest despite themselves.
Rubelt had definitely slept with Eli.
The shock rippled through the hearts of the two women who harbored feelings for him.