Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Elective Subjects
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"Hiiik! P-Please don't slap my cheeks...!"
Hyera looked up at Barkan's pot-lid-sized hand and freaked out.
Hmm. Even I, watching from the side, could fully understand her feelings.
If she got slapped by that monstrous palm, she wouldn't just lose consciousness.
She'd end up high-fiving her ancestors on the other side of the Jordan for sure.
'That guy's got no malice, but zero awareness.'
I gave a wry internal smile and stepped between them.
"Cut it out, Barkan. You're scaring Hyera."
"Scaring her? I was just trying to show some goodwill!"
Barkan blinked like he genuinely couldn't comprehend, but I shook my head firmly.
I knew he meant it kindly, pure and simple.
But there was one problem.
Barkan's standards didn't align with normal people at all.
...Time to make him face that reality.
"If you slap her cheeks with that hand of yours, Hyera will die."
"Hiiik!"
At my words, Hyera's face went pale as she stumbled back.
She was already overwhelmed by Barkan's size, and now I'd driven the point home.
"Hmm? No way. Dying from a few slaps on the cheek? A true warrior wouldn't be that fragile!"
Fair point. For the warriors from Barkan's plains homeland, that would be a mere tickle.
Yeah, if we're talking warriors.
"The issue is Hyera isn't a warrior."
At my remark, Barkan's eyes widened round.
Like he'd just seen a horse without legs—utter disbelief.
"What? Not a warrior? Then what is she?"
"She's majoring in alchemy. So she's far from combat. Right?"
I glanced at Hyera for confirmation.
She nodded frantically, like she'd found her savior.
"Y-Yes! B-But how did you know, Young Master Evan...?"
"Your fingertips are stained. Typical for alchemists handling reagents."
"Whoa... Y-Yes! A-Are you interested in alchemy by any chance...?!"
Twinkle, twinkle.
Behind her thick horn-rimmed glasses, her timid eyes sparkled brilliantly as she gazed up at me.
'The most lively thing I've seen all day.'
Makes sense. Her favorite subject got mentioned.
The cowering from moments ago was gone.
Now she looked up at me with eyes full of excitement, like she'd met a kindred spirit.
What was it like...?
A squirrel's eyes lighting up before an acorn, maybe.
"A little."
I brushed it off vaguely.
Truth be told, it wasn't so much interest as recalling how useful she'd been when I manipulated her before.
From potion brewing to bomb-making.
Her alchemy skills had shone in non-combat utility.
'Cost a bit at first, but eventually started raking in cash.'
"..."
I was starting to worry about funds anyway.
After boldly declaring to the Dreadnote family head that I'd cut ties, support from home was off the table.
I still had some savings, but sooner or later, I'd need to sort it out.
Or I might end up homeless before graduating the academy.
I had endless options, so no huge panic...
'Maybe use this chance to rope her in?'
Building ties for the future might not be a bad idea.
Risky, but play it right, and it could work out fine.
"R-Really? Then what about mana stone refinement or herb blending...?"
Just as Hyera started chattering excitedly, Barkan's booming voice cut in.
"Alchemy? What's that? Stirring herbs in a cauldron or something?"
"Uh? Y-Yeah, kinda... but more complex and delicate..."
"Even better then!"
Barkan smacked his knee, interrupting her hesitant explanation.
"The strength to stir a cauldron! The stamina to climb mountains for herbs! Aren't those warrior virtues, girl?!"
"...Yes?"
Hyera stared at him blankly.
Probably wondering what the heck that meant.
Me too.
[My lord. But he's not wrong, is he?]
'No, if you twist it that way... it's not entirely off.'
"A true warrior can turn any tool into a weapon."
"A cauldron makes a fine bludgeon, and a herb hoe can strike vital points!"
"N-No, that's not why I do alchemy..."
"No need for modesty! I sense a dormant warrior's soul in you, girl!"
Grab.
As Hyera floundered, mumbling incoherently in panic...
Barkan closed in and clamped her shoulder.
"I'll awaken that potential! Special training with me starting today! Dawn runs first, then squats with your cauldron—1,000 reps! And live combat drills!"
"W-Wait! Alchemy isn't like that at allll!"
"Hmm. Is it?"
"Y-Young Master Evan! H-Help meee!"
She shot me pleading eyes, face twisted in desperation, and I finally nodded.
Hmm. I nearly fell for it myself thanks to Tundra.
"Probably not...?"
Barkan furrowed his brow, looking thoughtful for a moment.
Then...
"Nah, girl!"
"Wh-What?! What do you mean nah?!"
Just as she started calming, Barkan shook his head vigorously.
Hyera shrieked and jumped back, but he ignored her completely.
Staring at her with unshakable conviction.
"Listen. Alchemy requires foraging materials, right?"
"Uh? Y-Yeah...?"
True enough.
Not crossing mountains or rivers, but venturing into forests for rare herbs occasionally.
Not wrong.
"Then you might run into monsters?"
"W-Well, yeah...?"
Hyera nodded blankly, clueless.
Barkan gripped her shoulder harder and bellowed.
"Then become a warrior! You need the strength to smash monsters to do alchemy!"
"Eeeek?!"
[Hmm. My lord. This Barkan guy's pretty persuasive.]
I should deny it.
...But hearing it out, it kinda makes sense...?
Stamina is national power, after all.
[The North lacks smart guys like him... dang.]
"Girl. I'll help you! Become a great warrior, gather better materials! I'll teach you my special hell training!"
"H-Hell training?! N-Nooo! I love alchemyyy!"
Hyera desperately refused, face crumpled, but Barkan—eyes already spinning—didn't hear a word.
"Build basic stamina first! Follow me! Hundred laps around the training grounds to start!"
"S-Save meee!"
"Hahaha! Girl! I'll make you the plains' greatest warrior woman!"
Barkan tucked Hyera under his arm like luggage and bolted for the training grounds.
As her screams faded, I could only offer silent prayers.
'Sorry, Hyera. Even I can't rein that guy in.'
[My lord. Can't you do to him what you did to us? I want to recruit him as a Frost Giant Tribe warrior.]
"Quiet."
Tundra chiming in with nonsense gave me a headache.
No normal ones around, seriously.
I shook my head and headed to the classroom.
Still time before next class.
Needed to wash off the sweat first.
...Huh?
"Next class... Barkan! Bring Hyera back!"
Class isn't over!
+ + +
We barely dragged Barkan—set on endless laps with Hyera—back to class.
Still time before next period, so I headed straight to the changing room without a word.
"Phew."
Nothing beats a shower after moving.
No idea about other classes, but S-Class changing room showers were top-tier—impressive.
"Shame. Was about to start real training."
I ignored Barkan smacking his lips regretfully.
Hope he does it without me.
...Whatever that hell training is, count me out.
Slide.
"O-Onii-chan!"
With a sigh, I opened the firmly shut classroom door.
Celine, already seated, spotted me and waved happily.
"You're here, Young Master. How was the spar?"
Elysia beside her smiled and nodded hello.
Both freshly changed, not a drop of sweat—crisp as could be.
Hard to believe they'd just had an intense magic duel.
"Eh... not bad."
I shook out my wet hair and sat.
"Not bad? You went toe-to-toe with Liel! Everyone's talking about it."
"Toe-to-toe? Just got lucky."
"Nah, I heard you held back on her?"
Too late for regrets about not losing.
I shook my head at Elysia, ears perked, gushing praise.
"Nonsense."
"So humble! Liel's the top enrollee."
No matter how I downplayed it as luck, the win was fact.
Whatever I said looped back to me being great.
"Ahem... anyway."
Staying here meant endless flattery till class.
Time to change topics.
"How about you two?"
"Onii-chan, Elysia and I tied."
Celine grinned shyly.
"...We just blasted magic till mana ran out."
"Still, Celine, your skills were amazing. I learned a thing or two."
They praised each other warmly.
Nice to see. Peaceful, unlike mine.
Still, Celine lived up to her name. Draw or not.
Elysia's spirit magic wasn't to scoff at.
Properly raised, she could summon a spirit king—monster potential.
Celine, genius headed for grand mage.
Draw my foot.
If they'd gone all out, the area would've been wrecked.
'Too focused on Iris to notice surroundings.'
Something sparkled, though.
Probably them. Not sure.
Slide.
Then Professor Aria entered through the front door.
"Good work on morning spars, everyone. Professor Kail says you all showed great skill."
She surveyed the class with a pleased smile.
"Some room for improvement, of course. But it's just starting—keep at it."
She caught her breath, then got to the point.
"Now! Time to choose."
With that, she wrote on the board.
Tap. Tap tap. Tap tap tap. Tap tap. Tap.
[Elective Subjects]
"As explained day one, beyond core classes, we offer varied electives. Choose freely based on talents and interests."
I nodded at her words.
Makes sense.
Key to character growth—boosting protagonist and heroines' stats.
Professor Aria passed out guidebooks, continuing.
"Ancient Language Interpretation, Monster Studies, Herbalism, Strategy and Tactics... plenty more."
She handed them out while explaining.
"Top grades bring extra perks. For example..."
She winked mischievously.
"Excel in Monster Studies? Chance at a monster egg."
"Ancient Language? Qualify for relic site expeditions."
"Ooh..."
"No class to make stronger warriors, Master?!"
True, top students got special rewards.
'Monster egg, huh...'
Tempting as a pet, but...
I shook my head.
'Not for me.'
Already had Imir, my gluttonous beast.
No real appeal.
Relic sites same.
Head full of site info already—no class needed.
What I wanted was simple.
One: Stay low-profile.
Two: Easy credits.
'No clue how to escape this world. Goal is safe graduation.'
Credit management essential.
'Low enrollment, sweet gig...'
Flipping through the book, my eyes stopped on one subject.
