Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Tumultuous Academy (3)
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After a short chat with Yubel and a few other students, someone not wearing the uniform entered the classroom.
Black hair, red eyes, and a sword at her waist.
No need to ask anyone—I knew right away. It was the one who'd grabbed my sword barehanded during the entrance exam.
The sensation I'd felt back then was on par with my teacher Chrome... or even greater.
She scanned the classroom once, then stood in front of the podium.
"All right, everyone take your seats."
The students scattered around the room found seats more or less.
I did the same, picking a spot that wouldn't draw attention.
The problem was that the most conspicuous guy sat right next to me.
"Luke, aren't you excited? I wonder how much stronger I can get?"
Yubel sat grinning next to me, oblivious to my feelings.
Maybe I could just flick his forehead once...?
"As you all probably guessed, I'm the instructor—no, the professor—for the first-year Swordsmanship Department. Name's Shabel Creamhilt. Call me whatever you want."
Shabel Creamhilt.
A name I'd heard from my father a few times. He'd said she wielded swordsmanship close to perfection despite being a woman.
But I hadn't expected her to be this young. By her looks, she seemed less than ten years older.
"Normally, the first class covers an overview of the lectures ahead, but there's one thing we need to do first."
She pulled a small box from her bosom.
The moment I saw it, my body twitched reflexively, as if I'd encountered something ominous.
'Did something happen with this in the original story?'
My guess missed the mark entirely. Unfortunately, it wasn't much of a relief.
"Luke Nineheart, come to the front of the podium."
"Yes?"
Caught off guard by her sudden call, I stood up anyway.
As I reached the podium, I saw what was in the box. It was none other than the medal I hadn't received at the entrance ceremony.
No wonder I'd had a bad feeling—my body had instinctively reacted to the prospect of attention.
From Yubel to the medal, my first-day plan was already falling to pieces...
"Normally the dean would pin it on, but he's tied up with the incident investigation, so I'm standing in. I hope you're not too disappointed."
"Not at all. It's an honor."
"Good to hear."
Shabel smiled as she pinned the medal to the left side of my uniform chest. I'd thought her stiff speech meant a stiff personality, but her smile suggested otherwise.
A medal, though...
'Way too much for someone like me.'
All the stares and expectations from everyone felt excessive. I wanted to hand it off right then and there.
When I returned to my seat, Yubel shot me a look.
No need to look so envious—he'd get his own starting next year anyway.
That aside...
'I hope Elena's doing okay...?'
As her exclusive attendant, that was all I could think about.
Break time after first period.
Elena was experiencing a bewildering moment.
"You were so cool at the entrance ceremony. I'm proud to be an incoming student in the same Magic Department."
"Th-thank you."
"You spotted the opening and took down the culprit in a flash!"
"I just created the gap—someone else handled the resolution."
With so many voices overlapping at once, her mind was in chaos. Her head was practically spinning.
'It wasn't like this when I first arrived...'
There had been occasional glances, but no one had approached her directly.
She'd thought this was just the natural distance between classmates, but apparently she'd been naive.
'Somehow, this is exhausting...'
As Elena sighed inwardly,
she suddenly overheard the women's conversation.
"Come to think of it, Luke Nineheart... right? Wasn't he super cool too?"
"Totally. He kicked off the ground, charged in, and slammed the sword right into the shoulder!"
"Like a hero from a fairy tale."
That much was fine. They were praising Luke, her exclusive attendant and secret friend.
Though she didn't show it, her shoulders puffed up a little with pride. She was inwardly thrilled to have such an impressive friend.
But the words that followed wiped away all those feelings.
"I wonder if he has someone special in mind...?"
"Oh?"
"N-not that I'm in love or anything...! But you never know, right? Maybe after talking, feelings could change...?"
"So, you like him?"
"Yes...! I like him...!"
The girls burst into giggles.
Elena, on the other hand, couldn't muster a smile.
'What kind of talk is this in a sacred place of learning?'
Of course, she understood their position. They were all of marriageable age—full-fledged adults.
Marriage was possible as early as seventeen, so they were well into their prime.
In that context, a fine man appears right in front of them? Naturally, they'd hate to let him slip away.
But they mustn't forget this was the Academy. If they'd come to learn, they needed to focus on that—not get distracted by other things.
"Speaking of which, I heard Elena and Sir Luke were spotted together on the street yesterday?"
"Oh, really?"
Suddenly, their gazes turned to Elena.
Flustered, Elena glanced around before offering an awkward smile.
She hadn't intended to hide it, but having it brought up like this felt off—like she'd been caught in a secret.
"Are you and Sir Luke... you know...?"
"You know what...?"
"L-like you've promised a future together...?"
They had made a promise for the future. They'd sworn to remain secret friends forever. But that wasn't what she meant.
"No, nothing like that. He's just my exclusive attendant."
"I-I see. I was worried I'd been rude."
"Not at all, so don't worry."
"In that case, could you ask Sir Luke about his ideal type for me...?"
"You might not like the answer I bring back. Is that okay?"
"Yes...! It's fine...!"
"All right, I'll ask."
Elena answered calmly, but for some reason, her heart felt uneasy.
"That's all for today's class. Thanks for keeping up even better than expected on the first day."
The moment the professor finished speaking, groans erupted everywhere. Some students even collapsed onto the training ground.
I was much the same. Not quite collapsing, but my limbs were trembling.
Then Yubel, panting hard, placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Luke, the professor's a total monster..."
"Couldn't agree more."
Professor Shabel had trained alongside us. We'd run nonstop for three hours and swung our swords a thousand times.
Yet she wasn't even out of breath—her expression unchanged. I could've believed there was a robot inside her instead of a person.
"Someday, I'll get that strong too, right?"
Yubel said as he sprawled out on the ground in a star shape. Despite his heavy breathing, he was still smiling.
'Yeah, he'll get there. As strong as her... no, even stronger.'
That's what becoming the future Sword Saint meant.
Unfortunately, I couldn't tell him that.
"With enough effort, anything's possible."
I said that and started walking.
I absolutely couldn't delay leaving school or "clocking out"—those were the two things.
'I wonder if Elena's class went well...?'
It didn't take long for that question to be answered.
Her expression looked grim when we met again at the fork in the road where we'd parted.
Her brow was furrowed deeper than even when she'd been taken hostage by Yurbe Zodiac.
"My lady, is something wrong?"
"Nothing in particular."
"Then why that face...?"
"Not here. Follow me."
Elena took the lead, and I followed behind her.
We soon arrived at the quiet garden where her uniform fashion show had taken place.
She sat on the bench and patted the spot next to her.
"Don't just stand there—sit."
"Yes, my lady."
I sat beside her as ordered.
A long silence followed. I'd thought she'd get right to it, but it seemed like a tough topic to bring up.
Did I pry too much...?
As that worry began creeping into my mind,
Elena, who'd been silent all the while, finally spoke.
"As secret friends, let me ask—what's your ideal type?"
"Ideal type? You mean the perfect image of someone from the opposite sex you'd like?"
"Yes, exactly."
Why's she asking that?
The question crossed my mind, but I didn't voice it.
If Elena was asking, I'd just answer.
"Never really thought about it, but I suppose the heart matters most. A woman who cherishes me more than anyone else in the world... something like that."
"That's awfully vague."
"Sorry if it doesn't satisfy. Truth is, I'm not looking to date, so my ideal type is just hypothetical."
"I see. Got it."
Did this answer please her? The deep furrow in her brow smoothed out, and her sullen expression shifted to one of satisfaction.
Come to think of it, I had a question of my own.
"My lady, as secret friends, can I ask you something too?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"What's your ideal type?"
"Wh-what?!"
Elena's eyes went wide.
No, it's the same question—why so shocked?
You startled me now too...