Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Not a Single Peaceful Day (1)
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Magical beasts were a kind of mutation where animals gained mana for some unknown reason.
There was no definitive explanation for why they appeared. There were a few theories floating around, but they were nothing more than speculation.
However, there was one thing everyone agreed on without fail...
Magical beasts were viciously ferocious.
Even small animals that would normally flee at the sight of humans would attack them once mutated.
And they weren't to be taken lightly just because they started as small critters—after all, they now possessed mana.
There were even records of several knights struggling against a single rabbit. No further explanation needed.
The silver lining was that their numbers were few and far between.
That was why the Empire didn't make a huge fuss about them.
In any case, the prospect of seeing one in person was exciting...? Hell no—it filled me with nothing but dread.
'Perfect setup for an accident.'
In the original story, Elena was constantly rolling around in the dirt. If others got a bit muddy, she might as well have been buried in it.
If only the original title had been something like The Lady's Happy Academy Life—! It would've looked a world away from incidents and mishaps.
Of course, I probably wouldn't have read it in the first place if it were.
"Luke, let's go."
Yubel said from the classroom entrance, urging me on.
I let out a short sigh, brushed aside my worries, and stood up.
"Yes, let's head out."
We soon arrived at the Swordsmanship Department's training grounds.
At the center stood a massive iron cage, and inside it lurked a wolf. Its eyes glowed red, and it was as big as a carriage.
Yubel, staring at the beast alongside me, murmured softly.
"Luke, think you could take that thing...?"
"...It'd be tough, but if the moment comes where I have to fight, I won't hesitate."
Once, my father—during his 67th, no, 70th season? Anyway, in the midst of boasting about taking on forty foes single-handedly—I asked him if he hadn't been scared. If he'd been confident of victory.
He'd replied:
—A knight doesn't fight because he's sure of winning. He fights because he must.
I couldn't understand it back then, but now I got it completely.
If Elena were ever in danger, I'd draw my sword no matter who the opponent was. That was a knight's duty—and my responsibility as her exclusive attendant.
Of course, the best outcome would be avoiding that situation altogether.
"That's what I like about you, my friend—!"
Yubel slapped my back lightly with his palm.
I didn't recall ever becoming his friend, but...
No need to argue. The guy only heard what he wanted anyway.
That was when it happened. The noisy training grounds fell silent in an instant. The Swordsmanship Department students all shut their mouths and stared in the same direction.
There, led by Elena herself, the Magic Department students were filing in.
'Looks like she made some friends. Good.'
Quite a few were chatting with her. I'd been worried deep down, but it seemed my concern was unfounded.
Though her expression looked a bit tired. Did she have trouble sleeping last night?
She'd seemed fine this morning, so it was just puzzling.
"Luke, every time I see her, she's insanely pretty, right...?"
"Well, she is beautiful."
Yubel gazed at Elena with a dazed look, utterly smitten.
And who was the one who'd polished that beauty? None other than yours truly.
Cucumber packs, skin massages, steam towels—you name it, I did it.
Sure, her natural looks were the real star, but I'd contributed enough to puff up my chest a little.
Not long after, professors from both the Magic and Swordsmanship Departments entered the grounds.
"Quiet down, everyone. Class is starting now."
"Swordsmanship students, line up over here."
And so the joint class between the two departments began.
The Magic Department professor handled the theory, while the Swordsmanship one drew from real combat experience.
The lesson itself was pretty engaging. Way more than sword theory or etiquette classes.
Maybe because we had that overwhelming presence right in front of us.
That's why they say seeing it once beats reading it a hundred times.
"As you can all see, that magical beast has shackles around its neck suppressing its actions. That's why it's not rampaging."
I had no idea how they worked, but they seemed incredibly advanced. Taming a beast that size like a lamb.
Then, someone from the Magic Department raised a hand.
"Professor, I have a question."
"Yes, go ahead."
"What happens if the shackles break?"
"It'll smash us and escape. Not that it'll happen, but if it does, run for your lives. It's way beyond what you lot can handle."
The dismissive tone didn't bother anyone. We all instinctively knew how strong that wolf was.
It wasn't about winning. It was about surviving.
To bust through that thick cage and get out...
'Please, don't let that happen.'
I prayed silently and focused on the rest of the lesson.
How much time passed?
"Time flies. That's the end of first period—take a break. And just so we're clear, you're all from the same Academy, different departments or not."
It was a warning phrased as a warning: Don't start trouble with the other side.
The Magic professor left the grounds after that. The Swordsmanship professor followed suit.
Now, only the students from both departments remained.
Like water and oil, the groups didn't mix and stuck to chatting among themselves.
Of course, there are always exceptions—and wouldn't you know, one was right next to me.
"Luke, let's go."
"Go where...? H-Hey, let go...!"
Yubel dragged me off somewhere.
And naturally, we ended up right in front of Elena.
She blinked in confusion, then tilted her head.
"Is something the matter?"
"Uh... well... good morning?"
Yubel scratched his head sheepishly as he replied.
He'd strode over so confidently; I thought he had a plan. What a letdown.
If you're gonna flop, do it alone. Don't drag me into the embarrassment.
"Sorry for interrupting your break, Duchess."
"It's fine. No real interruption."
"Thank you for understanding."
I bowed lightly.
The girls around Elena squealed and whispered something, but nothing worth minding.
I was about to turn and head back to the Swordsmanship group when I spotted a scuffle in front of the cage. One from Swordsmanship, one from Magic.
Or, bald-head versus bun-head, if you prefer.
Anyway, neither would listen to reason.
"I was just trying to get a closer look, that's all."
"I saw you stick your hand in our side."
"The professor said the shackles make it safe."
"No need to provoke it, right?"
"Scaredy-cat, huh? Figures, all you bookworms..."
"You're the one with muscles for brains."
"You done talking?"
"That's my line."
For nobles raised with etiquette, their bickering was ridiculously childish. Even elementary kids fight better.
Still, I couldn't just stand by. Might drag innocent me down with them over department pride.
A pain now beat a bigger headache later.
"You two, how about cooling off first?"
Who could've guessed? More than just them needed to cool off.
I realized that mere seconds later.
"Wh-What...?"
"What did I tell you?! Don't provoke it!"
The beast inside the cage suddenly rose. It scanned around with red eyes, then opened its massive jaws.
──── !
A deafening roar that could split eardrums.
An overwhelming pressure froze my body stiff.
When the roar finally died down, a strange sound followed.
A crack—like something fracturing or shattering.
Then, something heavy thudded to the ground.
"You two, get out of here now."
The shackles that had restrained its actions... had shattered.