Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: I Became the Student My Female Professor is Obsessed With (4)
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The day before the holiday arrived, during an evening when the world had grown dusky.
"You're going to be busy with training tomorrow anyway, right?"
"That's true, but..."
"Then make up for it now."
Make up for it? As if she owned my time?
...That thought crossed my mind for a moment, but I quickly erased it. In truth, all my time practically belonged to Elena anyway.
What could I do about it, even if I felt wronged? This was the life of an exclusive attendant.
The one silver lining was that there weren't any particularly grueling or bothersome tasks.
While chatting in the garden, a ferocious swarm of mosquitoes had torn into my limbs, but it was tolerable enough.
Mosquitoes were a menace from all sides, it seemed. Seeing how even magic couldn't eradicate them, I couldn't help but wonder if these pests were actually the strongest creatures on earth.
For the record, Elena had wrapped her body in mana to fend off the mosquitoes. Watching her do that left me so dumbfounded that a hollow laugh escaped my lips.
In any case, after being hounded by Elena until late into the night, I woke up the next morning utterly exhausted.
'Still, I have to do what needs doing...'
Skipping training for a day wouldn't cause any major issues, but I didn't want to break the streak I'd maintained so far just because I was tired. Call it personal stubbornness if you like.
I slowly dragged myself out of bed, did a quick prep, and headed outside.
"Luke-!"
As I was doing some light stretches, Evie emerged from the dorm not long after. Spotting me, she waved enthusiastically and came running over.
What had she eaten for breakfast to be bursting with that much energy? It made me wonder if they had tiger-striped cereal around here too.
But perhaps that enthusiasm backfired. Evie's body swayed dramatically mid-stride. It looked like her foot had caught on a rock.
'Clumsy ones are everywhere, it seems...'
I sighed inwardly and kicked off the ground. My body shot forward, and the tiny figure of Evie grew larger in my vision.
Just as I was about to reach her, something unexpected happened.
"Hyup-!"
Evie, who had seemed on the verge of falling, planted both hands on the ground and flipped into a somersault, launching herself into the air. It was such an astonishing display of agility that an exclamation slipped out involuntarily.
The problem was that her landing path put her right on top of me. Standing still would mean taking a butt to the face, so I reflexively reached out.
"Eh...?"
Evie's flustered gaze turned toward me.
In the end, I successfully caught her. Though it ended up in the rather unique princess carry position.
It was a bit embarrassing, but a hundred times better than getting smashed by her rear.
"L-L-Luke?"
"Yeah?"
"N-Never mind."
Evie covered her flushed face with both hands. Her ears, which she hadn't managed to hide, still betrayed her emotions, but I had no interest in dwelling on it.
That said, her weight felt just right. Squats with her in my arms would probably make for solid strength training.
Maybe I'd try it next time I got bored.
Thankfully, things settled down soon after, and Evie and I began our usual training.
Throughout the session, she kept stealing glances at me, but she didn't say a word until we finished.
Well, it had been an awkward situation for both of us. I couldn't exactly fault her reaction.
I ran into Shabel a bit later.
"This is the first time we've met on a holiday."
"Sorry I'm late."
"Nonsense. I just arrived a little early, that's all."
When I reached the Swordsmanship Department's training grounds, Shabel greeted me with a smile.
Unlike her usual slacks, shirt, and vest ensemble, she was dressed in comfortable training clothes today.
Maybe it was the outfit, but her aura felt even softer.
"That said, do you plan to keep using formal speech, Professor?"
"I've always spoken this way, but is there a problem?"
"Not really. I was just thinking that if it felt uncomfortable, you could drop it and treat me casually."
"As I mentioned before, I'm used to it, so it's not uncomfortable. Though speaking informally wouldn't be so bad either. After all, we're not professor and student, but master and disciple."
Shabel covered her mouth with her hand and let out a soft chuckle.
It was like glimpses of her feminine side were peeking through. Being a private meeting, she seemed a tad more relaxed too.
"Shall we get started with training, then?"
"Sure, anytime."
"Then, try drawing out your aura first."
Hoo-.
I exhaled, calming my thoughts and mind. Soon, I began to feel the faint flow of power circulating through my body.
I grasped that flow and slowly pulled it to the surface. Like an air bubble rising from the ocean depths, growing larger as it neared the water's edge, the power within me expanded bit by bit.
The energy spreading from my dantian heated my entire body. Like metal glowing red-hot in a blacksmith's forge.
It was truly an odd sensation. I felt like I could do anything, like I could defeat any foe that appeared.
'Progress, I suppose...'
I'd used aura twice before, but both times it had been sheer luck. Or perhaps instinct.
But not this time. The aura enveloping my body now was summoned purely by my own will.
Unfortunately, it didn't last long.
About 30 seconds after the aura wrapped around me—that was my current limit.
Ragged breaths poured from my mouth, my body drenched in sweat. I could barely maintain my stance, so you can imagine what happened to the aura.
'Damn...'
I knew I was lacking, but I hadn't realized a mere 30 seconds was my limit.
It stung extra hard since swordsmanship was the one thing I'd diligently worked on.
Did it show on my face? Shabel patted my shoulder reassuringly, ignoring the sweat soaking through my clothes.
"Luke, it seems you're misunderstanding something."
"Misunderstanding?"
"From teaching so many students, I can tell you that 30 seconds is quite impressive. Even accounting for your prior experience with aura."
"I see..."
"Yes, so don't be too hard on yourself."
Hearing Shabel's words eased my mind a little. The frustration didn't vanish, but at least I could shed the excessive self-reproach.
Fair enough—no one starts out perfect. Even a horse that gallops across plains couldn't walk properly when it was newborn.
"Why don't you sit down and rest for a bit?"
"Sure."
I replied curtly and plopped down. Standing was already a chore, so the timing was perfect.
Was she letting me take a break?
The thought flickered through my mind, but apparently not. Shabel sat down right across from me. Close enough that our knees nearly touched.
"Could you extend your hand?"
I held out my palm-up hand. I had no clue what was going on, but I'd follow her lead for now.
Then Shabel placed her hand on mine. My confusion only grew at the inexplicable action.
"It's not something done often, but..."
Shabel trailed off as she gripped my hand.
She was right—it wasn't common. In this conservative world, even holding hands between men and women was a significant act.
The real issue was why she was doing it so suddenly, and with me of all people.
'Her hands are surprisingly rough...'
As I had that irrelevant thought, something began flowing into me through our clasped hands.
It was Shabel's will, her senses, and at the same time, her power.
Having just summoned aura myself, I could sense it clearly. Her aura was incredibly refined. If mine was a self-consuming flame, hers was like a serene lake.
"This is my first time too, so I might not be skilled. Bear with any clumsiness."
With those words, Shabel's aura began to stir within my body.
It was an utterly bizarre sensation. Like someone was artificially manipulating the blood in my veins.
Was it because this was her first time too?
"Hngh..."
Shabel winced with a strange noise, her eyelid twitching.
Up to that point, I brushed off her mention of clumsiness. I even felt a bit disappointed that I couldn't assist.
The trouble started about three minutes later.
"Hngaaah...!"
Shabel squeezed my hand with all her might. While channeling her aura to full power.
My hand was getting crushed in real time. I half-feared all the bones would shatter.
But seeing her desperate expression, I couldn't bring myself to say anything.
What choice did I have? Grit my teeth and endure.
Finally, after an eternity—or whatever that training was called— it ended.
"Luke, blood is trickling from your mouth. If I made a mistake..."
"N-No..."
I managed to force a smile in the end.