Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: I Became the Student the Female Professor is Obsessed With (5)
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Two ragged breaths crossed paths, exhaled heavily.
A bead of sweat trickled down her cheek, gathered at the tip of her chin, and fell. Heat radiated from their touching skin.
No need to spell out who the protagonists of this scene were.
"Professor, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
Honestly, I wasn't bothered at all.
The sensation of her rummaging through my body was strange and bizarre, but it wasn't particularly painful or exhausting. My ragged breathing was just the aftermath of drawing up aura earlier.
Of course, my hand was a mangled mess, but that was a separate issue.
Shabel, however, seemed different. Her breathing and the sweat beaded on her chin made that clear.
She was the professor who had never faltered once while training with students. I didn't need to ask to know how taxing what she'd just done for me had been.
'When does she plan to let go of my hand, anyway...?'
Shabel's aura had already faded, so my hand didn't hurt like before. It was just odd that she was still holding it even after everything was done.
It took a little more time before my hand regained its freedom.
"Sorry. I didn't realize I was holding your hand this whole time..."
"It's fine. It's not like it's wearing out."
"Thank you for understanding."
Shabel gave an awkward smile. Her breathing had already returned to normal, and the sweat no longer trickled down.
"What exactly was that just now?"
"It's hard to explain precisely, but simply put, I cleared a path. So you can handle aura more comfortably from now on."
"I see..."
"If you're alright with it, could you try drawing up your aura? Even just for a moment."
"Sure."
I began drawing up my aura like before, focusing on the faint flow of power and pulling it forth.
Having already used aura once, I couldn't maintain it for long. But in that process, I could definitely feel it.
'It's way smoother than before.'
If I had to compare it to a machine, it felt like oil had been applied. The strain on my body during the process of drawing aura had decreased dramatically.
It was hard to believe this had all happened in less than five minutes.
"How does it feel?"
"It's much easier to draw out aura than before."
"I was worried since it was my first time, but I'm glad."
A faint smile spread across Shabel's face, laced with pride.
"Now that we've confirmed it works, we'll repeat the same thing every holiday for a while. Of course, the quicker you adapt to aura, the shorter that period will be."
"So we're done for today, then..."
"What makes you think that? We haven't even touched swordsmanship yet."
Shabel said that as she stood up and extended her hand to me.
"You said it doesn't wear out, so I'll treat you casually too."
"It's an honor."
I took Shabel's hand and rose.
I knew she was a spartan type, but she was even more intense than I'd imagined.
Well, that's what I'd hoped for. If I'd wanted half-measures, I wouldn't have become her direct disciple in the first place.
"Let's start with a thousand swings. I'll join you."
...Though I hadn't wanted her to go overboard either.
The women's dormitory in the Magic Department. Specifically, room three on the second floor.
Elena woke up later than usual. She'd stayed up late chatting with Luke in the garden the night before, so by the time she returned to the dorm, it was well past bedtime.
'Still, I should get up...'
Back at the ducal estate, Luke had always nagged her if she slept in.
He'd probably say the same today if he were here: Duchess, if you start the day late, everything else will be delayed too.
Of course, it was a holiday, and this was the women's dorm, so Luke couldn't come in anyway...
She wasn't foolish enough to indulge just because she knew it was wrong. She'd already woken up, after all.
Just as Elena groaned and propped herself up in bed...
Thud.
Something fell to the floor.
Turning her head, she saw a large bear doll. It was the one Luke had given her for her one and only birthday party.
Time had worn it here and there, with patches sewn on, but the sentiment inside remained unchanged.
'Sorry.'
Elena apologized inwardly as she picked up the doll and carefully placed it beside her pillow.
After that, her morning proceeded as usual. She folded her bedding, took a quick shower.
Elena dried her wet hair with magic and headed to her vanity. On it sat several glass bottles filled with unique liquids—all made by Luke.
'Moisturizing is the most important, right...?'
Something about dead skin, pores, sebum... Luke had explained it all so passionately back then, but sadly, she remembered none of it.
One thing she knew for sure, though.
Thanks to the cosmetics Luke made, she could keep her skin smooth.
'This must be what they mean by having a good friend.'
Elena smiled as she thinly applied the products to her face, then gently patted them in to absorb, just as Luke had taught her.
She always felt amazing when Luke gave her a massage, so she secretly missed not getting one.
Once she finished getting ready a short while later...
'Time to contact Luke...'
As Elena prepared to send her voice to Luke via magic like always, she remembered: today was his first training session as Shabel's direct disciple.
She knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for him, and they'd made up for lost time by hanging out late last night, but...
She couldn't stop her lips from pouting anyway.
What could she do? It just felt disappointingly empty.
At that moment, a brilliant idea flashed in Elena's mind, and her lips retracted.
'Maybe I should go watch...?'
Even if they were both Academy students, wasn't she originally Luke's owner? She had the right to know what kind of training her attendant was undergoing.
It absolutely wasn't because she wanted to play with her secret friend or because she was bored.
No, it wasn't.
Elena smiled and stood up.
Thus, the excited girl met Luke a bit later.
Arriving at the Swordsmanship Department's training ground, Elena peeked through the half-open door.
'What are they doing...?'
In the center of the training ground, Luke sat in a relaxed pose. His clothes were soaked, suggesting he'd trained hard.
And across from him sat Professor Shabel. Extremely close—no, practically pressed together.
Gulp.
Elena held her breath and watched them.
They seemed to be talking about something, then...
'Wh-wh-what?!'
Suddenly, they grabbed hands.
It defied all common sense. A man and woman holding hands—that was something only people in a special relationship did.
But the problem didn't end there.
Soon, Professor Shabel's expression twisted strangely.
Maybe because they were still holding hands. It didn't look like mere pain.
It was more like, like...
'N-no, I don't know...!'
With her mind stamped "red alert," Elena pulled her head back from the door crack.
Thump, thump, thump.
Her heart raced wildly, her breathing unconsciously ragged.
She had no idea what they were doing, but it was definitely impure.
Calling it direct disciple training—what kind of nonsense was this?
No wonder he had to lie...
Elena's judgment halted there. She recalled a promise she'd made with Luke long ago.
'No secrets, and never lie...'
Luke had never broken that promise once. He'd always answered her questions truthfully and shared everything first.
For such a Luke to do something impure with Shabel...?
'No, no way. I'm sure I misunderstood.'
He wasn't just any friend—he was her secret friend. One who'd never betrayed her in ten whole years.
She could never doubt him first.
Whew.
Letting out a long sigh, Elena moved on with a lighter heart.
Her destination was the gardening club's vegetable patch. Watering the plants might calm these impure thoughts a bit.
"That's the end of today's training."
"..."
"Luke?"
"Yes?"
"I said training's over for today. You can head back."
"Thank you for the lesson, Professor."
"Yes, good work."
Shabel flashed a bright smile and turned away.
Having trained together until just now, her body was drenched in sweat too.
I watched her back and thought.
'Is she really a monster...?'
That was my conclusion after seeing serious Shabel for the first time.
Even if they said she rivaled a Sword Saint, I'd thought it was only in skill—surely not stamina.
But that was a huge miscalculation. I could erase "woman" from my mind entirely.
Then, Shabel suddenly turned back to look at me.
Had my thoughts slipped out loud...?!
I panicked briefly, but fortunately, no.
"Luke, Elena stopped by during training. She seemed to have business with you, so go see her."
"Got it. Thanks for letting me know."
"Yes, take care on your way back."
That was the end of our conversation. She resumed her steps without pause.
'Elena came by...'
Standing there lost in thought, I soon let out a short sigh and started walking. Better to wash up and go than waste time brooding.
But my meeting with Elena came sooner than expected.
At the entrance to the Swordsmanship Department's dorms, Elena stood waiting.
I hurried over to her.
"Duchess, what brings you all the way here..."
"Luke, your hand."
What now...?
Puzzled, I extended my hand anyway.
...Unlike my rough hand, Elena's was soft.