Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: 11. Let's Attend Class
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"Hehe... I'll head out first, darling♡"
After going all night with Ruane, I proposed marriage in the heat of the moment, and now her pet name for me has changed to "darling."
-Mwah♥
Ruane planted a light kiss on my cheek, humming happily as she stepped out the door.
"Guess I should get going too?"
I quickly washed up, threw on some clothes, checked that no one was around, and bolted for the academy.
"Hey! In-hyeok!"
I heard someone calling my name while sprinting along. I glanced toward the voice and frowned—it was that annoying girl who'd pestered me for no reason before. What was her name again? I couldn't even remember.
I looked her way, but I had zero interest in chatting with that bitch, so I decided to ignore her and keep going.
When I entered the classroom, Ruane spotted me and blushed, flashing a bright smile. In stark contrast, Philia shot me a trash-like glare before immediately turning her attention back to Ruane.
"Sigh..."
- Pain is Pleasure
- Addictive Scent
- Forced Affection
Favorability (100)
Favorability (100)
Favorability (-30)
Favorability (93)
Once I've fully tamed Ruane, I'll be on par with a Sword Saint.
But just matching them isn't enough... To pull off my plans, I need to overwhelm and dominate.
"Well... there's still plenty of time..."
I can tame her later. For now, I want to shove it right in that bitch Philia's face. That's what Ruane is for... I'll show you the terror of NTR, you fucking whore.
As In-hyeok indulged in his fantasies, he expected the usual lecture, but the professor who entered was different from the norm.
"Nice to see you all. Some of you might remember me from the entrance ceremony?"
The other students nodded knowingly, but In-hyeok was utterly confused.
Who is she? I dozed off after seeing Philia and Sis, so I don't remember... Where'd the regular prof run off to?
"I'm Eris Carlton, professor of Practical Combat Studies."
Red hair, sharp eyes, a toned body with chiseled abs from rigorous training, D-cup breasts... And those tiger ears and tail...!
In a world full of races, beastkin are rare in the empire where I live. A pretty one like that...? Hell yes... Fucking possible!!!!!!
From what the professor said, some incident kept her away for two days, so another theory prof had covered her classes temporarily.
She's not in the novel... Not important, then? A character this distinctive never even showed up... Humanity's loss.
"I think that's enough intro. As I said, I'm your Practical Combat prof, so we'll skip the suffocating theory and focus on real battles."
Practical combat... Perfect timing. I've been curious about my actual strength.
"We'll pair up in twos for class. Hurry and find your partners."
Pairs formed naturally around me.
Distracted by Ruane and Philia, I hadn't talked to anyone... This isn't turning into one of those 'I'm the only one left out' situations, is it?
But as luck would have it, I was the only one left standing there awkwardly.
I could almost hear the snickering from when Philia mocked me on the first day after I tried talking to her.
Ruane paired with Philia and kept glancing my way guiltily... Don't look at me like that, Ruane... It just makes me feel more pathetic... Fuck...
"Professor, I don't have a partner."
"Every year at the academy, there's always one loner like you."
The class laughed at Eris's words... Ruane, please stop with those eyes...
"Well, no partner means no partner... What's your name?"
"Song... Song In-hyeok, Professor."
"Got it, Song In-hyeok... Alright, everyone to the training grounds!"
"To gauge your skills, pairs will come at me together."
"First up: Philia Venezia and Ruane Elisha."
Eris stood facing Philia and Ruane from across the field.
"I won't go easy just 'cause you're the professor."
"Ho? Quite confident for an academy student... Sword Saint, huh?"
Eris eyed Philia with interest.
"Haha. Looks like the fledgling's all puffed up from everyone hyping her Sword Saint title."
"Tch..."
Philia's pretty face twisted at Eris's words.
"Enough talk. Start whenever you're ready."
How dare a mere professor act this way against me, a Sword Saint...
"Ruane, stay back. I'll handle this alone."
"Got it, Philia."
Philia steadied her breathing and assumed her stance.
I'll end this in a flash...!
-Kiiing
"...!"
Philia drew her sword in an instant and slashed at Eris, but Eris casually parried the longsword with her dagger.
"That's it? I won't hold back if that's all you've got."
Philia quickly retreated to create distance after her attack was blocked.
"Don't get cocky. You should team up with Ruane Elisha."
I even infused it with mana, and she blocked it that easily? What the hell is this prof... Annoying as it is, she's right—I won't play hero.
"Tch... Ruane, support me with magic."
Ruane nodded, and Philia swung at Eris again.
She relentlessly poured attacks on Eris, who dodged effortlessly.
"Ruane, now!"
"!"
Mana swirled around Philia. Using it, she shot forward and unleashed her family's signature sword art.
"Venezia Style First Sword: Flash."
-Shwooom
She slashed at Eris with tremendous speed empowered by mana, but Eris dodged once more.
-Crack
"!... Gah...!"
"Great strike, but you're too focused forward."
Eris sidestepped Philia's sword and drove a precise fist into her abdomen, sending her flying. As Philia soared, Eris charged at Ruane.
"Eek...!"
Flames encircled Ruane like a ring. Eris hesitated for a split second at the sight, and Ruane immediately fired her next spell.
"Fireball...!"
Two fireballs hurtled toward Eris, but she coated her dagger in mana, slashed them apart, leaped upward to evade, closed in on Ruane, and jabbed her throat lightly.
"Kyaaak...!!"
"Fast cast, not bad. But low power. And don't rely on one element."
"Philia Venezia and Ruane Elisha: E."
"Get an A from me, and you can skip my classes. I'll point out your flaws—figure it out yourselves. Next pair..."
One by one, everyone rushed Eris, but most got F. E was generous.
This is brutal. Can I even get an A before graduation?
Sword Saint and Magic Swordsman get E together? What can I do solo?
"Alright... Last one? Song In-hyeok, you're up."
Eris showed no sign of fatigue. Is she even human?
"Ah, beastkin, right..."
"What's with the muttering and grinning?"
"N-Nothing!"
Damn, beastkin hearing is sharp... Anyway, give it my all.
"Any weapon okay?"
"Use whatever you want. Doesn't matter."
I grabbed three daggers and a shortsword, stepping up to face Eris.
"Solo, so I'll grade leniently. Fight without worry."
"Hoo..."
I took a light breath, assumed position, and buffed myself with a few spells.
Spam every magic I can and go melee. Jack-of-all-trades... no, versatile build...!
I charged at Eris. She stood still, like she saw it coming.
"Blind."
She flinched as the vision-obscuring spell hit. As she tried to dispel it, I pressed relentlessly.
-Shwaaak
I enchanted a dagger with wind attribute and hurled it at her front-right and front-left. Eris dispelled Blind, deflected the frontal dagger, and jumped to dodge the other.
"Blink."
Before she could recover mid-jump, I Blinked forward briefly and thrust with my flame-enchanted sword.
-Kiiing
Her reflexes deflected my stab easily, but the flames splashed around her face. Eris squinted instinctively—In-hyeok seized the moment.
-Zzzap
At point-blank, I unleashed Lightning Bolt, then tried to retreat and catch my breath. But a fist broke through the lightning.
-Crack
"Gahk...!"
Even weakened breaking through my lightning and with Enchant-Armor up, it hit this hard? What kind of monster...!
I flew back far, regained stance, and looked at Eris. She was frowning at her own fist.
"Ugh... No idea why she's staring at it, but opportunity."
As her focus shifted, I gathered mana for my finisher.
Eris snapped to and charged as I channeled. But I'd gathered enough— the moment she closed in, I triggered the spell.
-Pzzzzzt
Not a linear bolt, but lightning radiating from my body as the conduit. Eris hadn't expected it and got caught in the blast.
"Raaargh!!!"
-Pzzzzzzt
With a mighty shout, I poured out all my mana and collapsed from mana exhaustion.
"That should even take down that monster prof... Uh... Huh...?!"
Eris, engulfed in the spell, stood unscathed, brushing dust off herself.
"She's a total monster...!"
All my mana, direct hit, and she's fine? If beastkin are this tough, I can't imagine dragons...
"Swordplay and magic are mediocre across the board, but your combat sense is exceptional."
She nailed that I'm a jack-of-all-trades... Fuck... E grade?
"Song In-hyeok... Hmm... Solid D, close to C... Hard to say."
My grade: a firm D, neither E nor C...