Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Old Comrades and Class Choices
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(2)
3.
Ivela, eyes wide open.
Dilia, tilting her head.
The moment he found himself in the same space as the two of them, Ullan was suddenly overcome with a nostalgic and wistful feeling.
It was only natural.
These two were precious comrades who had once swept across battlefields alongside him.
'Brings back old memories.'
Sword Princess and Star Witch.
These two had gotten along quite well.
Ivela's primary role had been to hold the front line of the party with Ullan while protecting Dilia, who was vulnerable in close combat.
In other words, they had spent a long time together.
Perhaps because of that, they were close enough to pass for blood sisters.
'But...'
Things were a little different now.
There was an awkward air about the place for some reason.
The moment Ivela confirmed Dilia's presence, she reverted to her usual blank expression, and Dilia gazed back at her with equally impassive eyes.
'Well, that's to be expected right now.'
It took quite some time after they joined the hero party for the two to grow close.
At present, they were strangers.
So of course it felt awkward.
As he mulled this over inwardly.
"Huh?"
Ivela's eyes suddenly widened.
Her gaze was fixed on the book in Ullan's hands: [Legendary Weapons from Myths].
"Is that the book you were looking for?"
Ivela asked, sounding pleased.
As if she knew the book well.
"I miss it. I used to read it all the time when I was little."
"Is it famous?"
"Of course. Every kid who dreamed of being a hero or knight probably read it."
Ivela was no exception.
She too had dreamed of becoming a hero as a child.
"But you should read the revised edition, right?"
"Revised edition?"
"Yeah. That's the old version. There's a new one organized by category. It even lists the storage locations for the weapons."
Storage locations included?
Ullan's ears perked up at the tantalizing info. Seeing this, Ivela smiled faintly.
"Want me to find it for you?"
"Hmm, I appreciate the offer, but I'm good."
Ullan shook his head after a moment's thought.
He intended to read this one first out of respect for the librarian's recommendation.
As their conversation wrapped up.
Ivela spoke up again.
"By the way, you're pretty diligent, Ullan."
"What do you mean?"
"Just what I said. Being here at this hour means you've already finished course registration, doesn't it?"
She had the wrong idea.
So he shook his head.
"That's not right."
"Huh? What?"
"I plan to do course registration now."
"...! Ah, you haven't done it yet?!"
Ivela jumped in shock.
"Then you need to hurry and register first! The popular lectures are almost all full. If you end up with bad grades...!"
The same words as Dilia.
Ullan, meanwhile, remained calm.
"Don't worry. I've got it all figured out."
His tone carried an odd confidence.
Ivela shut her mouth.
She finally realized it: Ullan was a powerhouse on the level of an advanced knight, leagues above her.
And not just that—he was a top scorer who had aced the entrance exam.
'In that case...'
He must have something up his sleeve.
With that judgment, Ivela swallowed her advice. She figured Ullan must have a plan.
Of course, her guess was off the mark.
The reason for Ullan's supreme confidence was something from the guidebook he'd read yesterday.
'The standards for expulsion due to poor grades.'
Arsen Academy compiled grades by year each semester and periodically expelled underperformers.
'If your average exam grade drops to D or below, you get an academic warning.'
Accumulate three warnings, and you're out immediately. Recalling this, Ullan clenched his fist.
'Which means...'
He still had two chances left.
Even if he bombed this time, he could make up for it later.
No need to panic.
As they pondered their separate thoughts.
Ding! Dang!
A bell rang out of nowhere.
The noon chime.
"Ah! I gotta go. I've got some books I want to read ahead for tomorrow's classes."
"Sure. Catch you later."
Ullan waved her off.
A short while later.
Poke! Poke!
Someone prodded Ullan's arm. It was Dilia, wearing a sulky expression.
"Who was that?"
"Ivela Elead. You don't know her?"
"Nope."
Dilia shook her head.
From her reaction, it seemed they had zero prior acquaintance at the academy.
As she stared expectantly for an answer, Ullan summed up their relationship.
"A friend from class."
"...Friend."
The word made her silver eyebrows twitch ever so slightly.
It was something Dilia lacked.
Whether because of her status as the kingdom's princess or her fame as a genius mage, hardly anyone approached her first.
Except for one person: Ullan.
"Are you two... close?"
"Yeah."
An immediate, unwavering reply.
Her golden eyes quivered.
A moment later, Dilia bit her lip lightly.
Then she fired off her question.
"Then... what am I?"
"Huh?"
"What am I... to you?"
Back at the entrance exam, Ullan had said it.
That she was important to him.
That they'd be together even thirty years from now.
Dilia wanted confirmation of what those words truly meant.
Meanwhile, Ullan pondered his response.
He'd originally planned to call her a precious comrade.
But that was the relationship between him and the 'Star Witch' in his past life. Calling the current Dilia a comrade felt a bit off.
If he had to pin it down...
"Someone who knows the truth."
"The truth?"
An unexpected answer.
Doubt flickered in Dilia's eyes. Ullan nodded and continued.
"You're the only one I've told."
"Told what?"
"That we'd be together in the future too."
"...!"
Her golden pupils went round.
Fluster plain on her face.
Suddenly flustered, Dilia bowed her head deeply, ears turning red.
"Th-that's, um..."
She fidgeted with her fingers nonstop.
A moment later, she peeked up shyly. Then, face flushed, she asked carefully.
"Does that mean... I'm special?"
"Something like that."
Ullan answered right away.
It was the truth. He hadn't even told Noa—the one he'd spent a relatively long time with after regressing.
'But Dilia's different.'
Across both his past and current lives.
Dilia Arpen was the smartest person Ullan knew. That's why he planned to eventually tell her everything and ask her to figure out the reason for his regression.
So he came clean.
Meanwhile, Dilia's face was red as a ripe apple.
It was warranted.
'Special person...!'
Only one thing came to mind.
Dilia swallowed hard.
Still, what if it was just wishful thinking? She stole a glance at Ullan.
Her eyes flew wide.
"...!?"
Crimson eyes shining straight and true.
The moment she saw that sincere gaze, Dilia whipped her flushed face away.
'What do I do! It's not a misunderstanding.'
No one looks at the opposite sex with eyes that serious unless they mean it. And everything he'd said so far ruled out any mistake.
Together in the future.
And a special person, no less.
'What do I even say?'
She couldn't just sit there.
She had to say something. Ullan had mustered his courage to say this much.
Clutching her robe tight, she took a deep breath. Then her trembling lips parted.
"...Thanks. I'm happy."
"What?"
"But... can I have a little more time... to think?"
"Think about what?"
"It's my first time... with something like this."
Thanks? Time to think?
What was this out of nowhere?
Ullan looked baffled as Dilia struggled on. Still, he got the gist of the conversation.
'No idea what she's thinking about, but...'
Her choice to mull it over was her business.
So Ullan nodded.
"Sure."
"...Yeah, I will."
Dilia dropped her reddened face.
She started to say something else but clamped her mouth shut. Instead, she scribbled furiously in her notebook and held it up to Ullan.
『Going ahead. See you later.』
With that parting note.
Dilia fled Ullan's side.
What a strange one. Ullan let out a chuckle before checking the time.
"Guess it's time for me to head out too."
To request the loan and handle registration.
Ullan promptly left the library.
4.
Sunday afternoon, 1:20 PM.
After finishing lunch, Ullan stepped out of the cafeteria for course registration. That's when he bumped into a familiar face at the entrance.
"Ah, Ullan."
It was Noa, clutching a book plastered with blue talismans. She came to a halt.
"Where you headed?"
"Course registration."
"...Pardon?"
Noa couldn't believe her ears.
"N-no way, you still haven't done it?! Why?"
"Had some things to take care of."
"What could possibly...?"
Putting off registration?
As Noa stared in disbelief.
Ullan replied matter-of-factly.
"Registration's open till 6 PM. Plenty of time if I start now."
"You're super late already!"
Noa shot back emphatically.
Registration ran from 6 AM to 6 PM.
But that was just the window. In reality, half the lectures had filled up by 7 AM.
And he'd waited past noon? Noa stomped anxiously.
"This is no time to dawdle. Let's go now! I'll help."
"Mm, much appreciated."
Noa's help would be reassuring.
Ullan dipped his head slightly.
On the way to the classrooms, Noa asked with a hint of suspicion.
"Anyway, you decided on your lectures?"
"Naturally."
Ullan rattled off the main major courses he'd mentioned to Dilia earlier. Noa suddenly looked puzzled.
"Huh? Tracking Technique? Why that one?"
"Got something to track down."
"Like what?"
"Can't say."
Ullan was firm.
Noa was helpful, sure.
But friend or foe? Hard to tell yet—she hid a lot.
So he kept his goal under wraps.
Fortunately, Noa let it slide.
"Got it. So main majors: Combat Techniques, Weapon Techniques, and Tracking Technique. What's next for minors?"
"General Faculty lectures."
"G-General Faculty?"
Noa jolted.
Ullan shared his prepared list. Moments later, Noa approached with a delicate expression.
"Um, Ullan...?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you even know what Advanced Mathematics is?"
"Don't underestimate me. Shallow knowledge or not, I know that much."
"Just answer."
"Multiplication, duh."
"..."
We're screwed! Totally screwed!
Cold sweat trickled down Noa's back. She had to stop this somehow.
After racking her brain.
She picked the path of least resistance.
"...Military Faculty first."
"What? General's closer."
"True, but Military lectures fill up way faster. And main majors matter more than minors anyway."
Solid reasoning.
Ullan went along.
5.
Not long after.
Dashing through Military Faculty classrooms with Noa, Ullan barely snagged spots.
Combat Techniques, Weapon Techniques, Tracking Technique.
Luckily, seats remained in all three.
"Whew, what luck. Past 2 PM and still open."
Noa breathed a sigh of relief.
Then Ullan pivoted.
"Next up: General Faculty."
"...Ah."
Noa froze solid.
She'd been so caught up in Military that she'd forgotten the real issue.
'Wh-what now?!'
She stomped in panic.
No way could she let him sign up for Advanced Math—or any General lecture.
F grade in one meant an instant warning.
Three warnings? Expulsion.
With Ullan's knowledge level, General courses equaled suicide.
'Gotta block it!'
Even if it meant bluntly calling him a blockhead. It was the only way for both their sakes.
Noa steeled her gaze.
But in the end.
Her worries were for naught.
"What? You want my lecture?"
"Ahem! We're at capacity."
"Afraid you're out of luck."
Every professor turned him down flat.
And rushed to shoo him away to boot.
History profs were the least bad. The Advanced Math old-timer foamed at the mouth and passed out on sight.
"Professor! Snap out of it!"
"Get him to the infirmary—now!"
Lifted onto a stretcher and carted off.
Watching this, Noa spotted a pattern among the profs they'd met.
'Ah! They were all at the entrance ceremony.'
The day Ullan bellowed his friendship chant.
Scores of students and profs fainted.
Most of those profs? General and Arts Faculty.
Made sense. Unlike Military or Magic staff, they were just well-read civilians.
'No wonder the reaction.'
To them.
Ullan was no better than a savage terrorist.
If he went berserk mid-class? Unthinkable. So they stonewalled him regardless of openings.
'Talk about lucky.'
Who'd have thought it'd backfire like this? After three straight rejections from General.
"...This is a problem."
Ullan looked grave.
He hadn't anticipated this.
Then Noa ventured slyly.
"Mind if I suggest some?"
"For me?"
"Yeah. How about Magic Faculty?"
"Tough. I can't use magic."
He didn't even grasp the basics.
His special exam mana detection pass was pure luck.
Noa knew—he'd told her.
So why Magic?
Her answer came.
"Oh, that's fine. There are lectures you can take without casting."
"Really?"
Ullan was dubious.
Noa nodded.
"Yep. 'Understanding and Detection of Mana Flow' and 'Magic Combat'."
He knew the first—same as his special exam.
Magic Combat was new.
"What's Magic Combat?"
"Teaches how to fight mages. Used to be Military till last year, but moved to Magic Faculty this year since it involves a lot of collab."
Assumes enemy mages, covers effective counters, skills, tactics.
Open to anyone, magic user or not. Plenty of non-majors enrolled.
"Fighting mages, huh..."
Sounded solid.
He knew a few tricks already, but more never hurt.
"Got it. I'll go with your rec."
"Smart choice."
Noa beamed.
Both went smoothly, no hitches.
Though the mana flow prof, Direk, gave Ullan an odd look, he approved.
All registrations complete.
Noa grinned ear to ear.
"Hehe, now we share one lecture."
She displayed her list.
Top slot: 'Understanding and Detection of Mana Flow'.
Ullan blinked in surprise.
"You signed up too?"
"Yeah! Always wanted to."
Noa's eyes sparkled.
Of course, ulterior motive. A hidden event triggered here.
'Midterms start, Direk gets consumed by mana and turns monster.'
Becomes event boss.
Beat it for solid rewards and perks.
'Too scary solo, though...'
So she roped in Ullan.
Perfect timing—he needed options. Win-win.
This time, rewards were hers.
Resolve firm.
Noa smiled brightly.
"Here's to more good times, Ullan."
"Same here."
Friendly exchange sealed.
Ullan's final course list:
◆ Military Faculty
[Combat Techniques], [Weapon Techniques], [Tracking Technique]
◆ Magic Faculty
[Understanding and Detection of Mana Flow], [Magic Combat]
"Huh? One short."
Noa widened her eyes.
First-years got 20 credits total.
Mandatory Phys Training and Basic Liberal Arts took 1 each.
Left with 18.
Faculty lectures 3 credits apiece—six needed.
"Sigh, oh well. Let's loop around and scout options."
"No need."
Ullan shook his head.
He'd held one back for this: Prof Stella's 'Practical Hunting'.
"Huh? Practical Hunting?"
"Yeah."
"But that's one of Military's hottest. Probably full by now."
"It's fine."
She'd promised a spot.
Ullan sought Stella with a fretting Noa in tow. Soon, the sight before them made Noa's eyes bulge.
"Ullan! Knew you'd show!"
Stella, hugging him tight in delight.
With her enthusiastic welcome.
Registration wrapped up nicely.
And the next morning.
Arsen Academy's first classes commenced.
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