Flames of the Pegasus Hunt
"Hey. Why are you off by yourself?"
Rachel, the sole female member of the Ode of Valor approaching the lone male member Roan, asked.
"Why are you hanging back here? It looks like we're ostracizing you."
"Ah, no, it's just..."
Roan scratched his head with an embarrassed grin.
"Everyone else is a girl except me, so I feel out of place..."
"I'm the same. Those three have always hung out together, so they're close, but I'm not really tight with them. Still, I'm trying to stick with them."
"But you're a girl..."
"You think it's different between girls?"
Roan lacked confidence around others. He was already stuttering slightly, tense just from Rachel approaching.
Rachel kept the conversation going.
"Isn't Assistant Professor Naru amazing? I've learned so much from him. His teaching style is definitely different from the other academy professors."
"N-Naru Assistant Professor is still active in the field. And he's a hero, too..."
"You think all active heroes are the same?"
"Well, yeah..."
When Roan was first selected for the Ode of Valor, he'd basked in the envy of students from the same house. He was full of anticipation himself.
After all, he was getting instruction from the academy's hottest commodity.
Assistant Professor Naru. Some students had tried using their parents' influence to infiltrate RS Group—that is, the failing students' group—just to attend his lectures, but no one succeeded.
To hear Naru's lectures, you either had to be in the failing students' group or be in the Harmony Department and fill in as a substitute when the lead professor had an emergency.
Students from the other two houses, Public Affairs and Cooperation, had almost no chance. Naru, as an assistant professor, only operated within his own house. He couldn't roam between all three houses like full professors.
Getting a chance to learn from such a Naru? And for an entire day, every day, for two weeks!
This is a precious opportunity.
His mind had gone blank during the first lesson. Revolutionary. Astonishing. Perfectly structured. Masterful technique. So this is how it's done. As expected of a genius—his mouth had hung open in awe.
"We're getting super expensive private tutoring here. I wish time would slow down."
Roan murmured with a quiet laugh. Rachel nodded.
"Everything's great, but I wish training ended sharp at 6 p.m. It goes till 9 every night, and mornings are killer. Even on weekends like today, no break."
"No time. The match is next week."
"I know. Sigh, maybe I should've just skipped it."
Rachel let out a small sigh, grumbling.
"If you followed just because of his looks, you'll end up suffering like me."
"Ah. There he is."
"Where?"
"At the building entrance."
Leaving the guild master's office, he headed straight for Magic Engineer Kinzen's place. It had been a few weeks since the merfolk dungeon, and it was time to pick up the charm bead from that self-destructing skeleton.
"You bastard! Why show up now? Thought you were dead!"
"I've really been busy. What about that thing I asked for last time?"
"It's just sitting there taking up space—grab it quick!"
The white-haired old man Kinzen's voice was sharp and loud as always. But he wasn't angry. It just sounded that way.
"Processed it ages ago, and you don't even come pick it up? What've you been doing?"
"Had to go adventuring because of the rebellion. Anyway, I'll bring a bottle of liquor next time."
Grinning, I uncorked the glass vial containing the liquid.
"What's the effect?"
"Decoded the runes—reduces fire damage."
"Ah, fire resistance. Nice."
Unlike isles, which required the owner to activate them, charm beads worked passively at all times. The popularity charm from those mermaids before was still going strong. That was how I'd charmed Mermaid Princess April.
Gulp, gulp.
I drained the vial clean.
"Ah~ bitter."
Wiping my lips, I bid Kinzen farewell and left. Outside the building, Sophia—who'd come in with me—was already waiting, along with Aquina.
"Oh, you made it?"
"What do you mean 'made it'? Is that how you greet someone? Hmph."
"Figured your pride would keep you away."
I checked headcount, then headed to a suitable spot to open the portal.
Aquina seemed like she wanted to say more, but with Olivia and sex taking up time, I hurried on.
Is that how you greet your girlfriend?
Shouldn't you be sweeter?
Aquina grumbled inwardly.
When you see her face, show some affection, you idiot...!
Even as she stuck right by Naru's side all the way to the portal spot, he didn't spare her a glance. He was just chatting with that warp mage Sophia bitch over a continent map.
"Sophia, how about this spot for the warp point?"
"Hmm... I think here would be better? Flat land's safer."
"Dense forest is preferable. No point drawing eyes."
This annoying jerk. Doesn't even look after his girlfriend after they've shared a bed. Maybe report him to the guards for abandonment.
If you're gonna ignore me like this, why invite me? Jerk.
She wanted attention, but he clearly had no intention.
She got pissed for no reason.
Fine, I won't help with all my might.
Whatever happens, happens.
"Oh yeah, Aquina."
Naru suddenly turned with a smiling face. His hand naturally wrapped around her shoulder, stroking it affectionately.
Aquina's heart pounded.
"Had breakfast?"
"Huh? Y-yeah, I ate..."
"Good girl. Sorry for calling you so early."
"N-no, it's fine..."
She'd been inwardly cursing him moments ago, but now she turned meek as a lamb. She even bashfully ducked her head, beaming like a lovestruck maiden.
"Hehe..."
"About Tempest. Know how to use it?"
"W-well, I've never tried."
"Then let's test it out there. Might not get a chance, though."
"Yeah."
Naru released the arm-around-shoulder and resumed talking with the others, but Aquina wasn't mad anymore. She quietly giggled, simply happy.
Aah, this must be love. Feels so good...
She cupped her cheeks with both hands, shaking her head in shy delight like aing, I dunno~.
Their relationship started as a one-night stand, but once they were official, it felt ecstatic.
Wanna do it with Naru again.
Just as a wet sensation stirred below, the dark elf who'd been silently following passed by with a glance.
"...You're Oppa’s too? No need to be on guard, then."
She walked off, leaving cryptic words.
Bzzz.
With Sophia's help, the portal to the Bagas Mountains opened. Bigger than usual today due to the crowd.
Finally, we're off.
I double-checked the Erkness Lasso coiled over my shoulder, then stepped into the portal.
Pegasus Sesiah will be mine, no matter what.
Fresh phytoncide scent. Air as rich as a fine forest aroma.
Out of the portal, I surveyed the surroundings.
Mountains everywhere—the Great Forest of the Bagas Mountains. Somewhere in this vast expanse lurked Pegasus Sesiah.
"Whoa... how do we find it here?"
The students shook their heads, deeming it impossible while eyeing distant peaks. Jenia stayed composed, Sophia calm. Aquina gazed only at me, looking excited.
"Adventurers are all over this range right now, even if we can't see them. They'll be on edge to claim Sesiah, so if we run into any, don't stare—just pass by. I'll handle talks."
"Adventurers fight each other?"
"Yeah. Happens when they want the same thing."
Aquina followed up like a seasoned instructor.
"Plenty die in those scraps. Stay sharp, kids."
The students tensed. I spoke again.
"I'll fix anything short of instant death, so just don't die instantly. Check your heart guards."
The metal heart protectors on the students' chests were sponsored by Alicia's father, Duke Neville. I'd visited him beforehand, explained, and got enough for everyone.
"Planning a weekend adventure with students. Need sturdy heart guards—can you help?"
"Impossible's not in my vocabulary. I'll make calls right away."
He added,
"Heard my daughter's sidelined from the Bravery tournament because of you."
"Sorry."
"Not blaming you. Just educate her well in my stead. Can't bring myself to scold her—scared she'll say she hates me."
Duke Neville was a total doting dad.
"Oppa!"
Jenia suddenly shouted urgently.
Whoosh!
Boom!
A fireball hurtled straight at me and exploded on impact.
"Kyaaak!"
Sophia and the kids screamed in shock.
"Who is it!"
Aquina drew her sword, scanning around.
And... I strode out of the roaring flames with a smirk.
"Damn, temperamental. Starting already, huh."
The scramble for Pegasus Sesiah.
Thanks to the self-destruct skeleton's charm bead, the fire magic barely fazed me.
"Jenia, over there."
I pointed one way, and Jenia loosed an arrow without hesitation.
Whoever you are, I'll shove a stick up your ass.