Nothing But Hard Work (2)
The next day, at the training grounds. Hunting and Gathering Lifestyle class.
"Today, we'll have each house form teams of six and compete to see which team can swiftly and harmoniously take down a monster with their party members. In party hunting, teamwork is crucial. If you only focus on yourself, you could ruin everything. Keep that in mind, everyone."
As the students formed teams on their own, no one wanted to pair with Hazel. Angelina from the same RS group faced similar issues, but at least she had her bright and friendly personality to get her included somewhere.
"Teaming with her means we're guaranteed last place."
"We gotta avoid her at all costs."
"Look over here. Hey, everyone, don't look this way. Eye contact!"
When Hazel was the last one left, the professor stepped in and assigned her to a team that was short on members.
"Join them, dear."
"Yes, sir."
With Hazel joining the four-person team, they became five. Her teammates groaned and smacked their foreheads at the sight of her.
"We were already one short, and now her too."
In contrast, Hazel wore a smiling expression.
"Let's do our best, guys."
Thud! The monster collapsed.
They had taken it down faster than any of the other three houses. Alicia's team and the others were still struggling with theirs.
"She... she pretty much did it all by herself...!"
"She pulled potions from her bag and chucked them at the monster, healed her teammates too."
"And she summoned a little monster to fight in her place."
The professor and students alike stared at Hazel in stunned silence.
Hazel casually closed her open bag and dusted it off.
"H-Hazel! What happened? This isn't like you at all!"
The professor gawked at her in disbelief.
"The girl who always lurked in the back row with that creepy grin and gloomy eyes—what's going on? Did you eat some potion that makes you smart or something...?"
"Professor, that's a personal attack. Stop. I just got some good guidance from our excellent assistant professor."
"Excellent assistant professor? Who's that?"
"Assistant Professor Naru. He taught me diligently."
"Oh, really? Well, anyway, it's great to see more students excelling!"
Soon after, Alicia's team finally felled their monster. But finishing second left Alicia with a sour expression.
"Damn it!"
She stomped the ground furiously before marching over to Hazel.
"How the hell did a total loser like you beat me? Used up all your luck for life, huh?"
She scoffed and stormed off. Hazel stuck her tongue out at her back.
In the classes that followed, Hazel continued to shine. And the next day. And the day after that.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this week belonged entirely to Hazel. In every lecture, she astonished everyone with her remarkable talent and knowledge, never missing first place in any rankings.
The professors couldn't hide their shock at her dramatic transformation.
"Ho ho... So Assistant Professor Naru's efforts turned Hazel around?"
In the principal's office, Principal Robert was having tea with four professors. Melissa beamed as she spoke.
"He must be a great teacher. As expected from a hero—truly impressive."
Then Professor Padley from the public service department scowled.
"There was a report that Assistant Professor Naru verbally abused our dear Alicia recently. Perfect timing. I should bring this up with the principal."
"I know all about that incident—it happened in my class."
Another professor set down his teacup and continued.
"The atmosphere was rowdy before class started, so I looked into it afterward. Angelina from the harmony department's failing group was being bullied by Alicia, and he just told her to stop."
"That happened?"
Melissa feigned surprise before glaring at Professor Padley.
"Alicia's clearly in the wrong. We should discipline her instead."
"Ahem! I-I didn't know that. Discipline should be... investigated further..."
Professor Padley trailed off in panic.
"Enough, everyone."
Principal Robert waved them off.
"We've all taught Alicia—we know her personality better than anyone. If he'd really abused her, she wouldn't have let it slide. Ha ha ha."
Melissa chimed in.
"Nobles outside the academy don't know her true nature, but us professors? We're all well aware."
"Then let's pretend Professor Padley never brought it up."
"Yes... Understood."
The principal took a sip of tea, lost in thought for a moment, then smiled.
"Assistant Professor Naru—that guy's something else. Reviving Hazel, who we wrote off as hopeless back in year 10."
Melissa lit up as he murmured in fascination.
"Told you I recommended the right person?"
"Seems like it. Thank you, Professor Melissa."
"No, thank you."
"Aren't there Angelina and Lydia in the harmony department's RS group too?"
"Yes. I haven't even seen Lydia's face in ages, and I'm her supervising professor."
"I'm curious how much they'll change. Hm."
Principal Robert tapped the armrest with his fingers.
"If those two transform too, then Assistant Professor Naru has real talent. He won't stay an assistant forever."
Lately, Hazel had been exceeding all expectations. In every class she attended, the professors' gasps and praises never ceased. The once passive girl had become proactive, with top grades to boot—not just impressing the faculty, but becoming the talk of the 12th-year students too.
Whenever Hazel appeared, eyes filled with envy, jealousy, admiration, and shock followed her.
And that attention extended to me.
"He's the one who taught her."
"Must be a good teacher."
Whispers trailed me everywhere I went. I tried to keep a straight face, but a smile crept onto my lips anyway.
'Thanks for doing so well, Hazel.'
Click.
I opened the door and entered the classroom. All three were there. Angelina greeted me first.
"Meeting over?"
"Yeah. Get ready for the next lecture, everyone."
"I'm all set."
Angelina puffed out her chest proudly. She's a good kid—diligent and responsible, always craving praise for her efforts. Lately, though, with Hazel stealing the "smart and obedient" spotlight, she sometimes looked uneasy.
Whenever that happened, I'd pull her aside and reassure her.
"You're the best, Angelina. The elite of our RS group."
"Thank you, Assistant Professor!"
"Assistant Professor. I need a quick consultation."
Hazel, lounging on the sofa, shot me a blatant look. Our little signal.
Time to pay her for her hard work.
"Angelina, sorry, but head to the lecture hall first?"
"By myself? Oh, uh, sure."
Angelina blinked in confusion, grabbed her things, and left. I glanced at Lydia, slumped face-down on the desk. Not a twitch.
I signaled Hazel: 'Check if she's asleep.'
Hazel grinned, crept over to Lydia, and whispered in her ear.
"Lydia? You asleep?"
"......"
"Lydia...?"
"Zzz..."
Hazel turned and gave me a thumbs-up. Perfect. Safe.
We slipped into the portable bathtub at the back of the room and drew the curtain.
"Feeling hot again?"
"Yes... If you don't relieve me, I can't study... Hurry."
In the cramped tub, we whispered as we embraced and kissed. My hands hiked up her skirt, kneading her firm ass roughly.
Mmm. Always a perfect feel. Soft, plump flesh filling my palms.
My cock twitched, hardening at the stimulation. Hazel's hand, locked with mine in the kiss, was already undoing my pants.
"Lydia's out cold, right?"
"She sleeps like a log. Don't worry."
Hazel squatted down, yanking my pants and underwear to my knees, and took my cock straight into her mouth.
"Mm."
"Nngh..."
Strategy: Get me hard in one second with her mouth, then straight to pounding her pussy. No time or place for foreplay.
"Slurp, smack, slurrrp."
Her head bobbed rapidly back and forth. She struggled at first, but after a few tries, she's getting good at blowjobs. The suction hollowing her cheeks was art.
"Put it in now."
"Yeah."
She stood, braced against the wall, and stuck out her ass. I swiftly flipped up her skirt and pulled her panties down.
Instantly, honey dripped from her pussy, stringing a thin, sticky thread from her panties before snapping.
I thrust in without hesitation.
Squelch.
"Ahhh, Assistant Professor... I love you..."
"Shh. No noise."
"But... nngh... it feels so good, my mind goes blank."
"Don't lose control. Moving now."
"Hah, heuk, eut, haa."
"Voice down."
"Yesss...! Eut, mmph...!"
That was when it happened. Suddenly, footsteps echoed.