Hey Naru! Just Once, I Swear! (4)
“Look at that guy teaching. Impressive.”
It was even a hot topic among the female assistant professors gathered together.
From the window, they could see the First Training Grounds below. Aquina's party was in the middle of instructing the students on various combat techniques. Magic flashed, and the clash of metal rang out loudly.
“I heard Naru the assistant professor brought them in? Anne, you're lucky. Same house as Naru the assistant professor.”
“What's his personality like? Does he treat you well?”
“Does he have a girlfriend?”
Questions poured in on Anne, who was part of the group. But Anne just smiled quietly, stirring up even more curiosity among them.
“Come on, spill it. Are you close with Naru the assistant professor?”
Anne, enjoying the attention, finally opened her mouth with a grin.
“Me? I'm flirting with him.”
“No way, really?”
“You've been on dates?”
“No wonder you've been dressing up lately. It all makes sense now.”
“Principal's coming!”
As someone shouted urgently, the female assistant professors quickly stepped aside in the corridor. Principal Robert, the four vice-principals, and their entourage passed by in a group.
“Hm?”
The principal halted abruptly and peered out the window.
“Ho ho, the students preparing for the tournament are training diligently.”
“Naru the assistant professor seems to have prepared thoroughly. He's even brought in famous adventurers to teach them.”
“Hm, I see. Good to know they're well-prepared.”
Just then, the students, having received advice from Aquina's party, took down a monster with perfect coordination. Cheers mixed with excitement erupted from all around. Not only the academy staff, but Principal Robert and those around him also grinned broadly and clapped.
“Kehahaha, they're doing great.”
What's with these kids? At this level, you could call them pros without exaggeration.
Aquina was inwardly amazed. Honestly, the students' skills exceeded her expectations, leaving her quietly stunned.
Their fundamentals are solid.
Angelina, Lydia, Hazel, Roan, Rachel. These five. They moved with the seasoned poise of veterans rich in experience.
While teaching them, Aquina had been floored multiple times by their flawless grasp of hunting knowledge that even went beyond student level—she'd caught herself gaping without realizing it.
Impressive.
She'd expected them to be decent since only top talents were selected. After all, they were students of the prestigious Buzdra Academy in the capital. She'd figured their aptitude and skills would surpass their age group, but actually instructing them revealed it was even more than that.
Especially Angelina, Lydia, and Hazel among them—their skills were so outstanding they could debut as adventurers right away. Aquina was seriously tempted to recruit them herself. The thought of adding them to her party and raising them personally crossed her mind repeatedly.
They'd be a joy to train.
And she wasn't the only one thinking that. During breaks in the training, her colleagues took turns approaching her with whispers.
“Boss, these kids are all great, but those three in particular? Real gems.”
“How about we talk to the guild master and fully sponsor their tuition, then snag them after graduation? Too good to let slip.”
“Sis, I just got chills. She knew something even I didn't.”
“My dear Aquina, they're so good it's giving me goosebumps down my spine. Are the new generation always this skilled? Us old-timers are losing our place bit by bit. Tsk.”
Why were these students showing such astonishing prowess? Sure, innate talent and ability played a part, but it wasn't the whole story.
Their actions were sly and cunning like a fox's—many moments that couldn't be explained without real experience. Clearly, someone had taught them. Someone had polished raw gems into jewels.
And that someone was...
No doubt about it—it's that guy.
Aquina turned her head to look at him.
In a dim corner of the training grounds. Arms crossed, wearing a relaxed expression as he watched them—the annoying rival.
Kang Naru.
He must be the one who trained them so well.
Aquina furrowed her brow. A surge of jealousy welled up unbidden.
The kingdom's top adventurer, Kang Naru. She hated to admit it, but she had no choice. He'd been dominating the top spot in Queen Isabella's weekly adventurer rankings for weeks now.
After vanishing for a while following his defeat to Vera, he'd returned and was soaring high again. It irked her. If not for him, she'd be number one.
Payback time.
A wicked idea struck Aquina, and she grinned slyly. She'd steal these gem-like students he'd raised right out from under him. Their potential to become famous was obvious—she couldn't let her rival have them.
“Your name's Angelina, right?”
“Yes, Angelina!”
“I saw your skills—you're pretty good. Quit the academy and come adventure with big sis? I'll train you properly.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I want to keep attending the academy!”
“Why? Don't wanna make money? Follow me, and you'll earn way more than kids your age.”
“Tempting, but I want to stay with Assistant Professor Naru for a long time! And to do that, I have to go to the academy! He's there!”
“What?”
Aquina was dumbfounded. A loyal subordinate of the hero Kang Naru, huh. Skipping her, she approached the next girl.
“You're Lydia, right? Wanna join our guild? We'll fully cover your tuition if you do.”
“Out of nowhere?”
“What do you say? Big sis will take good care of you—join us.”
“I'm good with my current setup. Not interested elsewhere.”
“Don't say that—think it over. Join our guild, and you'll get tons of action, fun stuff galore? Don't you wanna build fame and be adored by the masses?”
“I wanna be adored by Naru more than the masses.”
Lydia smiled slyly, lost in some fantasy. Aquina frowned at the sight.
This one's Naru's too. Tough to convert.
Giving up, she headed to Hazel.
“You're Hazel, ri—”
“Hold on. No need to pitch to me. I heard everything. I have zero interest in following you, Aquina. I'm staying with Assistant Professor Naru. Don't waste your time.”
“Ugh...”
All three girls had unshakable trust and dependence on Kang Naru. Sweet talk didn't faze them. They'd been thoroughly brainwashed by him.
Failed.
Aquina bit her lip in frustration. She'd make them regret it. A sinister glint flashed in her eyes.
“You lot! Don't dream of going home on two legs today!”
“Kyaa! So intense!”
“Kuhuuuugh! H-Hurts...!”
“Why so hard all of a sudden! Hah!”
That day's training continued past dismissal time, until the moon rose. Aquina and her colleagues poured their all into drilling the students. By the end, not one could stand properly. They all sprawled starfished on the dirt, gasping raggedly.
“W-Water...! Muuuh!”
“Hah! Hah! Heuk...! Gonna crash as soon as I get home.”
“A-Assistant Professor, mercy! I-I'm dying. Hah, hah...!”
“First time with training like this... Haa, haa.”
“That was brutal. Ah...”
Clap clap clap.
Naru applauded in satisfaction.
“Everyone, good work.”
He loaded the exhausted students into carriages and sent them home one by one.
“One more round—on me!”
“Huh? Not heading home?”
“We gave you super expensive lessons for free. Like hell we're leaving now. Gulp! Gonna drain your wallet dry! Gulp!”
In the entertainment district. After work, I'd brought Aquina and her colleagues for a big treat. Today's lesson had been so satisfying, the money didn't sting.
“I have a family, so I'll head out first. Drink safe.”
“Me too—calling it. Exhausted.”
“Gotta go. See you tomorrow.”
“Thanks for the feast. We click surprisingly well.”
“Stuffed—great meal.”
Having worked all day, Aquina's colleagues bailed after the first round. They all looked beat. But Aquina was the exception.
She clung stubbornly, vowing to empty my wallet.
“On to round two!”
“You serious?”
“Told ya—I'm going! Gulp!”
“You seem wasted—sure you're good?”
“Underestimating me? Gulp! I can drink moooore~!”
Look at her whining. What a sight.
No choice. I took her—barely able to stand—to my usual bar.
After ordering food, I sat across from her and stared. Eyes glazed, cheeks flushed red—she was totally sloshed.
“Let's drink light and head out.”
“No way! I'm gonna bleed you dry!”
“Keep it down. Everyone's staring.”
“Why're you so damn good at adventuring? Queen praises you weekly—feels gooood?”
“Slurring now, huh. Here, water.”
I poured from the pitcher and handed it over. Time to wrap this up quick, I thought.
But I never dreamed I'd end up claiming her virginity soon after.
“Haaang! Uh! Ah! Ah! Sex feels so gooood! Aaang! Aggh! More! Pound me harder!”
“Cum and go again? Hah! Hah!”
“Yeah! Again! Ungh! Hyaaang!”
“Wasn't it 'just once'?”
“Ah! Uh! Don't know! Hng! Aaaang!”
And just like that, she'd surrendered to my cock, turning into a bitch in heat.