I Realized It Was An Academy Game After 10 Years – Chapter 114

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“…Huh? What? You’re old.”

“I’m not old.”

“Calling you… ‘oppa’ would be pushing it, wouldn’t it?”

Was she always this bold?

No, I knew she had a fiery personality from the moment she cursed, but I didn’t expect her to blatantly point out my weakness.

My face might look rough and weathered, a different genre compared to everyone else, but the status window officially certified me as nineteen years old.

I might resemble X-Son and X-Ho Dong in their middle school days…

But my physical age was the same as everyone else.

Probably.

“How’s your body?”

“My severed arm still throbs.”

My gaze naturally shifted to Viola’s bandaged arm. It had been a while since the amputation, so even powerful healing magic couldn’t fully restore it.

Fortunately, this feisty girl didn’t seem too concerned about her missing limb.

At least, she maintained a calm expression in front of me.

“Hey, don’t worry too much about it. You would have died if we hadn’t amputated it. Being alive is what matters. It’s a miracle you even made it out of the rift.”

“A miracle… huh.”

“What else would it be?”

It was true.

The chances of returning from a dimensional rift were incredibly low. But I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret.

If we had found her sooner, maybe we wouldn’t have had to amputate her arm.

Feeling sympathy and a bit of goodwill, I extended my hand.

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Then can you regenerate my arm? Having one arm is a bit inconvenient-”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

Unless we were in a game where we could use Elixirs freely, restoring her arm was impossible.

Knowing this, I shook my head resolutely. Viola seemed to have anticipated my answer, letting out a chuckle.

“I knew it- Ugh, the thought of having to live with one arm after I recover is annoying.”

“Research, huh. You said you were in the Alchemy Department, right?”

I had planned to build connections with the Alchemy Department students, but it seemed like Viola was out of the picture for now.

She was still a patient, and her skills were unknown. But it wouldn’t hurt to visit her a few times and see if there was any potential. If we got close, I might be able to meet other Alchemy students.

I was planning to scout any promising graduate students, or rather, talented individuals, immediately.

“I’m a top student, you know? Top five in my year. Well, I probably failed my finals, so my ranking will drop.”

“I testified that you cleared the dungeon, so your grades will be adjusted accordingly.”

I had made sure to mention it during our negotiations and handed over the notebook we had recovered from the rift, so they would have probably given her a decent grade.

I couldn’t guarantee it would be excellent, though.

“Oh, really? Thanks. That’s a relief. I might even be able to apply for a scholarship.”

What a positive mindset. Most people would be depressed in her situation.

She wasn’t a heroine, though.

“…I’ll be going then. Come to Yeomyeong-gwan if you need anything.”

It was a small gesture of goodwill. A kindness towards a girl who was trying to get back on her feet despite the sudden misfortune.

Viola grinned at my offer and said playfully,

“I’m the type to drain you dry, are you sure you can handle it?”

“I make decent money, you know.”

I shrugged and turned the doorknob. The door opened, revealing a quiet hallway. The infirmary was deserted, as summer break had just begun.

“Take care.”

“Go already, Escort Knight.”

She waved her remaining arm through the gap in the door as it closed. I heard rustling and groaning from behind the closed door.

So, she was putting on a brave face after all.

I couldn’t help but think about Viola as I walked back to Yeomyeong-gwan.

She reminded me of myself, back when I was struggling to survive on the deserted island.

“Milia, what is this?”

“Squishy wanted to go for a walk, so we’re taking a walk together!”

What was going on here?

I massaged my forehead as I watched Milia and the tentacled book strolling through the front yard of Yeomyeong-gwan.

A tentacled book being taken for a walk by a Dullahan. What an unexpected sight.

What kind of tentacle was being walked on a leash?

Maybe I was still dreaming. This was all a dream, and if I pinched myself, I’d wake up in my studio apartment.

…Wait? Did I live in a studio apartment…?

“Johann, Johann!”

“What?”

“Hey, can I have this book? I’ll feed it well, wash it, and take it for walks-”

“Milia, that’s not a pet.”

Don’t treat that ominous-looking grimoire, which screamed “banned book,” like a pet. If you kept that thing around, you’d become corrupted and turn into a dark mage. Or become a host for the book.

…Although, nothing like that had happened yet.

“But it’s alive, it moves, and it acts cute.”

“…”

She wasn’t wrong, so I couldn’t refute her.

I avoided Milia’s expectant gaze and glared at the tentacled book.

The book, desperately trying to avoid becoming Milia’s pet, struggled to break free, but perhaps Milia was surprisingly strong because she didn’t budge.

Defeated, the book gave up its resistance and shed a tear from the eyeball embedded in its center.

A crying book?

I had seen all sorts of strange things in my life, but this was a new one.

…I felt a bit sorry for it.

But there were lines that couldn’t be crossed-

“Johannnnn~”

“My answer won’t change even if you act cute.”

“Ugh.”

As if resorting to her last option, Milia wrapped her arms around my waist with a determined expression. And then she started rubbing against me like a cat. I knew what she was trying to do, but it just felt like my niece was clinging to me.

At least, that’s how it felt.

I wasn’t a pervert.

“J-J-Johann…??”

Bad timing.

I stared at the purple-haired girl who was looking at me with wide eyes. She looked shocked.

I turned to Elisa, hoping for a lifeline.

“Ah, Elisa. Help me get Milia off-”

“I, I don’t think that’s appropriate here!”

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

Why are you clinging to me even tighter?

I grabbed Milia by the scruff of her neck and lifted her up to clear the misunderstanding.

She resisted fiercely, but it wasn’t that difficult to pry her off if I was determined. No matter how tightly she clung to me, I was more than twice as strong as her.

“Ashley told me that guys fall for this trick every time, why isn’t it working on you?!”

What was she teaching her?

I flicked Milia on the forehead, ignoring her grumbling, and turned to Elisa to clear the misunderstanding.

I ignored Milia’s whining, knowing it was just a tantrum.

I said to Elisa, who was struggling to find the right words,

“Elisa, calm down. This is…”

“I, I don’t think that’s appropriate! I’d rather…”

“What do you mean, Elisa?”

“Uh, uh… Eek!”

No, wait.

I sighed and lowered my outstretched hand as I watched Elisa run towards the entrance of Yeomyeong-gwan.

I didn’t know if I was a babysitter or an escort knight. I let go of Milia’s scruff and warned her, her cheeks puffed out in a pout.

“That book is very dangerous. It’s not something you should treat like a toy. So give it to me.”

“Fine…”

The troublemaker Dullahan reluctantly handed me the leash when I spoke in a serious tone.

The tentacled book, which had been watching our exchange nervously, suddenly stood up and waved its tentacles at me the moment I took the leash. I couldn’t help but stare at the sight of the purple tentacles waving pathetically.

Was this what Milia meant by “acting cute”?

As I stared at the unprecedented sight, the eyeball in the center of the book started blinking like a headlight, repeatedly flashing a yellow light at my face.

I shielded my eyes with my hand, waiting for the disorienting on-off show to end. After about ten flashes, the tentacled book tilted its body sideways, as if tilting its head in confusion.

What was it trying to do?

I quickly wrapped the leash around my hand to secure it before the tentacled book could cause any more trouble. The tentacles were only as strong as a child, so it couldn’t resist my strength.

Ugh, I hated this damp, sticky feeling.

“See? It’s not dangerous! It used to slap me with its tentacles, but it doesn’t do that anymore!”

“I think it just gave up.”

I was fine with it giving up.

I entered the workshop with the now-docile book in hand, placed it in a suitable box, and wrapped chains around it. This should prevent it from escaping. At least, I planned to keep it sealed like this until I showed it to Principal Merlin.

“Goodnight, Squishy~”

…Whatever.

I should go eat.

Feeling half-resigned, I took Milia’s hand and headed towards Yeomyeong-gwan.

I needed a hearty meal tonight.

To replenish my stamina.

—————

“Why isn’t it working?!”

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