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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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“Survival Techniques Against Savages.”
Allen’s class, taught by the soldier-turned-special-professor, had ended.
Intrigued by his brief speech in the auditorium, the students had attended the lecture and experienced a shattering of their preconceived notions.
Among them, Amy was undoubtedly the most shaken.
“……”
“Stop poking at your food and eat.”
Ariana frowned at Amy, who was listlessly stirring her fish dish. It was understandable that she was shocked, having her specialty, magic, so easily countered, but…
‘Is it really that devastating?’
Perhaps the shock was greater for Amy, who had been constantly praised as the greatest talent in her family. Ariana gave up trying to engage her and began cutting into her veal steak.
One of the perks of being in the Royal Class was access to any menu at any time.
Just then, Sena’s blue eyes, previously focused on her salad, lit up.
“Oh? It’s Professor Allen!”
“What?”
Ariana turned to see Allen entering the dining hall, just as Sena had said.
“Why isn’t he in the faculty dining hall…?”
“Professor! Over here!”
“You crazy woman!”
“Mmmmph…!”
Ariana hastily tried to silence Sena, who was waving excitedly, but it was too late.
Allen was already looking their way, a smile on his face.
“Damn it!”
Ariana found that refreshing smile unsettling.
It felt like looking at a monster imitating a human.
The image of Allen effortlessly neutralizing Amy’s magic in the classroom was still fresh in her mind.
“Why did you have to call him over…!”
She muttered through gritted teeth.
Sena replied with a bright smile.
“Well, it’s his first day, so he probably doesn’t have any close friends yet. It’s better to eat together, isn’t it? It can’t hurt to get to know him. And I’m curious how he blocked Amy’s magic in class.”
Ariana had always considered Sena’s head to be full of fluff, but she hadn’t realized she’d be so eager to befriend such a monster.
That being said, Ariana couldn’t deny her own curiosity about how Allen had blocked Amy’s magic.
“Even so…!”
“Hello, everyone. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Hic!”
Ariana hiccuped involuntarily as Allen approached.
Jet-black hair. Dark eyes that seemed to draw you in like a bottomless abyss.
She knew few people with both black hair and black eyes. Unless they were dark mages…
‘Is he using dark magic?!’
If dark magic was how he’d blocked Amy’s spell, it was no wonder she didn’t recognize it.
The handsome professor’s smile seemed even more sinister now.
“The three of you seem close. I envy you. I have no friends, so I have to eat alone.”
Sena immediately responded to Allen’s lament.
“Eat with us!”
‘This crazy…!’
Appalled by her friend’s boldness, Ariana pinched Sena’s side.
“Ouch! Why did you pinch me?”
“Be quiet…!”
Was Sena completely oblivious?
Even Ariana, let alone Amy, whose expression was glacial, was uncomfortable!
Ariana frantically gestured towards Amy with her eyes, but Sena merely tilted her head, seemingly clueless. Ironically, Allen was much more perceptive.
“No, I can’t interrupt your private time together. I’ll be going now. See you in the next class.”
“Oh…!”
Before Sena could express her disappointment, a clear voice stopped Allen.
“Why aren’t you using informal speech now?”
It was Amy, staring directly at Allen. He met her gaze, then scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.
“I made a mistake earlier. Even as a professor, I shouldn’t have spoken to a student so casually.”
“A mistake… you say.”
Amy furrowed her delicate brows, then stared at Allen silently with her deep green eyes. Under her silent pressure, Allen cautiously spoke.
“If there’s anything you’re uncomfortable with, I apol…”
“I apologize.”
“…Excuse me?”
As Allen stared blankly, Amy stood up. What she did next was so shocking that even Ariana, who had grown up with her, was speechless.
“I misspoke. I shouldn’t have said those things to those who risked their lives for the country. I can’t take back what I said, but… I sincerely apologize.”
‘Did she eat something strange?!’
Ariana couldn’t tell if this was a dream or reality.
Had Amy finally lost her mind after pretending to be a well-behaved young lady at Minerva?
Amy Helios, apologizing!
This was the same Amy who, as a child, had refused to apologize even after breaking Ariana’s toy while trying to snatch it.
‘Y-You… crazy woman! It wouldn’t have broken if you hadn’t taken it!’
The image of Amy getting spanked by her father after saying that was etched in Ariana’s memory.
And now, that same Amy was bowing her head and apologizing so politely? Ariana couldn’t close her gaping mouth.
“Uh, um… it’s alright. They weren’t the type to care about such things.”
“Still, it wasn’t something I, who knows nothing of war, should have said. Even though I know the pain well… I made a mistake due to my selfishness.”
Ariana finally remembered that Amy’s brother was a war veteran.
Although she hadn’t expressed it openly, Amy had always been worried about her brother, who had been hospitalized for a long time due to injuries sustained on the battlefield.
Allen smiled faintly, a hint of sadness in his eyes, and patted Amy’s head.
“If you feel bad, visit the memorial when you have time. Eil would be happy if you went together.”
“…You knew.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t be much of a comrade if I didn’t, after ten years together. Anyway, don’t worry about it. I don’t mind.”
Amy looked up at Allen and cautiously spoke.
“…Please treat me the same way you treat Eil. If you’re my brother’s benefactor, you’re also a benefactor of the Helios family.”
“Um, wouldn’t your other friends be uncomfortable?”
“I’m fine with it! I actually prefer informal speech!”
Sena chimed in eagerly.
Allen’s eyes darted around in surprise.
Meeting his gaze, Ariana sighed and replied.
“Ha… I’m fine with it too, Professor.”
“Well then, I guess we’ll do that.” Allen nodded, then smiled brightly. “I’ve taken up too much of your time. Enjoy your meal, and let’s meet with smiles in the next class.”
“Yes.”
“Okay~”
“Alright…”
Allen walked away towards the menu board, and the three girls quickly finished their meals, mindful of their dwindling lunch break.
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Late evening, in the Royal Class dormitory. Amy was talking to Eil from her plush bed.
What~? You did that to the Captain? You’re amazing!
Amy blushed, embarrassed by Eil’s voice coming through the crystal ball. “I know. I was stupid.”
Why would you do that, you’re so smart?
Well, I guess I was the same at first.
Thinking magic is everything. It’s a Helios flaw. But it’s good that you realized it early.
It took a near-death experience for me to understand.
Eil’s voice was laced with a bitter sincerity that left Amy speechless. His remorseful tone quickly shifted back to his usual cheerful demeanor.
The Captain’s class, huh~ I wish I could attend. Is there any way I can enroll in the academy now?
“As if. And why would you want to, when you don’t need to learn anything from the academy?”
That’s how much I want to take the Captain’s class~ You’re lucky. If you just follow his teachings, you’ll definitely build a solid foundation as a battle mage.
“He’s definitely strong, but…”
Amy suddenly recalled what had happened in Allen’s class earlier.
Not only had he countered her magic with his bare hands, but he’d also compressed and extinguished it with an almost divine technique.
She hadn’t dared to question it at the time, overwhelmed by the spectacle, but now, recalling the memory, she distinctly remembered Allen’s fingertips turning green.
When she mentioned this, Eil replied with a hesitant tone, – That’s… something you should ask the Captain directly.
“Do you know what it is?”
Of course, I do. I was his adjutant for a while. But I can’t tell you. If you’re curious, ask him yourself.
“Alright. See you during break.”
She glanced at the clock; it was almost midnight. Just as she was about to end the communication spell, Eil spoke.
If it’s a class called ‘Survival Techniques Against Savages’, you’ll learn about it whether you want to or not. The Captain’s power.
“What? What do you…”
The communication cut off before Amy could finish her question. Staring at the now transparent crystal ball, she couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.
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The class he had prepared was a time-honored training method taught to new recruits.
“This is our second class already. How have you all been?”
He began cheerfully, standing in the outdoor training area near the forest. The students’ expressions weren’t particularly bright, but… he was grateful that everyone had attended.
“Professor, may I ask how the class will be conducted?”
The question came from Reinhardt, the handsome blond boy, the only commoner in the Royal Class. He nodded, praising the question.
“Today’s lesson will be on how to deal with Shadow Serpents.”
“Are… are those related to the Wood Golems?”
Reinhardt’s gaze was fixed on the Wood Golems lined up behind him. These were fresh from a recent dungeon raid, trophies he’d brought specifically for this one-time-use lesson.
“No, not really. However, Shadow Serpents don’t act alone, except during night raids. They’re a race specialized in assassination.”
He snapped his fingers, and the Wood Golems’ eyes lit up, connected to his magical power.
“They only appear during the day when the battlefield is chaotic. For example, during close combat.”
“S-So…”
The students, including Reinhardt, paled as they realized the Wood Golems’ role. He gave his cute students a refreshing smile.
“You’ll each form ranks and face the Wood Golems. There are only five, so two students per golem. And while you’re doing that…”
Shadow Serpent Transformation.
As he harmonized the Shadow Serpent’s power with his Aura, his body began to shimmer.
“You’ll also have to defend against my surprise attacks. That’s the goal for today’s lesson.”
The students looked around in confusion as he vanished.
“Alright. Class begins!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the Wood Golems charged towards the students. He smirked, watching the talented students quickly form ranks despite their surprise.
‘Who will react first?’
He chuckled, imagining them bravely defending against his attacks. Was this how a teacher felt?
He felt like he’d discovered his teaching aptitude. Ah, he seemed to recall a similar feeling when watching recruits wail…
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Truly befitting of the name ‘Savager’