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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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Ah, a refreshing morning. Warm sunlight! Fresh air!
For the first time in what felt like ages, I savored the things I had been unable to enjoy, my senses previously consumed by pain. The world felt different after my stats increased in the dungeon. This was what a normal body felt like.
“Phew.”
I still coughed up blood, but I couldn’t help but be satisfied with the improvement.
The magic sword I’d broken while fighting the Black Blood Wyrm… I had given the monster’s fang to Petra, asking her to forge a new sword. She had returned it, once again enchanted with a lightening spell.
Feeling the distinct lightness of the blade, I slowly made my way to the classroom. Today’s class was with Professor Akdin. I didn’t remember the other professors’ names, but I definitely remembered Akdin’s.
He was one of the bosses the protagonist’s party would defeat later on.
As soon as I entered the classroom, I made eye contact with Professor Akdin. His emotionless gaze fixed on me. Then, as if losing interest, he turned away and looked down at the lectern.
I felt a strange sense of unease, but I went to my seat and sat down.
Once everyone was seated, the professor looked around the room and spoke.
“Greetings. I am Professor Akdin Iphision, in charge of Combat and Practical Application classes.”
A brief round of applause.
“As the instructor for combat and practical application, my classes will focus more on real-world experience than theoretical knowledge.”
As expected. Professor Akdin valued experience as much as theory. He was the type of person who would take his students into dungeons to provide them with practical training.
“Since this is the first class, we won’t be jumping straight into combat, but I expect everyone to have their preferred weapons with them.”
What followed were precautions for practical training and a general overview of the upcoming curriculum.
“…So, if a 2nd Rank mage is in the middle of casting a spell, the warrior should…”
He was covering information we should already know. The professor must have known that we were aware of these basics. Yet he continued to emphasize them.
“You never clear a dungeon alone. Think of your companions not as burdens, but as assets to utilize.”
Many students became arrogant after entering Iliad Academy. No matter how talented they were, they were still children, averaging around fifteen years of age. I’d heard stories of many who overestimated their abilities and acted recklessly.
So they repeatedly emphasized teamwork and forbade unauthorized entry into dungeons.
I twirled the magic pen in my hand. Jeolyeong and the Millennium Ice Essence from Lenox’s Dungeon were deviations from the original story. I didn’t know what repercussions Agnes acquiring the sword and mastering simultaneous activation would have.
But considering the Demon King would invade on the protagonist Han’s coming-of-age ceremony in two years, when he turned seventeen, I needed to nurture them somehow.
There were a couple of other hidden opportunities and dungeons nearby. each one remarkably beneficial, thanks to the Archmage Iliad, who had hidden them…
‘But I can’t acquire them yet.’
Perhaps it would be possible after a couple of major story events, once Han became an advanced mana user.
There was much to learn until then. I had given Jeolyeong to Agnes, but her growth alone was meaningless. The protagonist, Lee Han, and the five heroines. They all needed to work together, each playing their part, to even stand a chance against…
The Demon King.
“That concludes today’s lesson.”
Class ended, and Professor Akdin turned to leave. I was about to approach Agnes when I felt a sharp gaze and turned around.
Professor Akdin. The future boss was staring at me. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then turned and left the classroom without a word. I could only guess what kind of trouble Deron had caused this time.
“So…”
Agnes was talking to someone. I approached and tapped her on the shoulder. Her clear eyes looked up at me.
“Ah, Deron. What is it?”
“How are your injuries? Are you alright?”
They weren’t fatal, but she had sustained some injuries during her fights with the knight and the Skeleton Warrior. I remembered seeing blood dripping from her wounds before we parted ways.
“I’m fine. They weren’t serious injuries. In fact, I feel lighter than before.”
“That’s good to hear. And who is your friend?”
At my question, the slightly trembling figure next to Agnes turned her head. Fiery red hair. An expression that seemed to radiate passion. Eyes the same color as her hair.
A complete contrast to Agnes.
One of the five heroines.
“My name is Erina.”
Erina Philstine. I tilted my head, puzzled. Why was she talking to Agnes?
In the original story, they were practically rivals. Perhaps that rivalry developed later in the story?
“Erina… I’ll remember that. Do you mind if I borrow Agnes for a moment? There’s something I need to discuss with her.”
“What? Oh, yes! Go ahead.”
Why was she speaking so formally to me? Formal speech was Agnes’s default, but Erina wasn’t usually like this.
In the original story, she was a cheerful and passionate girl. But the Erina before me…
‘She looks like a frightened herbivore.’
Was my face that scary? Or was she intimidated by Deron’s infamous reputation?
It was likely the latter. I needed to do something about this notoriety. I had no interest in watching people tremble or recoil in disgust whenever they saw me.
I had intended to keep a low profile at the academy, but since I was attending classes, I might as well improve my image. Perhaps I could gradually demonstrate a change in behavior through my interactions with Agnes?
With that thought, I led Agnes out of the classroom.
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“Is that guy really different from the rumors?”
“Yes, at least from what I saw. He was actually quite kind.”
Erina looked bewildered. Kind? Was that a word that could even be used in the same sentence as Deron Philasia?
Having been born into the Philstine Earldom, she had heard countless stories about noble families. Naturally, she had also heard plenty about the eldest son of the Philasia Dukedom.
‘From the rumors, he sounded utterly irredeemable.’
The eldest son of the Philasia family, rarely seen in public, shrouded in rumors. The social circles had been abuzz when they heard he was entering the academy.
It was significant enough to reach even Erina, who rarely participated in social events, focusing solely on her swordsmanship.
“So the rumors are really false?”
“Rumors aren’t always true. Especially about someone who never appears in public.”
“So…”
Erina trailed off. The subject of their conversation had just tapped Agnes on the shoulder. He was so tall she wondered if he was truly the same age as them. A handsome face that complemented his impeccable attire. He didn’t look sick at all.
If noble dignity stemmed from beauty, could anyone be more noble than this man?
He seemed colder somehow, but unlike before, his aura felt more controlled, more refined.
Agnes addressed him,
“Ah, Deron. What is it?”
Deron asked about Agnes’s injuries. Erina was now certain that Agnes had indeed been with Deron yesterday.
She had simply spoken to the beautiful girl sitting next to her, but who knew she had a connection to Deron Philasia?
She had a feeling she’d made a mistake.
“And who is your friend?”
Erina gulped at Deron’s next words. His gaze shifted towards her. Intimidated by his presence, she unconsciously responded formally,
“My name is Erina.”
Deron stared at her for a moment before saying he’d remember her.
‘Remember what? What?!’
Her mind raced. She worried he might threaten her. Agnes had suggested the possibility that the rumors were false, but that didn’t mean they were entirely untrue.
If even a fraction of the rumors were true, his words could be taken as a threat.
So she had unconsciously agreed when he asked to borrow Agnes. Only after Deron and Agnes left did she realize that Agnes was now alone with him.
What if the rumors were true, and Agnes was being threatened? What if she had only denied the rumors out of fear?
Her anxiety spiraled, leading to a single conclusion.
‘I need to follow them.’
She would follow Agnes and Deron. That was Erina’s decision. If she witnessed Agnes being threatened, she would immediately report it to a professor.
That was the naive thought of a young noble lady who knew little of the world, having lived a sheltered life focused solely on her sword.
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Does Deron realize that he has a handsome buff? I guess the rumors based on his past behavior before possession act as a debuff to counter it though.