NOVEL WEB Chapter 18 - Elysia (2)
✦ Chapter 18 – Elysia (2) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝
“Loki. Step forward.”
“Yes!”
I scurried to the front of the classroom, stopping before Professor Elysia’s podium.
She was one of the youngest professors at the academy, second only to Professor Idra. Her ash-gray hair was pulled back in a practical ponytail, perhaps to keep it out of her way during… whatever rigorous activities she engaged in during her free time.
“So, what’s the reason for being late on the first day?”
The special class students looked at me curiously, eager to know why I had been late. Among them, Lucas was smirking, clearly intrigued by what I would say.
“My tardiness, Professor, was due to extraordinary circumstances!”
“Let’s hear it, then.”
I struck a dramatic pose, channeling the spirit of a seasoned storyteller captivating his audience.
“Last night, knowing that I had to attend the academy today, I finished my training early and retired to my bed at an unusually early hour.”
“And then?”
“Perhaps because I’d gone to bed so early, I awoke at an equally early hour. That’s when the trouble began.”
I paused for dramatic effect, further piquing the students’ interest.
“Since I woke up earlier than expected, I decided I could afford to sleep a bit more, so I went back to sleep!”
The students, along with Professor Elysia, stared at me in disbelief.
Professor Elysia let out a sigh.
“And that’s why you were late?”
“No, even after going back to sleep once, I woke up with plenty of time to get ready leisurely and walk slowly without being late!”
“Then how did you end up being late?”
By now, the students were once again all ears, curious about the real reason.
“Since I had so much time, I thought, ‘Why not sleep a little longer and then run fast if necessary?’ So, I went back to sleep again, but I overslept more than I intended and ended up being late!”
“Snrk.”
I heard a muffled snort from somewhere in the classroom.
This was serious business! Why were they laughing?
Elysia rubbed her temples with a weary sigh.
“So, you’re telling me that you got a demerit point on your first day… for oversleeping?”
“Well… to put it simply, yes.”
“Okay, kneel and raise your hands.”
“Yes, Professor!”
Obediently, I immediately knelt beside her podium, raising my arms above my head.
From my position in the front, I could clearly see all the students. Some were sneaking glances at me.
Then, one student made eye contact with me and burst out laughing.
“Pfft!”
Other students also seemed to find my situation amusing and were trying to hold back their laughter.
I suppose it was rather ridiculous — a grown man kneeling in a classroom with his hands on his head, like a child being scolded.
“Everyone! No matter how handsome I am, laughing and staring at me distracts the professor,” I said, trying to lighten the air. No sooner did I finish my sentence than I felt a sharp impact on my head.
*Thwack!*
“Ow! My head feels like it’s going to split open.”
Professor Elysia had given me a flick on the head. Fortunately, it didn’t seem like she used much force, as it only stung a bit. If she had been serious, my head would probably be cracked open.
“Stop being dramatic and take a seat. And try not to be late again.”
“Yes, Professor!”
I scrambled to my feet and scurried back to my desk.
“Now that the interruption is over, let’s get started. I’m your instructor, Elysia. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”
The first person to ask a question was Clara.
“Why is the special class in the basement?”
Although Clara was the one who voiced the question, everyone seemed curious about Elysia’s answer.
“The reason has to do with the type of lessons you’ll be receiving. As Special Class students, you’ll differ from other first-year students in two significant ways.”
Having played Croaka, I knew what made the Special Class different from the other classes.
“First, unlike the rest of your year, you will be exposed to actual combat scenarios from day one. By ‘actual combat,’ I mean dungeon exploration and monster extermination.”
As I recalled, dungeon exploration and monster extermination typically started in the third year.
“And the second difference, Professor?”
“All your morning classes will be with me. In the afternoon, you’ll split into two groups and attend different professors’ classes.”
While other first-years had four morning classes with different professors, we’d be spending that entire time with Professor Elysia.
“And how does that relate to our classroom being in the basement?” Clara asked again.
With a sly grin, Elysia replied, “Because it’s less of a hassle if the sound echoes down here.”
“Excuse me?”
“Every morning, your task will be to fight me. Or rather, ‘hunt’ me down,” Elysia clarified.
“What does that even mean?” Clara and the other students were visibly bewildered, but Professor Elysia continued without paying their reactions much mind.
“Frankly speaking, there’s not much other professors can teach you,” she stated, her gaze landing on Clara.
“No one can teach magic to the Archmage’s disciple.”
Then she looked at Sepia.
“No one can instruct a spirit summoner who has contracts with the Four Great Spirits.”
Finally, her gaze landed on Kuran.
“No one can teach the battle techniques to one who carries the strong blood of the Isar tribe.”
.
.
.
.
.
Professor Elysia continued explaining why none of the students could receive normal education, except for me. Finally, her gaze landed on me.
“No one can teach unique magic.”
A hush fell over the room.
In that silence, the only one who could speak was Professor Elysia.
“In the future, you will become incredibly strong. And you’ll face opponents who are weaker than you.”
She paused, her expression hardening slightly.
“But not today. Right now, there are countless individuals who surpass you in strength. Therefore, you will learn to fight those who are stronger than you. You will learn to push beyond your limits.”
“When do we start fighting?” This time, Lucas asked. He seemed ready for battle, pulling out his spear in anticipation.
The others followed suit, their expressions a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
Sepia summoned her spirit, Clara prepared to cast a spell, and Kuran…well, Kuran simply cracked his knuckles, a predatory glint in his eyes.
Despite everyone being ready to fight, Professor Elysia smiled, unbothered.
“Naturally, we start now.”
As soon as Professor Elysia finished speaking and everyone moved to attack, my voice echoed through the classroom.
“Wait a moment!”
.
.
.
“Wait a moment!”
As Loki’s words resonated, the students who were charging at Elysia halted.
Elysia turned to the suddenly vocal Loki.
“What is it, Loki?”
“As the ancient proverb goes, the debt owed to one’s master is as vast as the heavens. How could I possibly raise my sword against you, Professor Elysia?”
At first, everyone thought Loki was joking. However, unlike his usual self, there were no exaggerated gestures or playful tone; his voice was genuinely serious.
“You might not remember me, Professor, but about six years ago, I ignored the village elders’ warnings and wandered deep into the forest, getting lost.”
“………..…”
“I was a child then, surrounded by monsters, with no hope of escape. And you, Professor Elysia, who was an adventurer at the time, rescued me.”
“……….…”
“From that day forward, I vowed to become as strong as you. I’ve trained tirelessly, relentlessly, never allowing myself to falter. How could I possibly raise my sword against the one who inspired my journey?”
Silence.
No one had imagined that the usually playful Loki had such a past.
It was Elysia who finally broke the silence.
“Six years ago, you say? Yes, I remember that time well. But I wasn’t an adventurer back then.”
“““““????”””””
“Oops! Caught me~”
The seriousness in Loki’s voice vanished, replaced by his usual playful tone.
The voice didn’t come from where Loki was originally standing but from above.
Everyone looked up in surprise.
There he was, hanging upside down from the ceiling, his mask tilted at a jaunty angle.
“Looks like I need to do a bit more research before crafting my next sob story.”
Loki said this, reaching out to grab something in midair. Everyone knew what he had grabbed— the same powerful string that had restrained the golem during the entrance exam.
The thread wrapped itself around Elysia, binding her arms to her sides.
“Hmph.”
She flexed her muscles, and the thread, which had held a massive golem captive, snapped like a brittle twig.
“Still surprisingly sturdy,” Elysia remarked.
“Not something someone who just broke it with ease should say.”
Loki charged at Elysia, swinging his staff. He struck at vital points, such as the head and heart, using Shadow Step to enhance his speed and precision.
But she dodged every blow with ease.
When sparring with the Emperor, he’d adjusted his speed to match Loki’s, allowing him to land a few hits, to learn from his mistakes.
Elysia, however, was simply too fast. Her movements were a blur, leaving him no openings.
She was demonstrating, in the most brutal way possible, what it meant to fight a true powerhouse.
“You’ve improved quite a bit in such a short time.”
With a flick of her wrist, she caught Loki’s staff mid-strike and hurled him against the wall.
*Crash!*
A loud noise echoed as Loki crashed into the wall, though he managed to twist his body just in time to lessen the impact.
Seeing the other students still stunned, Loki called out to them.
“What are you all waiting for? An invitation?”
— End of Chapter —
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