The Academy’s Crude Pink-Haired Martial Artist

Chapter 88



I suddenly looked up at Robert, who called out to me.

The atmosphere was different from lecture time.

Lecture time was a bit stiff and orderly, but now, perhaps because it was mealtime, it felt more relaxed and soft.

“It seems you’re friendly with Pina.”

At Robert’s question, Pina flinched—her body shuddered.

“Yeah. We’re close.”

And at my answer, she relaxed—shaking off her tension.

“I’m glad to hear that Pina, who always walked alone, has a friend like you, Eliaernes.”

“I have other friends too, so I don’t walk alone anymore. Right?”

Nodding enthusiastically, I patted Pina’s head and looked back at Robert.

“I see. Well, that’s great news. Haha.”

His expression didn’t change at all. He spoke as if he genuinely felt that way.

Am I really being too suspicious of a serious person?

…Am I just sensitive because it’s that time of the month?

With a vague thought, I scratched my nose.

“Yes. Then… Enjoy your meal—”

Then I bowed my head and tried to leave.

However.

“How was my class today?”

Robert’s voice caught my ankle.

“From what I briefly saw, it seems you really enjoyed my class today, Eliaernes. Haha, am I mistaken?”

What’s the point of asking such useless questions? What is he thinking?

Was he always this chatty?

I discreetly shifted my gaze to check Pina’s expression.

She seemed completely unfazed.

So, he must be this way by nature.

“Yeah, it was fun.”

“And could you tell me what parts you found enjoyable? Also, if there were any issues, please let me know.”

“…You expect too much from a first-year student.”

“Of course, if it were other students, that would be the case. But it seems that you learned more about my teaching style than the class content today, Eliaernes, which is why I’m asking.”

“Haha!” Robert laughed comfortably, but surprisingly hit the nail on the head.

For some reason, he knew I absorbed the teaching style instead of focusing on the class.

“Did I misinterpret something?”

After pondering how to answer for a moment, I simply nodded.

“You’re correct, Professor.”

“If my eyes were wrong, that would have been quite embarrassing. I’m glad. So, what did you think of my lecture, Eliaernes?”

“Honestly… it was good. Thanks to your fresh and surprisingly simple explanations, I felt I understood well.”

“Fresh and simple explanations? Haha, yes, that’s exactly the method I strive for. No matter how advanced the academy students are, they are still first-years, after all. If I used specialized knowledge and complicated terms, though it might sound cool, it would end up feeling empty, which is why I adopted a different approach than other professors.”

At my compliment, Robert rambled on about how thrilled he was and how he was a new professor trying to find confidence in his lectures.

He resembled those mediocre magic scholars from the Magic Tower I met 400 years ago.

Just a regular old magic scholar.

“Yes… I see.”

“Yes, indeed. Haha! Since I’m a new professor like you all, my confidence in lecturing has been a bit low, but your words have given me encouragement. Thank you.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Nodding, Robert checked his wristwatch and looked genuinely flustered.

“I’ve taken up your precious break time. I apologize. Please, go on and enjoy your meal.”

And then he took a couple of steps aside, clearing the way.

As I quietly watched Robert, I casually asked in a soft voice.

“Professor.”

“Yes?”

“Do you like treasure hunting?”

“…Treasure hunting?”

Robert, who was momentarily dazed, forced a smile.

“I don’t think there’s anyone who dislikes treasure.”

“You can like treasure but dislike finding it.”

“Well, that’s true. If I had to pick, I don’t particularly enjoy searching for treasure. It’s a waste of time if the treasure’s existence is uncertain.”

Shaking his head, Robert added:

“However, if the existence of the treasure is certain and its location is clear… I would gladly go looking for it. So, does Eliaernes enjoy treasure hunting?”

“I feel the same as you, Professor. If the existence of the treasure is certain and its location is clear, whether it’s in the mountains, the sea, or—”

I stared directly into Robert’s unresponsive eyes as I continued.

“—stashed somewhere in a smelly sewage system, I would definitely go looking for it.”

Robert said nothing in response.

Regardless, I firmly grasped Pina’s hand and started to walk.

“Thank you for your careful response to my sudden question. Enjoy your meal.”

As I turned and walked past Robert, I smirked.

It seems I might have found the little thief trying to steal my treasure.

*

I went straight to the Student Restaurant with Pina, where we each had a flank steak and cheese cutlet.

During the process, Pina examined the photos of students she had brought.

None. The three students who had given me looks in Professor Paid’s classroom were absent, and not a single other student from that class was there either.

For now, it doesn’t seem like they’re obsessively monitoring Pina, but you never know.

I have to keep in mind that like Adelia, she might use a familiar that I couldn’t notice.

Anyway, Pina had diligently followed the command I gave—not that it was an order, but rather a request as a friend.

So I decided to repay her as a friend.

For dessert, we devoured everything on the menu: muffins, pudding, strawberry yogurt ice cream, Mint Chocolate Pie, crepes, parfaits, and more!

With her belly full, Pina grinned—happier than anyone in the world—and presented her device.

[Thanks for the meal!]

“I also enjoyed my meal thanks to Pina.”

[But it was Eliaernes who treated, so why do you say thanks to me?]

“If I’d been alone, I wouldn’t have been able to eat all those desserts. Since you ate the leftovers, I got to taste everything.”

Normally, I would’ve shared with Yurasia and Stella…

No, I wouldn’t have even eaten this much dessert in the first place.

There were so many tempting options today that… without realizing it, I ended up ordering way too much.

Well… whatever. Thanks to Pina, I was able to enjoy a variety of desserts.

It was a really satisfying lunch.

I patted my full belly and leaned back in my chair.

During that brief moment of catching my breath, Pina lightly tapped her device and cautiously handed it to me.

[This is a bit sudden, but I also love treasure hunting! Adventures are always exciting!]

Treasure hunting.

Was she thinking about it after our chat with Robert?

I chuckled.

“I don’t like it.”

Huh?

[Didn’t you just say you liked it?]

“That was just saying I’d go to get the treasure. It’s different from the treasure hunting you have in mind.”

With her mouth hanging open in confusion, Pina suddenly snapped to attention, tapping her device.

[I enjoy just going to get the treasure too! After all, it’s still treasure, and getting there can be an adventure in itself!]

Her desperate response made me chuckle.

“Okay… Let’s go search together next time.”

Pina’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

[Next time? Is there really a treasure?]

“There is.”

[Where is it?!]

“That’s a secret.”

Disappointment flooded Pina’s face.

After a moment, she wriggled her fingers, sending a new message.

[Then, will you take me with you when we go for that treasure?]

“Of course.”

Chuckling, I stood up to head to the bathroom.

“We’re friends, right?”

“Yikes…”

Pina, looking touched, shuddered and followed my lead.

Meanwhile, her fingers never stopped moving.

[Will Stella, Yurasia, and Princess Silina also come along when we go?]

“…Silina? Why her?”

[Don’t you get along with Princess Silina, Eliaernes?]

“Do I? Nah. We’re just—”

“Just?”

I felt chills from the sudden voice.

To my surprise, Silina stood in front of me with a strange expression.

“Surprised? When did you get here?”

I genuinely hadn’t noticed.

I didn’t feel a thing.

My senses had become so numb.

I was unsure, but now it was certain.

Feeling emotionally off, my mood oddly subdued.

My senses dulled, and I craved more food.

My chest felt tight, and my back was sore.

The premonitory symptoms of ‘that day’…

Typically, such symptoms appear five days before.

Once it starts… I won’t feel well for at least two days, and my body will weaken significantly.

What terrible timing…

“I just arrived while you were looking at your device. So what were you going to say? That you’re not close to me?”

“Did you think we were close?”

“I thought that, at least among classmates, Eliaernes, you would think we were the closest. But I guess that was just my misunderstanding.”

Silina, with her usual sassy tone, chuckled, waving the paper she held.

“You wouldn’t give something like this to someone you’re not close to, right? How unfortunate. This is good news… No, it should be better news for you.”

Though she appeared her usual rude self, I could tell Silina was in a lively mood.

Her shoulders were raised, her nose held high, and her self-esteem boosted.

With her lips twitching, it seemed she wanted to brag about something to me.

“Curious? Should I tell you?”

I roughly guessed what was written on that paper.

It was probably something related to the side branch.

I wasn’t sure if the cartel had given it to Ophelia or if Silina had investigated it personally, but it didn’t seem urgent right now.

Even if it wasn’t that, I had lots to think about.

Since I seemingly found the little thief, I needed to consider how to deal with that little thief.

“It’s fine. You don’t have to tell me.”

Just as I was about to walk past a teasing Silina,

“I’m talking about snakes from the depths of the system.”

I couldn’t ignore those words.



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