LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 63
The next morning, when I entered the classroom, I could see the students were all on edge.
Well, that’s to be expected.
They all have ears, so they must have heard the rumors circulating around the Academy.
“Okay. Come in.”
As the tense students flinched in surprise, the front door of the classroom opened and two beautiful women walked in.
Sowol and Lena.
“The Saint of the Sword…”
“Isn’t she the head of the Colorless Hall…?”
Everyone knew about Sowol, a high-ranking priest who directly served under the pope and was called the Goddess of the Battlefield, and Lena, a genius mage who was the youngest head of the hall.
Especially for those from the church, which held considerable influence across the continent, there were quite a few students who followed the church.
In fact, many citizens within the Yggdrasil Empire followed the church, which was a hot topic of debate regarding its status as the state religion.
While Ludwig gaped at Sowol, I glanced over at Lumina.
Lumina was a princess but also a member of the Ivory Tower as a mage. Therefore, it was only natural for her to be at a loss in front of the head of the tower, the most prestigious title.
Besides them, everyone seemed to be tense at Sowol and Lena’s appearance.
“Starting today, these students will join the class with you. Although they’re the Saint of the Sword and the head of the Colorless Hall, now that they’re in my class, they are just fellow students.”
Whether they are princes, princesses, saints, or grand mages, once they belong to me, they naturally have to follow my control.
So, I said a word, and Sowol and Lena nodded slightly in agreement with me.
“Shall we start with a brief self-introduction? Sowol, go ahead.”
“Yes.”
Sowol took a step forward with a modest smile.
Gently scanning the students, she spoke in a calm tone.
“Hello everyone. I’m Sowol, one of the lambs who follows the light. It’s my first time learning under such amazing peers and a wonderful Master. Even if I may have shortcomings, I hope you will accept me with a smile.”
– Clap clap clap clap clap!
The hesitant students began to clap once Sowol finished her greeting.
Sowol, smiling brightly, stepped back as I turned to Lena.
Is she going to be okay?
Perhaps feeling the pressure of standing in front of so many people, Lena’s face looked a bit pale.
“If it’s too hard, don’t push yourself.”
“I-I’ll do it…”
Swallowing hard, Lena stood beside me.
Even though she was determined, it seemed she couldn’t help but tremble. Lena looked at me with watery eyes and softly grabbed the hem of my clothes.
She seems to feel a bit more relaxed now, as Lena let out a big sigh and spoke in a barely audible voice.
“Um, I, uh… Ivory Tower, head of the Colorless Hall… I-I’m Lena. P-pleased to meet you…”
Unlike the confident Sowol, Lena seemed very weak.
But no one looked down on her.
Soon, there was applause, similar to when Sowol spoke, and Lena deeply bowed her head.
“Okay. Now go to your empty seats… The class president should come to the instructor’s office after class; I have some work for you.”
“Yes, Teacher!”
The class president, Arisha, cheerfully replied, while Sowol, who looked somewhat dissatisfied, raised her hand.
“I think it’s too much for Arisha to help the Master alone! Please let me help too!”
“I-I want to help the Master too…”
I appreciated their enthusiasm to help. I had nothing to offer them…
“I’ll make both of you vice-presidents, so come here after with Arisha.”
“Vice-president…?”
“Helping the class president.”
I couldn’t just set them aside when Arisha was already the class president.
“Even as vice-presidents, will there be many chances to meet the Master…?”
“I can’t say it’s too few.”
From preparing for classes to various chores, there’s plenty of work for an instructor.
Of course, it can be done alone, but since I’m also preparing for a stable True End, I needed some hands.
If Arisha, Sowol, and Lena help me, it’ll be great for me.
Giving them a position like this isn’t a big deal.
“I’ll do my best!”
“I-I’ll do my utmost too!!”
Yeah. Let’s work hard and definitely see the True End.
“Instructor! I want to do something too!!”
Seeing the two delighted, Ludwig raised his hand high.
“You can be in charge of the cleaning department.”
He looked oddly proud as he nodded, and Lumina raised her hand too.
Is there really this many wanting positions?
“You can be the secretary.”
“Thank you!”
After that, even more students came wanting positions, so I made up some random titles for them.
Once the commotion died down enough, I lightly clapped my hands to get everyone’s attention.
“This morning’s class will be combat training. Everyone, change into your combat wear and come out to the training grounds.”
“Yes!”
The combat training at the Academy is divided into two types.
The first is individual combat training, which is, as the name implies, training focused on fighting against other humans.
In this case, the curriculum is based on sparring; students who don’t spar improve their skills by using wooden puppets or sparring among themselves.
And the second is combat training against monsters.
In this case, students form parties to face golems that substitute for monsters.
Today’s lesson will prioritize forming groups for combat against monsters.
“Today’s lesson will focus on how to deal with large monsters.”
– Thud thud thud!
What appeared in the training ground was a giant golem.
Some students looked tense as they saw the leopard-like golem growling.
This too was a joint project of the Ivory Tower and dwarves; infused with magical power, it regenerates, being one of the facilities provided by the Academy.
In games, it’s one of the common foes encountered in Chapter 1.
“With 25 total students, it’s best to form teams of eight.”
“Team captain, vice-captains.”
“Yes!”
“Starting with team captain Arisha, make pairs of 9 with her and 8 with vice-captains Sowol and Lena.”
As the three of us stood in front, the students began to move.
Those lacking confidence went to Sowol and Lena, while confident students like Ludwig, Lumina, Ripa, and Etel lined up behind Arisha.
Naturally, this makes sense.
It’s hard for them to stand out if they join Sowol or Lena’s team.
“Then first, Sowol. Your team starts.”
“Yes!”
Having fought numerous large monsters in her role as a saint, Sowol quickly assigned roles to her teammates.
Support to the mages, containment and defense to frontline jobs like swordsmen.
It seems Sowol intends to take on the role of a commander rather than joining on the front line.
“Start.”
“Uooooooo!!”
Just as I expected, they fight well.
It’s not strange to call her the Goddess of the Battlefield.
To think she could take down a golem just by commanding.
“Wow!!”
As the battle ended, students cheered. The time taken was 5 minutes and 17 seconds. Not a bad record.
“Good job. Next, Lena.”
“Y-Yes!”
Most students on Lena’s team were mages. Is the party composition a bit vague?
But it seems my worries were unfounded, as Lena’s team also managed to take down the golem without any problems.
“You used your magic well. I didn’t expect you to cancel the enemy’s attacks with magic.”
“Eh-heh…”
“Good. Excellent work. Now, next.”
Arisha’s team took the field.
Although they had one more member than other teams, the absence of seasoned commanders like Sowol and Lena made me wonder how it would go.
“Let’s do our best! Fighting!!”
With a cheerful smile, Arisha shouted, and their test began.
Oh… this is unexpected. Arisha’s team, centered around her, moved swiftly and took down the golem.
Thanks to Arisha’s brightness and charm, the team’s synergy was excellent.
In the game, if Arisha was present, the party’s attack and defense would be boosted, and it seems this trait shines here as well.
“Huah~!”
The golem went down, and Arisha and her team members sighed in relief.
It may have taken a bit longer, but it was definitely enough for a passing mark.
“Excellent. Well done.”
“I got praised!!”
I patted Arisha’s head and looked around at everyone.
There was nothing particularly worth pointing out, so it seems I’ll proceed with classes like this next time.
“…Hmm?”
I felt gazes on me.
As I looked around, I spotted two students sitting tight, Sowol and Lena, staring at me intently.
Do they have something to say?
After the combat training concluded, during lunch, while I was eating alone in the cafeteria and reviewing paperwork…
“Master!”
“M-Master!”
Sowol and Lena, having not even changed out of their combat uniforms, found me. Did they want to say something?
“…I didn’t get praised!”
“I-I didn’t either…”
Huh? Praise? Thinking it over, I realized it was about the earlier class.
“Well, given you’re a saint and grand mage, isn’t that level of performance expected?”
“But… still…”
“…Hiiing…”
Oh dear. When are they going to grow up?
I looked at Sowol and Lena, smiling as I nodded my head.
Yeah. Praise doesn’t cost anything. I should definitely give it.
“Okay. You did well. I feel relieved having you around.”
By the way, it’s been a while since I patted their heads.
Sowol’s pink hair was as soft as silk.
Is she taking good care of it?
As Sowol, who had closed her eyes, began to blush, I removed my hand and patted Lena’s head too.
“Hehe…”
With a pleasant smile, Lena coiled her body.
Although they are a saint and grand mage, they still look like kids to me.
“But what about your lunch?”
“Ah, um…”
“W-We want to eat with the Master…”
“Saint! You were here?! Let’s have lunch together!!”
At that moment, students from Class A, who spotted us from outside the cafeteria, shouted.
“Wow! The teacher is here too!? Let’s eat together!”
“Students should eat together… I wonder if I can join?”
“Master should come with us!”
“Y-Yes! It would be tastier to eat together with you…”
“Isn’t it awkward having an old man like me join?”
“Not at all!!”
“Not at all!”
“Right~?”
With Sowol, Lena, and Arisha confidently asserting this, I really had no choice but to go along.
Alright. Let’s go eat together.
*
“It’s overwhelming just with Lee Hyun, let alone the Saint and the Head of the Colorless Hall…”
What a unfortunate scenario.
If it weren’t for Lee Hyun, the prince and princess would have been dead from the giant rockworm attack, leading the chaos to shake the Academy and ultimately leading to chaos across the continent.
The plans were falling apart even before they started, and there were just more hurdles now.
But even then, there was no thought of giving up.
The Asura sect had suffered immense damage due to Lee Hyun, the Saint, and the Head of the Colorless Hall.
To recover from that damage, even greater chaos had to be created, and of course, the starting point for that chaos should be the Academy.
Even if it’s dangerous, it has to be done.
It must be achieved, even if it means sacrificing one’s life.
He bit his lips slightly, muttering under his breath.
“Everything is for Asura…”