10 – Mana Paralysis (1)
From Noble mtl dot com
Unexpected news popped out from Sariel’s mouth.
The woman in front of me knows that I was once part of the hero’s party.
She also knows the fact that I’ve been kicked out.
And so, she ended up delivering this news to me.
She must have worried about me in her own way.
“Hmm…”
If it were the old days, I would have felt depressed upon hearing her words.
However, now I felt nothing about them, just like Riza.
I just thought ah, she has ventured into the royal road.
That’s when.
“Hmm? Unexpected. I thought you’d be upset, just like before.”
She also seemed surprised, wearing an expression that suggested she hadn’t expected this.
I shrugged nonchalantly.
“It’s about whenever.”
“Wow. Look at you feigning indifference. Back in the day, you went around slaughtering demons as if you were exiled from a group of heroes, not taking care of yourself.”
“…”
Listening to a friend who knew about my dark history was pretty mentally damaging, but that’s not important.
I quickly changed the subject.
“Why is the hero party returning?”
“Well, from what I’ve heard, they captured a legion commander or something. They say they’re returning to celebrate at the festival.”
It’s worth celebrating if they’ve captured a legion commander.
Perhaps, measuring only by force, a legion commander is equivalent to the Four Heavenly Kings in the Demon Army.
“What’s this? You don’t seem to care, but you’re curious?”
“That’s not it. I just asked because I’m a professor at the academy, there may be some work to be done on this end.”
“Huh. The new professor was named Kariel, but it seems it was indeed you?”
To her question, I nodded my head.
It was an anticipated outcome that she would know anyway.
“Why the sudden change of heart, from being exclusively in the tower to becoming a professor?”
“Meria said I should get out more and socialize.”
“Well done. I would have done the same.”
Somehow, despite not doing something wrong, it felt like getting scolded.
Letting out a sigh, I changed the subject again.
“So when does the second request have to be completed?”
“Hmm, there’s no need to rush things just yet. We need to investigate thoroughly before making any decisions.”
“You sound like I can handle it right now.”
She chuckles at my words.
Soon, she crosses her arms over her heavy chest and smiles with an air of certainty.
“Whether it’s princes or nobles, no one can stop you if you decide to step in. So, what will you do?”
“…”
“You’ve easily apprehended the Four Heavenly Kings and the legion commander. Anyway, there’s no need to finish this right now. Wait for now.”
“Alright. Understood.”
With that, I turned to leave.
But then, in that moment,
“Ah, before you leave, take this!”
Sariel throws a communication artifact to me.
Without looking, I catch the artifact she throws.
“Oh! What is this? Do you have eyes in the back of your head?”
“I merely sensed the magic emanating from the artifact.”
“I see. Anyway, hold onto that. If I find a trace later, I will contact you.”
“…”
Kael slips the communication artifact into a subspace pocket.
At that, Sariel’s eyes begin to shine.
“What’s that?!”
“It’s a subspace pocket that’s still under development.”
“Subspace pocket?”
“Right, unlike a normal pocket, there is no limit to what you can put inside.”
“Damn! Are you the only one using this?!”
“Right now, it’s an item that can’t be mass-produced.”
“Wow, every time I see you, you’re carrying around something amazing.”
She sticks out her tongue and blankly stares at the subspace pocket.
“If you diligently work on your request, I’ll make one for you too.”
“Don’t forget that promise! Tril!”
With those words, she summons her subordinate.
The next moment, a man named Tril opens the door and walks in.
I walked past him and left the room.
-“Get the kids to find it, no matter what!”
Sariel’s urgent voice rang in my ear.
As expected, she took the bait of the pocket dimension.
Without knowing that it would soon be mass-produced.
***
Perhaps I had talked with Sariel for too long, because the sun was already setting.
-‘Hmm, I need to stop by the teacher’s office before going home.’
With that thought, I walked towards the academy.
And then a little while later.
-‘Has everyone already left?’
Nobody was in the faculty room when I arrived.
Well, considering the time, afternoon classes have ended and it’s time for everyone to head home.
Considering the beginning of the semester, the professors should have some free time, too.
I opened the register on my desk.
The real reason I came here was to get the attendance register.
I’m not just a heir of a tower.
Now, I have also become a professor of the S-class.
Therefore,
-‘I need to understand the students’ situations and status.’
I took out the attendance register and examined the first name.
-Maria.
The daughter of a tower master.
Actually, there’s no need to think much about her since I already know her well enough.
So, let’s move on to the second name.
-Dave.
He has some connection to the Ilaoi continent.
From what I’ve heard, a warrior of the Earth Mother is regarded as a prince of the nation.
-‘Yesterday, he certainly had a bad relationship with Lou…’
Lou, the son of the Paladin Commander.
This individual is set to become the future commander of the Holy Alliance Knights.
Even though the two nations do not get along due to the differences in their respective divide faith, it is absurd for my students to fight amongst each other.
‘I have to arrange a meeting with the two of them some time.’
I turned my attention to another student.
– Elaine.
Unlike others, she is an elf.
Initially, I was worried if she would feel out of place in the human world only from what I had heard.
But, contrary to my worries, she seems to be having a lot of fun.
‘However, unlike the other two, she doesn’t seem like she would cause trouble just yet.’
Next, I turned my gaze to Elle, another student.
She’s the third princess of the Lionell Kingdom.
The younger sister of the hero, Jane von Lionell, who is the leader of the Hero’s party.
The Nuance of having Jane’s younger sister, who ousted me, as my disciple is a bit subtle, but Elle doesn’t show any signs of causing trouble as of now either.
Because of this, there doesn’t seem to need to pay ‘too much’ attention just yet.
Although, her meaningful smile every time is a little suspicious.
Lastly…
– Ray.
Sword saint’s disciple.
In fact, he is the one who I should be focusing on the most right now.
There don’t seem to be any signs that he will cause trouble.
However, but when I think about his actions this morning, I can’t be entirely sure…
Damn. Why does that guy ignore his own student?
I know that the Sword Saint is obsessed with his sword.
We fought directly and we’ve had enough conversations.
However, I just don’t understand why he ignores his disciple.
‘Thinking about his personality makes it unlikely for him to just sit still.’
With that thought, I closed the attendance book.
I’ve noted the points of attention of the students, so now all I have to do left is to call it a day.
I set off to return home.
Then, all of a sudden.
-Woooom! Wooom!
The sound of a sword being swung reached my ears.
A faint noise that I would have missed if my hearing wasn’t fine.
‘Are they practicing with their sword at this hour?’
Training even after the sun has gone down.
‘I should check it once.’
With that thought, I headed towards the training ground.
And a moment after…
“Woo. Woo.”
Ray, breathing heavily, came into my field of vision.
Judging by her expression, it would be normal for sweat to be pouring out of her.
However, no sweat streamed down her face.
But, where I was looking at her right now was not her face.
At present, her breath was mingling with the frosty air.
‘Frost in this weather?’
It’s not summer yet, but it’s not cold enough for frost either.
Meaning, as I suspected, her physical condition is not normal right now.
If it were the old me, I wouldn’t concern myself.
But now, the girl in front of me is my student.
Given that I know her condition, I can’t just ignore her.
“Isn’t it time for the training ground to close by now?”
“Pr, Professor?!”
Ray, surprised by my appearance, widened her eyes.
Soon, she scratched her cheeks and looked about.
“Th, that is, I got permission from a staff member.”
“Hmm. Well, we will discuss that later.”
“Yes…”
“But let me get straight to the point.”
“?”
“Do you have Magic Thrombosis?”
The next moment, her expression hardened instantaneously.
Seeing Lei’s expression, I was convinced.
That she was suffering from mana arrhythmia.
It couldn’t be cured at once, but to at least alleviate it…
“Lei.”
“Yes?”
“First, take off your top.”
“…..”
She stares at me with icy, sharp eyes.
She seems to be quite misunderstanding something.