Chapter 34
Vacation is over.
Why does it feel like it went by so quickly?
Is it just me?!
“It’s already time to go back. Such a shame.”
If you hadn’t pushed your precious daughter into that abyss called the academy, this wouldn’t be happening, lady!
Those words almost escaped my lips, but I managed to hold them back.
“I’ll come back with Celia during winter break.”
“Alright. Take care of yourselves, both of you.”
“Yes. You too, Mother, Father.”
Dustin said he would have vacation time during winter break.
Roa said she would be mentally prepared by then.
I’m not sure about Lia, but she’ll probably tag along with Dustin.
Winter break might be a bit chaotic.
“It might be a bit noisy during winter break.”
“Your friends are always welcome.”
I bid farewell to my parents and climb into the carriage.
We’ll arrive tomorrow evening, and then it’s back to school after a day of rest.
Someone needs to invent a teleportation system.
Spending an entire day in a carriage is brutal.
“Take care.”
“Don’t get hurt…!”
That might be a bit difficult, considering the second semester focuses on practical classes.
A weakling like me is bound to get beaten up and tossed around.
Ugh, the more I think about it, the less I want to go back.
I just want to stay home and live like a hermit until I awaken my status window!
“I’ll be back soon.”
Despite my inner turmoil, I bid my parents a cheerful farewell.
It wouldn’t be appropriate to act like a spoiled child at my age.
Well, I’m not even twenty in this world, but still.
The carriage departs with a rumble, and I faintly hear my mother calling out, but her voice fades into the distance.
“I need to take a nap, and then another one, before we arrive.”
I spent the entire break surrounded by people: my parents, the Knights, the villagers…
Maybe that’s why I feel a bit lonely now that I’m alone.
“This isn’t like me.”
Well, this feeling will probably disappear once I eat something delicious at the next town.
***
After stopping at several towns and enduring two uncomfortable naps, we finally arrive at the academy.
My back feels like it’s about to snap.
“Ugh… I’m exhausted.”
We traveled in a decent carriage, but it was nothing compared to Roa’s.
I should have sent a letter asking Roa to send a carriage for me.
“Ugh… whatever, let’s go inside.”
I massage my back and enter my room, a wave of nostalgia washing over me.
It’s only been six months, but it feels like home.
I wonder if the others are back, but that’s not my priority right now.
Those short naps in the cramped carriage didn’t alleviate my fatigue.
“Hmm…”
Practical classes start tomorrow, so I need to rest as much as possible.
I collapse onto the bed and drift off to sleep.
I’ll shower… tomorrow.
I didn’t sweat much anyway.
I must have fallen asleep immediately because…
I have no memory of what happened afterwards.
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
“Ugh, it’s so noisy…!”
It’s been a while.
Since I last woke up to such a racket.
After a month of sleeping in, leisurely practicing swordsmanship, and sleeping whenever I wanted, my body refuses to cooperate.
Bang, bang, bang!
And the noise shows no signs of stopping.
“Ugh, please stop!”
I finally throw off the covers and open the door, and as expected…
Celia, with her usual expressionless face, is standing at the entrance.
“Ugh, please… just five more minutes…”
“No. What are you wearing? You slept in those clothes?”
“Ah, I don’t know… I was tired… I’ll shower and change.”
“You didn’t even wash up… How filthy.”
Hey, don’t say such hurtful things!
People get tired and sleep in their clothes sometimes.
I grumble and head to the bathroom for a quick shower.
Of course, I don’t forget to put on clean clothes.
“Let me do your hair.”
I sit down, and she applies hair oil, dries my hair, and then neatly braids it.
“Hmm, thanks.”
“Okay, let’s go eat.”
So that’s why the others were late. They were waiting for me outside.
“Master! It’s good to see you! You look healthy!”
Healthy, my foot.
I’m exhausted.
Wait a minute.
Does he mean… that I gained weight…?
“Did I gain weight..?”
“Wahaha! It’s okay if you did, Yuri!”
So I did gain weight…
Well, I did eat and sleep a lot.
But I also practiced swordsmanship diligently!
“Oh my, it’s rude to say such things to a lady. Don’t worry, Yuri! You look great~!”
You’re basically saying I gained weight too, you little…
“Let’s go, let’s go… before everyone wakes up.”
Well, I don’t really care if they wake up or not now that I’m awake, but…
I don’t want to get yelled at.
It takes forever to eat breakfast, say goodbye, and head to Class A.
And there were a lot of strange conversations along the way.
“Practical classes.”
“Yeah, I chose swordsmanship.”
“Then we’ll be separated.”
I never expected Celia to choose swordsmanship.
Lia probably chose divine power.
And even if she chose swordsmanship, we’re likely to be in different classes with different schedules.
Dustin and Roa are second years, so there’s no need to mention them.
“Hmm, I should have made some friends.”
The thought of being alone and awkward in class makes me sad.
And what if they discover my lack of skill and beat me up?!
To think I’m their master with these skills!
They’ll probably accuse me of lying and attack me!
Hey, it’s not my fault you guys misunderstood!
“Don’t worry. You’re skilled enough, Master.”
He’s misunderstanding, she’s misunderstanding~
It’s a misunderstanding party.
I’m practically the only one who’s unaware of my own skills at this point.
Hahaha…
“Alright, everyone! The second semester has begun! From today onwards, you’ll be attending your chosen practical classes! Good luck! I have high expectations for some of you.”
Why is he looking at me while he’s talking?
Don’t look at me!
Don’t have any expectations for me!
I’m just a speck of dust without a status window!
“Alright, then good luck, everyone!”
He doesn’t say anything else.
Swordsmanship class is… hmm, in the auditorium.
The same spacious auditorium where the entrance ceremony was held.
“I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Sob, yeah… see you later.”
I head towards the auditorium, my shoulders slumped.
Everyone else seems to be walking in groups, while I’m all alone…
Hang out with me too…
Why are you avoiding my gaze, you jerks…
I arrive at the auditorium and pretend to be nonchalant, sitting alone and staring blankly into space.
Where am I? Who am I?
“Hurry up, you little shits!”
Lost in my thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality by a gruff, loud voice.
“So slow. You’re not turtles.”
A middle-aged man in a tracksuit walks out, muttering complaints and puffing on a cigarette.
“Cough! Cough!”
“Ugh, the smoke…”
He’s smoking indoors, in the academy?!
“T-teacher..! My throat hurts…!”
“The smoke is too strong…!”
Complaints erupt from all directions.
“What the hell are you brats whining about? I don’t care if your throats hurt!”
He then proceeds to blow smoke directly at those who complained…
Wow, this guy is insane…
They hired this grumpy old man as a teacher at the Empire’s most prestigious academy?
Even if it’s a meritocracy, this is a bit much…
“Ugh, this is pissing me off.”
This guy is definitely…
The typical villain teacher you see in academy novels.
These types only back down after the protagonist appears and crushes them with their skills.
But isn’t Dustin the protagonist…?
…Ah, are we just the side characters in this story?
We’re doomed…
“We’re having a sparring session.”
Huh? Sparring on the first day? Is he crazy?
“If any of you can beat me, I’ll stop smoking and actually teach you something.”
Is this guy for real…?
Talk about neglecting his duties.
“Wait, why are we suddenly sparring..?”
“That teacher is known for beating up students when he’s in a bad mood…”
Ah, so that’s how it is..?
“Hey, you two! If you want to chat, get out here!”
“Eep! S-sorry…!”
“Get out here now!”
Wow, that’s a bit harsh…
He practically drags the hesitant students outside and then raises the wooden sword he’s carrying.
“If you land even a single hit, I’ll consider you the winner.”
“P-please… forgive me…! I was wrong…!”
The terrified students tremble, unable to even grasp the wooden sword thrown before them.
And the teacher, oblivious to their fear, starts swinging his sword.
Thwack! Thud!
It’s practically a one-sided beating.
Wait, why are those idiots just standing there getting hit by his slow swings?!
“Eep! P-please… forgive me…!”
The students, bruised and battered, collapse on the floor, trembling.
And the teacher kicks them as they lie there helpless.
Isn’t this reportable?
“Sigh, I feel a bit better now. One more, and then you guys can spar with each other.”
Everyone avoids his gaze, afraid of catching the eye of the snake-like teacher.
“Oh, right. You. You’re that famous bitch, right?”
Bitch…? Wait…
“You’re Dustin’s master, aren’t you?”
Oh, shit… I was right…
I’m the only girl in the swordsmanship class…
“I didn’t like that bastard anyway. This is perfect. You, come up here.”
…No, fuck!
Why is he taking it out on me because he doesn’t like Dustin?!
Someone about to getting beaten
Thank for the chapter