Chapter 23
- Principal Goodsky, I demand that you remove a boy named Arthur Leivin from my classroom!
This sudden intrusion took me by surprise.
- Professor Geist, what happened?
- The boy has absolutely no respect for me, his teacher! Please don't trust any rumors you might hear. I've been set up--the professor's broad face was filled with despair and anger.
*Here, here.
- Please come in - I said. At least this person deigned to knock.
- I apologize for the intrusion, Headmaster - Little Caitlin bowed slightly to me before she walked into the office, making Professor Geist pale.
I leaned back in my chair, looking at them both.
- What's the matter, Caitlin?
- This weak semblance of a professor should be dismissed immediately, she said nonchalantly.
Professor Geist grabbed her by the arm, pulling her closer to him.
- HOW DARE YOU?! Weak semblance? Я?!
- How dare you touch me with your filthy paws? - the expression on the princess' face didn't change, but she seemed to be looking down at the professor.
- Professor, I order you to remove your hand immediately, or else I will take her side anyway - sorry I had to use my position to resolve the conflict.
He immediately let go of Caitlin's hand and continued: - Ahem... as I said before - don't take for granted any rumors about me that students might be spreading. I swear there's been a misunderstanding and I've been set up.
- I haven't heard any rumors yet. Can you fill me in on what happened, Caitlin?
- This man dares to beat up students for self-satisfaction. Even though he humiliated Fayrit very badly, if Aaron hadn't intervened, I would have-" Without finishing the last sentence, she looked at the professor.
I turned to Geist, who desperately denied the accusation, "I'm telling you it was a misunderstanding. I just wanted to demonstrate in front of the class how the disciplinary committee was different from the rest of the students.
- If it was, you would have no reason to break into my office and insist that Arthur be removed from your class-I sighed at the thought of solving this dilemma.
- Tricia, please gather information from the students in Professor Geist's class regarding this incident-my secretary bowed out before running off.
- Now, please bear with me until we can gather information. I'll do my best to deal with the situation- Before I escorted the two of them out of my office, Princess Caitlin approached me:
- I hope you'll deal with it, but know that if it weren't for Aaron, you would have fired the professor immediately for seriously injuring a student, ME - She turned around and completely ignored Gaste, who was shocked by her statement, walked out into the hallway.
"Aaron, yeah... That boy, so much mystery around him."
From the evidence, it appeared that Arthur defeated Professor Geist with ease. And while the Professor's skills don't compare to mine, they were more than enough to teach basic mana manipulation courses. Even as an enhancer at the light yellow stage, he was defeated by a twelve-year-old.
I sighed, regretting that I hadn't measured the boy's mana-core level while he was here.
The twelve-year-old student defeated the veteran adventurer using only the elements of wind and earth, which I recall were the least developed in him, and also has a bond, a dragon. What other trumps does he have? If I ask him, will he answer me?
"Maybe I should offer Professor Aaron's position?" - After a moment's thought, I shook my head. "Even though he's great at mana, he's probably not that good at theory. And I don't believe he'd be happy with the extra work, either. Turning down a seat on the student council says something. Even when I offered him a seat in the DK, I had little faith in his acceptance, but Aaron seemed interested in it himself.
- What do you think Aaron's mana level is?
I looked at my familiar, who at the moment was in the form of a horned owl.
"He's...strong. There is too much mana in his body, and around him. It floats around chaotically, and if he chooses to take control of all of it, he can create quite large-scale spells. And that's only at the solid yellow stage of the core, let alone in the future. Perhaps this boy will be able to build mountains, and destroy entire forests with fire." - His clear words came straight to my mind.
- Huh... While discussing the terms of his joining the DC, I let out a small amount of sound mana that immediately caught his attention, it seemed he could see particles of mana... is that possible?
"I don't know, but, better be careful with him."
I looked at Auvier with interest, wanting him to continue his thought.
"He is not as mentally and emotionally mature as Arthur. If our enemies find out about this, and can psychologically influence him to lean to their side..."
*Sigh*
- One boy has incredible skill in close combat and swordsmanship, and the other in magic. In this generation, surprisingly, incredible children have been born.
On behalf of Aaron.
- Well, well, well. - I looked around at the training ground, which was a fortified room that was right next to the DC meeting room. - Too bad I couldn't find my way to the canteen, but if that's the case, why not practice.
After warming up, and a few physical exercises, I sat down on the floor, starting to practice my magic.
- My skill should be enough by now. - I stared intently at my outstretched arm, from which fire was streaming. The flame stretched out, and in a few seconds took on the form of a sword. - Now, let's test its stability.
Standing up, I walked over to the wooden dummies, and swung the flaming weapon horizontally. As soon as the flaming blade passed the middle of the dummy, it flashed, dissipating in the same instant.
- Hmm... the mana particles become harder to concentrate in one place after a while. - I looked at the burning wood, and reached out my hand and absorbed the fire mana particles into my body, causing the fire to go out. - Yes, and the fire becomes too chaotic, reacting with the wood.
"That makes sense, but what about the..." - I stretched my arm out in front of me, in which, in a few seconds, a fiery bow emerged. Following it, an arrow formed in my hand. I pulled the bowstring and fired it, but it lost its arrow shape, becoming mere flame before it had even flown a few centimeters.
# Sigh #
- I see, my skill isn't enough to make fire mana weapons yet, though there is a small progression. It's a shame using something more powerful would be dangerous, I'd have to find a place outside for that.
- I didn't think I'd see you here, Aaron.
I looked around and saw Claire approaching me with a mischievous expression on her face. I didn't appreciate her attempt to hug my neck, and pulled away a little.
- So you've been practicing?" she asked, not taking offense at my reaction. - I thought you'd be in the cafeteria, like all the other students.
- I wanted to, but I got lost, so I decided to practice here.
- Hehe, don't worry, the academy is big, but you'll soon adapt! Maybe you need help training? I'd be happy to spar with you three times! - With glowing eyes she exclaimed.
- No...though, could you shoot fire at me?
- Huh? Well, all right. - She answered a little disappointed as she took a few steps away from me and drew her rapier from its sheath. - Are you ready?
- Go for it. - I concentrated, watching as fire mana gathered at the tip of my rapier, creating a stream of flame headed my way. The fire moved slowly toward me, either because Claire had intentionally slowed its speed, or because of my perception. I reached forward, trying to absorb the particles of fire mana, and I succeeded. The process was slow, and I wouldn't have had time to absorb half the fire while it was flying at me, but still.
In the end, I ducked sharply, letting the stream of flame near me.
- What was that for? - Bladeheart asked with interest.
- Um... well, I was trying to see if I could redirect your attack. But it didn't work, ha ha. - I laughed awkwardly.
"I've already figured out that my ability to see bits of mana isn't normal. The only one who knows about it is Arthur, and let it stay that way."
Claire questioned me about a few more things before Ethan walked in on us.
- Hi Claire, Aaron. I hope you haven't forgotten about the extra class.
- Oh, that's right," she looked back at her watch. - "We have to go.
- Are you coming, Aaron? - Ethan asked, surprising her.
- Why not? - I shrugged as I walked to the door, but when I grabbed the handle, I still looked back, determined to explain to Claire. - I have a pass for any classes.
- Ah, that's it. That makes sense now, then, let's go! - She burst forward and exclaimed.
- Is she always so... energetic?
- Yeah." Ethan grinned as he followed Claire out.
- Oh, I see. I hope this senior class is more fun, and I get to fight someone. - I mumbled one last time as I ran after my classmates.