“… Is it already morning?”
The sunlight piercing through the curtains chased away my sleep.
They say a house with plenty of sunlight is good, but I didn’t feel that way at all.
I need to get blackout curtains or something.
Thud-
When I got up from bed, I felt something under the blanket.
Lifting the covers, I found the Black Wolf curled up and sound asleep.
“When did you sneak over here…?”
I clearly saw them go to another room, so when exactly did they crawl into my bed?
Truly, the stealth of an assassin who has reached master level is on a different level.
Or maybe my senses have become dulled by peace.
Adapting to peaceful days is better than suffering from PTSD, right?
Just as I thought that…
“Sniff…”
A burning pain surged through my body.
Even though I quickly blocked the sensation with dark magic, I couldn’t stop my hands from trembling.
This happens occasionally since absorbing Lux’s curse.
I boasted about being used to pain in front of Erias…
But who can truly get used to pain?
I’ve just become more accustomed to enduring compared to others.
“Huff~”
The need to find a solution became stronger.
It would be troublesome if this curse flared up during battles against heretics.
Should I search the library?
I heard Minerva’s library has more books than the Imperial Palace’s.
Since I can’t just beat up all the High Priests, I need to try anything, even if it’s a straw to cling to.
“Guess they weren’t woken up. But is it okay for an assassin to sleep this deeply?”
Checking carefully in case they were pretending, but it didn’t seem like it.
Why would they need to pretend anyway?
“… Snore”
Long eyelashes.
Slightly tanned skin.
Soft fur… though saying that sounds weird.
Their usually emotionless face that looked so cool like a werewolf was just like a regular girl’s while sleeping.
Why does someone with such a beautiful face hide it?
There’s no severe discrimination against beastkin anymore.
In fact, many beastkin live together harmoniously in the capital.
As I observed the Black Wolf’s face, last night’s memory came back.
That guy who refused bathing turned out to be surprisingly well-behaved in the bathroom.
They had perfect abs but surprisingly soft skin.
… Am I turning into a pervert?
Considering everything we’ve seen each other naked for in the snow mountains,
this isn’t the time to feel lustful.
We’ve been covered in blood together,
escaped rampaging snowmen,
nearly died in avalanches…
The list goes on and on.
Thinking about those memories made me want to cook again.
My special field cooking.
The Black Wolf seemed to like it too.
Will they eat if I offer?
If not, I’ll make them eat even if I have to force it.
With a cheerful expression, I left the room.
***
“…”
After Allen left, the Black Wolf slowly opened their eyes.
Fortunately, they weren’t caught.
Their mastery of stealth could even deceive Allen.
“… What was that?”
Originally, they planned to surprise Allen.
Since he kept touching their ears randomly, they figured he’d definitely do it if they pretended to sleep.
However, Allen didn’t touch their ears.
He just looked painfully uncomfortable, trembling his hands.
The Allen who didn’t flinch when treated with potions after being slashed by the Snow King’s axe…
For him to involuntarily groan means…
“What happened to you, Allen?”
The Black Wolf couldn’t bring themselves to ask.
Knowing Allen, they’d just brush it off anyway.
So now it’s their turn to protect him.
Isn’t it only natural to repay a life debt with one’s own life?
“They’re calling them heretics, right?”
The reason the Black Wolf came to Allen was because they heard about the incident on the Island of Wisdom.
(Actually, they overheard William muttering.)
The High Priests or whatever won’t be able to touch even a hair on Allen’s head.
Because she plans to always stay by his side from now on.
Allen didn’t know about these resolutions as the Black Wolf left the room.
Smelling the delicious aroma.
Knowing it was for them, the Black Wolf liked Allen’s cooking very much.
***
Time passed and it was time for class again.
Looking at the students, I confirmed yesterday’s ant punishment was successful.
Only about half the number of students showed up today compared to yesterday.
I looked at the tall blond student and said,
“Wasn’t that too harsh, Reinhardt?”
Cutting them in half? Are you some kind of TarX?
“…”
The boy lowered his head with a deadpan expression.
He’s probably cursing me inside.
After all, he suffered much worse himself.
And what he endured wasn’t invisible attacks either.
What the freshmen went through was basically an easy tutorial.
Thinking about it, should I consider it good that half quit or bad that half stayed?
It’s confusing.
“Anyway, first let me congratulate you. You’ll get to become stronger than the half of students who aren’t here.”
Hmm, even I think that sounds like a perfect old man’s speech.
The freshmen seem to agree, making sour faces.
Having set the mood roughly, shall I introduce now?
“This will be my new assistant professor. Give a brief introduction.”
“Yes sir!”
Earl Helios stepped forward with a flashy attitude and shouted,
“I’m Earl Helios! Nice to meet you all, students of Minerva! As you might guess from my surname, I’ll be teaching you magic. Don’t worry too much, I’ll be gentler than Professor Allen.”
At the mention of “Helios” once, and the unpleasant expression he made twice, small commotions arose.
Mainly cheers from female students.
Already using charm tactics, that pretty boy…
“Don’t seduce my students, bastard.”
“Hehe, not something I want to hear from the Commander.”
What did I do?
Though tempted to give him a sweet dream, I refrained since we’re in front of students.
I’ll beat him up after class.
“Alright, Black Wolf.”
The Black Wolf wearing the owl robe symbol of Minerva stepped forward.
By the way, I found that robe in front of my room.
When did they put it there?
“…”
“… Black Wolf?”
Is something wrong? Thinking they might be shy, I moved to approach when suddenly…
“My name is Black Wolf.”
The Black Wolf took off the robe.
“As you see, I’m a beastkin.”
As their pointed ears were revealed, reactions completely different from Earl’s case erupted.
Fortunately, none were negative.
“… Beastkin?”
“I’ve never seen a beastkin before…”
“The ears are cute…”
It’s like seeing a passing pet.
Curiosity and cuteness appreciation, etc., were all positive reactions. The Black Wolf looked at me.
Still emotionless, but their amber eyes showed confusion and surprise at the unexpected reaction.
I smiled and mouthed silently,
“I told you it would be fine.”
Last night in the bathroom, the Black Wolf asked if the students would reject them.
I firmly said it would be fine.
This is Minerva Academy, where the best intellects and talents of the Empire gather.
A place where low-level behaviors like racial discrimination absolutely don’t happen.
The Black Wolf turned back to the students and spoke.
“What I’ll teach is how to deal with assassins. Also close combat skills, methods to sense presence, etc. Come prepared to risk your lives.”
The last sentence probably shouldn’t have been said.
I could see the students’ expressions darken instantly.
But what can I do? It’s the course you chose.
Tough it out with strength and determination.
“Alright, introductions are done, let’s start the lesson. Freshmen will fight wooden golems like last time. Starting today, Black Wolf will give advice, so absorb it fully.”
Handing over control of the wooden golems to the Black Wolf, I added,
“Also, feel free to ask any questions after class. Sorry we didn’t have time for that yesterday.”
“Let’s finish the class quickly.”
“If we break the wooden golem, will it end?”
“Try to land a hit before it moves!”
Though it was a casual comment, the students seemed unusually enthusiastic.
… Were they that curious?
“Will we be joining the lessons from today?”
Reinhardt raised his hand and asked.
I have to acknowledge this guy’s passion.
Even after seeing upperclassmen getting thrown around yesterday,
he’s gripping his sword like he wants to charge in right away.
I fought back tears of emotion and said,
“Yeah. Unlike last time, it’ll be one-on-one today.”
“Five swordsmanship majors, five magic majors.
The ten of you who started from the beginning.
How fortunate, thanks to Earl, we can now guide each of you thoroughly.
I smiled and beckoned to Reinhardt.
“I’ll train you thoroughly. Aren’t you happy, Reinhardt? Come on up.”
“… Yes sir.”
The boy drew his sword with a gloomy expression.
It seems their expectations were different…
Nah, they wouldn’t expect to gang up on me, right?
