After finishing their meal, Sion and the S-rank adventurer party <Dragon's Fang> left the restaurant.
Cain, who was sitting next to him, had his arm around Sion’s shoulder.
“Wow, thanks to you, Sion-kun, I ate well.”
“It’s nothing. I’m glad you were satisfied.”
“I’ve never seen someone grill meat this well!”
“Haha….”
Cain was acting like he was heavily intoxicated. Memories of the PTSD from past drinking sessions with his professor resurfaced for Sion.
At that moment, someone stepped between Cain and Sion.
“Cain, is it really okay to be like this with a student from the academy who has no money?”
“Huh? Isn’t every academy student wealthy?”
“I heard Sion is just a commoner.”
“Come on, with that kind of skill, he must be getting sponsored handsomely from somewhere.”
“…? What are you two talking about?”
Sion couldn’t follow their conversation. Suddenly, there were so many incomprehensible words about not having money and being excessive.
At that moment, Cain pulled something out from his pocket.
“Eh? Why is my wallet…?”
A small pouch that Sion had kept well hidden in his pocket was in Cain’s hands.
Sion, startled, searched his own belongings, but unsurprisingly, the wallet was gone.
…Cain had pickpocketed Sion’s wallet.
“Sorry~ I have a habit of being a bit of a thief since I’m also a guide.”
“I’ll apologize on his behalf. Cain is originally just trash… Bariyes! Why are you not saying anything while your student’s wallet is being stolen?”
Hearing Goldia scream, Bariyes shrugged his shoulders.
“Isn’t all of this guided by the goddess of luck? Bahaha!”
“……”
Bariyes’ likability, which had just increased from winning an award, sank back to the ground again.
He was indeed a professor that couldn’t be liked.
While walking and thinking such thoughts, a stone flew toward Sion’s forehead.
Ping!
“Are you blocking that too? Impressive!”
The person who threw the stone was, of course, Sophie. The elf archer often threw various objects at Sion’s forehead during meals.
Each time, he activated his protective shield to block it…
“Any chance you’d consider stopping?”
“The better you block, the more tempted I get. Just wait, I’ll definitely give you a bump on your forehead.”
“……”
Sion couldn’t return a smile to Sophie, who grinned with her lips twisted.
He had already blocked her attacks more than ten times.
To be honest… he was quite tired.
‘A thief who steals his companion’s student’s wallet, an archer throwing strange objects, and even Professor Bariyes… Sigh.’
Sion held back a sigh with superhuman patience.
If it weren’t for Goldia, the retriever who was somewhat normal, he might have stormed out of there.
‘…That voice that said all of this is experience is still vivid.’
Memories of his graduate days, where he served under his professor, came to mind.
– Professor, let’s stop drinking now…
– Oh, it’s fine. Do I look drunk to you? Huh?!
– No, it’s not that, but you need to go in. It’s getting late.
– Late? It’s just starting. Why are you trying to rush? All of this is experience, experience!
– Ahaha…
At that time, it was a bone-rattling experience.
But looking back now, it was thanks to that ‘experience’ that he was able to endure like this today.
…To be honest, it was easier now than back then.
At least a university professor wouldn’t steal a student’s wallet or throw a spoon at their forehead.
“So, what does everyone think?”
Suddenly, Bariyes’ steps came to a halt. So did everyone else’s.
Everyone’s expressions changed.
…What’s happening all of a sudden?
“I think it’s fine. It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone so calm.”
“Even so, I think throwing stones is a bit much…”
“Since it didn’t hit, I just pushed through!”
“…?”
Sion, puzzled by Sophie and Goldia’s conversation, got a thumbs up from Bariyes.
“This is what you call passing the test!”
“…Passing the test?”
“Sorry for acting like I was testing you. My students have created quite a nuisance for our party in the past.”
“???”
“So that’s how it is.”
Goldia laughed while waving her staff.
“To participate in Professor Bariyes’ special training, you need not only skill but character as well.”
“Special… training?”
“Correct. When I see students who achieve good grades, I show them to my comrades and ask them to train them. It’s literally special training.”
Sion stared blankly at Bariyes.
‘If it’s Professor Bariyes… it’s understandable.’
Just a few hours earlier.
He recalled what Bariyes had told him not long ago.
– Thank you. Thanks to you, Professor…
– Bahaha! It’s because Sion-kun did well.
– Among our adventurers, there is a saying: The goddess of luck smiles upon those who are prepared!
Considering his values, it wasn’t strange for there to be such special training.
“But if you’re testing character… does that mean everything until now was an act?”
“They were all somewhat similar to their usual conduct, but they were a bit excessive. I… was excluded for not acting well.”
Goldia shyly laughed after speaking.
As soon as she finished, her companions burst into laughter.
“Damn dog, acting all innocent by herself.”
“Th-That’s not it!”
“Sion-kun, I’m sorry for stealing your wallet. That was an act… but you should be careful with Goldia. Since you came, she’s been acting strangely.”
“Everyone, please stop! Before I go silent.”
Growl.
Sion flinched at the warning growl that came from deep within Goldia’s throat.
…Indeed, a dog-human was different.
“Sion-kun, are you willing to undergo special training? If you allow it, I can lend you Goldia for special training.”
“The expression ‘lend’ sounds suspicious. She’s not your possession.”
“Good things are good. Aren’t we companions? Bahaha!”
“That’s true, but… I still want to teach you, Sion. Teaching a genius is rewarding, you know… what do you think?”
Goldia extended her hand shyly.
Sion had no reason to reject that hand.
“Thank you very much, senpai.”
“Hmm…! Sounds good. Sion-kun, I’ll teach you whatever I know as much as possible.”
“Oh my, considering my age, it wouldn’t be strange to call you professor instead of senpai~.”
“That’s true. Even if beastmen look young, this is a bit….”
“……”
Goldia’s lips twitched at the whispers between Sophie and Cain.
Her thick lips revealed sharp canines briefly.
Her gaze was anything but ordinary.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
“?”
Goldia covered Sion’s ears with both hands.
Immediately after.
“%@#%@%%#@%!!!!”
Goldia’s lips moved at the speed of light and Sophie and Cain fell to the ground.
“…?”
“Oh, don’t mind it. I’m quite skilled in sound magic. For now, will you follow me?”
“Ah, yes….”
Sion followed Goldia, who was swaying her tail and leading the way.
When he glanced back, Sophie and Cain were still rolling on the floor.
…Sion had decided not to defy Goldia.
*
“Goldia-senpai, where is this…?”
“Oh, this is the magic training hall located in the academy’s shopping district.”
The place where Goldia and Sion arrived was a spacious room that felt like a dojo.
From the looks of the high-end finishing materials, it seemed quite expensive.
…It was indeed an S-rank adventurer who rented such a place.
“Then can you show me the magic you know one by one? By the way, you can speak comfortably.”
“Yes! Of course.”
Sion held his wand with a tense face.
It was his first time showcasing magic limits to someone.
Especially if that person was a wizard who had risen to the S-rank of adventurers.
‘Some might consider me worse than a professor, but… I actually think the opposite.’
Sion was already entangled with Apostolos, whether he liked it or not.
Although he wasn’t sure if they would come as Greed said…
He had to grow stronger to preemptively fend off any attack that might come at any moment.
And one of his weaknesses, the ‘lack of real combat experience’, could be filled by Goldia right in front of him.
Sion didn’t want to waste the opportunity Professor Bariyes had given him.
He began to showcase magic with focus.
“First, it’s basic elemental magic.”
Four orbs materialized above Sion’s wand.
Fire, Wind, Earth, Water.
These were the four types of basic 1st Circle elemental magic that anyone who claimed to be a mage could perform.
“Nice. I didn’t know you could cast them all simultaneously.”
“I’ve learned a bit of 2nd Circle magic too.”
He also showcased spells like Water Wall and Fire Wall. Though simultaneous casting was daunting, the power was adequate.
“Hm… So your main strength is in elemental magic?”
“I can use other magic as well. For starters, I have a barrier and….”
Sion began to demonstrate one by one while looking through the magic grimoire.
Starting with the 1st Circle non-elemental magic Barrier, then Light, the healing magic Cure and Healing, Mind magic Brainwashing and Attention, Alchemy magic Polishing and Potion Making, Enchantment magic Grant, and summoning magic Revival and Summon Undead….
[Did you call for me, Ahya?]
“Yes, I… need to show something to a certain person. It’s not a battle.”
[It doesn’t matter. As long as you have the magic power, you can summon.]
Sion summoned a B-rank monster, Death Knight, using Summon Undead.
Behind it were numerous skeletons clattering around.
He showcased all the magic he could demonstrate.
‘…Oh?’Sion then realized.
Goldia, standing in front of him, had turned pale.
“…You said you were a first-year student at the academy? Not a first-year graduate student?”
“……Yes?”
“Ah, I see….”
Goldia felt a slight dizziness from the barrage of magic Sion displayed before her eyes.
The types of magic that a student who just entered the academy could use were… definitely far too many.
…Could it be that Professor Bariyes is deceiving her? Goldia thought for a moment.
