The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 24

24.

The flames of chaos surged.

Yuto’s Ether instantly turned the tide. The once-impenetrable walls of [Svalinn] crumbled helplessly under the ferocious blaze that spread like a phantom’s fire.

‘Is that Yuto…?’

Ellie was at a loss for words.

To stand alongside him as a comrade?

What a ridiculous notion.

In that moment, Ellie realized with utmost clarity.

Chasing after Yuto’s strength was nothing but reckless delusion.

Her resolve to become his companion was no more than a clumsy desire. Recognizing this, her face burned with embarrassment.

Rather than wallowing in despair at the difference in levels between them, a determination swelled within her.

…This isn’t just cynical pessimism.

It was something hotter.

More intense.

Closer to a passionate chemical reaction.

[His strength is truly marvelous…]

The master of retrogression, “Mihu,” gasped in admiration. She never anticipated uttering such praise; she had always considered herself a critical adviser. It became glaringly clear that everything stemmed from her own powerlessness.

‘What must I do…’

[Hmm?]

‘How can I become stronger?’

Ellie’s resolve shone through her expression.

There was a fervent gleam on her face that hadn’t been there before.

‘I want to become strong by any means necessary.’

If it meant standing shoulder to shoulder with him,

She felt willing to sell her soul to the devil.

[My disciple. Your intentions have been well communicated. If you genuinely wish to claim a spot in the martial world, understand the difference between recklessness and boldness. Moreover, seek isolation and pursue solitude. From there, you can cast off your weakness and ascend the path of the martial world.]

Ellie took Mihu’s advice to heart.

Recklessness and boldness.

Isolation and solitude.

‘I understand! Just watch, I’ll change more than anyone else!’

As Ellie’s determination began to bear the fruit of pride, [Svalinn] was obliterated, and the master’s defeat was sealed.

Yuto sheathed his sword with an impassive expression. The sharpness of the Ether he exuded waned low, reaching its conclusion.

“Impressive! Yuto, won’t you become my comrade? With you, we could form the strongest team!”

How ridiculous.

What made her think she could team up with Yuto?

Ellie clicked her tongue at Kiring.

She felt sorry for him, but the emotion she felt now was a separate form of resistance.

Of course, there was no way Yuto would accept.

“I would welcome a prodigious talent like yours.”

Eh?

“Really! Then right away!…”

“But I’m still a student, you see. If you feel the same after graduation, I’ll consider it.”

“A, a student? Yuto is a student? Even with that level of skill?”

“The world is vast, and there are many strong ones out there.”

Kiring’s face froze in contemplation. Yuto’s gaze shifted from Kiring and settled on Ellie.

“Th, thank you for your help…”

Yuto saved her every time. He extended a helping hand like a ‘comrade’ from a story. Yuto’s salvation filled Ellie’s heart to the brim.

“Ellie, don’t get the wrong idea.”

“Huh?”

“It’s not for your sake.”

“Uhm…”

“Just pay me back the debts. Quit trailing around.”

“…”

Yuto’s coldness froze Ellie’s very soul. It was so chilling that it nearly caused a mental freeze. After saying this, Yuto left without another word, completely absorbed in his own affairs.

‘Why?’

‘Was it all just to learn my secret?’

‘Was it because he saved me from the tavern?’

‘Wasn’t he doing it for me?’

‘What on earth was it?’

Ellie began to rationalize her thoughts.

“This must be something wrong.”

[My disciple?]

“It’s definitely that I’m weak, and you’re testing me!”

[Uh, listen, my disciple?]

“Fine! I’ll show you! This trial is nothing!”

[…Ah, I don’t know either. Tsk…]

Ellie’s rampage escalated.

After dispatching the Lord of the Abyss,

I took a moment to chastise Ellie.

She really needs to reign in her solo antics.

I spoke quite bluntly, so even if she’s a bit slow, she should get it.

By the way, there wasn’t much I could use.

I scanned the spoils the Lord of the Abyss had dropped: the shield [Svalinn], the Frost Bracelet, and the Abyssal Gem…

I’ll take the gem. Let it be.

The remaining items already had their owner in mind.

Both items were excellent equipment that synergized well with the tank, Cletta.

Well, whatever. If I’m going to grow them, I might as well do it right. I hurriedly packed up the spoils and prepared to leave the Abyss. I still noticed Kiring lost in thought. While she provided quite a bit of experience, her present state seemed heavier than I expected.

After all, she was an adventurer. She wouldn’t be involved with me going forward. Meanwhile, the troublesome Ellie was nowhere to be found. I had scolded her once, so she could very well take off.

Go earn some money.

After all, Ellie Ingrid is someone I plan to mold into a suitable ‘tool’ for future use.

“Miss Kiring. I’ll be taking my leave. If the chance arises, I’ll see you again.”

Your experience gain has been pretty good.

But to be honest, I’d rather avoid contact with ‘Irregulars.’

Adventurers and students would rarely cross paths, so it was just unwarranted worry.

At that time, I thought.

“Class B students! Transfer student incoming!”

Instructor Geoffrey’s booming voice rang out. Behind him, a pink-haired girl saluted from the podium.

“Nice to meet you! I’m Kiring!”

How absurd.

Isn’t this just a ridiculous twist?

[Insight’s Blade] vibrated.

Not you, you idiot.

Why on earth is an adventurer coming to the academy? And how did she get transferred here?

As if answering my question, Kiring’s sharp gaze extended toward me.

“Yuto! I came to be your partner!”

Everyone turned to Kiring.

And then they looked at me.

.
.
[Experience Points increased.]
[Experience Points increased.]
[Experience Points increased.]
[Experience Points increased.]
[Experience Points increased.]
[Experience Points increased.]
.
.

There were plenty of pleasant notifications, but I brushed them all aside.

This wasn’t how I planned it.

I entered a tactical time.

She was an unexpected visitor.

Considering Kiring’s involvement, I envisioned the immediate variables that would affect the story.

I was wrong…

‘I might actually need a seer.’

“You called for me, Chancellor Lucia.”

Arthur Floyd, the elite instructor holding the position of A-Class vice-instructor, adjusted his neatly gathered silver hair, which boasted a fair and translucent complexion.

“Arthur Floyd, there’s a transfer student in Class B I’d like you to check on.”

Arthur Floyd tilted his head at Chancellor Lucia’s request.

“Isn’t it your duty, Chancellor, to accept transfer students? Why would I…”

“Actually, this transfer student is quite famous as an adventurer known as ‘Single Swordsman.’ It was an unavoidable deal, given I owed him a significant favor last time.”

“Is that so? I see… I’m well aware of the tales surrounding the ‘Single Swordsman.’ To think such a giant would apply to transfer. This is indeed peculiar.”

“Yes. That’s why I’m asking you, Arthur Floyd, to investigate. You’re quite capable, after all?”

Chancellor Lucia’s eyes glinted with insidious intent. Arthur Floyd grasped her ulterior motives but kept his lips sealed.

Even knowing her intentions, rejecting a superior’s request was no easy task.

“To be honest, I don’t have much confidence in my ability to follow through.”

“Oh? Didn’t you secure the A-Class vice-instructor position just two months after arriving here? I have full faith in you, you see?”

“Is that so…”

“Yes. And also, that girl, Kiring, says something strange. Almost like she knows everything.”

“What did she say?”

“She mentioned wanting to know about all the ‘strong foes’ hiding in the academy.”

“…That’s an interesting remark. Is she seeking to find masters among the student body?”

“Well, I don’t know all the details. Isn’t it your role as Arthur to find that out?”

“Understood. I will do my best.”

Arthur Floyd left the chancellor’s office and headed toward his private teacher’s office. At this hour, the academy was likely engaged in regular classes. Hence, no other individuals would be in the corridors.

Arthur Floyd firmly exhaled the breath he had been holding.

“Hmm… What about this girl named Kiring?”

Did she perhaps catch wind of something?

If not, there was no reason for a prominent figure like the Platinum adventurer to transfer to the academy.

‘This doesn’t feel right.’

The chancellor’s earlier request lingered in his mind. She too was one of those who couldn’t fully wash away her suspicions about him.

-She wants to know about the ‘strong foes’ hiding in the academy, huh?

It was abundantly clear that she had come knowing something.

He had no idea where she had sensed the presence of a ‘demon-worshipper’ hidden within the academy. Investigating Kiring at this point seemed premature.

‘Better to do a power check as well.’

This was a precaution against any unforeseen incidents.

‘Although it’s ahead of schedule, there’s no choice but to hasten the Mindbinding.’

With such thoughts, Arthur Floyd entered his private teacher’s office.