Chapter 166 : Chapter 166
Chapter 166. The Valley of Beastology
Professor Kaylin played dumb as he responded.
“I’m the one who’s curious. What brings all of you here? You even came all this way yourselves.”
Professor Marianne’s expression turned icy.
“The security magic of the Black Falcon Dormitory was breached. We followed the traces, and they led us here.”
Professor Marianne frowned as she looked at Radel, who was standing behind Professor Kaylin. She had expected it, but as she thought, Professor Kaylin had made a move on Radel even before the term began.
That alchemy professor, steeped in secular greed to the point of being downright crafty.
The other professors were no less angry about the situation.
Professor Lillian waved at Radel.
“Yoo-hoo! Student Radel! How did you end up here?”
Radel bowed politely to the professors.
At that, Professor Lillian’s eyes sparkled.
“Don’t tell me Professor Kaylin used some underhanded method to secretly bring you here?”
The mana flowing from her body radiated an overwhelming presence.
When Lillian became unexpectedly serious, Professor Kaylin visibly panicked.
“Underhanded method? There must be some misunderstanding—”
“A misunderstanding? Then are you saying that little brat next to you came here on his own two feet?”
Professor Danton Moor of Beastology cracked his neck.
Crack.
As he clenched his fist, Danton’s powerful muscles bulged as if they were about to burst.
“There’s no way a brat who hasn’t even chosen a major yet just happened to wander in here.”
Professor Thomas of Transformation Magic also agreed, pulling out his staff.
“It couldn’t possibly be a coincidence. I’m quite curious to hear your answer, Professor Kaylin. Depending on what you say, the Academy might be gaining a new toad.”
Professor Kaylin broke into a cold sweat.
That was basically a threat to turn him into a toad.
It was rare for the usually indifferent Professor Thomas to be this angry at another professor.
Though no one said it outright, it was clear they were all eyeing Radel.
In truth, all the professors felt the same way.
So far, none of them had approached Radel.
It had been an unspoken alliance among the professors.
Do not approach Radel.
Wait until he chooses on his own.
If I don’t do it, you don’t either.
That was essentially the agreement.
But Professor Kaylin thought differently.
‘Isn’t the one who just waits around the real fool?’
Outstanding students did not simply appear if you waited.
You had to show some initiative from your side for the student to move.
He had not expected all the major professors to come running just because he made the first move, but—
“Is it really necessary to paint me as some great sinner here? There’s no rule saying this isn’t allowed.”
Professor Kaylin realized the situation was serious. To get out of this safely, he needed to shamelessly steel his face.
“Besides, Radel has priority major selection rights. It’s a reward for taking first place in the first semester. What’s wrong with giving such a student an opportunity?”
Priority major selection rights.
It was the perfect excuse for Professor Kaylin to bring up.
“If he’s going to choose his major before other students, shouldn’t he at least know something about the majors? That’s why tours are necessary. You all think the same way, don’t you?”
At that, Professor Lillian smiled sweetly.
She did not like how fox-like Professor Kaylin had been in approaching Radel, but she liked what he just said.
“That’s true. Then we should let him tour the other workshops too! To help Student Radel make his choice.”
Professor Marianne, catching on to Lillian’s intent, nodded.
“I agree. From Radel’s perspective, experiencing other workshops before choosing wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Kahahaha! That’s a great idea! I’m in!”
The tide had already turned.
With things going this way, Professor Thomas quietly lowered his staff as well. There was no loss for him either.
“Very well. Then let’s fairly tour all the workshops one by one.”
He then asked Radel,
“What do you think? It’s not such a bad proposal for you either.”
The choice had suddenly been handed to Radel, who had been standing there quietly.
He was taken aback, but there was no reason to refuse.
It also seemed like a good chance to learn more about the majors.
“Sounds good.”
Radel answered readily.
***
The next day, the place Radel visited was the Beastology workshop.
When he arrived at the meeting spot, Professor Danton Moor was waiting for him with a wyvern.
“Brat! You made it! Get on!”
Danton shouted at Radel as he climbed onto the wyvern.
Flap.
The wyvern spread its massive wings.
Just the act of spreading them stirred fierce winds around them.
“It’s not often I let a student ride my wyvern! Consider it an honor!”
Professor Danton Moor laughed heartily and pointed to the seat behind him.
As he said, the chance to ride a wyvern was indeed rare.
High-ranking monsters like wyverns were hard enough to encounter, and the chances of successfully taming one were slim.
In fact, it was often easier to hunt one than to tame it.
That was what made Danton Moor, who had tamed a wyvern, so impressive.
There were even rumors circulating the Academy that he had subdued the wyvern using nothing but raw physical strength.
‘Maybe Beastology really isn’t something just anyone can do.’
Radel slowly approached the wyvern. A saddle tailored to Professor Danton’s body was secured atop its scale-covered back.
Touching the smooth scales, Radel let out a quiet gasp.
“Wow….”
The griffon’s back had been warm and soft, covered in fur and feathers, but the wyvern felt cool and slightly damp.
Seeing how carefully Radel handled the wyvern, Professor Danton smiled approvingly.
Just by his attitude toward magical beasts, it was clear he had an aptitude for Beastology.
As expected, he was the right talent for the field Danton had set his sights on.
‘Weren’t we going to a workshop?’
As Radel mounted the wyvern, he wondered internally.
Why ride a wyvern just to go to a workshop?
That question was soon answered.
Instead of landing near stables where he expected a workshop to be, the wyvern cut through the sky and arrived at a valley behind the Academy.
It was a place first-years had never visited before.
That was understandable.
The valley was difficult to reach from the foot of the mountain, and it was located so high that clouds drifted around it.
No matter how good one was at climbing the Marcellent Mountains, reaching this place would be difficult.
“To come here, you’d need to have tamed at least a rock eagle.”
There was pride in Professor Danton Moor’s voice.
It almost sounded as though those who could not tame a winged beast had no right to major in Beastology.
“Look! This is the true paradise of Beastology majors!”
Ding.
[An unknown magic interferes with the user’s perception.]
[Status ailment nullification is activated.]
[A hidden space is revealed.]
[The Academy Beastology Workshop reveals itself!]
As the notification sounded, the hidden scenery of the valley was unveiled.
Small buildings were scattered throughout the valley, and rainbows arched wherever small waterfalls flowed.
Large and small magical beasts drank water or flew through the air.
Beastology-major seniors could be seen grooming the beasts’ fur or feeding them.
Seeing the peaceful scene of coexistence with magical beasts, Radel understood why Professor Danton called it a paradise.
The wyvern carrying Radel and Professor Danton landed smoothly among the valley’s buildings.
As the wyvern folded its wings, a senior emerged from one of the buildings to greet them.
“…So you brought him.”
“Of course! Who do you think I am? Hahaha! I was the first to reel this brat in!”
It seemed there had been a competition among the professors over who could bring Radel to their workshop first.
Professor Danton Moor wore a victor’s smile, looking immensely satisfied.
“Hello, Senior.”
Radel dismounted the wyvern and greeted the Beastology senior.
He was someone Radel already knew.
“…Yeah. I’ve been waiting.”
Venus nodded at Radel.
He was holding a small magical beast that looked somewhat like a griffon, except it had hooves instead of claws.
The hippogriff egg Venus had always carried around had finally hatched.
***
“This is the incubation area! Where we take care of magical beast eggs!”
Guided by Venus and Professor Danton, Radel toured the Beastology workshop.
Unlike the alchemy workshop, the Beastology facilities were scattered throughout the valley, so they had to ride magical beasts to move between them.
Without taming a winged beast, one could not even dream of studying Beastology.
“This is where we raise the young beasts! Aren’t they adorable?”
Screech!
Though still a juvenile, the carnivorous spider bared its venomous fangs toward them with murderous intent.
Radel could not help but laugh awkwardly.
“Haha, they’re really cute.”
Hearing Radel’s answer, the Beastology seniors tending to the young beasts brightened.
“Right? I thought so before too—you really know your stuff. Getting stung by that poison is quite the thrill.”
“No wonder the professor has his eye on you. Want to see what we’ve collected?”
Excitedly, they showed off displays of magical beast fur, hides, and claws.
There was even an exhibit displaying only footprints.
“Venus, since you’re here, let us take a mold of your hippogriff’s hooves.”
“…All right.”
While Venus’s hippogriff was being examined by the other majors, Radel watched with interest as young magical beasts freely roamed the workshop.
The seniors paid no mind to the beasts wandering about and focused on their own work.
When they grew tired, they would stroke fur or scales, smiling happily.
It truly was a small paradise for Beastology majors.
“So? Brat! You’re probably feeling your interest in Beastology burning up by now!”
“Yes. It’s been a great experience.”
Professor Danton grinned.
“I’ve already heard that you tamed a griffon. If you want to raise it stronger, I recommend keeping it here. Some of our majors research feeds that enhance magical beasts’ abilities!”
At that, Radel could not help but flinch.
Professor Danton said he would go fetch a Beastology senior who specialized in feed research and disappeared.
Taking advantage of the moment, Venus spoke quietly.
“…You’d be welcome.”
Seeing Venus’s friendly attitude, Radel recalled the promise he had made with Ivan.
Using a wish right to allow Ability Management Bureau agents into Venus’s family, the House of Marquis Esven.
Thanks to that deal, he had made good use of Armandi and Firenze throughout the vacation.
It felt like the right opportunity.
“Does your family have materials related to magical beasts? Would it be all right if I visited to take a look?”
At Radel’s question, Venus nodded.
“I don’t mind.”
He had been prepared to use a wish right if needed, but permission came easily.
He would be able to visit the House of Marquis Esven, a place outsiders rarely entered.
“You’re really inviting me?”
“Yeah. Come by anytime.”
Radel looked at Venus in slight surprise.
However, his unreadable expression revealed nothing.
In any case, it seemed he would be able to properly conclude his deal with Ivan, the director of the Ability Management Bureau.