Chapter 128
Chapter 128
The Gaping Gehenna (1)
Gorilla’s class was extremely tough. I absolutely couldn’t slack off like everyone else did. Gorilla always made me sit right in front of him.
“Do you understand? That is why we need a party and a formation.”
“…….”
“Of course, there are warriors who can fight a hundred alone. There are those who step forward by themselves and hunt strong monsters. But when hunting monsters, what matters is not just succeeding in subjugation, but succeeding safely. Do you understand?”
I had already heard that “Do you understand?” about forty times. And Gorilla wasn’t even saying it to someone else—he was saying it while making direct eye contact with me.
Sometimes, when he suddenly leaned his face in close, I would squeeze my eyes shut. If I saw that face while mentally exhausted, I wasn’t sure what I might do.
“The cost of cultivating human resources is extremely high. It also takes a long time. That is why we must pay attention to safety. Even if subjugation takes a little longer, if safety can be fully secured, then that method must be considered. Do you understand?”
Aside from that, Gorilla’s class was actually quite good. Due to the nature of the Combat Department, there tended to be many outdoor and practical lessons, which made them weak in theory.
The first-year dorm supervisor professor—whose hair had started to fall out little by little—the one I had helped during midterms, was weak in theory.
“If the focus in the first year was on individual combat, then after that, you will learn coordination with comrades rather than fighting alone. Properly learning and applying that is what allows you to hunt large monsters.”
Even though I didn’t react, I was paying attention in my own way. The Fiendbeasts, which would become our main enemies, were exactly those large monsters.
“That should be enough for now. For reference, there will be a speech by the Academy Director tomorrow at 9 a.m. All students are to gather in the main hall within the Academic Department.”
With those words, Gorilla ended the class. The students all began cheering loudly.
Knowing roughly why, Gorilla simply maintained his dignified posture instead of bothering to discipline them.
‘This is exhausting.’
It was a day where I truly felt what it meant to have my energy drained.
I desperately wanted to head to the chapel and rest as soon as possible. If I had the time, I also wanted to listen to the sound of Silent Bell. But Gorilla had no intention of letting me go.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Pardon?”
“Aren’t you a student assistant? Follow me. There’s work to do.”
After watching the students leave the lecture hall and packing my things, I was immediately caught by Gorilla. He walked confidently toward the Academic Department.
I let out a small sigh and followed behind him. I had no justification to refuse, and honestly, it was my mind that was tired, not my body.
“Hm? What brings you here?”
“Hello.”
When I entered the Academic Department, I saw several professors. Among them was someone I recognized—the first-year dorm supervisor professor I had hunted the Acid Gecko with and spent a night camping alongside.
With his gradually thinning hair and somewhat sorrowful eyes, he greeted me. He welcomed me with an awkward expression.
“First dorm supervisor professor.”
“Ah. Yes. Second dorm supervisor professor.”
Suddenly, Gorilla called out to the first dorm supervisor professor. The man looked at Gorilla with a puzzled expression.
“This is the student assistant for all of my classes.”
“Ah?”
At Gorilla’s words, the first dorm supervisor professor’s eyes widened. He looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it.
I simply shrugged. The first dorm supervisor professor smiled and patted my shoulder hard.
“Hey! You’ve finally come to your senses. The second dorm supervisor professor is someone you can trust. You made a good decision.”
I kept my mouth shut. I could feel that he genuinely cared about his student. I couldn’t bring myself to say that a material transaction had taken place between me and Gorilla.
“Then you already know everything?”
“Yes. That’s right. Well, the rumors have already spread within the Academic Department anyway.”
The first dorm supervisor professor nodded. He hadn’t expected the rumors to spread this quickly either.
“You know that Combat Department classes often have joint sessions, right? My classes also frequently combine with the second dorm supervisor professor’s, so I’ll be counting on you.”
I gave a rough nod. The first dorm supervisor professor only handled first-year classes. It was only natural that second-years, who had more experience than first-years, would have more to do.
And since there were assistant instructors anyway, it didn’t really matter.
“Ha! Still, you’ve finally become human. That’s a relief. Right, you punk?”
The first dorm supervisor professor was overjoyed at my compliant attitude. The guy who used to always be rebellious and act like a delinquent was now working as an assistant—of course he’d be thrilled.
Of course, the position of student assistant was temporary and had a fixed duration. But the first dorm supervisor professor, who didn’t know that, welcomed my change.
“But then, why is Davide here?”
“Ah. I just brought him along.”
“?”
Curious about why I was here, the first dorm supervisor professor asked Gorilla. And Gorilla’s answer was not something I had expected at all.
Both the professor and I stared at him blankly. Gorilla, without the slightest movement, sat down and continued his work.
“…….”
To sum it up, it felt like he brought me here just to mess with me. I was dumbfounded. Gorilla wasn’t the type to pull pranks, nor was he some petty character who’d bully someone for fun.
“Hmm.”
At that moment, something unusual happened. A massive presence entered through the door of the Academic Department. Startled, I jerked my head toward the entrance.
Standing there was the Academy Director, someone rarely seen. At the sudden appearance of such a big figure, we all stood there stunned.
Only Gorilla stood up first and gave a respectful bow. The others followed after seeing him.
“Student Davide.”
“Greetings, Academy Director.”
I showed as much courtesy as I did to the Vice-Commander. The Academy Director was someone worthy of that level of respect.
Seeing that Gorilla wasn’t surprised, it seemed he had already known she would come.
If not, then perhaps the Academy Director had ordered Gorilla.
“This is good timing. I was touring around the academy for inspection. I also had something to discuss with you, Student Davide. If you don’t mind, shall we have a cup of tea?”
Seeing the Academy Director treat even a student with such politeness, I couldn’t refuse.
“It would be my honor.”
“Thank you for accepting the invitation.”
A white-haired old woman. Wrinkles were visible across her face, yet she didn’t give off a light or trivial impression.
At my response, the Academy Director smiled refreshingly and stepped out of the Academic Department. I carefully followed behind her.
“Hey. Hang in there.”
“……Thank you. I’ll be going now.”
I briefly thanked the first dorm supervisor professor, who was cheering me on with a sentimental expression. Then I greeted the other professors and left the Academic Department.
***
“Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
The director’s office was serene. Antique furniture reflecting her taste was arranged in perfect harmony.
After thanking her for pointing to a chair, I quickly sat down.
“It must have been a sudden invitation. Thank you for accepting.”
“Not at all. How could I refuse the Academy Director’s call? However, please lower your manner of speech. I believe it would be more comfortable for both of us.”
The Academy Director, who handed me the tea prepared by her secretary, expressed her thanks once more. The pressure was palpable.
I continued speaking with utmost politeness. Hearing my unexpected request, she looked slightly surprised before smiling.
“Very well. If it made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
“No, Academy Director.”
She answered briskly and chuckled as she sipped her tea. That cool and straightforward demeanor was unexpectedly likable.
“Let’s get to the point. I called you because there is something I personally wish to ask.”
“Anything is fine.”
The conversation progressed as directly as her personality. Since I preferred straightforwardness, I welcomed her approach.
In situations like this, the best strategy was to finish quickly and escape.
“It may be a sensitive topic, but it concerns Her Imperial Highness, the Imperial Princess.”
“Pardon?”
I heard a name I hadn’t expected at all. Then it slowly began to make sense. The relationship between the academy and the Imperial House was close to coexistence.
In the game, the Academy Director was portrayed as somewhat of an idealistic educator. She didn’t particularly like the authoritarian nature of the Imperial House.
“What is your relationship with Her Imperial Highness, the Imperial Princess?”
“…….”
At the direct question, I held back my words. What was her intention behind asking this?
I considered asking for a moment of understanding, but instead slowly opened my mouth. With someone like the Academy Director, even that could become an opening.
“It is a relationship between lord and subject. Everyone within this Empire is a subject of the Imperial House.”
“Hmm.”
At my answer, the Academy Director’s eyes narrowed. The moment I saw that, I immediately realized it—she had already vaguely guessed the connection between me and the Imperial Princess.
“Is that all?”
“I believe it’s a bit closer than with others.”
At the continued question, I dared to answer like that. That I had a somewhat close relationship with the Imperial Princess. It was the kind of answer that would make most people recoil if they heard it.
“I see. But Davide, you are a student of our Museion Academy.”
“That is correct.”
“All students of Museion Academy are my students.”
I glanced at the Academy Director’s eyes. They were infinitely serious and strict.
“No matter if it is the Imperial House, I cannot permit students to be used as chess pieces.”
That was the core of it. I didn’t know how she found out, but the Academy Director had instantly grasped the relationship between me and the Imperial Princess.
I kept my mouth shut as I carefully chose my words. Dealing with the Imperial Princess alone was already a headache—if the Academic Department got involved too, things would only become more complicated.
“Academy Director. As you know, I am a selfish person.”
The Academy Director watched my slowly opening mouth with an intrigued gaze.
“And I consider myself a cunning one. Someone like me does not move without personal gain.”
“……I see.”
As if she roughly understood my meaning, the Academy Director nodded heavily. Simply put, it meant that my relationship with the Imperial Princess existed because it benefited me.
“It will not be an easy path. Is it something the Academic Department or I can help with?”
I thought for a moment before shaking my head. The Academic Department was important to the story, and the Academy Director was a key supporter who even played a major role in a boss battle.
But fundamentally, they couldn’t help. In the end, to effectively deal with Fiendbeasts and Magus, the Imperial House was more useful.
“That is unfortunate.”
“It’s alright.”
“That makes it more unfortunate. You’ve changed a lot in just a year.”
The Academy Director’s gaze was somewhat complicated. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
“If there is anything you need, tell me. I will do my best to help you.”
Hearing those warm words, I thought the conversation was coming to an end. Then suddenly, my eyes lit up.
Seeing my abrupt change in attitude, the Academy Director flinched slightly.
“Academy Director. As it happens, there is something I would like to ask your help with.”
“……What is it?”
She seemed a bit flustered, as if she hadn’t expected me to ask for help so quickly. I pulled out a box from my chest.
“What is this?”
“It is a supreme elixir.”
It was something I always carried with me. One of the few relic-grade consumables from the [Difficult Dungeon].
It was the rice cake that changes one’s race, granted to me during a past conversation with the Imperial Princess. ‘Fairy’s Spirit.’ The Academy Director, looking puzzled, opened the box—and her expression stiffened.
“As the name suggests, it truly is a supreme elixir.”
“That’s right. By some chance, I obtained it. However, due to my constitution, it has no effect on me.”
As expected, the Academy Director immediately grasped its nature. I continued speaking slowly.
“So I searched for various ways to utilize it, but with my abilities, there was nothing I could do. Then I came up with an interesting idea.”
“An interesting idea?”
“Yes. Are you perhaps familiar with Ego Weapons?”
When I first received this, I was annoyed. Even if I used it, it would grant me stats I didn’t need. On top of that, the penalties were significant.
At the same time, its value was far too great to simply give to someone else. So I kept thinking of alternative uses.
“Engraving.”
“That’s right.”
So I wondered whether it could be engraved onto a weapon. Since engraving a monster’s essence into a weapon was common, I thought this might be possible as well.
“In theory, it is possible—if it is what I think it is.”
“I see. Then, would it be possible to request that you engrave it onto my weapon?”
With something of that level, no one but a magician of the Academy Director’s caliber could even attempt to handle it.
“I will also prepare a reward befitting it.”
“A reward…”
The Academy Director looked intrigued. It was likely because the material was something rarely seen, and she herself was a magician.
“It will require research, so prepare patiently. It will likely take about six months.”
That was essentially permission. I inwardly rejoiced. Six months was a bit long, but I believed something extraordinary would come out of it.
“And I don’t know what weapon you are currently using, but you will need to bring a different one.”
“Pardon?”
“Bring a weapon that can withstand it. One that matches this elixir and is just as durable.”
“Ah, understood.”
I nodded readily. I had been planning to switch to a Relic-grade weapon anyway. My current club was quite to my liking, but still, I needed at least one proper Relic.