?218 Chapter 48.2 – Unmovable Mountain
Late in the evening, Professor Eleanor sat in her cluttered office, surrounded by stacks of reports submitted by students for the recent test. Her desk lamp cast a warm glow over the papers as she sighed, preparing for the seemingly endless task of grading.
The grading criteria were clear:
-Demonstration of Formula Principles: Showcase an understanding of the core principles discussed in class for 1 point.
-Practical Application: Apply the principles to a real-world scenario in the report for 1.5 points.
-Creativity: Inject original ideas or innovative approaches for 1 point.
-Clarity and Structure: Ensure the report is well-
organized and easy to follow for 0.5 points.
-Adherence to Submission Guidelines: Follow the specified format and length requirements for 1 point.
Each report had to be meticulously evaluated, but Professor Eleanor prided herself on her efficiency.
She swiftly skimmed through the first batch of reports submitted by Lila Thornheart and Victor Blackthorn, the top students in the class.
“Lilia Thornheart’s Group│ Alchemical Principles: 1 │ Practical Application: 1.5 │ Creativity: 1 │ Clarity and Structure: 0.5 │ Adherence: 1 │ Total: 5”
“Victor Blackthorn’s Group │ Alchemical Principles: 1 │ Practical Application: 1.5 │ Creativity: 1 │ Clarity and Structure: 0.5 │ Adherence: 1 │ Total: 5”
Professor Eleanor observed the subtle differences in their approaches and noted them with precision. As she reached the second batch of reports, she couldn’t help but admire the students’ dedication to their craft.
However, there was one group that she wasn’t able to check. A student that was possibly the best when it came to mana manipulation, and the other two students that she needed to pay attention to.
“Irina Emberheart’s group │ Alchemical Principles: 1 │ Practical Application: 1 │ Creativity: 0.5 │ Clarity and Structure: 0.5 │ Adherence: 1 │ Total: 5”
Just as she graded the papers, she suddenly noticed a paragraph written in there.
‘This magic formula’s purpose is to find the location represented when each of them is combined. Even though individually none of them seems to hold any knowledge, in fact, all of them are part of a picture showing us the map of a special place.’
Intrigued by this unexpected depth, Professor Eleanor pondered the implications of the paragraph as she unknowingly smiled.
‘To think someone would find what we hid for the second test.’
After all, the Phantom’s Land was the location of the new test, and the students were going to travel there themselves.
“Interesting.”
She mumbled as she grabbed her pen and put a tick on the rear of the row.
“Irina Emberheart’s group │ Alchemical Principles: 1 │ Practical Application: 1 │ Creativity: 0.5 │ Clarity and Structure: 0.5 │ Adherence: 1 │ Bonus: 2 Total: 6”
“Let’s see what the principal will say about this.”
After all, even though she had given them bonus points, it wasn’t enough to satisfy herself. None of the people in the academy expected such results from a group of students; thus, there was no distinct price for that.
[Eleanor: Sir, may I please take your time.]
She sent the message.
********
“Another day again.”
“Yeah….We had been trying to write the report the whole weekend.”
“Same….Man….why was it even that hard to begin with….”
As the students lamented the challenges of their weekend tasks, the academy bell rang, signaling the beginning of a new week. The hallways filled with the shuffle of students heading to their first classes.
“Ugh, and it’s Monday,” groaned one of them.
“At least it’s a fresh start, right?” replied another optimistically.
“True, but I wish it started with a bit more sleep and a lot less homework,” someone chimed in.
TOK!
Just at that moment, the door of the classroom opened as the instructor entered the room.
“Hmm?”
Most of the students gave a surprised gaze. After all, this instructor was a new face that they didn’t see that much.
“Hello, cadets.”
The instructor stood at the front of the class, a rugged figure with a demeanor that spoke of experience and battles long fought. His eyes scanned the room, locking gazes with curious students.
“Good morning, cadets. My name is Captain Kellan Thorne, retired hunter.” He spoke with a deep, resonant voice that echoed authority and a wealth of knowledge. “I’ve faced creatures of the dark, conquered the wild, and survived battles that would make the bravest shudder. Now, I’m here to share my insights with you.”
It was a cringe speech that made the students deadpan their expressions. But none of them had said anything, as the aura coming out of this instructor was far from normal in any case.
“Today. I’ll be overseeing the spars, taking the place of your usual instructor, Eleanor.Consider it a change of pace, a taste of how different it could be with different instructors.” His eyes gleamed with a spark of enthusiasm, revealing his genuine passion for the subject.
The students exchanged glances, a mix of curiosity and anticipation filling the room, curious about what could have possibly happened to Eleanor.
The prospect of having a retired hunter guiding their sparring sessions was both exciting and slightly intimidating as well.
“Then let the sparring begin.”
Just like that, he started the lesson.
********
“Where is your partner?”
Inside the room for the sparring, I was standing alone. Instructor Kellan came to me since he saw me alone in the room. He was a name that I didn’t know from the game, but I brushed it off. ʀᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛʀs ᴀᴛ novel(ꜰ)ir(e).nt
‘It is another deviation.’
After all, things had already been a lot different from the original, so I didn’t need to keep myself on the edge.
“I don’t know,” I replied, looking at his stern face. The girl from the last time wasn’t here this time. Even though she was quite annoying and fierce, she wasn’t a bad sparring partner overall.
‘She also didn’t seem to be the type to miss such classes.’
I thought. From how serious she was, she seemed to be a model student, and her missing this lesson didn’t make any sense.
‘Not that it concerns me.’
Since she was a complete stranger, it was her own problem, not mine.
“Wait for a moment,” Instructor Kellan said, his stern gaze fixed on me. He left the room briefly, and I stood there, wondering what was going on. A moment later, he returned with another student in tow.
“Here, I have found a partner for you. He also reported that his partner didn’t come this time.”
The moment I turned my attention to see who was before me, I couldn’t help but stiffen a little.
‘Sigh…’
It was a presence that I didn’t want to associate myself with. Especially considering this guy’s personality.
“Hello.” The huge, towering man said as he looked at me with a serious expression. “I am Carl.”
He was one of the people from the main cast, the one with the most stern and serious demeanor.
“Hello,” I responded to Carl’s greeting.
His imposing figure and disciplined demeanor were hard to ignore. It was evident that he came from a military family or background, and his posture and expression reflected the discipline ingrained in soldiers.
‘Braveheart family….’
They were a family that held a formidable position in the military, and countless civil servants and inspectors were from them. They trained like soldiers and put bravery and noblesse oblique to the very essence of their family.
Carl’s physique was impressive, with bulging muscles that hinted at extensive physical training. Even without my eyes, it could easily be observed that he was a tank type.
‘As expected, he is using a hammer and shield this time as well.’
His eyes held a seriousness that went beyond the typical student demeanor. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of reservation as I considered what kind of sparring partner he might be.
“Astron Natusalune,” I introduced myself, keeping my tone neutral.
“I know about you.”
Carl nodded in acknowledgment.
“You knew about me?”
“Yes. Ethan mentioned before.”
“What did he say?”
“He said you were different from how you looked.”
“How I looked?”
“Yeah. You look weak, but he said you are the complete opposite.”
Carl’s admission that he knew about me, coupled with Ethan’s description, made me curious about what kind of reputation I had among my fellow main cast of the game.
Nevertheless, I didn’t dwell on it for too long.
“I am flattered that you think of me that way,” I responded, attempting to diffuse the seriousness in the air.
“It’s not flattery,” Carl asserted with a stern expression. “That is why I will take this sparring seriously.”
I nodded, appreciating the commitment to a focused training session even though he was one of the strongest students in the academy.
‘This will be hard.’
Carl was a student who had ranked in the first 100 in the academy; thus, it was a little concerning spar. But even then, I knew for a fact that this was going to become a useful one.
As he retrieved his hammer and shield, I mirrored his actions by unsheathing my daggers, as well as readying my bow. After all, this spar was going to be an important one.
The weight of the weapons felt familiar in my hands, and I assumed a defensive stance, ready for the impending clash.
“Start.”
With the signal, I immediately started the fight with my bow.
‘Let me test the waters a little bit.’
I maintained a calculated distance, my bowstring taut as I rained arrows upon him.
-SWOOSH!
The projectiles whizzed through the air, each aimed with precision, testing Carl’s defensive capabilities.
Carl, true to his reputation, activated his aura, a visible manifestation of his defensive prowess. The ethereal shield surrounded him, deflecting the arrows with ease. His stoic expression remained unchanged as he weathered the storm of projectiles, determined to showcase the strength he possessed.
‘This doesn’t even push him to the maximum.’
Despite the relentless assault, I could sense that Carl wasn’t exerting himself to the fullest.
‘Of course, it was expected a little, but….’
Even though I knew for a fact that a tank like Carl with his aura activated was a force that I wouldn’t face with such sloppy attacks, it scratched my pride a little.
I wasn’t even using Celestalith, but I at least wanted to damage him.
I decided to escalate the challenge. With a subtle infusion of energy, I channeled my focus into a single arrow.
The air crackled with the intensity of the impending attack as I drew back the bowstring.
“Ho?”
I could hear him making a surprised face as he also lowered his body a little, infusing more energy into the hammer. The hammer started to shake a little, sending resonances to the circle around it.
‘He is using it.’
It was one of his defensive skills. It seemed he also realized that this attack wasn’t something to ignore.
SWOOSH!
I released the string of the bow, releasing the arrow charged with explosive blue moon energy.
BOOM!
The projectile streaked through the air, leaving a fiery trail in its wake. The explosive force upon impact created a burst of flames, testing the limits of Carl’s defensive aura.
“Impressive.”
Just as I had expected, Carl skillfully adjusted his defensive stance. The aura around him absorbed the fiery impact, leaving him relatively unscathed.
His disciplined demeanor remained unwavering as he quelled the flames with a wave of his shield.
‘Not bad.’
I thought to myself.
‘If it is him, then it should be okay.’
“Should we start real this time?”
I guess Carl thought the same.