All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 25

13. Different Level – 1

Ian recalled the information from the pamphlet he’d seen before.

It clearly stated that the winner of the Hero Festival would temporarily receive the Hero’s Sword during the parade.

“Is the Hero’s Sword that appears during the parade the real deal?”

“Yeah. And I’ve heard that the sword is indestructible.”

‘True, I guess.’

No matter how strong something is, there’s always a limit.

That’s why he only showed a lukewarm reaction.

“Maybe they just don’t have the skill to destroy it?”

“Maybe, but the Hero is from the Forgotten City. They have a lot of strange artifacts there…”

The smoke bomb that the swordsman from the Sword Flower Unit set off earlier was also one of the artifacts from the Forgotten City.

Ian took out the container he had.

“By the way, what exactly *is* the Forgotten City? The books just say it’s a dangerous place and don’t go into detail.”

Even Kirke couldn’t find out much about it in her current state.

‘If that’s the case, it must be quite important in this world,’ he thought, ‘but the books borrowed from the library and the textbooks for classes only mention it briefly.’

In response to that question, Blancche answered while eating her salad.

“The Forgotten City refers to the central area of the continent. It’s where a city-state called the Magic Kingdom used to be a long time ago…”

It is said that one day, a dimensional gate opened there, and countless monsters appeared.

“The countries of the continent built barriers to block the monsters coming through the dimensional gate. The area inside the barrier is called the Forgotten City.”

That much information was also known at Kirke’s current level.

“Then that dimensional gate hasn’t closed yet?”

“Well, monsters are still coming out, right? Also, monsters are drawn to the massive ley lines [naturally occurring lines of energy] there. It’s a dangerous area, and each country treats it as a secret, so it’s hard to find information about it even at the Academy.”

Blancche shared high-level information she had heard from her father in the past, and Ian showed interest.

“What do I have to do to get in there? Do I have to go to the advanced class?”

“I don’t know? But wouldn’t you be fine just going?”

It was then.

Aronse entered the dining hall with a sulky expression.

Even at a glance, he seemed to be in a bad mood, and the students quickly avoided him as he entered.

Walking with rough steps, he spotted Ian and his group and asked, startled.

“Ian. That sword… Don’t tell me.”

His gaze was fixed on the sword on the table.

“That’s… the Sword Flower Unit’s sword, isn’t it? Where did you find it?!”

Ian readily told him what had happened earlier.

Upon hearing that, Aronse bit his lip.

“Ugh… I’m already dealing with a headache, and the Sword Flower Unit is here for what they can get.”

“Is something wrong?”

“The Hero Festival season is approaching. During the Hero Festival, knight orders from each country participate to scout talent.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Rather than a problem… the Karza Marquisate’s [territory ruled by a marquis] knight order is also included.”

Aronse pointed to Ian.

“That’s why I’m worried about you. You crushed Acewyn and even took his sword.”

‘Maybe.’

‘No, for sure,’ he thought, ‘the Karza Marquisate will find fault with this.’

“Of course, they won’t openly cause trouble. But there might be unnecessary interference. Like, whether to get you into the Karza Knights or not. Something like that.”

“Why do they get to decide that?”

“The Academy has agreements with each country. And they use that to have the right to select.”

“Can’t I just refuse?”

“You can, but then you’ll be on bad terms with them.”

Even if it’s Ian, wouldn’t it be a problem to be on bad terms with the Karza Marquisate?

Ian smiled as Aronse looked troubled.

“Then it’s fine.”

‘What if I have some enemies?’

‘I have a lot of enemies anyway.’

Aronse was satisfied with Ian’s confident answer.

“Good. Then I’ll train you so you can handle the Karza Knights when they come. Follow me right now!”

Ian shook his head as Aronse shouted roughly.

“I’m busy.”

Aronse, who was trying to teach him while checking Ian’s skills again, became dejected.

“Why?”

“I have a lot to prepare for class.”

“Ugh… Th-Then after school.”

“I have volunteer work to go to after school.”

“Then wh-when you’re free…”

“Yes. I’ll tell you when I’m free.”

“Wait a minute. Something’s wrong? Shouldn’t you be the one asking for guidance?”

Ian shook his head as he spoke with a sulky expression.

“Isn’t it the way of the world for the person who needs it to reach out?”

“Haa. Well, if you put it that way…”

Ian picked up his tray and stood up as Aronse nodded with a disappointed expression.

“Then I’ll be going now. Blancche. Valla. See you tomorrow.”

Ian lightly greeted them and walked away.

Aronse looked at him and asked Blancche.

“Doesn’t he seem strange sometimes?”

“Isn’t it said that strong people are eccentric?”

“What? Are you saying I’m eccentric?!”

Blancche and Valla gave dry smiles as Aronse shouted.

‘Wouldn’t you say so?’

The two couldn’t answer and gave awkward smiles, and Aronse crossed his arms.

“By the way, who taught him, and how did he learn to be like that?”

“The swordsman from the Sword Flower Unit said it was either the Sword Saint or the Forest Keeper, right?”

Looking at Ian’s combat, it was definitely possible.

They would have been able to raise someone as strong as Ian.

“If that’s true, it’ll be a disaster.”

There were plenty of eternal runners-up who were pushed back by the Sword Saint, the Emperor, and the Forest Keeper.

Even the leader of the Sword Flower Unit couldn’t sleep because he wanted to defeat the Forest Keeper.

“To do that, they’ll use any means. Keeping the disciple, threatening him to learn swordsmanship, or using him as a weakness.”

“Wow. That’s petty. They have no qualities as warriors.”

“Qualities as warriors wouldn’t be important to them. Anyway, the swordsman from the Sword Flower Unit…”

Aronse tapped the table and stood up.

“I need to investigate a bit. Blancche, Valla. Come with me.”

“I’m busy.”

“I have to go study for my liberal arts supplementary class.”

The two of them are nice in Class B, but they are still Class B students.

As if they wouldn’t follow instructions outside of class, they quickly left, and Aronse muttered to himself.

“How come there isn’t a single guy who listens to the instructor…”

Whether the Sword Flower Unit or the Karza Knights were after him, class continued anyway.

Ian sat at his desk, pondering after his regular herbology class ended.

“Heeeuuuum…”

“What are you doing?”

Blancche and Graegin approached.

As they got closer, Ian picked up the paper on his desk.

“Liberal arts application?”

“You’re taking metallurgy and dungeon exploration, right? What are you going to take now?”

“I don’t know.”

Nothing really appeals to him.

Still, to aim for the Hero Festival victory, he needs to fill his credits.

He needs to take one more liberal arts course, but he’s wondering what to take.

‘I would gladly learn if there was something new…’

Since there’s nothing special in this world, nothing really catches his eye.

“How about playing an instrument? That’s the best way to pick up girls.”

“I know how to play a lot of instruments. I don’t think I need to learn more here.”

“Then how about artifact studies?”

Graegin’s eyes sparkled.

Dungeon exploration and artifact studies are essential knowledge for becoming an advanced adventurer.

Ian cleanly ignored him, who was praising artifact studies.

“Then how about the one where you throw daggers and hit the target?”

“I’m an artist when it comes to throwing daggers.”

Blancche held out a few daggers.

Ian grabbed them and threw them lightly.

One stuck in the wall.

One stuck in the handle of the dagger.

The last one stuck in the handle of the second dagger.

“Oouya.”

“For me, throwing daggers and hitting the target is no different from just choosing it.”

“Then how about this? Monster Hunting. It’s a class where you go to the Miyal Mountains twice a week to catch monsters. There’s no time limit, so it’s perfect for doing it easily.”

“I do quite a bit of monster hunting during the main class, though?”

“Students can’t just enter the Miyal Mountains as they please. So, the monster hunting liberal arts class is for checking the geography of the mountains and the monster habitats. It’s a must-take liberal arts course for those aiming to win the Hero Festival.”

“O…”

“How is it? Isn’t it good? Quite a few kids in Class B take it.”

Of course, Graegin doesn’t take it.

He was silently handing over the artifact studies application.

“How can you show me such an abomination, Graegin? Can’t you get rid of that?”

“You’re pathetic for not knowing the awesomeness of artifacts.”

While they were arguing, others who were on the other side felt interested and approached.

When Ian said he couldn’t decide on a liberal arts class, everyone offered suggestions.

“Exploring ancient books is good. The instructor there is really pretty.”

“Let’s take the enchantment class together~.”

“How about cooking? Parkbare and I are taking it too. Let’s take it together. Aren’t you curious about the taste of this Widia-style chicken soup?”

“Ian. This Ha-ryun recommends it. How about commercial practice supported by the Salt family?”

“I also recommend practical material management supported by the Fredician family.”

As they talked here and there, Ian got up from his seat.

“Let’s just take monster hunting.”

“Why?”

Ian answered indifferently to those who were puzzled.

“To make some pocket money.”

Ian headed to the preparation room for monster hunting with Blancche.

As they went inside, Hound, who was organizing data inside, was startled.

“Isn’t that Ian? Are you trying to apply for monster hunting?”

“Aren’t you the hunting instructor? Why are you here?”

Ian was also surprised, and he shrugged his shoulders.

“All the combat instructors take turns participating in monster hunting. Hmm. I guess I don’t need to evaluate your skills.”

He immediately issued a permit.

“However, monster hunting class is a dangerous class. Try to go with other students as much as possible.”

“I understand.”

“And intermediate students who have applied for monster hunting must take lower-level students to the Miyal Mountains at least once per semester. You know that, right?”

Ian also remembered that.

He had entered the Miyal Mountains with intermediate students under the pretext of practical training.

Of course, even then, this possessed body was nervous and made a big mistake, and in the end, he only watched from behind.

“If you catch a monster, bring the proof here. And the materials you collect are, of course, the property of the person who caught it…”

Instructor Hound immediately showed the standard table.

Catching three A-class monsters is the highest score.

Of course, that’s for the advanced class, and the intermediate class gets points by catching a large number of B-class monsters.

“Any other questions? Ah. And if you need a party member, put it on the wall over there.”

Perhaps to search for and catch the desired monster, there were quite a few job postings on the wall.

“It’s like an adventurer’s guild. I heard they do it that way too.”

“It’s similar. Of course, we only catch monsters.”

Instructor Hound smiled and took out a small box from below.