Ch.41Chapter 41: Special Class.

Riduin, who had guessed Valt’s purpose, continued speaking.

“So you were planning to spread magic to barbarians? Unless you could mass-produce that item… I bet there aren’t more than three of them in the entire continent.”

Valt had never even bothered to check if more of these items existed, thinking they were trash items even when playing the game.

No wonder its rank was so ridiculously high…

To make more, he’d have to ask a dragon for help.

Having to meet a dragon just to find an easy way to spread magic to his people? And even having to ask them to make items?

The difficulty suddenly skyrocketed beyond impossible.

“Hmm… I understand for now. Thanks, Riduin.”

“Don’t mention it. I have some questions for you too.”

At that moment, Yuria cut in.

“Riduin, stop! No monopolizing~ I have questions too~ Valt, how tall are you exactly?”

“Well, I’ve never measured myself.”

Young blood indeed. It took them less than twenty minutes to become friendly with each other.

When it was Solpin’s turn to ask a question, she predictably made her marriage proposal.

“Marry me!!”

“No.”

“I said marry me!!”

“I said no.”

“Damn it, then at least give me your seed.”

Solpin’s shocking statement caused all the women eating to choke on their food.

Only Lati was holding her stomach, laughing.

“Bwahahahahaha!! Solpin, I told you that’s not how you do it!”

Despite her rough personality, Solpin had also quickly become friends with the others.

“Don’t laugh. Lati, I’m serious. Our race is facing extinction, so what’s the big deal?”

Arias, who was about to say something, fell silent when the topic of racial extinction came up.

“You guys who’ve never experienced the crisis of extinction don’t understand how I feel. You think I want to be like this?”

Unable to hold back any longer, Arias finally spoke up.

“B-but Valt said he doesn’t like you… If that’s your reason, maybe someone else…”

“Hey, Arias.”

Despite Solpin’s intimidating glare, Arias looked her straight in the eye.

“I’m a woman too. I don’t want to marry just anyone. I’ve fallen for Valt. It has to be him.”

With her fiery red hair and red eyes.

Though her personality was boisterous and somewhat masculine, Solpin was beautiful enough that anyone would find her attractive if she just stayed still.

‘S-so confident. If only I had that kind of courage…’

Solpin scratched her head vigorously and grumbled.

“Damn it, I was quite popular and considered pretty in my tribe. Do barbarians not like big women?”

Valt could only sigh. Fighting would be easier than dealing with this kind of romantic advance, which was exhausting since he’d never experienced it before.

“Sigh… It’s not about preference. I’m just saying it’s not something to decide so hastily. Instead, tell me how to meet a dragon.”

Solpin shrugged at Valt’s question.

“It’s difficult.”

“Why? Don’t dragonkin have close relationships with dragons?”

But Solpin’s response was negative.

“Dragons don’t like dragonkin much and don’t even acknowledge us as dragons. We’re mixed with humans—why would those arrogant creatures recognize us?”

“I see your point.”

The path to meeting a dragon didn’t seem easy.

At that moment, Lisa asked Valt a question.

“As your adjutant, I must ask! What’s your type?”

Arias secretly rejoiced.

‘I-I’m curious too! Lisa, you’re the best!’

“What’s that about…?”

“Come on, Valt, you’re a man too, right? Surely you must have a preference for certain looks? All the girls here are pretty, aren’t they?”

Beauty transcended species differences.

As Lisa said, all the women gathered here had looks that would make any man turn his head.

The dining table fell silent.

“Do I really have to answer?”

“You said you’d answer one question each!”

Valt had only said that because of the barrage of questions, but the atmosphere made it clear he couldn’t avoid answering.

“I… Lati…”

“No lying! Don’t try to weasel out of it!”

At Lisa’s words, Lati flared up.

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean? What’s wrong with me!? Have you ever seen a fairy princess as cute as me? Valt said he likes me, so why are you calling him a liar!?”

Everyone ignored Lati bouncing on Valt’s shoulder.

A barbarian with tiny Lati? Anyone could tell it was a lie.

“Hmm…”

The atmosphere grew strange.

Everyone seemed to be waiting for Valt’s answer.

Finally, Valt turned his gaze to Arias, whom he had met first and who had a kind heart.

“Sigh… Why do I have to answer this… If we’re just talking about appearance, Arias is closest to my ideal type.”

Thump!

Bang!

Arias’s heart began to race wildly.

Lisa finally smiled and commented.

“Hehe, everyone knows elves are beautiful. So Valt is a man after all. Just because he’s a barbarian doesn’t mean he likes muscular women, huh?”

“Arias! I challenge you to a duel!”

At Solpin’s challenge, Lisa shouted.

“No, not a duel! You just lost in femininity!”

“Fe-femininity! What kind of power is that?”

“A power you might find difficult to acquire…”

Arias had never been happier to be an elf than at this moment.

She decided to admit it now.

She liked that barbarian man.

‘I-I have a chance. I’ll do my best!’

***

“It was a good exchange. Let’s meet again. Don’t forget our promise, Valt.”

Seirun had come here to arrange a sparring match with Valt.

“Yeah, sure. Take care.”

With that, everyone returned to the academy and said their goodbyes.

Airin also spoke to Valt.

“When should I teach you the technique?”

“Whenever is convenient for you.”

“Then let’s do it after the entrance ceremony. I’ll let you know when we start training.”

Victor had taken charge of Airin’s training.

He had decided on his own that it would be too much for a beginner to follow Valt’s training regimen.

At first, Airin had insisted on learning from Valt, but she backed down when Victor asked, “Can you lift two tons with one hand?”

After sending off all his friends, Valt returned to the dormitory and fell into contemplation.

But nothing came to mind immediately.

He could only hope to discover something from the professors’ advice once the semester began.

***

And then the morning of the entrance ceremony arrived.

After Baldur’s inaugural address as the permanent chancellor ended, the new students were assigned to their classes.

Valt’s class was the special class.

It seemed to be composed of students who had performed well on the entrance exam.

When he entered the classroom, he saw mostly familiar faces.

Interestingly, even Victor, who had been eliminated in just the third round, was in the same class.

“Hahaha! I’m glad, brother! I thought we might be in different classes, but we’re not!!”

‘Hmm… What’s the criteria here? Lisa and Arias are here too?’

Objectively speaking, their skills weren’t at a level to be included in this group.

“Kyaa!! Valt!! We’re in the same class!!”

Lisa ran to Valt and hung on his shoulder. Behind her were Lati and Arias.

After a short wait, someone who appeared to be a professor entered.

A familiar face to Valt. It was Riman.

When the professor appeared, everyone took their seats.

Naturally, Valt was surrounded by his non-human friends.

“Nice to meet you all. I’m Professor Riman Squat, your homeroom teacher. I teach swordsmanship at the academy.”

The students’ expressions filled with anticipation at the aura emanating from this 7th-tier powerhouse who was not far from Master level.

“First of all, you’re in the special class. The criteria are, honestly, quite arbitrary. You know this is the first time the academy has accepted non-humans, right?”

“Yes.”

Riman continued after the students’ response.

“That means the academy also needs an adjustment period. Among you are not only non-humans but also some who are already accomplished warriors. Moreover, there are those whose family or school traditions make it difficult to improve using the academy’s standard curriculum.”

It was a reasonable explanation.

“The academy’s education is tailored for humans. This seems to be the best solution for now to provide flexible education.”

Valt could guess why Lisa and Arias were included.

Lisa used an unusual swordsmanship that utilized both aura and circles. It would be difficult to advance her skills with conventional education.

And Arias was naturally included because she was non-human.

“Therefore, you are free to audit any classes you wish. Grovint is a higher education institution after all, so you must fill in what you need by yourselves.”

Grovint Academy was essentially the equivalent of a university in real-world terms.

“I’m just an advisor of sorts. All I teach is understanding of the sword and mindset. Seirun Caldrian, Airin Silveron.”

The two responded when Riman called their names.

“Yes, Professor.”

“Could I possibly teach you two swordsmanship?”

Seirun answered honestly.

“I think that would be difficult for you.”

“Indeed, I can’t teach you the technical aspects, but I can observe your swordsmanship and offer advice. How does that sound?”

“That alone would be tremendously helpful.”

A natural response from two who were among the continent’s finest swordsmen.

“It’s similar for those who use magic. It would be good to visit the magic professors and share your knowledge.”

A smile appeared on Riman’s face.

“But there’s something everyone can do at Grovint. You all know what it is, right?”

Lisa raised her hand and exclaimed excitedly.

“Quests!”

“Yes, quests. Grovint Academy accepts requests from across the continent. There’s no better way for students to gain experience than through practical application. Through this process, you’ll gain diverse experiences and develop into well-rounded individuals.”

It was an intriguing concept. Solving requests from across the continent?

It sounded like becoming adventurers or mercenaries.

“The requests are truly diverse. From trivial tasks like finding animals to hunting extremely dangerous monsters. You might even explore labyrinths. Exciting adventures await you.”

Lisa’s eyes sparkled at the mention of adventure.

“However, those with lower achievements should prioritize training. No matter how beneficial practical experience is, training is certainly necessary.”

Lisa’s shoulders seemed to droop slightly at Riman’s words.

“Now then, ask your questions. I’ll answer them sincerely.”

***

There were no classes on the first day of the entrance ceremony. The special class students began planning their academy life by asking various questions.

Valt was among them. Having entered the academy to learn magic, he would need to meet with the magic professors first.