Ch.9595. Scheduled Encounter (2)

For a long time, such thoughts had been continuously running through Senia’s mind.

What was the worst judgment among the fragments of her memories?

It was hesitating and overlooking things. It was wavering and not taking action.

As a result, her hesitation prevented things from being conveyed, and her reluctance led to even worse outcomes.

So this time, to avoid the same result, she didn’t hesitate.

She believed her goal should be to help keep Junon from entering Tembris, which is why she answered Goden’s question about his identity so directly.

However.

-“Wouldn’t it be different if I went to see him myself? Hehe.”

At Goden’s reckless remark, her heart nearly sank.

An immediate, vague sense of dread washed over her.

Again, this time too?

Was Junon going to be recruited into Tembris just like that?

By the time she realized things were getting complicated and tried to stop Goden, they were already right in front of the hospital room. Worse yet, the door opened immediately, revealing his face.

Her brain, which usually functioned well, seemed to freeze, leaving her unable to find an answer.

Unable to stop Goden, Senia could only blame herself, prepare to accept criticism with resignation, clasp her hands together, and silently mouth an apology to Junon.

But this was an exaggerated concern.

-“Oh. I’m not joining.”

Even without her direct intervention, he was keeping his distance from Tembris.

The conversation between the two wasn’t particularly long. Junon responded as if he had prepared for Goden’s approach, and although there was a slight contradiction in the process, it wasn’t something Goden could pick at.

Then he simply walked past her and Goden to complete his discharge procedures.

Only then could she return with relief.

“Haah…”

She should certainly be happy that Junon didn’t join Tembris, but she didn’t feel that way at all.

Why did she feel more regretful instead? For some reason, she even felt a sense of emptiness. How strange.

She had experienced this strange feeling once before. It was when she cut through the debris blocking the entrance at Dube Hall.

If that was the case, then the answer…

“Perhaps it’s connected to a past I don’t remember.”

She had always drawn conclusions based on definite clues and evidence. Having to rely on such unclear clues was truly ironic for someone like her.

It was truly painful.

That others knew her past, while she herself didn’t properly understand it.

Could she face head-on what felt like a ticking time bomb that might explode at any moment? Now, fear was taking precedence.

***

“Ugh… finally I can rest a bit. At my age, I don’t want to go through such hardship again.”

Denis thumped her aching back with her fist.

How many days had she spent deciphering at the Grand Temple?

That oracle, covered with a layer of divine power and another layer of magic, was impossible to read.

And after decoding the final layer, she had to decode the divine power once more. It was enough to make her sick of it all.

“Has the Academy changed a bit in the meantime…?”

It didn’t used to have such a lively atmosphere before.

Walking down the streets, she could feel how the students’ faces had brightened.

Still, for students of that age, this was right. The gloomy, cautious atmosphere that had prevailed until now was strange, if anything.

“Come to think of it, I have someone to meet too.”

A student she would guide in place of Muniher.

Having postponed it until now, she was actually quite excited to see how much they had grown. Especially since they had recently undergone the Magic Armor Compatibility Test.

“Let’s see, Junon’s lecture today is…”

He had just finished one lecture and had only the mandatory Magic Type Theory lecture left. There was some time before the next lecture began.

The diligent, self-disciplined Junon would probably be working on improving himself today as well.

If not that, then… he would likely be struggling with his Magic Armor manifestation.

“Since he hasn’t taken the Magic Type Theory lecture yet, he probably doesn’t know. Hehe.”

Denis chuckled.

How could she not smile, imagining him racking his brain, wondering how to manifest Magic Armor with his own magical power?

Picturing Junon, with his personality, wringing his hands and burning with determination to accomplish something.

As she headed toward the lecture hall that had just ended, Junon was there as expected.

‘Oh…? He’s with another student?!’

When she had guided Junon before, she noticed he really had no one around him who could be called a friend.

How many students were there at the Academy? Too many to count, including seniors, juniors, and peers, yet he hardly had anyone he was close to.

It was heartbreaking to see him struggling alone, not even asking for help.

Seeing someone who had focused solely on self-improvement at the expense of sociability now with another person gave her a strange sense of expectation.

So, shouldn’t she listen to what they were talking about? Denis hid herself in a spot where she could hear well.

“Um, please… take this.”

“…? What is this?”

“…as… a token of gratitude…”

Junon was receiving something from a female student his age. Inside were chocolates, each shaped meticulously, clearly made with care.

The girl was looking down shyly, unable to meet Junon’s eyes… but from Denis’s perspective, she could see a red blush blooming on the girl’s cheeks.

‘This is clearly…’

It seemed spring had finally come for this boy, and it was time for him to experience the kind of romance fitting for his youthful age.

Academy life wasn’t just filled with studies and training; it was beginning to be colored with cherry blossoms.

But… she was terrified he might say something inappropriate.

The question was whether Junon would recognize what was happening… That’s why Denis was silently screaming.

Junon… please don’t say anything weird… this situation is what you think it is!

“Sorry. I can’t accept this.”

“…What?”

“I think you’ve got the wrong person. I’m not the kind of person who deserves gifts like this.”

Oh my god.

She couldn’t help but facepalm. This clueless fool.

The girl wiped away her welling tears and ran off without looking back.

“Hey, hey…! You need to take this back… ugh!”

“Sigh, you blockhead.”

“Professor Denis…? Why are you hitting me all of a sudden…?”

“Just think of it as punishment for doing something wrong. You did something wrong, so you got hit.”

Junon still looked completely clueless.

And soon, he began to feel preemptive fear.

“Now, let’s see how much you’ve improved after all this time?”

“Professor…? I’m currently… aaaagh!”

“Aha, if you wanted to be transported like before, you should have said so. Your answers are always so direct. Hahaha!”

“Waaaaaah!! Professor, this is worse than before! Who teleports by throwing… gaaack!!!!”

“You seem particularly energetic today~? I guess I can guide you a bit more intensely?”

For some reason, Professor Denis seemed much more irritated than usual…

Today’s guidance duel seemed scary… hopefully no limbs would be broken…?

***

Generally, being an Academy professor is considered an honorable profession, with people talking about the salary, welfare, and benefits that come with such a coveted position.

However, Denis had no desire to take on the role of professor.

No matter what she received, it didn’t suit her personality.

Teaching never yielded satisfactory results, and being so particular, she preferred working alone rather than with others.

That’s why Denis didn’t take a professorship and preferred to research alone in her laboratory.

But…

Thud.

With a crack! sound, one of the vines lost its form.

‘This kid… he broke through this?’

His method of dealing with the attacking vines from all directions by finding gaps and blocking paths was excellent.

His approach of striking down and blocking the more threatening ones was also commendable.

When she increased the intensity to counter his movements based on his solid physique, he struck down the core vine with his Magic Armor.

When she had first sought him out after hearing he was Muniher’s disciple, she thought he would be someone with a complicated background, a bit unusual.

Junon, who trained and practiced endlessly, would have continued to grow. She was here to confirm that.

But this was an unprecedented result. This vine was a hurdle that even those who requested guidance at Hardia couldn’t overcome.

How many people could face her vines just months after manifesting their Magic Armor?

Even if she brought the top students from Hardia in the Empire, she couldn’t guarantee it.

‘…This is interesting.’

It was the first time she felt this emotion while teaching someone.

The joy of teaching.

Junon immediately cleared away the most important vine and began to charge. As if he had been waiting for this opportunity all along.

Even as she pulled out other vines to counter him, he deflected the attacks without faltering during his charge.

Having secured too much space, he had now found the perfect angle to enter.

As the distance grew closer, what stood out was the Magic Armor in Junon’s hand.

Seeing this, Denis’s lips curled into a smile.

‘A Mizar type.’

She couldn’t help but smile seeing the type of magical power Junon possessed. She was excited to see how far he could grow.

After exchanging a few blows, Denis found herself on the defensive against his swift movements as he sought an opening.

Reaching right in front of her, Junon seized his chance, destroyed the last vine without hesitation, and charged in.

To this, Denis smiled and said:

“Still, you’re not there yet.”

Junon hesitated momentarily, confused by her smile, but the outcome was decided in an instant.

BOOM!!

With a thunderous sound.

***

My best shot did land squarely on Professor Denis.

It was a small deception utilizing the extended duration of my Magic Armor.

Since it’s nearly impossible to predict and preemptively block her vine generation points, my strategy was to deflect their paths with a magic shield and seize one opportunity to break through.

I maximized the advantage of her ignorance about my Magic Armor.

Yet, I was still blocked. I couldn’t penetrate that final vine she created.

“Impressive. From hiding your Magic Armor to your tenacity in seeking an opening.”

“…But I still lost.”

“Did you think you could beat me? Hehe.”

There was no way I could win. Even just now, the vine felt different, as if it wasn’t the same kind—the gap in our abilities was simply too wide.

“What was that at the end, Professor?”

“Hehe. Who knows?”

…Meaning I should figure it out myself.

I’ll be satisfied with receiving praise from Professor Denis.

“By the way, it seems we have a guest watching us.”

-Clap, clap, clap, clap.

As I got up from the ground, I heard applause.

However, the applause wasn’t coming from Professor Denis in front of me.

“Impressive. To be able to match my wife to this extent.”

It was from Professor Jake, who was slowly walking up from behind.

“What are you saying? Sneaking around watching. You know you need permission to observe guidance duels.”

“Haha. It was so interesting I couldn’t help but watch.”

“Anyway, what brings you here? You didn’t come just to watch, did you?”

Professor Jake paused for a moment, then said,

“Sorry, honey. I think I need to take him with me.”

He grabbed my shoulder as he spoke.