Chapter 87 – Good News and Even Better News

“…What the hell.”

As I listened to Pied’s lecture, a strange unease settled in, but I couldn’t help but be impressed.

Pied Haveron.

This guy… was a ridiculously good lecturer.

Of course, I didn’t need this basic lecture. When it came to Mana Utilization, I was the best among my comrades.

I was also confident in my ability to teach it.

Unlike Paulo, Kaloso, or Arisa, my skills weren’t built upon talent but forged through sheer effort.

Even Yurasia’s abilities had improved significantly after learning from me.

And yet, even I felt there was something to be gained from Professor Pied’s class.

Not about Mana Utilization itself, but about his teaching methods.

Whenever Yurasia struggled with a concept, I’d simply make her swing her sword or throw punches… spar with her… until she grasped it through practice.

Pied, however, could explain those same concepts with simple, clear instructions.

“…Huh.”

That made the lecture surprisingly interesting.

I was already thinking of how to teach Yurasia when she returned, how to help her overcome any bottlenecks she might face.

Perhaps… I had a knack for teaching?

Chuckling to myself, imagining Yurasia’s reaction to my improved teaching skills, a rhythmic scratching sound drew my attention.

Scratch, scratch, scratch…

Pina, sitting beside me, was diligently taking notes. That, naturally, led to a question.

If she couldn’t even keep up with such a basic class… just how dense was she?

I narrowed my eyes and glanced at her notebook.

“…Huh?”

Her handwriting was round and neat.

Impressively organized.

Her terminal was recording the lecture, while her notebook was filled with colorful notes, marking key points and concepts she didn’t fully understand.

And the parts she’d marked as difficult… were things no student in this class should be able to grasp.

There’s no way she needed supplementary lessons just because of that… Then why?

I looked back at the blackboard, examining Pied’s writing.

Elegant and precise.

His voice was calm and steady, his intonation soothing.

Judging by the flow of the lecture, his time management seemed flawless. He even gave students plenty of time to process information and take notes.

A near-perfect lecture.

If I had to nitpick, maybe that he occasionally introduced concepts too advanced for the class?

But even that didn’t feel forced. He merely mentioned them in passing, framing them as something they’d eventually learn, encouraging them to be aware of these concepts in advance.

…Was I really just overthinking things?

I rolled the now-smaller peppermint candy under my tongue and rested my chin in my hand.

Yet, the unease lingered. It even felt stronger than before.

What the hell was this feeling?

I had thought that attending his lecture would ease my suspicions, but now, having confirmed there was nothing overtly wrong, I only felt more uneasy.

Was this… confirmation bias?

Like those girls who ask a question when they already have the answer in mind?

“…So annoying.”

“Eek!”

Pina flinched at my muttered complaint and looked at me nervously.

“Not you.”

She slowly nodded and returned her attention to her notes.

Scratch, scratch…

Her small hand diligently scribbled away.

I glanced at the other students. They seemed perfectly normal, all focused on the lecture.

And yet, my discomfort wouldn’t fade.

…Was it just me?

It was the third week… so it was about time for my period.

I rubbed my stomach absentmindedly and sighed.

Another hour passed, and Pied’s lecture finally ended.

“If there are any concepts you didn’t fully understand or if anything is unclear, you can visit my office. I also offer supplementary lessons after class for those who need them.”

Though his words sounded somewhat impersonal, there was a gentle undertone to them. With a slight bow, he concluded, “That’s all for today.”

And just like that, he left, no lingering glances or unnecessary chatter like Adelia, or attempts to continue lecturing past the designated time like Head Professor Wivir.

A clean, efficient exit.

But the students remained in their seats, silently absorbing the lesson and copying the remaining notes on the blackboard.

Pina, however, had already put her pen down. It seemed she finished ahead of the others, despite writing furiously earlier.

She turned to me with a radiant smile.

“[That lecture was so fun!]” she typed.

“What was fun about it? We barely even talked.”

Pina hesitated, tapping her terminal before shaking her head and entering a new message.

“[Just being with Eliaernes is fun!]”

At first, I didn’t quite understand.

But then it clicked.

Pina can see Spirits.

And Spirits are naturally drawn to me.

I didn’t know what that looked like from her perspective, but it was probably quite a spectacle.

That must be why she found it “fun”.

I chuckled and nodded.

“Yeah. I guess just looking at my face is pretty entertaining.”

Pina’s eyes widened in surprise. I was about to tease her more when, suddenly, I felt several sharp gazes directed at me.

Some of the students in the lecture hall were glaring.

At this rate, they were going to start complaining about the sound of breathing. I glared back at them.

And then…

I realized something.

They weren’t just staring at me.

They were also staring at Pina.

No.

To be precise.

They were staring around us.

Above our heads, to our sides, behind us, at our hands, shoulders, and backs. They weren’t looking at us, but at something else.

Though I couldn’t be certain what they were seeing, I could guess.

Spirits.

Even I, who am practically a Spirit magnet, couldn’t see them.

But those three students… could.

***

I immediately took Pina out of the lecture hall.

Pina, her hand still in mine, followed me obediently, tilting her head in confusion.

We arrived at my private training ground.

I handed her a mint chocolate milk and asked, “Hey, Pina.”

She tilted her head questioningly.

“Do you have supplementary lessons today?”

Pina blinked, seemingly deep in thought, before typing a quick response on her terminal.

“[No supplementary lessons today!]”

Then, her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“…Really?”

“[Yes! I’m completely free today!]”

Her brown eyes gleamed, her lips twitched, and she gulped nervously. Her whole body practically radiated, “Let’s hang out!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Well… even if she weren’t this eager, I was going to keep her close for a while anyway.

If she refused, I would’ve just tied her up in my room, but this was far more convenient.

“Then, how about we spend the afternoon together?”

Pina’s eyes widened.

Nodding vigorously

“[If Eliaernes is free, then I’m free too!!!]”

She typed so quickly that the message was almost gibberish.

“Alright. Then for the next three days, today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, I’ll personally supervise your mana manipulation training.”

“[Yes! Thank you!]”

“And, I noticed you don’t have any basic physical training on your schedule. That’s not good. Even if you’re a backline mage, basic fitness is important. What if your mana runs out? You need to be able to run away. Right?”

Her nodding gradually slowed down.

“So, we’ll exercise together every morning. Wake up at 5, get ready, and meet me at 5:30. We’ll jog for two hours, eat breakfast, and then head to class. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?”

Her nodding stopped completely.

The joy in her face was replaced with a look of pure terror.

“After class, you practice mana refinement with Stella, right?”

“[Yes. Stella said she would guide me until I reach the 3rd Circle.]”

“Until what time?”

“[Usually until 8 PM, and then we have dinner together.]”

“Oh, that works out perfectly. Then, starting at 9 PM, we’ll do combat training. I’ll teach you self-defense. Hey, what’s with that face? Self-defense techniques are incredibly useful. If you ever end up trapped in a mana-restricting barrier, you’ll regret not learning them.”

Pina stopped nodding. Even her fingers, which had been busily typing on the terminal, froze.

I gave her the warmest smile I could muster.

“Pina, we’re friends, right?”

Pina let out a small whimper.

“I just don’t want my friend to get hurt because she doesn’t know how to defend herself.”

A small sob escaped her lips.

Nod, nod. Finally, her head started bobbing up and down again. A faint smile replaced the terror on her face.

“[If Eliaernes insists, then I will follow your instructions.]”

Her response sounded heavier than I’d expected, but it was going according to plan.

Suppressing a grin, I gently took both of her tiny hands in mine.

“If you can keep up with this, we’ll become truly special and cherished ‘friends.’”

Pina nodded her head vigorously, warm tears dripping onto my hands.

“And of course, it’s not just you. Stella will also join us for morning training and self-defense classes at night.”

Stella might throw a fit when she found out, but oh well.

She owed me.

I patted Pina’s head and stood up.

“What’s your next class?”

“[Understanding and Interpretation of Magic Circles A.]”

I was starting to consider following along to see what the classroom’s atmosphere was like.

Those gazes from the earlier lecture… they were still unsettling.

“Pina.”

She looked up at me with a questioning tilt of her head.

“Do you remember the faces of the students in the previous lecture?”

Pina thought for a moment before shaking her head and holding out her terminal.

“[But if I see them, I think I’ll be able to recognize them.]”

“Then during your next class, look around and see if any of those students from [Mana Manipulation B] are there.”

“[Okay.]”

“And see if you can learn their names. Or even secretly take some pictures with your terminal.”

Pina hesitated, looking at me with uncertainty.

“[You’re telling me to… secretly take pictures…?]”

“Yeah, why?”

“[Sorry, but… may I ask why?]”

I looked at Pina’s message and gave her another bright, reassuring smile.

“Pina. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Pina seemed to put aside her curiosity for now and smiled brightly back at me.

***

After the third and fourth periods, Pina and I met up and were heading towards the cafeteria when,

“Oh, good afternoon, Eliaernes.”

The professor for [Mana Manipulation B],

Pied Haveron, called out to me.