Student's Cooperation Strategy
学生協力作戦
Just one more ‘tick’ and it will be 12 midnight, the two moons were now directly shining on the small window just outside the cabin. These moons were a constant reminder I was indeed in another world…
I am currently tending to the sage who had his leg broken. After the masked individuals had disappeared, he must have succumb to the pain and lost his consciousness. Thankfully his breathing and pulse were now regular. I have done everything to tend the broken leg using a splint (using the wood I had picked and used to as weapon to counter the assailants). I even soaked the bandage with the ‘Grade S’ Restorative Potion I had synthesized a few days prior.
When Sera said that I was to meet a sage who did not like visitors, I thought of an old cranky old hermit complete with the beard and stuff. However, the person I am tending to is most likely is the Sage himself. He is not what he seems to be, at least not what I had imagined.
For one he was not old at least visually he was not. He looks young, almost vibrant beautiful man, stunning if I have to describe him more. His most distinctive feature aside from his beauty is his moss green hair were his pointed ears indicating that he is of the Elven Race. Despite his young appearance however, he must be a few hundred years old.
“Argh! Where…?” looks like he finally came through, as he fixed himself in bed, he was about to ask something… but he must have a good memory since his face immediately relaxed the moment, he saw himself in bed and his wound tended. “I guess I should be thanking you.”
“There is no need to thank me.” He seems to be thanking me but for some reason, it was not very welcoming. So, I decided to make a safe conversation with him.
“And…” he most likely has an inkling as to why I am here, he must have been through it quite a lot for this attitude to come out despite being saved just a few minutes back.
“I have a favor to ask.” Since he has already that inkling then there is no need to mask my words. “I have come to be trained in the Craft of Spirit Blacksmithing.”
“…” he was silent and looked at his condition. He must know that I had tended to his injury after saving him from his assailants. While I do not want to use this as leverage, should he rudely reject my request I will have no choice but to use it. “As you have saved my life, I feel oblige to answer your request positively. But, for tending to my wounds and my rescue and not using it immediately as leverage I I must admit it quite refreshing… and for that, I will teach you not out of obligation but because I want to.
“Really?” I was shocked with his immediate and positive reply, Sera said he was an impossible Sage to convince and yet he almost immediately agrees with it, I guess saving him faster was the right choice. “…Thank you, great Sage.”
“Stop that formal speech it’s disgusting. Call me Evanus.” He shuddered when he heard himself being called Sage and immediately corrected me. “I used to have a surname but I have long since discarded it when I chose to live in human territory. And it is the other way around, thank you for saving my Life.”
Although curious about the prior events, Evanus decided to move the conversation (about spiritual blacksmith craft) forward which left me to rescind my mental questions. He must have reason to live here in human territory which might be hostile to him. He also seems to deliberately remove masked men -his assailants to out conversation. As such, I decided to respect it and instead waited for him to tell me his next course of action.
“Then let’s make it official, let’s start making swords.” After thanking and bowing while in bed ridden, he made a proposal to tend the forge. However, he did not make an effort to get out from his bed and instead... “Is what I wanted to say but unfortunately, with my condition now, it’s impossible. This type of injury usually heals in in a two weeks’ time.”
“I see…” I was worried that he would say a month or maybe a year but two weeks… with that kind of injury? Really?
“We Elvens have fast regenerative capabilities and thanks to whatever restorative potion you have soaked my bandages with, I should be able to move and give instructions in 5 days-time.” As if hearing my mental question about the injury, he answered so… as expected of another world… the laws here are just built different.
Two weeks would have still taken a bit longer, the school excursion would end by then and I will have to go back together with them, thankfully the Grade S restorative potion somehow saved me and will get instructions in the process of Spiritual Blacksmith Craft after Evanus heals on the 5th day. Whether I can master the skills he will teach me is another matter though… but I decided to cross the river when I see it…
“For the time being, you should go get materials for your own hammer.” Okay while he heals, I have something to do. “Follow the trail of this mountain on the shores below, slightly hidden in a cove you will find an entrance to a ‘Rank SS’ dungeon, get to the 50th floor and collect [Crystalized Resmerian Essence].”
Apparently, in the 50th Floor of the dungeon near the cove is abundant with a gaseous element known as [Resmerian Essence]. To make an ingredient out from this gaseous element, it needs to be crystalized, thus [Crystalized Resmerian Essence].
“How do I make a crystal out of this gaseous element?” While I did learn basic Alchemy from Sera, I was not yet in the lesson on making anything from gaseous elements. So, the most appropriate action to do… ask.
“Take that with you.” Evanus, seemingly happy with my inquisitive nature pointed at a cube-like- instrument - ‘Crystalizer’. The ‘Crystalizer’, as the name suggest is a tool that would crystalize any gaseous elements that can then be used as a material to create my very own hammer.
“Be very careful in handling the Resmerian Essence.’” As he told me to take the Crystalizer hanging in the wall and pointed out especially to be extremely careful in handling it as this so called ‘Resmerian Essence’. Apparently, it has strong concentration of MANA mixed in it. I am guessing he has seen through my MIS and instantly advised me to take extreme care.
I should make sure to aim for its collection before the fifth day, but dungeon, is it? It would seem that my fate is pretty much connected with Dungeons. Luckily, I am close to the ocean I better get back to the Grimoire Atelier and prepare for the Dungeon run.
*****
“Okay! ‘A’ Group, follow me!” with an upbeat voice Sera urged some 15 students to join her.
“Oo!” Taken over with her zeal the 15 students also imitated her energy and immediately followed her to wherever she was leading them.
Me, I am left with 10 students who shared my dumbfounded look.
Now, you might be wondering why I am tending to students when I should have been on a ‘Dungeon Run’ to collect [Crystallized Resmerian Essence]. Then allow me to go back a few bells before this awkward situation was presented to 10 people who had the same irritated look.
*****
After replacing Evanus’ bandages (soaked with the Grade S Restorative Potion) and made sure that he had safely summoned his familiars to tend to his everyday needs. I went down the mountain and surveyed the cove where the dungeon entrance was supposedly located.
“Stop who goes there?” when I got closer to the entrance, a rigid voice stopped me. “This is a restricted area and is under the regulation of the Hunter’s Guild.”
I see of course. If this was a known dungeon, the guild should be stationing guards here. The Hunter’s Guild that supervises this area will establish regulation and stops the entry of regular people and those who are not affiliated with the guild from entering.
“Only hunters or students of Levantis Royal Academy and their supervising instructor may enter here.” It would seem that I can only enter through 3 means, become a hunter, a student, or an instructor. Of course, it goes without saying that I am not any of the three…
The guard was very talkative and informed me that Levantis Royal Academy students were allowed entre this time as part of their excursion for class merits. I definitely do not want trouble from the Guild as they have pretty nasty connections… so, my only option for now is to consult with Sera.
“Master Sera...” After giving her a rundown of what happened, she looked genuinely concerned for Evanus’ injury. “He told me that he will be healed in a week’s time.”
As soon as I assured her Evanus safety however, her concern immediately changed to mischief. Seeing this, I could only back away and speak my concern “Do you have a solution for me or are you messing with me.”
“On the contrary, my alchemy student...” There was definitely mischief on her voice. “I’ve come up of a brilliant way for you to enter the Star Cove Dungeon.”
Her brilliant plan involved me supervising students. It was already a laid-out plan. I guess this was coming one way or the other, usually two teachers as supervisors were meant to come for this excursion, yet teacher Sera was able to bend some rules (clearly indicating that her authority in school is slightly higher).
“Everyone, gather up!” Sera then calls up the students after they had their slight enjoyment upon our arrival in designated meeting area in the morning. “I will now give you your assignment for this Class Excursion.”
The class excursion she had in mind was of course to enter and go deep inside the [Star Cove Dungeon]. “Since it would be boring for all of us to just simply enter the dungeon. Let us make it a contest.” Was her proposal.
The ‘Elite Magus Class A’ with a total number of 25 students will be divided into two groups: A and B. The rule is simple, the group that gets farthest in the dungeon wins and gets full class credits and a special prize from Sera.
“Okay, take turns and pick up a number.” One by one the student’s complied. “Groupings will be done by lottery to ensure random groupmates.”
“Ehhhh!” Clearly the students were dismayed, I’m sure they have their own circle of friends they wanted to group with. Some of them are even in those troublesome factions, so a bad line up will be extremely inconvenient. However, they have no power over Sera, so they had no choice but to go with her selfishness.
And the lottery begun…
‘Lottery she says.’ clearly that was a lie. Although she had more students to supervise with 15 and me having only 10, if you look at it in a bigger picture clearly, mine is considered the end of the stick:
On the left corner, we have the Nobles’ Faction lead by Alfred Sanctis y Fritzer and three members of his clique.
On the right corner, opposite them is the Commoners’ Faction lead by Magnus Ramirez also with his three followers; and
In the middle, we have Princess Hisui M. Gulvan y Elmira and her best friend Sara Celesti.
The two opposing faction and the supposedly pacifier were clump into one group. This smelled trouble conspiracy no matter what, but as much as I want to retort, Sera was no longer in sight.
“Why the hell are we being supervised by a Janitor?” of course they will ask, though I am thinking just the same thing.
“What? Can’t get comfortable that a Janitor is in control Mr. noble?” while it looks like these guys are protecting me, I am guessing he just wants to have a comeback on the noble boy’s bickering and in some way was feeling the same way as the noble factions.
“Enough of this!” Sensing that this will lead to another brawl, the pacifying princess made her own opinion. “He may be utility personnel, but he is tasked with our supervision, I hope you all understand what that means.”
Instantly both factions closed their mouth, it was as the princess has said. Sera had given me the rights over their grades. If they can’t get that through their heads, they would definitely fail in this excursion earning them zero credits.
“Well...” Since it has already been given to me, and the fact that neither faction will really listen to what I have to say, might as well give them a lesson they will not forget. “Those who have qualms me being your supervisor, you may come at me.”
While saying those words I instantly activated INTIMIDATION to provoke them.
“Come at me like you are going to kill me.”
