There Is No World For ??

Chapter 110: A Teaching for The Apprentice

Change is easy.

Restoring things is what’s difficult.

?Memoirs Of The Second Western Expansion - The Last Words of a Certain Forest Dweller?

* * *As spring drew to a close, the morning that all the students of Lord Howe Academy had been eagerly awaiting arrived.

Beneath the sky tinged with the blue hues of dawn, young leaves silently endured the chilly breeze, and flowers, unable to let go of spring just yet, shed dewdrops.Though it was still pretty early for the students to be awake, not a single student in the first-year dormitory was still asleep.However, none of the usual morning hustle and bustle was present.The martial arts department students, who usually rushed to the training room at the break of dawn, and the magic department students, who would typically be making preparations for their daily meditation, were all grappling with a single piece of paper.

Special Training Application Form

This one sheet of paper could be submitted to the office starting today.

On it were rows of names recognizable at mere a glance—graduates, prominent figures in the academic world, and famous superhumans.Just seeing the list was enough to make one’s heart race, but the students were hesitant to fill out their applications.Was it because they were happily debating about which teacher’s class to take? No, their headaches were caused by a different concern.At the bottom of the flashy form was a single line of text in very small print:

The acceptance of participants for the special class is at the discretion of each teacher.

Though no one had explained it, the students instantly understood what it implied.

It was the teachers who chose the students. In other words, if a student wasn’t chosen, that was it.In an attempt to show some consideration, the academy allowed up to five applications. But even then, five was the dead limit.And what if, by some chance, a student wasn’t selected for any of their top five choices?That went without saying. At best, they’d be stuck with whatever teacher was left, and at worst, they’d completely miss out on the special classes.Things had now reached a point where every student was engaging in a subtle battle of wits.A fierce battle to be chosen by the more famous or desirable guest teacher.Which teacher would attract the most students, and which teacher would be the least popular?They also had to gauge which teachers were preferred by each grade, avoid students like the ‘Saintess’ or the ‘Vessel’ who would obviously be chosen, and sort through which teachers were more likely to be overwhelmed with first-choice applicants…And after racking their brains like this for days, many students were yet to make any choices even on the morning of the application day.- Damn it, looks like everyone’s going to flock to Michele’s special lecture.- The confirmed participants in Wang Baoguo’s practical class has already reached triple digits.- Why are the Mage Apprentices applying for Joanna Thule’s class? Do they all want to become her apprentice or something?The students were all gathered in the dormitory hallways, lounges, and lobbies, exchanging information or airing their worries.Then, in the midst of it all, someone cautiously spoke up.- But what about Cheon Yeomyeong? Who is he applying to?The who first brought it up was probably trying to lighten the mood, but the students, lost in their unsolvable dilemmas, immediately shifted the conversation.- He probably applied to whoever he wanted. Honestly, which teacher in their right mind would reject him?- Thinking about how he stopped that terror incident… If I were a teacher, I’d pick him too.- Will this lead to the teachers fighting over who gets to take him as an apprentice?The students began spinning wild fantasies about Cheon Yeomyeong.Starting from the stories about his time as a mercenary revealed in the media, to his skills in martial arts and even unconfirmed rumors about his love life, their discussion covered a wide range of topics.And it wasn’t until the dormitory head cleared his throat that the students stopped talking about Cheon Yeomyeong.Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that they had already found answers to all their questions.- Can’t we just go and ask the man himself? It’s not like we’re asking about some big secret or anything.But even after someone said that, no one actually went to find Cheon Yeomyeong’s room.- So… anyone here close with Cheon Yeomyeong?- The Magic or Religion departments are out. It’s got to be someone from the Martial Arts department.- Even from the Martial Arts department… you only see him hanging around with that roommate of his and the weird-named girl.While they all wracked their heads, someone sitting in the lobby abruptly stood up and spoke.“Damn, you’re all just blabbering.”Wesley—the boy with the buzz cut hair, who had fought Yeomyeong over his room, slammed his hands down on the table and said.“Hey! I’ll go and ask, so stop with the gossip. …Petty little bastards.”Some students protested, claiming they weren’t gossiping or criticizing him, but they didn’t stop Wesley.Since he was volunteering to find out what everyone was curious about, they had no reason to stop him.As both the dormitory head and the students watched his back grow distant, Wesley headed toward Cheon Yeomyeong’s room.

* * *Contrary to the atmosphere in the dorm, Cheon Yeomyeong’s room was quiet.

The morning sun peeked through the window with caution, but the two boys facing each other paid it no mind.As the silence under the sunlight prolonged, Yeomyeong put down the documents he was holding and said.“This is rather disappointing, Baonic.”The boy facing him flinched. He tried to protest but couldn’t meet Yeomyeong’s gaze.“I-I have tried my best! It’s not that easy to find someone with the Imperial Knight’s sword in such a vast academy—”Yeomyeong said nothing and simply stared at Baonic in silence.His golden eyes, illuminated by the sunlight, were as chilling as ever. Feeling the Killing Aura, Baonic swallowed hard and said.“—Although it’s not easy, I’ll definitely find him. B-but if you could give me a few more clues…”A clue, Yeomyeong sunk into the backrest of his chair and thought about the Player.The Player’s mockery, the sword he wielded, and his claims about this being a game.“He’ll be on the hunt for strange-fated objects.”“…Strange-fated objects?”“Yes, if there’s any strange-fated objects within the academy, he most probably knows about it. Especially… if it’s an object that appeared in the game.”As soon as Yeomyeong finished speaking, Baonic narrowed his eyes, as if trying to remember something.“Do you know something?”“Umm… After the last terror attack, some of the strange-fated objects located in the second-year main building have disappeared.”“…Why did you keep such an important fact to yourself until now?”“W-well, I simply assumed that you were the one who had taken them.”As he said that, Baonic cautiously looked at Yeomyeong. Fortunately, Yeomyeong’s gaze was not focused on him.His burning eyes were fixed in the direction of the second-year main building beyond the window.The second year… so he isn’t in the first year.The net was shrunk once again. Suppressing the growing Killing Aura inside his chest, Yeomyeong reached for the desk.“Which special class for the second year has the most applicants? Just take a guess.”He asked as he picked up the special class application form from the desk.“Uh… it’s probably the class of Sir Dalruan, the former Imperial Knight. The Imperial Prince is in the second year so… Why are you looking at me like that?”Yeomyeong responded with a smile.“You should apply to Sir Dalruan’s class.”“…Me?”“Yes, you.”Baonic was about to say something but kept his mouth shut.He wanted to argue but couldn’t think of a rebuttal. After all, special classes were not part of the story he was well-versed with.As the silence persisted, Yeomyeong handed him the special class application form.“In return, I’ll give you one of the strange-fated objects hidden in the academy.”“Huh…Really?”“Really.”At that moment, all the doubts in Baonic’s mind vanished. He quickly snatched the special class application form from Yeomyeong’s hand.“…You can’t change your mind later, okay?”“And if you find the guy with the Imperial Knight’s sword, I’ll give you even more. Stop with the chatter—just apply.”Following that firm answer, a smile bloomed on Baonic’s face.What should he ask for? Martial Arts?No, he didn’t even know where his talent lies yet. In times like this… yes, an elixir was the right choice.Having made up his mind, Baonic also applied to the teachers related to the Imperial Prince besides Sir Dalruan.It wasn’t a condition put forth by Yeomyeong, but it was a precaution in case he failed to get into Sir Dalruan’s class.“Alright, it’s done.”Having finished filling out the application, he waved it around proudly.It looked like a dog flaunting its leash, but he wasn’t embarrassed.He didn’t mind wagging his tail if that meant that he could live well in this damned world.“…Alright. Do you have any strange-fated object you want in particular? I’ll get it for you before the special classes start.”Fortunately, Yeomyeong was a good master. Well, at least for now.“C-could you get me an elixir? I’m still not a perfect Superhuman …”“An elixir?”“…You know, the neidan of that great clam under the bridge of the north island should be enough.”“If it’s just that, I can get it for you today itself.”Yeomyeong patted Baonic on the shoulder in agreement before returning to his seat.As Baonic stared at his back with a subtle expression, he pulled out his own special class application form and was about to fill it out when someone knocked on the door.- Hey, Yeomyeong! It’s Wesley, can I come in for a moment?

* * *In the makeshift shrine for students in the first-year girls’ dormitory at Lord Howe Academy.

The priest, Natsukawa, who taught the doctrines of Mordak at the academy, was feeling both astonished and bewildered.“P-please, Saintess!”“No! I refuse!”And the cause for her bewilderment was none other than the Saintess, whom she greatly revered. To be more precise, it was the Saintess’ attitude that was the problem.“Saintess, please, you need to apply for Dame Joanna Thule’s special class. It’s a directive from the Holy Nation itself!”“Well, those boomers aren’t here, are they?! I can just ignore that directive!”“B-boomers you say? If you call the Cardinals that….”“Of course, I should call them boomers if they are boomers! What else should I call them? It doesn’t matter what the people at the top say, I’m not taking Dame Joanna’s class. Absolutely not!”Said the Saintess while rolling on the floor of the shrine.Her white priestly robes fluttered, and her white shoulder cape and hair lay sprawled across the floor.It was rather fortunates that Natsukawa was a priest serving the calm and composed Black Mordak, else she might have fainted at the shocking sight.Natsukawa squeezed her eyes shut and continued her persuasion.“…Do you know how many people have been trying to call you back to the Holy Nation after the terror attack?”“…”“Sending Dame Joanna is the boo—I mean, the Cardinals’ consideration. After all, having someone by your side, especially a Holy Knight, would put the believers more at ease, wouldn’t it?”It was definitely a consideration made by the boomers so that she could continue attending the academy.It was an undeniable fact, so the Saintess didn’t respond.However, that didn’t mean she would agree to Natsukawa’s request.“…But there’s no need for me to attend Dame Joanna’s class specifically.”“Saintess….”Was she trying to come to some sort of compromise here? Natsukawa shook her head.“At least for the sake of the believers who are worried about you….”She pleaded with a desperate voice, but the Saintess pretended not to hear her.Instead, she stuffed the special class application form into her chest and sealed her mouth shut as if to say, ‘Try to take this paper from me if you can.’“…Saintess. Do you really have to do this?”The Saintess remained silent. It was unclear what emotions were behind her blindfolded eyes, but it seemed like they wouldn’t be able to resolve the situation through conversation.Natsukawa sighed and picked up her phone before calling someone.- Yes… The Saintess… Yes, you need to come immediately… Yes, quickly… Please…Hearing snippets of the call, the Saintess sensed something ominous and tried to leave the shrine, but Natsukawa was a step ahead and closed the door.“Where are you running off to now?”“Oh, seriously! Just let me go!”“Oh ho! Please wait.”With the only exit blocked, the Saintess’ Invisibility Cloak was useless, so she slumped the shrine’s chair and sulked.And that was how the Saintess was confined to the shrine for some time.Knock, knock.Someone knocked on the shrine’s door.- Are you still here?Followed by the gruff voice of a woman.Natsukawa beamed as she opened the door, while the Saintess cowered behind the chair in fright.“Dame Joanna, you finally made it.”An elderly woman with snow-white hair and a face full of wrinkles entered the shrine.However, the term ‘old age’ didn’t seem right when looking at her.Judging by the imposing aura she was radiating, the large scar running from her right eye to her lips, and a sturdy physique reminiscent of a bodybuilder, age was merely a number.“It’s been a while, Saintess!”Joanna Thule, the retired, former vice-commander of the Holy Knight Order, smiled broadly and opened her arms wide on seeing the Saintess.The Saintess tried to flee in shock, but there was no way she would be able to outrun a full-fledged Holy Knight. And not long after, she was caught in the embrace of her muscular body.“You seem to grow so much everytime we meet, Saintess. You’re almost unrecognizable now!”The Saintess, struggling to break free from the embrace, soon realized that there was no way to escape by force and resigned herself to the hug.After a long emotional embrace, Joanna laughed heartily as she set her back down in her seat.“Saintess, I’ve heard from Natsukawa. You threw a tantrum about not wanting my escort?”“…I didn’t throw a tantrum.”Natsukawa, who had been observing from behind, looked incredulous, but the Saintess ignored her and continued speaking.“It’s not that I don’t want an escort… I just don’t want to use this chance to attend a special class on you, Joanna.”“And why is that?”“Well….”The Saintess remained silent as she fidgeted with her lips. She couldn’t bring herself to say that she wanted to be in the same class as the people she liked.Because she was a Saintess, and her opponent was a Holy Knight.So she answered in a slightly roundabout manner.“I want… to be in the same class as my friends.”“Ah, so it’s because of your friends. But Saintess, if they are your peers, wouldn’t it be possible for them to attend the other classes with you? Does it have to be a special one?”“…We don’t have many classes together because they are from different departments. But special classes don’t have such limitations. So…”“Hmm…?”Joanna raised her eyebrows and glanced at Natsukawa.Her expression seemed to ask, ‘Who are these friends she is talking about?’ but Natsukawa shook her head as if to say, ‘I don’t know either.’After a brief pause, Joanna quickly came up with another solution.“Then why not have your friends attend my class?”“No, that’s….”“Why? Do your friends dislike my class?”Joanna asked with a hearty laugh. The Saintess fidgeted with her fingers for a while before replying cautiously.“It’s not that, but… if I make them take your class on my own accord, it would be an inconvenience.”Blushing cheeks, cautious tone, fidgeting fingers.Seeing that, Joanna’s smile disappeared from her face and was replaced by the cold expression of a holy knight.“…It seems that your friend is quite exceptional.”Though Joanna’s words were filled with skepticism, the oblivious Saintess took them at face value.“Yes, they are exceptional.”“…”Natsukawa, who had no romantic experience, sighed as soon as she heard the Saintess’ answer, but Joanna was different.She had seen a Holy Knight blinded by love give up both his Holy Sword and his future.The Saintess’ current expression resembled that of the Holy Knight. Was it her imagination, or just a coincidence of bloodlines?Either way, this was not something Joanna could tolerate.“…Saintess.”She knelt to match the Saintess’ eye level.“If you really dislike it, I will not force you into my special class. What’s important is your will.”Her sudden statement startled Natsukawa, who was observing from behind, but Joanna continued undeterred.“However, at the same time, your safety is also important. I cannot step back without knowing what kind of person your friend is.”“Well… if it’s that kind of concern, you don’t need to worry. I don’t know about the other things, but that person truly cares for me.”“Cares for you, Saintess?”“Yes.”The next moment, a young man’s face came to Joanna’s mind.Though the face that came to the Saintess’ mind was that of Seti, she soon thought of Yeomyeong and shut her eyes tightly behind her blindfold.Unaware of the Saintess’ thoughts, Joanna stood up with a stern expression.“…Joanna?”“Saintess, one must strike the steel when it’s hot.”“…What?”“Let’s go to that friend immediately. I need to see for myself.”“No, Joanna, wait a moment…!”Realizing Joanna’s intention, the Saintess tried to escape, but Joanna was quicker and grabbed her hand.“Come on, let’s go.”“W-where to?”“The boys’ dormitory of course, or am I wrong?”“No, no, you’re misunderstanding something…! Joanna! Just wait…!”Despite the Saintess’ attempts to resist, Joanna dragged her out of the shrine.Watching the Saintess being helplessly dragged away, Natsukawa, who remained in the shrine, sighed and prayed.“O Five Gods…”