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Chapter 45: Waiting for Roy

That night, Roy was summoned to the Academic Affairs Office and informed of everything that had transpired.

Enwei had colluded with a cult, intending to harm students, which left the teachers in a state of panic.

However, to the outside world, it was proclaimed that there had been an accident in a secret realm, and Enwei fled only to be bitten by a monster, to prevent causing alarm among the students.

In most students’ minds, a cult invasion was still a low-probability event. They didn’t even know there was a traitor lurking among the teachers.

Mark, White, and the others involved were naturally silenced and forbidden from leaking information.

However, since they couldn’t leak news about the Cultists, students’ focus quickly shifted to Roy.

According to the Academic Affairs Office, Roy had stayed behind to cover for his classmates as they fled from the monsters.

In the dorm, a group of roommates surrounded Jayka, buzzing with curiosity about the shy girl who was keeping her head down.

“Is Roy really that strong?”

“Why are you asking that? Who cares? Is he really as brave as the Academic Affairs Office says, staying behind for you?”

“No, no, no! This topic is boring! Whether he’s strong or brave, only guys care about that! What I want to know is… Is Roy really handsome?”

Jayka answered each question, saying Roy was both strong and brave, then shyly blushed and confirmed the last question: “He… is quite handsome.”

That definitive answer sparked a scream in the girls’ dormitory.

Even though the princesses, elves, and student council president made them feel inferior, they couldn’t help but swoon over their crush!

It was fantasy time after all!

At a barbecue stall in the city, Mark’s little brother approached carrying a wine cup, eager to flatter.

“That Roy Ainbrad is such an idiot! He stayed behind to die, that foolish noble actually thinks he’s a hero!”

Mark and his gang of delinquents had suffered bullying from nobles in their hometown, leading to a serious prejudice against them.

Their daily ritual was to diss noble classmates for fun, and while they were a bit wary of bigger figures like princes and princesses, the one they mocked the most was undoubtedly the current hotshot, Roy.

However, today, Mark didn’t join in the discussion. Instead, he slammed his cup down on the table, creating a thunderous noise that silenced the mocking.

“Remember this, Roy Ainbrad is my savior! Anyone who dares to gossip about him better prepare for consequences!”

As one of the leaders among first-year commoners, Mark’s authority came from his Sequence 7 strength and countless brawls.

His command held more weight for the delinquents than any noble law.

Meanwhile, at the South Sea Mansion.

White reported the complete incident to the members of the South Sea faction.

However, the more they listened, the odder Jason and the others’ expressions became.

In the trial of blue, Roy had shown extraordinary abilities far beyond “Iron Will.”

This made the South Sea faction wary.

It was embarrassing, but last time they faced a defeat in the faction rivalry, they didn’t even get a chance to see Roy in action.

Now, with someone teaming up with Roy, it was a great opportunity to learn about his skills!

But…

What are you even talking about???

What’s this nonsense about being selfless, brave, gentlemanly, and sacrificing oneself?! What were you even there for?!

White’s passionate speech gave Jason a headache.

The South Sea prince raised a hand to interrupt, “Wait, you got it wrong.”

“Isn’t there a chance I want to ask what extraordinary abilities Roy has?!”

At least that’s what he’d like to know?!

However, the loquacious White fell silent on this topic.

Both “Dragon’s Might” and “Bard’s Illusory Song” were intangible abilities; White couldn’t detect them at all.

He couldn’t even comprehend why his attacks did nothing against undead creatures while Roy could hurt them.

After some thought, White finally revealed the only piece of information he knew: “He seems to be able to spray water.”

Silence filled the meeting room.

Are you kidding me?

Is that supposed to be impressive?!

Nearly every extraordinary being in our South Sea nation can spray water! You followed him around for half a day and that’s all you figured out?!

Regardless, for Jayka and the others, this was just a delightful little episode, and soon forgotten.

But for the teachers, the main event was just beginning.

In the Academic Affairs Office, thirty or forty teachers gathered, making the once spacious reception area crowded.

“It’s a shame my apprentice slots are already full. Otherwise, I might have considered taking you on as my student.”

“Teacher Sado, you flatter me.”

As Roy just settled down with Sado, a flock of teachers pounced on him like wolves on a fat sheep, leaving him shocked.

As a student, if you see an agitated, grim-faced teacher approaching you quickly, you instinctively shrink back.

Now, there were a bunch of teachers that seemed ready to devour him. What kind of hell was this?!

This… isn’t right, is it?

Who’s trying to set me up?!

Enwei’s incident indeed stirred anxiety about the Cultists, but life still had to go on, and work still had to be done.

Teachers generally decide their apprentice relationships on the spot after practical exams at the end of the semester.

But because Roy reported the incident, this matter got postponed.

Only now did they finally have the chance to have a proper discussion with Roy.

Fearing others would seize the opportunity, they rushed to stake their claim, skipping dinner to wait around like vultures.

Roy’s practical exam had been interrupted by Enwei, resulting in him receiving only a passing grade.

But upon learning that Roy stood up to confront Enwei without losing ground, grades had become irrelevant.

Especially after hearing that a top-tier teacher like Sado wasn’t taking on apprentices, the competition intensified even more.

A stunning, voluptuous female teacher immediately threw flirtatious glances at him: “Roy, little brother, do you want to be my apprentice? I promise to teach you many interesting things.”

Roy finally understood the other party was trying to recruit apprentices.

But something felt off…

Before he could respond, a barrage of inquiries came crashing down.

“Kid, don’t listen to that old hag! Stick with me, and I’ve got a bunch of trendy senior sisters around to keep you company!”

“Don’t joke around, Roy is experienced and probably not into naive girls anymore! Next year I’m heading to the Land of Gold Sands, stick with me, and I’ll show you the dance girls there!”

“Ha, when it comes to the entertainment industry, our South Sea girls are the prettiest! No need to wait until next year, be my apprentice, and I’ll take you to see Blue Moon’s bathhouses tomorrow!”

Roy finally figured out where the awkwardness stemmed from.

When recruiting apprentices, shouldn’t you boast about your skills, knowledge, and high status? At least throw in something like “Let’s enjoy wealth together?”

Yet here they were, as teachers, normally so serious, now spewing nonsense! What do they think I am, Roy?!

At that moment, the young man deeply worried about Veszyra’s future.

 

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