Read Novel Full Chapter 212: On To The Third Task (Part-1)
Chapter 212: On To The Third Task (Part-1)
“Wait, you can take me to the Academy!?” I ask, my eyes wide in surprise.
“Who do you think I am?” Naomi replies with a haughty smirk. “Of course, I can take you there. Do you want to go now?”
…
Okay, no way. I didn’t even get to worry about the problem properly, and the solution is already here?
[That’s absurdly lucky.]
It is, but let me confirm just in case. Given my past deed at the academy, Naomi may not be so keen to bring me there.
[Do you have to tell her about it?]
I have a feeling I should.
“Yes, that would be great,” I tell her. “But there is a smidge of a problem. You see, I actually went to the academy a few days ago and caused a bit of a ruckus. It resulted in the Dean asking me to leave the campus… so, would that be a problem?”
This time, it’s Naomi’s turn to get surprised. She stops floating around abruptly before slowly touching down on the floor.
“Really? So, you are telling me that you did something so outrageous at the academy…” She takes a step forward. “… that Edraele Morcyne herself showed up to kick you out of the Academy?”
…
Shit, maybe I shouldn’t have told her.
“I never said she kicked me out,” I quickly correct her. “More like, she politely asked me to leave that day. I should be free to return now.”
“Oh, don’t look so worried! It doesn’t matter if you’re allowed entry or not; I can get you in regardless!” Naomi says in a suspiciously excited manner. “But you have to tell me first— what exactly did you do the other day?”
…
“N-Nothing much, I… I kinda just insulted and provoked Princess Ilyrana,” I tell her, embarrassed. “It resulted in her attacking me with a fatal spell, so Dean Morcyne stepped in to save me. Ilyrana was then given a Strike, while I was asked to leave the campus.”
I tell her a shortened version of the incident, not even mentioning Leena’s role in all of it.
“Wow… I was informed that Princess Ilyrana got a Strike, but never bothered to know how or why. That sounds so much fun!” Naomi says, looking quite impressed.
“Excuse me?”
“So, what mischief have you planned for today? And do you want my help in any way? Of course, other than taking you to the academy.”
“M-Mischief? What do you mean? All I plan to do is attend some classes and learn magic,” I stutter as I lie.
“Oh, come on! Don’t be like that,” she says, giving me a nudge. “You can trust me. I won’t snitch on you, I promise.”
“…”
Is she for real? There’s no way I am trusting her. Also, she sure doesn’t like to act her station.
“Don’t go silent on me!” She protests. “Okay, I will make a few guesses. You just give me a nod if I am correct.”
“Listen, I just want to study—
“Are you planning to get Ilyrana in trouble again? You know, land her another strike or two? Make her lose her princess title?”
“It’s not like that—
“Or is the target different this time? Maybe one of the professors? I am fine with some general chaos as well. That matches with your primordial magic, after all, hehe!”
She throws in a few more guesses, each wilder than the last one, and refuses to believe it when I say that I won’t be doing any of it. I mean, she isn’t wrong to assume that I will do something troublesome today. Problem is, even I don’t know what it will be. Thus, all I can do is admit defeat out of sheer annoyance.
“Fine, whatever. The thing I am planning to do is a surprise,” I concede while rolling my eyes. “Can we please go now?”
“Tsk… I guess a surprise it is, then,” Naomi sighs, her tail dropping low in disappointment. “You better make it worthwhile, though! The war preparations have been so hectic and boring; I need some excitement in my life!”
Is this why you are wishing that I fuck shit up at the academy!? Because you are bored!? Fucking hell!
“Anyway, let’s go!” Naomi grabs my arm.
“What, are you planning to drag me to the academy?” I ask in confusion. “I can walk just fine.”
At this, Naomi mockingly raises her eyebrow. The next moment, I hear a small click, and out of nowhere, my body feels as if it is being compressed from all sides, crushingly so. I remember this feeling all too well. It was when I used the teleportation gate.
And voila! A second later, I find myself and Naomi standing directly in front of the invisible barrier of the Elven Magic Academy.
“Fuck… You should’ve warned me!” I complain while grabbing my knees, feeling nauseous.
“No, that just means you need to level up more,” Naomi says with a shrug. She then snaps her fingers, and the nausea disappears as if it was never there.
“Come on, then.”
Naomi and I pass through the barrier, entering the academy campus, and as usual, the round guest badge appears on my t-shirt. Out of curiosity, I glance at Naomi’s badge, wondering if it is any different from mine. And it is. In fact, it is different from any badge I have seen so far at the academy.
It is silver (or platinum?), with diamonds lining the circumference. At the very center, there are more gems— rubies, this time— that are encrusted closely to form the letters ‘VVIP’.
…
The badge says it all. No wonder she was confident that she could bring me here. She is the Great White Fox, after all.
“There you go.” Naomi gestures at the castle.
“Thank you, I really appreciate it,” I say gratefully.
“No problem.”
“See ya, then!”
With a quick farewell, I leave Naomi and make my way towards the castle.
…
“…”
…
“…”
Or not.
“Why are you following me, Miss Naomi?”
“How else do you expect me to watch the naughty things you’re about to do?” She says, looking at me as if I am foolish to even question that.
…
Okay, I need to think of an excuse to sneak away from her.
“I actually want to use the washroom first,” I tell her.
“Yeah, sure. Let’s go to the washroom together.” She winks at me meaningfully.
Does she think that’s a codeword!?
“No, I really mean it,” I insist.
“Of course, of course.”
…
Goddamnit, she is not going to leave me alone, is she?
[Nope. But why do you want her to leave you?]
What do you mean why? How will I do the task?
[Don’t you just have to take that ball to the top floor? It’s nothing criminal. Why does it matter if Naomi is there with you or not?]
… you know what, true.
“Fine, come with me then.”
Together with Naomi, I make my way into the castle. The place looks quite empty right now, but there are noises coming from various closed doors. If I am guessing correctly, all the classes are currently underway. This is the perfect opportunity.
I swiftly head towards the nearest set of stairs leading to the next floor.
“The washroom is the opposite way, you know,” Naomi points out with a giggle, making me stop to roll my eyes. “Hehe, I am just pulling your leg. Carry on!”
Sigh…
Like this, we climb up to the third floor without encountering a single elf, which is good because I don’t know if I am allowed to be up here or not. Neither Ilyrana nor Aeson showed me anything above the second floor.
For some reason, it isn’t easy to find the last set of stairs leading to the next (and the final) floor. After around five minutes of watching me struggle, Naomi finally gets her fill of fun and leads me to them. And guess what, they are tucked in a corner as if purposely hidden from everyone.
“What are you planning to do up there?” Naomi asks, tilting her head out of curiosity.
“Nothing much… you will see,” I answer nervously.
Hopefully, nothing at all.
Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I put my hand inside my pocket and clutch the metal ball, slowly taking it out.
Let’s do this.
“Hold on a second, what’s that?” The moment I step on the stairs, Naomi stops me to inquire about the ball. “Are you planning to break some windows with it? Please say no, because that’s just lame.”
“Break windows? No, it’s just a simple metal ball—
But the next second, her playfully dissatisfied face turns serious. She holds up her hand, gesturing for me to give her the ball.
“Nothing about that seems simple. Hand it over. Let me have a look.”