In ‘Legend of Academy,’ ‘Affection’ ends up being the trigger for more things than you’d expect.
It’s not just about affection levels rising and triggering events; sometimes, they’re conditions for specific quests.
And other times, high affection can either let you meet unexpected NPCs or be the condition itself for increasing said affection.
If Professor Aiaie Hekati likes you, later on, it’ll be easier to bond with the magic class professors.
Similarly, if Professor Malea has a good opinion of you, it might even open doors to meeting NPCs you’d never thought possible.
So raising Professor Malea’s affection? Totally worth it.
Unfortunately, since I, Murmur, started with the worst setup possible, focusing on boosting Professor Malea’s affection wasn’t an option—I had to prioritize efficiency.
“…Thus, Lady Murmur wishes to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming exam.”
Our super maid, Vesta, was way more socially adept and active than I, Murmur, could’ve imagined.
For instance, despite meeting Professor Malea for the first time today, she confidently approached her, greeted her, and even engaged in a serious discussion about how to train me, Murmur, and what kind of education would be best!
…And because there are quite a few nannies and caretakers within Maghauscia, Professor Malea didn’t bat an eye and conversed earnestly.
Should I feel lucky about this situation… or utterly hopeless?
“I didn’t expect Student Murmur to think this way.”
“Lady Murmur is currently in a very fragile state.”
“If someone accidentally kicks her, she’ll tumble uncontrollably due to her frailty.”
Wouldn’t everyone roll if kicked?!
“Haha! But the spirit is strong! That’s right! Vesta makes excellent points!”
Professor Malea laughed heartily, patted Vesta’s back, then proceeded to pet my head.
I knew she’d like situations like this. This professor sure does.
“Murmur… you don’t want to be a burden to your friends, do you?”
“That’s well thought out. Even the most brilliant mage will need physical prowess if they become a Hero.”
Professor Malea gave my shoulder a friendly pat.
Come on, Murmur. Let’s power through!
Anyway, water’s spilled. Raising affection now will help immensely during Super Events with Principal Dorothea de Chamber, right?
No need to lock yourself away in some classroom corner as originally planned!
“Does Student Murmur know what to expect in the three-part exam?”
Professor Malea crouched down to meet my eyes.
Aside from her intense dislike for demons, she truly is an exceptional teacher.
“Without clear goals or knowledge, one cannot achieve maximum efficiency.”
“Murmur read it in a book. There’s sparring, running, and archery.”
Professor Malea’s eyes lit up with joy as she messily ruffled my hair.
Is she treating me like too much of a kid here?!
“I didn’t know Student Murmur was so interested!”
“Murmur works hard,” Vesta added.
“Alright then, let’s practice archery first?”
Standing up, Professor Malea pointed toward students practicing their aim far away.
“Archery isn’t something you can master without learning.”
“Murmur remembers correctly. Professor Malea hasn’t taught me archery yet.”
“Guh…!”
Her face turning red, Professor Malea rubbed her face with her right hand.
“That… let me apologize for that.”
“It’s alright, Professor. You have every reason to dislike demons.”
“Sometimes, Student Murmur says things far too mature…”
Muttering under her breath, Professor Malea once again roughly scratched my head.
“Since you can mimic sword techniques by watching Serene, you should be able to handle archery.”
Grabbing my hand, she dragged me over to where several students were gathered, practicing archery.
“Ugh… no matter how I think about it, I’m going to fail archery.”
“Just keep practicing, Esme.”
There sat Esme Bloodberry, slumped over and muttering to herself, while Princess Nicasia Holimpia grinned brightly beside her.
Of course our princess excels at physical tasks.
Even her practice bow isn’t standard—it must be due to her larger frame.
“Everyone’s doing great, aren’t they?”
The children happily responded to Professor Malea’s booming voice.
“Will Murmur also be practicing archery?”
“Yeah, Professor Malea agreed to teach me.”
Nicasia smiled and applauded.
“Let’s start with posture, shall we?”
Kneeling, Professor Malea aligned her gaze with mine.
She then handed me a nearby practice bow.
“Are you right-handed, Murmur?”
“Murmur uses the right hand more often.”
“Then hold the bow with your left and pull the string back with your right.”
Gently and warmly, Professor Malea guided my hands through the motions.
“You don’t need to grip the bow too tightly. Just hold it gently. The key lies in how you use your body when pulling the string.”
“Murmur thinks simply pulling will suffice.”
“Hahaha! That works, but there’s a better method. When pulling the string, you shouldn’t just use your arms—engage your back muscles too.”
She grasped my right hand and slowly drew the string backward.
“Exhale slowly while pulling. Ready to try, Student Murmur?”
Following Professor Malea’s guidance, I steadily pulled the bowstring.
Contrary to my worries, this bow designed for Elementary Unit softies was easy enough to draw.
“You’re doing great, Murmur! Soon, you’ll be shooting beautifully!”
“Then, perhaps before Princess Nicasia, let’s notch an arrow?”
She showed me a nearby arrow.
“Notice the groove here? Align this groove with the string. Just be careful not to damage or bend the feathers.”
“Murmur knows. The feathers help the arrow fly further.”
“Indeed, worthy of someone who borrows so many books from the library.”
Notching the arrow, she demonstrated drawing the string back smoothly.
“Next comes the crucial part. You need to grip the string with your fingers—index, middle, and ring finger. Gently grasp it with these three fingers.”
“Murmur has it.”
“When releasing the arrow, gently extend your fingers, letting go naturally like a falling petal. The string will return to its original position automatically, so all you need to do is release it.”
As Professor Malea released her fingers, the arrow whistled through the air and embedded itself neatly into the target.
“How do you aim?”
“Haha, surprisingly eager! Use the string and the arrow’s tip to gauge roughly where you’re aiming.”
Oh, so it’s different from guns.
Still, knowing there are reference points like the string and arrow tip is reassuring, right?
“It’s tough to hit well from the start. I’ve been practicing for a year, and arrows still fall off the string sometimes.”
“Don’t worry, Esme. Torlin broke a bow last time, remember?”
Nicasia… that’s not really comforting, is it?
“And Murmur! Don’t stress too much. Professor Malea will take some factors into account during the exam!”
Surprisingly, Professor Malea nodded in agreement.
“Of course. You’re still Elementary Unit students, after all. It’s more important to foster interest in continuous study rather than excel immediately.”
“Uh… hitting three targets feels hard already…”
“Nicasia, how many hits are needed for full marks?”
Malea smiled faintly.
“Our esteemed princess needs seven hits.”
“Out of ten shots.”
Wait, what? Isn’t that the Middle School standard? I thought Elementary only required three hits?
Nevertheless, seeing Nicasia grin confidently, I assume she’ll have no issues.
“Then Murmur will practice now.”
Delighted, Professor Malea stepped back.
After all, archery skills benefit me, Murmur, especially since magical arrow attacks depend on intelligence and wisdom rather than strength and agility.
“Uuuuugh…”
Following Professor Malea’s instructions, I pulled the string, notched the arrow, aimed loosely at the target, and gently released.
–SWOOSH!
The arrow flew straighter and farther than expected, embedding itself into the target.
Though not dead center…
“Wow…?!”
“My goodness! Murmur, you actually hit it?! And this is your first time handling a bow today?”
Esme’s jaw dropped as Nicasia clapped enthusiastically.
“Haha! Truly worthy of someone brought in by Serene! You have talent! Talent!”
Well… whether I have talent or not, I wasn’t exactly looking to bloom right now…
『Murmur has acquired a new skill…!』
[Archery]
Just from shooting once? Did I instantly learn it?
… Is this real?
“Murmur will try again.”
“You can do it, Murmur! Don’t worry about precise aiming just yet—focus on hitting the general area of the target!”
Encouraged by Nicasia, I notched another arrow, gently drew the string…
This definitely feels different with the new skill, doesn’t it?
My body instinctively moved smoothly—like how gamers instantly know where WASD keys are placed!
“Hmph!”
–WHOOSH! THUNK!
“Wh-What?! How is this even possible?!”
Esme shrieked upon seeing my arrow land perfectly in the center.
Wow, having the skill makes it feel so natural and incredibly easy.
The sensation of aligning the arrow’s tip and string isn’t too different from firing a gun.
Once you get the hang of it, missing feels almost impossible.
“Did you hit the center? Murmur?”
“This… feels like genuine archery talent.”
Before their amazed gazes, I shot another arrow.
–THUNK!
“W-WHY IS MURMUR SO GOOD AT BOTH MAGIC AND ARCHERY?!”
Esme began to genuinely feel aggrieved.
“Amazing, Murmur! Hitting the center twice in a row is absolutely not easy!”
“Student Murmur… you’ve been hiding your true abilities, haven’t you?! Claiming to be a beginner was a lie!”
Nicasia and Professor Malea ran over, vigorously spinning and cuddling me.
“Uuuugh…”
“Congratulations, Lady Murmur! With this momentum, diligent practice in sparring and running will surely bring excellent results!”
Clapping, she nonchalantly drafted a schedule…
But I, Murmur, have no intention of fleeing, right?!
“M-Murmur will work hard! So, Professor Malea, please teach swordsmanship too!”
“Guh…!”
Suddenly swaying, Professor Malea rubbed her face with her left hand.
“A child prepared to do anything to become a Hero…! Guh!!! To waste such potential until now…!”
“Murmur, the exam is coming up—”
“Student Murmur! Rest assured, I’ll dedicate myself fully to teaching martial arts whenever you ask!”
Completely misunderstanding, Professor Malea hugged me tightly and patted me repeatedly.
Is this okay?
Regardless! Since exams are important, raising Professor Malea’s affection won’t hurt!
