Chapter 39

(2)

3.

Ivella’s eyes widened in surprise.

Delia tilted her head in confusion.

The moment the two were placed in the same space, Ulan was suddenly overwhelmed by a nostalgic and bittersweet feeling.

It was understandable.

The two here were once precious comrades who had fought alongside him on the battlefield.

‘It brings back memories.’

The Sword Maiden and the Witch of the Stars.

These two got along quite well.

Ivella’s main task was to take the front line of the party with Ulan while protecting Delia, who was weak in close combat.

In other words, they spent a lot of time together.

Perhaps that’s why? The two were so close that they could almost be considered sisters.

‘But now…’

Things were a bit different.

For some reason, the atmosphere was awkward.

Upon confirming Delia’s presence, Ivella returned to her usual expressionless face, and Delia also looked at Ivella with dry eyes.

‘Well, I guess this is normal now.’

The two only became close after quite some time had passed since joining the Hero’s party.

Currently, they are strangers.

So it’s only natural that it would be awkward.

Just as Ulan was thinking that.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Ivella’s eyes widened.

Her gaze was directed at the book Ulan was holding, 【Legendary Weapons in Mythology】.

“Is that the book you were looking for?”

Ivella asked with a hint of excitement.

As if she knew about this book.

“It’s nostalgic. I used to read it often when I was a kid.”

“Is it a famous book?”

“Of course. Any kid who dreamed of being a hero or a knight back then would have read it.”

Ivella was no exception.

She too had dreamed of being a hero when she was young.

“But wouldn’t it be better to read the revised edition?”

“Revised edition?”

“Yeah. That’s the old version. There’s a new book that organizes them by type. It even lists where the weapons are stored.”

It even lists the storage locations?

Ulan’s ears perked up at the intriguing information. Seeing this, Ivella smiled faintly and asked.

“Should I find it for you?”

“Hmm, I appreciate the offer, but it’s fine.”

Ulan shook his head after some thought.

Out of respect for the librarian who recommended this book, he decided to read this one first.

As the conversation was wrapping up.

Ivella spoke up again.

“By the way, Ulan, you’re quite diligent.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just what I said. Being here at this time means you’ve already finished your course registration, right?”

It seems she misunderstood.

So Ulan shook his head.

“Wrong.”

“Huh? What is?”

“I’m planning to register for courses now.”

“···! Ah, you haven’t done it yet?!”

Ivella was startled.

“Then you should hurry and register! Most of the popular courses are already full, and if you don’t get good grades…!”

Ivella was saying the same thing as Delia.

On the other hand, Ulan had a calm expression.

“Don’t worry. I have it all figured out.”

His tone carried a strange confidence.

Ivella closed her mouth.

She had just realized. Ulan was a strong one, on par with a high-ranking knight, unlike her.

Not only that. He had also passed the entrance exam with top honors.

‘If that’s the case…’

He must have some confidence.

Judging so, Ivella swallowed what she was about to say. She guessed that Ulan must have some plan.

Of course, this guess was wrong.

The reason Ulan was so confident was because of what he had seen in the guidebook yesterday.

‘The criteria for expulsion due to poor grades.’

At Arsen Academy, grades are tallied each semester by grade, and students with poor grades are periodically expelled.

‘If the average exam grade falls below D-rank, you get an academic warning.’

And if a student accumulates three or more academic warnings, they are immediately expelled. Remembering this, Ulan clenched his fist.

‘So…’

There are still two chances left.

So even if he gets low grades, Ulan isn’t shaken. He can do better next time.

While they were having different thoughts.

Ding! Dong!

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang.

It was the sound signaling noon.

“Ah! I should get going. There’s a book I want to read in preparation for tomorrow’s class.”

“Alright. See you later.”

Ulan waved his hand to see her off.

A short time later.

Poke poke!

Someone poked Ulan’s arm. It was Delia, who was making a somewhat sullen face.

“Who’s that?”

“Ivella Elea’ad. Don’t you know her?”

“No.”

Delia shook her head.

Judging by her reaction, it seemed she hadn’t even met her at the academy.

Seeing her asking for an answer, Ulan summarized his relationship with Ivella.

“She’s a classmate.”

“···Classmate.”

Classmate. At that word, her silver eyebrows twitched slightly.

It was something Delia didn’t have.

Perhaps because of her status as the princess of the duchy, or because of her fame as a genius mage. There were hardly any people who would casually greet her.

Except for one, Ulan.

“Are you close with her?”

“We’re close.”

An immediate answer without hesitation.

Her golden eyes trembled slightly.

After a while, Delia bit her lip slightly.

Then she immediately asked.

“Then, what about me?”

“Huh?”

“What am I to you?”

During the entrance exam, Ulan had said.

To him, Delia was an important existence.

Someone who would be with him even 30 years later.

Delia wanted to confirm the true meaning of what he had said at that time.

Meanwhile, Ulan pondered his answer.

Originally, he planned to say she was a precious colleague.

But this was only the relationship between Ulan from his past life and the ‘Witch of the Stars’. On the other hand, the relationship between the current Ulan and Delia was a bit awkward to call colleagues.

So if you had to define it…

“We’re the kind of relationship where I’ve told you the truth.”

“The truth?”

Perhaps because of the unexpected answer?

A question mark appeared in Delia’s eyes. Ulan nodded and continued.

“I only told you.”

“Told me what?”

“That we’ll be together in the future.”

“···!”

Her golden eyes widened.

Her face clearly showed embarrassment.

Suddenly, Delia, who had been flustered, lowered her head. Along with her reddened ears.

“Th-that is, so…”

Delia kept fidgeting with her fingers.

After a while, she glanced up. Then, with a flushed face, she cautiously asked.

“Does that mean… I’m special?”

“You could say that.”

Ulan answered immediately.

This was the truth. After returning to the past, he hadn’t even told Noa, with whom he had spent a relatively long time, the truth.

‘But Delia is different.’

Throughout his past and current life.

Delia Arpen was the smartest person Ulan knew. That’s why he planned to tell her everything someday and ask her to figure out the reason for his regression.

So he readily revealed the truth.

Meanwhile, at that time. Delia’s face was as red as a ripe apple.

It was understandable.

‘If he says I’m special…!’

There was only one thing that came to mind.

Delia swallowed hard.

At the same time, she wondered if all of this was just a misunderstanding, so she glanced at Ulan.

Then she quickly opened her eyes wide.

“······!?”

Her straight, shining crimson eyes.

The moment she saw the sincere look in his eyes, Delia quickly turned her red face away.

‘What do I do! It’s not a misunderstanding, is it?’

Otherwise, there’s no way he would look at her with such a serious expression. From what she had heard so far, it couldn’t be a misunderstanding.

A relationship that would last into the future.

And he even said she was special.

‘Wh-what should I say?’

I can’t just stay like this.

I have to say something. Ulan must have gathered his courage to say this. Clutching her robe tightly, she took a deep breath. Then, Delia moved her trembling lips.

“······Thank you. I’m happy.”

“Huh?”

“But, can I have some more time to think?”

“About what?”

“It’s my first time experiencing something like this.”

Thank you? Time to think?

What are you suddenly talking about?

Seeing Delia struggling to continue, Ulan had a puzzled expression. Still, he roughly grasped the context of the conversation.

‘I don’t know what she’s thinking about…’

But thinking is her own freedom.

So Ulan nodded.

“Alright.”

“······Okay, I will.”

Delia lowered her reddened face.

After that, she was about to say something but closed her mouth again. Then, she quickly scribbled something in her notebook and showed it to Ulan.

『I’ll go first. See you later.』

With this farewell.

Delia left Ulan’s side as if running away.

Weird girl. Ulan let out a small laugh and then looked at the clock.

“I should get going too.”

To apply for a loan and register for courses.

Ulan left the library.

4.

Sunday, 1:20 PM.

After finishing lunch, Ulan left the dining hall to register for courses. Then, at the entrance of the dining hall, he ran into a familiar face.

“Ah, Ulan.”

It was Noa. She had stopped in her tracks, holding a book covered in blue talismans.

“Where are you going?”

“To register for courses.”

“······Huh?”

At that moment, Noa doubted her ears.

“Y-you haven’t done it yet?! Why?”

“I had things to do.”

“What kind of things could…?”

Putting off course registration?

While Noa was making a bewildered expression.

Ulan confidently answered.

“Course registration is open until 6 PM. It’s not too late to start now.”

“It’s already way too late!?”

Noa strongly denied it.

Course registration is from 6 AM to 6 PM.

But this only means the registration period is like this. In reality, half of the courses were already full by 7 AM.

But you haven’t registered even now, well past noon? Noa anxiously tapped her feet.

“This is no time for that. Let’s go now! I’ll help you.”

“Hmm, I appreciate the offer.”

It’s reassuring to have Noa’s help.

Ulan slightly bowed his head.

On the way to the classroom together. Noa asked with a doubtful expression.

“By the way, have you decided which courses to take?”

“Of course I have.”

Ulan smoothly listed the major courses he had told Delia earlier. Then, Noa suddenly realized something strange and asked.

“Huh? Tracking Techniques? Why are you taking that?”

“I have something to find.”

“What is it?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

Ulan gave a firm answer.

Noa is definitely helpful.

But whether she’s an enemy or an ally is still unknown. There’s too much she’s hiding.

So Ulan hid his purpose.

Fortunately, Noa didn’t press further.

“Alright. Then your major courses are Combat Skills, Weaponry, and Tracking Techniques. What about your minor?”

“It’s a course from the General Studies Department.”

“G-General Studies?”

Noa was startled.

Ulan told her about the course list he had prepared. After a while, Noa spoke with a微妙 expression.

“Hey, Ulan…?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you know what advanced mathematics is?”

“Don’t underestimate me. Even if my knowledge is shallow, I know that much.”

“Then answer first.”

“It’s obviously about multiplication, right?”

“······.”

We’re doomed! If this continues, we’re definitely doomed!

Cold sweat ran down Noa’s back. The thought that she had to stop him no matter what dominated her mind.

After quickly thinking.

She chose the option of escaping reality.

“······Let’s go to the Military Department first.”

“Huh? Isn’t the General Studies Department closer here?”

“That’s true, but the Military Department’s courses fill up much faster. Also, majors are more important than minors.”

It was a reasonable answer.

Ulan followed Noa’s suggestion.

5.

Not long after.

While navigating the Military Department’s classrooms with Noa, Ulan dramatically succeeded in registering for courses.

Combat Skills, Weaponry, Tracking Techniques.

All three courses still had seats available.

“Phew, that’s a relief. I can’t believe there were still seats left even after 2 PM.”

Noa let out a sigh of relief.

Then Ulan turned around.

“Next is the General Studies Department.”

“······Ah.”

At those words, Noa froze.

She had been so preoccupied with registering for the Military Department’s courses that she had forgotten the important fact.

‘Wh-what do I do?!’

Anxious, she tapped her feet.

Not only advanced mathematics, but she couldn’t let him register for other General Studies courses either.

Because if he gets an F in even one course, he’ll immediately receive an academic warning.

‘And if he accumulates three warnings…’

He’ll be expelled.

With Ulan’s current level of knowledge, taking General Studies courses would almost certainly lead to expulsion.

‘I have to stop him no matter what!’

Even if it means honestly telling him he’s a blockhead. This is the only way for both Ulan and herself.

Noa’s eyes flashed with determination.

But to cut to the chase.

Her worries were unfounded.

“What? You want to take my course?”

“Ahem! We’re already full.”

“Sorry, but you’re out of luck.”

Every professor they visited turned them down.

Moreover, they hurriedly avoided Ulan.

The history professors were somewhat lucky. The elderly professor in charge of advanced mathematics fainted on the spot upon seeing Ulan.

“Professor! Pull yourself together, Professor!”

“Quick, take him to the infirmary!”

The professor was carried out on a stretcher.

Watching this, Noa realized that all the professors she had met so far had one thing in common.

‘Ah! They were all professors who were at the entrance ceremony.’

The day Ulan shouted the cry of friendship.

Many students and professors had fainted.

And at that time, most of the professors who fainted were from the General Studies and Arts Departments.

It was understandable. Unlike the professors from the Military and Magic Departments, they were just ordinary people who knew a lot.

‘So their reaction is understandable.’

From their perspective.

Ulan was nothing more or less than a barbaric terrorist.

Moreover, if Ulan caused a disturbance during class, it would be unmanageable. So regardless of the number of students, they outright refused to let him take the course.

‘We got lucky.’

Who would have thought that he wouldn’t be able to register for General Studies courses like this. After being rejected from all three General Studies courses.

“······This is troublesome.”

Ulan had a serious expression.

He hadn’t expected this outcome.

Then Noa subtly asked.

“Can I recommend a course?”

“To me?”

“Yes, how about the Magic Department?”

“That’s difficult. I can’t use magic.”

He doesn’t even know the principles of magic activation.

Even the detection of magic flow he saw during the aptitude test was passed by luck.

Noa should know this well since he told her.

So why is she recommending magic courses?

Then Noa’s answer came.

“Ah, that’s okay. There are courses you can take even if you can’t use magic.”

“There are such courses?”

Ulan had a doubtful expression.

Noa nodded and said.

“Of course. ‘Understanding and Detection of Magic Flow’ and ‘Mage Battle’.”

He knew about Understanding and Detection of Magic Flow.

It was similar to the aptitude test Ulan took. But the latter course was completely new to him.

“What kind of course is Mage Battle?”

“It’s a course that teaches you how to fight against mages. Until last year, it was in the Military Department, but due to the nature of the course, it often collaborates with the Magic Department, so it was moved to the Magic Department this year.”

Under the assumption that the enemy is a mage, it teaches various techniques and methods to effectively counter them.

So it can be taken regardless of whether you can use magic or not. In fact, many students who aren’t aiming for the Magic Department have registered for it.

“Techniques to fight mages…”

That sounds good.

He already knows a few methods, but the more fighting techniques you know, the better.

“Alright. I’ll follow your advice.”

“Good thinking.”

Noa smiled brightly.

Fortunately, these two courses were registered without any issues.

Although during this process, Professor Dirck, who is in charge of Magic Flow, gave Ulan a somewhat strange look, he didn’t reject the course registration.

Soon after all registrations were completed.

Noa smiled brightly.

“Hehe, now I have one course overlapping with Ulan.”

Noa opened her course registration list.

The first course listed was ‘Understanding and Detection of Magic Flow’. Seeing this, Ulan asked with some surprise.

“You registered for it too?”

“Yes, I really wanted to take it!”

Noa’s eyes sparkled.

Of course, there was another reason. A hidden event occurs in this course.

‘On the day midterms start, Professor Dirck is engulfed by magic and turns into a monster.’

And becomes an event boss.

Defeating it gives you quite a decent reward along with various privileges.

‘But it’s scary to do it alone…’

So she dragged Ulan into it.

Since he was in a tough spot too, it was a win-win situation.

This time, we must get the reward.

After making a firm resolve.

Noa smiled and said.

“Let’s work well together from now on, Ulan.”

“Likewise.”

After exchanging pleasantries.

Ulan’s final course list was completed.

──────

◆Military Department

[Combat Skills], [Weaponry], [Tracking Techniques]

◆Magic Department

[Understanding and Detection of Magic Flow], [Mage Battle]

──────

“Huh? One is missing.”

Then Noa’s eyes widened.

First-year students are given a total of 20 credits.

1 credit each is deducted for the common courses Physical Training and Basic Liberal Arts.

So that leaves 18 credits.

Since each department course is 3 credits, you need to register for a total of 6 courses.

“Sigh, no choice. Let’s go around again and see what courses are available.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

Ulan shook his head.

He had set aside a course just in case something like this happened. It was Professor Stella’s ‘Practical Hunting’.

“Huh? Practical Hunting?”

“Yeah.”

“But that’s one of the most popular courses in the Military Department. Even if you go now, there probably won’t be any seats left.”

“It’s fine.”

He said he’d make a seat.

Ulan went to find Stella with a worried-looking Noa. After a while, the scene before them made Noa’s eyes widen.

“Ulan! I knew you’d come!”

Stella hugged Ulan happily.

Amidst Stella’s enthusiastic welcome.

The course registration ended relatively successfully.

And the next morning.

The first class at Arsen Academy

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