Doggone Academy

Why the cheek of all places?

Just let me touch it once. It wont wear off or anything.

It all depends on how useful this information is.

Of course, no matter how useful the information may be, I had no intention of letting anyone touch my cheek. If it were something regarding Silveryn, I might have given it serious thought, but there was no way Cecil would know anything of the sort.

Ah Are you not participating in the practice, Candy?

It depends on the circumstances.

Hmm

Just then, a few female students peeked out from the widely opened research lab and asked Cecil,

What are you doing, Cecil? Whos that with you?

Cecil moved right beside me, pretending to introduce me while slyly looping her arm through mine.

Oh, just a friend of mine. Weve got some business to take care of, can I be excused for a moment?

One of the students squinted at me and added,

Huh, really? You worked the hardest, so go take a break. But dont slack off too much. We dont have many excuses for the professor, you know.

Cecil shouted as if she had been waiting for permission,

Ill be right back!

Immediately, she led me down the hall. After ensuring no one was around with a quick glance, she leaned in and whispered in my ear,

There might be a representative from the Ulyssian Principality observing this next Combat Department practice.

The principality?

Yeah. Someone close to Lady Gainax, apparently. But you couldnt care less about any lady or whatever, right?

Since there was an actual request from the Gainax party, I couldnt truly say I had no interest in them. I had asked Silveryn about the guardian assignment for Lady Gainax, and I expected a response would come soon.

So, you called me here to tell me this?

No, theres even more interesting news. Something that youll be far more interested in!

Cecil stopped in front of a door labeled Magistone Laboratory.

We entered, and I saw a spacious room packed with unidentifiable experimental equipment and neatly arranged rocks on a cushion, like a witchs crystal ball setup.

Cecil playfully chided,

Our Candy shouldnt touch anything.

While I was absentmindedly gazing around, Cecil tapped something inside the fireplace,

Feeling cold? Come here.

Inside the fireplace, instead of wood logs, lay black rocks.

As she recited a spell with her hand on them, the stones started to emit heat and light like a bonfire.

I had never encountered such magical artifacts during my time in Harmatia or with Silveryn. Items embedded with magical powers beyond my comprehension were always fascinating, no matter how many times I saw them.

Even just observing was enough to feel like broadening ones horizons.

As I warmed up in front of the makeshift fireplace, Cecil continued the conversation.

About the magistone you asked for, how much do you know?

Not much. Just that it originated from the heart of a wingless dragon.

Hmm, youre really lucky. Makes me a little envious.

Cecil stood up and took a few steps back, marking the floor with chalk. I couldnt tell what she was planning.

What about it?

You gained a Gallimax-grade magistone by good fortune. Not only is this magistone tailored for enchanting, but you also have a woman who doesnt even know your face treating you like a friend. Youve got good karma.

Cecil moved towards a cabinet and inserted a key into a locked iron box.

Then, she opened the box and took out the same crystal I had handed to her previously.

Just stay there, Candy. Dont move.

Cecil gripped the crystal firmly and took something out of her pocketa frost bomb.

Bravely, she activated the bomb and held it on her palm, obviously intending for it to detonate right there.

The reasoning behind such bravery was beyond me.

Then, with a boom, a white circular shockwave spread through the lab. Frostflakes scattered onto my mask and clothing as well.

Frost and a thin layer of ice formed around Cecil, covering her body in a white frost.

She was transformed into a statue made of ice.

!

Yet, she then moved as normal.

Im not dead, dont worry.

It was a bomb with enough potency to encase even Plantaras in ice.

Yet she simply shook off the frost without any harm, and her body, which should have been frozen solid, was intact, with just a layer of frost on the surface.

As she shook off the ice from her fist, the crystal was revealed.

It had changed from a transparent color to an opaque blue stone.

Remember that giant lizard we encountered in the Circulatory class that wouldnt react to the bomb? Probably thanks to this magistone. It provides its owner with an elemental adaptive barrier.

Elemental adaptive barrier?

We havent verified all of it, but it can defend against flames, frost, lightning, and even corrosive liquids so far. That alone makes it incredibly valuable, and there might still be more undiscovered resistances. Gallimax is just two steps below the absolute grade. Thats the least of it. The value might go up as more research is conducted.

I didnt know much, but it was evident that it was something highly beneficial. For something I obtained by chance, it was an unexpected boon.

It cant be used indefinitely, right?

The magistone provides a formidable defense, but it requires an absurd amount of magical power in return. See how the color has changed? That means its out of energy. When you infuse it with magic, it will return to its original state and its function will be restored.

How much magic does it need?

Hmm to reiterate, an obscene amount of magic is needed. A high-ranking wizard would have to channel a weeks worth of generated magic to activate its full function. I too had my share of trouble recharging it. However, once charged, its durable and has incredibly high utility; the possibilities are endless.

Thats promising.

If a highly skilled magic scholar could refine it, the efficiency could be significantly enhanced.

Lucky me. I happen to know a masterful magic scholar specialized in magistone refinement.

Hmm

Cecil wore an ambivalent expression.

And this magic scholar also happens to be quite pretty.

Her lips twitched, almost involuntarily, as she tried hard to maintain her expression, and then she relented with a hint of resignation,

Okay, Ill work on it. But I have a condition. You have to allow me to submit the refined magistone for the midterm evaluations. Theyre just for assessment, so the professors wont confiscate it.

Silveryns words were rarely off the mark. Becoming friendly with a wizard was always a sure profit. It was a good deal all around.

Agreed.

Cecil placed the crystal back into the iron box and locked it.

And

There seemed to be something more she wanted. Cecil hesitated slightly.

What is it?

Just play with me when I ask.

Seems like therell be another drinking session soon.

Need a drinking buddy?

No, no! Dont go on about that one time. Thats not like me!

***

After training until nightfall, I returned to the Thorn Garden. Silveryns letter should have arrived by this time, but it had not come yet.

Trisha had already fallen asleep early, the whole place quiet.

Fatigued from pushing my body, I too settled into bed early.

That night I dreamt.

In a hazy background, a woman and I stood atop a cliff. And there I was, drawing my sword, facing someone.

It felt like a dream I had before, but everything was blurred to the point of indistinction.

When I was with Silveryn, I once benefited from a dream.

But whether this dream was a premonition, or simply reliving past memories, I couldnt tell.

Perhaps my gift of foresight was blending with the past, blurring together.

***

Associate Professor Gale paced back and forth with his hands clasped behind him in a circular training ground that resembled an arena within Eternia.

It was the first specialized class of the Combat Department.

Before him sat students from the advanced combat class, one knee to the ground, imposing on the sandy floor.

Behind him, a series of gargantuan cages, shrouded with veils, were lined up.

The cages rattled intensely with each of Gales strides, as something within slammed against the metal bars, but barely any students realized what dwelled inside.

The mysterious terror was enough to keep the trainees tensely swallowing their saliva.

Regardless of their assignment to the advanced class, Eternia did not allow them to bask in complacency and overconfidence.

Instead, they were subjected to almost punishing tests to prove their merit to stay.

And this gathering was precisely for that purpose.

As Gales silence permeated the arena, the students also remained quiet, save for the giant beasts caged within, which convulsed to the scent of flesh.

During the palpable tension, Gale scanned each students face.

Most cowered like frightened dogs just hearing the predators, though a few maintained their composure.

Sion, Gale, Victor, Lawrence His gaze lingered, heart unsettled by one particular student, Damian, whom he had encountered during the Masters Class assessments.

Damians face was unabashedly serene.

Gale pushed aside his distractions and commenced the lesson.

Consider yourselves unlucky today.

He skipped the formal introductions and cut straight to the point.

Then, he pulled away the veil.

The monstrous form of an imprisoned beast was revealed.

Youll face a beast with no preparation.

Clang! Clang!

A giant spider, large enough to haul a carriage, slammed against the bars at Gales gesture.

It had sparse, bristly fur, blotchy legs, eyes glittering without any whites, and saliva pooling from unsated hunger.

The students mouths dropped in astonishment.

Well proceed without prep time. Those I call upon will publicly confront this beast today.

Several students raised their hands to inquire, but Gale ignored them.

Let me repeatthere will be no time for preparations. Beast encounters are always sudden. Do you think a beast will wait patiently while you button up and buckle your belt?

No tutor divulged weaknesses or characteristics of the beasts; to encounter and instinctively handle them was the directive of this training.

Assistant instructors then entered, heaping weaponry before Gale.

Spears, bows, longswords, shortswords, maces, and axesa full array was present.

Additionally, you wont be permitted to use your usual weapons.

For fairness, they were to utilize issued weapons instead of their own, artifacts also forbidden.

Only quick wits and combat instincts were sought after.

Even the finest swords and artifacts became meaningless in this drill.

Gale regarded Damian with a mix of anticipation and resentment before announcing loud enough for him to hear,

Moreover, today is doubly unlucky for you all as an aide from the Gainax household has arranged to observe the lesson.

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