"Ah, Sir Remon, he's just a lost beggar whom we saved from some beasts." Kurtan said as an introduction but he didn't even say what the "little beggar's" name is, signifying how he deemed it was unnecessary.
'So my only value is getting praise from your senior, huh...'
Elihim internally rolled his eyes. But in this entire exchange, he only had his head lowered to show respect and to keep low.
"Is that so..."
That was why Elihim didn't see how much he was looked down upon. Not a trace of pity flashed in the eyes of this Academy Elite. It was as if that if Kurtan said that they let this little beggar die on his own, Remon wouldn't comment about it.
But even if Elihim didn't see it, he could clearly feel and hear that tone. Remon talked as if Elihim was the smallest of ants. Of course, Elihim stayed indifferent. He had worse and how could he get offended by people he deemed as ants as well?
'The only problem is the Karma Strings I'm forming with these people. But well, it's not hard to remove and it's for the sake of cutting my strings with Ellie too.'
Soon after, Remon went to the other locations after telling them that their last job for the day is to move the beasts back to the main camp where they set up the tents.
"As for the child, let your Professor Merim decide what to do with him."
Those were the words he left that made Elihim want to chuckle. It took approximately another hour for Kurtan's group to move the twenty or so carcasses that they hunted for the day.
Twenty beasts might be small but a fat whole boar is like a treasure chest for small towns, more so since animals are now stronger than in the past and meat provides more energy. That is why Kurtan's group received high praises.
In the standards of Pups that is... for the Imagis that are on the higher stages, they have more flexibility, their imaginative power is more resilient, and generally, they have more experience.
As for the Spirit Stage Imagis, their only limit is how many beasts are there in the area.
Seeing this, Elihim sighed in relief.
'It seemed like the academy is just overprotective but they are not that bad... compared to what originally thought.'
When they finally arrived at the main camp, Kurtan brought Elihim to one of the bigger tents which Merim is currently on standby. Wey went with them. As a teenage girl, she idolizes men such as Merim.
Not only is Merim generally dashing, he's also young, is an Academy Elite, and "cool" if Wey was to put it in terms.
'Hm... it seemed like Merim is the school idol around here.'
Elihim commented when he saw Wey's reaction when they met Merim. Meanwhile, the guy in question almost had his jaw fallen off onto the ground when Kurtan and Wey presented this "poor little beggar"
'What acting! Even though this kid's definitely that otherworlder Elihim based on appearance, his demeanor is vastly different from that ancient fox devil!'
Merim felt nervous that he secretly gulped. But since keeping one's image is important there, as ingrained in their heads, he kept his composure on the outside. Only Elihim noticed the subtle difference in Merim's behavior.
"Good work. Compassion towards another is a gift." Merim said with an indifferent expression.
Wey's face reddened and bashfully replied.
"Thank you, Sir Merim! W-we wouldn't a child like him alone. I feel pity for this poor child since he must've gone through a life full of hardship at his young age..."
Wey continued to speak of her "compassion" towards Elihim which the latter and Kurtan could only internally sneer at.
"Is that so..."
Merim only replied with that and a nod. Wey covered her mouth and was filled with shame. She finally realized her mistakes.
'Am I too obvious?! Am I too talkative!? Did Sir Merim think that I'm too soft?! Or did he see through my exaggerations!?'
But before Wey could redeem herself, Merim continued and looked at Kurtan.
"Let me take care of him and decide. I'll call you later."
"Yes, Sir Merim!"
Kurtan bowed which Wey followed and left.
"D-did I say too much or something wrong, Uncle Kurt?"
"Hmm, yes..."
"Urgh..."
Not interested in their exchange as they left, Merim led Elihim into his tent and sat down. Almost immediately his expression mellowed down.
"You..."
"I've seen enough." Elihim cut to the chase.
He didn't need to say any explanation. Merim already realized and should've pieced the current situation by himself.
"So... what's your comment about it?"
"Although I've seen just one part of it, I think I can generalize."
Elihim replied to Merim's question and continued.
"The students here think too highly of themselves."
"Urgh...!" Merim groaned but this didn't stop Elihim from speaking his evaluation.
"They might care for each other but towards lower-standing people, they are soulless."
Merim couldn't rebuke it.
"Unless there's a reward, they wouldn't do a thing. If they're not new and are still just 'Pups' they might leave me behind in the wilds to die... which of course, wouldn't happen."
Elihim continued to list some of what he found which Merim have no argument about.
"And seeing the behavior of the faculty members, I see that this is not a solitary case. The teachings inside the academy are the root of it. For example, you..."
"The standards here are low and that is speaking with an open-minded..."
"Lastly, their knowledge about fighting is lacking. Their experience reveals how much the academy shelters them."
"..." Merim's confidence about the Emeralkan Academy plummeted. If it was any other person, he would've slapped that person as he will take that as an insult instead of criticism.
And since Elihim is not just "any other person" he took it as honest and professional criticism. But Elihim's next words surprised Merim the most.
"I like this academy!"