A/N: Without me realizing it, this chapter got stretched to 3.7k+ words. Do tell me if you found the content too boring or weird(but remember to keep your standards to the levels suitable for fan fictions). I feel like I might have gone overboard with the MC's interaction with the teacher and then the teacher's POV later in the chapter. I just went into a sort of trance while writing it and ended up making up a lot of bullshit on the spot. I think I might be on to something here. (Probably an upcoming lemon scene with a hot teacher, but we'll see how things progress.) If you thought it was too sudden or bizarre or just felt unnatural as hell, do let me know. I'll try to fix it/edit it out.
Also, I see a some people complaining about MC keeping his old name and how 'nonsensical' or 'stupid' it is. One even threatened to give 1star because if it. To those people, I just want to say: Your opinion has been read and ignored. Thank you for taking your time to shit on a fucking name of all things.
Jesus Christ, my dudes. Why does it bother you so much? 'Ian' is a completely normal and okay name to have. And it's also completely normal to not want to give up on your original name just because you're in a new world with a new face. Not everyone has a deep desire to change their names. Some people like their names. MC happens to be one of them. Don't let such things bother you.
The name is staying as it is. (Unless I feel like I want to change it for plot reasons or something.)
Anyway, enjoy the story. :)
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As I had expected, the dungeon was a breeze for us.
We were already reaching the third floor and it had only been 25 minutes.
'At this rate, we will finish in about 40 minutes.' D
Despite the fact that I didn't follow the shortest route.
Since I was in charge of the team, I decided to let them have some fun… by which I mean: I made them all mine crystals as I "stayed on watch" for any sudden attacks. Of course, there was like a single such moment and the rest of the time, I spent lazying around while the others did all the hard work.
It was fun.
Did it annoy the others? Yes. Yes, it did.
Angelica's lackeys even brought that up. But Olivia, and surprisingly even Angelica herself defended me. And since she was their leader, they couldn't argue.
And in truth, I killed like 70% of the monsters we encountered (in a single blow) and was our guide, so they couldn't claim that I didn't do anything.
"Wow, look Ian. This crystal is so big."
Olivia spoke in awe, showing me a slightly larger-than-average blue crystal.
Using a quick
"Hmm. That can earn you around 300 dias. That's probably the highest amount of money you can get from a mana crystal on the upper floors. Congrats."
"Mm! Thanks!"
She beamed at the news.
We had already agreed that whoever mines the mana crystals gets to keep them. But the monster drops were shared equally among all the members.
It was an unfavorable deal for me, but I still agreed. Even if I soloed the entire dungeon, it won't even earn me a pocket change at this point. And need I remind you of how filthy rich I was at the moment. With Eris's help, I could technically print Dias if I wanted. Not that I had the need to do it.
I didn't care for the low-grade crystals here when I had high and rare-grade crystals lying around in my inventory gathering metaphorical dust.
It was like how an end-game player would not care about drops when hunting in the beginning areas. The drops here were practically trash-tier.
Maybe this was the reason the others didn't care much for them either. Angelica was filthy rich too and her lackeys were still daughters of nobles. They only mined some for the experience and to show off in case they found big ones like Olivia just did.
Olivia was an entirely different case though. For her, this was her lifeline. Even earning a few hundred dias was something big for her meager pockets. Poor thing. And I don't mean that literally. That would be rude. I am not rude… okay, I am a little rude but not a complete asshole. Especially not to her.
As we made our way to the stairway to the third floor that was now visible, Angelica spoke to me.
"I don't suppose this dungeon is any challenge to you, Alpenwind. You practically demolished any foes we encountered in a single strike without even using enchantments to boost yourself."
I glanced toward her, finding it slightly strange that she would start a casual conversation now. She had been quiet the entire way, only speaking when absolutely needed. She was still acting stoic and regal though.
"Well, I won't lie. It really is too easy. I had to hunt high-tier monsters in the wild to earn money for better gear and have even fought Boss grade monsters alone. I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging, but this really is a walk in the park. So these monsters are nothing. That being said, you yourself are quite adept at this. I didn't expect such expertise from someone who claimed that this was her first time entering a dungeon."
My words seemed to have some effect as I felt her straighten up a little.
"It's true that this is my first time entering an actual dungeon. But I've hunted monsters before. But only low-level ones. I have never actually fought monsters on the level you mentioned though. I doubt I could with my current strength. You really are outstanding for being able to fight such beasts. Your moments are on the level of the high-ranked knights."
Her praise sounded genuine this time, even if her tone was even.
I had gathered a bunch of skills and experience during my many battles in the past year or two. It was natural that I would be good. And I had no reason to hide my strength. Well, I was barely showing it, but for weak mobs, I would be dumb and would probably look like a boisterous person if I used my stronger attacks.
"Well, I had to adapt to circumstances. I had to learn to fight the monsters because I was on my own and it was the only thing I could do to earn my daily bread, get armor and ship parts to protect myself and continue my travels. Before I realized it, I had gone from fighting low-tier fish monsters to fighting sea serpents and armored hippogryph flocks." (A/N: I'll take some liberty and add new monsters if and when I feel like it. Coz why not?)
I turned to look at Angelica who was listening to my story in rapt attention.
Even Olivia and the two Fem lackeys were now silent and paying attention to our conversation.
"Well, that's a little bit of my life's story. You can say I have an unfair advantage in this particular subject due to my prior experience in the field."
At that, Angelica shook her head.
"No, there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, I can respect someone like you who has earned his title and reputation with his own strength."
"Why, thank you."
I smiled a little in response.
I really didn't expect to hear such kind words from the antagonist of the game herself.
Guess the changes caused by the Marie girl were starting to affect her. She was still cold and high & mighty most of the time, but she wasn't a stuck-up bitch like most other noble young "ladies."
That was enough for her to earn some minor cookie points from me.
I could guess the fact that she wasn't just being nice for the sake of being nice. There was still some agenda here. But from what my senses told me, she wasn't just straight-up lying. Most of that praise was genuine.
"Well, that's the stairs leading to the third and final floor. Let's finish this and then we can rest while we wait for the other teams to finish their run."
'If I'm not mistaken, miss Ava would be there waiting for us. I guess I can ditch the group and go flir—ahem, talk to her while they rest.'
With some not-so-innocent thoughts in my head, I led the group to the final level.
***
"Alright, since you guys seem like you need rest, I'll let you guys rest. This is a safe zone, so there's no issue with relaxing either. Plus, we have our teacher and the assistants. Speaking of, I'll go report to miss Wendelle about our run."
She did tell me to meet her after I was done resting. I was done resting. I wasn't even tired. And even if I was, I could definitely muster up some strength to talk if it was her.
Getting a tired node from others, I ditched—I mean, left the group to rest as I made my way towards the busty black-haired woman currently standing alone near the gate of the safe room.
Dungeons here had safe rooms on every floor, just like in the game. A place to recharge health and mana and organize the inventory.
If it sounds like an easy dungeon, it is because it was an easy dungeon. It was literally the first dungeon the player went into. It was only natural for it to be so easy.
"Alpenwind."
The female professor called as I finally reached her.
"Hello, miss Wendelle."
I smiled in response.
"How was the dungeon?"
She inquired.
"Well, can't say we had any problems. It was just a bunch of giant ants, apes, and some moles."
I replied casually.
One of the many things I liked about this teacher was that she was very chill in person. I didn't have to act like a proper student when we were alone.
"As I would expect. On your level, I doubt even the boss monster of this dungeon would be a problem. What I am asking is, how did the others perform? I noticed your group had both the honor student and the duke's daughter. They're both incredibly talented. Well, as compared to the rest of the batch. I am keeping you out of the comparison for obvious reasons."
She smirked knowingly.
Ah, it was hard to not like her. Those juicy and pouty red lips of hers… I could think of a couple of ways to put them to good use.
I quickly pulled myself out of my R-rated thoughts to answer her.
"Well, I can guarantee that they're some of the best students. Olivia has an innate talent for magic in general. But she's been focusing on support magic currently."
Her rare Healing Magic was still unknown to everyone else. She did tell me about it a while ago, though. I told her not to use it freely in public. It actually was incredibly rare. It would garner a lot of attention toward her and she was not mentally and physically ready for that kind of attention.
"As for Angelica, she's really good with offensive magic. Plus, she seems to have some experience with fighting monsters."
"As I would expect from someone like her. The ducal house is known for its talented heirs and heiresses. As for Olivia, I was told she was a rare talent. It's good to see her putting it to good use. If she does well here, she can easily find herself in one of the many Magician guilds, or even the Royal Magician Court. I hope she does well. Commoners like her are a rarity, but I think a talent like her deserves the best care."
"I can't refute that. Olivia is a special girl."
I nodded, looking at the girl who became the future Saintess and the queen of the Empire.
It probably won't happen in this world, though. Thanks to a certain small transmigrator.
"Oh? It seems our prodigious adventurer has something for the honor student."
I turned to look at the smirking professor.
She was trying to tease me. Heh. Bad move.
I smiled as I replied.
"She's my friend, yes. And I think she's adorable. But that's all. She and I don't have that kind of relationship. Besides…"
My smile turned into a small smirk.
"I like mature women more. Especially ones with high ponytails and glasses."
And bigger boobs, but I was not dumb enough to say that out loud.
Her smile dropped as a frown instead took her place.
"Oi, don't try to flirt with your teacher, brat. I am much older than you."
"I was only telling you about my interests, professor. It wasn't necessarily directed toward you. That would be inappropriate. But it's true that I like women like that. And you do look so gorgeous and are incredibly likable.
I am actually kind of surprised the boys in my class don't talk about you as much as they should. Not that I'm complaining. They're still young and ignorant."
At that point, I felt like my left cheek stretched as she started pulling on it.
"Alright, Mr. I Am Smooth. That's enough of your flirtatious behavior. I am still your teacher. You shouldn't speak like that in front of your teachers."
"It's only in front of you, Miss Wendelle. I won't ever speak like that with any other professor. You are my favorite, after all."
I spoke with the most genuine and serious face I could muster at that time.
Honestly, this pathetic and cheesy approach would never work in real life. But this world was special. It was based on a bloody Otome game. And while the focus of the game was guys(Eugh), the tricks and pickup lines from the Dating Sims I used to play still applied here.
In fact, I learned that fact because of her. In one of our previous conversations, I used one of the lines and she actually reacted to it. It was a mild reaction, but a reaction nonetheless.
And I was proven right once again when she stopped pulling my cheeks and huffed in mock annoyance with a mild blush creeping on her face.
"Seriously now. You, Mr. Leon Alpenwind, need some extra classes on manners."
"Oh, please no. Not the Etiquette classes."
I groaned. I genuinely hated those with a passion.
My reaction caused her smirk to return as she was back to her cool teacher persona.
"Well, if you don't want it, then learn to act properly in front of your teacher. Just because I am lenient to you doesn't mean I will allow inappropriate behavior."
She said that, but her pleased smile after that told me her real emotions.
'Yup, I'm so gonna tap that. No matter what anyone says.'
"Aww… and here I thought I was your favorite student. I am hurt, professor. Can't I get a little more leeway?"
"There's a reason you're not getting detention, in case you couldn't tell."
I would have pouted if I could pout cutely, but since I couldn't, I chose to sigh in mock resignation.
"… yes, professor."
Seeing me deflate seemed to change her mood.
She spoke her words much more kindly.
"Look, Leon. It's not that I want to be so harsh to you. It's just that, it's inappropriate for you to say such things to a teacher. If anyone had heard it, you could get in trouble You're still young and should focus on your studies and future. I know you're talented, and that's why I think you shouldn't waste your potential."
I stood there, silent as I digested her words.
'Well, I guess I overdid it. I wasn't expecting her to go so far as to lecture me kindly about my future.'
Sometimes I disliked being in a younger body.
"Don't worry, professor. I know what I want in my life. And I will not be distracted. But I am not going to take back what I said. Anyway, it seems the second party has arrived. I'll stop bothering you now."
And with that, I left before she could reply.
Of course, I made sure to note her current thoughts.
[Name: Ava Fluer Wendelle
Race: Human(Magical)
Level: 48
Thoughts about you: Small guilt towards you, Mild Fondness, Worried for your mental state and future]
'Yup, I'm sooo gonna tap that.'
It would take time, but I would make her fall for me, even if my current age and status as her student were an obstacle.
Don't underestimate the power of love(empowered by lust and a strong possessive desire).
***
[Ava F. Wendelle's POV]
She watched as Leon Alpenwind went back to his group.
'That expression… Did I hurt his feelings? I didn't mean to, but if he was actually serious about it then it would be bad for his reputation and future.'
She had only met Leon a month ago in her first combat lesson but she had known about him, or rather his deeds, from before that.
Leon Alpenwind was an irregularity. Calling him a genius would be an understatement. The boy had a monstrous talent. It even outshined all the up-and-coming talents of the current generation.
His feats in Adventuring started spreading a year ago when a young teen discovered a new habitable island and precious treasures. And as if to shut the mouths of naysayers who called it a fraud or coincidence, he accomplished similar feats multiple times.
His current rank in the Adventurer's guild was enough proof that he was one of a kind. After all, there were no other 15-year-olds who were promoted to S-rank, the highest rank possible for any adventurer. All other S-ranked in the country, which could be counted on two hands, were established people who were past their 30s, many in their 50s. It was an unattainable dream for many adults and yet a child had done it.
No wonder even the royal family was watching over him and supporting him from behind.
She had no intention to be so close to him, even though he was in her class. It was only her own curiosity as an ex-Adventurer who was a reputable B-rank at a mere 21 years of age, that attracted her toward him.
It started as a simple student-teacher talk which evolved into a somewhat more informal connection due to his unusually mature nature. And it had happened in less than 15 meetings. The boy had charisma. And he was smart. Frighteningly smart. He hid it well behind his uncaring and lazy persona, but he scored perfect marks in all initial physical tests and was among the best scorers in most written tests. It was only the classes like the Ettiqute class in which he scored above average.
She had got all this information from the gossiping teachers. Most of them had a positive reputation of him. Though, there was one glaring flaw he tended to be lazy and bunk a lot of classes. But since his scores were near flawless and he seemed to have some connection with the Academy's board committee, he was allowed to do as he pleased.
He was also quite fun to be around. His stories about his adventurers were some of the best she had heard. She had to admit, the boy's luck was as monstrous as his talents. The number of times he just stumbled upon hidden lands or treasures was bordering on nigh impossible.
It was without a doubt that the boy had a bright future.
And it was because of that that she didn't want him to be distracted by unnecessary things.
Her gaze drifted once more to the boy in question and a small sigh leaked from her mouth.
He wasn't lying about her being his favorite teacher. He seldom interacted with other teachers and he wasn't as cheerful and frank with them when talking.
A part of her, the one who was passionate about teaching, felt happy that such a talented student was so close to her. Since he was so far above his peers, she had occasionally tried to teach some of the high-level things to him and he took to it with fair ease.
Another part of her felt inferior and incompetent when teaching him. A lot of what she had to teach, he already knew. The rest of the things, he was taking with ease as well.
She didn't teach him a lot because she didn't want to look like she favored him so much (though she certainly did) and because she was worried she would run out of things to teach him. She might have more practical experience than him but he had enough talent to overshadow it in a small time period.
And yet another part of her was genuinely curious and excited to see where such a young man would be in the future. Sometimes, this feeling overwhelmed the other feelings.
Leon Alpenwind was a really interesting boy.
But now she was worried he would be demoralized due to this rejection.
But what other choice did she have?
She didn't normally mind his frank comments and occasional flirtatious behavior, but today he seemed to be a lot more open about it.
She was used to such comments. She knew she had a desirable body and a decent face, but she wasn't interested in things such as romance.
And she couldn't reciprocate such feelings, especially if they came from her student who was many years younger than her.
And she was somewhat scared of the idea itself. She didn't show it to others, but she was actually shy. She had just learned to hide it beneath her cheerful teacher persona.
And yet, a part of her still felt guilty.
She hadn't realized he had feelings of adoration for her. Today was a surprise.
'Haa… What do I do about this?'
Certain thoughts started creeping into her head at that time.
Was this why he opened up to her so quickly?
How long had this been going on?
And would it sour their relationship?
She didn't want that. Even if it had only been a short time, she had started to find him quite likable.
Was she actually overthinking? He did have the habit of making jokes. And it wasn't like he had actually confessed to her. He just said he was into women like her and that he found her attractive.
Yes, this was it.
She was overthinking things.
She didn't have to worry about it too much.
And if he did have such feelings towards her… then…
Another sigh leaked from her mouth.
'I hope this is just my imagination running wild. Damn it, Ava. Get your head together. You're a 24-year-old adult. Stop getting bothered by the comments of a boy almost a decade younger than you.'
She shook her head to get rid of any strange thoughts.
The second party finally arrived. It was the prince and his friends, along with a girl.
"Congratulations, Your Highness. Your party has finished this task in just 1 hour 30 minutes. You are second to arrive here."
"Second?"
One of the members of the party, Jilk, asked looking confused.
"Yes. Leon Alpenwind's party was the first to arrive. They got here in a record time of just over 40 minutes. They're resting there."
She pointed towards the corner where Leon's party was sitting and idly chatting.
"Your party can join them and wait while the others arrive."
They all looked a little sad at the news, perhaps feeling that they lost (not that it was a competition) but nodded and left to rest.
She sighed again, feeling mentally tired.
It was always tough to deal with His Highness. Her entire carrier could be ruined and her life would be forfeit if she made any blunders around him.
'I want to go home and have a nice relaxing bath.'
She tiredly thought before groaning once she realized she still had two more classes to take.
Being a teacher was not easy.
[End of Ava F. Wendelle's POV]
***