As Chalu, Raro, and Gori trailed behind Colerio toward the gate of Magux School, where magic and swordsmanship education thrived, the murmurs of curious students filled the air.
"Who are they?" one whispered.
"Why are they following Teacher Colerio?" another pondered aloud.
"Could they be bigshots for Teacher Colerio to guide them personally?" speculated a third.
Uncertainty lingered as someone nervously remarked, "We don't know, but if they are, I wonder what will happen."
To the Eldoans observing them, Chalu, Raro, and Gori appeared as fellow Eldoans, their disguises effectively concealing their true identities.
Chalu resembled a male Eldoan with short brown hair, brown eyes, and brown skin; Raro sported orange hair, a messy yet endearing look, and fair white skin; while Gori had black hair, an undercut, black eyes, a sturdy frame, and brown skin.
The sight of them left everyone stunned.
"Could they really be bigshots?" someone murmured.
"Let's wait and see what Teacher Colerio has to say," another suggested.
"Follow me," Teacher Colerio instructed Chalu, Raro, and Gori, to which the trio nodded in agreement.
They walked closely behind Colerio, moving through the corridors until they reached their destination: the principal's office. Chalu noticed the door with the principal's office name on it, feeling a mix of nervous and curiosity about what they are doing here.
[By the way Beastfolk have adopted the Eldoans' writing system to delve into Eldoan culture and language. However, Eldoans themselves have been more reluctant to reciprocate, with some refusing to learn the Beastfolk's writing system, deeming it a cursed form of writing. This reluctance stems from the Eldoans' pride and prejudice towards Beastfolk, viewing them as harbingers of calamity.]
Colerio looked at the trio and said, "Stay here, I'll be right back." Confusion flickered across their faces, but they nodded in agreement.
As Colerio opened the door and stepped inside, the trio waited outside, exchanging puzzled glances. Inside the office, Colerio found himself facing Principal Marvus Borne, a seasoned man deeply engrossed in his work.
"Hello, Principal Marvus Borne," Colerio greeted.
Marvus looked up, surprised to see Colerio, and inquired, "Colerio, what brings you here?"
Colerio replied casually, "I have three individuals I'd like to enroll in the school."
Marvus was taken aback by Colerio's unexpected visit and composed himself before asking, "And who are these three people?"
Colerio explained, "They are travelers."
Marvus raised an eyebrow, seeking further clarification. "Travelers? Like those who roam villages and kingdoms in search of foods or something?"
Colerio affirmed, "Yes, sir. One of them possesses remarkable mana capabilities."
"Is that so?" Marvus questioned, intrigued.
Colerio nodded, maintaining his nonchalant demeanor. "Yes, sir. As for the other two, I believe they could train to become knights and learn swordsmanship."
Marvus nodded in agreement with Colerio's assessment. "Hmm... Interesting. We do need more knights. Because unfortunately, their numbers have dwindled due to the misconceptions surrounding their strength." He sighed wearily before elaborating, "Many believe that knights are merely scapegoats in the war against the beastfolk, viewing them as inferior to mages. Because of that mindset, fewer students choose to pursue the path of knighthood."
Colerio listened attentively, understanding the gravity of the situation. This revelation shed light on the challenges faced by the school in maintaining a balanced enrollment across different disciplines.
Colerio nodded in understanding. "I Understood, sir. I should probably leave you to your work."
Marvus nodded in acknowledgment, then hesitated before adding, "By the way..."
Colerio glanced back, curious. "Yes?"
Marvus shook his head slightly. "It's nothing. Never mind."
Colerio nodded once more before excusing himself from the office, leaving Marvus to ponder over the implications of Colerio's unexpected request.
Well, Marvus's trust in Colerio was unwavering, which explained his lack of further questioning. He recognized Colerio as an upright man, someone who always adhered to the rules. In the eyes of many, Colerio embodied the stoic professor who upheld the standards of Magux School without fail. This reputation had made him quite popular among the faculty and administration.
Knowing Colerio's character, Marvus didn't feel the need to delve deeper into the motives behind his request. To Marvus, Colerio's word was as good as gold, and his actions spoke volumes about his integrity and dedication to the school's principles.
....
[Outside the Universe]
As I watched the story unfold, I found myself craving some snacks to accompany the experience. Turning to the creation system, I requested, "System, can you give me some popcorn? I need something to munch on while enjoying the story."
The creation system responded, "Certainly, but it will cost 100 contribution points."
Considering it a small price to pay for the enjoyment, I agreed, "That's reasonable. I'll buy it."
With a confirmation from the system, popcorn materialized in my hands. Taking a moment to appreciate the sight, I then realized I wanted something to wash it down. "System, can you also give me some cola?"
The creation system informed me, "That will also cost 100 contribution points."
Without hesitation, I consented, "Alright, let's get it."
In no time, a refreshing cola appeared before me. Grinning at the sight of my snacks, I remarked, "Perfect! With these, I can sit back, relax, and enjoy the story with some delicious treats."
...
Inside Eldan
As Colerio Saphero informed Chalu, Raro, and Gori about everything, they headed first to the area designated for knight education, where the art of swordsmanship was practiced.
Upon arrival, Chalu and his companions observed numerous individuals engaged in training, some with wooden swords and others with spears. It appeared that the training encompassed not only swordsmanship but also spearmanship, all aimed at preparing them for knighthood.
As Colerio, Chalu, Raro, and Gori entered the training area, the practice came to a halt, and all eyes turned towards them. Instantly, the knights in training saluted Colerio, a gesture of respect that transcended his mage status.
Despite primarily being known as a mage, Colerio's reputation as a skilled knight was widely recognized within the knight community. Having achieved the esteemed rank of First Grade Knight, he was held in high regard by all. His mastery of both magic and swordsmanship made him a figure of admiration and inspiration for those aspiring to become knights.
In addition to his role as a teacher of magic theory, Colerio also took an active part in training knights, imparting his knowledge of martial arts and combat techniques. This dual expertise further solidified his standing among the knights.
In unison, the assembled knights voiced their welcome to Colerio, acknowledging his presence with reverence and admiration. "Welcome, Teacher Colerio," they echoed, their words a testament to the respect and esteem in which he was held within the knight community
Acknowledging the salutes, Colerio addressed the assembly in a nonchalant yet commanding manner, ensuring his voice carried throughout the area. "I want to inform you all that we have a new student joining us today."
As the knights saluted Colerio, their training momentarily paused, and the atmosphere buzzed with curiosity. Suddenly, a female knight who was overseeing the training approached Colerio with a puzzled expression.
"What's going on?" she asked, her tone a mix of surprise and confusion.
Colerio turned to face her, recognizing her as Ms. Lerona Everdale, one of the knight instructors. "Hello, Ms. Everdale," he greeted her calmly. "I'm here to inform you that we have new knight students joining us today."
Lerona's eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. "New students?" she repeated, clearly taken aback. "I don't understand. Did the principal approve this?"
Colerio nodded, his expression unwavering. "Yes, he did. The principal confirmed it. He agrees that we need more students in the knight program. Our numbers have been dwindling, and recruiting new Knight students will help bolster our army."
Lerona's skepticism lingered, but she eventually nodded, accepting Colerio's explanation. "I see," she responded, though her tone hinted at lingering doubts. "Well, if the principal approved it, then I suppose we'll have to make accommodations."
Then she glanced at the trio and began to ask, "Are the three of them—?"
"No, only two of them," Colerio clarified before Lerona could inquire further.
With a nonchalant gesture, Colerio pushed Chalu and Gori forward, presenting them to Lerona and the other students.
"These two will be your new classmates," Colerio declared. He then turned to Chalu and Gori. "Introduce yourselves."
Chalu's face lit up with a warm smile as he stepped forward. "I'm Chalu, and I'm 15 years old," he announced confidently, his voice ringing out with youthful enthusiasm.
Gori, in contrast, wore a more reserved expression, his features set in a stoic mask as he grumbled, "I'm Gori, 23 years old," his tone lacking the same level of eagerness as Chalu's.
The students erupted into laughter at Gori's blunt introduction, their amusement echoing through the training grounds as they teased him about his name and age.
"Gori? Sounds like a monkey's name! Haha!"
"So funny, Gori! Did you climb here on vines?"
"Gori the monkey! Haha! You gonna swing from the trees, Gori?"
Enraged by the taunts, Gori's fists clenched instinctively, a flash of anger flickering in his eyes as he prepared to retaliate.
[To Gori, the comparison to a monkey felt like an insult. As a Gorilla, he considered himself a higher being than a mere monkey.]
But before he could act, Chalu stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder and offering a calming word of advice.
"Calm down, okay? Let's not make things worse," Chalu urged, his voice filled with genuine concern for his friend.
Colerio's voice boomed, silencing the students instantly. He addressed them sternly, commanding their attention.
"Silence!" Colerio's authoritative tone brooked no argument as he addressed the group sternly. "From now on, treat these two as your classmates."
The students nodded in reluctant agreement, their laughter fading as they reluctantly acknowledged Colerio's authority.
"Good," Colerio concluded, his expression firm as he turned to leave. But before he departed, he paused to entrust Lerona with the responsibility of looking after Chalu and Gori.
"Take care of these two for me," Colerio instructed Lerona, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Lerona nodded dutifully, her gaze unwavering as she accepted the task assigned to her. "Of course, anything for you, Monster Slayer," she responded, her tone tinged with a hint of reverence for Colerio's legendary status.
Colerio waved off the title with a dismissive gesture. "Don't call me that. I'm not a monster slayer anymore," he insisted, though his words carried a note of resignation.
But Lerona remained undeterred, her unwavering loyalty evident in her response. "To us, you still are," she affirmed, her voice firm and unwavering.
With a shrug, Colerio conceded defeat, his expression resigned as he turned to Raro. "Let's go," he said simply, his attention already shifting nonchalantly to the tasks ahead.
Raro, feeling nervous, said goodbye to Chalu and Gori. He worried that among the Mages, his disguise might not hold up, revealing he was actually a cat—a beastfolk. The idea terrified him because in this world, people often treated beastfolk with prejudice. If discovered, he could face hostility or even death from those who hated Their kind.
"Good luck, Raro," Chalu interjected into Raro's thoughts, his smile unwavering and supportive.
Upon hearing Chalu's words, Raro felt a flicker of determination ignite within him. He found strength in his friend's encouragement, bolstered by the belief that he could overcome the challenges ahead. "Thanks, Chalu. I'll do my best," he replied, his voice filled with newfound resolve.
Even Gori, despite his gruff exterior, offered a parting word of encouragement. "Good luck, shorty," he teased, a rare hint of warmth underlying his words.
With that, Raro and Colerio departed from the knight's training area, their footsteps echoing across the grounds as they made their way toward the mage education section. Left behind, Chalu and Gori prepared to embark on their journey as knight students, surrounded by their new classmates and the promise of adventure that lay ahead.
To be continued