Deng Hongcheng subsequently proceeded to introduce the remaining S-rank instructors.
As Aya Tone, the Silver-Haired Witch, had not yet arrived, he reserved their introduction for last.
He deliberately prolonged each instructor’s self-introduction, stretching what could have been conveyed in a mere minute or two into ten.
He wondered if they would even make it in time.
****
The Dragon Court Academy boasted four S-rank instructors: Ying Li, Li Qing, Ge Lun, and Aya Tone.
Unlike Ying Li, the other two S-ranks were not veteran adventurers, but newly ascended powerhouses, currently unburdened by the need to guard S-rank dungeons.
Their abilities, however, proved rather intriguing.
Li Qing possessed the relatively common Spirit Hero system.
After all, who among them didn’t have a once-formidable ancestor?
This was an ability system with incredibly vast upper and lower limits.
The extent of a power user’s strength was entirely dictated by the potency of their awakened Spirit Hero.
Conversely, it was also the most straightforward path to becoming stronger.
One would retrace their Spirit Hero’s entire life, starting from scratch, step by step, back to their peak.
Since they were merely treading an already-walked path, everything was a re-experience.
Yet, to attain S-rank through this method, the conditions were incredibly stringent.
Not only did the awakened Spirit Hero need to be sufficiently powerful, but the individual also had to endure pain and solitude beyond the grasp of ordinary people.
Li Qing was a truly formidable individual.
Ge Lun’s ability, however, was comparatively more intricate and abstract.
It was known as ‘Silence.’
Indeed, it was the fabled divine technique!
However, during the period of silence, Ge Lun was rendered unable to attack the silenced target.
This fact, however, did not diminish his status as a god-tier support.
One could only wonder how he had cultivated his way to S-rank.
‘…’
Facing two middle-aged uncles, the students elicited no such fervor as they had for Ying Li.
Standing on stage, Ge Lun observed the sparse, scattered applause from the students, a wry twitch at the corner of his lips.
He recalled how these young rascals had been entirely different when he watched Senior Ying take the stage from backstage.
The sight brought to mind his own foolish son.
Tsk! A sudden surge of irritation rose within him!
Noticing his comrade in misery settle beside him, Li Qing clapped him on the shoulder, comfortingly saying: “We’re old men now, so don’t take it too seriously.”
“Brother Li, you truly possess a profound understanding; you will undoubtedly be an excellent teacher,” Ge Lun lamented.
Compared to him, Ge Lun was still too easily swayed by external perceptions.
“No!”
Li Qing suddenly shook his head, a fierce glint in his eye as he gritted his teeth and declared: “What I mean is, since we’re old men, we should understand that revenge is a dish best served cold, even ten years later.”
“These young rascals will ultimately fall into our hands. When that happens, hmph! We shall dictate the terms!”
Ge Lun: “…Truly, my friend, you are a genius!”
He was indeed far too naive.
“Haha, it seems young people genuinely dislike ‘greasy uncles,'” Deng Hongcheng chortled, chiding them playfully.
He had naturally witnessed the interaction between the two uncles earlier, and a flicker of pity for the students below couldn’t help but cross his eyes.
Offending two combat instructors on the very first day meant their subsequent lessons would be anything but easy.
Dismissing the fleeting emotions from his gaze, he continued: “The last S-rank instructor is responsible for your magic courses. I believe you’re all undoubtedly familiar with her reputation.”
Upon hearing this, a gentle stir of surprise passed through the crowd, prompting many to stir their slumbering classmates and begin discussing the identity of this mysterious S-rank.
Deng Hongcheng, the cunning old fox, was in no hurry to reveal the name.
He allowed the students to debate for a while, hoping to afford him the opportunity to stall for time.
Perhaps, he could await the arrival of the tardy witch.
Finally!
After several minutes of fervent debate, the crowd settled on a few most probable answers.
“Principal! Is it the Fire Cloud Evil God?”
Not every S-rank powerhouse was willing to let everyone know their true name; most publicly available information for S-ranks was presented through self-proclaimed titles.
Aya Tone was one such case.
Deng Hongcheng gently shook his head. “No.”
“Then, is it the Ice Dragon King?”
“No.”
“…”
“No.”
Just then, Deng Hongcheng’s swift glance caught Li Huaiming hurrying down the aisle, clutching a small, dark bundle.
Although the large hood obscured the figure’s face, he still recognized Li Huaiming, the assistant who had been assigned to pick up the witch.
Clearing his throat, he raised a hand, halting the students’ eager conjectures.
This action simultaneously brought an end to the protracted delay.
“Alright, now let’s invite our lovely witch onto the stage to say a few words.”
“Senior, it’s your turn.”
“Eh?”
With her feet barely touching the ground, Aya Tone pushed onto the podium, a bewildered expression on her face.
Suddenly, hundreds of pairs of eyes fixed upon her, and a wry twitch appeared at the corner of Aya Tone’s lips.
She took a nervous gulp.
“Um, hello everyone.”
“Miss Aya, your hat, your hat,” Deng Hongcheng softly prodded from beside her.
“Ah? Oh.” Aya Tone paused for a moment of bewilderment, then realized.
Her small hand gently pushed back the hood, revealing a cascade of silver hair that fell over her shoulders and reached her waist.
‘…’
Unlike the uproar that greeted Ying Li’s appearance, a profound, almost deathly silence descended upon the entire venue.
In that moment, every single person, regardless of gender, found their breath quickening.
“Uh, what else should I say?”
The silence from the audience instilled a touch of self-consciousness in Aya Tone.
She was a physical education instructor, not an eloquent speaker!
“Miss Aya, just say a couple of words, anything will do.”
‘Say anything?’
Aya Tone attempted to use her recently returned wits to think, and a sudden spark of realization lit up her eyes. ‘Why didn’t they say so sooner!’
“Ah, ah, ah, I’m the new physical education teacher! My surname is Aya, so you can just call me Teacher Aya!”
“Don’t worry! With me here, I will surely restore the soul of physical education, protecting you all from the tyranny of the three academic villains: language, mathematics, and English! I will ensure the grand success of our PE path!”
Aya Tone’s speech grew increasingly fervent.
By the end, she was practically shouting into the microphone.
Uttering phrases like, ‘Heaven did not give birth to Teacher Aya, the path of physical education would be like an eternal night!’
Her words were imbued with nothing but a fierce hope for the future of physical education students.
A profound stillness descended upon the audience, leaving everyone utterly dumbfounded.
Especially Deng Hongcheng.
His face was now etched with utter bewilderment.
He found himself wondering when Dragon Court Academy, a university centered on cultivating combat talents, had ever introduced a course like physical education.
“That concludes my speech, thank you everyone!”
Having spoken, Aya Tone, without a backward glance, abandoned a thoroughly bewildered Deng Hongcheng and made her way towards Li Huaiming.
During her retreat, she even managed a surreptitious wipe of cold sweat.
The feeling of letting loose was liberating, but upon closer reflection, an excruciating wave of mortification washed over her, enough to carve out a three-bedroom, one-living-room dwelling with her toes!
Running back to Xiao Ming’s side, at least there was a familiar face to act as a human shield.
After a fleeting moment of stunned silence, the crowd finally accepted that the last S-rank powerhouse was indeed the Silver-Haired Witch.
Suddenly, a thunderous ovation erupted throughout the venue, eclipsing the one that had greeted Ying Li.
There was no helping it.
Ying Li embodied the ‘mature older sister’ archetype favored by men, while Aya Tone…
She was the universally adored archetype, recognized throughout Z country since ancient times, cherished by men, women, young, and old alike: the Crane-Haired Child Face (White-Haired Loli)!
In the corner of a certain classroom, three young girls gazed with yearning towards the spot where Aya Tone had disappeared.
They all shared a common aspiration.
Magic Girl…
I feel she’s been lied to.