Chapter 51: The Professor’s Request and an Unfortunate Situation

“A New Day, A New Impression”

The next day.

Sion and Patrick made their way into the forest.

Of course, they weren’t there for a casual stroll.

“…I just can’t get used to this route to class.”

“My thoughts exactly. Ugh… Why does Professor Runia insist on holding class all the way out here?”

“…She must have her reasons.”

“Reasons, my ass! It’s probably just because it’s convenient for her. Her house is literally right there. Ugh, my legs…”

Even as Patrick grumbled, he kept walking.

Their destination was Professor Runia’s cabin—

Where she held her lectures right in front of her home.

…It’s because this place attracts spirits.

Since Sion was close to Professor Runia, he knew the real reason.

But he didn’t bother explaining.

After all, after hiking all this way, would Patrick even care?

About ten minutes later, they finally arrived at the familiar sight of the cabin.

And right in front of it—

“…Huh?”

“W-Whoa, what happened here?”

“…This is… different.”

On orientation day, there had been nothing here.

Students had been forced to stand the entire time.

Then, the following week, after hearing Sion’s complaints, Professor Runia had provided stone chairs.

They were crude, but at least they gave students a place to sit.

But now—

…Is this an ancient theater?

A raised platform had been built in front of the cabin.

Behind it, stone seating was arranged in ascending rows, like an amphitheater.

Even from the back row, students would have a clear view of Professor Runia.

It was as grand as a lecture hall or a small-scale colosseum.

Sion had one thought.

…Did she build all of this by herself?

Many students were already seated.

Even more surprising—

Each seat had armrests and a built-in writing surface for taking notes.

Sion and Patrick took their seats on the stone steps.

“…Don’t you think Professor Runia’s evolving?”

“Yeah… but my butt hurts.”

“Be grateful you even have a seat, man.”

As they waited for class to begin, a student approached.

Of course, it was Gáe Bolg.

“Hahaha! Good to see you again, Sion, Patrick!”

“Good morning.”

“Hm? Sion, you bought new clothes? And a new wand as well?”

“Oh… this?”

Sion scratched his cheek and held up his wand.

It was the Armut of Manifestation, the wand he had purchased yesterday at the magic tool shop with Serene.

Its design wasn’t flashy, just a simple, straight wand, but its effects were reliable.

His robe was also something he had bought with Serene.

“You got it from the magic tool shop yesterday, right?”

“It suits you! You’ve got good taste.”

“Thanks.”

“…Wait. Hold on a second.”

Gáe Bolg, now seated, suddenly glanced to the side.

Sion and Patrick were sitting in the front row.

To their far right, Serene was also seated.

She was wearing the same robe as Sion.

“…Wait, what?”

Patrick and Gáe Bolg turned their gazes toward Sion.

“…You’re not going to try and call this a coincidence, are you?”

“I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“I mean, it makes sense! You two left class together yesterday.”

“…Yeah. We went and bought them together.”

Sion admitted it plainly.

Patrick’s eyebrows twitched.

Sion recognized that twitch.

It was a clear warning sign that Patrick was about to start teasing him.

“Couple outfits? Cooouple ouuutfits??”

“…Cut it out.”

“Cut what out? I haven’t even started yet.”

“Hahaha! Sion, there’s nothing shameful about couple outfits! It’s rather admirable to showcase the fresh youthfulness of an academy couple!”

“That’s not—ugh, whatever. I’m done talking.”

“Ah, so you’re speechless from happiness, huh? That must be it.”

“…”

Sion shut his mouth.

Anything he said would only encourage them further.

Even as Patrick and Gáe Bolg continued to tease him, he endured.

Then, three minutes later…

“Ah, h-hello, everyone….”

Professor Runia finally arrived.

And just like that, their teasing stopped.

No—they had no choice but to stop.

…Is that really Professor Runia?

The first time Sion had seen her, she had been wearing rags.

The second time, she had simply changed into cleaner clothes.

But today—

She looked completely different.

Her previously messy hair was now silky smooth, glistening under the sunlight.

Her once plain face was now gracefully enhanced with makeup, making her beauty shine.

…Had she gone to a beauty salon or something?

She was wearing a form-fitting blouse and a high-waisted skirt,

Making her look at least 100 times more refined and professional.

“I-I’ll… s-start the lecture now….”

“!?”

Even her voice was clearer and more confident.

There was still some awkwardness, but there was definite improvement.

Sion recalled their conversation from before—

“Appearance matters, Professor. If you look too casual, students won’t take you seriously.”

“R-Really…?”

“Yes. And also, your voice is too soft. Your pronunciation is unclear, so students can’t hear you properly—especially in a lecture hall.”

…She actually took my advice seriously?

Professor Runia, once timid and unkempt,

Now stood with confidence and presence before her students.

Even Sion had to admit—

She was changing.

“A Lesson in Patience… and Self-Control”

Uuuugh…

“So, she must have gone to a salon for her hair, and for her pronunciation, she must have been practicing regularly…”

She’s really been working hard.

It had only been three weeks.

It hadn’t even been a full month since Sion had met Professor Runia and given her advice.

And yet, the changes she had made were remarkable.

“…Hey, are you crying?”

Patrick glanced at Sion with a puzzled look.

Sion was wiping at his eyes.

“…I’m not the type to cry easily, but… man, this is really getting to me.”

“Wait… Is it because I teased you? Sorry! I won’t tease you anymore! I won’t even let Gáe Bolg do it!”

“It’s not that… Don’t worry about it.”

Patrick, thinking he had gone too far, started panicking.

But Sion wasn’t even paying attention to him anymore.

His focus was entirely on Runia’s lecture.

Yeah, that’s right. You should be demonstrating the magic as you explain…

She was teaching well.

Sion watched her with the pride of a parent watching their child perform at a school event—

Tears in his eyes, a soft dad-smile on his face.

“…That’s it for the theory portion of the class. Now, we’ll move on to the practical training. We’ll be testing spirit affinity. Please wait while I prepare.”

One hour later.

Professor Runia’s class was now halfway through.

Spirit affinity… That was today’s topic, right?

Spirit affinity was crucial for learning Spirit Magic.

The higher a person’s affinity, the more and stronger spirits they could form contracts with.

“And… S-Sion, could you come with me for a moment?”

“…Huh?”

“P-Please hurry.”

Creak.

Before Sion could even question it, Professor Runia had already entered her cabin.

…Why is she calling me all of a sudden?

“I already helped her with class prep before… is that what this is about?”

“…Maybe?”

“Hahaha! Sion, you should go! The professor is waiting for you!”

With a heavy sigh, Sion got up and entered the cabin.

Creeeak—

The old wooden door closed behind him.

And then—

“Waaaaah!! S-Sion!!!”

“…Yes?”

“M-My back is so itchy! P-Please scratch it for me!!!”

“…???”

The moment he stepped inside, Professor Runia rushed at him.

She turned her back to him and pointed frantically.

…She’s asking me to scratch her back?

“Ah… wait. Is it because of the shirt? You can’t reach?”

“I-It won’t reach… Ugh, is it because it’s new? It’s driving me crazy… P-Please…!”

“Can’t you just do it yourself…?”

“…Nnnnghh!!”

“???”

Runia let out a weird noise as she twisted her arms back, trying to scratch herself.

But—

Her chest… and underarms were too tight in the blouse.

Her arms couldn’t reach beyond her shoulders.

“P-Please hurry…!”

She faced away from him, pleading.

Her face flushed red from frustration.

Her breath was uneven, her eyes half-lidded with desperation.

…Why does this look so suggestive?

Sion closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself.

This is my professor.

I might become a graduate student.

This cabin is still filthy.

He mentally chanted these thoughts, trying to exorcise any impure ideas.

“S-Sion…?”

“…Alright, I’ll scratch it. Where?”

“R-Right here…!”

Following her desperate pointing,

Sion curled his fingers like a claw and began scratching her back.

And the moment he did—

“Aaaahhh!!!”

“…Professor?”

“A-Ah, s-sorry… It just felt too good…!”

“……”

“P-Please keep going… I-It’s still so itchy… Ahh…”

Every time Sion moved his fingers,

Runia’s body trembled.

Her face melted into bliss.

…My country’s national anthem…

To prevent blood from rushing to his lower half,

Sion mentally started singing his homeland’s anthem.

If his body betrayed him and Runia noticed,

Not only would their relationship become awkward forever,

His entire school life could be ruined.

“P-Please… d-don’t stop…!”

“……”

“Ahhh! Y-Yes! Right there! That’s perfect…!”

Her moans of satisfaction continued for a full minute.

And in that minute—

Sion experienced the most exhausting, emotionally draining moment of his entire time in this world.