Free Web NovelChapter 150: VIPs’ Departure
Less than 100 students stayed behind.
"..."
Mika reflected on the day of their enrollment three months ago.
The number of students in the first year was approximately a little over 200.
However, due to the recent invasion incident about 60 students from that year lost their lives. And now, over 50 were about to enroll in academies in other nations.
But in comparison to the second-years, it was still a huge number. After all, the second-years started a year ago with over 100 people but also three months ago, they lost half of them due to a demon subjugation, which Lucio led. Furthermore, the invasion further reduced their numbers to a mere 20.
Naturally, the 20 students were anxious. It was the first time they had heard about an entire year losing about 80 percent of its people.
Some even thought that it was because it was Loogam.
Lucio managed to catch their worries and personally apologized to them despite knowing that a mere apology could not do much.
Now, most of those 20 second-years pondered a lot and came to the conclusion to leave Loogam and join another academy.
Thus, the second year practically did not exist anymore in Loogam.
Lisa Vonder, vice-captain of the disciplinary committee and also a second-year student, survived the invasion but she had her own thoughts on that matter.
There were moments when she was close to thinking about enrolling somewhere else, however, in the end, she wanted to stay as a student of Loogam.
However, now the question arose concerning what to do with her, the sole second-year student.
"We will depart shortly, so get your things and assemble in front of the main entrance of the arena again." Olivia ordered those, who decided to go to Rostanta.
It seemed like Norman issued the same command to his people.
"Everyone, I have to ask for your patience once more. Soon, the third-years will arrive here and when they do, we can plan for the future. So for today, you may go and rest." Lucio said to those, who decided to stay affiliated with Loogam.
At the same time, the people from the Tiam siblings’ group tilted their heads after their announcement. The people, too, walked out but their expression showed their confusion.
Thus, most of the people left the arena.
Mika and his friends were also about to go but Mika stopped in his tracks after he noticed someone’s gaze.
"Sorry but you can go ahead without me." he said apologetically to the others who were puzzled at first.
And once more, only certain people were in the arena.
"Tch." Olivia clicked her tongue when she approached Mika.
"What a bummer, haha!" Norman laughed as he scratched the back of his head.
These two were obviously disappointed in the fact that Mika chose Loogam.
Meanwhile, the Tiam siblings appeared unfazed with Sara humming peacefully.
"You’ve got some time until they return so think about it again." Olivia egged Mika to reconsider his choice.
Norman patted Olivia’s shoulder.
"It’s sad that you won’t join me in Malnor but there’s nothing I can do. After all, I can’t force a minor to do what I say."
"My offer still applies for the future, so if we meet someday again, I hope to hear a positive answer."
With a smile, Norman left the others and headed to the exit.
"..."
Mika was astonished by the manner he carried himself with. After meeting other royalties, Norman was like a role model for nobles.
[I can see now why people decide to follow him despite being not the strongest in his nation.]
"Yes..." Mika muttered, looking in the direction of Norman.
"Heh." Olivia huffed.
"?"
"I respect his morals and stuff but too bad for you that the same doesn’t apply to me." she said menacingly as she leaned closer to him.
"Now, pack your things before I do and-"
"Ahem!"
Ophelia cleared her throat suspiciously, interrupting her older sister.
"That’s enough don’t you think?" she scolded her while appearing a little shy.
"She’s right. Or are you so in need of someone strong? Are you so anxious that someone else may get him?" Elsa, who appeared from out of nowhere, mocked Olivia with a smirk.
"Huh? What did you say? I’d recommend you to keep your loose mouth shut until you manage to earn yourself the spot as the captain." she fired back.
Sparks flew between their eyes.
"Can’t they behave themselves until the end...?" Lereon sighed disappointedly.
"May I ask, what you’re planning to do from now on?" Mika asked.
"I will go to Malnor for now but I don’t know about the others." Lereon replied sternly.
"Elsa will stay here for a little longer with us!" Sara stated happily.
"Huh? I thought you’re departing today?"
"There were some changes in our plans, so we’re here until the end of the month." Yarjak answered.
"I see..."
"We’ll leave now, see you later then."
Thus, the siblings left the arena.
Only Lucio, the first-year teachers, Mika, Olivia and Elsa remained.
But Mika had the urge to leave for a while now.
"Well, I guess I will leave, too..." he said quietly as he tried to sneak away.
"Hey!" Olivia shouted.
"Are you still so persistent...?" Ophelia wondered, shaking her head.
This time, her gaze was stern as she walked over to him.
"?"
Elsa had no clue what her intentions were.
"I-is something...?" Mika asked sheepishly when Olivia kept staring at him even though she was standing right in front of him.
"No reaction. Then..."
Suddenly, the air around her changed.
The pressure she emitted turned heavier, making Mika break into a cold sweat.
"Hey, Olivia, what are you plotting!" Elsa raised her voice.
Everyone else put up their guard.
"Still no reaction."
[...]
It felt like she unleashed her true power as it felt like the time she fought against Yater and Zaran.
"Transform." she ordered with a cold gaze.
"H-huh...?"
"Don’t make me repeat myself."
"..."
Mika swallowed his saliva and changed his appearance.
His expression turned indifferent, however, once he looked at Olivia clearly, he squinted his eyes as if he was uncomfortable.
Olivia grinned widely.
"I see... Now I understand..."
She calmed down.
"You can undo it now. I’m done."
"..."
Just like she said, Mika returned to his usual appearance.
But especially, the first-year teachers were flabbergasted by the display.
"What were you thinking?!"
Ophelia was the first one to rush to Olivia.
"Listen to me."
Olivia started to whisper into her ear in a serious tone.
"He can sense the source of our powers."
"!"
"This will definitely not be the last time we will see each other, Mika! Just know that you’re always welcome in Rostanta!"
And with those words, Olivia left, too.
"I suppose I’ll go and take a nap then." Elsa stated bored.
Now, only people connected to Loogam were present.
"You can relax now, Mika." Lucio said gently with a small laugh.
"Y-yes..."
"It must have been straining, right? You may take a rest now." Lucio suggested.
"Yes!" Mika replied energetically and joyfully before he ran to the exit.
Silence dominated the air as only the teachers and Lucio remained.
"That Mika Elbar is not ordinary..." Erwin said in a suspecting tone.
"Many people out there don’t know nor do they even bother trying to learn what each relic can do. That’s why they think that Mika is just a regular relic wielder." Cindy added, also donning a stern expression.
"But as teachers of this academy, it’s our duty to improve our knowledge in every category." Ralph said.
"..."
Lucio blankly stared in the direction of Mika, whereas Ophelia seemed somewhat nervous as she averted the others’ gazes.
"Ophelia, are you maybe hiding something from us?" Erwin asked.
"!"
She flinched.
"Ophelia...?"
"She is not only his teacher but also accompanied him in every mission. However, I don’t really recommend putting a colleague on the spot, Mr. Linster."
Then, Lucio stepped forward.
"Ms. Ross. Is there something we should know?"
His smile did not reach his eyes.
Even though she could not look him in the eyes, she felt his cold gaze.
"Yes-" she replied without hesitation. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
However, she quickly covered her mouth in surprise. After all, she intended to keep her mouth shut.
Everyone, who contributed greatly during the invasion, knew about Mika’s feats and what he was capable of. But what they did not know was the origin of his powers.
Ralph sighed.
"May you be so kind and explain to us everything you know about the individual Mika Elbar?" Lucio asked.
For unknown reasons, she could not resist nor move from the spot.
Despite her strong urge to protect Mika’s secret, her mouth did not listen to her.
Thus, she told them everything.
"W-w-what...?"
"R-ridiculous...!"
Erwin and Cindy were the most flabbergasted as they were practically rendered speechless.
"..."
Ralph was silent but his usual smile was not on his face.
"I see. Thanks for cooperating with me." Lucio said without a change in his previous expression.
"Y-yes..."
Ophelia bit her lips in frustration while looking at the ground beneath her feet.
She realized that she had done something, which she should not have done.
