NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 106
It was said to be a secret, so I couldn’t pry any further.
I stayed by Lena’s side until her fatigue was lifted.
“I, I’m going in now.”
“Can’t you stay a bit longer?”
“I have an experiment… to do.”
“Is that so? Don’t overdo it, okay?”
“I’m, I really enjoy this, so…”
“Even if you enjoy it, damaging your body is a problem. Do you want to worry your Master?”
“If I’m struggling, will you, um, worry about me?”
“Of course! You’re my disciple.”
“…Just because I’m your disciple…?”
“Then what else do you need?”
“…Phew. I understand. I’ll take it slow.”
“Good. Don’t let your body smell like vinegar… Ow.”
Blushing furiously, Lena lightly smacked my arm.
It didn’t really hurt, but I acted as if it did and distanced myself from her. Lena relaxed her expression and smiled gently, waving her hand.
After watching Lena enter the Ivory Tower, I stepped into the Dimension Magic Circle.
Next up was Arisha… but where should I look for her?
The only place she might go is the King of Rights, so I’d better search for him.
…
…
…
With the help of the Information Guild, I found out where the King was located.
Surprisingly, he was in Longbake Mountain.
He was having a meal alone in a cabin halfway up the mountain when he frowned heavily upon seeing me.
“Haha. It’s been a while, King.”
“It was definitely at the Sage’s Tower…?”
“Yes, and I’m also Arisha’s teacher.”
“Hmm…”
He stood up and looked me up and down.
Did he figure out I was looking for Arisha?
Without saying a word, he walked deeper into the cave and pointed.
“Is Arisha in here?”
“No.”
“Then why am I here…?”
“I’m planning to imprison you!!”
What the?! Am I really getting kidnapped by the King?!
As he moved quickly, he threw a punch at me.
Barely blocking it, I was sent tumbling into the cave, where he crossed his arms and stated proudly:
“So you’re the one who has charmed our Arisha!”
His words dripped with hostility.
But I couldn’t help but feel aggrieved.
Sure, it’s true that I’m handsome and charming enough for kids to swoon over me, but that’s not my fault, is it?
“I wouldn’t say it’s charming…”
“Don’t even think about becoming our Arisha’s husband until you take me down!”
“I wasn’t even considering it?!”
“What?! What’s wrong with our Arisha?!”
What even is this guy saying?
I looked at him and made my move.
Dozens of ice spears created by Shadow Spear flew at him, but he nullified them with just a wave of his hand.
Of course, I knew this alone wouldn’t take down the King.
“Ugh!!”
Moonlight Island, and then Moonlight Dance.
And a little added magic.
He casually dismissed multiple attacks with a single stab, chuckling mockingly as he waved his hand.
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
“Uncle! What are you doing?! The food is ready, so come quickly…”
The King dramatically pretended to be in pain after getting hit on the head with a ladle.
The one who knocked down the King, who was larger than himself, was none other than Arisha.
“Teacher…? Kya, kyaak!”
Seeing me inside the cave, Arisha screamed.
I expected her to run straight over, but this was a fresh reaction.
“Don’t, don’t look at me! I—I didn’t put on makeup!”
Honestly, she looked pretty even without makeup.
With her golden hair tied messily and dressed in a worn-out robe, she quickly escaped the cave.
…
…
…
“…….”
“…….”
“Teacher! Eat a lot!”
In the quiet cabin, only Arisha was lively chatting away.
She looked completely different from earlier, sporting light makeup that suited her well.
Wearing clothes that showcased her great figure and skillfully braided her long blonde hair, she piled a ton of porridge into my bowl.
“Give me some too.”
“You can serve yourself.”
Was it because of how the King attacked me earlier?
Arisha coldly said this while the King sulkily ladled porridge into his bowl.
“I came all this way, but I thought I’d visit since you weren’t at the resort.”
“Wow! Teacher! Were you worried about me?!”
“I can’t help it. I’m your teacher.”
“Ugh! I’m so happy!”
Cough! Cough!
Arisha, smiling brightly, got up from her seat and approached me.
The King cleared his throat, but Arisha elegantly ignored him and hugged me.
“Didn’t I send you to the Academy to study? Were you just off flirting? With your instructor too?”
“Ehehehehe~. Do I look like I’m dating the teacher?”
“Absolutely not. How could I date a student?”
“What?! What’s wrong with our Arisha?!”
What even is he implying?
I decided to ignore the King.
The King finished his porridge with loud noises and stood up to leave.
Watching him, Arisha naturally sat on my thigh.
“Uncle, don’t worry too much.”
“How can I not worry? He’s clearly hostile towards me.”
With that, Arisha smiled at me and tugged my cheek.
“I’m doing well.”
“You look it. Your complexion is good. You seem stronger.”
“Yeah. I’m learning some techniques from you.”
“What techniques?”
“Aha! If you give me a kiss here, I might teach you~!”
Pouting her full lips, she closed her eyes as I swept my hand over her face.
“Ah! What are you doing?!”
“I think that might be pushing it a bit far.”
“I don’t think it is.”
“Sure.”
I picked Arisha up and placed her back to her original spot.
She puffed her cheeks and grumbled, but it was only for a moment.
With her characteristic cheerful smile, Arisha continued to eat her porridge.
“I feel like I should get ready for something.”
“What are you preparing for?”
“Hmm~. I’ll tell you later.”
“Sure. If you don’t want to share, that’s fine. You guys don’t need to be completely honest with me.”
“You guys… Does that include Sowol and Lena too?”
“Yeah. I don’t know what’s got them so motivated either, but they weren’t at the resort.”
“Hmmm… They probably have their reasons.”
Arisha seemed to know something, but she didn’t elaborate.
I didn’t intend to pry further, so I simply nodded.
Without further words, I finished my porridge.
Thinking I should wash the dishes, I took the bowl outside, where I noticed Arisha smiling brightly behind me, and I tilted my head.
“What are you looking at?”
“Isn’t it like we’re a newlywed couple? I cook, and the teacher does the dishes?”
“Uh. I don’t think so.”
“Tsk. Want me to help?”
“No, I can manage on my own.”
After melting the large ice with magic and washing the dishes in warm water, Arisha, who took the stacked bowls inside, quickly came back out.
“Let’s go for a walk.”
“Sure.”
Arisha happily clutched my arm tightly.
Walking alongside her, who clung to me like back at the Academy, was not difficult.
How long have we walked, stepping on the white snow?
We arrived at a wide training ground.
“Are you training here?”
“Yeah. I’m getting help from Uncle.”
“With the King of Rights’ help… Are you aiming for the position of the next King?”
“Hehe~. I’m aiming for something even higher.”
I felt like Arisha wanted me to ask her what that was, so I didn’t press her.
It’s obvious.
She’d probably say something like “to be the wife of the teacher.”
“I’m aiming for the position of the teacher’s wife!”
“I didn’t ask.”
“Yeah. I thought you wouldn’t ask, so I told you. What do you think? Isn’t it cool?”
Yeah, super impressive.
I pinched her cheek lightly and looked around the training ground.
There were many areas that seemed damaged, making me wonder if they were training properly.
“Work hard.”
I kinda guessed what Arisha wanted.
No wait, I figured out what Sowol and Lena were after too.
But I couldn’t block that.
I wanted to fulfill my own wishes, and if so, I couldn’t stop these kids from trying to fulfill theirs.
“Yeah!!”
Whether she knew what I was thinking or not, Arisha smiled as brightly as ever.
Like water slowly seeping in, her smile warmed my heart.
…
…
…
The vacation ended, and the back-to-school day arrived. The true ending is all students transitioning to their second year successfully.
In other words, after the opening ceremony, it’s goodbye to this world.
I wrote a letter to leave behind for the kids while I was gone and placed it on my desk.
By the time they read this, I probably won’t be here.
– Knock, knock.
Hearing a knocking sound, I went outside.
Who could it be at this hour?
“Good morning.”
“I’m here too.”
“Wahoo~! I’m here too!”
“What’s going on? Why so early?”
“I have something to give to Master.”
“What is it?”
The challenge letter Sowol threw at me was none other than a challenge letter.
“…Out of the blue?”
Did they notice that I was planning to leave today?
No way!
“I was going to give it to you in a few days, but you see…”
“I had a, a bad dream.”
“So we decided to do it today!”
Talk about unnecessary drama.
I looked at the three challenge letters they presented me and shrugged my shoulders.
As a Master, I must always accept my disciples’ challenges.
Since I’m still their teacher, these challenges are more than welcome.
“Losers go quietly into their cages, alright?”
“I-I’ll make sure to prepare something delicious!”
“Yeah! You’ll be happy!”
Wow, they don’t even hide the fact that they plan to lock me up if I lose.
I smiled back at the challenging gazes of my disciples.
“Bring it on, you bunch of brats.”