Chapter 48: The First Compulsory Class
"Boss... hurry up, if we keep waiting, the teacher might be arriving soon."
Seeing that Andy still hadn't moved, one of the underlings called out softly.
These underlings had already retreated to a relatively far distance to drag Isana away, so they hadn't yet sensed the aura emanating from Erika.
They were also worried—after all, they had tied up the daughter of the Duke of Daylight. If someone saw this, it would surely cause a stir.
"Boss?"
The underlings called out again.
On the other side, Erika glanced briefly at Andy’s underlings and frowned, then curled a finger at Andy.
"Well? Want to test the power of a bronze-ranked student?"
Bronze rank?
This is supposed to be bronze!?
Andy's eyes widened in disbelief—he thought he was dreaming.
Never mind why Erika’s magic was so strong—just look at the bronze badge on her chest.
Who the hell was the idiot teacher that gave her that rank!?
This was Wode Academy—no matter how noble Andy’s bloodline was, he couldn't act with impunity like he did outside. After all, this academy belonged to the Sword Saint, and no one dared break his rules.
If Andy had known Erika possessed such terrifying magic, he wouldn’t have messed with her even if his life depended on it.
Gulp...
Andy instinctively swallowed and shook his head, staring at Erika in a daze.
"Uh..."
Clearly, just from her aura, he knew he wasn’t her match.
Recalling how Erika had kicked him in the crotch previously, Andy’s courage faltered.
"Hey, are you coming or what, hmm?"
Erika batted her eyes and didn’t make a move. She simply waved her tiny fist in front of Andy, lips curling into a grin, her sharp little canine tooth glinting.
Erika understood that, because he was royalty, even if she beat him up here, his background would definitely bring trouble. So it was enough to just show him what she could do.
"I... I just remembered something I need to deal with, I’ll let you go this time."
Andy was practically collapsing, though his mouth still tried to stay tough.
"Boss, are we grabbing that chick or not?"
Seeing Andy’s strange expression, the underlings started asking.
"Shut the hell up! Why the hell are you talking so much!?"
Grab her? With her terrifying aura, he'd be thankful if she didn't beat him into the ground! If you think you’re so tough, why don’t you try!?
"Useless trash!"
Andy yelled and, realizing Erika was no joke, waved his hand and shouted at the underlings on the ground:
"All of you, come on! You idiots, class is about to start. If we stay here, the compulsory class teacher won’t go easy on us!"
"???"
The underlings were baffled.
Andy, who usually skips class without a care, was suddenly worried about compulsory class?
But with Andy giving orders, they dared not ask. They let go of Isana and left, tails between their legs.
...
After Andy left with his goons, Isana tore the tape from her mouth and ran to Erika, anxiously inspecting her.
"Erika, are you okay? That bastard Andy didn’t do anything to you, did he?"
"What could happen to me? You should be worrying about yourself..."
Erika smiled indifferently. "Honestly, if you hadn’t meddled, nothing would’ve happened to you. I’m not afraid of those guys."
"I’m fine."
Isana awkwardly waved her hands. "Those bastards wouldn’t dare touch me. I was just worried about you.
That Andy is disgusting. He’s the son of Prince Cortefort and has pure royal blood. He often uses his status to do whatever he wants. He even raped one of our maids during a visit to South County. If not for his father being a prince, my dad would’ve killed him on the spot."
"Yeah, he is pretty annoying..."
While speaking, Isana stared at Erika with wide eyes, mimicked her blinking, and suddenly hugged her tightly.
"Ah... Isana, what are you doing hugging me?"
"Let me hug you for a bit. I worked really hard to help you just now."
As if pouting, Isana said sweetly, "And I treated you to food. You promised to be my model yesterday. Let me hug you, okay?"
"Let go! We’re in the cafeteria!"
Erika squirmed, feeling awkward.
"True, but it’s fine—you called me big sis earlier. It’s totally normal for a big sister to hug her little sister."
Isana pressed her cheek against Erika’s shoulder, her white hair brushing like a kitten's fur.
"You know, Erika, in my eyes, you’ll always be my little angel.
If that poser Andy ever bothers you again, come to me—I’ll protect you!"
"..."
You’re the reason this whole mess started!
Though Erika complained in her heart, she didn’t say it aloud.
Right now, she just felt awkward.
Crap, this girl is definitely going to stick to me now!
...
Afternoon, compulsory class.
The new students were taken to a spacious combat classroom.
It resembled a large boxing arena, with a massive square ring in the center and descending audience seats around it.
The freshmen gathered on the seats, chatting excitedly about what the class would be like.
Isana and Erika sat together, drawing plenty of attention.
Isana, the daughter of the Duke of Daylight, was well-known. She had excelled in the entrance exam and was already gold-ranked.
She was a celebrity among the new students.
What surprised people was how clingy Isana was toward Erika. It was obvious to anyone that they were very close.
So rumors and nicknames began to swirl.
Some called them “the Twin Beauties,” others “the Twin Stars”...
The most popular nickname, however, was “Wode Academy’s Little Twin Stars.”
(•́へ•́ ╬)
Hearing everyone gossip, Erika was irritated.
She turned to Isana.
"Isana, in Kaslania, is ‘Twin Stars’ a compliment or an insult?"
"Ignore those boring people."
Isana didn’t care, but she still explained, "The Twin Stars actually refer to the people’s title for the Duke of Night and my dad, the Duke of Daylight.
They’re both great heroes who defended the borders of the Aarlan Empire—my dad in the south, the Duke of Night in the north—so they’re called the Twin Stars who protect the Empire."
After hearing this, Erika felt a bit better.
Still, those people were annoyingly gossipy...
...
Just as the students were whispering and laughing, a tall figure ducked through the classroom door.
It was Vanessa, the director and teacher of Wode Academy, whose tall frame earned her the student nickname “Giant Vanessa.”
As soon as Vanessa entered, the noisy classroom fell silent.
She nodded in satisfaction.
"Hello, everyone. No need for introductions. I’ll be teaching your class today."
Vanessa didn’t bother with long speeches like the principal. She went straight to the point and pulled a list from her coat.
"Today’s class is purely magic and combat technique practice.
To better identify your strengths and weaknesses, I’ll call your names for a one-on-one sparring match. The rules are simple: you lose if you're knocked out of the ring or surrender.
Magic enhancement is allowed, but no casting spells—just pure close combat.
Let’s begin. Any questions before we start?"
"Ms. Vanessa!" one student raised a hand.
"Speak."
"Is there a reward for winning?"
"No reward for winning, but there is punishment for losing."
Vanessa shrugged. "If you lose, you’ll run 20 laps around Wode Academy after class."
"What!? Twenty laps!?"
"God, did I hear that right? We’ll be running our legs off..."
"Geez, who would dare lose now."
Hearing about the punishment, the students groaned.
Wode Academy was the most prestigious school in the world—its grounds were massive. Running 20 laps would probably leave you unable to walk the next day.
Vanessa was unfazed by the complaints.
"I’ll be the referee. I have the right to decide victory or defeat.
This is for safety too—there are always a few stubborn students who’d rather die than accept punishment."
With such rules, the students looked gloomy. No one wanted to lose now.
"Any other questions?"
"Ms. Vanessa!"
"Speak!"
"I want to use the bathroom..." one male student raised his hand awkwardly.
"Hahaha..."
The classroom burst into laughter.
Vanessa glared at the loudest ones and shouted, "Go! Anyone else who needs to go, do it now. If you pee your pants during the match, I won’t care!"
In an instant, students flooded toward the bathroom—no one wanted to be in less than top condition for this.