The World Is Mine For The Taking-Chapter 567 - 91 - Nineteenth Year (1)

It was only the second day of the new school term, yet a heavy fatigue already weighed on me, seeping into my bones. My mind felt clouded, sluggish from the constant barrage of lectures. To make matters worse, Estelle had suddenly barged into my life, bringing with her a whirlwind of trouble that I hadn't anticipated.

Dragging myself out of bed each morning had become a grueling ordeal. It felt as though invisible chains were anchoring me down, resisting every effort I made to rise. My limbs were heavy, my head groggy, and even my vision felt dim, like a veil of mist clouded my eyes. Perhaps it was because I was now the bearer of Ayuru. The Cursed Sword had been feeding off my mana, draining me slowly but steadily.

I didn't expect anything from today. In my mind, it was just another day to be endured—another cycle of monotony, peppered with the occasional mishap. But nothing could have prepared me for what was about to unfold.

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The first shock came early that morning.

I arrived at class before most of my peers. The room was still quiet, the air crisp with the lingering chill of the morning breeze. I closed my eyes for just a moment, trying to clear the haze clouding my head.

Then, without warning—

"Leon~!"

Before I could react, a pair of warm, plush mounds pressed firmly against my back. Soft, inviting, and impossibly supple, they molded perfectly against me. My body stiffened as a wave of heat rushed to my face, my heart skipping a beat. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Trill's arms wrapped around my shoulders, her chest pressing tighter as she leaned in, her breath hot against my ear. "Good morning~" she purred, her playful voice sending a shiver down my spine. Her lips grazed my cheek, leaving behind a fleeting warmth that lingered even as she pulled away.

Despite her immense strength as a beast person, she was deceptively light. When she jumped on me, it felt no different than the playful pounce of a cat. Her body was warm, her curves perfectly fitting against my back, and even as I lifted her to carry her to her seat, she felt as light as a feather. Her tail swayed rhythmically, brushing against my arm with each playful flick.

I gently set her down in her seat, which was beside Yr's. Glancing at Yr, I noticed her head tilted to the side, her lips slightly parted as she slept. Her breathing was slow and steady, her chest rising and falling in a soothing rhythm. A faint trail of saliva gleamed at the corner of her mouth, catching the morning light.

I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Her skin was warm, impossibly soft. As my lips brushed her cheek, a subtle change flickered across her sleeping face—her lips curling into a delicate smile.

"Good morning to you too, Yr," I whispered, my voice gentle.

Even though she seemed to be asleep, I knew better. Yr possessed the ability of Astral Projection, allowing her soul to wander freely while her body rested. I had no doubt that she was watching me at this very moment, her spirit floating somewhere above us, unseen. My kiss must have reached her, touching her soul, and that explained the faint smile that danced on her lips.

Satisfied, I took my seat. The classroom gradually filled with students, their chatter growing louder as the minutes passed. Yet, something felt off.

Duncan and Raymond were missing.

I frowned, my gaze lingering on their empty desks. It was unusual, to say the least. Raymond was always early—he took punctuality almost religiously. And Duncan, though more relaxed, still made it to class before the bell rang. Their absence didn't sit right with me.

I couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with Estelle.

Before I could dwell on it any longer, the door creaked open. A hush fell over the room, heads turning in unison to see who had entered.

Our first subject of the day was magic. And our professor...

She stepped in, her small figure barely reaching the podium. Her emerald green hair cascaded down her shoulders, glinting like polished jade under the fluorescent lights. A comically large hat sat atop her head, its brim so wide that it almost covered her circular glasses.

Her robes were long and flowing, embroidered with ancient runes that shimmered faintly with each step she took. A peculiar aura surrounded her, an almost palpable presence of mana that made the air feel heavier, charged with energy.

If anyone embodied the essence of magic, it was her. She looked every bit the part of a mage. She looked like she had stepped straight out of a storybook—a mage in every sense of the word. If she didn't fit the definition of a mage, magician, or anything related to magic, then I didn't know who would.

"I'm Freta, and I am your instructor for Fundamentals of Magic and Its Uses in Combat," she announced, her voice carrying the weight of centuries. Though her tone wasn't frail or aged, the way she pronounced her words—the careful articulation, the archaic structure—made it evident that she had lived far longer than she appeared.

"I'm Freta, and I am your instructor for Fundamentals of Magic and Its Uses in Combat," she announced, her voice echoing through the classroom with an eerie resonance. There was something ancient about her tone—an echo of centuries gone by. Though her voice wasn't frail, the cadence of her words carried a weight of wisdom, as if she had witnessed the rise and fall of empires.

The way she pronounced her sentences was peculiar—elegant yet archaic, each word flowing with deliberate grace. Her presence demanded attention.

"While this may be my first time teaching a large group, I have taught before," she continued, her sharp green eyes scanning the room with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. It felt as though she could see right through me—through all of us. "I once instructed the former king of this kingdom before his untimely passing… and his father before him." Her words hung heavy in the air, the room growing still. "I trust that none of you will mistake my newness to this setting for inexperience."

A wave of unease rippled through the class. Even the most arrogant students sat up straighter, their faces pale with realization. This tiny woman wasn't just old—she was ancient. Far older than she appeared.

Huh… so she was another one, just like Solaris and Marie. Another ageless being hiding behind a youthful facade. Now that I thought about it, I seemed to be attracting a suspiciously high number of lolis. Not that Solaris was one, but the trend was becoming a bit too consistent for my comfort.

What did surprise me, however, was how engaging her lecture turned out to be. For the first time since enrolling at this academy, I found myself leaning forward, hanging on her every word. Her voice had a hypnotic quality, weaving images of ancient battles and arcane rituals. She spoke of magic not as a tool, but as a living force—one that demanded respect and reverence.

It was captivating. Mesmerizing.

When the class finally ended, the students staggered out as if waking from a dream. Their faces were a mixture of awe and exhaustion, eyes wide with lingering wonder. It was the first time I'd seen an entire class so utterly spellbound.

But the second lecture was an entirely different story.

The next professor was an old man—another newcomer whose name I couldn't be bothered to remember. He certainly looked the part of a mage, with his flowing robes and wispy white beard. But that's where the resemblance ended.

His voice was monotonous, droning on like a funeral dirge. The air felt heavy, suffocating under the weight of his lifeless words. It was as if he were reading from a dusty old tome, completely detached from his own lecture.

The atmosphere in the classroom shifted. Excitement withered into boredom. Students began to slump in their seats, eyes glazing over. Heads bobbed as they fought the creeping wave of drowsiness.

I stifled a yawn, my vision blurring as my mind drifted. The lecture dragged on, each second stretching into eternity. By the time it ended, I felt as if I had aged a year.

An hour. It had only been an hour. But gods, it felt like an eternity.

And still… Duncan and Raymond were nowhere to be seen.

A prickle of unease crawled up my spine. Where were they? They hadn't shown up all day. I wondered if Estelle was behind this. It would make sense. Should I look into it? Hunt them down and find out what was going on?

But then I remembered—my girlfriends had asked me to meet them today. I didn't know what they wanted, but they were insistent. I had cleared my schedule for this.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "It's been a long day…" I muttered, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me. The second day of the term felt like it had lasted a lifetime.

I glanced down at the note they had given me.

"Sun Garden Inn, top floor, 34th room."

My brows rose in surprise. Sun Garden Inn was no ordinary place. It was the most luxurious establishment in the area, boasting grand architecture and lavish suites. In terms of quality, it could easily rival a five-star hotel back on Earth.

A shiver of anticipation ran through me. Yeah, I had a pretty good idea of what they had in mind. Even so, I decided to play dumb—let them have their fun.

I could already picture their teasing smiles, their playful attempts to surprise me. My lips curled into a smirk. Fine. I'd go along with it.

With a flick of my wrist, I tucked the note away and made my way to the inn, my heartbeat quickening with each step.