SWNOVELXO Chapter 17 - Elysia (1)
✦ Chapter 17 – Elysia (1) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝
After parting ways with Johanna, I made my way towards the Special Class, my footsteps echoing through the mostly deserted hallways.
There weren’t many students in the hallway, likely because class was about to start.
The quiet solitude inspired a sudden burst of poetic creativity.
“I am a clown, a handsome clown.
I am a clown, crafting poems on a whim.
I am a clown, strong and mighty.
With ease, I charm the ladies fair.
Oh, what to do with my dazzling flair?
I am a clown, a handsome clown.
Hmm… let’s call it ‘Ode to a Handsome Clown.’”
“What the hell is wrong with that guy?”
“Don’t you recognize him? That’s the guy from the entrance exam.”
“You think I don’t know that? I’m asking what he’s doing, spouting nonsense in the hallway.”
The few students who were present couldn’t help but stare and whisper amongst themselves.
Though I couldn’t quite make out their words, I assumed they were commenting on my handsome features and my impressive poetic skills.
“Perhaps next time, I’ll make a poem not just about being the handsome jester, but also about being the handsome jester who crafts perfect poems.”
It’s the least I can do for my fans.
Thinking about my next poem, I soon reached the staircase.
At the academy, first-year students use the first floor, second-year students use the second floor, and third-year students use the third floor. As a first-year, going down to the basement meant I was heading to the Special Class, which was located underground.
While the first floor was bright with sunlight streaming through luxurious windows, the basement was the opposite. With no windows, the only light came from the old lightbulbs sporadically installed on the ceiling. The bulbs flickered due to their age, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
“It’s like a scene from a horror movie,” I murmured, my voice echoing through the vast emptiness.
The basement had once served as a storage space. It was Elysia, the Special Class instructor, who’d insisted on converting it into a classroom.
Her reasons were…well, let’s just say I understood her motivations.
My steps slowed as I reached the end of a dimly lit corridor, stopping before a door adorned with a gleaming, new plaque that stood out against the grime and neglect of its surroundings.
[Special Class]
With a dramatic flourish, I flung open the door and boomed,
“Good morning, everyone!”
The classroom, unlike the hallway outside, was spacious, clean, and well-lit; the desks and chairs were pristine, as if no one had ever used them.
As I greeted them loudly, all the students in the classroom turned to look at me. It didn’t matter that there were fewer than ten students.
I scanned the room, noticing that everyone was there except Lucas.
Where could Lucas be?
I made a beeline for Kuran Isar first.
“How was the inn I recommended, Kuran?”
Kuran let out a hearty laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Excellent! Lots of strong warriors there.”
“Glad to hear it!”
The Frog that Devours Snakes — that was the name of the inn I’d recommended. It was a popular spot for mercenaries, known for its…rough-and-tumble atmosphere and affordable prices. Given Kuran’s personality, a few brawls were practically guaranteed. And those brawls, I knew, would push him to become stronger.
I wanted to reach the ending, of course, and I could probably manage it on my own. But to achieve the specific ending I had in mind…I needed everyone in the Special Class to reach their full potential.
After catching up with Kuran, I chatted briefly with the other students.
“May the blessings of the divine be upon you,” I said to the bald priest, whose physique rivaled Kuran’s.
“Perhaps we can visit the temple together sometime.”
“Your movements were quite impressive,” I complimented the swordsman from the fallen Eastern Kingdom.
“Yours were equally impressive.”
Next, I turned to Sepia Leviathan, her pink hair as vibrant as ever.
“Hello, Sepia!”
She held out her hand expectantly. Was she…asking for a handshake?
“Sepia, I don’t think we’re quite at the hand-holding stage of our relationship. Sorry.”
Her face flushed crimson, and she let out a frustrated cry.
“What kind of nonsense is that? Take your thread back!”
There, resting in her outstretched palm, was the spool of thread I’d given her.
“It’s too valuable for me to accept as a gift.”
She’d clearly spent the past week researching its true worth.
As a member of the Leviathan merchant family, she undoubtedly had access to resources that could accurately assess its value.
“It’s yours now, Sepia. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other greetings to attend to.”
“Hey! Wait!”
I ignored her protests and approached Clara.
“Clara! How was your stay at the magic tower?”
“……..…”
She ignored me, turning her head away. Was she still holding a grudge?
I raised my voice, determined to get her attention.
“How was your stay?!”
She let out a sigh, realizing I wasn’t going to let this go.
“My stay at the tower was fine. My stay here, however… not so much.”
“Don’t tell me… you’re flustered by my handsome features?”
“It’s a completely different reason. But you’re half the problem.”
She didn’t mention the other half, but I could tell it was likely because of the old basement. Clara, born into a ducal family, naturally disliked such a dirty environment. However, the other students seemed unbothered by the basement.
‘Is that what makes it even more annoying for her?’
If everyone else shared her discomfort, they could have filed a collective complaint. But with only her voicing displeasure, it was probably a bit awkward for her to bring it up.
Trying to console Clara, I spoke gently.
“Cheer up, Clara. Just gaze upon my handsome face, and all your troubles will melt away.”
Clara stared intently at my face.
If she kept staring like that, I’d get embarrassed.
“I’ve been wondering…are you actually handsome? If you are, why don’t you take off the mask?”
“By the way, where is Lucas?”
She sighed, knowing I wasn’t going to take the bait.
“I don’t know,” she mumbled, turning away from me.
As if on cue, the classroom door opened, and Lucas walked in.
I approached Lucas to greet him.
“Hello, Lucas. Long time no see.”
“Loki!” he exclaimed, sounding genuinely surprised. I didn’t appreciate his reaction; it seemed to imply that my presence was somehow unexpected…or unwelcome.
He cleared his throat, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
“So… I heard you were receiving instruction from the Emperor himself?”
“That’s right. Did you hear that from Her Highness?”
“Indeed, when I heard about it, I was shocked. I never imagined you would be taught by His Majesty.”
“Neither did I.”
“Oh, right. Yerika asked me to give you this.”
Lucas rummaged through his pockets and pulled something out.
What could Yerika want to give me?
Lucas handed me a communication orb.
“Is that…a communication device? Why are you giving it to me?”
“I don’t know all the details. Yerika just asked me to give it to you.”
Now that I think about it, Yerika had suggested we connect communication orbs before we parted ways last time. Since I didn’t have a communication orb back then, I told her we couldn’t connect.
Could it be that she simply gifted me one?
“It’s already linked to His Majesty’s device, Yerika’s, and now mine.”
I doubted anyone else in the empire possessed a communication device linked to three members of the imperial family. It was…a bit overwhelming, to be honest.
“I’ll gladly accept it! Thank you very much!”
Who am I kidding?
This is fantastic! I needed a communication orb anyway, and getting one for free is perfect.
“Is that why you came so late?”
“It wasn’t because of this. On my way here, I bumped into another student and ended up chatting for a bit.”
“Was the person you bumped into a girl, by any chance?”
“Well, yes, but…”
“Ooh?”
Lucas, sensing my line of questioning, waved his hands dismissively.
“It’s not what you’re thinking.”
“Oh, you deny it because you know what I’m thinking?”
“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not that.”
“Was she pretty?”
Lucas fell silent, lost in thought. He was definitely picturing the girl he’d bumped into.
“…She was pretty, yeah.”
“Interesting. I think we have our first use for this communication device. Time to update His Majesty and the princess.”
“It’s really not like that. But anyway, did you hear?”
“Nice try, but I’m not letting you change the subject.”
“Fine, fine. So, I heard there’s a new student who already got a demerit point.”
Wait, me?
“Already? How’d they manage that?”
“They were late on the first day.”
Yep, definitely me.
“Being late on the first day… They must be quite irresponsible.”
“Right? I wonder who it is.”
Lucas and I continued to discuss the ‘mystery person’ who was late on the first day.
Suddenly, the classroom door swung open, and a woman with ash-gray hair walked in.
It was Elysia, the professor in charge of the Special Class.
She strode towards the podium, her gaze sweeping over the room.
All eyes were on her.
“I was initially going to have everyone introduce themselves, but I heard there’s already a student in our class who received a demerit point.”
As Professor Elysia spoke, Lucas whispered in my ear.
“Looks like that tardy student is in our class.”
I wonder who it could be.
“Loki. Step forward.”
“Yes!”
— End of Chapter —
⚘ ⚘ ⚘
If you liked the novel, do not forget to rate and review the novel on ⟿ NOVELUPDATES.
Also, if you cannot wait to see what lies ahead in the story, curious about what to unfold, I have added some ⟿ advanced chapters on the site (and will slowly be adding more). Or, you can get my 「Ko-Fi Advanced Chapters Membership 」