CHAPTER 89: BLACKSMITH SHOP [1]

"Now biceps are the key to pushing past your limits!" Professor Simba’s voice echoed through the white classroom, causing some students who were sleeping to jolt up.

Kai had spent most of the day adhering to his schedule, but contrary to the academy’s assurances, the students remained in class well past the designated time.

This was primarily due to Professor Simba, who refused to release anyone until he had covered everything they had missed over the past few days.

Adding to the drama, Professor Simba wore glasses, which he constantly adjusted whenever any student attempted to rest their eyes.

Even then, he couldn’t control everyone, especially since all the first-year students were together. The extended class session turned into a mix of napping, casual discussion, and traditional lessons.

Kai was no exception to this group of distracted students.

He had tried to focus during the first few minutes, but by the end of the first class, nearly everyone had lost interest.

After such a long and exhausting day, joint training was almost upon them, but due to Professor Simba’s antics, no one had managed to do anything beyond attending class.

The problem was, Kai still had a lot to accomplish. He needed to meet with the world’s greatest blacksmith, and he was sure the man was meant to be in Ashton around this time.

This was because Matt had met him later in the story, after Bland Vales broke. And the both later formed a bond after he repaired Matt’s blade.

Kai was also sure that they had discussed about Ashton City before, which was why he used his system to search through his novel using Author’s Authority, for the scene where it had happened.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long to find the scene. The issue, however, was that the man was scheduled to leave in two days.

If he left the next day, he would likely find the blacksmith, but Kai doubted the stubborn man would agree to meet him immediately. Even if he did, it would take at least three days to complete any work.

Thus, Kai was now plotting a way to sneak out without getting caught.

But this task was proving far more difficult than he anticipated.

Professor Simba was like a living guard, moving through the area at the sight of students. To make matters worse, his ability allowed him to nullify others’ talents, making it even more challenging to slip away unnoticed.

Ken Arnold, standing next to Kai, waved his hands in front of Kai’s face. "Earth to Kai."

Kai blinked twice. "Yeah..."

Chloe pouted slightly. "Are you even listening to us?"

Kai nodded, his gaze shifting from Rachel to Ken and finally stopping on Chloe. "Sure... I’m listening to you."

She sighed. "I was asking how we’re going to beat team five."

Ken moved closer to Kai, resting a hand on his shoulder. "We have our ace right here, don’t we, princess?" He flashed a smile at Rachel, as though not seeking a response. "Even if we don’t want to use violence, all we have to do is use Kai’s pretty face."

He stepped away from Kai and dramatically raised both hands as if presenting a masterpiece. "What more strategy do we need?"

Chloe frowned at him, while Kai blinked in confusion.

She paused for a moment before smiling. "Actually, that’s a perfect plan."

"Huh?" Kai muttered.

Both Chloe and Ken began circling Kai’s arms, tapping them lightly.

Ken grinned, as if preparing to take a photo. "Kai, say: how do you like this?"

"Huh?" Kai struggled to mutter again.

Chloe looked at Kai and shook her head. "Not ’huh?’" She paused, striking a pose as if an idol. "You should say: How do you like this?"

Kai’s cheeks flushed red as he stared at the two of them intently. ’How can they say that with a straight face?’

Chloe’s eyes twitched slightly. "Uh... Can you stop getting embarrassed for us? It’s making me embarrassed."

Ken glanced at his palm. ’But there’s nothing embarrassing about this.’ He shook his head. ’Normal people sure are strange.’

Rachel, who had been standing still, chuckled softly. "You guys are all crazy."

Kai couldn’t help but smile as the rest of the group burst into laughter.

The three of them continued forward, laughing, and after a brief moment of Kai staring at their backs, he increased his pace. "As long as I’m not doing anything too embarrassing, I’m in."

They chatted as they reached a small training ground inside a separate building with a spacious interior.

Training and combat matches didn’t last long, though some parts were quite tedious for Kai.

His mind had wandered quite a bit, especially when a match dragged on, or during Professor Simba’s monologues about biceps and balance.

"So, as I said earlier, muscles are the foundation of all combat."

The entire class nodded as soon as he spoke. He continued, and everyone nodded, even when his words didn’t require a response.

Professor Simba cleared his throat and continued. "Because of the necessity for muscles, we will be doing physical training."

A female student from Class A, a friend of Rebecca, raised her hand. "Sir, do you expect us to do it now?"

Professor Simba raised an eyebrow. "Obviously. Muscles wait for no one."

The entire first-year class began murmuring, their voices echoing through the white classroom and the descending chairs.

Professor Simba clapped his hands, prompting the students, though hesitant, to stand.

Like an illusion, the chairs vanished in an instant, and the white space, that was made of white cubes that glowed on their edges, shifted, revealing weight lifts and other physical training equipment.

Professor Simba let out a loud laugh. "So this is how Lisa feels when she uses her ability. Truly fascinating."

The whole class fell silent at the sight of the training equipment, and the sound of his laughter lingered in the air.

Kai sighed. ’How am I supposed to escape this bastard?’

His eyes darted around the room, meeting Matt’s gaze, then Hari’s, who was standing next to him.

Though none of them had a telepathic ability, Kai communicated with Hari through silent glances, letting her know he needed to leave with Matt.

She nodded, then swiftly elbowed Matt in the abdomen, causing him to flinch slightly.

Matt gripped his stomach tightly and turned to Hari with sad eyes. She rolled her eyes, then glanced at Kai.

Matt followed her gaze, and though not as quickly as Hari, he understood what Kai was saying.

He gripped his stomach tighter, squeezing his face as though he was on the verge of screaming.

Professor Simba noticed and turned his attention to Matt, who was one of the diligent students in class. "What happened, Silver Boy?"

Matt raised his head slightly, a little irritated. ’Who’s Silver Boy?’

He understood why Professor Simba called him that, as there were two students with the last name Silver — he and his younger sister Rachel, but that didn’t make the name any less annoying.

Matt bit his lip. "I think I’m experiencing mana recoil, sir." He paused, closing his eyes for a brief moment. "I know how much I need muscles if I’m going to be the greatest swordsman, so I’ll hold it in with muscles."

Professor Simba wiped a tear from his eye. "Oh!!" He moved closer, his face glowing with admiration. "I knew one day a student of mine would understand the true value of muscle!"

Matt nodded, while the rest of the class stood in confusion, whispering about whether the class would continue.

Professor Simba glared at the students and then turned back to Matt with a softer expression. "Go and rest, my boy."

"No, sir. I can’t."

Professor Simba persisted, but Matt continued to refuse.

After some time of their banter, Kai stepped forward with a stern expression. "Matt, did you eat the jar beside my bed?"

Matt turned to Kai with a frightened expression. "Why do you ask?"

Kai’s gaze darkened. "Because what’s inside that jar is poison."

The entire class gasped, and the strange female student who had commented after Kai’s fight with Deerheart pushed her glasses back. "That sounds intense. Straight out of a BL series where the boy..." She began panting for air, causing Professor Simba to step back slightly.

Even those around her took a step back as her face turned bright red and blood dripped from her nose.

A random student from the hall spoke out loud. "I don’t buy this story." He stepped forward, his glasses obscuring his eyes, his hair resembling a helmet. "I think you two just want to skip physical training."

The entire class silently thought the same thing.

"He looks like air could carry him away."

The man continued explaining his reasoning, but his voice was drowned out by the students’ movements, barely audible as a whisper.

However, his words prompted Professor Simba to take a moment to assess the situation, but just before he reached a conclusion, a voice rang out from the wall.

"I did tell him to quit it." Professor Simba turned to the wall, only to see Reozaki leaning casually against it.

He smiled and moved closer. "But sir, this idiot ate it anyway, saying it belongs to his best friend, so it’s his too."

Professor Simba nodded slowly, and soon his head spun as Reozaki rapidly explained the entire incident, gesturing with his hands.

Once Reozaki finished, he took a deep breath. "And sir, how could you not believe our school’s heroes?"

Professor Simba wiped his eyes, his voice thick with emotion. "You three have really taught me something."

Matt winked at Reozaki and Kai.

The three of them smiled at each other as Professor Simba gave them permission to leave.

The rest of the first-year students stood, bewildered but entertained by the bizarre turn of events.

Even Hari struggled to understand what had just happened.

Kai exhaled heavily immediately he left the door. ’One obstacle cleared at least.’

As soon as Kai, Reozaki and Matt left the building, Professor Simba turned back to the first years. "Now let’s get some muscle in!"