The Academy Guard with a Terminal Illness - Chapter 15

A dense forest.

The forest is an unsettling place where it’s not surprising if something suddenly pops out.

Having struggled a lot in forests, I don’t like them. Especially since I’m not familiar with this area.

Still, since it is a place where students camp, I believe it was chosen as a safe area.

After experiencing one incident, surely there won’t be another accident like that.

Akashic Academy is the kingdom’s top educational institution, and the staff working here are all competent individuals.

They must have their considerations, which is why they conduct such activities.

Teaching students with appropriate lesson plans is their role.

There must be safety measures that guards like us aren’t aware of.

For now, we just need to focus on watching over the students.

But still…

“I’m so anxious, I could die.”

As soon as the students arrive at the forest, they divide into groups and scatter to carry out their activities.

We also distribute personnel appropriately and attach them to each group for security.

Honestly, I question whether there’s a need to divide and scatter the groups like this.

I think it would be more efficient if the whole class moved together.

How can an ordinary guard like me understand the academy’s lesson plans?

I can only accept it as it is.

“Let’s just hope nothing happens.”

The group I’m in charge of consists of 8 members.

Balanced with 4 commoners and 4 nobles.

Whether by chance or fate.

Among them are Sonia, Id, and Aria.

“Look at this. It’s a laughter mushroom. Although it’s poisonous, I read in a book that if you boil it, it can be eaten.”

“This spot looks good. It just needs a barrier to keep the monsters out.”

“If you set it up that way, the tent will fall apart. Don’t pull it that way; align it over here.”

The students are diligently fulfilling their assigned roles.

Food gathering, securing a place to sleep, ensuring safety, setting up bedding, etc.

Having properly learned theoretical education in class, they’re handling it all smoothly.

So far, there’s no problem.

“Are you watching properly, guard? If you slack off, I’ll tell the teacher, so do your job properly.”

Someone spoke to me.

Turning my head, I saw Sonia approaching, smiling.

Sonia hums a tune with her hands in her pockets.

“You should have told me if something like this was going to happen.”

“You didn’t ask.”

Sonia glanced at my face and chuckled.

“Well, honestly, I really didn’t expect you guys to follow. It’s because of that incident, right?”

“Exactly. Because of that incident, we’re more focused on the students’ safety. But what are your teachers thinking, conducting such lessons?”

Even now, I’m not sure if this is right.

How they got permission for such a lesson is beyond me.

Sonia shrugs her shoulders.

“I don’t know. They just explained it’s educational to gain experience in case something like the previous incident happens again.”

While I understand the intent, it’s still risky at this time.

It’s unlikely monsters will suddenly show up at the academy unless someone intentionally releases them.

We haven’t even properly identified the cause. Another incident wouldn’t be surprising.

Personally, I think it’s better to avoid outdoor lessons until the reason is clarified.

Surely, the competent faculty staff would know what I know.

No matter how positively I try to think, the anxiety just won’t go away.

I sighed.

“By the way, what are you doing here as the water supply person? Shouldn’t you be fetching water instead of hanging around?”

“Don’t worry. Water can be easily found anywhere.”

With a light gesture from Sonia, a small stream of water rose from the ground.

Considering it emerged from dirt, it was very clear and clean.

The water flowed directly into a container Sonia had prepared.

It’s magic. But different from other water elemental magic.

Sonia crossed her arms with a confident smirk.

Her face practically says, “How do you like that?”

“Just don’t forget to boil the water at least once.”

“I know that too.”

On a light advice, she groaned and, with a sullen look, picked up the container and trudged back to the group.

I gave a wry smile and shifted my gaze to one student.

Golden hair glistened in the sunlight breaking through the trees.

It’s student Aria.

To think I’d run into that student here.

The moment we faced each other, our faces grimaced.

Various emotions like embarrassment and disdain flickered on Aria’s face before vanishing, as she greeted me with a soft smile as if it was our first meeting.

I didn’t pick a fight either.

With many eyes watching, I didn’t want to draw attention.

And there it went again.

Honestly, I want to ask why nothing was done all this time.

But for now, I have to endure.

“…Huh?”

Birds fly in flocks.

The rustling sound from the grass is quite loud.

I frown slightly, clutching the sword hilt tightly.

I exchanged glances with my nearby colleagues. They, too, seemed to notice the forest’s abnormality and gestured.

Something was rapidly approaching us.

What emerged shortly after was…

“Ahhh! Monsters! What happened to the barriers?!”

“I haven’t finished setting them up yet.”

“Stay calm! These creatures aren’t dangerous. We can take them down if we face them calmly.”

Ideally, we should be protecting the students and dealing with the monsters.

I exchange glances with my colleagues and release my grip from the sword hilt.

The monster known as “Noblin.”

It has an F-grade danger level.

The weakest monster most adventurers face first and frequently.

We don’t need to intervene immediately.

The current outdoor activity aims to build the students’ experience.

Monster subjugation would be part of the training, undoubtedly.

Seeing the teacher attached to the group staying quiet confirms it.

Since they are the weakest monsters, nothing serious should happen.

If things really get dangerous, we can step in.

For now…

“Let’s see how the students perform.”

Knowing these are weaker than the monsters that appeared at the school, the students regained composure quickly.

Each took out their weapon, ready for battle.

The stance of the student holding the sword is stable.

You can tell they’ve learned well. Blocking with a stable stance and striking back during openings.

Those using magic supported from the back with defense magic or simple attack spells.

It was textbook-style combat.

They’re doing well.

Among them, there are three students I’m particularly watching.

Sonia. Id. Aria.

“Well, I knew they had skills, but they’re pretty good.”

Tiny water droplets hover around Sonia.

When she gestures lightly, a droplet shoots through a monster’s torso.

Once fired, the droplet changes trajectory, targeting other monsters.

The Noblins can’t react to the droplet’s speed, failing to block and falling one by one rapidly.

Is she manipulating water?

Not lacking in magic power, control, or skill.

A truly special talented student.

When Sonia glanced over, I waved lightly. But seemingly dissatisfied, she snapped her head away and vented on the monsters.

I shrug and turn my attention to Id.

I stroke my chin.

“What is that…? That terrible posture? Is he intentionally hiding his strength?”

Id is currently handling monsters using a blend of magic and sword but…

To put his skills in one word: atrocious.

Even if he weren’t, his magic control is pathetic.

He undoubtedly has greater magical power than regular students. Yet he can’t utilize it at all.

Instead of controlling magic precisely like Sonia to achieve maximum effect with minimal power, he defaults to blocking with defense magic or defeating them with simple spells.

In simple terms, it’s a basic clash of raw power.

Are we sure he’s the same student who displayed that power before?

His swordsmanship is even worse.

His stance seems off.

The way he swings doesn’t look natural.

He’s just overpowering with a magically enhanced body.

Even outside of the academy, nobles usually receive basic training at home. So their stances tend to be significantly more stable compared to commoners.

But that…

Even a beginner wouldn’t be this bad.

In my experience, Id is a diligent student.

If his skill is like this, it means he hasn’t received training at home or is simply untalented with a sword.

Or he might intentionally conceal his strength, and this clumsy magic control or swordplay is a performance meant to deceive others.

To me, all of Id’s actions seem like someone suddenly doing unfamiliar tasks.

He’s smiling, leaving his thoughts even more obscured.

That only makes him more suspicious.

For now, I’ll let it slide and move my gaze again.

“That’s impressive. I wasn’t mistaken.”

Aria focuses on support magic, aiding the students.

With various buffs like strength enhancement, simultaneous stamina boost, stamina reinforcement, and mental strength boost, the students fought the monster more comfortably.

Besides magic, her individual combat skills are outstanding.

When a Noblin tried to sneak up on her, she twisted her body to dodge it, accurately aiming for a vital spot with her dagger.

Monsters targeting her were instead taken down.

It’s starting to wrap up.

“Squawk!”

A monstrous scream echoed.

It appeared between the trees.

Three times the size of a grown human.

A brawny body and two legs.

A bull’s head.

It’s a Minotaur.

A C-grade danger level monster.

Could it possibly have been residing here?

Judging by the slightly bewildered look on the teacher’s face, that seems to be the case.

As soon as my colleagues, the teacher, and I move to engage the Minotaur, the monster outpaces us.

The Minotaur lunges at the nearest student with a trident.

“Ahhhh!”

The screaming student was unscathed.

The trident was halted by a barrier of water.

And a series of water droplets struck the Minotaur.

The Minotaur’s face twisted viciously.

The monster redirected its focus to attack Sonia.

Sonia glanced at me once again before concentrating ahead.

Despite repeatedly firing bullet-like water droplets, the monster continued its charge unfazed.

Its tough skin prevented penetration.

Even in the face of the monster’s threat, Sonia grinned cunningly.

The hovering water droplets gathered into Sonia’s open palm.

The large water droplet instantly compressed into a small orb, like a ball.

Then it flashed for a moment.

The Minotaur’s body was bisected diagonally and fell lifelessly.

Sonia playfully kicked the Minotaur’s head and turned toward me.

Her face proudly exuding confidence, with hands on her hips.

“Not yet!”

That foolish girl.

No sooner had I shouted, the monster’s upper body, which hadn’t yet died, lunged forward.

Its mouth opened wide, ready to devour Sonia, yet froze in mid-air.

Sonia clenched her fist tightly, causing the monster’s upper body to wobble excessively before stopping with a crash on the opposite side and smashed into a tree.

Bang!

Breathing heavily as if exhausted, Sonia gave me a V sign.

Though her abilities are exceptional, she still lacks experience.

At least there was a sigh of relief.

I need to remember to lecture her later.

I looked around.

There are a lot of Noblins. Plus the Minotaur.

Considering it’s a forest, the teacher’s expression is concerning.

Can’t we just end it and leave?

I’m genuinely worried about another accident happening.