Chapter 46

Naell’s condition was worse than he thought. After being teleported to the main building, his consciousness drifted, only hearing some HOOTs and words that were far too muffled to understand.

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'Colorful life they must have.' Thought Naell after checking the last awe-draining performances from the students in EDSD.

After finishing his assignment, he was on his way to the main building to wait for Viola and report their task together. Yet that plan was halted as he saw other committee members hastily running towards somewhere which he thought was odd. Further, their passing words alerted his mind.

"The park--- Miss Viola, from 1st-year magic is fighting someone!"

Those were the last phrases he heard before he made a hasty decision on his own.

"Don't forget, your partner, your responsibility, okay?"

At that time the committee and Namiku's warning words had really penetrated his mind.

He knew he was the one who decided to part ways with Viola. That in itself was already a violation of what the other members had said. Not to mention Namiku's cold smile lingered in his heart.

Which was why after activating his mana detection, he hurriedly tried to trace Viola’s mana. Soon enough, he felt a large quantity of hostile aura completely overpowering hers.

Without a second to waste, Naell rashly teleported to the scene and staggered upon arriving. Quickly he [ poofed ] his wand, hoping to lessen the strain he felt.

'Teleporting living beings is so much harder than a hammer.” He thought as he slightly groaned and wondered how Tahina could do it with ease.

Of course, he knew the distance, and how he simultaneously used detection magic were factors to why he almost destroyed Owly's seal.

Without missing a beat, he looked around and examined what was happening. The grandpa and the young girl’s eyes were closed clearly afraid, and Viola stared at the ground blankly, her face filled with despair.

With that, Naell’s emotions got the better of him. Unconsciously, his mana exploded out of rage, completely destroying his seal. The place was then filled with ice, freezing the adversary.

Amidst all that, he had still managed to use [ fortress ] to protect the young Anna and her grandfather, and with his mana shield, Viola too was protected from his magic.

Yet that came with a price. His mind struggled to cling to consciousness while his body felt cold, an unusual feeling he had not experienced in a long time.

*******

As their fighting spirit and their drunken state came to an end, the school management swiftly handled everything else which Naell appreciated. After that, they were teleported, and he was brought into the awkward present.

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Naell had woken up in the main building’s infirmary. It was Owly who he first saw, and thus made him believe that he was simply resting in his room.

So without hesitation, he slept once more earning him scowls and pecks from Owly.

"I'm still sleepy..." He said with a hint of pain as he cramped while adjusting his body.

"..."

Those who witnessed and heard Naell were amazed and worried; amazed as they knew that Owly often badmouthed his laziness, but they never really did think it was true.

Worried as the discussion about the seal and Naell’s abnormal pool of mana came into the topic. At first, Owly didn’t want to talk about it yet due to the principal’s plea and her connections with his mom, he reluctantly talked.

Going back, Mony could only sigh and cough, hoping to dissipate the worried atmosphere. Yet that did not do anything especially when they saw him sleeping again.

“...”

"Naell?" Luckily, Rizaul's words had disturbed his slumber and together with the powerful claws of the mighty Owly, he woke up glaring at the owl.

"Huh???" Yet that did not last long as Naell was surprised by the odd surroundings and the people around him.

He then recalled what happened after feeling pain and seeing their faces. Further, in a panic, he wanted to stand and apologize to all of them.

Noticing that, Owly then quickly flew on his lap and said softly,

‘’Calm down, HOOT.’’

Naell was then brought back to the present. He stared at the familiar and unfamiliar faces as he thought,

‘I wish I could just sleep.’

*******

Seated together were Andrew, Rizaul, Note, Namiku, Rinca, and Viola in a new change of clothes. The Grandfather and the young Anna were beside him, overjoyed to see him conscious.

Earlteria, Mony, and other committee members were to the left of his bed, smiling and gazing at him.

Naell felt a sense of deja vu seeing the scene. For a moment he recalled a memorable encounter with an absurdly lovey-dovey couple. Yet his bitterness was completely erased as he felt a tinge of pain and discomfort.

As someone awkward, Naell did not have any inkling of what to do. After wrecking his brain out, it could be said his instincts chose flight. Slowly he stood up in pain, putting Owly on the bed and resolutely eyeing the door.

"..."

All were once again dumbfounded, even Owly could not believe what he was seeing. Luckily again, Rizaul was there forcing him to sit down.

"Riz what are you doi---" before Naell could even finish his words, Mony stood in front of him smiling with a hint of annoyance on her face.

"Where are you going Naell?"

"Dorm, my tasks are done."

"..."

No one had been counting the number of times Naell startled and confused everyone, yet it was an unspoken fact that he had done so a lot.

If it weren't for Rizaul and Owly, the awkward silence would have continued for much longer.

"Rest for now, Naell."

"You are not going anywhere noob, HOOT!"

A switch in Naell’s head was triggered upon hearing the word rest. Immediately he decided to follow orders and lie down, yet a quick peck stopped him from sleeping.

Earlteria, the entire time just watched amazed and shocked. Yet knowing silence wouldn’t get them anywhere, she decided to speak upon walking closer to Naell.

"How are you feeling Mr. Naell?"

Her voice was caring, and her smile was soft. With an embarrassed face, Naell then replied,

"I'm fine Principal, thank you for your concern."

Naell could not help but imagine how beautiful that old lady must have been back in her prime. If it weren’t for her next words, he might have thought he had a thing for older women.

"That’s a relief. Although if I may ask, I heard from one of my friends in the guild that you are able to sense patterns and codes from teleportation magic."

All of them were shocked and curious. They weren't sure, but the only explanation Naell could have arrived there earlier than anyone, would have been the use of teleportation magic; the so-called Magi Codes.

Yet since they thought that would have been impossible, that thought stayed only at the back of their minds.

Needless to say, the fact he was seen by some committee members disappearing from their sight made it more factual.

Seeing his much paler complexion, Earlteria added on to dissipate his worry.

"..."

"Rest assured, I am not here to berate you for your actions, but I do hope in the future, you will refrain from using it. Only a few know of the codes for teleportation magic."

"Yes, Principal! My mistake as well." When they heard Naell's words confirming what he had done, all of them deep inside were left in awe from his capabilities.

"Though I guess you underestimated the requirements of teleportation."

Naell nodded slightly and could only smile as it was the truth. He did not think that the distance and human teleportation was mana hungry. That was why he was surprised seeing Earlteria teleported them with ease.

‘Even Miss Tahina could do it…’

Sensing his thoughts, she then smiled and said,

"I'm a special case, not to mention Escuel Co. was generous with their teleportation accessories.”

Briefly she pointed to a dark elegant bracelet coiled around her wrist. Naell then recalled how some teachers and even guild members wore similar looking accessories.

“But I'm certain if your mana wasn’t sealed, you could have done it with ease as well."

Naell was amazed, he could not believe how Earlteria could read his villainous face.

"Don't be surprised, I'm just that good." she said softly while smiling. Though her words were haughty, the way she said it was charming.

"Good job, Naell. Well done for saving your classmate." Warmly she added, making Andrew and the rest only feel gratitude recalling what Naell had done.

Naell just smiled and accepted it as it was. He had endured months of having a villainous face and often thought it was okay to be misunderstood.

Yet at that moment, someone had faced him and oddly understood his intentions, making him quite sentimental. He was surprised when Earlteria started patting his hair in which he smiled warmly.

At that moment, no one misunderstood Naell. The intimidating demeanor he often unknowingly projected, was not at all visible under his genuine smile.