I Somehow Got Tasked With Managing A Realm – Chapter 38

I Somehow Got Tasked With Managing A Realm – Chapter 38

"I guess it's time for us to get to class," I said disappointedly while watching the other creatures begin to exit the bathhouse.

"Yeah, it went by so fast," Julia sighed, "We really spent the whole time in here, huh?"

It was as she said. We spent the entire 12-hour 'development period' between when the battle phase ended and class began talking to each other in the bathhouse.

Although 12 hours seems like a lot of time, it was practically nothing compared to the two-ish years that we were separated from my perspective. Based on what Julia said, she spent a similar amount of time in her domain, too. Having to scout for her Oracle's guerrilla warfare strategy meant that she needed to constantly slow down the time to relay orders.

I got to hear a ton about what Julia and her Oracle had to endure, which was as interesting as it was brutal.

Seriously, I have no idea how she was able to keep a clear head through that.

There was so much bloodshed, especially at the start, and I was sure that most people in her position would've given up and watched as their realm was overrun by the ant-man army.

But Julia and her Oracle stood strong and managed to spare the lives of hundreds of thousands of elves who certainly would've faced certain destruction. I was honestly extremely proud of her.

Just as I heard about her story, I told her all about the journey of Uunga. Even after everything that she went through, Julia still shed a tear when I recounted his final words.

Do I really need to go another two years before I can see her again?

I couldn't help but dread the ending of the upcoming class.

Our current schedule was as follows:

Class from 7am-10am

Battle Preparation from 10am-1pm (Oracle selection begins at 12pm)

Battle Phase from 1pm-7pm

Development Period from 7pm-7am

I'll have a few more hours with her in class, but it's not like we'll really be able to talk or anything.

"So then I mentioned how it sounded like Alghelme- are you okay Jacob?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm alright, Julia."

"You weren't even listening, were you!?" the elf accused with a pout.

"I was! I just zoned out for a second there..."

"Squawk~"

"Since when did your sense of time get so good, Mister Flippers?" I muttered, "Anyway, I'm listening, so please continue!"

"... Maybe I won't since you'll just zone out again," Julia continued to pout exaggeratedly.

"I'm listening, I swear!"

"Fine~ but if you stop listening, I'll give you a super serious punch. So anyway-"

As the elf girl continued her story, and despite the risk of her fist, I couldn't help but sink back into thought.

What am I doing? I'm wasting the time I have with Julia because I'm so worried about the next time I'll get to see her

I couldn't help but sigh at my own stupidity.

Screw it. No more thinking of tomorrow- I'm just gonna focus on the time I have with her now.

"Of course, Orisa hadn't been up north- huh?"

Julia paused for a second once she felt my hand lightly hold onto hers.

"W-why'd you do that all of a sudden?"

"Just felt like it," I smiled at the adorable elf, "Your ears are red again~"

Julia looked away embarrassedly, yet I felt her grip on my hand tighten slightly.

"... Squawk."

"Hush. Let me enjoy my time without your sass."

The tiny penguin that I was holding in my other arm didn't seem to care for the romantic atmosphere.

Luckily for him, it was only a few more moments until we reached the entrance to the lecture hall. Most of the other creatures were already seated given how we waited until nearly the last possible minute to arrive.

It almost feels weird to be back here.

Roughly two years had passed from my perspective. I imagined it would feel similar to going back to your freshman class after starting your junior year.

Despite that, there was no feeling of nostalgia. It just felt as though I had come back from a long break.

Aside from chilling with Julia, I can't say I have many pleasant memories of this place.

I took a chance to glance around the room after taking my seat between Julia and the purple blob creature that had been my seat neighbor since I first came to the academy.

There's that fish-head dude and the toad thing... hey, is that the ant guy that Julia was fighting? I might need to greet him once my humans get a bit stronger.

Oh look- there's the lizard! Sitting on the side with Ferguson and Alishia, are you? Ferguson might be huge, but not even he can shield you from the embarrassment you must be feeling right now~

Before I had the chance to openly call out and gloat to Levon, the sheep instructor entered the lecture hall and began to speak to the class.

"Good morning, Seedlings! I am happy to welcome you all back from your first round of the competition and proud to announce that we have found no instances of any prohibited actions during it. I know emotions tend to run high during battle, so thank you all for prioritizing your adherence to the policies set by the Founder himself. With that out of the way, it should be about time to give you all your reward for participating-"

Sigh

With one last sigh, I glanced down at the penguin in my arms.

"Well, I guess we should probably head back now. We have that prize to check out, too,"

"Squawk!" The penguin seemed to regain his energy a bit once he remembered the Tier III prize we received.

"Alright, [Return to-]"

"Wait."

"Huh?"

I immediately canceled the chant upon hearing a deep voice from the doorway of the lecture hall.

"... Ferguson?"

"Squawk?"

The light brown ogre emerged from the lecture hall and stared at me.

He's still here? I thought he would've gone back to his realm by now... but why is he calling out to me? Does he need something?

"... What's up? It's been a while since we last talked."

I greeted the creature casually, but I was only met by his silent stare.

"..."

Oh please slow down, Ferguson! I can't keep up with your soliloquy!

A few more moments passed with the two of us locked in an uncomfortable stare-down.

"Uhhh... how'd your battle go?" I tried again to break the awkward silence.

"I won."

Success! The meatball has spoken!

I couldn't help but let go of a breath of relief at the silence's conclusion.

"Cool! I did too!"

"I know."

"..."

"..."

And it's back.

"... So, why did you stop me from going back to my domain?"

"I will invade your realm."

"Ah-"

"Squawk!?"

Despite the sudden declaration of war, I wasn't too surprised at the revelation. Behind Levon, he was the creature I had provoked the most over the past year. We even had a spar a few months ago which I somehow ended up winning.

"Okay... but why are you telling me this? I mean, I would've found out the second I went back to my domain."

"Do not rely on tricks," he spoke.

"Huh?"

"My people have fire."

"... So you spoke with Levon?"

The ogre nodded in response.

It was something I figured would happen. The trio of Levon, Ferguson, and Alishia had not grown distant over the year leading up to the competition. Them exchanging information was a guarantee.

"Fight with all of your strength. [Return to domain]."

The ogre disappeared following his warning, leaving Mr. Flippers and me standing in the empty hallway.

"... This is going to be tough, won't it?"

"Squawk..."

There's no room for gambling against him. I'm going to need a proper army this time around.

"Screw it, we're losing time standing here. Let's deal with all of this once we're back- [return to domain]!"

The view of the hallway was replaced by darkness.