Chapter 41 – Trouble Instinct (2)

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 41 – Trouble Instinct (2)

“Where are we really going?”

Knightley asked, her voice tinged with irritation as she followed me up the hill.

“You’ll see when we get there.”

“You’re planning something weird again, aren’t you?”

“Weird? I’m just trying to teach you in an environment similar to the real field.”

Knightley didn’t ask further but couldn’t hide her suspicion.

“Head Professor, over here,”

A voice called from above the slope. It was Waver.

But we could only hear his voice; he was nowhere in sight.

“Where are you?”

“Here.”

We looked around and spotted Waver’s camouflaged face peeking out from the shaded underbrush.

He was covered in mud, with twigs and leaves stuck to him.

“Come in here.”

He lifted the cloth covering the entrance, revealing a small observation hole facing the valley.

“Is it still there?”

“Yes.”

I peered through the observation hole and saw something sprawled out in the depths of the valley.

It was a troll, a grotesquely elongated creature covered in filthy fur, with limbs like muscular, dirty sticks.

It had just finished devouring its prey, as evidenced by the flesh-strewn bones nearby. The troll was snoring loudly, its mouth hanging open.

The troll seemed at ease in the urban outskirts, much like I had been living in Brunswell.

“Where do you think it came from?”

“Not sure exactly, but considering everything, it’s likely from Honebe.”

“The basis?”

“They’re opening a new mine over there. I’ve heard they’ve even hired mages, so it’s a big operation.”

“So, it lost its habitat and ended up here. Makes sense. This is the only suitable place for a troll nearby.”

While Waver and I discussed the troll’s origin, Knightley alternated her confused gaze between us.

“Sorry to interrupt, Head Professor, but shouldn’t we be on our way? We don’t have time to waste here.”

“Waste time?”

“Yes, hunting the troll is Professor Waver’s job. You’re supposed to be giving me a private lesson...”

Knightley trailed off, meeting my eyes, then turned her gaze to the still-sleeping troll before looking back at me.

“Lies.”

“It’s true.”

“Stop it.”

“This is what you wanted.”

“I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to hunt trolls...!”

I covered Knightley’s mouth before she could shout and held up three fingers.

“Quiet. If it wakes up and escapes, it’ll be hard to track it down again.”

“Hunting a troll... this is insane...!”

“Not hunting, capturing.”

“Same thing...!”

Knightley muttered angrily, and Waver chuckled.

“Student Knightley, what did you think we were doing?”

“I thought we’d learn effective killing methods or kidnapping techniques!”

“That’s what the headmaster teaches you. No one knows which organization you’ll join after graduation, so it’s good to master dealing with great monsters in advance.”

“But how can I catch that thing alone? It’s not even human!”

I put a reassuring hand on Knightley’s trembling shoulder.

“Don’t worry. You’re not doing it alone. Waver and I are with you. Trolls are always caught by a team.”

“I bet you two will just assist while I’m forced to stand in front.”

“Now you’re getting it.”

Knightley started to argue more but then sighed in resignation.

“I chose this, so I have to tough it out.”

Waver smiled, and I patted her shoulder.

“You’re growing little by little.”

“Fine. What do I do now?”

“First, you need to camouflage yourself. To get close, you must mask your scent.”

Knightley looked at Waver, who was covered in mud and leaves.

“No.”

After thrashing the bullies from class 1, she had become a hero to the students who had been tormented by them.

Naturally, when she asked to talk, they eagerly gathered around her.

“I’m not saying this to cause trouble, but I’m genuinely curious.”

With the students gathered, Hindrasta began to speak.

“About Professor Dian and the Class 1 class president... I’m a transfer student, so I really don’t know. Could you explain it to me?”

“What are you curious about?”

“I just want to know if there’s something special between those two.”

“Special? Did you see something?”

“Could it be that Knightley, that girl, is Professor Dian’s... you know...?”

“His what?”

“His girlfriend.”

The students exchanged bewildered glances.

“Sophie, what’s... a girlfriend...?”

“Seriously? You don’t know? A girlfriend.”

“I don’t know.”

What? Even if they’re lower-ranked students, not knowing such common slang is...

Oh, right. The book where I read that word came out two hundred years ago, so it makes sense they wouldn’t know it.

“I mean, his lover.”

The students burst out laughing.

“No way. You’re mistaken.”

“Professor Dian would never do something like that with a student.”

So, that’s Dian’s reputation, huh?

“Oh, really? Then what was that I saw earlier...?”

Hindrasta stroked her chin thoughtfully, piquing the students’ curiosity.

“What did you see? Did you see something?”

“I might have been mistaken, but... Should I even say this...?”

“Tell us, Sophie!”

Hindrasta waited until the students were sufficiently curious before speaking again.

“I happened to see something near the academy’s eastern gate...”

She lowered her voice to a whisper, causing the students to gasp.

“You saw them go out the eastern gate together? With their arms around each other?!”

“Are you sure?”

“Really?!”

As the students bombarded her with questions, Hindrasta waved her hands with a troubled smile.

“No, no, I’m not sure. I couldn’t see if they were hugging; it was too far away...”

“I’ve had my suspicions for a while.”

Someone raised a hand quietly.

“I’ve seen Knightley go in and out of Professor Dian’s office several times.”

Like wildfire, the rumor spread quickly.

“No way!”

“Calm down, everyone... haha.”

“Are they really in that kind of relationship?”

“Now that you mention it, I do remember seeing them alone a few times.”

“Oh, Professor Dian...”

“That’s a lie!”

“If it’s true, it’s a big deal, isn’t it?”

“What’s going on?”

“Hey, you know what? Sophie saw Professor Dian and Knightley...”

“Be quiet! Don’t say things like that!”

“What about Professor Dian and Knightley?”

“Stop it, I said!”

“What did you say?! Professor Dian put his hand up Knightley’s skirt and groped her butt?!”

“I never said that!”

“No way! My beloved Professor Dian would never!”

“Guys! Professor Dian dumped Professor Anna for Knightley!”

“Why bring up Professor Anna now?”

“Was it Professor Ismera? Or the headmaster? Anyway!”

Hehehe, it’s getting chaotic.

Just let it snowball, hehehehe.

[Translator – Peptobismol]