Please give the novel a rating or a review on NovelUpdates
———-

Chapter 75: You Have to Take Responsibility

Ashura followed the team nervously as they walked through the dense woods on the outskirts of Beast Forest.

The Academy assigned each group of 3 classes its own route and counted the assessment as complete as long as they reached their objective within the allotted time.

The formation placed the Warrior students on both flanks to shield the mage students in the middle, while the Instructors fanned out around the periphery of the column.

The team marched along the preset route and was expected to reach the destination in roughly 20 days.

This assessment was comparatively relaxed and focused mainly on familiarizing everyone with Beast Forest, serving as preparation for the next test.

Ashura felt it was a bit of a waste of time, yet he did not dare complain, for the slightest rustle from either side made his heart leap.

He knew the two beauties had already recognized him, and he secretly thanked his stars that they had not confronted him so far, treading as if on thin ice for fear that even the sound of his footsteps would displease the two young mistresses.

Instructor Ella, who walked behind him, also sensed that something was off, for the Ashura she knew would never be this quiet.

He was not even swapping notebooks with his usual partner Clara, a gesture Ella had witnessed many times.

The Warrior boys around them kept trying to chat up the 3 beauties, and even Instructor Ella at the rear found herself helplessly harassed by a young Warrior Instructor named Anthony.

The 3 female students gave those boys frosty faces, yet Instructor Ella could only smile wryly at this.

Only Ashura, hood pulled low, crept forward like a wooden puppet.

During the march, their study committee member Kyle tried to trade places with Ashura; Kyle had pursued Clara for ages but had never earned so much as a smile from the silver-haired girl.

Now that he saw two more beauties no less lovely than Clara, how could he pass up such a golden opportunity?

Ashura agreed eagerly inside, breathing so gingerly that he could not wait to move up front and take a breather.

Yet just as he was about to stride away to the left front, a massive Horse-Cutter Sword cleaved the stump ahead of him in two, sending chips flying while everyone stared at the scene with question marks all over their faces.

Magina, who stood on his left, sheathed the Horse-Cutter Sword across her back again; though she did not wear her fiery red heavy armor, her intimidating aura was still overwhelming.

In a soft voice Magina said, “That stump was really annoying.”

Ashura instantly pulled back the left foot he had raised, returned calmly to his former spot, and waved Kyle away.

Kyle, baffled and a bit embarrassed, assumed Ashura was snubbing him once more, snorted, and went back to his original position.

The pressure around Ashura eased at once, but before he could rejoice at his quick reaction, he heard Magina murmur from the left, “I misunderstood you about last time.”

Ashura stiffened, knowing she was talking to him; the words lifted half the weight from his heart, and he edged closer to her.

Like a thief he whispered, “As long as you know; just drop it, especially don’t mention that I saw you that day, understood?”

Magina rolled her eyes dramatically without answering, then said more forcefully, “After this assessment you’re coming back to be my sparring partner.”

Ashura objected at once, “Why should I?”

The 3 words came out a bit loudly, drawing glances from Lan Yu and Clara, and Ashura immediately lowered his head and shrank his neck.

Magina said airily, “Because you took advantage of me, shouldn’t you take responsibility?”

Ashura wished he could slap a hand over her mouth.

He retorted anxiously, “You can joke with your food, not with your words! How did I take advantage of you? I only acted in haste to save you; I’m not even asking you to repay the favor, so stop setting me up!”

Magina pouted, “I don’t care; everyone saw you bully me, the whole Academy knows it now, and if you won’t own up I’ll ask our classmates to judge the matter.”

Ashura felt his head swell to twice its size and could only placate her so she would not actually bring it up to others.

Otherwise he might as well live in Beast Forest, where at least 300 people would not be trying to kill him.

While the two whispered heatedly, Lan Yu on his right suddenly lashed out with a kick that snapped a bowl-thick tree clean in half.

As she withdrew her leg she also murmured lightly, “This tree is really annoying.”

Ashura immediately sidled to the right and said guiltily, “Now what? Last time you were the one who kissed me first; it wasn’t my fault, so don’t start anything… I already lost my first kiss!”

Lan Yu blushed and growled, “I don’t care, you were hugging me, and that was my first kiss too!”

“Besides, if you hadn’t made such outrageous demands, I would have never…”

At this point Lan Yu’s face turned crimson and she had no courage to finish.

Ashura felt his head ache; reasoning with girls was impossible.

He said helplessly, “Your admirers chased me out of the Academy; I’ve been afraid to come back for ages, what more do you want? Haven’t you vented enough?”

Lan Yu was tickled by his words and stifled a giggle before saying arrogantly, “I don’t care, you have to take responsibility, and you’re not allowed to hide from me again.”

Sweat popped out on Ashura’s forehead; after all this, everything was his fault and both girls still wanted him to be responsible… was there no justice?

Feeling wronged, Ashura yanked off his hood in exasperation.

The two girls beside him stared at his spiky short hair, froze for a second, and then covered their mouths, giggling.

Ashura looked helpless, but at least things were out in the open and they no longer seemed intent on dragging him down.

The weight lifted from his heart, he grew more cheerful, occasionally chatting softly with the two beauties and making them laugh, while Clara ahead wore a dark face, wondering which tree she could summon Lightning to strike.

Ella behind them was even more astonished; she had never imagined the sly boy from her class could be so popular with girls from other classes.

Thinking over the two rumors that had been raging around the Academy, Ella broke into a knowing smile as if she had uncovered some huge secret… no girl disliked gossip.

The young male Instructor Anthony beside her saw Ella smile and thought his corny jokes were finally working, so he redoubled his efforts to show off his supposedly brilliant wit.

Yet Ella heard not a single word; her bright eyes stayed fixed on the short-haired boy who was charming girls on both sides.

After trekking all morning, the team finally reached the first rest stop, and several frail Magicians complained loudly, claiming they had never walked so far in their lives.

They were still on the very edge of Beast Forest, on the flattest stretch of terrain.

The road ahead would only grow more arduous and treacherous.

———-
Support the Translation! 🌐✨

Your donations not only show appreciation but also keep the translator motivated! Every contribution helps continue bringing you more of what you love. Thank you for being a part of this journey! 💖

https://www.ko-fi.com/maxoofie