Chapter 162: Return (2)

The day went by quickly, and the academy began to liven up once more with majority of the students returning before classes the following day.

Michael and the others spent hours pouring over spellcrafting theory in the library, trying to learn as much as they could about how to structure magic circles—specifically instructional runes used within the inner structure.

Of course they had barely scratched the surface by the end of the day.

But Michael was not worried. Professor Murphy had mentioned he was going to teach them how to construct their own spells this semester. This information would be crucial if he wanted to make progress towards reviving healing magic.

However, he was quickly disappointed upon arriving at his spellcrafting class first thing the following morning.

Seated in his usual spot, Michael watched as the old figure of Professor Gabe—his ancient languages professor—toddled into the class with his hands clasped behind his back.

A small commotion was raised at his arrival, everyone asking the same question.

The old man cleared his throat, seemingly oblivious to the looks of confusion and disappointment upon the students’ faces.

“Welcome back to your second semester, young ones.” He said in his usual drab and monotonous cadence. “I am professor Gabe, and I’ll be taking over for Professor Murphy.”

At this, the class broke into cries of shock and outrage. Professor Murphy was one of the best professors in the whole academy. He made every lesson fun and interesting—stoking the curiosity of all the students.

“Where is Professor Murphy?” Lilly raised her hand, grabbing the attention of the old man up front.

“Professor Murphy is indisposed at the moment,” the professor replied, his tone curt. It seemed he did not appreciate the reaction of the students.

“Shit… Why did it have to be Professor Gabe?” Michael cursed, his head lowering into his hands.

“Wait, you know him?” Rudy asked, looking a little confused.

Michael let out a small groan and nodded. “He’s my ancient languages teacher. He is the exact opposite of professor Murphy, old, boring and monotonous. I wouldn’t be surprised if he just gives us theory for the rest of the semester.”

“W-wait! He’s only substituting for the professor… It won’t be for the whole semester right?” Rudy’s voice shook, his face turning pale.

“Professor, do you know when Professor Murphy will be returning?” This time it was Melody who extended her hand, only to receive a glare from the old man.

“I don’t know, damn it!” the professor stomped his foot in anger, putting an end to the rabble in the classroom in an instant. “Why the hell did he take the job if he’s going to be away so much…”

The last part of his sentence was mumbled to no one in particular, but since the classroom had turned quiet, Michael was able to catch it.

He also wasn’t here during the midterm exam… Where could he have gone? He thought silently, trying to swallow the dread forming in his heart at having to deal with the boring Gabe for another one of his classes.

After his outburst, professor Gabe managed to compose himself and began to conduct the lesson. There were no surprises though, the man’s teaching methods were as he expected—done so directly from the textbook.

The lesson dragged on for what seemed like half a day before it was brought to a close. A collective sigh of relief rang out within the classroom, as if they were finally spared from torture.

However for Michael, it was short-lived.

After checking his schedule, he had the painful realization that his next class was ancient languages…

Michael swore loudly in his heart, his head falling onto the desk with a thud.

Two torturous hours later, the trio arrived in the great hall for lunch, each wearing hollow expressions. Rudy looked like he’d just seen a ghost, whereas Melody appeared as white as one, her blue hair and sapphire eyes the only colors visible—and even they seemed dull.

“What is it?” Michael asked, feeling as if his two hours was likely far worse than theirs.

“I… I have supplementary classes for inscriptions.” He said grimly, running a hand through his tousled hair.

“What? You failed your exam?” Michael exclaimed, looking at his friend with a mix of pity and slight annoyance. He shouldn’t be surprised since the guy had slept through most of his classes at the beginning of the semester.

I guess that’s slightly worse than what I experienced… he narrated inwardly.

His gaze moved from the blob of depression in front of him, focusing on the pale ghost Melody. “And you? What’s your problem?”

However, the girl didn’t seem to hear him, her eyes lacking her usual shine.

“We just got given our assignment.” Lilly piped up, her read hair seemingly appearing from nowhere beside the girl.

Michael raised an eyebrow in question. He knew that the two girls were both in the Diplomacy class, but he wasn’t sure just what kind of assignment they could be given—nor what would cause Melody to react in such a way.

“It’s a group project…” she added, giving some more context. “We’ve been paired with some other first-years. Braydon is one of them.”

Ah shit…

Hearing this, a slight hint of anger appeared in his heart. He wasn’t surprised that Braydon had taken Diplomacy as his first-year elective class, especially since the guy was the young master of the Marbury household.

However, this guy was a direct competitor vying for Melody’s hand. One of the leeches who only wanted the girl because of her ancient bloodline.

Now that the king himself had intervened, it was essentially open season for the young nobles within the academy. With everything that had happened regarding his unique soul trait and the healing magic, this fact had slipped his mind.

She’s going to be harassed from now on… Without me acting as a shield, things are only going to get tougher.

Unfortunately, there was nothing he could really do if she wasn’t by his side.

“Just let me know if he gives you trouble, okay?” Michael said, reaching over and placing his hand upon Melody’s.

The touch caused her to flinch slightly, but her expression seemed to ease in the next moment. “Thanks…”

“Ugh, damn it! I’m eating everything on the menu today!” Rudy yelled, surging to his feet and causing everyone in the great hall to snap their attention towards him.

Unaware or uncaring of their gazes, he began to move his finger in the air, likely selecting dishes in the system window—something that he wasn’t required to do since one could control it with their mind.

Michael let out a sigh, feeling like this semester would be a long one.

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