The Academy’s Weakest Became A Demon-Limited Hunter

“Slow.”

“Ugh!”

“Slow.”

“Gah!”

“Slow.”

“Ugh!”

Morning. In a corner of the Butterfly Garden.

Isaac was continuing his training to keep up with Gerald's movements.

Gerald moved with footwork, striking Isaac with a wooden sword whenever he failed to keep up.

Although the wooden sword wasn't swung with full force. Intentionally stopping the use of [Basic Protection Magic], Isaac felt pure pain. This was Gerald's instruction for training.

It was a method of education meant to instill an obsession with quickly mastering the technique by inflicting physical pain.

It was a violent but effective method.

Isaac focused on the flow of mana running through his body. He was gradually getting a feel for it.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the academic building overlooking the corner of the butterfly garden.

Dorothy sat on the railing with her white cat familiar, Ella, watching Isaac and Gerald.

She had flown to meet Isaac but stopped at the top of the building upon seeing Gerald.

“That person, isn't he the Sword Saint? What is he doing with Isaac?”

[It looks like they're training for something.]

“Ugh, that must hurt…”

Dorothy was appalled seeing Isaac being struck with a wooden sword.

She then stroked her smooth chin, looking at Isaac as if examining him closely.

“But Isaac, his movements are really irregular. One moment he moves like a drunk person, and the next he's swift and sharp.”

[It looks like he's trying to learn something new.]

Dorothy's range for sensing mana was extensive. However, she couldn't sense any mana from either Isaac or Gerald.

Just when he swung his hand, moved half a step, or turned his body.

"Is he training to infuse only the necessary parts inside his body with mana for movement? That would increase his mobility, but..."

Dorothy grasped it instantly.

She had never imagined trying it nor felt the need to, but she felt she wouldn't be able to do it even if she tried.

Such a technique wasn't achievable with just high mana mastery.

"He’s doing something difficult."

[We'd just get in the way. What do you say, Dorothy?]

"Hmm."

Dorothy pondered for a moment.

Isaac is training hard. Soon, he’ll probably get hungry.

Alright, she decided.

"Shall we secretly bring him a snack?"

Dorothy’s thought process was very simple, but Ella didn’t realize it was that simple and tried to guess Dorothy’s true intention.

[Are you trying to warn them that he’s your man?]

Dorothy glared at Ella.

"Goodness, that's absurd… Do you really think that's the case? Is this cat constantly making people feel creepy?"

[Hmph, is that so?]

Ella laughed slyly.

***Someone secretly left a basket with sandwiches. Along with a note saying, “Isaac! Enjoy your meal!”

Judging by the poor handwriting, it was clear that Dorothy had left it.

Gerald gave me a suspicious look. It sent shivers down my spine.

“Who sent this?”

“This is…”

“I'll ask again. Which 'woman' sent this?”

The interrogation began naturally.

I didn’t know how to answer. It was like finding out there were other women when one was trying to entrust their daughter to their son-in-law.

Since I wasn’t planning to mislead him and was hesitating, Gerald sighed.

“That’s enough.”

“Yes?”

“Considering your status, it’s not strange to have several women. I never thought you would only embrace Kaya.”

Surprisingly easy, huh?

Contrary to the rigid impression, he seemed to be accepting.

“Is that so…?”

“That's a strange reaction.”

“I was worried you might be upset.”

“I can only speak to you about matters concerning Kaya. I won’t overstep. But promise me one thing.”

Gerald glared at me with a cold expression.

“No matter how many wives you have, cherish Kaya for life.”

“…Of course.”

“Then that’s settled.”

Contrary to my expectations, Gerald let it go smoothly.

We ate the sandwiches and talked a little about Kaya before resuming training.

I was slightly nervous, wondering if Gerald would swing the wooden sword harder with his emotions getting the better of him.

That didn’t happen.

***Ah, it hurts so much...

The sky scattered a cozy sunset glow.

Bruises were all over my body from being hit so much with the wooden sword.

To master Gerald’s footwork, I had to learn the technique of appropriately channeling and maintaining mana through my muscles and joints.

Gerald said he wasn’t coming back until I could master the technique. In other words, that day would be the last day he would be concerned about me.

My goal at that point was to master the technique and learn his footwork before Gerald left.

I had finished mentoring White and was running across the campus. Despite the numerous bruises making it uncomfortable to run, it wasn’t enough to hinder my movements.

Aria wasn't going to arrive until later at night, so I'd have the rest of the day to train.

Whooosh!

Suddenly, I felt wind mana from the sky. I stopped.

A gentle light green wind flowed around and caressed my skin.

A female student landed softly and hugged me from behind.

“Kaya?”

“…”

It was Kaya.

Before she hugged me from behind, I checked her eyes. Blood-red pupils. It was her Ravenous persona.

The one who always tried to seduce me whenever we met had been resurrected after a long time, yet she said nothing. It was surely because of the Gerald issue.

A warm mana of life swirled around my entire body. It emanated from a small tree that sprouted from the magic circle above Kaya's hand, scattering its mana.

Oh.

The sensation of stiffness from the bruises faded away. My skin returned to its original state, and the plant magic withered after completing its role.

“Thanks.”

“...”

“…Say something.”

“I feel too ashamed to face you…”

A sigh escaped me.

We went to the fountain plaza and sat on a bench. The sunset tinted the trickling fountain water with its sunset glow.

The sound of flowing water and the gentle breeze were the only things that could be heard. I decided to keep silent until Kaya spoke.

Eventually, Kaya spoke.

“Um, Isaac.”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry for causing you trouble. I tried to stop my father somehow…”

“It’s not a big deal. It’s fine.”

“No, it's not fine. That's nonsense! The bruises on your body earlier were because of my father, weren't they?”

“That’s true, but I took them willingly.”

“What?”

“He offered to teach me how to move quickly without straining my body. Getting hit was part of the training.”

“Ah, that method…”

Kaya must have known Gerald’s footwork. She was his daughter, after all. But she probably didn’t learn it herself.

Understanding the situation, Kaya gave an embarrassed smile. She looked relieved.

“It’s not perfect yet, but I think it’ll work out somehow.”

“I was worried you got hurt because of me... My father tends to go all out, regardless of who he’s dealing with.”

Is she dissing Father-in-law?

He did have a tendency to go all out.

I didn't bother saying that out loud though.

“Up until yesterday, my father had forbidden me from meeting you. So I didn’t know anything…”

“Do you think I would just take a beating willingly…? By the way, are you going to keep holding my hand?”

Kaya had been holding my hand, fiddling with my fingers, and stroking them.

Like she was handling a toy.

“I can’t help it, it’s because I have a lack of affection.”

Isn’t it a bit shameless to admit that?

...It didn’t matter. It was obvious she was lying anyway.

“Fine, keep touching them.”

“Really?”

“No… I mean, in moderation.”

“Oh, no.”

Kaya looked disappointed. If she lost her restraint, who knew what she might attempt.

Kaya still had her hair down, styled with half of it tied back. The golden earrings she wore peeked through her hair.

“You’ve changed your look a lot.”

“Oh, how is it?”

Kaya smiled, pleased that I noticed the change.

Seeing her up close felt different. She always wore her hair in twin tails, so it was even more striking. I’d say she looked more innocent than usual.

Of course, I wasn’t the only one changing.

Everyone was steadily growing, and those traces were naturally reflected in their appearance.

“You feel more mature…? You don’t look completely young anymore.”

“Are you saying I look old…?”

“I meant it in a good way. Now you look more like a second-year senior. It suits you.”

Seeing Kaya’s shocked expression, I hurried to smooth things over.

Maybe I should change the subject.

“And don’t worry too much. It’s not like I don’t understand your father’s feelings. I’ve received a lot of help thanks to him. It’s rather fortunate we can meet like this.”

“…You’re really kind, Isaac.”

Kaya naturally leaned on my shoulder and hugged my arm tightly.

“…What are you doing?”

“Showing affection.”

It was so random.

It was so out of context and straightforward that I didn’t know how to respond.

Kaya rested her chin on my shoulder and looked at me closely with a sly smile.

“By the way, Isaac. I heard you called my father ‘Father-in-law.'”

Kaya tilted her head and asked playfully.

She was testing me.

“Do you like me that much?”

“It just turned out that way. Are you teasing me?”

Kaya looked lovingly into my eyes.

After a brief pause, Kaya spoke in a sincere voice.

“I like you. I missed you.”

“…I see.”

As always, Kaya expressed her feelings without hesitation.

***Late at night.

A carriage, escorted by Ice Knights, passed through the guard post and arrived at the Hegel Magic Tower.

Under the protection of the Ice Knights, a petite woman stepped out of the carriage. She used telekinesis to effortlessly lift a luggage bag as big as herself.

Her reddish-brown hair was tied to one side. It was Aria Lillias, the master of Hegel Magic Tower.

The Düpfendorf forces that escorted the carriage all saluted sharply toward the silver-blue-haired boy standing by the tree.

Aria’s calm gaze also turned towards the boy.

“Welcome, Teacher.”

“I didn’t expect you to come out to greet me yourself. What is it that you wanted to see me for?”

The silver-blue-haired boy, Isaac, approached Aria.

The height difference between the two was considerable, so Aria had to tilt her head back to the point of hurting her neck to look at Isaac.

“…Ah.”

Realizing his mistake, Isaac bent his knees to match Aria’s eye level.

Aria frowned.

“There’s no need to match eye levels.”

“Pardon?”

Aria snapped. Her short stature was a complex for her.

Isaac’s consideration unintentionally made Aria feel humiliated.