Chapter 382: Back to Academy Life

Arthur had barely entered his first classroom when someone shouted his name.

"Arthur! Is it true you fought the World Tree?"

Arthur stopped beside his desk and blinked. "Why would I fight a tree?"

A nearby student immediately leaned forward. "That’s what everyone’s saying! Apparently, it was corrupted and tried to destroy the entire Secret Realm!"

Arthur scratched his cheek. "Well, the World Tree was in danger, but we were trying to save it."

"So you didn’t defeat it?"

"No. We helped it recover."

The student looked disappointed. "Oh."

Arthur stared at him. "Were you hoping I fought a tree?"

"Maybe a little."

Mithra burst into laughter as she entered behind him. "You should’ve seen his face. He was ready to hear about an incredible battle."

Arthur smiled helplessly. "I think saving the tree was more impressive."

Athena arrived carrying several books. "It certainly was more useful. The World Tree’s natural circulation was affected by artificial corruption. Destroying it would’ve made the situation considerably worse."

Another student immediately raised his hand. "Wait, I heard there were six legendary Mirrors!"

"Five original Mirrors," Athena corrected. "The Purple Mirror was artificial, and we haven’t confirmed that all of them should be classified as legendary."

Athy perched on her shoulder and added, "You also shouldn’t believe every rumor you hear."

The students stared at the little owl.

One whispered, "Even their Beasts sound like professors."

Athy looked pleased. "Thank you."

Athena sighed. "That wasn’t necessarily a compliment."

"It sounded like one."

Arthur laughed as he finally reached his seat. Unfortunately, the questions didn’t stop there.

Within minutes, several students had surrounded their desks, asking about the Everglades, the village, and whether the group had discovered any extraordinary Beasts.

Then someone noticed Kong sitting on Sun’s shoulder.

"Hey, Kong! Is it true the Everglades had amazing food?"

Kong immediately straightened. "Yes. But you should not enter a Secret Realm just to find lunch."

Everyone paused.

Melo slowly turned toward him. "Did you really just say that?"

Kong nodded solemnly. "I’m trying to sound responsible."

Sun looked genuinely impressed. "That’s the most mature thing I’ve ever heard you say."

Kong smiled proudly. "Thank you. Also, if anyone brings food back from there, I would like some."

Melo burst into laughter. "There he is!"

Even Athena couldn’t help smiling.

Nearby, Sun had already found an audience of his own.

"So there we were," Sun announced, gesturing dramatically, "surrounded by danger, with no guarantee that we’d survive. Naturally, I remained calm and helped everyone through the situation."

A student leaned forward. "Seriously? You weren’t scared?"

Sun raised his chin. "A true Beast Tamer must remain composed!"

Mithra listened for a moment before smiling sweetly. "Sun, have you told them about the floating-stone pool?"

Sun froze.

Arthur immediately looked up. "Oh, that was hilarious."

One of the students blinked. "What pool?"

Mithra giggled. "The one Sun fell into."

"I didn’t fall!" Sun protested. "The stone moved!"

Arthur nodded seriously. "That’s true. It moved after he stepped on it."

"Arthur!"

Melo nearly slipped off Mithra’s shoulder laughing.

Sun quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, as I was saying, the World Tree was enormous!"

The students laughed, and even Sun eventually gave up trying to look dignified.

Their conversations were interrupted when Professor Rowan entered the classroom.

"Well, it seems our explorers have finally returned," he said with a smile.

The students quickly settled into their seats.

Professor Rowan placed his materials on the desk and looked toward Arthur’s group. "I heard your expedition was rather eventful."

Arthur smiled. "A little."

Several students immediately turned toward him.

Professor Rowan chuckled. "Judging by the preliminary reports, I believe that’s an understatement. But we’ll discuss your discoveries when the Academy has finished reviewing them."

Athena nodded approvingly.

"For now," Rowan continued, "I’d like everyone to remember that the point of exploring isn’t simply finding extraordinary things. It’s understanding what you’re looking at."

Arthur leaned back in his chair. "That sounds familiar."

Vedas, standing beside him, nodded. "You heard something similar yesterday."

"From two very important people."

"And you should listen to them."

Arthur laughed quietly.

The lecture continued, and for the first time in several days, Arthur found himself doing something completely ordinary.

Taking notes.

Answering questions.

Listening to a professor explain evolutionary observations without anyone trying to destroy the surrounding region.

It was surprisingly relaxing.

When the class ended, however, Professor Rowan approached their desks.

"Arthur, I expect you’ll have plenty of interesting observations to share once your reports have been approved."

Arthur smiled. "Definitely! We found some things I’ve never seen before."

Rowan laughed. "I would be disappointed if you hadn’t. Just remember to keep your theories separate from your confirmed discoveries."

Athena immediately nodded. "I’ve already arranged our records that way."

"Excellent. I look forward to reading them."

As Rowan left, Sun looked toward Arthur. "You’re going to spend the entire week studying those records, aren’t you?"

Arthur considered it. "Not the entire week."

Mithra raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"I also need to train."

Vedas sighed. "Of course."

...

By afternoon, the Academy training grounds were busy.

Students practiced with their Beasts, instructors supervised small exercises, and several first-years had already begun discussing the upcoming One Above All competition.

Arthur stood near an open training area with Vedas and Star.

"Alright, Star. Let’s try something simple."

The little slime bounced happily.

Several wooden markers had been placed across the ground. Arthur’s goal was to have Star move between them while Vedas observed its responses and helped coordinate the exercise.

Star moved toward the first marker, circled it, and bounced back.

Arthur smiled. "Good! Now the second."

Star immediately went toward the third.

Arthur blinked. "That’s not the second."

Vedas folded his arms. "You pointed at the third."

Arthur looked at his hand.

He had.

"Oh."

Mithra, watching from nearby, laughed. "I think Star understood perfectly."

Star bounced proudly, apparently pleased with its performance.

Arthur scratched his cheek. "Well, that’s embarrassing."

He tried again, this time giving clearer directions. Star followed the sequence without difficulty, weaving between the markers before returning to him.

"Excellent!" Arthur said, crouching to pat the little slime.

Vedas nodded. "Your directions were clearer. That was the difference."

Arthur smiled. "I suppose I should practice that too."

"You should."

A few nearby students watched with interest. One had apparently expected Arthur to demonstrate an extraordinary ability, but instead found him practicing basic coordination with his Beast.

Arthur didn’t seem bothered.

He spent another short session reviewing Star’s movements, then ended the exercise without attempting anything more demanding.

Mithra approached as he collected the markers. "Finished already?"

Arthur nodded. "For now. Eden still needs rest, and I don’t want to push everyone just because there’s a competition coming."

Vedas looked pleased. "A sensible decision."

Arthur grinned. "You sound surprised."

"I am choosing to appreciate the moment."

Mithra laughed as Star bounced onto Arthur’s shoulder.

She noticed that Arthur was still carrying his notebook, but he hadn’t opened it once during training.

For once, he seemed content with a small improvement.

...

Later, Arthur and Mithra walked together along the path connecting the training grounds to the Academy’s research facilities.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees, and groups of students passed them, talking about classes and the approaching competition.

Melo had gone ahead with Sun and the others, leaving the two of them alone.

Mithra glanced at Arthur’s notebook. "Are you going to spend all your free time researching the expedition?"

Arthur looked down at it. "Not all of it. There are still a few things I want to understand, but I also need to train and check on everyone."

"You always find another thing to do."

"That’s because there are always things worth doing."

Mithra smiled. "Do you ever stop and enjoy what you’ve already accomplished?"

Arthur paused.

He looked toward the Academy gardens, where several students were relaxing beneath the trees.

"I think I do."

"Really?"

"Well, I enjoyed helping Luna and her grandfather. And seeing the village start rebuilding was nice." Arthur smiled faintly. "I also enjoyed exploring the Everglades with everyone. Even when things got dangerous."

Mithra nodded. "We did make some wonderful memories."

"Exactly. Besides, I got to see a World Tree! How often does that happen?"

"Hopefully not every week," Mithra replied.

Arthur laughed. "Fair."

She looked at him for another moment. "But you know, you don’t have to accomplish something extraordinary every day."

Arthur tilted his head. "I know."

"Then why are you still carrying your notebook everywhere?"

He looked down.

Mithra smiled knowingly.

Arthur laughed awkwardly. "Habit?"

"I thought so."

She gently took the notebook from his hand and held it behind her back.

Arthur blinked. "Hey!"

"We’re taking a short break."

"But I wasn’t even using it!"

"Then you won’t miss it."

Arthur stared at her before laughing. "You’re becoming surprisingly strict."

Mithra giggled. "Someone has to be. Vedas can’t do everything."

"I heard that," Vedas remarked from Arthur’s Mana Realm.

Both of them laughed.

They found a nearby bench and sat beneath the shade of a large tree. For several minutes, they simply watched students pass by.

Arthur eventually leaned back. "You know, this is actually pretty nice."

Mithra smiled. "See? You’re learning."

"I still think exploring is more exciting."

"I know." She handed his notebook back. "But it’s nice having you here without another crisis."

Arthur looked at her, noticing the warmth in her smile.

"Yeah," he said. "I like being here too."

Mithra’s smile grew slightly, and she turned her attention back toward the path.

Neither felt the need to say anything else.

...

By the time they returned to the main hall, the Academy had posted the complete announcement for One Above All.

Students crowded around the board, discussing the newly confirmed details.

Arthur and Mithra approached just as Sun called out to them.

"Arthur! Mithra! You need to see this!"

Athena stood beside the board, reading the announcement carefully, while Melo and Kong watched from Sun’s shoulder.

Arthur looked up.

[ONE ABOVE ALL — FIRST-YEAR COMPETITION]

[Event Day: Monday.]

[All first-year students and their Beasts may participate.]

[Academy grounds will be closed to other activities for the event.]

[Prizes:]

[One month of complimentary meals from any establishment in the Academy district.]

[The ability to skip one examination of choice.]

[One week of personal training directly under Principal Steven.]

Sun’s eyes widened. "We can skip an examination?"

Athena adjusted her glasses. "That would be extremely useful if applied strategically."

Kong stared at the first prize. "One month?"

Melo giggled. "Of course that’s the one you noticed."

"Any establishment?"

"Yes."

Kong slowly turned toward Sun. "We must win."

Arthur, however, was looking at the final reward.

"One week of training with Principal Steven..."

Vedas nodded. "An opportunity worth pursuing."

Mithra looked toward Arthur. "My father doesn’t offer personal training very often."

Arthur grinned. "Then we should definitely participate."

Mithra smiled. "Winning might require more preparation than simply entering."

"Then we prepare."

Sun raised his fist enthusiastically. "Finally! A competition where everyone can see what we’re capable of!"

Athena looked over the notice again. "They still haven’t explained the actual competition format."

Vedas nodded. "Then we should prepare without assuming what challenges we’ll face."

Arthur looked around at the gathering students. Some were excited about the prizes, while others were already discussing who might become their strongest competitors.

Several noticed Arthur’s group standing beside the announcement.

"That’s Arthur’s team."

"They’re entering too?"

"Didn’t they just come back from the Everglades?"

"Then this competition is going to be interesting."

Arthur heard the whispers and smiled.

This time, they weren’t entering an unfamiliar Secret Realm or trying to solve an ancient crisis.

They would be competing against other students, right here at Pathfinder Academy.

Sun grinned. "So, what do we do first?"

Arthur turned toward his companions.

"First, we find out what everyone needs to improve. Then we train together."

Vedas smiled faintly. "That sounds like a reasonable plan."

Mithra laughed. "Finally, an adventure we can prepare for properly."

Arthur looked at the announcement one more time.

Monday.

One Above All.

And with the entire first year preparing to compete, Arthur couldn’t help wondering just how strong his classmates had become.