Chapter : 03
Murmurs filled the room.
“Why are those two sitting together?”
“I heard they ran into a werewolf last night. Is that true?”
“He injured his arm!”
“Then why is Russell just sitting there? By now he should be with his gang…”
Sitting in the classroom, I could hear the whispers all around me. Despite the piercing stares, he paid them no mind and prepared for class.
Ugh. I’m a loner, so being the center of attention is awkward. You’re the protagonist, so you’re probably used to it.
“Is it true you encountered a werewolf yesterday?”
A shadow passed over my head. Looking up, a stunningly beautiful face filled my view.
I had never seen such a vivid golden color. Like Plamel’s purple eyes, the clarity of it made me realize this was truly a fantasy world.
A strand of slightly loose blonde hair brushed against my cheek.
“I asked if it’s true.”
“Ah, yes.”
“But how are you still alive?”
The woman glanced at me with an expression of disbelief.
“Lize Camelot. Class should be starting soon, so take your seat.”
Ah, now I know who she is. Lize Camelot, one of the protagonist’s companions.
‘Her mouth was just as vicious as Plamel’s…’
Well, that’s common, isn’t it? A bratty exterior, but a kind-hearted heroine inside. That’s the vibe I get.
‘Come to think of it, in the original story, this is how their connection began.’
Back then, Russell Blair had died, so Lize’s attention was fully on Plamel.
“Hmph. You’re lying! Plamel, Russell, how could you possibly fight a werewolf without a contract?”
Lize snorted and openly branded us liars.
“Don’t you see my arm?”
I lifted my injured arm. I didn’t want to get involved in the conversation between the two leads, but Lize’s words were becoming increasingly insulting.
“How do you know that wound came from a werewolf? You could’ve tripped while picking moonflowers like an idiot!”
Wait, an idiot? Isn’t that a bit harsh?
“I saw it with my own eyes—both the werewolf and this idiot getting hurt because of it.”
I wasn’t sure whether to feel grateful that someone defended me or betrayed that they called me an idiot too.
“So, you’re saying you can’t believe us just based on our words…!”
“L-Lize.”
A short female student standing nearby tried to restrain her. Lize clicked her tongue and spun around.
“We’ll see about that!”
Lize stomped to the front row. She looked determined not to miss a single word of the professor’s lecture.
Just as the storm seemed to have passed and I was about to relax, the classroom door opened, and the professor appeared.
“Hahaha! A little late, but my time is more precious than yours, so I won’t apologize!”
Looks like someone even more extreme than Lize had arrived.
I rubbed my eyes, but of course, that didn’t change the professor. It was Duke, the same professor who had assigned Plamel and me to collect moonflowers.
“Now then, let’s begin Introduction to Alchemy!”
Wait, he’s really a professor? With muscles like that, he looks like a bodybuilder!
‘I thought he would teach swordsmanship…’
He’s an alchemist too? That’s nothing like the image I had. Alchemists in my world are usually frail, holed up in workshops making potions.
“How far did we get last time?”
“Up to page 167 in the textbook!”
Lize answered immediately after Duke spoke. Her eyes sparkled—truly a model student.
“Oh, perfect. Today we’ll cover ‘contractual affinity.’”
Duke wrote the words ‘Contractual Affinity’ large on the blackboard.
“As you all know, alchemists borrow the power of the stars. They manifest abilities forbidden to ordinary humans under the stars’ permission.”
Ah, this is straight out of some overcomplicated novel.
The thought of studying all that dense lore made my head spin.
“Those with alchemical talent can somewhat borrow stellar powers even without a contract. But to become an exceptional alchemist, one must form a contract with a star—‘contractual affinity.’ Lize!”
“Yes, professor.”
“You’re the only one in this class with a contract.”
Pride shone on Lize’s face.
“What is the name of your contract?”
“Spica. The Alpha of Virgo.”
Even as someone ignorant of astronomy, the name sounded familiar.
‘Based on the twelve zodiac signs, huh? Astronomy here seems similar to Earth’s.’
The familiar name was slightly reassuring.
“An excellent star. Will you demonstrate?”
“Of course.”
Lize strode forward. She looked directly at Plamel and me, chin raised.
“Spica!”
As she called the name, a dazzling magical circle appeared on the floor.
“!”
Letters formed in the empty air. The mystical sight made me gape involuntarily.
“Raise a wall of earth!”
Kugugugugu!
Immediately, an earthen wall shot up to her waist.
“Phew…”
It seemed exhausting for her; she wiped sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.
“Incredible. To summon your contract’s power just by calling its name at that age…”
“This is basic.”
“Also, choosing earth aligned with Virgo was a very smart decision.”
With Duke’s praise, Lize’s pride soared, and she glanced at us as if to say, See? This is the level between you and me.
“Good grief.”
I may be weak, but to the person next to me, this probably looked like child’s play.
“But!”
Duke suddenly raised his voice.
“Considering Spica’s potential, it’s still insufficient.”
“Ugh…”
“Now, try again!”
Lize returned to her seat with a pout, glaring at me after being scolded. Why, I wondered?
“Now, take this.”
He spun something like a compass.
“This tool shows which star best matches you, the ‘Celestial Compass.’ All registered stars’ info is entered, and it points to the one most compatible with you.”
There’s such a thing? It looks like a normal compass.
Still, my heart raced. Does this mean I can cast magic like Lize?
‘If I’m in a fantasy world, I better be able to use some magic!’
I peeked inside. The compass needle spun wildly. What the heck?
‘It’s supposed to point to my matching star, right?’
It wasn’t pointing anywhere I could recognize.
“It’s expensive, so don’t lose or break it.”
‘Oh no, did I mess it up?’
It looked broken the moment I received it. But if I admit it, do I have to pay for it?
“Class is over for today!”
“Already?”
“Sad? Then by the next class, investigate the direction the compass points and submit a list of potential contract stars.”
“Uuuuugh!”
Students groaned at the sudden assignment, but Duke ignored them.
“Oh, and Russell, you come with me.”
Did he notice my broken compass? Gorilla-like as he is, he has good eyes.
Clack.
A fancy teacup was placed in front of me. Duke gripped the tiny cup with his huge hand—it looked comical.
I took a sip to hide my laughter…
“Ugh.”
Too sweet. My tongue almost burned from the sugary flavor. I nearly spat it out.
“Hahaha. Isn’t the tea good?”
He spoke well. Yet Duke guzzled what seemed like a protein shake instead of tea.
Thick texture, faint sweetness. Clearly a protein shake.
Muscle-bound guys are the same here as in the real world.
Duke started speaking.
“I heard about last night from Plamel.”
“Oh, that’s you.”
“Eh?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Looks like he didn’t catch my broken compass.
“The werewolf came from the mountains behind the Moonlight Forest. It must have gotten lost.”
As expected.
“You both were lucky to survive.”
Exactly! In the original story, Russell Blair really died!
Duke scratched his head and sank into the sofa.
“Not that I brought the werewolf, but I have moral responsibility. Being a professor and all.”
He looked incredibly bothered.
“Fortunately, the Blair family doesn’t seem to want to make this a problem.”
Crazy! His son nearly died!
“Anyway, I called you to investigate the incident.”
Duke picked up a file, still looking annoyed.
“Plamel already investigated when you were unconscious. According to him, you defeated the werewolf using the sun halo flower you brought.”
Duke glanced at me.
“But the question is… how did you have it?”
“…”
“It seems like you expected a werewolf to appear.”
Well, that’s true… but saying so would be suspicious.
I decided to brazen it out.
“Collecting sun halo flowers is my hobby.”
“Oh? Purely coincidental?”
“Yes. I had no idea this would happen.”
I lied confidently. Duke looked at me with a curious expression.
‘Was he really this gutsy?’
“You… are really different.”
He muttered and shook his head, then scribbled something in the file.
“You’re lucky.”
“Seems so. Not my time yet.”
I replied casually. Duke just shrugged.
“I’ll write in the report that it was a fluke, like a trick of fate.”
Romantic wording, at least.
“Oh, and we plan to compensate you at the Mage Tower. Any special requests?”
I had plenty.
“Then cancel the mentoring with Plamel or whatever.”
“Eh~? That was a punishment for your behavior. That’s separate.”
Damn.
“Then give me something to protect myself.”
“Huh? A magical item?”
“Yes.”
I demanded it, whatever it was. The world is dangerous. Many characters in the original story died screaming.
‘I need a way to protect myself.’
Of course.
“Typical of a Blair. Always doing big business.”
What are you saying?
“How much do you think magical items cost that you demand one so quickly?”
“I nearly died at the Mage Tower. I deserve it.”
“Ha, indeed.”
Duke had nothing to say, scratched his neck, sighed, and said:
“Fine. I have something suitable.”
He rummaged through a drawer and pulled out an old box.
Dust flew off to reveal elegant patterns.
“It’s old, but it works fine.”
“Can you give me a new one if possible?”
“You brat! Do you know how much this costs?”
Eh. A little disappointing, but still better than nothing. I smiled as I took the box.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
I jumped up immediately. Better to leave the professor’s lab quickly.
Before leaving, I asked casually:
“Professor, just curious… if the compass needle spins, is it broken?”
“You mean yours?”
“No, not mine.”
I denied it again, but Duke ignored me.
“It’s not broken. Usually, one of two things is happening.”
I swallowed hard.
“Either your talent is absurdly low and difficult to measure, or you’re compatible with an unregistered star.”
My face twisted. Duke chuckled as if this amused him.
Does this guy enjoy others’ misfortune?
‘Of course. It’s a fantasy world!’
I thought I might be some prodigy, but that hope shattered.
“Careful, Russell.”
Bang!
I slammed the door behind me. Duke’s hearty laughter echoed from inside. Damn. So unfair.
“Funny kid.”
Duke wiped a tear from his eye, muttering. I never expected someone so dull to become this interesting.
“Oh, there’s one more case.”
He had forgotten while teasing me.
“Whatever.”
The third reason a compass needle spins… surely not that.
“When you already have a contract… impossible!”
Duke laughed again.
