BXBX NOVEL Chapter 5 – Promising Student at Admission (1)
Chapter 5 – Promising Student at Admission (1)
Chapter 5 – Promising Student at Admission (1)
An Ivory Tower for those with abilities.
Ability Academy Cradle.
There’s a peculiar custom there.
The ‘initiation ceremony’ for newly enrolled freshmen is just that.
Do they force-feed alcohol? No, they don’t do such things.
Will that instill discipline? Does that even make sense among gifted individuals?
True to its name the Ability Academy. True to its role as the cradle of the gifted.
The Student Council President stepped forward to test the freshmen.
That’s the custom that exists in the cradle, the initiation ceremony.
Of course, it’s conducted only for the applicants.
Teachers also observe and evaluate, preparing for any contingency.
If they pass, they will become so-called ‘promising talents’.
Right there, Deus caught the eye of Teacher Tiamat.
No, every teacher was paying attention to him.
“The newcomer who stood up to Neferti’s wishes head-on.”
Third-year top student. Student Council President Neferti. Her wishes are as well-crafted as a well-honed sword.
Wind-type ability users are mostly specialized in mobility.
But Neferti, uniquely, belonged to the category that turned it towards combat.
Her unpredictable yet powerful strikes even made the teachers hold their breath.
But Deus, the newcomer, faced it head-on.
Not just avoiding or blocking, but enduring it with his body.
Was it foolishness? Or was his physique that strong?
Tiamat, observing from there, had such thoughts.
“I see now! Student Deus!”
―Bang!
Right there, she finally found the answer to her dilemma.
“You’re the student I’ve been looking for! Finally, a blossom in the martial arts category too!!”
―Bang! Bang!
Deus deflected the pouring golden flashes without changing his expression.
Tiamat, in excitement, felt her heart pounding even harder.
No matter how much speed or force he exerted, no openings were visible.
Truly, it was perfection itself. It seemed to be what they called the pinnacle.
Where has this talent been hiding until now? It made one wonder!
“You block this too? And that? Impressive!”
“….”
The battle seemed to be getting too heated.
If he reflexively retaliates, it’ll be trouble.
Enough with the swordplay. He’d rather avoid the barbaric attribute of giving teachers a hard time.
Deus, assessing the situation, immediately distanced himself when he found an opening.
―Swish!
“Student Deus?”
“I think this is enough, Teacher Tiamat.”
Teacher. Using that title now signifies it’s definitely class time.
Upon hearing that, Teacher Tiamat realized her mistake.
“Ah, s-sorry! Everyone! Teacher got too excited! Is everyone okay?!”
“N-no problem at all, Teacher. Not really okay, though.”
“Why’s that? I’m scared of that teacher… I miss our deer teacher…”
“That’s why they say not to judge gifted individuals by their appearance alone!!”
That. Then why am I getting judged solely by appearance? Yes, I have black hair and I might look foreign, but that doesn’t mean I’m a barbarian.
“Ahaha! Well, well! Have you all paired up?! Then from now on, we’ll do this!”
Pointing to the measuring device in front, Teacher Tiamat hands something out.
“Alternating, you’ll hit that device and measure each other’s records! Of course, don’t falsify records! If caught, there’ll be special training from me!”
Deus quietly stands behind, observing the measuring device. It’s just a punching machine you’d find anywhere. What on earth is the identity of this world?
“Student Deus! I’ll be recording your results. Come over here!”
Teacher Tiamat eagerly anticipates the true potential of the promising talent. Deus mistakenly believes he’s being specially monitored due to his black-haired barbarian appearance.
“Don’t hold back! Give it your all. Got it?! Just by looking, this teacher can tell, you know?!”
“Yes, yes.”
What does he mean, “Just by looking”? Didn’t She notice that I controlled strength just now? Deus casually rotates his shoulders and stands before the punching machine. No, the measuring device.
Lower body steady. Slightly spin the waist. That should make it look like he’s giving it his all. Should the shoulders… be pulled back a bit? Giving a slight snap might be better.
‘Just right. Enough to handle…’
—Ping!
At that moment, Teacher Tiamat and several students watched in awe.
—Kaaaah!!
A being descending upon the ground personally.
***
“Oh, Teacher Tiamat. How was your first class today?”
In charge of literature classes. Teacher Hunter, more commonly known to students as ‘Deer Eyes’. To his question, Tiamat exclaimed and let out a sigh of relief.
“Ahaha! It was amazing!”
“I’m excited about this year’s freshmen too. It’s something I feel every time, but this job is truly the best.”
“Is that so? That’s fortunate.”
With a stern face and a muscular body, even wearing sunglasses, Teacher Hunter smiles, giving off a threatening vibe.
To someone seeing this sight for the first time, it might seem like a villain threatening a beauty.
“Especially! That, Deus. Wasn’t it? Teacher Hunter knows too, right?”
“Yes, I know. Isn’t he the student who casually faced the Student Council President’s ability during the initiation ceremony?”
“He’s really something. I knew he was different from the moment I saw him. He’s truly remarkable!”
“Ohh.”
For Teacher Tiamat to speak so highly, there must be something extraordinary about this Deus student. Even if it takes some effort, he must be admitted to the martial arts club!
“It feels like it’s been a while since Teacher Tiamat reacted like that.”
“Really? I’ve always enjoyed seeing freshmen!?”
“That’s not it. I mean, being so excited like this. Hehehe!”
Lifting his sunglasses slightly, Deer Eyes, no, Teacher Hunter, continued the conversation.
“So. This student, Deus. Among this year’s freshmen promising talents, what number is he, do you think? Ah, is he the first, as expected?”
—Thud! Thud!
“Hmm?”
Tiamat noded, and Hunter chuckled.
“Judging by the reactions so far, it seemed like Deus was definitely the top among the freshmen, huh? Is there talk of another remarkable student aside from that boy?”
“It’s not quite like that, Teacher Hunter. In my view, he seems to be the first among all students here in the cradle!”
“Really? W-wow!”
What students learn in the cradle is the more sophisticated and effective manifestation of abilities. So, it’s natural for there to be differences between grades.
This leads to the establishment of senior-junior relationships.
The teacher’s absolute authority among the students is also in the same vein.
But for a newly enrolled student, only in their second week in the cradle, to be so outstanding as to be considered ahead of all students, including upperclassmen?
“He’s truly remarkable! I’m even considering officially recommending that Deus student to the ‘Dispatch Team’!”
“Is he that good? Shouldn’t he at least be a second-year reserve for the Dispatch Team?”
“He’s at that level! Student Deus is already perfect!”
My word, even considering writing a recommendation for the Dispatch Team! That means, he’s among the top ten students in the entire cradle!
“Oh? You doubt what I’m saying?!”
“Hmm! N-no, not at all.”
“Hey! That’s it, isn’t it! Take off your sunglasses and look at me! Quick!”
Tiamat tells him to take off the sunglasses, and Hunter grumbles. In the end, Tiamat, unable to fulfill her intention, puffs her cheeks.
“I knew you wouldn’t believe me! Right?! I’m right, aren’t I?!”
“Well. Since you insist.”
Ahem. Hunter cleared his throat and swiftly changed the subject.
“So.”
“Hmm?”
“Even a martial arts-type ability recognized within our cradle is attributed to Teacher Tiamat. If a teacher of that caliber acknowledges it, and is willing to write a recommendation for the ‘Dispatch Team’, then what kind of talent did the Deus show?”
What kind of person? Tiamat recalled the earlier incident.
“Huhuhu.”
And then she laughed.
Seeing the man who will become the strongest martial arts-type ability user made her heart race!
***
The cradle was protected by a barrier set by the top-level barrier-type ability users.
It can withstand attacks from both outside and inside to a considerable extent.
Thanks to this, even if the students cause quite a commotion, there’s no problem at all. (Some areas are excluded for expansion purposes. A good example is the cafeteria.)
—Crack…!
One part of that barrier completely collapsed. An emergency repair is necessary.
“Hahaha…!”
Teacher Tiamat laughed unknowingly. The measuring device next to her disappeared without a trace.
“Incredible. Truly, truly incredible…!!”
With sparkling eyes, She drew a line next to Deus’s name and wrote down the measurements.
“Deus student! Well done. Really, well done!”
“Th-thank you, Teacher.”
Tiamat sincerely praised him, but Deus mistook it for sarcasm.
And far away, even Yurishia had her mouth covered in amazement.
‘Deus.’
At first glance, it was intimidating. But inside, it was incredibly warm.
A person who even tolerates hardship for someone they’ve never met before.
She still remembers that first day of school when he was carrying her. (She forgot about being carried like a porter.)
It was the first time someone looked so cool to her in her entire life.
She probably won’t feel that way ever again.
Even that alone was impressive.
Overflowing with charm.
Now, he was showing a side that left everyone in awe!
‘I want to… I want to be like Deus…!’
It was her first time feeling such admiration for someone.
Intensely. From deep within her heart.
‘I’ll admire only that person.’
No matter how hard or painful it may be.
Even if reaching him would be impossible.
If she kept trying, someday, inevitably she’d reach him.