Chapter 111: Back to School (2)
Chapter 111: Back to School (2)
The whole class fell unusually quiet and everyone turned their head towards the door.
At the door, a tall figure stood with short black-styled hair and a dark skin. The Instructor had arrived.
Dan walked into the class with his usual warm smile that was famous for misleading many.
He was dressed in a simple attire—black trousers and a sleeveless jacket that highlighted his broad, muscular shoulders—which was expected as he didn't seem like a real instructor of the academy. Except for the Year 1's homeroom, Dan didn't handle any other class in the academy.
"Good morning, Instructor Dan!" the whole students echoed the
greeting they were used to in unison after Dan walked to his table.
"Good morning to you too!" Dan replied with a smile, waving his hand at them to have their seats. "I hope y'all made full use of your short break?"
They all affirmed his question with a nod.
"Great!" Dan remarked. "I won't go on to question each of you on how you spent your time, but I fully trust that you used it well, even if you had slept through the break."
Many felt like laughing at Dan's joke, including Kyle, but they all quickly restrained themselves; they couldn't dare to laugh while he spoke.
Dan smiled as he saw the controlled smiles on their faces before adding. "Honestly, sleeping through your break wouldn't be a bad idea, it'll even help you stay rejuvenated for what is to come..."
Everyone's brain began working in overdrive to understand what Dan meant by 'what is to come'
'I don't like where this is going,' Kyle couldn't help but think. He wasn't ready for another stressful rodeo.
"Haha!" Dan lightly laughed. "Lazy little children. You're scared already?
Well... You shouldn't. Because I'm sure you all look forward to leaving the academy temporarily, don't you?"
'Temporarily leaving the academy...' those words echoed in Kyle's mind, and as he tried to process them, a genuine smile formed on his face and his lips widened in joy. 'This is what I've been asking for! Finally, it's possible.'
It wasn't only Kyle who was overjoyed by Dan's revelation; many other students had similar smiles beaming on their faces.
As a matter of fact, they would have been screaming at the top of their voices if it wasn't for Dan's presence—they couldn't afford to face his wrath if he got annoyed by their actions.
Dan waited for a moment so they could all have their respective monologues before he continued:
"You're all happy even without knowing why you would be leaving the academy."
The atmosphere in the class dropped by a few degrees after Dan exposed their ignorance.
"There's no cause to be alarmed though. Like I mentioned earlier, you'll be looking forward to what is to happen and I didn't lie when I said so," Dan continued after sensing their expression change.
"The academy has decided to begin the implementation of what we term as a mission hall. A mission hall offers various missions that come with their respective rewards.
Missions are tasks or problems that may require your help.
You can accept missions during a mission week and during that period, you will have the opportunity to accept any mission of your choice.
Do note that if you do not accept or take in any mission during a mission week, you will continue your usual classes as normal, this time, with a higher intensity."
Dan finally paused after explaining everything in one go, allowing the students some time to weigh and understand what he had just said.
[This sounds exciting!] Void finally commented from the pet space, breaking the silence he had maintained ever since.
"I know right? This is our chance to test our various strengths; I'm really looking forward to going on a mission."
[Yes. I bet I'll find some interesting treasures to devour while we're on it] Void said with a flat tone as if devouring treasures were perfectly normal.
"You only care about what goes in your stomach," Kyle said within himself, even going to the extent of face-palming himself and earning some strange glances from around him. "I'd like to see you try to devour my treasure."
[No, Kyle, it's for our own g—] Void hastily tried to explain but unfortunately for him, Kyle had fixed his eyes back on the Instructor who had resumed talking.
"For further clarification on the concept of missions, I'll suggest you visit the mission hall. Your comm's map had already been updated with its location."
Almost immediately, everyone shifted their gaze to their wrist and were already clicking it to access the map.
"I was still speaking," Dan calmly said with a smile, but the existing pressure that made the students gulp hard in fear questioned the smile on his face.
"Nice," Dan remarked and removed the imposed pressure after seeing that his expected results were met.
"In addition to what I've said before, your mission week begins the next week—Monday. From then on till Sunday, you're free to accept missions from the mission hall. Understood?"
Everyone once again nodded their head in affirmation, paving the way for Dan to continue with the normal formalities.
He began with a roll call which entailed him spreading his mana around the whole class because he couldn't begin calling out the names of 300 students and as expected, everyone was present.
After which he began explaining the day's schedule that they were already aware of.
As all these happened, Kyle could only daydream of what awaited him when he accepted a mission.
Leaving the academy would be his chance to explore the rest of this world. He would also have the opportunity to test out most of his boons.
Kyle's mind wondered as he imagined it all. He was overjoyed because of this announcement.
'I'll be needing the Frozen Claw,' Kyle thought, making a mental note to ask Orion about it later. If possible, he should do what he can do to it before Monday.
It didn't take too long before the bell rang, signaling the class's dismissal and the beginning of their wing classes.
Everyone streamed out of the class immediately Dan permitted them to do so. Kyle had earlier planned on conversing with his friends about Dan's announcement but had to cancel his plans due to Dan's late dismissal.
There was no break between Wing classes and Homeroom, so Kyle was meant to be in the Thundra wing because like every other instructor in the Academy, she didn't tolerate lateness.
Kyle immediately slung his bag and began walking to the class as quick as he could muster without running.
[Why don't you use your Lightning Dash to get there faster?] Void innocently suggested to Kyle as he walked.
"Well, as tempting as that may sound, Void, there are rules against using spells out in the open like this," Kyle replied. "I'll get into a great deal of trouble if I do otherwise."
[Ah, rules…] Void said with disappointment. [Learning these things is important for when I eventually walk outside with you.]
Kyle smiled at Void's curiosity. He knew he had made the right decision to bring Void along with him.
He finally made a final turn down the street and could see the grand doors of the Thundra Wing up ahead.
Kyle picked up his pace and it didn't tale long for him to arrive. Instructor Layla stood at the front with her usual commanding posture and with her arms folded across her chest.
Her expression remained unreadable, but there was an impatience in her eyes that was hard to miss.
Kyle looked around and saw that he was the first to arrive before settling in on a mat that was part of the circle, shortly after he came, Milo came in and sat beside him, followed by the rest of the students.
Instructor Layla had been silent this whole while until all twenty of her students were present, she asked the expected question.
"Why are you late?"
Before anyone could reply to her question, Orion had stood up with his usual confidence.
"Instructor Layla, our homeroom teacher, Instructor Dan, held us back longer than usual due to an important announcement.
It pertained to the new mission hall system and our upcoming mission week."
He had chosen his words carefully so as to pacify Layla, even managing to earn a nod from her.
The instructor's expression softened slightly, though her steely demeanor remained.
"I see... Given the significance of the announcement, I will not penalize you this time."