abcnovels
Chapter 812 Back To Stronghold
Chapter 812 Back To Stronghold
Chapter 812 Back To Stronghold
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It was already the morning of the next day, where we had finally arrived from Silvertide all the way to the other side of the continent, arriving in Stronghold City once more.
My friends had all celebrated their recent powerup, feeling rather special about it. With this, they'll get an even greater advantage above others, even if some have lower-star Talents.
Since then, everyone had been in their rooms inside the airship trying out their new Skills and Magic and practicing more than anything.
Everyone was already at Rank 3 Peak Stage mostly, so they were very close to reach Rank 4, which means a new Spirit for them.
My plan is to reach Rank 5 before the year ends, while everyone should get to at least Rank 4 Middle Stage, and for that, we'll need to dive in as many dungeons as possible.
Sadly, I cannot get EXP from my familiars hunting in the dungeons faraway, the farther away I am from them, the less EXP I get until once I arrived at Stronghold, the gain was zero.
It is a pity, but the constant gain of materials and Spirit Orbs is still there, so I'll be getting everything I need anyways, I can gain EXP on my own.
"We're getting closer, stand where you are, kids." Evelyn said. "Don't move too far!"
The airship was slowly descending into the airport, until the gates opened and were allowed to step down. Erika was jumping around happily over her new powers, and everyone else was constantly discussing about what had happened, and their many new Skills.
"So, I was planning on practicing my new Swordsmanship Skill later, can you spar with me, Blake?" Erika asked me with her lovely eyes.
"Sure, I don't mind. Like old times." I smiled.
"Eh? I also wanted to practice with Blake a bit…" Elizabeth commented. "My new transformation Skill is a bit weird so I need your help…"
"Okay, I can make some time too." I nodded. "Don't worry, and-"
"There you are…"
Suddenly, I felt a gigantic presence emerge right in front of me… It was Hasan, the Academy's director, exuding an almighty aura of pure power.
"Blake… you damn brat…"
"Director, it is nice to see you again…"
"Hoh, acting like nothing happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"You damn brat…" He started cracking his knuckles. "I told you that you only had to go there to defend Monica's territory, you promised me it would only be that! Yet you go there and simply get rid of ALL DEMONS?! And even… the Demon Overlord, who was in actuality a vessel of an Archdemon?! F-For a second time?!"
"Shouldn't you be happy I did the job that you could had done easily yet choose not to?" I asked with a confident smile.
"It's not about that! Don't you think this will shake the entire continent now?! Demons are endless threats yet you're taking them down so easily! People's going to begin thinking that we are just lazy bastards now." Hasan sighed. "And also, I need to do a lot of paperwork!"
"So it was that." I nodded. "I did a lot, so let's talk about this in your office. I'm expecting a lot of rewards this time around too. I didn't do this alone though, all my friends were there, I am hoping their strength is recognized too."
"Y-You're one cocky kid…" He sighed. "But I can't… really get mad at you, you're right. That was incredible… All of us, the entire association and all the professors are amazed at what you guys have done." Hasan smiled back at all of us once he calmed down, saving his paperwork laments for later. "You're the pride of Stronghold Academy! And of course, the new heroes we've been looking for!"
"Thank you for your help!"
"Congrats kids, you did it!"
"When I heard the news, I couldn't believe it but it was all true…"
"Yeah, incredible…"
"Congrats, kids! Yaaaay!"
"Well done."
There were literally almost every professor from the academy here with Hasan, greeting us and happily clapping at our amazing feats.
I guess this was the least they could had done, huh? This praise and all… It doesn't feel so bad if I say so myself.
"Monica! And her friends! I couldn't had expected anything less from you!" Aquafina ran towards Monica and her party; she was their instructor. "I'm so proud of you girls! You've liberated Monica's home from the demons! Hohohoho! Please, make sure to name me whenever you get interviews!"
She only wanted the fame out of it though… I remember not having a good time with this annoying lady when Monica had challenged me to a fight in the academy's coliseum. "Lady Aquafina, it wasn't thanks to us alone, in fact, we did very little compared to what Blake and his party did, especially Blake! Oh, and also Elizabeth, and Erika… And Eric and Chris, and Erdrich, Elfriedden, Alberta, and everyone else! Lady Cattalina too, and Evelyn!" She was praising everyone.
"A-Ahem, right…" Aquafina nodded nervously, as she noticed Cattalina, someone of a much higher position than her in both the academy and strength was right next to her. "T-Thank you for taking care of my kids… L-Lady Cattalina."
"Aquafina." My mother-in-law said in a cold tone of voice. "I heard that you rejected the invitation Monica gave you to come alongside them. As an instructor, you should had accompanied them no matter what, yet you delegated from your work and have been slacking here ever since then… Hasan, I hope that she doesn't get away with this."
"I know." Hasan nodded. "Aquafina, you should had just stayed hiding instead of jumping trying to get some of the credit of something you didn't even do… I will not go easy on you."
"E-Ehhh?!" The overweight instructor panicked. "W-Wait! I-I couldn't go because I was sick… Yeah! I was sick in the tummy, it really hurt and…!"
"I'll see you later in my office, Aquafina." Hasan said, walking away with us.
Monica didn't even gave her a second glance as she was left behind defeated…
Well, that's what useless cowards get.
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