NOVEL NEXT Chapter 55 - Episode 055: Headhunter, Watching Over the Little Girl
Episode 055: Headhunter, Watching Over the Little Girl
“It seems fine.”
“Kyuu.”
Ack and Snow erased their presence, sneaking into the school grounds and hiding in the bushes in the garden, observing the situation.
Their plan was to quietly infiltrate the school together with arrangements.
There were no security measures in place at the school other than gatekeepers and patrols, and there seemed to be no indication that Ack’s intrusion was noticed.
Ack wasn’t initially strong. When he first started working as a mercenary, there were many people stronger than him.
To get past such individuals, he also learned techniques to eliminate his presence and methods to sense enemies. With this level of security, infiltrating without drawing attention was easy.
On the other hand, Snow, also known as a Vorpal Bunny, had the power to decapitate with a single strike. However, it could best demonstrate its power through ambushes. Additionally, it was common for it to hide from adventurers pursuing it.
Therefore, like Ack, Snow was also skilled in covert operations.
The reason Ack and Snow infiltrated was to watch over Tina’s safety and how well she would be accepted within the school.
He had heard from Maria that there were no issues with the school’s security.
However, he was entrusting the cute Tina to the school, and he couldn’t feel reassured without confirming with his own eyes.
He had confidence that he could handle whatever danger came his way, but Tina couldn’t. If there was any danger, it had to be thoroughly eliminated, or he would have to consider sending her to another school.
Ack was overly protective.
Ack observed Tina as she walked through the school, guided by the staff.
“That large building in front is the school building. On the right is the auditorium, and on the left are the administrative offices and training grounds we visited before. Behind the school building, there is a dormitory where students from distant hometowns live.”
“Hmm.”
Listening carefully, Tina was receiving explanations about the school buildings.
Ack could pick up far more sounds than an average person if he focused. He could even hear the conversation between Tina and the staff, who were several tens of meters away.
Tina nodded along with the staff’s explanations, her expression unchanged.
“Then, let me guide you to Class A, where Tina will belong.”
“Got it.”
This was the Farmrest Elementary School Tina would attend.
As it was called the second city of the Kingdom of Karm, this school was one of the prestigious institutions where children from various backgrounds, from commoners to nobles, attended.
It was a four-year program that taught not only reading, writing, and arithmetic but also a wide range of knowledge including history, society, as well as the basics of magic and combat.
There were classes from A to F, with about forty students per class. There were about a thousand students in total.
Based on what they learned in elementary school, children pursued various paths, such as further specialized skills in high school or apprenticeships in local shops or with wizards.
Entering this school required a certain level of education and fees, so graduating would make it easier to find work, making it a common means of identification.
“The classroom for Class A is over there.”
It was too risky to enter the school building, so Ack stealthily approached the window of Class A that he had investigated, peeking inside.
Inside the classroom, there was a blackboard and a podium at the front, with several desks lined up in front, and children about Tina’s age were forming several groups, chatting lively.
Although he was a little worried upon hearing that there were nobles, the atmosphere in the class wasn’t bad.
However, Tina wasn’t particularly good at communication. He was worried about whether she could fit into a class where groups had already been formed.
“They’re all so cute…”
Muttered Ack as he watched the children.
If heard by a third party, it would undoubtedly sound like the words of a pervert, but for Ack, who loved fluffy monsters and the like, children fell into the same category.
(Note: Yeah. Unlike the pervert reading this right now)
The innocent conversations of the children warmed Ack’s heart.
“But Tina from our place is still the best.”
However, Ack was an overly affectionate parent towards Tina.
The children’s conversations were dominated by topics related to Tina, the transfer student, and they were excitedly discussing what kind of child she might be, what they hoped for, and so on.
“Heh.”
Once they see Tina, everyone will be completely astonished.
Ack imagined the future where the children’s expressions changed drastically and chuckled proudly.
*Rattle, rattle*
“Everyone, please take your seats.”
As the teacher spoke, she entered the classroom alone. It seemed Tina would be introduced later after waiting outside for a while.
This teacher was Elamiana Estellian, the homeroom teacher of Class A. With no issues regarding her background or personality, she was recognized as an excellent teacher within the school.
“I’m sure you already know, but I have news for everyone today. The news is that we have a new member joining our class starting today.”
As Elamiana mentioned Tina, the students around her started to cheer with joy.
*Cough* “Quiet, please. Now, as she comes in, please refrain from making noise. Tina, please come in.”
*Rattle, rattle*
At the teacher’s signal, Tina entered the classroom as the door opened.
Tina walked into the classroom confidently and gracefully.
Then, she stood next to Elamiana at the lectern.
“Tina, please introduce yourself to everyone.”
“Tina. Nice to meet you.”
“Is that all?”
“I’m from the Fluffy Café. I want you all to come with your families.”
Elamiana was slightly puzzled by the brief introduction. After a moment of thought, Tina promoted the Fluffy Café.
“I-I see. Well then, please take the seat next to Lelei, the girl with green hair at the back.”
“Got it.”
As a result, this further deepened the teacher’s confusion, but outside the classroom, Ack nodded approvingly.
When it came to Tina, he was overly doting.
Tina followed Elamiana’s instructions and walked towards the back of the classroom. At that moment, the students remained silent, captivated by Tina’s exceptional beauty and mysterious aura.
As expected of my daughter.
Ack internally applauded as he watched the students captivated by Tina.
Tina hung her bag on the hook attached to the desk and sat down next to Lelei.
Lelei, with her wavy green hair tied back, looked like an energetic girl.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Ah, I-I’m Lelei. N-nice to meet you, Tina-chan.”
“Mm.”
As Tina greeted Lelei, Lelei returned the greeting in a fluster, as if suddenly awakened from a dream. The girl in front of her was such a shocking presence for Lelei.
For Tina, being called “Tina-chan,” which she had never been called before, felt fresh and exciting, causing her cheeks to loosen slightly with excitement.
Finally, the time in the classroom began to move.
Some were mesmerized by Tina’s appearance, some were getting excited, some were in disbelief, some screamed; the students showed a variety of reactions.
“I’ll introduce you to my friends later. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”
As the classroom became noisy, Lelei whispered to Tina’s ear, leaning closer to her face.
“Got it. Thank you.”
*Kyunn*
When Tina faintly smiled, her charm pierced Lelei’s heart, and she quickly fell for Tina’s allure.
“Alright, quiet down. Let’s start today’s homeroom!!”
Elamiana clapped her hands to calm the chaotic classroom, and the students managed to regain their composure and resume their conversations.
“Tina-chan, come over here. These are my friends, Ruru-chan, Sona-chan, and Bell-chan.”
“I’m Ruru. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Sona. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Bell. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you.”
After homeroom, Tina was introduced to Lelei’s close group of friends and exchanged self-introductions.
It seemed that Tina was accepted without any issues.
“I was worried for nothing.”
Satisfied with the situation where she seemed to be easily accepted, Ack relaxed.
“Well then, shall we go home?”
“Kyuu”
Although he wanted to keep watching, there was work at the café.
Since there didn’t seem to be any problems, Ack and Snow left the school.
“Wha-!?”
However, before leaving, Ack quietly emitted a bit of killing intent towards the young boys who seemed to be infatuated with Tina.
Though it was just for a moment, the boys who felt Ack’s killing intent turned pale, their hearts seized by the sudden sense of impending death, trembling uncontrollably.