Chapter 73

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

Troubling News from Mikhail

The patrons stirred as soon as Mikhail appeared .

「Hey, isn’t that Mikhail the Superhuman?」

「Yeah . The guy who crushed five Orcs alone . 」

「The warrior from Jarazack . 」

「An elite professor? What’s he doing in a run-down tavern?」

Mikhail was apparently famous .

「It’s not run-down . 」the master muttered under his breath .

Not aware of the people’s reactions, Mikhail barged in and marched straight to a stool beside Hikaru .

「I didn’t believe it when I heard Professor Mille was reformed…」Mikhail said, eyeing Mille’s drinking cup . 「You’re binge drinking in the middle of the day! Nothing’s changed!」

「I’m not! This is my reward! Just one cup!」

「That’s your third cup, though!」one of the customers cut in .

「…Hikaru . This is for your own good . It’s not too late to study great swords…」

「Give it a rest, gramps . I told you I will not study great swords . 」

The customers gasped as they watched Hikaru be rude to Mikhail . Even Mille caught her breath .

「H-Hikaru . Don’t pick a fight with Professor Mikhail . Nothing good will come out of it . He’s scary . He gave arrogant students hell, swung his sword around during class and destroyed a cabin, killed five Orcs while out on an off-campus training . 」Mille said .

「Wow… you’re hopeless, gramps . 」

「Stop calling me gramps . I’m a professor in the academy you attend . 」

It would seem Hikaru hurt his feelings .

「Okay . As I have mentioned a number of times, the great sword is not for me . I must ask you to leave . 」Hikaru said .

「It just feels creepy when you become polite all of a sudden . 」

「Make up your mind, sheesh . 」

「Great swords are more powerful than short swords . Gifted individuals should study great swords . This country can’t afford to waste such talent . 」

「He’s right, Hikaru . You should listen to him . 」For some reason, Mille urged him as well . If he had to guess, she just wanted to go back to goofing off .

「I’m not even a citizen of this country . I’ll live however I want . 」

「Oh, come on . I’m begging you . 」Mikhail pleaded .

「Hey, he’s begging to that kid!」

「Just how much power does a bartender hold?」

「He’s probably drawn in by the drinks . 」

Onlookers were whispering to each other .

「I’m the one who got you in as a scholarship student . It’s kinda bad for my image when you’re not studying under me . 」

「Oh, so you’re the one who dragged him into the academy . 」Mille remarked .

「He didn’t “drag” me into anything . Please watch what you say, okay, Professor Mille?」

「Eek! You’re smiling, but your eyes are not!」

「Hikaru . You’re not manipulating Professor Mille through fear, are you?」Mikhail asked .

「No, I’m not . That sounds awful . I’m simply managing her health . Right?」

「Eek!」

「See?」

「I don’t think that “eek” just now was a “yes” . 」Mikhail said .

The onlookers nodded .

「Well, if you really don’t want to study the great sword, then there’s nothing I can do . I concede . But one of the students said something troubling…」

「You mean one of your students?」

「Yes . 」Mikhail replied with a sour look on his face .

「Professor! You’re here!」

Hikaru was about to ask Mikhail more questions, when the door burst open, revealing young, well-built men standing outside . They were probably the students Mikhail just mentioned . Hikaru realized not all of them were from Jarazack . One of them — a familiar face — was not hairy at all .

「It’s you!」

Roy “Yellow Tiger” Rumania . The guy from the Adventurers Guild . According to League, his family got rid of him by tossing him into the academy .

「Oh, you know each other, Hikaru?」Mikhail asked .

「Not really . More like I beat him up . 」

Mikhail looked astounded .

「Professor! You used your recommendation quota on this coward?! I don’t believe it!」Roy protested .

「What do you mean?」the professor asked .

「When I, a member of the Yellow Tiger clan, came to talk to him, he sucker-punched me!」

「Goodness…」

「Can’t let him get away with that . 」

Rage filled the men’s eyes .

「Hey, gramps . 」Hikaru said .

「This is not my fault . You brought this upon yourself . 」Mikhail replied .

「Well, you brought them here . 」

「You’re calling the professor “gramps”?!」

Roy and the others stepped into the tavern, immediately surrounding Hikaru, Mikhail, and Mille . Mille was about to run with cup and pasta in hand when Hikaru grabbed her by the collar and pulled her back .

「Professor Mikhail! I don’t understand! Why did you vouch for this rude brat?! 」

「You’re from Rumania, right? Are you sure you should be studying under someone from Jarazack?」Hikaru asked .

「Th-There’s nothing wrong with learning from s-someone strong…」Roy answered .

He was stuttering . League, who was from the Green Ogre clan, struggled before arriving at the decision to study under the researcher from Kotobi . Roy should be having trouble as well .

Oh, that’s right . He got kicked from his home . So he cast away his pride and identity to become stronger .

Roy beat League to it . Not bad, Hikaru thought . He checked Roy’s Soul Board to find only one point on Strength and none on Weapon Mastery .

「I don’t mean to be nosy, but perhaps you should study magic instead of great swords . 」

「What?!」

「You seem suited for it…」

「Sh-Shut up! Shut up!」Roy shouted, his face red . It appeared Hikaru had said something uncalled-for .

「How’d you know? You’re right . Roy has aptitude for magic . 」Mikhail whispered in Hikaru’s ear .

「Then urge him to study magic . 」

「The academy’s motto is Independence and Self-respect . Apparently his elder brother is a master of great swords and he wants to beat him or something . 」

「Ah…」

So he has an inferiority complex against his brother back at home .

「Let’s fight, you and me! A legit, fair and square showdown!」Roy exclaimed, pointing at Hikaru .

「I see no reason why I should accept . 」

「Shut up, kid . You’re nothing but a dirt-poor bastard hanging out in this shabby pub!」

「It’s not shabby . 」the master said sharply .

「I’m just telling it like it is . This place is the perfect example of a cheap and nasty place . 」

「…Hey . 」Hikaru said coldly .

Mille shrieked .

「You can badmouth Professor Mille or Mikhail all you want, but I won’t let you insult this tavern . 」

「Wh-What?」

「Fine . You’re on . I’ll show you just how good the master is . 」

「Ha! Bring it on! Let’s take this outside . 」

Roy walked out triumphantly . Hikaru, Mikhail, and the other men followed .

「Are they having a cooking contest?」the master muttered .

「I don’t care! If something happens, I’m putting all the blame on Professor Mikhail! Master, one more cup please! I can’t go on like this . 」

「Nice try taking advantage of the mess to get a fourth cup . No can do . 」

「Please!」

「You have an agreement with Hikaru . 」

「Why are you siding with him when I’m the regular customer?!」

「Just go out and watch them!」

The master drove Mille out of the tavern .