Bonus Chapter:
New Knowledge
ELENA FROM THE HERO ACADEMY and Torche from the Gifted Institute observed the tournament as referees. The battle between Noir and Mira was so full of twists and turns that it would have had anyone on the edge of their seat.
“Ms. Elena, you are quite beautiful,” Torche said suddenly.
“Well, uh…thanks? But there’s still a fight going on.”
“Indeed, but the result is obvious. Noir is an excellent fighter, but he will not defeat Mira,” Torche said confidently.
“We can’t know that until the battle’s over,” Elena replied, sounding calm despite her rising anger. “Things could turn around at the last second. You never know.”
She knew this from experience, but Torche laughed hysterically.
“Are you confident enough for a wager? If Mira loses, I’ll become your dog whilst the votes are counted.”
“What do you want from me if Noir loses?” she asked.
“How about a date?”
“A date? Sure, you can have your way with me for a day. Whatever you want. But if Noir wins, your new name is ‘Spot.’ Sound fair?”
Torche was quite thrown by her boldness. His head filled with fantasies of spending a whole day with such a beautiful woman and getting to have his way with her. Of course, he hated the idea of acting like a dog, but it hardly seemed possible.
“O-only if you agree to it, Ms. Elena! But I must ask, why are you making such a rash wager?”
“Rash? I believe in my student, that’s all. Even if he loses, I won’t go back on my word. But trust me, he won’t lose.”
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Mira was practically born to use enchanted items!” he said proudly. “I’ll let you in on a secret: whenever she uses them, she increases their power!”
In fact, the tournament was practically built for her. Even an average adult or adventurer wouldn’t stand a chance.
However, Elena was growing bored and irritated. “Don’t think you’re the only one with special students,” she argued pointedly. “Noir’s pretty incredible himself.”
“Oho, do you really think he can outdo Mira?”
“Well, he has inherited Olivia’s powers.”
With that, Torche’s attitude changed completely.
“Y-you don’t mean the legendary adventurer, Olivia Servant…?”
Elena just flashed him a half-smirk. Torche was shaken.
“I’m a bit of a history buff myself,” he shot back. “I know about the marks Olivia’s achievements have left all over our world. And her unique skills. But she never had any progeny. You really shouldn’t lie.”
“Hey, would you look at that, your precious pupil’s on the ground.”
Torche’s attention was quickly drawn back to the fight. He’d been so sure of Mira’s superiority, but Noir was much more capable than he’d imagined. Ultimately, Noir was victorious. Torche trembled in disbelief. He looked over at Elena slowly and was greeted with an impish smile.
After that, they had to ask everyone in the crowd for their pick for the Award of Excellence. The students formed a line, verbally giving their vote as Elena marked it down in her notebook. Meanwhile, Torche sat on the floor next to her like a dog.
The Gifted Institute students grimaced at him. “Um, what are you doing, Mr. Torche?”
“P-please, don’t get the wrong idea…”
“Come on, Spot! Hurry up and ask the question.”
“Who do you think deserves the Award of Excellence…woof?”
It was a strange sight for his students. Or for anyone, for that matter. But Torche couldn’t complain. After all, he’d brought this on himself.
“Noir was the best.”
“Thank you…woof.”
Torche was from an upper-class family. He’d never struggled a day in his life. This humiliation brought him to tears for the first time since his birth.
“You know, he’s kinda cute like that.”
“Yeah, it’s adorable seeing him like this. And kinda funny.”
Torche was shocked to see how the female students reacted. He’d never imagined they’d find his dog impression endearing.
“Perhaps there are times when the teacher is the one learning a lesson,” he said.
Elena cleared her throat. “Ahem.”
“Woof!”
In his mixture of shame and elation, Torche had learned something new.