“A curse?”
“Yes! The Ever Dragon cursed me. If anyone touches me, horrible sores will break out over their skin and they’ll stop moving and...” She paused. “And none of that is happening to you. Eugene, do you feel anything amiss?”
“Oh, now that you mention it, my Barrier Magic was wearing off. I recast it, though, so it’s all good.”
“I understand now. So this is why the headmaster sent you alone.” Medea sighed, then gave me a big smile, showing her teeth. “You pass with flying colors. Welcome to the Biology Club, the oldest club at Lykeion Magic Academy. As you know, I’m the club president, and I’m happy to have you aboard.”
“Thank you so much. I didn’t know the Biology Club’s been around for that long.”
I’d assumed that it was a newer one given its low prestige and small size.
Medea chuckled. “It’s very difficult to join. You have to earn the recognition of both the headmaster and the club president.”
“Why is that?”
“Oh, come on, now. Did you walk all the way here with your eyes closed? We can’t let in students who’d get gobbled up by dragons, can we?”
“I see.” That makes sense. Can’t very well take care of monsters as part of your club duties if said monsters eat you.
“Looks like you’re in the dark about a lot of things. Do you have time?”
“Yeah, I haven’t picked my classes yet, so I’m free today.”
“Good. Well then, I, as a student of Lykeion for fifty years now, will tell you all you need to know.”
“Wait, fifty years?!” I couldn’t believe it.
“Oh my. For all intents and purposes, I’m still a sophomore. Some oddballs have been attending Lykeion for the past hundred years, and that’s not even taking into account the long-lived species like elves and dwarves. I doubt they’re even interested in graduating!”
“Isn’t that a waste of money?”
“Students who got past the 100th Level don’t need to pay tuition. You didn’t know that?”
“Oh... Now that you mention it, I think I read that in the rules. Wait, does that mean you’re an A-rank explorer? That’s amazing, President Medea.” To be certified as an A-rank explorer was one of the greatest honors on the Southern Continent. I had newfound respect for the slender girl before me.
“It’s really not that impressive. All members of the Biology Club have gotten past the 100th Level. I’m sure you’ll reach it soon enough.”
“Ah, I... I can’t.”
A Swordmaster who couldn’t injure or kill his opponents would have a hard time conquering the dungeon. General Education students like me weren’t the types of people who could clear the 100th Level. That was for the chosen elite, like the students in the Hero Course.
“You’re a fascinating fellow,” Medea said. “All the new students at this school are brimming with ambition, yet the look in your eyes reminds me more of a hermit. Despite that, your mastery over Barrier Magic allows you to touch my cursed body without a hint of discomfort. How interesting. I’ll tell you about this school, so I’d like you to tell me about yourself.”
“I don’t mind, but there’s nothing really special about my story.”
“That’s for me to decide.”
“All right, then. I was born on the Eastern Continent and—”
“Oh? The treacherous continent that’s always at war?”
“Yes. After my homeland fell, my father and I fled to the Southern Continent.”
“That must have been quite tough.” Medea’s eyes were full of sympathy.
“This was when I was a baby, so I don’t remember any of it.”
“Good. Memories of warfare are best forgotten.” Medea spoke firmly. Perhaps she had gone through something similar in the past.
“What else... Oh, apparently, my lineage descends from a Sword Saint.”
“Oh! You speak of Zeke Walker, the legendary Sword Saint of the Eastern Continent! He was the one who, along with the great explorer Christo, brought a temporary peace to the Eastern and Western Continents.”
“I’m sure the story of my heritage is a fabrication. Hundreds of people on the Eastern Continent claim descent from the Sword Saint.”
We continued to chat for a while, and President Medea informed me of the various rules and goings-on at the school. By the time we finished talking, night had fallen.
“It’s about bedtime for me. I can’t remember the last time I conversed for this long,” Medea said before coughing again.
Worried about her condition, I said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stay this late. Are you feeling all right?”
“I’m fine. I had fun. Drop by whenever you have time; none of the other club members ever visit me.”
“That’s a little heartless of them.”
“Isn’t it? All because the dragons nipped them a few times,” President Medea replied with a sad smile.
Uh, never mind, I get it. But I did feel like visiting this talkative club president again. She was a veteran explorer who’d gotten to the 100th Level of Babel, and she’d been a student at this school for many years now. I was interested in hearing more stories from her.
President Medea’s sickly appearance had initially prevented me from realizing just how amazing she was. Babel’s Record Holders were highly valued on the Southern Continent, and those in the top rankings were so famous that they even appeared in our school textbooks. Headmaster Uther’s name, for example, was in them. That was why I had been so nervous when he wanted to speak with me after I enrolled in the academy.
The girl I had just spent hours chatting with was small and obviously unwell. Nonetheless, I should have noticed from her name and her position as the Biology Club president: She was Medea Parker, ranked tenth among the Record Holders of Babel.
It was only later that I learned the true depths of her power.