Chapter 339: To Elythraen

The days passed faster than Noah had expected. He spent most of his time training, thinking about the future, teasing his friends, and missing Akari.

Whenever he had some free time, he would call her. During one of their conversations, Akari told him something interesting.

The Emperor, Viserys Augustus, had summoned her to meet him. And she had gone.

At the time, Akari had been busy and hadn’t explained their conversation in detail. However, a few days before Noah’s unit test, she finally told him everything that had happened during their meeting.

Noah found one part of it rather amusing.

The Emperor hadn’t summoned him at all.

Apparently, Viserys had been more interested in hearing things directly from Akari rather than questioning Noah about his own experience.

Honestly, Noah wasn’t complaining. If anything, he was relieved.

He really didn’t want to meet the Emperor.

And also he failed at trying to find more evidence or hints about Ken being transmgrator.

"This much should be enough."

Noah stood beside his bed, looking over everything he had packed. A few changes of clothes.

Several potions, few rolls of gauze and some bandages. Despite having healing potions, he took this things after all when he’s too much injured, even healing potions doesn’t work well.

He checked everything one more time before nodding.

The unit test had ended a day ago, and now it was finally time for their trip to the Elven Kingdom. Most students agreed to have this.

They would be staying there for four days.

The trip wasn’t meant to be purely recreational. The academy wanted the students to learn about another nation’s culture, beliefs, lifestyle, history, and environment.

’We might even get the chance to meet some major figures from the kingdom.’

Noah paused. ’Especially the Queen.’

After spending months in this world, Noah felt that he had experienced at least a little character development.

Or, at least, that’s what he liked to believe.

For once, he wasn’t particularly excited about meeting a beautiful elven queen.

’Enough chasing after beautiful women. From now on, I need to be a proper gentleman.’

Noah nodded firmly to himself. He felt as though he had just made an incredibly important life decision.

Then his eyes fell on the bed. Nancy was sleeping peacefully.

"Oh, my Nancy!"

Noah’s expression immediately softened. "How am I supposed to live without you for four whole days? Come here, my little cutie."

He scooped up the sleeping cat and immediately began showering her with kisses.

Nancy didn’t even bother opening her eyes. She simply remained limp in his arms, completely unbothered by her owner’s affection.

Noah believed that Nancy would be perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Even before he had taken her in, she had survived on her own around the academy.

Still, he couldn’t help worrying about her.

"All the first-year classes are going on field trips to different regions of the world..."

Noah sighed. "Well, our entire class A-1 is going to the Elven Kingdom."

He glanced down at Nancy. "And somehow, we’re the ones who have to suffer through this."

He thought for a moment. "Well, I could just take you with me. No big deal—"

He stopped. "...No. If something happens, you’ll be in danger."

Nancy remained completely relaxed in his arms.

Noah stared at her for a moment before sighing. "Fine. I’ll leave you with someone I trust."

Nancy’s only response was a lazy flick of her tail.

---

After a while the first-year students gathered inside the academy’s gateway hall.

Class A-1 stood in orderly rows while they waited for the teleportation gate to activate.

Most of them were wearing their academy uniforms.

Among them stood Arisha.

Even in the standard academy uniform, she stood out from the crowd. Her long violet hair, striking yellow eyes, and beautiful appearance naturally drew attention.

Standing in front of her was Lyria, whose golden hair and gentle presence were equally noticeable.

Damien and several other students stood farther ahead in the formation.

Lyria glanced around. "Noah still hasn’t arrived."

Arisha, standing behind her, raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you already missing him?"

"Shut up!" Lyria immediately became embarrassed.

"Hehe."

Arisha couldn’t help but laugh. Just then, footsteps approached from behind.

"Friend, let me stand behind her."

Arisha turned around.

Sure enough, Noah had arrived.

He was currently asking the student behind her to move slightly so that he could take the empty spot in the row.

Arisha stared at him. "Do you really need to stand near us?"

Noah successfully squeezed into the space and immediately smirked. "Of course I do. I can’t leave my two ladies alone, can I?"

A small smile appeared on Arisha’s lips.

That man always tried to say something ridiculous or throw out some cheesy or cringe line whenever he got the chance.

Arisha knew he was only teasing her and trying to have fun. So she always played along.

And, somehow she enjoyed his company more than she would ever admit.

"A desperate boy, as far as I can see," Arisha said casually. "Right, Lyria?"

"What? What’s he desperate for?"

Lyria looked genuinely confused.

Noah frowned as well. "Yeah, what am I desperate for?"

Arisha looked at both of them. "Obviously, you’re desperate for attention from me and Lyria."

"He-hey! That’s not the case!" Noah immediately defended himself.

Emma, who was standing in front of Lyria, sighed. "Damn, you guys have already started again."

"Well I don’t think Noah is like that." Lyria tried to defend Noah.

Ignoring Emma’s comment, Arisha looked at Lyria with a teasing smile. "Oh, my dear Lyria. You’re so innocent."

She leaned slightly toward her. "Noah just wants to get under us, seduce us and you haven’t even noticed."

"Arisha!" Lyria’s face turned red. "You always say such embarrassing things!"

Noah placed a hand against his chest, looking offended. "Hey! I’m a good man now. I’m not the old Noah anymore. This is my second change. Just observe me, from now on I won’t flirt."

He refused to accept the accusation.

Arisha narrowed her eyes. ’You did that just a minute ago.’ She said, "You already changed once before entering the academy. And I don’t think you need to change again. So don’t."

Her expression became slightly more serious. "I warn you."

Noah blinked. Then he placed a hand dramatically over his heart.

"Oh my~"

He gave her a playful smile. "Are you trying to win my heart? Are you hitting on me?"

Arisha calmly met his gaze. "Maybe."

Noah’s smile froze for a moment.

Arisha continued. "I just hope you don’t become some bland, boring man. I like you better this way."

There was no teasing in her voice this time.

She meant it.

No matter how strange, shameless, or flirtatious Noah could be, she genuinely liked the way he acted around them.

He was free. He was weird. And, most importantly, he was himself.

"Wh-what? If you’re going to say something like that—"

Before Noah could finish, a clear voice echoed throughout the gateway hall.

"Everyone, listen."

Instructor Morgana’s voice instantly silenced the students.

She stood beside the enormous circular teleportation gate, which was already glowing with brilliant blue light.

Two other instructors stood beside her. They would be accompanying Class A-1 throughout the trip.

"All students of our class are present."

Morgana looked over the group.

"Now, enter the teleportation gate one by one. And make sure you have your academy IDs with you."

"YES!"

The students answered enthusiastically.

One by one, they began moving toward the glowing gate.

Arisha looked forward as she waited for her turn.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

’We can explore the kingdom together...’

A memory suddenly surfaced in her mind. She remembered the time before summer vacation when the three of them had spent time together.

Just Noah, Lyria, and herself.

The memory brought a small, genuine smile to her face.

’Maybe this trip will be fun too.’