Chapter 93: Return to the Academy

Growing up alongside Monroe, and having witnessed his unwavering support in the face of death, Roland now regarded Monroe as someone he could truly trust. Thus, he did not conceal the truth but openly revealed that he had become a Level Three Martial Artist. Roland couldn't help but sigh inwardly; if he hadn't taken the Dominator's Blood potion and attained the level of a Martial Artist, relying on their formidable speed and defense, he would never have survived that deadly strike. He would have already been well on his way to meet his maker.

This was where martial artists surpassed mages: swift and resilient, especially in close combat where their innate advantages shone. Of course, mages had their own strengths: myriad offensive techniques and spells capable of striking multiple targets at once. Both paths had unique merits.

When Roland announced his advancement as a martial artist, Monroe and Victoria immediately understood. They had witnessed it firsthand—Roland surviving a lethal blow; only by becoming a martial artist could he possibly endure it.

Then, shock overtook them. Roland was originally a mage, but now he had cultivated martial arts as well. He was practicing both disciplines, something unprecedented among those around them.

A flash of light, and a bottle of healing potion appeared in Roland’s hand. His gaze, however, was fixed on Monroe, testing how he would react to Roland possessing what appeared to be a spatial ring.

Monroe’s eyes widened in astonishment, his gaze falling on the dark red ring on Roland’s finger. From his expression, Roland saw confusion, surprise, envy—but no trace of the greed he’d seen in Captain Bob. He felt completely at ease with Monroe now; it seemed his hometown friend was of good character.

Monroe swallowed and stammered, pointing at the ring, “Ro-Roland, is that a spatial ring?”

“If I told you it wasn’t, would you believe me?” Roland teased.

“You rascal, still playing tricks on me!” Monroe laughed and cursed.

Roland then explained his cultivation of necromancy and how it had bestowed a necromantic space, stunning Monroe once again. Yet, Roland noticed his reaction was much like Victoria’s and Marley’s when they first heard it, further confirming that Monroe believed him and held no covetousness toward his treasures.

Next, Roland was about to summon the little skeleton Brian to help him apply the potion, but a delicate hand took the bottle from him.

“This is a healing potion, isn’t it? Your injury is on your back; it’s not convenient for you to use it yourself. Let me help you,” Victoria said softly.

“Uh... is that... alright?” Roland muttered uncertainly.

Victoria paid no heed to his hesitation, shooting him a glare before moving behind him and lifting his shirt. She thought, “When I was poisoned and wounded, even my most private places you tended... Hmph, what’s an injury on your back compared to that!”

“Ahem...” Monroe, sensing the atmosphere shift, coughed a few times to ease the awkwardness, then feigned nonchalance, “Roland, Victoria, the scenery around here is rather nice—I’ll go admire it for a while and be back soon.” With that, he swiftly slipped away.

“Hey, Monroe, it’s nothing but barren rocks—what scenery...” Before Roland could finish, Monroe had already vanished, not wanting to be the third wheel amid Roland and Victoria’s tender moment.

“Relax! If you keep tensing your muscles, the potion won’t absorb properly,” Victoria chided, having noticed Roland’s body was as taut as stone as she applied the salve.

“Uh... alright, I’ll relax, I’ll relax.” Though Victoria’s gentle hands felt infinitely better than Brian’s skeletal claws, having her tend his wounds made him strangely uneasy.

Victoria couldn’t help but laugh, “Roland, who’d have thought that though you’re a boy, you have such a shy side!”

Her words made Roland’s face flush scarlet. He struggled to relax himself, lest Victoria tease him to death, but the more he tried, the more tense he became, earning repeated scolding from Victoria.

In the end, tending to Roland’s wound took over half an hour, with much of the potion wasted in the process.

Far off, Monroe’s legs and back ached as he waited. Unable to see clearly from a distance, he only saw the two constantly together and muttered, “Those two are really inseparable—applying a potion takes so long, leaving me here to suffer in the wind!”

Roland’s healing potion was exceptionally effective. Even though the wound on his back was nearly half an inch deep, after applying the salve and resting for just over an hour, he was almost fully recovered. Of course, his enhanced constitution as a Level Three Martial Artist contributed as well.

Victoria and Monroe didn’t think much of Roland’s alchemical potions, simply assuming he bought them at a shop, never imagining he had crafted them himself.

Without further delay, they pressed on, soon reaching the entrance to the Maya Mountains. Seeing the bustling crowds, Roland felt a wave of familiarity; in the desolate depths of the mountains, such a gathering was impossible.

Victoria and Monroe fetched their mounts from a nearby beast pen, and the three quickly set off toward the imperial capital. Nearing the city, Monroe and Roland parted ways, Monroe returning to his martial arts academy.

When Roland and Victoria arrived at Porter Academy, night had already fallen. After saying their farewells, each headed to their own dormitory.

Dormitory 2015. Marley and the other two lounged on their beds as usual, chatting idly, the topic centered on Roland, far away in the Maya Mountains.

Marley, in his gruff voice, asked, “It’s been three months now. When do you think Fourth will come back?”

Bill thought for a moment, “My sister’s been gone for more than half a year without a word. I don’t think Fourth will return so soon either. I figure it’ll be a few more months.”

“I disagree, Third. I have a feeling Fourth will return before long,” said Gebaz.

Bill protested, “Second, what makes you say that?”

“Well... I’ve got my reasons. Think about it—Fourth and Karina are so close, both from the same town, and now it’s been three months since they last saw each other. Won’t Fourth be eager to see her? So he’ll rush back. Maybe he’ll arrive at the academy in the next couple of days,” Gebaz ‘analyzed’.

“Come on, Second! If that’s your reasoning, I’d say Fourth and Miss Victoria met in the Maya Mountains and got so attached they won’t return for at least half a year!” Marley chimed in.

Bill perked up, “One of you says half a year, the other says a couple days. Why not make a bet? Loser treats the whole dorm to a week’s worth of meals!”

“Deal!” Marley agreed at once. He’d won thousands of gold coins at the last year’s tournament and was quite confident in gambling.

Gebaz hesitated, “A week’s meals... Marley eats so much, that’s—”

“Shut up! Are you betting or not?” Marley lobbed a pillow at him, making Gebaz quickly wave his hands, “Alright, I’ll bet!”

As the three bantered, suddenly the door sounded, then clicked open. A slightly weary voice said, “Hey, what’s this about meal money? Is someone treating? Count me in!”