In Tsuyokuni, all the members of Class S arrived at a hot spring resort and began unloading their luggage from the carriages. The girls headed in one direction while the boys went in the other, all excited about the prospect of enjoying a day of rest.
"This will be my first time here!"
"Really, Kai? You must have never been to a place like this since you're a commoner."
"I feel like your words were a little cruel, Giulio."
Scratching his head and laughing awkwardly, Giulio apologized as he continued walking. Just behind them, the so-called Three Idiots were discussing new magic spells. Enrico was trying to explain a new technique to Elian and an improvement for Caelan.
"If you make your barrier spin constantly using your magic, it will be able to deflect low-level attacks and reduce the power of magical attacks stronger than itself. Of course, it can still be destroyed by sufficiently powerful blows, but it will be a great help in reducing the damage you take."
Caelan listened while scratching his cheek with a finger.
"This will be really difficult to do, especially since I'm not someone who likes studying."
"One tip I can give you is to try to figure out how whirlpools move and create a magical core inside the barrier that reproduces the same effect. Then, connect that core to the barrier. In the future, if you manage to improve the technique, you might be able to create this defense without having to form the core separately."
"This is amazing... Damn it, this is the first time in my life I've felt like studying something!"
Beside them, Elian created a wind eagle while trying to better understand the magic Enrico had explained before he began talking to Caelan.
'Create a core similar to that of a Nartheis inside the eagle and then form a creature that obeys me while it's summoned.'
He was literally trying to create a new creature, something similar to magical spirits, but without granting the same powers they offered. Elian didn't know why Enrico believed he would be capable of accomplishing something like that, but if Enrico thought it was possible, then he would give it a try.
"All right, put your things away. The visit to the hot springs will only last until today, so return by eight in the evening so we can begin heading back to the academy."
The people accompanying them on the trip were Zenaria and Professor Jonas, who had replaced the knight previously in charge. For some reason, the former professor had disappeared, and the case was under investigation. While the authorities searched for him, the academy had temporarily hired Jonas to take over his duties.
The two professors divided the responsibilities and were assigned to accompany the students separately. Zenaria would stay with the girls, while Jonas would take care of the boys.
"Professor Jonas, can't we stay a little longer?"
"That won't be possible. Zenaria and I are helping with the investigation into the former professor's disappearance, so we need to return before the end of the day."
The students who already knew the missing professor felt a little discouraged upon hearing that. The newcomers, such as Elian, Caelan, and Liam, didn't react the same way because they hadn't yet developed a close relationship with him.
"Don't worry. Since the professors are helping with the search, we'll try to find him as quickly as possible."
"Yes, you're right. Come on, everyone! We have hot springs to enjoy!"
While the others regained their enthusiasm, Enrico sighed. For some reason, he felt uneasy about the missing professor and couldn't develop the same attachment to him that the others seemed to have.
'Why do I seem like someone without feelings when it comes to this guy?'
[Because you have no feelings.]
'And you seem to have plenty, from what I can see.'
Enrico rolled his eyes at the System's response and headed to his room, while the other boys had already begun making their way to the hot springs, with Liam leading the group.
As soon as they arrived at the men's bath, Liam stepped into the water and jumped right in.
"Damn, it's hot!"
Elian pointed at the boy with an irritated look.
"Who told you to jump in, idiot? A hot spring is meant for relaxing, not making a mess!"
"Really, Elian? Your parents own several places like this, don't they?"
"Yes."
Puffing out his chest proudly, Elian entered the water calmly. Seeing him act that way, some boys thought his posture was quite elegant, especially because of his feminine appearance.
"Tsk, it's a shame he's a boy."
"This is the greatest disaster of my life."
Elian crossed his arms with an irritated expression.
"Hey! Stop talking about me like that!"
The boys who had made those comments moved away and went to their own corners. Meanwhile, Elian, Liam, and Caelan stayed at one end of the bath, waiting for Enrico and Kai.
"You guys are so lively!"
However, the tranquility didn't last long.
"You..."
Liam's expression turned serious when he noticed Lan, Jorge, and Grark approaching from a short distance away. Among the students who had managed to move up to Class S over the past few weeks, Lan and Jorge were among them.
"Relax, we're not here to fight."
Caelan pointed at the elf.
"Thalen, you're still on their side? You traitor!"
"Calm down, everyone! I'm just trying to prevent a fight in a situation where we should be relaxing."
Thalen positioned himself between the two groups, trying to keep the situation from getting worse. He had realized that any provocation could trigger a brawl, especially considering the rivalry that already existed between them.
Lan let out a small laugh and looked toward Elian.
"Please, Thalen, why would I pick a fight with a boy who's so small down there?"
Elian's mind seemed to explode with rage. His pride had been attacked, and he had no intention of letting that provocation go unanswered. A cruel smile appeared on his face.
"You talk too much for someone so pathetic. I'm sure you only said that because it's exactly what you think of yourself."
A vein appeared on Lan's forehead.
"What? You... Do you think you're smart just because you know how to talk like that?"
Grark tilted his head and observed the two with the analytical gaze typical of an orc, capable of assessing the physical capabilities of a human body. Lan and Elian continued arguing and hadn't even noticed that they were without towels.
"Why are these two small humans fighting over this?"
"He's not small! It's just cold!"
Liam looked at Elian and Lan, who had answered at the same time, and found the situation ridiculous. After all, they were inside a hot spring, not a cold-water pool.
"Why are these two arguing?"
Kai arrived beside them completely naked, showing not the slightest embarrassment. Everyone looked at him and let out sighs of disapproval. For the first time in his life, Kai felt as though he were being insulted without even understanding why.
'Why do I feel like killing all of them?'
Grark, realizing that the situation seemed to have turned into a competition to determine who had the best body, stood up and struck a pose, flexing his muscles and even removing his towel to demonstrate his absolute superiority.
"Some of you humans might manage to get good bodies through training, but you'll never reach the level of an orc!"
Liam almost spat out the water he was drinking and had to restrain himself to keep from bursting into laughter at that ridiculous display.
Elian and Lan stood up, ready to start a fight.
"You talk too much for an idiot orc!"
"That's right! Shut up, nobody called you!"
Thalen was still trying to calm everyone down, but it seemed as though they were all about to lose their patience. The two groups already had a considerable rivalry, so anything could serve as an excuse for a confrontation.
'Damn it, I thought I could calm them down, but they're just a bunch of lunatics! Where's Enrico? I'm sure he could sort this out.'
Everyone was already beginning to release their magic, while Grark continued showing off his muscles and Liam suffered from stomach pain from laughing so hard.
The commotion only ended when Grark suddenly stopped, looking behind the others with an expression of pure horror. The next moment, he fell backward into the water, as if his pride had been completely shattered. Lan looked at the orc in surprise.
"Grark, what happened?"
"A monster!"
"Monster? Please! You're two meters tall even though you're still young. How can you be afraid of monsters?"
Grark raised a trembling finger and pointed behind his companions. Everyone turned in the same direction and saw Enrico standing there, looking confused by the situation.
Without a doubt, Enrico had the most well-defined body among those present. His muscles were developed in a balanced way, the result of rigorous and constant training. However, that wasn't the only reason the others collapsed to the ground in despair.
Enrico raised an eyebrow at his companions' behavior.
"What happened?"
Caelan pointed at him with an almost tearful expression.
"Why won't you die, Enrico?!"
Caelan's words left Enrico bewildered.
"Wait, what do you mean I should die?"
Lan slammed his fists against the ground as tears streamed down his face.
"He's smart, strong, and even handsome! And he has all that, too! This world is unfair! Die!"
While the others could only confuse Enrico even further with their absurd comments, Elian seemed to have his mind completely shattered. Imagining an elephant, his soul practically left his mouth before he collapsed into the water, unable to bear the injustice that, in his opinion, the world had inflicted upon him.