She Banished Me Yesterday, But Today She Calls Me Master? - Episode 18

The next day, we headed to a forest a short distance from the school for our off-campus practical training. The weather was perfect—an ideal day for outdoor study.

“Today, you’ll be learning how to apply magic in real-world conditions. Out in nature, the flow of mana is different from within the school. Sensing that difference is essential.”

The students, already nervous due to Eltrinde’s presence, nodded eagerly, their eyes shining with anticipation. Due to certain circumstances, the group was smaller than usual, but everyone present was highly motivated. Teresa, in particular, stood right at the front, diligently taking notes. Her thirst for knowledge was truly admirable.

“Professor! I can feel magic from this plant! That’s amazing!”

“Good observation. The blue moss that grows in this forest has the ability to store mana. It used to be highly valued as a magical catalyst.”

As I explained to the visibly excited Teresa, an old memory stirred within me—those days when Eltrinde and I used to practice magic together in the royal palace’s backyard. I could clearly remember her proud expression the first time she successfully drew a magic circle.

“Professor Asto, are you alright?”

Teresa’s concerned voice snapped me back to reality. It seemed I had been lost in thought for a moment.

“Ah, sorry. I was just remembering something from the past.”

“Really now, Professor. Please focus—Lady Eltrinde is here, you know.”

Teresa leaned in and whispered, just as I noticed Eltrinde standing a short distance away. Her face, as always, showed little emotion, but for some reason, she was glaring at me and Teresa with sharp intensity.

Behind her stood Anbie, alert and scanning the surroundings.

“Professor Asto, this forest is dangerous. Back in my homeland, they say eight out of ten who enter a forest like this never come back.”

Suddenly, Anbie appeared beside me, speaking in a calm but ominous tone. Teresa jumped with a small squeal.

“N-No way! This forest is under school jurisdiction—it’s completely safe.”

“Is that so? From what I can see, there are at least seven potential kill zones. That branch over there would be perfect for strangulation, and that boulder is heavy enough to crush a skull.”

As the students turned pale, staring at Anbie in fear, a sharp voice suddenly rang out.

“Lady Eltrinde! Please, hear me out!”

It was Isabel, a female student originally from Professor Arnold’s class. She had insisted on joining today’s session. Running up to Eltrinde, she dropped to her knees.

“Please reinstate Professor Arnold! He may have made mistakes, but we, the advanced class, still need him! His teachings are irreplaceable!”

Eltrinde looked down at her coldly.

“That man acted without knowing his limits and endangered others. Would you not agree that someone like that is unfit to teach?”

“But… Professor Arnold has done so much for this school. He inspired us to become court magicians, to protect you, Lady Eltrinde. He only went too far because he wanted to prove himself to you—like a true hero who once defeated the Demon Lord…”

“……”

As Isabel pleaded further, Eltrinde frowned in mild discomfort and let out a sigh.

“Very well. Continuing this conversation would only disrupt the lesson. If he is willing to bow his head to Professor Asto, then I shall let this incident pass. Is that acceptable to you, Professor Asto?”

“Eh? Ah, yes, of course. While I had my reservations about some of his actions, it’s true he was a competent teacher.”

“Thank you, Lady Eltrinde! Thank you, Professor Asto!!”

Isabel burst into tears, overwhelmed with relief. Honestly, Arnold really was a capable instructor… even if he did dump a lot of grunt work on me.

“Professor Asto, could you show me once more how to extract mana from this plant?”

“Sure, here’s how—”

As I resumed the lesson, Teresa raised her hand again with another question. Just as I began explaining—

“If you try to forcefully extract it, the plant will wither. Take only what is needed, and always with gratitude.”

Before I noticed, Eltrinde had come closer. From her fingertips, delicate threads of mana flowed and gently entwined the blue moss. Pale blue particles began to rise from the plant and gathered into her palm.

“This way, you can draw mana without harming the plant. This is the foundation of a mage who coexists with nature.”

In her hand, a glowing orb of mana hovered, radiating blue light. The students watched in awe, holding their breath. Teresa timidly raised her hand.

“Lady Eltrinde… can we really manage such delicate control?”

“Mastering the basics is the fastest path to true strength. Don’t rush—advance one step at a time.”

Asto’s eyes widened at her words. It was something he had once said to her. She glanced briefly in his direction and gave a subtle nod.

At that moment, I sensed multiple presences approaching from within the forest.

“Everyone, be on guard. We’re not alone!!”

Just as Anbie shouted, several men burst from the trees. At the center was a man I recognized—Gazel. He had once tried to force himself on Linde.

But he looked very different now—filthy and ragged.

“Long time no see, Asto. Thanks to you, my life’s been ruined. Today, I’m here to repay the favor.”

“Everyone, fall back!”

“Take the students and Lady Eltrinde hostage! They won’t dare fight back then!”

Gazel’s voice was twisted with malice. I stepped forward to shield the students. Teresa tugged at my sleeve, her face pale with fear.

“Professor… I’m scared…”

“It’s alright, Teresa. I’ll protect you—no matter what.”

“Hah! As if some schoolteacher could protect anyone from me!”

As Gazel lunged with a twisted grin, I grabbed a branch and cast a spell—stopping time as I moved to intercept.

“Professor Asto, leave the students to me. Anbie!”

“Understood, Lady Eltrinde. Everyone, this way!!”

“Professor Asto…!!”

Anbie forcefully pulled the frightened Teresa away. Despite everything, we had once been comrades—there was still a silent understanding between us. Trusting Eltrinde to protect the others, I charged at Gazel.

“You think you can block my cursed blade with a stick!?”

“A cursed sword, huh? Then I guess this is my cursed branch.”

“What!? That magic… You’re Asto—the Demon Lord Slayer!?”

Sparks flew as I parried his blade. Thanks to the time-stopping spell, the branch had become unbreakable—like a true magic weapon.

“You’re not the only one who’s angry. How dare you terrify my precious Linde!”

“Gah!?”

My counterstrike slammed his jaw upward, sending him flying. Even after all this time, someone like Gazel was no match for an S-rank adventurer—let alone compared to a real threat like Flugel.

“I suppose… there was never any real danger.”

When I turned, I saw Eltrinde had already frozen all of Gazel’s men in solid ice. But why was her face red? Could it be… because I mentioned Linde?

“You seem unharmed, Lady Eltrinde.”

“Of course. Did you really think I would lose to rabble like this?”

Though nervous to be alone with her, I took the chance to speak. Linde had told me—I should try to talk things through.

“Eltrinde… No, Eltrinde—I need to ask you something.”

“…What is it?”

Was that a flicker of surprise in her eyes? Her pupils trembled for a moment.

“Eltrinde, why did you banish me? There must’ve been a reason.”

Her eyes widened, and she hesitated. I could see sorrow, regret, and something else flickering within her gaze.

“That’s…”

She stopped mid-sentence, her left arm beginning to tremble. From under her sleeve, black markings appeared and emitted a brief glow. Eltrinde winced in pain and clutched her arm.

“Wait, Eltrinde—that arm…”

I stepped forward, but she staggered back in panic.

“Don’t come any closer! I won’t let this… pass to you!”

Her voice trembled with fear—as if terrified that touching me would endanger me somehow.

And just as I stepped forward again—

“Don’t act like it’s all over!!”

“What!?”

“You think we were the only ones? There are more of us! Former professors Arnold and Chaos are with us—and they’re inside your school!”

Gazel, now conscious again, shouted triumphantly. But our reactions remained cold.

“We already knew that.”

“Of course we’ve made preparations.”

“…What?”

The stunned look on Gazel’s face was priceless.