I Became the Academy's Disabled Student-Chapter 368: Absurdity?

The gift was successfully delivered, but they didn't head back immediately.

"Is there any issue? The movement is immediate, and the sensation is incredibly fine. It really feels like a hand..."

[But you’ve been without that arm for so long, right? While there were no problems during the measurements, there might be some awkwardness when actually using it.]

The special prosthetic arm given to Daera was designed with great attention to both sensation and movement. There were no issues with its function.

[Try moving it a bit more vigorously.]

"Hmm... hmm... hmm? Ah, definitely."

If there was an issue, it was with the user.

Paf paf! In an instant, both fists slammed into the air. The trajectory was a bit off. Daera, with a somewhat mystified expression, darted around the basement.

"Just like the teacher said, something does feel a little off."

As Daera backed up, her movements were slightly wobbly.

It wasn’t an uncertain feeling. The ability to observe could clearly detect any errors.

[You’ve already adapted to having only one arm, after all.]

"Ah... I suppose that makes sense. With one arm missing, your balance must be off."

[The distribution of strength, and the new circuit, might have altered how you manipulate magic. For someone like you, a close combat type, even a small mistake can be fatal. I thought it would be better to confirm it here first.]

"Yeah, you're right. I guess it will take time to get used to the sensation."

[Hmm... probably?]

Normally, it would take some time, and Daera was no different.

In the past, even when I first wore the proof of protection, there were errors at first. But I immediately fought the dual-headed dragon.

‘When an error occurs, it’s corrected immediately.’

The power of observation detects every error.

I would take the incorrect movement, compare it with the right one, and adjust it on the spot with the optimal movement for the prosthetic.

With my affinity for magic and versatile abilities, it wasn't difficult.

Since the battle with the dual-headed dragon mostly involved aerial combat, errors weren’t as apparent.

"This means I'll probably get scolded again by the teacher for making adjustments..."

Daera mumbled as she stroked the prosthetic arm. However, there was a smile blooming on her face, full of anticipation and warmth.

[Hehe, give me your right hand for a moment.]

"Hmm? Here."

I also smiled and opened a space, taking out something from it with both hands, slowly fitting it onto Daera’s right prosthetic arm.

"An arm warmer?"

[It's fine to conceal it with magic, but this is more convenient.]

It wasn’t just an arm warmer; it was more like a glove that reached up to her shoulder and covered her hand as well... but anyway.

Daera blinked and looked at her right arm, now covered by a black arm warmer.

The original prosthetic was dark blue, and its texture was similar to porcelain, just like the proof of protection.

[Of course, it was like that for me, but if you find it uncomfortable, you can take it off. It’s not like you need to hide it, though...]

"No, it’s not uncomfortable. Like you said, the prosthetic arm looks great, and there’s no need to hide it, but this is still nice."

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When Daera hastily added that it might be bothersome, Daera smiled mischievously and waved her hand.

"Since I’m wearing it, can you give me one for the other arm?"

She even asked for another arm warmer for her left arm.

[Why just up to the forearm for the left one?]

"Teacher, this is fashion. There’s a certain charm in this kind of irregularity."

[Huh?]

[Confused?]

"Heh, put the question mark away."

I didn’t understand the fashion philosophy in the middle of it, but I couldn’t quite grasp the point.

[Then let’s do the basic adjustments before going inside.]

"Ah."

I shook my head and took the teacher's prosthetic arm, holding Daera’s right hand.

As Daera looked over the arm, she flinched as she felt something unusual.

I tilted my head.

[Daera? What’s going on?]

"...It’s nothing. Hmm, where are we going next?"

For a moment, her right hand was stiff, but soon enough, it started moving slowly, grabbing my hand.

It seemed that the synchronization of sensation was still a little awkward.

[For now, follow me.]

I thought of the basic steps to fix it. Smiling, I gently pulled Daera’s arm.

Daera, quietly following behind me, blinked her eyes.

The dimly lit interior. But there were many vibrant colors and the sound of small, bouncing noises.

"An arcade?"

The destination was the arcade. Unlike the previous world, most of the devices were magic-infused, but the chaotic atmosphere was similar.

"Why here?"

Daera, glancing around, looked at me with a puzzled expression. She seemed to not fully understand the intent.

[Seeing is believing, try it yourself.]

I approached one of the devices near the entrance.

It looked like a kiosk. After tapping the screen a few times, the background turned black, and circles appeared on the screen.

The circles were colorful and varied in size. Inside each circle, there was a score.

Pop! A neglected circle shrank and exploded like a water droplet. Immediately, another circle appeared.

Since it was a device for transcendent beings, its speed was difficult for an ordinary person to follow.

The circles were extremely small, and it was hard to press them with just a fingertip, but their number was immense.

"Ah, this kind of game?"

The intuitive nature of the game didn’t require explanation. Daera, having understood the intent, brightened up.

[Since we’re checking it, it’s better to enjoy it.]

"Ha, teacher. Did I once reign as the king of arcade games in my town? Don’t underestimate me."

Stepping aside, Daera confidently grinned as she stood in front of the device.

Is she confident enough?

I wasn’t sure about her past as the arcade king, but for someone at Daera’s level, her physical abilities and senses must have been impressive, especially considering the sharpness caused by the thunderstrike.

Tap tap!

As if proving her confidence was not unwarranted, her fingers moved like lightning, popping circles one after another.

The score at the top of the screen skyrocketed. The speed was extraordinary, and those who had been looking at her with disinterest widened their eyes.

"......"

However, Daera’s brows furrowed. Her hands moved rapidly, but she seemed to be feeling the error in her movements.

Thud!

"Ah."

Even now, a small mistake occurred. It wasn’t a big error, just missing one out of the hundreds of circles, but it could create a significant gap.

"Ugh... It’s been a while, so my skills are a bit rusty."

The game ended quickly. Daera’s score was the highest of all recorded scores.

However, realizing her mistakes, Daera turned her face away with a whistle.

[It’s been a while, and it’s the first time using a prosthetic arm. You’ll get used to it soon.]

"...When you put it that way, it sounds like I’m making excuses, teacher..."

After that, we continued to move around the arcade, enjoying several games.

I only chose the devices meant for transcendent beings that required physical abilities and senses to activate, to confirm Daera’s synchronization of sensation.

"Wow... it’s been a while, huh? This was more fun than I expected..."

[Glad to hear that.]

[Do you think you’re getting used to it by now?]

"Yeah, it won’t take as long as I thought."

By the time we left the arcade, Daera’s movements had become much smoother. The awkwardness of the synchronized sensation had been shaken off to some extent.

"Thanks to you, teacher. You pinpointed the awkward parts so precisely. Your detection ability is so fine, doesn’t it give you a headache?"

[Now that I’m used to it, I’m okay. I’m filtering out unnecessary information to reduce the burden.]

In fact, at this point, I was processing and storing the information through the power of knowledge, rather than simply passing it on... but anyway.

[Shall we head back now?]

"Yeah, we can take it slow from here. Ah... when we get back, the evening training will probably start..."

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

[Hehe, I’ll be doing other training, but... make sure you eat well and work hard.]

"I’ll go eat enough and digest first... Ah."

Daera, shaking her head, opened her mouth. Her gaze was directed at the convenience store, specifically at the ice cream fridge.

Daera gestured towards it.

"How about we each grab an ice cream?"

[...Sure]

[Sounds good.]

We each bought one.

Daera got a long orange-flavored one, and I got a banana milk-flavored popsicle.

"Wow, I can still feel the cold."

Daera, peeling the wrapping off the ice cream, took a bite with a mischievous expression.

[....]

I also unwrapped my ice cream. As I felt the cold energy in my hand, I popped the top off and bit into it.

Slurp, slurp...

Since I wasn’t expecting anything, I wasn’t disappointed. I sucked on the popsicle like I was eating ice.

Slurp...

[?]

Mmm?

As I was absentmindedly munching, my cheek was stretched out. The culprit was Daera. She was holding my cheek with her empty right hand, while still holding the ice cream in her mouth.

[Why are you doing this?]

"Why the long face? Don’t like the ice cream? Want me to trade?"

[...No, it’s good, I’m enjoying it.]

"Hmm, really?"

Daera tilted her head. Even though I responded, her hand that was holding my cheek didn’t let go.

"...Teacher, your cheek is really soft."

[Is it?]

"Yeah, it’s so warm, it feels like a rice cake..."

She suddenly moved her hand down and began kneading my cheek, like she was grabbing my chin.

Daera looked down at me with a strange expression, repeatedly massaging my cheek, as if savoring the sensation through the prosthetic arm.

Mmmm...Her hand kept pressing against my cheek, and I held the popsicle in place with my mouth, preventing it from slipping out.

At this point, it would be easier to escape from her touch, but I didn’t

feel like it.

I actually enjoyed having my cheek kneaded, and it was Daera after all.

‘Daera...’

There was a sense of kinship.

She was Artla’s disciple. Though I had sometimes felt childish jealousy, there was an inherent sense of closeness because of that shared bond.

There were other emotions as well.

Pity? Compassion? Something like that.

I didn’t think my past was one full of happiness, but compared to Daera’s, I thought it wasn’t as bad.

Daera had also lost her family in an accident, lived alone, and then met Artla.

But after another accident, she, like me, had her arm cut off and was thrown into this hellish world.

She must have spent years in loneliness, seeking unseen hope in her life.

Honestly, her past was one I couldn’t help but feel pity for.

"Uh? Daera?"

It was then. While the usual attention was focused on her, a girl suddenly approached {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Daera and spoke.

A cadet uniform, with light green decorations. A first-year cadet.

Daera, tilting her head, greeted her.

"Ayla? You’re done already?"

"It’s almost time for everyone to finish, but... your arm?"

"Oh, this? Well... it’s a long story, but somehow I ended up with a prosthetic arm."

The woman, blinking at Daera’s prosthetic, was Ayla... a first-year cadet named Ayla Carnil.

I had memorized her name from the cadet list. She was in the Spring Class and had apparently formed a friendship with Daera to the point of chatting with her.

"Ah! I was wondering when you’d finally get it. By the way, who’s this...?"

Clapping her hands, Ayla turned her gaze towards me.

‘Since she’s Daera’s friend, I should at least introduce myself.’

I casually spat out my popsicle and greeted her.

"Ah, this is my teacher... no, my master. Ihayul. He’s a second-year senior."

Pffft.

I was about to speak, but Daera, pulling me towards her, interrupted the greeting.

"Already finished, huh? But I just got this prosthetic arm, so I’m going to head back now. How about we talk tomorrow?"

"Ah... You must be tired since you just put it on. Sorry for stopping you. Shall we talk tomorrow?"

"Yeah, take care."

Ayla, swallowing her regret, briefly glanced at me, then cautiously turned her body away.

Daera did the same. With me still in her embrace, she turned and walked in the opposite direction.

Being dragged along, I tilted my head.

[Daera, isn’t she a friend? Wouldn’t it be polite to at least greet her?]

"Uh... It’s not that. I’m really tired. And I’ll have another chance next time."

[Well... okay.]

Tired? I tilted my head. With Daera’s stamina, she shouldn’t be tired after just a few games.

"By the way, teacher."

[Hmm?]

Daera, suddenly looking down at me. When I looked up, she grabbed my cheek and made a request.

"When I see you, teacher, you really need to be careful of people. Don’t follow anyone who offers you ice cream."

[That’s ridiculous.]

[I'm not some naïve child who gets distracted by sweets.]

"Heh, you should really listen to what I’m saying."

[It’s absurd...]

"Absurd, you say? Ask those around you. I’m giving you sound advice."

Is this the treatment I deserve? There’s no way that’s true...

Hayiul, if someone asks you for help, don’t just follow them. Got it?Please, even if they beg, don’t just give in. Make sure to promise me...Little ones are too soft-hearted to refuse. Don’t ignore me...

[Let's hurry back.]

"Now that I think about it, you’re right, huh?"

[That can’t be true.]

"Wow, I can really feel it if you’re lying."

Daera, laughing, grabbed my hand. Her prosthetic right hand felt solid, and I made a complex expression.

‘I couldn’t restore it to a real arm yet, but...’

With time, when I grow stronger, I might be able to give her back her real arm.

I made that promise as I firmly clasped her hand.

Player Adjustments System: Affection

Ihayul → Daera Celeste

●●●●●●○○○○ (67▶68/100)

‘Master’ ‘Thunderstrike?’ ‘Kinship’ ‘Pity’