Chapter 33
Especially Karhen couldn't even breathe during the entire spar, just watching Iri.
(Dodging Morgan's kick) The corners of her mouth curling up in a grin.
(Beating up Morgan) Her eyes sparkling brightly.
*'She's super cool.'*
Iri's smile pierced Karhen's heart, which had been like a dead withered tree.
*'I wanna be like her.'*
A feeling called admiration slowly sprouted.
*'But how?'*
Seven-year-old Karhen didn't know many ways.
Just keep watching Iri.
Hover around Iri.
And.
*'Morgan, that look in his eyes rubs me wrong. He might threaten Lady Iri again.'*
......Eliminate the (admiration's) rival.
* * *
The next day after Iri proved her strength.
Iri, coming to class with Karhen, felt the changed classroom atmosphere.
Currently age 9.
Even Klesia, who had graduated from lisping, was mimicking Iri's speech.
"Hewwo-nimikka!"
Currently age 5.
Curious Orzen ran right up to Iri's desk.
"Hey, Lady Iwi-nim! Me, I got a question-nimida! Saw the etiquette test papew! If see a cat passing by, fowwow and buwwy it, is that wight-nimikka?"
Kids who forget two things after learning one.
*'Feels just like Hammuni's fwiend Mewwod Hawabuji (60 yeaws owd) buiwding muw fields on wocky wand without a bweak.'*
Still, just them asking was huge progress.
Iri shook her head firmly and replied.
"Not buwwy cats, just watch with eyes-nimida! Cawwing them cute!"
At those words, Orzen nodded.
"Huh, gasp. Wike that!"
......Iri called out to Orzen zooming off.
"Say thanks if someone tewws you!"
Orzen turned back, scratching his head and mumbling.
"Thanks...... nimida?"
And soon after, etiquette class time arrived as always.
"Eh, wh-what? Why's evewyone watching me and focusing?"
Flustered Piona got kids raising hands high asking.
"Teachaw! Teachaw! Got a question!"
"Yes?"
"Do we gotta speak powite to teachaw too?"
Piona blinked unwittingly and muttered.
"Yes, y-yes? Mutuaw wespect......"
Then kids aged 5 to 10, everyone except Morgan, chorused.
"Teachaw-nim, got it-nimida!"
Iri felt a strange sensation.
*'Kids' speech mimicking me? Nah?'*
Silent Karhen beside her wrote a small scribble and passed it.
[They're imitating you.]
But that was even better!
While Piona at the podium explained dining etiquette.
The kids were even taking notes like Iri.
"Befowe eating, bow and say 'I'ww eat weww-nimida,' wight?"
"Yes, cowwect-nimida."
Plus, monster hybrids except Karhen were gaining tons of insights.
They often cautiously asked Iri.
"You said not eat food with hands wast time, wight? Then suwewy!"
"Suwely?"
"Soup not with hands eithew-nimidaaa!"
"Obvious-nimida. Soup with spoon!"
"N-no way."
These ones needed more teaching.
Numerous kids slowly gathered around Iri.
But the kids' faces weren't purely happy.
"Wiving human too hawd. Was nice as beasts!"
"Know what's wight but uncowftwabwe, won't do. Eaws fwapping!"
The kids seemed changed but not quite.
Iri realized why.
Villainous magi influencing the kids.
Iri stared at the cloudy mist billowing around the kids.
Normally she'd bounce like Cookie in joy.
But Iri looked serious.
Absorb one kid's magi, others' vanished.
*'Need way to nom nom all magi at once.'*
Pondering deeply, Iri shot to her feet.
* * *
"Cookie, wake up!"
Break time.
Heading to small garden near Training Hall, Iri hurriedly rummaged her pocket.
Placed sleepy-eyed Cookie on her palm.
"Eh, huh? What's up. Cwass done?"
"No, not yet."
Unfortunately, Cookie had weak stomach and stamina.
"Ugh, too many kids. Energy sucked dry!"
Sleeping position whole time in Training Hall.
But now she needed Cookie's advice.
"No, that aside. Wanna nom nom magi all at once!"
"Hm, all at once?"
Cookie put round hand to chin, pretending to think.
"Iri. Why hesitate? You learned recently!"
"Uh......?"
"Purification Meditation!"
Iri's eyes widened hugely, dashing back to classroom.
*'Right, that way!'*
Sat in seat, closed eyes tight.
Dark magi from kids quickly gathered.
Simultaneously, Iri easily absorbed all puffy magi atop kids' heads.
Felt Ring of Purification whirring in belly.
[‘The World's Strongest Hero’ Iri's Purification Power Status Window!]
1 Star: Light's 'Seed'
■■■□□
(......)
1 Star: Light's 'Seed'
■■■■□ (1 bar until Light Tree! Amazing!)
*'Wow! I got praised!'*
Cookie muttered proudly.
"As you grow, your summon Cookie grows too. Now I can add words of praise for you."
Iri and Cookie thought with pounding hearts.
So just fill one more......!
"Straight to 2-star alone!"
Might become super super strong hero!
But one person.
Morgan, fatally defeated by Iri, was different.
Morgan alone sulked, emanating dark aura.
Displeased at numerous kids flocking to Iri.
Precisely, jealous.
*'Wanna go next to Iri too! Wonder what she ate to get so strong!'*
But bowing to Iri? Morgan's pride wouldn't allow.
Plus, Morgan didn't know how to bow.
Like barbarian warrior chewing gall after battle loss, Morgan watched Iri's every move.
Problem was Karhen silently watching such Morgan.
Like waiting for when Morgan would move to attack Iri.
* * *
At lunch time, Morgan stormed out of classroom trembling.
*'I was strongest originally. But title gone!'*
Morgan clenched fist cowardly, shaking.
*'Wanna spar Iri again. Wonder if she can beat me again?'*
When thoroughly beaten by Iri, strangely heart pounded wildly.
Morgan grinned sinisterly holding coffee.
Delicious drink his barbarian warrior mother Ellen drank, coffee.
With awakening agent called coffee, even normal humans' hearts pound, it said.
*'Tribute, no, gift this awakening agent, drink together. Then aggressively suggest spar!'*
But right as approaching Iri.
Monster hybrid appeared before him.
"Hold up."
......What was name, Karhen?
"What, monster hybrid slave."
