The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster-Chapter 45: Follow me

The reaction from the students left Buji not surprised. He had expected them to act like that since he had awakened no talent. Literally, only hunters who awakened with both rank and talent were considered in the Hunter’s association.

So, he was not to judge anyone for their actions towards him.

And too, he’s got to thank Mr. Zin and his daughter for gradually placing him among his equals, unknowingly to them. They might or might not be playing their games well, whichever way, he must play his own part well.

Come to think of it. Getting paid without having a talent was a great bonus on his side.

’Hahaha. If I weren’t watched by the crowd, I could have let out a loud chuckle at their foolishness.’

"Congrats," the familiar voice brought his mind back to reality.

He looked to find Emra staring at him, with her hands prostrated forward to collect a handshake.

"Sure," Buji reciprocated her gestures, with a fake smile. He was going to be standing beside Emra. Why the space had being created between her and the student beside her was unclear to him. He would have loved to stand beside Kira, who stood at the other end.

’Well, what can I say?’

Once again, Instructor Hay’s voice commanded the students to applaud the successful students who were selected. It was really not easy.

Thinking of the possible rarities and the benefits he was going to be receiving as a team member. Buji could only smile to himself.

His eyes glistened at the sight of hundreds of students seated in the hall. He could not tell what each of them had in their minds, but he guessed most of them were already thinking of hunger.

He, too, is already hungry.

Instructor Hay approached the students who stood on the podium, in front of the crowd. He addressed them and made them know their benefits as part of the hunter’s teams.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

He explained that all the students had received payment the week before. Both those that went for a test raid and those that went for the real raid. The opportunity for being paid was only laid to students yet to be in a team once every month. Those who were opportune to be in teams were obliged to be involved in raids every week, and as such, collected payments every week.

’If this team was Emra’s first, then why did she tell me she collected payment on a weekly basis?’

Meanwhile, Hay’s voice continued.

"To you, who have been selected, do not think much of it as a risk but an opportunity. Opportunity because as you get tutorials, like other of your level mates, you also have the chance to level up at every successful raid you take part in."

"Levelling up doesn’t mean you can change ranks, or get to a higher rank. It means that you can atone your skills and abilities to the extent of a higher rank, but will still remain that rank."

Hay turned to Buji, concentrating his stare on him.

"Now, each team will be paired with two Instructors each. And for any student without an Instructor as a tutor yet, he will be getting one this night."

Buji’s stomach churned at Instructor Hay’s voice, but he still managed to feel at ease. If he was going to be assigned an Instructor, it meant he was going to be having sole tutors with the Instructor. He was not going to be involved in any group tutoring.

If that was a good option for him, he can’t tell.

It seemed Instructor Hay was done with his speaking since he gestured for the Instructors to step forward. Buji counted them immediately, they were only six in number.

If he was going to be getting a tutor, does it mean one of these Instructors is gonna be doing the double job? Then, he remembered Instructor Hay had introduced himself too with some speech.

’Tsk…’ the thought alone found him disgusted. He thought that it was going to be a bad idea to have Hay, regarded as a pervert by all the students, be his tutor.

He seriously was not in support of that idea, even though, he was yet to be sure if that was the case. But if that is the case, he… he can’t do anything about it.

As announced by Instructor Hay, two instructors each were paired with a team. They got Callen, a male, and Morgan, a female as their team instructors.

"One last thing," Instructor Hay called out. "The instructors are in your teams as guidance and guardians during raids. They won’t be as active as your tutors, they are only going to be playing their roles during dungeon raids."

"And for Mister Buji, the only student of this Hunter’s Academy without a tutor, the Academy, has decided that I, Instructor Hay will take on the job," Instructor Hay said with pride and turned to meet Buji’s gaze on the floor.

Like expected…

Also, students from the crowd somehow found it funny and this made them give out a resounding laughter, followed by a mocking applause. Maybe, because they thought Instructor Hay was only an additive to the school’s Instructors since he was the only one who always moderated the school’s events. And like he said, no one has ever seen him do his work as an Instructor.

Buji’s thoughts as Instructor Hay announced himself as his tutor raced against each other. ’A pervert like Instructor Hay? Is he going to be of help? I mean, he already has this reputation for being unorthodox, to say the least.’

On second thought, he didn’t want to keep judging a book by its cover. There’s only one purpose for having someone as your tutor.

The purpose, is to gain knowledge…

And that’s what Buji resolved he was going to go after. Nothing else.

"Alright, dear students. This should be fun. Go on with the celebration. This night is totally a free night!" Instructor Hay said, taking the lead as he shook hands with each of the students who stood on stage, followed by other instructors. It served as the last action to dismiss the students back to their dining tables.

The night’s dinner, like other nights, was a self-service banquet, except that food was in multiples.

The students mingled with their laughter and conversation filling the hall. The table where Buji and Kira sat, took them in. Since, unlike other times, Buji was able to join them in their camaraderie and fun. Buji enjoyed his meal that night.

Later, when the formalities were over, students left the hall one after the other. A few others who had tanks that stored food in them continued enjoying themselves, while others turned the little space they found into a dance stage. Dancing to vocal music from other students.

Buji and Kira were among the students who left the hall. They made their way to their usual spot, the school’s playground, and sat on its pavement. The moon showed them kindness by bathing the area in a silvery glow.

As they sat on the pavements, the least Buji expected from Kira came to him.

Kira crossed her arms, giving out an unusually serious expression. "Buji, you’ve been hiding something from me. What is it?"

Buji froze. The question caught him off-guard. "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean," she said, her tone sharp. "Tell me how you survived that dungeon raid."

Buji sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Oh, that? It’s not something worth hiding, so why should I hide the story from you? You were there already when I told them what happened."

"Kira’s eyes narrowed. "You still not going to talk, right? Like, I thought friends shouldn’t keep secrets from each other."

Buji watched as Kira expressed her sudden madness with the movements of her hands and her facial expression, and then he replied. "Now that you’ve said this, it might interest you to know that this same secret sharing has separated many friends…"

He was interrupted.

"Really? Are you for real?! And you think the reverse won’t do the same?" Kira asked with anger in her voice. Finally, she threw up her hands and walked away, leaving Buji alone. After a short distance, she stopped and said. "I have your book. The one you left on the desk."

"Gosh," Buji let out and turned to call to Kira but she was gone already. Only now is he realizing and figuring out what Kira wants to hear from him. He was too blind to see it coming. But, if he told her everything, will or will she not leave me?

He sat there, the feeling of guilt coursing through his body. As he was lost in thought, a dim shadow, cast under the glow of the moon fell across him. He looked up, and it was Emra.

"What now?"

"Well, well, if it isn’t the academy’s new star," she sneered. "Enjoying the spotlight?"

Buji frowned. "What do you want this time?"

"Nothing. Honestly nothing. Only that this mate down here has become famous all of a sudden," she said, sitting beside Buji.

"Is that? In that case, I’ve always been famous. Only that, you should have differentiated that of today with positivity. It is unlike other shameless fame," Buji replied, lightening his face from the frown earlier.

"That’s true… just that my little friend here…"

Buji interrupted. "Don’t address me as little. Besides, I’m a year older than you are."

"Oh, my my. How can I forget easily? I’m sorry, but you know, that can only be considered outside this school. As far as I’m concerned, I’m also a year older than you in class," Emra teased.

"Cut it. Just why are you here?"

Before Emra could reply and say more, a familiar voice interrupted. "Buji, there you are. Good thing I met your friend on the way."

Instructor Hay appeared out of the shadows, startling both Buji and Emra with his presence. He adjusted his glasses and gave a crooked smile. "I’ve been looking for you, Buji."

Buji glared at Hay. He came just at the right time to relieve him of Emra’s possible mockery.

"Any problem?" Buji found his voice.

"I don’t think so. Follow me," Instructor Hay said, turning on his heel.