The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Pretentious Beast and Instructor Zeke

Kane, Sabel, and Vesper spent the remainder of their free period scouring the academy grounds for their new combat instructor, dragging Aisha along with them the entire time.

They checked the training fields first, then the faculty offices, the restrooms, the cafeteria, and even the corridor outside the dean’s office where instructors occasionally lingered to submit paperwork.

Yet, he was nowhere to be found.

"Maybe he has already left the academy," Sabel noted, scanning the deserted hallway one last time.

Vesper kicked at the ground as if sending an imaginary stone flying. "Fantastic. We wasted an entire afternoon for absolutely nothing."

By the time the bell rang to signal the end of the day, loose clusters of students were already streaming out of the academic buildings, chattering excitedly about their weekend plans. Still, there was no sign of their new instructor.

Kane rubbed the back of his neck, exhaustion evident in his voice. "Let’s just try again tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?!" Vesper groaned loudly. "The duel is barely a week away!"

"And tomorrow is the weekend," Sabel reminded him. "Unless you plan on breaking into the faculty dormitory..."

Vesper opened his mouth, highly likely to agree to that exact reckless proposal, but Kane cut him off before the words could fully form.

"Don’t be foolish. Forget the match; we’ll end up getting a prison sentence on top of a forced expulsion."

Kane refused to let his companions court disaster again, especially when they were already walking on a tightrope over the expulsion.

Having no other choice, they decided to give up the search for the day and regroup later.

Vesper, whose foul moods never lasted long, immediately pivoted to a different idea. "Since we have nothing else to do, let’s go check out the new arcade near the commercial plaza. I heard they just installed a new combat simulator pod."

The combat simulator pod was currently one of the most popular attractions among the students. Unlike the past, when such advanced tech was strictly restricted to military training, students could now access them without a special permit. All it required was a verified identity registration as Sentinel or a Guide.

Sabel agreed instantly. "Count me in."

Kane naturally had no intentions of staying behind while the other two went.

The trio then turned their gazes toward Aisha, waiting for her decision.

Aisha was just about to agree--after all, she had no particular reason to refuse, and returning to the villa early held no appeal--when a sudden realization snagged the back of her mind. A subtle nagging sense of emptiness washed over her, like a missing weight against her collarbone.

Her body froze for a brief second. As she rapidly retraced her steps throughout the day, it finally clicked.

The furry little beast she had tucked securely into her collar that morning was completely gone.

She hadn’t felt it slip away, nor had it made a single sound. It had simply vanished into thin air sometime between her classes. What made matters worse was that it had taken her own spiritual beast along with it.

But why hadn’t Nibbles stayed behind?

She had no idea where either of them had gone, only a vague, uneasy thought that the massive spiritual beast might have wandered back to wherever it came from.

But if it had, why hadn’t Nibbles stayed behind?

As she debated whether to voice her concerns, a sudden flicker caught the corner of her eye. A thin trail of pale green light was curling along the base of a nearby wall, slipping entirely out of sight just around the corner.

Aisha’s gaze sharpened instantly.

"Actually," she spoke up, cleanly interrupting whatever praise Vesper was currently singing about the arcade. "I have something urgent to take care of first. Go on ahead without me."

Vesper blinked in surprise. "Wait, seriously? You’re bailing on us just like that?"

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