Finding Stardust

Everyone in Emma's class shrugged and looked at each other in puzzlement. They did not know that this forest could not be entered. During yesterday's introduction session, Dean Anrankin didn't say anything about it.

"In this forest, we have many wild animals that live in their natural habitat. If you pass the hill behind it, there is another, bigger forest, called Foxvil Forest. There are animals there that are not from Akkadia. Some were brought in from other kingdoms, and some were brought in from other planets," Akane explained.

Her partner, a serious-looking male student, named Arlan, also added. "The space exploration team always needs a formidable mage to take part in their expeditions. If you are used to facing various natural conditions and handle all kinds of life forms, you will be very useful in exploring new planets."

There were excited shrieks from among the students. The Ministry of Space Exploration was one of the most respected ministries in Akkadia.

Whoever managed to enter there would be guaranteed for life because the salary was really good. They would also have the opportunity to adventure, see the outside world. For long-term exploration, they were also allowed to bring their families.

Some famous explorers and scientists even made it into history as discoverers of new habitable planets. One of them was Professor Daneria, whose name was immortalized as the name of the planet he discovered.

Who wouldn't want to be immortal in this world?

That thought made the students feel excited about completing their education at the Mage Academy. After graduating from this academy, some would go straight to work in their respective fields. Some could continue their education to university to explore more specific fields of knowledge.

You could say Mage Academy was similar to a prep school for higher education. They would learn everything they needed to train their powers, as well as learn the science needed to continue their education to university to become masters or doctorates.

"Akane .. why can't we explore this forest?" asked Miri suddenly. "I heard from the seniors at breakfast today that this forest was previously allowed for all students to enter. Did something happen recently that cause this?"

Emma believed that the ban on entering the forest was only issued after Marlowe found Lyra attacked. The school wanted to make sure first-year students who were mostly weak mages on the lower-leves, were not put into danger by roaming in the forest.

Akane just shook her head at Miri's question. "I also don't know the reason. Maybe the school is doing some experiments in the forest, so you can't go in yet."

Even if Emma knew what really happened, she would not be pretentious and tell her classmates what she had heard from Marlowe.

Ahh, by the way, what exactly happened in this forest? Why did a stranger get in here and hurt Lyra? Was the culprit not a stranger but a student? Why was there no camera recording the crime?

She had to tell Therius what had happened so that her husband would find out that the academy was not safe and put in better protection. Emma didn't want her husband to worry about her safety if he found out from other sources.

"Alright .. that was our academy tour this morning. Now all of you can have lunch and relax. We will meet again in the afternoon for an introduction to the student council and talk about our extracurricular activities throughout the next year," said Arlan closing their orientation activity that afternoon.

"Thank you for the tour, Seniors," said Miri with a respectful bow. She then pointed to the path opposite from the dormitory. "Where does that path lead to?"

Akane and Arlan simultaneously turned in the direction Miri was pointing. Akane's face suddenly beamed. She smiled happily and raised her eyebrows. 

"That's a veterinary clinic, as well as where our Beast Teacher lives." She ignored Arlan, who rolled his eyes at her words. Akane continued talking to the juniors in a conspiring tone. "Do you want to go there?"

Emma wanted to laugh to herself. It seemed that Akane was also a fan of Marlowe, and she was happy to make this school tour an opportunity to pass through Marlowe's front door.

"Yes, please... !!" said the fourteen girls in their group, except for Emma. Meanwhile, the 10 male students joined in, rolling their eyes like Arlan.

"All right, if you guys insist," Akane said. She then walked ahead of them. 

"Come on, follow me!"

The fifteen girls happily walked together along the path to pass Marlowe's hut and hoped the sexy teacher was outside so they could see him.

It's a shame that their lessons with the Beast Teacher wouldn't start until next week. So, they won't see him at school except by chance, if they were lucky.

Emma was forced to follow in their happy footsteps with the 11 boys who walked behind them halfheartedly.

TAK

TAK

"Ahhh...!"

"That's him..."

"So hot..."

Emma, ​​who was admiring the various plants she saw along the path to her left and right, was startled when she heard the muffled shrieks of her classmates in front.

What's going on? she thought in surprise.

Emma hurriedly walked through the crowd of girls to see what made them react that way.

Uff ... Emma rolled her eyes and let out an irritated sigh.

Marlowe... Really?

She immediately saw what was the source of the commotion. Marlowe was chopping wood with an ax in front of his hut. His bare-chested body was glistening with sweat sparkling under the sun. 

He did not care at all about the presence of 27 students in front of his hut. To him, they were like air.