NABC Chapter 209 Instructor Noah Ashbourne [1]
Chapter 209 Instructor Noah Ashbourne [1]
Noah Ashbourne stood outside the door to Class 1A.
His gloved hand resting lightly on the doorknob.
His expression was neutral, but the weight of his thoughts bore heavily on his mind.
"Of all the first-year classes... why this one?"
He muttered under his breath, casting a glance at the nameplate on the door.
Class 1A wasn't just any class.
It was where the academy's most exceptional—and troublesome—students resided.
This was the class of key figures in the academy's story.
The ones who would shape its future in ways both grand and catastrophic.
The Princess of empire, Elara, sat here—
The enigmatic prodigy whose very presence could turn the tide of any conflict.
Then there was Iris Star, known for her unparalleled talent in elemental magic.
And those two weren't even the full roster of the walking headaches he'd now have to manage.
He adjusted his clothing with a sigh.
His fingers brushing down the length of his black blazer.
Gone were the days of his school uniform.
As an acting instructor, he now donned a more formal ensemble.
A black shirt tucked into tailored black pants, a long black blazer that swept behind him, a pristine white tie knotted at his throat, and immaculate white gloves to match.
His polished boots clicked faintly on the marble floor as he shifted his weight.
Noah glanced at his reflection in the glass of the nearby window and pushed back his hair with a hand, ensuring he looked composed.
Breathing deeply, he exhaled and muttered to himself.
"Alright. Let's get this over with."
When Noah opened the door, the room was filled with the typical chaos of first-year students.
Some were chatting animatedly, others bickering, and a few were scribbling notes on scraps of paper.
The moment he stepped inside, however, the noise didn't cease.
Noah closed the door with a loud thud and stood at the front of the room, his arms crossed over his chest.
Slowly, he surveyed the room, his sharp gaze sweeping over the students.
"Silence."
He said, his voice calm but carrying an edge that immediately demanded attention.
The room quieted, the chatter dying out as the students turned their attention to him.
Noah took a step forward.
His boots clicking on the tiled floor, and let the weight of his presence settle over the room.
"Most of you know me as a second-year senior.
But for the foreseeable future, I will also be your acting instructor for Class 1A until the academy finds a suitable replacement.
Any questions?"
The silence was interrupted by a low murmur among the students.
"Isn't he the one who got cursed by one of the Sins?"
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A voice whispered from the back.
"He has a temper. We're screwed..."
Another said.
"I heard he snaps over the smallest things," someone else chimed in.
Noah's lips twitched into a faint smirk, but he didn't address the comments.
He allowed them to talk for a moment longer before clearing his throat loudly.
I've seen teams fall apart because they didn't know how to work together.
And I've seen what happens when mabeasts are underestimated.
Trust me, it's not pretty."
Moving to the next diagram, Noah tapped the chalk against a series of stick figures arranged in a wedge formation.
"Attack formations.
I'm not expecting all of you to be warriors, but if you're going to survive, you need to know how to fight as a unit.
The wedge formation is the simplest and most effective for beginners.
The strongest member takes the point, with the others fanning out behind them.
This allows you to focus your attacks while protecting your flanks."
He drew another formation, this time a circle.
"If you're surrounded, form a defensive circle.
Shields on the outside, ranged attackers and mages in the center.
This minimizes your vulnerabilities and gives you a fighting chance."
Noah's gaze swept over the class, landing briefly on Iris Star, who was watching him with an infuriatingly amused smile, her hands resting on her cheeks.
He cursed under his breath, quickly shifting his focus back to the board.
After nearly an hour of lecturing, Noah set the marker down and turned to face the class.
"Everything I've told you today will be tested during the mid-terms.
Ignore it at your own peril.
Survival isn't about being the strongest or the smartest—it's about preparation and adaptability.
The wild doesn't care who you are or where you come from. It's kill or be killed."
The room was silent as his words sank in.
Noah crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "Any questions?"
The students exchanged nervous glances, but no one spoke up.
***
The room was small yet immaculate.
Its elegance hinting at the meticulous nature of its owner.
Soft light filtered through sheer curtains, casting a golden hue over the polished oak furniture and the array of neatly arranged trinkets that adorned the shelves.
The scent of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of lavender from a vase of fresh flowers on the windowsill.
At the center of the room sat a woman with an air of quiet authority.
Her long black hair cascaded down her back.
The strands shimmering like obsidian under the soft light.
Her striking yellow eyes seemed to glow, a sharp contrast to the delicate porcelain teacup resting on the small round table before her.
The open envelope lay beside the cup, its contents now in her hands.
She scanned the document with a calm intensity.
Her expression unreadable but for a faint curve at the corner of her lips.
After a moment, she set the paper down carefully, as though it carried the weight of significance.
Picking up the teacup, she brought it to her lips and took a measured sip.
Her voice, smooth and laced with intrigue, broke the silence.
"...So he's not dead as they claimed..."
She set the cup back on its saucer with a soft clink.
Her gaze shifting to the window where the setting sun painted the horizon in shades of amber and crimson.
"How wonderful..."
"This is truly wonderful..."
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