Classroom of the Elite: Monster Academy

Vol. 2 Chapter 4.1 - Reunion of the Unmended Hearts

The air trembled in the enclosed space.

Chabashira swung her staff ferociously, her face contorting in a manner not normally expected of her. With each swing, past memories would flood her senses—regret, guilt, anger—memories she should have cast aside. Yet, she clung to them; her anchor that keeps her in this world, her reason.

Sweat beaded her skin, tracing lines on her face before flying off with each movement. Each drop fell to the worn floor of her private training room, shattering like glass.

Around her, countless weapons lay scattered: sword, spear, halberd, dagger, whip, claymore, and more. Including the staff in her hands, there were thirteen in total. To say that she had mastered each one wouldn't be so implausible. However, it wasn't because she wanted to, or needed to. It was what was expected of her.

And yet, despite all her capabilities, Chabashira still lives with regret. A scar that can never be healed.

A knock from the metallic door made her pause. Heaving, she clutched at her shirt to wipe sweat off her face.

"How scary," said Hoshinomiya, leaning against the door frame. "Try not to show that look in front of your students, okay?"

Chabashira shot her a sharp glance. "What do you want?" Despite heaving from the intensity of her training, her voice betrayed no sign of exhaustion.

"Nothing. Just checking on you," she replied casually, something that Chabashira found irritating.

With a sigh, she stabbed the staff to the floor, embedding it deep into the cracks. She noted the absence of the distinct smell of alcohol from Hoshinomiya—an uncommon sight—and suspected another motive. I don't want to hear any of it, Chabashira thought and ignored Hoshinomiya. She reached for a nearby sword, her movements deliberate and defiant. Her grip on the hilt was firm and she swung into the air, resuming her training.

Hoshinomiya lingered, unfazed by Chabashira's dismissiveness. "Mama Enma was here yesterday," she said.

I knew it.

"Why didn't you see her?" she continued. "She was looking for you."

"Stop lying," Chabashira snapped, her sword slicing through the air, its sharp sound echoing in the room. "She hates me."

I doubt she'd even want to see my face...

"You don't know that!" Hoshinomiya hissed, her tone shifting from casual to annoyance. Having been her friend since they were students, she should have already been used to Chabashira's stubbornness. She was, but this time, Chabashira had simply gone too far.

It has been three years since they were expelled from the inner court. She had her own gripes about the matter, but it was worse for her stubborn friend.

Enma and Chabashira...they parted in anger.

They were master and student. Her talent, drive, character, and the strength to back it all up. Those qualities made Chabashira exceptional and captured the eye of the apostle Enma. She trained her, guided her, made her reach the heights she would have never achieved on her own. Enma was considered a mother to all, but it was more to Chabashira. Family, that was the bond they had formed.

But Chabashira was as expressionless as she was emotional. People, no matter how rational they may appear, there will be certain moments in which they would falter and allow their emotions to take over. Chabashira was no exception.

Enma had warned her so many times, don't go, she said on one stormy day. But Chabashira paid no heed. No words could reach her. Such is the power of emotions.