[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy":3,"chapter-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-176":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1027232,1339,"Chapter 176: Silverleaf Academy (XXIV)","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-176",176,"\u003Cp>With the shopping done, we stepped back out into the late afternoon sun, which was already starting to dip low in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella stretched with a soft sigh, fanning her head with her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ice cream,\" she mumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned, her silver hair catching the light like strands of moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression was almost pouty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said… I want ice cream.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You're not even being subtle about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't want to be,\" she said, lifting her chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm on a date. I deserve to be spoiled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled under my breath, glancing toward the nearby food stalls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's a place near the fountain. Let's go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mhm!\" she subtly nodded, quickly grabbing my hand and interlacing her fingers with mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, she wasn't as shy as before, instead, she acted like we did this every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked cute nonetheless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reaching the stall near the fountain, the old man who ran the place smiled warmly at the sight of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome, welcome!\" he said, peering over the top of his glasses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A couple, are we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella flushed red immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-We're not—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ah... I guess she's still shy when someone directly addresses our relationship.' I smiled inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...If I'm not wrong, I saw Ella eating a strawberry ice cream back in the capital...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that in mind, I leaned on the counter, glancing over the list for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two cones. One strawberry, and one vanilla.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oho~ someone knows what the lady likes,\" the man teased, chuckling as he prepared them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm quite observant,\" I said smoothly, glancing at Ella.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She avoided my gaze, pretending to study the flower cart across the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the old man handed me the cones, he winked. \"She's a lovely one. You take good care of her, boy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'....Ugh.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I plan to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella looked like she was about to explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after, we found a bench a short walk away, nestled beside a quiet tree-lined path with the lake barely visible through the leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I handed her the pink cone, and she took it with a small, shy nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Thank you,\" she mumbled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sat beside her, unwrapping the napkin from mine and taking a slow bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She watched me from the corner of her eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You act like you're in some dessert commercial.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm appreciating it. Isn't that what people on dates do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She puffed her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're teasing me again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Always.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took her first bite—and immediately, a soft dab of ice cream clung to the edge of her lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head, grinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Messy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she could react, I reached over and gently wiped it off with my thumb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There. Now you don't look like a child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella stared at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You're evil.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blush crept up to her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Gosh, she easily gets flustered.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only when I'm having fun,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We kept eating in silence for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella swung her legs a little, like she didn't know what to do with her energy. Her eyes kept glancing up at me, then down to her ice cream, then back to me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You really like ice cream, huh?\" I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave a small, sheepish smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm. It's sweet. Makes me forget stuff for a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, I stood up, brushing my new shirt with a small sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's getting late,\" I said gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes turned directly to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could easily see the disappointment on them. But unfortunately, it was already getting late, and I still wanted to enjoy a bit of time with my family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And also check on the progress of Ruli and Leaf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rose, her hands still wrapped around the now half-melted cone, and turned to face me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We looked at each other for a long moment as her green eyes slightly lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slipped my hands into my pockets, offering her a small smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guess this is goodbye… for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella's fingers curled tighter around the napkin, her voice was barely a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-Yeah…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheeks were tinged pink, and her lips parted like she wanted to say something more—but she bit her lower lip instead, uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That look…'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed, my lips curving into a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"C'mere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh—?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No rush, just enough to let her decide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned in, her body fitting against mine like she'd done it a hundred times in her dreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one hand, I gently cupped the back of her head, fingers brushing through the soft curtain of her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, I dipped down and kissed her—softly—on her forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breath hitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll see you tomorrow, Princess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella didn't answer at first. She just… leaned her forehead against my chest, as if trying to memorize the feeling of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, finally, she mumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Okay…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creeack...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hotel door clicked open with a quiet creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't even get to take a proper step in—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SPLAT!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"GUHH—?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, something cold, gooey, and very much alive launched at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of soft texture and wet slime hit my chest and wrapped around my arm, followed by something even softer—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two voices rang out, sweet and far too excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One squishy, glowy, and giggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other warm, gentle… and currently clinging to my side like a kitten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lumi... and Chaerin.\" I staggered back a step, arms full of glowing blue jelly and a very enthusiastic black haired girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chaerin giggled, her ears twitching, face snuggled against my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumi, meanwhile, had molded her gooey form over half of me, her glowing eyes shimmering with mischief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Was this your idea?\" I raised an eyebrow down at the grinning blob now hugging my neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumi beamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hihihi~ well, of course! I mean, we haven't seen you all day, Master Aestrea! That's basically a war crime!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were only alone for, what, five hours?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly! Torture!\" she puffed her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chaerin giggled softly, still not letting go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I missed you too...\" she whispered, hugging me tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed, though there was the faintest smile tugging at my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You two are going to kill me one day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only with love~!\" Lumi chimed, wrapping herself tighter around me like a clingy scarf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled at her words, patting slightly her goomy head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, I peeled Lumi off my chest—and off my shoulder, and off my arm—I finally managed to slip past the threshold of the hotel room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chaerin was still latched onto me like a koala, humming happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had something to check first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alaine,\" I called out softly as I walked toward the quieter room at the end of the suite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle rustle answered me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, the door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore her usual black and white maid uniform, pristine and formal, though her eyes softened immediately when she saw me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Lord,\" she curtsied lightly, then stepped closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strangely, since yesterday, she started calling me, \"My Lord\", which I didn't exactly mind, but it felt strange nonetheless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached out and gently took her hand, bringing it to my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheeks flushed the lightest pink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have was your day? I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. But I did miss you… terribly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm home now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one last squeeze of her fingers, I pulled away and returned to the main room, where Chaerin was now bouncing on the couch like an excited bunny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She perked up the moment I turned to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" I said, leaning against the armrest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How's Ruli and Leaf's training going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chaerin puffed her chest proudly, her ears twitching excitedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Papa! They've officially hit E-rank in strength and vitality! And their Agility's D+ now!\" she grinned. \"Their mana's also up to D-, but! They've already mastered all the basic provisional spells you gave them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused for a moment, absorbing the info.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, I frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…That fast, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, something tugged at the back of my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lit-up light bulb appeared on top of my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Methaphorically speaking, of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chaerin,\" I said slowly, narrowing my eyes with a playful glint, \"you can copy spells just by watching them… right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked, tilting her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yup?\" she said, clearly confused by where I was going with this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then it's simple. Just watch YouTube videos of lightning and water spells—copy them—and teach them to Ruli and Leaf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a second of stunned silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>POP!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lit up like exploding fireworks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"PAPA, YOU'RE A GENIUS!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without even waiting for another word, she spun around like a whirlwind and launched herself straight toward the training room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slime trail whizzed behind her—Lumi had attached herself to her back like a backpack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"LEEEEAAAFFF!! RULIIIIIII!!! TRAINING UPDATE!!\" she cried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed, rubbing my temple with a wry smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…That girl's got enough energy to power a country.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alaine stepped beside me, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she wrapped her delicate arm around me, putting her head on top of my right shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She takes after you, no doubt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She's not even my child, but I'm also starting to think that she does.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mhm...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Saturday, I should spend more time with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe another little family trip. Besides, the rift to Yara's home is almost completed, so I should also visit her when it's done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have time for all of that.\u003C\u002Fp>",1583,"2026-06-03T09:18:17.304Z","2026-06-03T09:18:22.612Z",1,"novelbin.me","ac170c6971cdae3c9fe8d41c5b88715a685413844998ab37ca33df31ea82185f","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-177","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-175",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-cover.jpg"]