Chapter 58 – When Riding Lessons Clash with a Period (Part 1)
“Look what Vanessa brought today—does she want to kill us or what…”
“God, who can handle this?”
...
During a required course, the new students of Wode Academy were gathered on the plaza, beginning to complain.
Standing across from them was the tall Vanessa.
She wore a mischievous smile, and behind her stood a horse with turquoise skin… no, to be precise, it was a unicorn.
It had a golden horn on its head, and its physique was bulkier than most horses. Its turquoise hide was clad with light armor, and the armor was adorned with the four-leaf clover symbol of the Aarlan Empire.
“This Goldenhorn Beast has actually seen real combat on the battlefield!”
Vanessa shouted at the new students, “Each of you must try to ride it today! No exceptions!
Learning riding skills is a basic requirement for a warrior. If you can’t even handle this, I’ll regret issuing you exam badges from the academy.”
“Whoa!”
Her words sent a wave of commotion through the crowd.
They all knew what a Goldenhorn Beast was, and they understood this wasn’t a creature just anyone could handle.
Even a minor annoyance to it could get you thrown off its back—or worse, kicked hard by its hind legs.
And if things really went wrong, that golden horn on its head could leave someone permanently crippled.
This was a battlefield beast—completely different from the horses used by caravans.
Looking at the Goldenhorn Beast in the plaza, everyone trembled.
They knew full well that at their current level, there was no way they could control it. Just standing next to it could be dangerous!
“Damn, I already regret enrolling this year. If I had signed up later, I could’ve avoided having Vanessa as an instructor.”
“Ha… Vanessa is a Saint-rank Powerhouse. She saved countless lives on the frontlines against non-human species. She’s worshiped by many. We just didn’t expect that someone so powerful would be so strict with students…”
“You’re right. We’re screwed today.”
...
While the freshmen whispered among themselves, none of them noticed—
Hiding at the back of the crowd was a petite figure with grayish-white hair.
Her thin legs were pressed together in an awkward X-shape, her tiny frame trembling.
But her shaking wasn’t from fear of the Goldenhorn Beast brought by Vanessa—it was because her period had started...
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!
Ah—! I’m going to die!
Erika huddled at the back of the group, completely losing it in her mind.
She never imagined she’d actually get a period!
Are you kidding me?! Sure, I’m a girl, but I was only born recently!
And I’m a dragon!
Do dragons even have periods???
This is ridiculous!
Frustrated beyond belief, Erika lowered her head, her flushed face taut with pain.
She bit down hard, clenching her legs together as tightly as possible, afraid the warm flow below would breach her underwear’s defense.
Aren’t girls supposed to feel it coming?
Why so sudden?!
Erika couldn’t understand. This was her first time dealing with it, and she had even eaten five buns before coming to the academy that morning.
Her red eyes darted around, hoping for help.
If she bled out in front of all these people, how embarrassing would that be?
She might as well never show her face at Wode Academy again...
She was panicking.
If it were a normal day, she might’ve gone to Isana for help—Isana was the only one she knew well at the academy.
But of all days, Isana skipped class today!
She was doomed. She couldn’t go tell Vanessa, “Hey, I’m on my period,” could she?
No way!
Just imagining that scene made Erika want to crawl into a hole.
She’d have to hold it in...
Please let this stupid class end quickly!
“Thud!”
Just then, the first student called out by Vanessa went flying through the air.
Why?
Obviously, the Goldenhorn Beast had kicked him.
The student spun several times mid-air before landing flat on his butt, sprawled on the ground like a dead dog...
“Get up! Don’t play dead!”
Vanessa barked coldly. She glanced at him. “This Goldenhorn Beast may be short-tempered, but it has a sense of awareness. It won’t seriously hurt you—at most, you’ll be bedridden for a few days.”
Bedridden… for a few days?
At that, everyone present gulped nervously.
“Let’s see… who’s next.”
Vanessa’s eyes swept the crowd.
Everyone immediately lowered their heads, silently praying to the Gods not to be chosen.
“You!
Yeah, you! Don’t play dumb!
Step forward!”
She called someone out. “Come over and have some fun with the Goldenhorn Beast.”
“V-Vanessa, ma’am… my stomach hurts…”
“Step forward! No one escapes today. You had your free time earlier. If your stomach hurts, then soil your pants for all I care!”
Vanessa showed no mercy, and her strictness left the crowd speechless.
Not even allowed to use the bathroom...
Erika, face scrunched up like a bitter melon, glanced at Vanessa. All she wanted now was to hide in a bathroom and never come out.
The guy who got picked had no choice but to drag himself over to the beast.
He wore a Mithril-grade badge on his chest—above average among the freshmen.
He began to channel his magic, attempting to tame the Goldenhorn Beast with it.
“Hey buddy, let’s get along, yeah? Let me have a little ride...”
Bang!
Before he could finish, the Goldenhorn Beast lifted a hind leg and kicked him square in the stomach.
He met the same fate as the last student.
The plaza fell silent again...
“Another failure. Moving on!”
Vanessa’s eyes continued scanning. “Heh, this time I’m picking someone who likes hiding in the back.”
Her eyes landed on Erika.
Everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.
They all turned to look at Erika.
Feeling all those eyes on her, Erika tensed—and immediately felt a hot rush down below.
AH—!
I’m doomed!!!
Frantically clenching her legs tighter, Erika trembled violently.
She buried her head lower, mentally screaming.
“Stop pretending, Erika!”
Vanessa squinted at her. “No one gets out of riding class. It’s just a matter of time. Once you’re done, you’re free to leave.”
“I… I can’t…”
A soft, trembling voice escaped Erika’s lips, her body shaking even harder.
Everyone stared at her sympathetically.
Was she scared?
She really didn’t seem suited for this sort of training. Someone like her should probably focus on magic instead… Vanessa’s class might be too much for her...