Literary Teacher Isekai

The world around Ashley warped as her small bat form flitted through the cave entrance, her awareness has never been this sharp before. The breeze whipped past her, the earth below an undulating blur of dark and light. She'd never experienced the world from this perspective before, and it was both exhilarating and terrifying.

The guards at the entrance were no more than silhouettes in the distance, their voices muffled and indistinct as they chatted amongst themselves. They didn't seem to notice the bat zipping past them, too focused on their idle banter.

"I know I can win against all three of them now judging from the previous brawl, I have leveled up too. But something feels off about them, it's as if... Nevermind, for now I've got other priorities," Ashley had to resist the urge to dive in headfirst. She had a job to do. She had to find Ethan, and she had to make sure she didn't get caught.

Ashley's new form was certainly a step up from anything she'd attempted before, but she still wasn't confident enough to barge in without a plan–not with all the guards roaming around the cave passageways. She is able to pinpoint their location thanks to her enhanced perception in her bat form.

She flitted around the cave passageways, making sure to keep her distance while she searched for any sign of Ethan's presence. The cave's interior was shadowy, the light dimming deeper she flew. Her perception, however, were getting sharper. She could hear faint murmurs of conversation echoing from the depths of the cave.

"He's been quiet for a while now. Should we check on him?"

"The lady said to leave him be and tend to our guard duty."

Ashley's wings beat faster as she made her way further into the cave. Her bat form gave her a speed and agility that her human form could never have matched, but it also meant she couldn't communicate with the others directly. She couldn't just ask for help. And with every passing minute, Ethan's situation felt more urgent.

The deeper she went, the more confined the cave became. The air grew musty, and the walls narrowed, pushing her towards a claustrophobic tunnel that led into an even darker part of the hideout. She paused for a moment to get her bearings. She had to figure out exactly where Ethan was before she could do anything reckless.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally located the professor. The sight of Ethan, shackled and unconscious, brought a rush of adrenaline to her veins.

Ethan was sprawled on the ground, his face bruised and battered, a cold steel collar around his neck. His hands were bound, his legs shackled, and his body looked limp and defeated. He wasn't the same man who'd made of her reading Alice in Wonderland. She has seen the professor down on his luck multiple times, but this unsightly vulnerability is on a league of its own.

Ashley's tiny bat body hovered near him, and as if on cue, her bat form diminishes turning her back into a human albeit her outfit is now clad in black, her skin pale, and a barely visible canine protruding her delicate lips. After a transformation, she'd usually have remnants manifesting in her human form until the alteration fully subsides (It happened so many times that Ashley has grown accustomed with it by now).

The chamber was eerily quiet, save for Ethan's shallow breaths.

"Ashley... I can't pay you yet, my salary was delayed," Ethan sleep talks while groaning in pain.

"Oh you sweet summer child," Ashley says as she gently wakes him up, "Professor..."

Ethan's eyes flutters as he begun to regain consciousness "Ashley?... Awww... My back hurts..."

"Were you dreaming of me, professor?" Ashley jests as she pulls out a health potion from her inventory and gives it to Ethan.

"You were nagging me in that dream."

"I guess I don't have to nag you anymore. We can talk as we head back, I have a lot of questions for you. But, first, we need to get you out of these runechanted collars. Problem is, I don't know how, this thing doesn't even have a keyhole," Ashley mutters as she inspects the constraints.

"You'll just have to decode it. It's simple really. Simpler than dispelling quillmancy..." Ethan replied as his physical condition slowly getting better because of the potion.

"How so? I thought decoding was Parallax's specialty?"

"Indeed, if a being who can do it naturally exists it stands to reason that the skill could be learned no? and I have an inkling on how to do it. It's just a theory though—a linguistic theory."

"Intriguing. Alright then Professor, teach it to me. I'll do it in your stead since you can't wield Quillmancy right now."

"By all means, you simply have to visualize writing the runes backwards."

"That's it?"

"Pretty much. Such is no easy task though, for many years our brain has become accustomed to writing forward. I haven't successfully done it, yet the fact that the runes reacted when I tried, posits that–" a click interrupts Ethan as he felt the sweet relief of his shackles falling off while the wellspring of his lexical reservoir begun flowing once more.

"You were saying?" Ashley smirks proudly.

"Such talent. I give you full marks for flexibility Ms. Briar!"

"You flatter me, professor. I'm just glad you're safe. Let's get of here."

"Of course. I almost forgot that I've been kidnapped."

After changing his battered outfit with fresh clothes from his inventory. Both of them decided it was time to make their escape.

"Take my hand, Professor. For now, you'll need to follow my lead."

The lingering presence of Ashley's bat form has its advantages and drawbacks. On one hand, the overwhelming urge to snack on any insects that fly too close is a constant distraction. On the other, the ability to use echolocation provides a significant advantage. This gift allows Ashley to navigate the darker stretches of the tunnel with ease, guiding them undetected past patrolling guards.

Ethan was insistent on avoiding confrontation. The death of Louie had left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he wasn't about to add more bloodshed to his conscience. He didn't want to kill the guards, who might simply be under the influence of Miss Trust's spells. Unlike creatures like goblins, who feasted on human flesh, Ethan had no desire to kill people—especially not those who had been manipulated.

Ashley compromised, instead, with her echolocation, she deduced that could find a cave wall that could lead them outside. After a few minutes of walking around, they finally found one. With the help of Lexicalibre, Ethan rewrites the patch of wall's attribute from solid to gas enabling them to easily pass through.

It took them about half a day of travel from the hideout back to the infirmary, it was already night time when they finally arrived. Ethan had filled in Ashley about the details of his confrontation and victory against Professor Ex as well as the accomplishment of being the first to finish the second objective of accumulating 3,500 gold coins.

As they were about to got closer to Cassius' assigned room in the infirmary, they noticed the door to be slightly ajar. An ominous feeling rushed over both of them as Ethan opened the door.

Ethan's heart pounded as he and Ashley stepped through the infirmary door. The dim light from the flickering candles barely illuminated the room, casting long, eerie shadows on the stone walls. His breath caught in his throat. The bed that once held Cassius was now occupied by someone far more dangerous—Miss Trust.

They had subscribed to the false sense of safety after just escaping from this villains' clutches. Now seeing Miss Trust here, made them feel that they have been dancing on her palms all this time. All that struggle, all that effort to escape, all for naught.

She sat languidly on the edge of the bed, a vision of seduction and cold malice. Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her lips curled into a sly smile. She was draped in a flowing, burgundy gown, the fabric clinging to her lithe form like a second skin. But it was her eyes—glittering with sharp, predatory intent—that held Ethan's gaze.

And nestled in her lap, unconscious and vulnerable, was Cassius.

"Oh my, oh my, the captured professor and the little winged stalker. I have been waiting," Miss Trust said while casting a meaningful glance at Ethan and Ashley who have the weapons at the ready.

Her delicate fingers gently stroking Cassius' vulnerable neck, Miss Trust's eyes flicked toward them, her smile widening as she saw the tension in Ethan's posture. She didn't need to say more—her presence alone conveyed a chilling message. If Ethan and Ashley didn't cooperate, she would end Cassius's life without a second thought. Ethan and Ashley could do nothing but comply.

"Both of you, sit. I've come to bargain."