Chapter 101

Early June.

Summer had arrived at Arsen Academy.

Perhaps it was because it was surrounded by tall mountains and dense forests, but Arsen’s summer was notoriously hotter than other places.

Is that why?

Every year at this time, students’ outfits become very thin and simple. Just look at the black-haired girl who just came out of the Magic Department Building.

“Ugh, finally done.”

The girl stretched with a grumpy face.

It was Noa. Instead of the fur coat she usually wore, she was now dressed in a white blouse and a deep blue long skirt.

At a glance, she looked refreshingly cool. However, there was someone dressed even cooler than Noa.

“It’s hot.”

The red-eyed barbarian chasing after her.

That was Ulan.

Even with his shirt off, he fanned himself constantly, as if he was still hot. Noa looked at him incredulously.

“You still think it’s hot?”

“I run a bit hot, you know.”

After his bold response, Ulan glanced at the Magic Department Building.

“But I’m glad everything was resolved smoothly.”

“Phew, true. We really survived.”

Noa also sighed in relief.

Ulan and Noa had come to the Magic Department Building for a reason. They were looking for a replacement lecture for the class they were originally taking, “Magic Detection.”

If someone were to ask why they were replacing a perfectly fine class, the answer lies in an incident that occurred about a month ago.

“When the Abyssal Rift opened.”

At that time, when they fought the Frost Dragon.

Because Professor Dirck, who taught “Magic Detection,” transformed into a monster and met his end.

After that, the Magic Department searched for a professor to take over the “Magic Detection” class, but no one wanted the job.

And as a result, the class was naturally canceled.

After that, students scattered to find replaceable lectures.

This was also true for Ulan and Noa, but after some twists and turns, they found a class they could take together, and they had just successfully enrolled.

“But it was a bit unexpected.”

“What was?”

“That lecture earlier. For someone who’s clueless about sorcerous knowledge, it could be quite confusing, but Ulan seemed to understand it surprisingly well.”

Noa said, sounding impressed.

The class that Ulan and Noa had just signed up for was called “Understanding of Ancient Sorcery.”

As a sorceress, it was natural for Noa to accept and understand the teachings. However, Ulan surprisingly appeared to follow the class well too.

So she spoke out of curiosity, but Ulan simply shook his head silently.

“I didn’t understand it at all.”

“Huh? But you were taking notes diligently?”

“That’s just for later when I ask you.”

Right after his calm answer, Noa awkwardly laughed.

Upon hearing Ulan’s words, she sensed once again that the path of hardship was about to begin.

“But it was a bit peculiar.”

“What was?”

“The letters looked like drawings.”

“Hmm, from a distance it kind of does. But as long as you memorize the characters, it’s pretty convenient to use.”

Unlike modern magic, which is translated into each country’s language, sorcery has its own unique character system.

So for someone like Ulan, who was completely clueless, it could easily be mistaken for drawings.

“The letters were also blue, which was surprising.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“The letters were blue…”

“The letters were white.”

“…What?”

“The blue was just the background.”

Ulan shut his mouth tight.

After a moment, he took out his notebook and opened the part he had written.

Noa, peering over, added in an awkward tone.

“Uh, well, if writing on the margins counts as a talent, then I guess it can be called a talent. Hahaha.”

“….”

Embarrassing silence lingered.

Ulan soon closed his notebook.

Then, in a slightly despondent voice, he briefly summarized his current predicament.

“I messed up.”

“W-Well, it’s okay! Even if you mess up the exam, as long as your attendance is good, they won’t give you an F grade!”

Noa added reassuringly.

This was a factual statement.

It was a privilege granted to all students who had taken Professor Dirck’s class.

Since they had their subject changed involuntarily, it was decided that if they maintained perfect attendance, they would not be given an F grade.

“Of course, Ulan, since you’ve received three warnings unrelated to exams, it’s basically the same as having one warning accumulated now, so you can’t be too relaxed.”

If someone receives more than three warnings, it’s treated the same as an academic probation. And Ulan, since enrolling until now, had received a total of three warnings.

The first warning was for causing a commotion at the entrance ceremony, creating numerous victims, the second for breaking the rules during the Selection Match and turning Himel Deorg into a blood pudding.

And the third warning… was about two weeks ago on a weekend.

Ulan had left the academy using his outing permission together with Ivella but didn’t return at the designated time and had even stayed out overnight without permission.

Of course, there was an unavoidable circumstance where carriage services were suspended due to a torrential downpour, but since he couldn’t prove it, he ended up getting a warning.

“It was really quite a ruckus.”

Especially Delia’s reaction was quite something.

Given the atmosphere at that time, it seemed like she would go head-to-head with Ivella, but fortunately, it was managed somehow.

As it became known that there were no particular incidents between the two. Ulan, who spoke in the name of a warrior, would surely be credible.

“But it’s a bit unexpected.”

Spending a night with Ivella?

If it were the Ulan from the original work, he would have already tried to take advantage of the situation. Originally, Ulan was a character who perfectly matched the saying “pouring charm on heroism.”

But who would have thought that nothing happened?

“Well, I guess this time it makes sense.”

Currently, Ulan, beside Noa, was far removed from his original settings.

Becoming a master at the age of seventeen and knowing about the Abyss and the Lord was something that didn’t exist in the original work.

“Though I’m looking into the reasons…”

So far, there haven’t been any significant leads.

Having spent a whole month living in the New Student Library, there was almost no information on “Abyss,” and none at all on the “Lord.”

Maybe he felt a sense of hopelessness?

Just as he let out a sigh inwardly, he suddenly saw a group of students rushing towards the Military Department Building. This revealed the reason for such a scene.

“Students from the Holy Nation have arrived!”

It was news that a student delegation had arrived from Eloden Academy, which had recently established a sisterhood agreement.

“What? From Eloden Academy?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Oh! And there was an incredibly beautiful girl!”

“Really? Who was it?”

“I don’t know who, but she had turquoise bobbed hair.”

As soon as the answer concluded, Ulan and Noa’s eyes lit up simultaneously.

With Eloden Academy, turquoise bobbed hair, and a beautiful face, there was only one character that came to mind immediately.

‘The Saintess, Laurea Ro Sharvel.’

One of the seven heroes.

The moment they recalled her, both turned without needing to say a word.

There was no need for dialogue. Just by looking into each other’s eyes, it was clear they were intrigued.

Thus, Ulan and Noa hurriedly followed the bustling students towards the Military Department.

Meanwhile, at a similar time…

The student delegation from Eloden Academy was being guided around the campus according to the previously agreed schedule.

“So that wraps up the main facilities of the General Studies Department. Next…”

The Arsen staff in charge of the tour.

The delegation following her was composed of thirty students in total, including ten first, second, and third-year students each.

The selection criteria differ by grade, but one common point exists—the students were promising enough to represent Eloden.

In simple terms, these were elites.

Perhaps because of this reason?

The Eloden representatives moved with stiff faces, practicing the principle of extreme restraint, which they considered a virtue.

They didn’t even glance sideways.

Of course, not everyone was like that.

“Wow, this is Arsen, just as I heard.”

“I felt it earlier, but this place is really vast.”

“It looks three or four times bigger than Eloden.”

These were first-year students from Eloden.

Still not familiar with the regulations, they curiously looked around Arsen.

At that moment…

Someone suddenly spoke up.

“…Who’s talking right now?”

A low, firm voice.

A gray-haired young man at the front.

His name was Teron Shulagen.

He was the Student Council President of Eloden and the de facto leader of this delegation.

“We are not here for leisure.”

Teron glared disapprovingly at the first-year students, then began chastising them.

“Remember why we are here and what our mission is.”

The purpose of the Eloden student delegation is linked to the divine revelation received by the Holy King last month. The message received was this.

“A fragment of the Abyss has leaked into the world beyond the cracks, the day the door opens is near. So gather the scattered stars, and become a lamp to illuminate the Abyss.”

The fragments of the Abyss that leaked into the world beyond the cracks were speculated to be the Abyssal Monsters rumored to have appeared from the Source of Magic about a month ago.

However, this remains a mere speculation.

Thus, the Eloden representatives arrived at Arsen under the pretense of an exchange event to turn these speculations into certainty.

In other words, the delegation’s objective was to investigate the precise interpretation of the revelation and gather information about the “Abyss” mentioned repeatedly in the past revelation.

‘With such a heavy responsibility on our shoulders…’

To be wandering around with curious expressions as if they had come on a trip? No matter how you looked at it, even first-year students should have acted more sensibly.

Thus, Teron frowned.

He then pointed directly to the front.

“Everyone look at Lady Laurea!”

The shout echoed loudly.

Everyone’s gaze turned towards the girl at the front. A bobbed hairstyle girl walking with a somewhat demure demeanor amid the commotion.

Laurea Ro Sharvel.

She was well-known as the next Saintess of the Holy Nation and was currently the most noteworthy figure at Eloden Academy.

Perhaps for that reason, Teron’s eyes quickly filled with admiration and adoration.

“Look at how she walks, with her eyes only on the mission, with no distractions! See that sacred demeanor in pursuit of her only purpose.”

His passionate voice proclaiming faith seemed akin to that of a fanatic. However, the Eloden representatives accepted it naturally.

“This is an attitude we must surely learn. So do not lose focus and, following Lady Laurea, maintain a pious mindset.”

Teron clasped his hands as if in prayer.

Then, together with his classmates, as well as second and first-year students, they folded their hands in reverence.

Conversely, there was an exception.

Right next to Laurea, a young man with deep blue hair walked alongside her.

“Lady Laurea.”

A first-year student from Eloden, looking emotional, glanced at Teron, who was praying reverently, and once again addressed Laurea.

“I think the student council president is seriously mistaken about you. Wouldn’t it be better to tell him the truth?”

However, there was no reply.

So the young man whispered again.

“Actually, I overindulged yesterday and have a hangover, so if I turn my head too quickly, I might throw up, so I think it might be better for your conscience to just say…”

“…Ian.”

Laurea’s lips moved.

With her sweet voice spilling out, soon after, she gently frowned her beautiful brows.

If one glanced at her, it seemed she was frowning, but that in itself was astonishingly beautiful. Although what followed next was not beautiful at all.

“Shut up. You’re making my head throb.”

A harsh phrase that sounded almost unbelievable to come from the lips of the next Saintess. However, Ian showed no signs of surprise. Rather, he shrugged his shoulders as if accustomed to this behavior.

It was at that moment.

“Ian Marcus.”

Someone called out the young man’s name.

It was Teron, who had just been praying with a serious demeanor.

“Your role here is paramount. The Rubens Empire is not the only ally we have at Arsen Academy.”

The Holy Nation had many enemies.

For instance, the Rakerta Kingdom was the one with whom they had the worst relations. And there were several nobles from Rakerta at Arsen.

In other words, it meant a high possibility of unnecessary friction or conflicts arising.

“So ensure Lady Laurea’s safety. You’re the only one I can trust in case anything happens.”

“Yeah, well…”

Ian made a nonchalant face.

“I was paid, so I’ll do my job properly. Of course, if a bigger problem arises than the reward, then things will be different.”

As soon as Ian’s response finished, most of the other students frowned.

“Tsk, it’s hard to believe he’s a candidate for the Knight.”

“His vulgar nature doesn’t seem to change.”

“No matter how good he is, why is such a rogue in charge of guarding Lady Laurea?”

All kinds of criticism and negative comments flowed.

In contrast, Ian, as if it was nothing, just kept smiling brightly.

Then, as they walked again…

A large crowd of Arsen students trailed behind the delegation.

They watched the Eloden representative group from a distance with an expression of curiosity, most of their attention directed at Laurea.

“Ignore them. They’re just ordinary spectators.”

Teron said calmly.

As per his request, the Eloden delegation paid no mind to the Arsen students.

But at that moment…

Suddenly, Ian’s face stiffened.

“…?!”

Simultaneously, Ian gripped his sword hilt.

This happened right after something in the crowd met his gaze.

“…Saintess.”

His expression, which had never been serious before, suddenly turned grave.

With his hand still on the sword hilt, Ian spoke in a tense voice.

“Do not stray from my side.”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“There’s a monster.”

“A monster?”

Laurea frowned.

Whether it was the sudden statement or the hangover he mentioned earlier, she seemed perplexed.

Her bright yellow eyes soon moved.

In the direction Ian’s gaze was directed.

A little while later…

“Ah, I see.”

Laurea’s eyes dimmed.

She seemed to realize what Ian meant by “monster.”

“Indeed, it is a monster.”

“Right?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen something like that.”

“I’ve seen it often.”

“What? Seriously? Where?”

She asked back, surprised.

Ian answered calmly.

“At the Knight Training Center. They’re not common, but some of the instructors there have muscles like that.”

As soon as his answer finished, Laurea made a strange expression. Ian, noticing the confusion, asked curiously.

“Huh? What’s the matter?”

“It seems that you and I have different definitions of what a monster is.”

“Huh? Meaning…?”

“The monster I was referring to is that exhibitionist beside us.”

Laurea pointed in a direction.

In that direction stood the black-haired girl.

That was Noa Darshen.