A bothersome presence caught in my aura made me frown.
Why didn’t I think of this earlier?
I’m pretty sure this place is, no, it’s definitely a fictional world combined with a fantasy academy.
And, following the usual script, Nameless, the Hero, and the Saint would be living together as students here.
In the midst of that, someone as distinctive as Camilla comes here as a visiting teacher?
“…That means an incident is definitely gonna happen.”
I grabbed my throbbing head and sighed deeply.
“Nameless.”
“Yes, Master.”
Nameless, who had been messing with my hair, looked up at my call.
…Since when were you touching my hair?
Smirking slightly, I reached out and stroked Nameless’s cheek while I spoke.
“Suddenly, I feel like eating strawberries.”
“…Strawberries, you say?”
Nameless tilted their head in confusion, and I nodded.
“Aren’t there still plenty left?”
…Was there?
Rolling my eyes to find a plausible answer, I pinched Nameless’s cheek and continued.
“Hmm, I’m really curious about what strawberries sold in the capital taste like.”
“Yes, then I’ll go to the market.”
“Thanks a lot.”
Slowly rising, I freed myself from Nameless’s embrace.
Once Nameless confirmed I was completely detached, they finally stood up and started packing their things.
“Anna will be waiting in the room, so take your time.”
“Yes, Master.”
Nameless bowed slightly and slowly moved away, and once they completely disappeared from view, I tilted my head.
…Shall I go?
Now that there are strange parasites in Nameless’s heart, I have no idea what they might like, so it’s better if Nameless doesn’t utilize their body.
“Ugh, how bothersome.”
I picked up a wooden sword to chase away that ominous intruder.
I slowly moved closer to them.
Having fallen into this place, took Nameless as my disciple, and met the Hero, the Saint, and Camilla, many things must have changed.
And indeed, they have changed.
The ones who should have been at the academy, involved in some incident, are not here now.
So, can this academy resolve that incident?
I really don’t know.
Logically thinking, it should be able to handle it.
After all, this is an academy.
It’s a place where there are many masters who have reached the level to teach others in their respective fields, and the headmistress, Anna, isn’t half bad either, right?
But…
If it fails to resolve it, isn’t that my fault?
“Hmph, a tough problem indeed.”
I know I’m not very smart, so I prefer simple, reckless methods.
If I chase that guy away before he arrives at the academy, wouldn’t everything be fine?
Alright.
With my goal set, my steps became lighter.
I approached that guy with a pleasant smile.
Then suddenly, a thought popped into my head, and I stopped.
…If the root cause of the incident is someone from the Demon King’s side that Lili belongs to, wouldn’t I be stopping the very thing I shouldn’t?
“Ugh.”
I don’t know anymore.
It feels like a once clear goal has vanished.
That good feeling plunges back down into the abyss.
Pouting my lips, I continued on my way.
*
In the back mountains of Royce Academy,
There lies the owner of the ominous energy that Cheon Ha-rang felt.
“…So Iron Blood is here.”
Covered in a large black robe that cloaked his entire body, he glared at the academy with hollow eyes, spitting out words mixed with hatred.
‘How much I wished for an opportunity like this to arise.’
He thought while fiddling with his waist, now that it was no longer caught.
The north was heavily guarded, impossible to breach, yet here he was, voluntarily coming out to an academy filled with mere amateurs?
A rare opportunity.
‘And I didn’t miss that chance.’
A grim smile crossed the man’s face as he stabbed his staff into the ground.
Suddenly, a storm-like wind blew through the back mountains, lifting his robe and revealing a perfect White Bone.
His jaw cracked as he opened and closed his mouth.
“Look forward to it, Iron Blood… I’ve made all the preparations to tear you apart and kill you.”
Immediately after speaking, he grinned grimly, holding up a crystal ball.
“Living Dead.”
Green, eerie, and sticky mana began to gather in the crystal ball in his hand.
The mana, concentrated in one spot, kept condensing, growing larger.
And as what felt like an eternity passed,
the condensed green mana burst forth, scattering in all directions.
Before long, it became one living entity with different forms.
The White Bone extended his hand, pointing at the academy.
“Go, fulfill my desires.”
The green, pulsating beings answered not a word, merely obeying the man’s command and moving forward.
The raid had begun.
*
“…What an ugly sight.”
As I expected, it didn’t take long for a great commotion to arise at the academy.
“AAAH!”
“W-What is that!”
The students grabbed their weapons and stood against the unidentified monsters attacking them, but
“Damn it! Just DIE already!”
The monsters didn’t fall, even after being slashed by swords, pierced by arrows, and hit head-on by strange spells.
“Grrr…”
“Why aren’t they falling?!”
They continued their advance, merely swinging their arms at the students.
This place turned into a living hell,
While I walked in the opposite direction of the fleeing students, I thought.
Nameless must have gone far away, right?
I hope they aren’t sulking because I sent them to another place this time.
Just then, while I was lost in these somewhat useless thoughts and absentmindedly moving my feet,
“Professor!”
A student’s voice reached my ears.
“Hmm?”
That guy is…
“It’s the diligent nerd!”
He was the student who asked sharp questions during class, making him memorable.
“…It’s Arnold, not diligent nerd.”
For a moment, Arnold looked shocked, then he shook his head and spoke again.
“Where exactly are you going in this situation?”
“Where am I going?”
Not understanding his question, I tilted my head, and he thumped his chest in frustration.
“That place is too dangerous to go alone!”
“Hmm.”
Is it? I don’t feel any energy that would pose a threat, so I hadn’t given it much thought.
Still.
Gratitude for his concern is appreciated.
“Don’t worry too much, I’m tougher than you think.”
I smiled warmly, waved my hand a bit, and added, “Take the other students towards the principal’s office; it should be safe there.”
Once I conveyed my message and turned my gaze completely away from him,
Is he a diligent nerd or just someone too righteous?
He wouldn’t give up, loudly pushing me to follow through.
“It would be safer to go with other professors instead!”
“…Really.”
His intentions are clear, and I have no intention of scolding him, but
If we take too long, there could be injured students due to the growing chaos.
And that’s not something I want.
Ignoring him, I continued walking.
“Other professors have also advised that everyone stay put until the situation is assessed!”
I ignored this shout too.
I’m not a professor at the academy; I’m an invited lecturer.
There’s no obligation to heed the words of the principal or the other professors.
“The enemy’s strength hasn’t even been assessed yet, and you’re leaving like this?”
He must have thought I wouldn’t be persuaded this way, as he stood in my way, changing his tactic.
“Should something go wrong and you get hurt, it would yield significant losses for our retaliation later on.”
“Hmm.”
Looking up at Arnold,
Seeing that I almost convinced him, he lit up his eyes and spoke.
“While having more firepower is advantageous in combat, it’s not good in the long run.”
“That’s true.”
“It’s time to assess the enemy’s intentions and strength.”
I nodded, signaling for him to continue.
“And the academy is located in the capital.”
“So?”
“If we can endure until support arrives, victory is assured.”
Hmm, he certainly makes valid points, leaving me without a ready response.
But.
“All of that becomes meaningless in the face of overwhelming power.”
That doesn’t pertain to me.
I’ve already sensed the enemy’s strength through my aura, and I also experienced Camilla’s might, hailed as the greatest swordsman in the empire.
Thanks to that, I know my own strength is not inferior in this place.
I’m not recklessly charging in without a thought.
I’m only doing this because I can.
Going there is the quickest way to end it all without any casualties.
“Since it’s bothersome, stop blocking me further.”
I narrowed my eyes, spoke in a lowered voice, and warned him as if declaring.
Since it feels like this incident happened because of me, I hold some responsibility.
So I’ll fix it; why continue to interfere?
Passing the overly worried Arnold, I moved forward again.
“Well, if you’re really worried, then just follow me once.”
“What are you talking about.”
“Then you can see with your own eyes what I mean.”
