Chapter 152 : Chapter 152
Chapter 152
As the guardian, I requested and arranged a meeting between the Elf Queen and Anette. After a long discussion, Anette decided to inherit the power of the Soul Stone and departed for Fog Island.
Thanks to the practical evaluations finishing this morning, the timing was perfect.
‘It’s going well.’
Anette left for the inheritance, Bord was getting accustomed to the Authority of the Jungle, and Adela and Luri were improving day by day. The reason they hadn’t been hanging out much lately was that they were dedicating their free time to training.
However, the most surprising was Savo’s progress. He was growing stronger every day, to the point where even I flinched.
‘That’s what a genius is.’
On the other hand… there was one thing bothering me.
‘Nerjin isn’t progressing.’
He had grown. He was at least twice as strong as when we first met. …But that was all. Even with the privilege, his development was slow compared to others.
‘Let’s wait.’
I had to believe in him. After all, there’s the saying about late bloomers.
‘Ugh, this isn’t the time.’
I needed to hurry back to the academy. I came out during lunch, so if I didn’t leave now, I’d be late.
‘Hmm?’
A familiar vibration rang out. I carefully reached into my pocket—it was the cadet handbook.
[Request: Cadet Counseling]
It was a request from Principal Lukfels. I had forgotten about it for a while.
[Check Locker.]
That was the end of the message.
‘It seems like something’s about to start again.’
And this wasn’t in the original story. There was no event where Gilbert resolved academy incidents at the principal’s request.
Upon returning to the academy, I immediately opened the locker.
‘This is.’
A bundle of newspapers. The cadet newspaper, published weekly by the academy’s newspaper club.
‘I didn’t subscribe.’
As I took out the newspaper, I found something enclosed with it. A train ticket.
‘A train ticket to Petrak Kingdom….’
I tucked it into my pocket for now and scanned the newspaper. Various articles caught my eye. On the front page…
[Academy Practical Evaluation Overall 1st Place, Martin von Targon Ulvhadin. His Transformation.]
‘Ugh.’
I saw it. If I hadn’t, I could’ve ignored it, but now that I had, I couldn’t.
[Once infamous as a trash villain, Cadet Martin led his group from early enrollment and operated a violence circle…(omitted)… Thus, receiving justice from the heirs of the Four Great Ducal Families, led by Cadet Elisha…(omitted)… Afterward, showing signs of reformation….]
They had posted all sorts of details without my permission.
‘…Whatever.’
I was too busy to care about such trivial things.
‘Nothing else noteworthy.’
[New Fire Magic Department Teacher, Fullune von Dur Berart.]
[Exclusive! Interview with Prince Kazaks on His Study Secrets!]
[Visit to the Swordsmanship Club, Popular for 25 Consecutive Years.]
Just as it said. Truly worthless….
[Victims of That Day.]
“….”
[The fact that the academy was ravaged by a monster calling itself Demon Lord Brahmus is a disgrace, but it’s a stepping stone we must not forget. We must step on it and leap to greater heights. Only then can we honor those who fought to the death that day. However, we must stop calling those traumatized ‘cowards.’]
One person came to mind. Matthew von Yulha Animas. Majoring in Animal Communion, and absent from the academy since that day.
“….”
The next destination was Petrak Kingdom’s ecological park. Apparently, the Animas family’s mansion.
“Alright, everyone, sit down! Let’s wrap up~!”
Teacher Hailey entered.
***
After dismissal, I rushed straight to the train station. The mana train, fueled by mana stones, was the fastest means of travel besides teleportation. Thanks to running with Blink, I barely made it on time.
‘Damn principal.’
Even giving a ticket, why such a tight one?
‘Phew.’
Looking out the window, the Imperium Empire’s capital passed by. Soon, we left the center, fields appeared… and then we raced across the plains.
‘I need some rest.’
“Ah, almost late. Principal is really something.”
“…?”
I looked up and saw the person sitting next to me. Our eyes met.
“Cadet Martin?”
“Teacher Faris?”
I was startled for a moment, but it was fine. He seemed to have come on Principal Lukfels' request too.
“Did you receive a request from the principal?”
“Request? Request… I received an order….”
…Right. Unlike me, it was a superior-subordinate relationship.
“So Cadet Martin came through the principal too?”
“Yes. I got a train ticket that required a full sprint to make it on time.”
“Hehe, yeah. I thought I’d go alone, but this is unexpected.”
Teacher Faris was reliable. Aside from being an elite teacher in the academy’s archery department, he had a good personality. He might be more helpful than me.
“Have you eaten lunch, Cadet Martin?”
“No, not yet….”
As I answered reflexively, Teacher Faris smiled and handed me a lunch box. It was the most expensive one sold at the station, worth 1 silver.
“The principal told me to buy two lunch boxes, and now I know why.”
“…I see.”
Opening the lid, a savory aroma spread, revealing meatball pasta.
The train moved on. I ate the lunch box. The tranquility inside the train felt good. It somehow felt like escaping everyday life.
***
Exactly five hours later, the train arrived at Petrak Kingdom’s capital. We headed straight to the ecological park and were able to visit the Animas family’s mansion.
“Welcome.”
The old butler we had seen once before greeted us.
“Greetings. I’m Faris from Quesharow, archery department teacher at Imperium Academy.”
“Yes, Teacher Faris and Cadet Martin. We were informed of your visit.”
Principal Lukfels must have notified them in advance. He was quick with arrangements.
As we entered, someone was waiting. A woman in uniform-like attire inside.
“Well, it’s been a while.”
The woman with green hair in a bob cut was the camp leader from Eudialyte Desert. Matthew’s mother.
“Camp Leader Willow? You’re here!”
“Greetings, Camp Leader.”
Willow welcomed us warmly, but… she couldn’t hide the worry on her face. The fact that she, who was leading the reforestation project in Eudialyte Desert, was here indicated something was wrong.
“Come on, don’t stand here—let’s go inside. Would you like tea? Coffee is trending these days. If you haven’t eaten, I’ll have dinner prepared. Petrak is known continent-wide for its fruits. Or….”
Willow turned her head while heading in, looking at us.
“…Would you like to see Matthew?”
The sun set. Shadows deepened, enveloping the Animas mansion. Teacher Faris broke the silence.
“Please, we beg you.”
Willow nodded and led the way. Ivy and flowers climbing the mansion walls seemed to grieve. As if comforting someone. We finally gathered before a small room.
“….”
Willow knocked lightly.
“Matthew, guests.”
“….”
No answer came.
“You can go in.”
Faris stepped forward and opened the door. Darkness seeped out first, not light. Only when fully open did a few dimly lit candles appear.
“…Cadet Matthew?”
Teacher Faris called, but no reply. The faint light barely held back the encroaching darkness, and inside, Matthew lay motionless, covered by a blanket.
“….”
With no response, Faris turned to me. Eyes seeking help. In the end, I entered the room too.
“Cadet Matthew.”
At my call, Matthew finally twitched. Seeing that reaction, Faris stepped back. He thought it wasn’t his turn.
“Cadet Martin…?”
Matthew lifted his head and looked at me. His face wasn’t visible. I slowly raised my hand and emitted stellar force. Pure white light illuminated the room.
“….”
“….”
His green hair was faded like withered plants. Cheeks sunken like a barren wasteland. Eyes hollow. What dwelled in his pupils was… fear.
“What are you doing here?”
“…Cadet Martin….”
Matthew saw me and pulled the blanket tighter.
“P-Please spare me! Spare me, Cadet Martin…!”
“Calm down, Cadet Matthew. There’s no one threatening you here.”
“Can’t you see the demon…?”
“There’s no demon.”
“No, there is. A scary demon is glaring at me.”
How many demons were glaring at Matthew under that blanket?
“I-I can’t do it. Please spare me. Someone like me is just a burden. H-How could I fight a demon? It’s too, too scary…!”
He was clearly suffering severe trauma. It was serious. Even Elisha wasn’t this bad.
‘What can I do?’
Comforting someone… wasn’t my specialty. If anything, the opposite. I was better at tearing people down.
‘There’s nothing I can do.’
He responded to my call, but no more….
“Cadet Matthew, it’s okay.”
Then Teacher Faris stepped forward.
“No one is forcing you to fight demons. It’s okay. We’re here. There’s no demon, just us.”
At his words, Matthew’s trembling gradually stopped.
‘Principal Lukfels….’
I admired his arrangement. He chose me to draw Matthew’s attention and Teacher Faris to comfort him.
“There is a demon. I can’t do anything.”
“It’s okay. The teachers are here. Look, Cadet Martin too. His light will protect you.”
The light of stellar force. The only attack that landed an effective hit on Brahmus that day.
I illuminated the room with stellar force light. That was all I could do. Teacher Faris kept talking to Cadet Matthew.
Outside, Willow leaned against the wall, covering her face with both hands.
***
The mana train raced on. On the train back to Imperium Empire’s capital, Teacher Faris sat with eyes closed. The same amount of anger was more exhausting than comfort.
‘…It’s tough.’
Living an action fantasy life, experiencing such an episode felt strange.
‘We left him there for now.’
Just before leaving Matthew’s room, I placed the extra privilege on his desk. The lost techniques of the ancient druid school.
‘…I’m not sure.’
Was it a waste of points? But from past experiences, I knew. I had to believe first. Without belief, there couldn’t even be an attempt.
When the mana train arrived, I woke Teacher Faris. The time was near midnight. We exchanged brief goodbyes and went home.
‘I’m sleepy.’
Our new home appeared ahead, in the park blooming with flowers.
Once inside, I’d collapse on the bed and pass out.
“You arrived just in time.”
“….”
Probably, if not for the person standing before me.
“Principal Lukfels.”
“How is Cadet Matthew?”
What emotion dwelled in the archmage’s eyes? Wisdom? Or worry? …Neither. Seeing those eyes, I revealed everything I saw and heard without hiding.
“I see. From now on, report via the cadet handbook.”
I thought he’d say something, but Lukfels turned without hesitation and vanished like mist. Was it my imagination that he resembled someone? Somehow familiar, and known.
‘Like.’
Me. A person driven by a single goal to prevent the end.
Hadn’t Bord recently said that? I didn’t know the principal’s purpose, but he surely had one, using me for it.
He opened the path to Fog Island for the academy’s key talents, risking criticism. The task he demanded in return wouldn’t be light.
‘…Let’s go back for now.’