Chapter 94: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat
Chapter 94
In ancient times, there was a period when numerous races lived in their respective lands.
During those times, humans could freely roam any land inhabited by friendly races.
However, such times are now just a thing of the past, documented only in old records.
For the past few centuries, witches have appeared, destroying the sacred relics that purified the lands of many races.
Now, the world is filled with miasma and the monsters born from it, leaving humans unable to travel freely except within barriers that block the miasma.
Despite this, humans have constantly developed magic tools that suppress and purify the miasma, risking their lives to explore dangerous areas beyond the barriers.
They do this to cultivate land for growing food and to find resources necessary for a more comfortable life.
The unit called "Astrape" has taken on the role of confronting powerful monsters invading from the miasma-filled outer regions, at the forefront of such exploration and defense.
Yoon Si-woo, who has recently been knighted as a hero, is to join this elite unit, renowned for accepting only the most outstanding heroes for the most dangerous missions.
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If you asked the people of this era who the strongest hero is, you'd get various answers.
Some would say Leon Lionel, the hero whose speed is unmatched, known as the one who is followed by sound.
Others would argue that Martina Ivanova, the era's greatest elemental magician with formidable magical firepower, is the strongest.
Some would claim that the Eloise couple, whose offense and defense are perfectly coordinated, are the greatest heroes, having withstood attacks from high-level monsters for hours without injury.
Currently, many of those consistently ranked among the top five strongest heroes have gathered to discuss a proposal from the higher-ups.
Leon Lionel, the leader of the 2nd squad of Astrape, frowned as he read the documents on the table.
"Yoon Si-woo. He just recently entered the academy as a first-year student, graduated early, defeated a monster that controlled people, was knighted for his achievement, and now is joining Astrape right away..."
As one of Astrape's captains, he usually welcomed new recruits, but this case was different.
Despite his early graduation, Yoon Si-woo was still a first-year student.
There were even rumors that he was chosen as a hero to appease public dissatisfaction.
While his swordsmanship with light seen in the video was impressive, it was hard to judge if it was merely for show without seeing it firsthand.
Leon couldn't help but frown as he read the warning note in the document.
[The citizens are enthusiastic about him, so never let him be in danger.]
How absurd to place someone in a unit where monsters could attack at any moment and expect them to never be in danger.
Astrape's heroes always faced death.
At that moment, one of the people at the round table snorted.
"Ha, what a load of bullshit."
It was Martina Ivanova, the leader of Astrape's 4th squad, who was reading the documents with her legs propped up on the table.
Given her already foul mood from being called to a meeting when busy, such ridiculous demands naturally made her curse.
She flung the documents behind her and complained.
"The higher-ups have definitely lost their minds. For propaganda, they forcibly put such a young kid into Astrape, and now they're saying never to let him be in danger? Are they telling our people to die instead while babysitting this kid? No, absolutely not. We can't take on the responsibility of an unverified kid."
"Unverified? Are you saying you don't trust the judgment of Professor Eve, who graduated him?"
Natalia Eloise, the leader of the 3rd squad, who sat opposite Martina, murmured calmly, as if to admonish her.
Martina, who had been taught by Eve during her days at Aegis Academy and held respect for her, flinched and shouted.
"No, it's not that. It's just that entrusting such a kid to us is concerning! Are you going to take him in? If so, be my guest."
As Martina asked, hoping to pass the burden, Natalia twirled her hair and leisurely replied.
"Hmm, no thanks. We don't want to take on extra work either."
"Then what's your point? I'm already pissed, why provoke me?"
"Just wanted to tease you since it's been a while."
"Wow, seriously?"
Martina muttered in disbelief.
Natalia looked at her with amusement and murmured.
"Come to think of it, the kid joining us is the same age as my daughter. Time flies. And our dear Martina is still single."
"...Enough."
"Oh, come on, I was just stating facts. Don't get so angry. You'll never find a partner with that attitude."
"...Alright, I'll make your husband a widower today."
The two had been rivals since their academy days.
But while one got married early, already having a daughter in the academy, the other hadn't even had a proper relationship yet.
Martina's face turned red with anger, her intense orange mana flaring up.
Watching this, Natalia's mana, blue like her hair, began forming droplets in the air.
The situation was tense, about to explode.
Leon sighed and murmured to the two.
"...If you're going to talk about marriage, do it when I'm not around."
Though his words alone wouldn't normally stop them, the menacing aura filling the space vanished instantly as he spoke.
Natalia and Martina, realizing their mistake, looked at Leon apologetically and bowed their heads.
No matter how brash they were, they wouldn't argue about such matters in front of someone who had lost his wife a few years ago.
"...I'm sorry. I got carried away seeing Martina after a long time..."
"...I apologize for touching on a painful memory."
Leon gestured for the two bowing in apology to stand up and spoke.
"...Well, that's enough. Anyway, since no one seems keen on taking in the new recruit, let's draw lots. Each squad's situation is similar anyway."
"...Can't we just dump him on the 1st squad?"
"We can't burden the old man any further. We've told him to take it easy, but he's still giving up his vacation to slay monsters. Let's handle this ourselves."
At Leon's words, the two nodded quietly.
After preparing the lots, they all drew one from the container, and their reactions were mixed.
"Ugh! Seriously, I've got so much on my plate already, why me?"
"Martina, just accept your fate. Who doesn't have a lot going on these days?"
"You... just shut up already..."
The one who drew the marked lot, whether it was a win or a loss, was Martina. She muttered in frustration, resigned to taking on Yoon Si-woo.
"Excuse me... I was told to come here..."
The boy who had been causing all the fuss, Yoon Si-woo, hesitantly entered the meeting room.
Martina asked the white-haired boy who walked in.
"...Are you Yoon Si-woo?"
"Yes. As of today, I've joined Astrape."
"...Well, you are handsome."
He looked a bit—no, a lot better in person than in the videos and documents.
But aside from his appearance, Martina didn't get the impression he was particularly strong, feeling he was chosen more for his looks.
Ah, this is annoying.
The idea of not letting him get into danger was bullshit.
Astrape was not a place to be taken lightly. Maybe if she showed him how tough it was, he'd leave on his own.
Breaking one meeting room shouldn’t be too big of a deal.
With that thought, Martina started chanting a spell and shouted.
"Hey, newbie! This is your initiation test. If you can't pass, just turn back now."
As magical circles lit up on the ceiling and walls of the meeting room, Natalia's shocked voice rang out.
"Hey, what if he gets hurt? Who's going to deal with the aftermath?"
"Ah, I don't care about that. I've calibrated it to not kill him, so he should be fine with some healing. If he can't handle this, he doesn't meet our standards."
Though she calibrated it to not be fatal, he might get hurt badly. If he lost a limb or two, maybe she'd consider it a pass.
As she pondered this and watched the boy looking alarmed at the spells emanating from the magic circles,
"...If I just cut down all of these, do I pass?"
The boy asked, drawing a sword from thin air, his demeanor changing dramatically.
Martina, known as the greatest elemental magician, cast spells faster than most magicians.
But the boy's sword was even faster.
In just a few seconds, he cut down all the spells raining down from the magic circles and stood calmly, picking up a document that had fallen on the floor.
Reading the warning note, he spoke.
"Hmm... It says here not to let me be in danger, but you don't really need to worry about that."
As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I'm strong enough that it won't be an issue."
Watching the boy, Martina felt her heart race and her face flush for some reason.
She thought,
His looks were exceptional. And at such a young age, he had this level of skill. If given a few more years...
Calculating this in her head, Martina murmured in an oddly excited tone.
"...You're in."
For reference, Martina, who had never been in a relationship, had one ideal type:
A man stronger than her.
Thanks for the chapter
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ReplyDelete