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Chapter 157: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 157



“Haa, today was exhausting as always... I feel completely drained every time I attend Ms. Eve’s class these days…”


As soon as he sat down after receiving his meal in the cafeteria, Daniel collapsed onto his seat, complaining in a tone that suggested he was at his limit. The kids sitting around him all nodded in agreement.


It was clear that recently, Ms. Eve's classes had been a series of intense training sessions that pushed us beyond our limits, so everyone sympathized with his words.


As Marin, who was approaching to sit near me, passed by Daniel, who was practically sprawled over the table, she subtly commented to him.


“Still, Daniel, haven’t you improved a lot compared to the beginning? During the first training session, you were easily taken down by monsters, but now you can fight pretty well.”


“Huh? Yeah, right? Hahaha, now that I think about it, I do feel like it's gotten much easier to deal with them recently. It’s partly because all of us have improved as a whole, but man, hearing that from one of the aces sure boosts my spirits!”


At Marin’s words, Daniel, who had been slumped like a deflated balloon, suddenly sprang up as if filled with newfound energy, shouting enthusiastically, “Hoorah!” The sound of the kids’ laughter echoed inside the cafeteria.


Seeing them like that, I couldn’t help but smile slightly.


Well, the recent training was definitely tough, but it had its advantages, too.


Not only had our skills improved through high-intensity training that was almost like real combat, but having to constantly fight with our backs to each other, protecting one another, had significantly brought Class A and Class B closer. 


Thinking back to how quickly I’d bonded with my comrades during that one-month boot camp when I enlisted in the military, I realized that experiencing hardship together is probably the best way to build camaraderie.


It’s a bit sad, though, that these young kids have to naturally accept challenges harsher than the military because of this world.


As I continued my meal, reminiscing with a bittersweet smile about memories from my original world that no one else here could relate to, I noticed someone who looked even more exhausted than Daniel had been earlier. As he walked over with his meal, I casually asked how he was doing.


“Hey, Dwight, you look more tired than usual. Did you not sleep last night?”


At my question, Dwight, who had briefly glanced my way, took a seat at my table and answered.


“I went to provide some support yesterday, and the construction is nearly finished. If all goes well, we should be able to wrap it up by today, so I worked a little later than usual and didn’t have time to sleep.”


“...Honestly, you had time to sleep, didn’t you? Judging by the looks of it, you were up all night again researching magic. I know magic takes priority over sleep for you, but don’t overdo it.”


“I appreciate the concern, but you don’t need to worry. Staying up one night doesn’t affect my condition, and since my magic research would suffer if my body were to give out, I take care of myself better than anyone.”


When he put it that way, it was surprisingly convincing.


As I nodded at Dwight’s response, Sylvia, who was sitting next to me, turned to him with interest.


“So, will the construction of that teleportation-blocking magic circle be finished today?”


“Yeah. They said it should be done by around lunchtime.”


When Dwight replied, Sylvia glanced my way with a bright smile and said,


“So, that means the damn witch who kidnapped Scarlet won’t be able to pull that kind of stunt again.”


“Uh… Sylvia, you just cursed…”


“Oh dear, Scarlet. Come on, as if I’d ever curse.”


Sylvia responded with a sly smile, but I saw it. I saw the fiercely murderous intent hidden behind that smile of hers.


She had the vibe of someone who’d kill anyone who dared mess with her again, witch or whatever…


As I shivered slightly, Marin chuckled and said,


“Well, thanks to that construction, I can enjoy some freedom at home alone for a while. Both my parents said they wouldn’t be home this week.”


Hearing Marin’s words, I recalled the call I had received from Yoon Si-woo a while back.


Now that I think about it, he also said he wouldn’t be able to come home this week.


Because of what happened last time, Yoon Si-woo was worried that I might do something like that again while he wasn’t around, but I reassured him that he didn’t need to worry.


Since then, I’d managed to find some emotional stability, and I no longer felt uneasy even when Yoon Si-woo wasn’t by my side.


I just felt like everything would be alright.


With my chin resting on my hand, I enjoyed the view outside the cafeteria window, using the kids’ laughter and chatter as background music.


The sky was blue, and the weather was sunny.


So peaceful.


As I mumbled to myself, lost in those idle thoughts, suddenly—


“...Huh?”


Before I knew it, a sound escaped my mouth.


The kids' eyes turned toward me at the sound.


And when I pointed a trembling hand out the window, a heavy silence swallowed the cafeteria whole.


Beyond the window, the sky looked like it was splitting in half.


“...What is this, the barrier...?”


Dwight, sounding more shocked than anyone, mumbled to himself.


I realized that the thing splitting apart was not the sky but the protective barrier that shielded the city from dark forces.


But after a moment, we watched as the split, semi-transparent barrier slowly began to repair itself.


Was this perhaps the function Dwight had mentioned before—the barrier’s ability to self-repair even when damaged?


Though the barrier had returned to its original state, we were still frozen in shock, unable to speak.


The magical barrier wasn’t something that could be damaged so easily in the first place. Unless you had something like Yoon Si-woo’s Humility Sword, which could cut through magic, it was practically untouchable.


That’s why what had just happened was a clear sign that something serious was going on.


And as if to emphasize the gravity of the situation, small black dots began appearing inside the barrier where it had split moments ago.


It didn’t take us long to recognize what those dots were.


Because surrounding those dots, black, spherical objects began to form one by one—


“...That’s a barrier.”


“...Mid-tier demonic beasts have entered the city?”


They were the same ones we’d seen countless times during training.


The kids’ faces turned pale.


We had trained to evacuate people from the city, assuming this very scenario of demonic beasts breaking in, so we knew all too well what was happening.


Each of those beasts could massacre a huge number of civilians.


That’s why, without exception, every kid bolted out of the cafeteria.


To save as many people as possible, as fast as possible.


Once outside, the schoolyard was filled with teachers and students running out, having witnessed the same scene.


And as we ran, a large screen appeared in front of us.


The screen showed Ms. Eve running, and her urgent voice rang out.


[Everyone! This is an emergency, so I’ll explain the situation on the run! You’ve probably seen it, but demonic beasts have invaded the city! According to a witness who escaped from the outskirts, someone claiming to be a witch broke through the barrier and unleashed the beasts inside the city! The heroes stationed in the perimeter can’t come to our aid due to the aftereffects of the recent construction, so all academy members will be deployed to protect the citizens! Got it?]


Ms. Eve explained the situation as she ran because we had to protect the people from the beasts as quickly as possible.


Hearing that the powerful heroes at the frontlines couldn’t come to help, everyone’s faces stiffened, but no one slowed down.


In this situation, where no one else could step up, no one here would even think of running away.


[Most of the confirmed beasts are mid-tier of the Greed type! They broke through the barrier and were released into the city, so they’re completely unweakened! Those of you who still lack strength, don’t be reckless—team up and face the beasts together! Remember, in situations like this, for every one of you that falls, many more people will die! Now, I’ll start assigning areas! The outer areas of the city, where most beasts are located, will be handled by third-years and teachers! The inner areas will be handled by second-years, and the central area by first-years! Remember, your top priority is the evacuation of civilians! Now spread out!]


Hearing the orders, students and teachers scattered, heading to their assigned locations.


Fortunately, the teleportation gates inside the city, considered important facilities, were still functioning normally.


All first-years teleported to the city center, and everyone was discussing which areas to protect as they dispersed.


Though the city center was relatively safe since it would take time for the beasts to reach it, it also housed hospitals and other critical facilities that required our utmost attention.


Especially the hospital with critical patients—it needed to be used as a shelter for evacuees.


While guiding people to the hospital, I noticed Marin’s expression was especially grim as she assisted with the evacuation.


“No way… The breach in the barrier was in the area my dad was guarding, so how could this happen...?”


“Move aside!! Emergency patient coming through!!”


A loud voice shouted from behind Marin, who was muttering in disbelief, as someone rushed in, carrying a patient on a stretcher.


The patient on the stretcher was bizarrely frozen, as if turned into a human popsicle.


And as Marin saw the patient, whose neck was half severed and whose body was frozen solid, her expression twisted in utter despair.


“...Dad?”


Hearing her whispered words of despair, I was starkly reminded.


The people we cherish in this world are too easily hurt and killed.


There is no peace here—not in this world.


---------------------


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Comments

  1. Marin was relishing the fact that she finally got some alone time, so the Author is making it permanentđź’€

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is just a little mischief of every author. Quite normal actually.

      Delete
    2. ^ The Witch of Greed wrote the comment above

      Delete

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