Chapter 9: Pioneer

“Hey! What are you doing, getting so close to the Hero?”

“I don’t really know.”

“Huh? You don’t know? What kind of nonsense is that… Oh, wait? Who am I talking to… Huh…?”

Ignoring the guy spouting nonsense in broad daylight, I entered the classroom.

The eyes of the students who had arrived earlier seemed to turn towards me, but soon they all turned their heads and went about their business.

Sitting down, I let out a small sigh and rubbed my temples.

As expected, it seemed my perception ability was slightly affected, probably because I was with the Hero yesterday.

I tried to be careful, but she’s as famous as the Holy Maiden, and my ability doesn’t usually work well on her, so…

Against low odds, it seems to have affected the perception spell I cast.

That’s also why people like the annoying guy from earlier are starting to appear.

However, as I just saw, ordinary people will quickly fall back under the influence of the power, so there’s no need to worry too much.

Still, if there’s one thing I’m concerned about, it’s those who get close to beings who can pierce through my ability.

[Those who inherently see through me] and [those who inherently cannot perceive me], if they spend a long time together with me, the [those who inherently cannot perceive me] might gradually start to perceive me.

Of course, this phenomenon only appears ‘by chance’ among a sensitive few, but there’s no harm in being careful.

So, let’s first think of those I’m likely to be heavily involved with.

For example, Yulia, who sticks close to the Holy Maiden as her escort, or next to the Hero and the Regressor…

‘……’

Hmm.

Come to think of it, I probably don’t need to worry much.

There’s no way the Regressor, whose whereabouts are unknown, or the Hero, who currently seems to have no friends besides me, would have anyone else they’re close to.

With a much lighter heart, I took out the book the professor told us to open.

Just then.

– Thump.

“Hmm?”

I turned my head towards the window, feeling a familiar sensation.

The cool breeze that had been blowing moments ago had now quieted down, as if it had never blown at all.

The birds that had been chirping softly seemed frightened, not even flapping their wings, and all the small insects had hidden somewhere.

I recalled the sensation from a moment ago.

The familiar feeling of space vibrating.

It’s the feeling when another transcendent, not the Headmaster, enters the Academy’s barrier.

It seems the ‘Pioneer’ fellow, who is looking for me, has arrived at the Academy.

****

The Holy Maiden and Yulia had been unable to attend morning classes for two days.

The reason, of course, was the incident that had occurred.

The Holy Maiden was a student directly harmed by the intruder at the Academy, so the investigation had to be prolonged.

The investigation only took place briefly in the mornings.

The Headmaster said that no matter what, students’ rest time must be guaranteed, so they were always sent back during lunch.

Yulia was grateful for the Headmaster’s consideration, but the Holy Maiden was a little displeased.

“Hehe……”

“Holy Maiden, is something bothering you?”

“No, it’s just… Hehe, is the investigation ending today?”

“If you speak so cryptically, the investigation might truly be prolonged.”

“……”

The Holy Maiden let out a gloomy laugh with a somewhat melancholic expression.

Yulia was extremely worried, but surprisingly, the reason for the Holy Maiden’s melancholy was nothing significant.

‘I need to meet that person right away… It seems there are no days with overlapping afternoon classes.’

The Holy Maiden recalled the moment she entered the classroom on the first day.

She had opened the door so quietly that no one would have thought someone had entered, and as a result, she succeeded in her intended surprise appearance.

However, unlike the somewhat slow Yulia, the Holy Maiden clearly saw it the moment she opened the door.

For a very brief moment, someone whose eyes met hers…

Curiosity led her to approach, but for some reason, he pretended not to know her and acted surprised.

Yes. It was an act.

And an act so convincing that even Yulia, who accompanied the Holy Maiden as her escort, was fooled…!

Furthermore, a faint presence that made even Yulia, who thoroughly investigates those around her, completely forget.

Above all, black hair and black eyes that would suit a ‘mastermind’ perfectly.

Everything appealed to her.

He was the perfect talent in the Holy Maiden’s eyes.

She desperately wanted to seek him out immediately, but she was patiently waiting, enduring her desire, because she wanted their first meeting to begin by chance.

‘Now, I’m starting to regret that resolve a little…’

Nevertheless, according to the Headmaster, the investigation was going smoothly, and it would all be over today or tomorrow.

From her and Yulia’s perspective, there was no reason not to participate diligently in the investigation, so it was only natural that the investigation was proceeding smoothly.

The Holy Maiden thought about the ‘subordinate’ she would soon meet and looked at Yulia, who was spacing out beside her.

Actually, Yulia didn’t need to be investigated with the Holy Maiden.

The investigation of those who stayed in the temple dormitory, including her, had ended with a short interview on the first day.

But Yulia, citing her role as an escort, refused the Holy Maiden’s and Headmaster’s words that she didn’t need to come along, and stuck close to her every time an investigation took place.

The Holy Maiden found Yulia endearing, but at the same time, she felt a little sorry that Yulia was being bothered because of her.

“Hehe, Yulia. Do you remember what I told you before?”

“What are you referring to?”

“The words about not needing to blame yourself… How about it? Do you understand now why I said that?”

It was the Holy Maiden’s attempt at comfort, but Yulia’s expression stiffened slightly upon hearing it.

Yulia had received some information about the intruder while being investigated with the Holy Maiden.

She now realized how dangerous the being who targeted the Holy Maiden was, and she knew well that she alone couldn’t have changed anything.

However, even knowing that fact, Yulia’s heart did not ease.

“……Yes. I think I was short-sighted. As the Holy Maiden said, even if I had been awake, the outcome wouldn’t have changed.”

Yulia’s expression was dark as she said that.

The Holy Maiden pondered for a moment, wondering what mistake she had made, but she immediately had to stop that thought.

“Sorry I’m late.”

The Headmaster had finally appeared before them.

A man followed behind her, who was later than usual.

The Holy Maiden tilted her head, and Yulia was the first to ask the Headmaster.

“This person is…?”

“He came with me for the investigation. You know Paern, right?”

“……?!!”

The moment she heard that name, Yulia’s eyes widened.

The Holy Maiden also didn’t show it outwardly, but she was surprised internally.

Paern.

A name impossible not to know.

Those whose names became widely known just a few years ago through the ‘Tomb’ exploration.

The Great Pioneers.

Beings who obtained powers close to divinity from the Tombs.

One member of that group is Paern.

The Holy Maiden immediately understood why Paern had come to the Academy.

As she had predicted before, the Great Pioneers had begun to move.

To capture ‘that being’ who had stolen all the treasures they brought.

Paern ignored Yulia, who was observing him anxiously beside the Holy Maiden, and spoke to her.

“I came here because there’s something specific I want to ask.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“You saw the guy directly, didn’t you? Then can you tell me why you were overcome?”

Paern asked with a very serious expression.

The Holy Maiden answered without hesitation.

“As I already told the Headmaster, as soon as I faced him, I felt he was dangerous, and I thought it best not to provoke him. I didn’t particularly resist when the holy relic was taken either.”

“No, that’s not what I’m asking.”

“……?”

However, Paern shook his head at her answer.

“To be precise, I’m asking how exactly you were neutralized by him.”

“Neutralized… you mean?”

“Yes. You’ve stepped into transcendence to some extent, so you know what I mean, right?”

The Holy Maiden fell into thought for a moment.

She had experienced it directly, so she could understand Paern’s words.

Neutralization.

When she stood before him, the Holy Maiden could do nothing.

Her divine power, which had always been with her, disappeared, and her body was forcibly rendered no different from an ordinary person’s…

In fact, she was in a state where she couldn’t resist even if she wanted to.

‘Hmm, should I tell him this exactly as it happened?’

Given how detailed his questions are, it seems Paern was also affected in a similar way, so answering truthfully wouldn’t really matter.

But the Holy Maiden couldn’t help but hesitate.

While diligently undergoing the Headmaster’s investigation, she had answered most things honestly, but she had hidden one thing until the end.

The one thing she couldn’t honestly tell anyone else.

She couldn’t reveal that the being had obscured the eyes of the gods.

Even for the sake of the temple’s reputation, which Yulia always emphasized, the fact that the gods’ eyes were temporarily obscured had to be hidden.

Moreover, if the Holy Maiden herself, who is closer to the gods than even the Pope, were to mention it, it might cause great confusion in the Holy Nation…

‘It’s better to beat around the bush, after all.’

Having made her decision, she paused for a moment before opening her mouth.

“Well… My divine power wouldn’t obey for some unknown reason, but…”

“Indeed…! It’s certain that his ability is related to neutralization.”

“I’m glad my answer seems satisfactory. Hehe……”

Fortunately, Paern showed no interest beyond the fact that her divine power wouldn’t obey.

The Headmaster, in place of Paern who was deep in thought, spoke to the Holy Maiden and Yulia.

“The investigation will end today. You don’t have to come tomorrow.”

“Did you find any clues related to the intruder?”

“Of course not, it’s just… It’s obvious we won’t gain anything more by investigating further.”

The Headmaster spoke casually, but her expression was not good.

Yulia felt she understood the reason.

The recent surge in incidents and accidents, and the increasingly loud voices of concern.

Up to this point, it was fine.

Although this year was particularly severe, incidents and accidents happened every year due to energetic students.

Occasionally, enemies would infiltrate, but they were mere small fry that even the Academy’s barrier didn’t filter out, and for some reason, things always resolved well in the end.

Various rumors couldn’t be prevented, but the Academy’s accumulated reputation for its barrier stopping powerful individuals somehow allowed them to get by.

However, this time, even that barrier was breached so easily…

The trust of the higher-ups in the Academy was bound to be shaken.

Yulia, who was somewhat aware of the Academy’s current situation, could roughly predict how things would unfold.

In the worst case, closure was a possibility, but the Empire wouldn’t easily abandon the continent’s only Academy.

The most likely measure would be for the current Headmaster to step down and someone else to take her place…

But the Headmaster wouldn’t just sit idly by until then.

She must have a plan in mind.

Whatever the measure, it would be good news for students who wished to continue attending the Academy, but Yulia secretly wished the Academy would close and she could return to the Holy Nation with the Holy Maiden.

The temple, upon hearing about the stolen holy relic, had also suggested the Holy Maiden return, but the Holy Maiden vehemently opposed it, arguing that ‘that intruder’ was almost like a natural disaster and couldn’t be helped.

Since even the temple’s command, which she thought was her last resort, was useless…

Yulia had now resolved to focus solely on serving the Holy Maiden well.

‘I just hope she doesn’t cause any trouble…’

But Yulia didn’t know yet.

That the Holy Maiden was only thinking of causing huge trouble with someone in the future.