episode_0139

Helen Burns.

You could say he’s my close friend, but he’s not that close to me, it’s a somewhat subtle relationship.

Although there are many things that have happened, he is still the person who has had the greatest influence on me since I came to this world.

And it is a strong yet complex relationship in which I am responsible for best representing my will and announcing it to the world.

Helen Burns was walking right next to me with her head slightly lowered and her eyes squinted.

But strangely, her eyes didn’t seem angry at all.

Even though his eyes were frowning, it gave him a slightly worried feeling to say that he was angry.

“Are you nervous because you are competing?”

“Okay. I don’t think it’s tension in the sense the Dean thinks.”

“Hmm.”

About an hour? No, a little more time than that.

It may be difficult to say it was short, but during that not-so-long time, Helen Burns was blushing and showing signs of restlessness.

It was always like that.

How many competitions have there been so far?

She’s getting used to it now, but every time she competes, she gets nervous and her face hardens because she’s worried about the students.

Of course, the situation this time is different from previous appearances.

Until recently, he had been acting resolute, but he has returned to a nervous state and is frowning.

“I know how worried you are about the students, but this is an unavoidable battle.”

“Yes. I know that too. The Dean is right. This will be the final danger. And something that must be overcome.”

So, I walk down the hallway of the main building with her and head out the front door.

A cool breeze tickles my cheeks, and the dazzling bright sunlight obscures my view for a moment, revealing the academy’s campus.

And the large academy playground fills my eyes.

“Everyone is gathered together.”

Students from all over the school were standing in lines on the playground, filling the campus.

‘It’s really changed a lot since I first enrolled. At that time, it was barely enough to fill the auditorium.’

As I was emotional for a moment looking at that, Helen next to me handed me several sheets of paper stapled together.

This is the script for the speech at the event.

“You may have already memorized everything, but check it one last time. When you are ready, you can go up to the campus podium.”

I took it and glanced at it.

Since I had already memorized the entire content, I read it roughly at a speed-reading level, returned the A4 sheets to her, and started walking towards the podium.

Maybe they saw me walking to the podium, but it wasn’t so loud that it was noisy, but I still felt the noise I heard here and there disappearing for an instant.

Eventually, as I stood on the podium, I felt numerous eyes focused on me.

The total number is already close to 500.

Considering that the number of students at Sejong Academy in this original novel is about 2,000, it can be said that the number of people awakening their abilities is slowly increasing worldwide.

The number of first-generation students was quite small, but now it feels like it’s in perfect balance with the novel.

I looked at them slowly without opening my mouth.

December this year was probably the height of winter, but for some reason it was quite warm.

In some ways, it seemed like there was a bitter smell of grass blowing in the wind. Although winter was in full swing, it seemed like winter was over, spring flowers were blooming, and all the shallow snow on the roadside was melting away.

Even though it was such warm weather.

The corners of their eyes that met mine were full of worry and tension.

There are also children who look like they are about to collapse due to the overwhelming tension of their first competition, as if the ground is shaking or as if they are suffering from motion sickness.

There was also a guy who was standing silently, but his face was so pale that he looked like he was a vampire standing in the sunlight.

“The faces are dead. That’s right. I’m not going to die, so why are they making such facial expressions?”

At my words, Helen, who was standing next to the podium, changed her expression and looked back at me urgently.

I didn’t say it out loud, but even so, there’s probably no one here who didn’t hear me.

Because the translation badge that everyone wears on their chest is something like that. Once you recognize it as a language, the meaning is automatically translated and comes to mind.

I was smiling, but Helen’s expression was different.

She looks like what are you doing now?

Well, that too.

In fact, this is an unexpected action that is not in the script. And isn’t this at a level that should never be done?

This is not a one-on-one interview or simple exhortation. Isn’t this a speech about a huge battle that will soon follow?

Because it’s such an important story that you shouldn’t just make it up and tell it.

‘But that doesn’t mean you can’t just read the script and end it. ‘You just have to roughly focus their attention.’

As I stared at the eyes focused on me, I clicked my tongue and began to say what I wanted to say with a slightly quieter tone.

“You seem worried. Some people may not actually understand the current situation. Why should I join the battle? It may be difficult to understand that you have to stand in a more dangerous place than others just because you accidentally awakened this ability. There are probably people like that here.”

Of course there is no answer. Unless you are pointing the finger at someone and asking a question. There would be no way to answer in this situation.

I also didn’t expect anyone to answer, so I just chuckled.

However, it seemed to have succeeded in attracting attention, and questions appeared on the faces of the students on the playground.

Suddenly, my eyes passed by Helen next to me, and her face became rather dead.

Actually, I like to improvise all my speeches, but this time it was a major accident.

Her eyes are round and her expression is almost astonished, but she knows that it’s already too late to stop me, so she can’t do anything about it.

“Someone else might think I’m doing something pointless. There are bound to be some who think that they are making a difficult situation even more difficult by unreasonably starting a war when the world has not yet properly recovered.”

The surroundings became quiet for a moment.

To be exact, it wasn’t that the surroundings became quiet, but that it happened because someone who was speaking alone stopped talking and looked around from the podium.

Actually, wouldn’t it be good to know that now, no matter what?

“But what does a colleague mean to them? What is a friend? If you go beyond the simple explanation of just an acquaintance or a close person, what are your colleagues?”

“… .”

“Does “companion” simply refer to members of a faction group that is close to each other? Does this mean a group that gathers only for personal gain? Is that what it means to be a colleague?”

“No.”

An answer came from several people gathered in the playground.

I nod my head and start talking again.

“That’s right. Unless you are emotionally dry or misunderstand the concept itself. Isn’t this what your friends and colleagues are like? Isn’t the general concept of a colleague that you want to be there for that person, that you don’t want that person to be bothered, that you don’t want that person in trouble, that you want that person to stay safe and smile at you?”

“Yes it is!”

I nodded and smiled at several people who were properly setting the mood.

When I looked at them, most of them were first generation students and most of them had already experienced hardships before birth.

I continued quickly because I thought it might be thought that I had planted a wind catcher.

“And now, the right opportunity has come to confirm that fact. Many people say no, but now is the last chance. This is the last chance to end the fight between humans and monsters.”

“… .”

“You guys have a motive. Because he wants to go beyond the vague notion of human well-being and ensure the safety of his colleagues, family, and friends. Once this final battle is over it will be confirmed as fact.”

“… .”

“So we fight for those around us. For our land, our comrades, and our future. This fight must be brought to an end for the sake of your descendants who will one day be born. So let’s show your courage.”

“… !”

“I don’t know how long the fight will be. And it’s probably going to be difficult. But fight. Prove today that your will will not be broken by monsters or the like. Prove that you can protect your family and friends!”

“Yes! Professor!”

“Okay, Dean!”

“Okay, let’s try it! You have to try it to find out!”

I don’t think it was a speech that would make your blood boil.

For some reason, I didn’t get that type of line either.

In the past, he often gave inflammatory speeches that drew out emotional sources by only talking about abstract humanity, final victory, and glory.

For some reason. That kind of line no longer comes out.

Fortunately, this time too, the speech went well and I am glad that I was able to build up the cadets’ fighting spirit.

… To what extent have I become dull?

With that in mind, I go through the transcript of the speech I have stored in my head and begin to scan for parts that can be naturally continued at this point.

And so the speech continued.

I maintained a naturally heated atmosphere and continued to deliver a passionate speech, but my mind was a little complicated.

Suddenly, I turn my gaze and see two women.

A picture of Jang A-hyeon on the far left. And the figure of Yoon Sia standing in line behind him.

Has their presence made me dull? No, is it true that this has become dull?

‘I don’t think so.’

In fact, the story I spontaneously told earlier was, to some extent, sincere to me.

Because I really wanted to protect them. Because I really wanted to protect the two people who had become so precious to me.

Because I wanted this world to remain unbroken and for them to live in this world without any problems.

‘So we must punish that demon.’

While thinking about that, I almost felt a little embarrassed and smiled bitterly.

I can’t believe that the strong and intimidating Northmund has such soft thoughts in his heart.

Everyone standing in front of me right now, I am the one who crushes everything with that charisma, the me who amazes everyone just by making eye contact.

No one would know that these menacingly sparkling eyes contained such thoughts.

“… So we will win. This is a clear fact that I, Elm Northmund, and you will achieve.”

“Yes, that’s right!”

“With our strength! With your mana weapons! With your abilities! I wipe out all the monsters. Then let’s go, guys!”

“Oooo!”

“Wow! let’s go! Let’s go!”

When I finally finished making the text I had memorized into sound through my mouth, a thunderous roar erupted.

It definitely worked. Wasn’t this the kind of speech that Helen and the organization’s high-ranking officials worked hard to create over a long period of time that would make people boil?

As I was lost in the lingering emotion of the contents for a moment, the organization staff began to guide the academy students.

The destination they are heading to is the teleport room in the basement of the main building. From there, you will be taken to Africa via teleportation.

As I was coming down from the podium after finishing my speech, Helen came up to me and spoke to me.

“Thank you for your hard work, Dean.”

“Thank you. Burns, it’s thanks to the script you made.”

“Hehe, in the end, half of that script was useless.”

I had nothing to say, so I patted her on the shoulder and started walking slowly along with the cadets.

Now that I think about it, the sky is so damn clear. It snowed early in the morning and it has already cleared up so clear.

“It would have been nice if it had snowed at least.”

“Snow?”

“Yes, because the Dean seems to like snowy days.”

As expected, Helen’s tension is still a little down.

It felt a bit unprofessional, but at times like this, Helen felt strongly not as a professor or student, but as a parent and a child leaving to do a dangerous job.

To put it in a good way, it seemed like he was sincere towards the cadets, but in a bad way, it felt like he was interfering too much for a professor.

“Don’t worry, Burns. I will do my best this time too. I will make sure that no one falls to the monsters.”

“… Why are you suddenly saying that?”

“Aren’t you worried about the students? I’m saying this because it’s a pity that you always feel anxious.”

“… That said, I’m worried about the dean this time.”

When I turned to look at her at the unexpected words, I saw Helen looking at me with somewhat sad eyes for some reason.

My eyes were out of focus. But it didn’t seem like he was in a daze. It even seemed like his pupils were trembling a little.

Out of curiosity, I looked at her carefully and slowly opened my mouth.

“Is there any reason to worry about me? I am invincible in any situation. As you know.”

“Yes. I don’t know either. But when I heard that it was the final battle, I got a little worried. no… No, I’m really talking about negativity. Yes, have a nice trip. You must arrive safely, Dean.”

“… Yes, please take good care of the Academy while I am away. Burns.”

I nodded, bowed to her, and walked quickly into the main building.

Is there really such a thing as a woman’s senses?

Both Sia and Helen seem to be feeling uneasy.

Jang A-hyeon didn’t say it out loud as to whether she was being considerate of me, but it seemed like she was feeling the same way.

Do women’s intuition have occult tendencies, just like my fighting sense? Or is it because it is a world in a novel?

As I was thinking such uncharacteristic thoughts, a sweet fruity scent began to waft from somewhere.

Mixed with the familiar fruity scent of late summer, a different smell comes along.

Should I say it is clean, or should I say it is clear?

Mixed with the sweet and thick scent that clung to the depths of my lungs, I also felt a refreshing and slightly refreshing citrus scent.

“Hello, Professor. It’s finally time to compete.”

“Hello Elm… No, Professor.”

They were Jang A-hyeon and Yoon Sia.

Sia’s words were quite intentional. It was an action that was clearly intended to gain the upper hand in a relationship with a romantic enemy.

It also had its own effect, making Jang Ah-hyeon frown.

Still, Jang Ah-hyun is the leader of one faction. No, now he is the unit commander who commands more than 30% of the academy students.

Therefore, they are trying to show a resolute appearance so as not to affect the people following them.

Of course, the original members closest to her had already figured out the situation.

“… .”

“… .”

Although they don’t say it out loud, there is still a level of hostility that can be felt. No, I think it’s annoyance rather than hostility.

In particular, Han Se-jun was looking at Yoon Si-ah with an expression that seemed as if he was blatantly dumbfounded.

I understand.

From the perspective of the character Han Se-jun, Yoon Shi-ah may be seen as a crazy woman who continues to antagonize someone who was dating me not long ago, even though she eventually gave me up to Jang A-hyeon.

The truth is a little different, but it is difficult to explain.

It was a bit surprising that he, who was quite a gentle boy, showed this level of hostility.

“Okay then, let’s go. It looks like all of Gideon’s troops have teleported away. It looks like most of Ramirez’s units are over, so now it’s your turn, Jang A-hyun.”

“Yes, professor. The professor is going too.”

“I guess so. Then let’s go in.”

Jang A-hyeon looks back and asks her followers to move to each teleport room, 30 people at a time! Give the command:

The people gathered in small groups disappear into the teleportation room, and soon it is our turn.

“A teleportation magic circle was created in advance on the South African side. This magic circle is connected to that place.”

“Heh, we’ll be in Africa in a little while. It’s finally real life.”

Yoon Si-ah holds her great sword and continues speaking with a slightly expectant expression.

A great sword engraved with the shape of a dragon. She used a long sword like Han Se-jun before, but it has been a while since she changed her weapon as her special ability evolved and corresponded to her immense strength.

Since existing swords cannot withstand her strength, she uses a custom greatsword specially made of special steel… Although it is known that it was actually a different greatsword that I handed over.

‘Seeing it like this brings back some memories.’

This is the weapon I used when I was an intermediate level player. One way or another, it ended up in her hands.

It’s not an artifact, it’s just a greatsword that is characterized by incredibly strong durability, just like the pure greatsword I like.

‘Existing metals cannot withstand her power.’

No matter how much processing was done, after swinging the sword a few times, the edge was bound to come out.

A normal person with magical abilities would cover her weapon with magic to protect the weapon itself, but it was a difficult application for her with little mana talent to pull off.

Perhaps that is why the characters in 『Kiss Siege Sense』 end up holding weapons in 『Grandis Saga』.

And Jang Ah-hyun, who knows that fact, looks at Sia who is smiling and rolls her eyes a little.

‘Are they going to be okay?’

Although it was something that was made hastily out of necessity, Jang Ah-hyeon called her a ‘colleague’ anyway. When she asked Yoon Sia, she also acknowledged that she was a colleague.

Colleagues who seemed a bit precarious, but still recognized each other. I just hope nothing bad happens.

“Teleport magic circle activated. 10, 9, 8… 3, 2, 1. Let’s go!”

With the sound of a countdown, our vision was covered with light extending from the magic circle.