Chapter 201

When I first arrived at the lodgings, I noticed that the situation was quite different from the past.

In the original progression, the students were ambushed by dark mages in the middle of the night and barely managed to repel them after a fierce battle.

There were nearly ten casualties, and the number of injured, including those with serious injuries, was three or four times that.

It was a truly devastating loss.

I remembered the atmosphere among the third-year students on the way back being like a funeral.

But now.

The situation was much different.

The third-year students were fighting back against the invading enemies in a well-organized formation.

Just by looking at them, I could tell that the alarm magic I had requested had played a significant role.

But I soon realized the most crucial difference.

The north and west.

Two people were holding back a large number of dark mages by themselves.

Riviera and Elaine.

Especially Riviera.

Originally, there would be no reason for her, a named boss, to fight against the dark mages.

It meant that her power had never been helpful before.

But now, she was fighting against the dark mages on her own.

She was even covering one entrance all by herself.

The reason for her change from the past was easy to guess.

‘…It must be because of me.’

I didn’t know her exact feelings, but the only thing that had changed was her relationship with me.

Anyway, it was clear that her actions were having a decisive impact on the battle.

By holding back a large number of dark mages and completely blocking the pressure from one direction, it gave the others some breathing room.

Including Elaine in the west.

Elaine would also be feeling much more relaxed than in the past.

Because the heavy burden she had to carry alone was now shared.

I had already anticipated Elaine’s performance.

But then.

“Huh?”

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in surprise.

It was because of the magic she cast after the ice wall broke.

Due to her innate personality, she had always been hesitant to use lethal force, even in situations where it was necessary.

But now, she was using magic with a chillingly cold-hearted approach.

Blizzard, high-level ice magic.

It was a high-powered magic that could only be used with the intention of stopping the enemy, even if it meant killing them.

‘Elaine is using that kind of magic…’

It was an unexpected situation, even for me.

Riviera wasn’t the only one who had changed.

…What kind of change of heart had she gone through?

I didn’t know.

But I could make one guess.

That it wasn’t unrelated to me.

Because the only thing that had changed was her relationship with me.

Then the situation in the north also changed.

Riviera suddenly switched to a powerful offensive, pushing back the dark mages.

It seemed like she had been playing around until now.

Soon, her signature barrage of thick Magic Arrows mercilessly struck the dark mages.

In mock battles, she used Magic Arrows without killing intent, deliberately holding back her power, but this time was different.

Looking at the mangled bodies of the dark mages, the possibility of them being alive seemed to be zero.

After killing all the dark mages, Riviera glanced towards the west, where Elaine was, and suddenly leaped onto the roof.

It seemed like she was saying, “I’ve done my part, so I don’t care anymore.”

…Did she meet her quota?

Well… she definitely exceeded it.

‘Oh, I was too focused on that side.’

Realizing that, I turned my gaze to the south.

And.

Tap, tap, tap!

I immediately started running through the rain.

Because I saw Brett bleeding after being hit by dark magic.

He was destined to die.

Even though the situation had changed, he was still a person to watch out for.

‘There’s no such thing as an unchangeable fate!’

I shouted inwardly, as if to myself, and put more strength into my legs.

* * *

And now.

I was blocking the dark mage’s dark spear.

It was a very close call.

If I had been even a little late, Brett would probably have died.

I was relieved.

Because I couldn’t accept something like an unchangeable fate.

After all, I was Max, the guy who was destined to die.

“Ugh? You, where did you come from?”

The dark mage, who seemed to be the leader, looked puzzled.

It was understandable.

I had been running towards them while under the effects of Invisibility.

That’s how I was able to break through the dark mages’ formation and get here.

The magic eventually wore off, but it didn’t matter.

Because I had already broken through.

“What’s the point of knowing? You’re going to die here anyway.”

Boom!

I forcefully deflected the dark spear.

The leader stumbled back.

There was no way a mere mage could overpower me in a battle of strength.

The leader quickly retreated, creating distance, and his face contorted with rage.

“You’re the one who’s going to die!”

The leader conjured another dark spear.

He was quite skilled, using double Dark Spear.

And it was a more powerful version than the ordinary Dark Spear.

He was probably the main culprit behind the heavy casualties among the third-year students.

Which meant.

‘If I take him down, it’s practically over.’

I made a quick judgment.

There was only one course of action.

Finish him off.

With my own hands.

“Take this!”

The leader fiercely threw one of the dark spears.

A dark spear imbued with powerful energy.

If I dodged it, the classmate behind me would be in danger.

That’s what he was aiming for.

To force me to take the hit.

He wanted a battle where I had to protect someone.

He wanted to tie me down and gain an advantage.

It was a decent strategy, befitting a leader.

But.

‘Do you think it’ll go your way?’

A sneer appeared on my lips.

And my sword moved.

– Net Slash Form.

Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!

My sword drew lines in the air incessantly.

Like a net.

The dark spear couldn’t escape the inescapable net.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!

The blade of the net clashed repeatedly with the dark spear.

The dark spear’s energy, which had been burning intensely, quickly weakened.

To the point where it couldn’t even maintain its form.

At that moment.

I immediately switched to offense.

– Flying Slash Form.

My sword slashed through the air.

At the same time, a sharp gust of wind shot towards the leader.

It was sword wind.

The leader looked clearly flustered, as if he hadn’t expected an attack to fly towards him so quickly without even approaching.

“Huh?!”

He hurriedly blocked the sword wind with the dark spear he had drawn, unable to even think about casting another spell.

Boom!

But the sword wind was powerful, and he couldn’t easily shake off my attack.

I immediately prepared my next attack.

Swoosh.

Sheathing the sword.

I was preparing the strike that I had confirmed the power of at the North Temple.

Thud!

I kicked off the ground powerfully and launched myself forward like an arrow.

By the time he managed to shake off the force of the sword wind, I was already in front of him.

Click!

The scabbard released my sword.

– Speed Slash Form.

“G-Gasp?!”

The leader desperately tried to dodge.

But it was too late.

My drawn blade had already reached his neck.

Slash!

I felt the sensation of flesh and bone being severed simultaneously.

I saw the severed head fall, and a torrent of blood gushed out.

That was the end.

‘Done.’

A satisfied smile appeared on my lips.

I saw Brett, his eyes wide, giving me a thumbs up.

* * *

“I-Is everyone alright? Is everyone safe?”

Professor Nicolo, who had come out late, fussed over everyone.

It seemed like he had been hiding in the lodgings, knowing that he would only be a burden in battle.

Now I understood why he had always been safe.

“Fortunately, everyone is safe. Although there are some injuries.”

Brett, who had quickly finished checking on everyone, replied.

He himself was also injured, but not seriously.

Anyway, it was the best possible outcome.

Not a single casualty, and only about ten injured.

It was a miracle for the third-year students, who had always suffered heavy losses.

It was the result of the small ripple effect I had created, influencing everyone.

Riviera’s participation, Elaine’s cold-hearted approach, Allen overcoming his fragile mental state, and the classmates becoming stronger through mock battles and motivation.

Combined with the installation of the alarm magic, it had led to the best possible outcome.

I was also very satisfied with the result.

Everyone’s fate had changed.

Definitely.

“Oh, I’m so relieved. It’s truly a blessing from the gods. I’m so glad.”

Professor Nicolo sighed in relief.

“We’re glad everyone is safe, but who were those guys and why were they trying to kill us? Do you know anything, Professor?”

Fabiola asked with a frown.

“Hmm, unfortunately, I have no idea…”

“It was dark magic.”

I answered instead of Professor Nicolo, who was shaking his head.

“Dark magic?”

“Ah, now that you mention it, it did resemble the dark magic I’ve heard about.”

“The energy itself felt evil…”

My classmates seemed to be starting to understand after hearing my words.

“Dark magic? Then dark mages? But why would dark mages…?”

Fabiola muttered, confused.

“Who knows? Anyway, what’s certain is that they’re targeting us and they have clear murderous intent.”

I made it clear.

“Then what should we do now?”

Brett said.

He seemed to be asking everyone, but his gaze was fixed on me.

He seemed to know.

No, everyone seemed to know.

That regardless of whether they liked me or not, I was the one they could rely on for judgment in times like this.

I decided to respond.

It was something I had to do anyway.

“Well, we won’t know the exact situation until daybreak. Until then, it’s better to stay alert and not make any rash moves.”

“That’s right. If we move around trying to figure out the situation and get ambushed…”

“Y-Yes, let’s stay here and wait for daybreak.”

“I agree.”

My classmates agreed with my opinion.

“Hmm, I also agree with Max. It’s too dangerous to move around in this darkness and bad weather.”

Professor Nicolo also expressed his agreement.

Just when everyone seemed to have reached a consensus.

Elaine said with a serious expression,

“You say that, but I don’t think you’re thinking the same thing. Is that just my feeling?”

She hit the nail on the head.

As we became closer, she seemed to understand me better.

“Hmm, you’re right that it’s best for the Professor and the others to stay here. But.”

I smiled faintly.

“I’m going to move. There’s a place I want to check out.”

“What? You’re going to move?”

“Alone?”

“Isn’t that too dangerous?”

My classmates were surprised and started buzzing.

Professor Nicolo also seemed flustered.

“M-Max, as the supervising professor, I can’t allow such a dangerous act…”

“No.”

Elaine’s voice stopped the Professor.

Everyone stared at Elaine with wide eyes.

It was rare for her, a model student, to interrupt the Professor and express her opinion.

No, it was probably the first time.

To be honest, I was quite surprised too.

“This is an emergency. And I believe in Max’s judgment in emergencies. He must have a reason. He was the one who told me to set up the alarm magic just in case.”

“Wow, alarm magic?”

“So that commotion was thanks to Max?”

“Whoa, we would have been screwed without it.”

My classmates looked at me with surprised expressions again.

They were looking at me with newfound respect.

“I-Is that so? To think he prepared for any unexpected situation, considering everyone’s safety… What a commendable attitude.”

Professor Nicolo also looked at me with a different light.

Yes, of course.

Praise my foresight to your heart’s content.

Just as I was about to shrug my shoulders, pretending to be nonchalant, as if it was only natural…

“So I’m going with Max.”

Elaine said out of the blue.

“Huh?”

I couldn’t help but let out a surprised sound.