episode_0051

After this attack, most of the classes were canceled, so except for students who were conducting individual training or receiving treatment in the infirmary, most were idle.

Special investigators from Hwangseong came due to the unprecedented Academy Demon attack incident, creating a somewhat tense atmosphere as they roamed around.

“It’s quite unusual for the demons to openly invade the heart of the Empire like this.”

I also spent a considerable amount of time meticulously investigating the incident, as I was involved due to dealing with an intermediate-level demon.

After that, there was a surge in visits to check on their children’s safety for several days.

After the conversation with Iris, since nothing special happened, I focused a bit on Claire’s mental care.

Claire seemed somewhat shocked as she almost saw someone die in front of her, so I made sure to take walks together and engage in various conversations to prevent it from becoming a trauma, and she seemed to have coped well.

She expressed a desire to help out in the infirmary still filled with injured people.

“I thought about helping too, but Claire’s firm refusal was a bit unexpected.”

Nevertheless, using that as a pretext, I discreetly checked if there were any individuals trying to harm Claire without revealing myself to other students, but there were none.

I was a bit worried about frequently entering Helena’s private room, but judging by Claire’s current state, I quietly descended from the tree and left.

I’m curious about what they might be talking about, but I didn’t want to eavesdrop out of respect for them.

I was thinking of going to the swordsmanship training hall to practice with a sword, but I felt someone familiar running towards me from afar.

“Hey, you’re not an exemplary parolee from the dorms. Have you been doing well?”

Victor, who jokingly smiled at me, was the one speaking.

“I could endure thanks to you and Claire taking care of me. They said I made a significant contribution to defeating monsters and protecting students this time.”

“You just cut down one demon in front of you; it was just a simple slash. It’s embarrassing when you praise me like that.”

I found myself looking at Victor, who seemed to speak hesitantly.

He’s someone I’ve directly influenced since coming to this world, and he’s already performing so well.

“He doesn’t seem to have any major injuries.”

Considering that the level of this attack was quite high and there are few students who can respond properly, it was impressive that he showed his potential early on.

If things continue like this, he might grow into a knight with a well-balanced offense and defense with a one-handed sword and shield.

It wouldn’t hurt to spend some time assisting Victor with his sword.

I felt overwhelmed trying to clear the main scenario alone after this incident.

I’ll think about this more later.

“So, Victor, what’s up? You seem like you have something to say.”

“As expected, you can’t be fooled. How are you so quick-witted? That beautiful lady who visited you last time during the visitation came to see you again.”

I responded appropriately to Victor’s envious expression as he patted my back, but I felt a pang of regret.

“Have fun during the visitation! I’m off to train.”

After bidding farewell to Victor, my steps as I turned back… felt heavy.

Will I be able to handle this?

Apart from meeting Cineria as an enemy in the latter part, I don’t know much about her, so if negotiations fail this time, Ardent Academy may have to turn an unbearable opponent into an enemy.

With a heavy heart, as I opened the door to the annex’s reception room, among the many people, one person stood out.

Wearing a simple white dress but exuding an unmistakable charm, the impressive Cinerea met my gaze and walked towards me.

“It’s been a while, our Yukal. I heard there was some incident at the academy this time. Any injuries?”

The gazes that had been captivated by her beautiful appearance quickly shifted towards me, as expected.

“Not good. In case of emergencies, people should move to safer locations before negotiations.”

“Thanks to your concern, there are no special injuries. Since it’s crowded here, how about relocating?”

“Yeah. I’m curious where Yukal wants to show me. Let’s go.”

As we left with Cinerea, there were resentful glances from the crowd, but –

“I saved your lives.”

Those who were giving me ominous looks would have had nothing to say if I had been late.

Cinerea might already be on the list for handling internally.

Taking her to the dessert cafe I visited last time during our meeting, I was relieved that Claire wasn’t working and led us into a separate room inside.

Seeing Cinerea still smiling mysteriously, I gathered my thoughts and spoke up.

“You must have heard about the issue and decided it’s best to relocate here for compliance. Are you comfortable with that?”

“Yukal, are you going to be so formal? It makes me a little sad.”

Was she asking me to speak as I did when we first met in the starting village?

Or was it more about treating her more familiarly than that?

Despite not having great memories, I had no choice but to adapt to Cinerea’s preferences.

“Alright, I’ll let you speak comfortably as you wish. So, Ri-”

“Just wait a moment.”

As I was about to mention Lia as Cinerea had asked to call her for the negotiations, she interrupted me by gesturing with her index finger.

I stared into the seemingly empty space, wondering if there was something there.

Even though I tried to activate my heightened senses beyond the last limit, I felt nothing unusual.

“What are you waiting for…”

How long had we been in this standoff situation? Cinerea slowly began to speak.

“How long are you going to silently watch like that? Our little half-baked junior mage.”

“Iris was watching, wasn’t she?”

I thought I had become quite strong, but not being aware of Iris’s surveillance surprised me.

If Iris could sacrifice herself to stop Cinerea, it goes without saying that Cinerea’s level was beyond comprehension.

I felt a slight sense of self-reproach. The significant gap between us was still apparent.

“Still, if handled well, this could serve as a stepping stone to completely change the main scenario.”

However, what bothered me was that Cinerea’s tone and attitude towards Iris seemed familiar, as if I had seen it several times before.

Although Iris was skilled, if Cinerea set her mind to it, she could go undetected. Being immediately caught under surveillance or recognized was a concern.

Given Cinerea’s appearance and rough identity, outsiders in the crowded reception room might have recognized her and followed her since then.

When I stole stat stones from the Academy’s secret warehouse in the past, Sineria likely did not wipe out the Academy because there is a high possibility that Iris negotiated like me.

“It was nice to see you after a long time, Yukal. I want to stay together more, but it seems impossible because someone is eagerly waiting to see me. I’ll come visit again next time, so let’s make sure to meet just the two of us then.”

Probably when Sineria visited me, considering the sudden departure while saying those words.

“If it’s you, you can understand the ‘contract’ hanging over Yukal right now perfectly well. This is simply fulfilling the fair promise to negotiate alone, so what will you do if you interfere?”

Sineria chuckled sternly and ruffled my hair.

“Or maybe you want to see our cute Yukal become a wreck because he couldn’t properly fulfill the contract? I cannot respect the taste of taking care of a broken Yukal.”

Only then could I sense something dispersing with a crackling sound.

As if indicating we could now have a proper conversation, Sineria smiled at me again.

“Now that the Stalker Mage’s interference is no longer present, we can talk properly.”

“This is just the beginning. You need to get your act together because everything from now on will change.”

“Hmm~ So how did our dear Yukal figure out my true identity when we first met? That’s what I’m most curious about.”

Fortunately, one of the questions I anticipated opened the door to negotiation.