Academy – Hero

-Kwaaaaang!

A white light erupted from Jade’s body.

‘Finally!’

As the moment I’d longed for for months unfolded before my eyes, I barely suppressed the cheer threatening to burst from my lips.

Jade had successfully awakened as the Hero.

The powerful energy undulating around Jade.
Mana trembling as if drawn by a magnet.
Even the right eye glowing blue.

Even I, who had anticipated everything, found myself captivated by this divine spectacle before me.

Had I looked like this when I awakened in the distant past?

I felt strangely disappointed that no one remained who remembered when I became the Hero.

‘The timing of awakening was even better than expected.’

Though I’d been anxious Jade might fail to awaken during this duel, it happened at the perfect moment instead.

Had Jade lost and become a slave, it would’ve been a headache to resolve. In that situation, I’d have had no choice but to use my power to nullify the contract.

Anyway, it turned out to be unnecessary worry.

Well, Jade wasn’t chosen as the Hero for nothing. If they gave up at this level of trial, they wouldn’t deserve the title.

The awakening conditions for Heroes that I know are quite amusing.

The more one rages and strengthens their resolve to protect or save someone, the more their power gradually awakens. Upon reaching a certain threshold, they fully awaken the Hero’s power.

Having experienced similar circumstances myself, I know this to be true.

As expected, Jade awakened splendidly.

Sometimes I wonder why they can’t just grant the Hero’s power immediately.

From the Goddess’s perspective, it seems she only allows its use when one is qualified to handle the power…
But for Heroes, awakening while losing someone or being on the verge of loss is absurd.

“More hidden tricks? Really persistent. Just fall down already!”

Doran wildly fired magic toward Jade.

I should step back now. Mustn’t unnecessarily interfere with Jade.

First calming my excited heart and straightening my clothes, I retreated to a corner of the training ground. From this safe position, I began watching Jade’s movements with awakened power.

Curiosity surged about the developments to come.

Though it’s just children squabbling to me, watching fights is always entertaining.

Will Jade beat Doran up? Cut off limbs?
Or perhaps… kill him?

Given Jade’s personality, I doubt it would come to that.

-Wooong

Aura instantly formed in Jade’s hand as surrounding mana gathered. Then they placed their hand against the incoming magic.

-Fssshhk.

With each swing of awakened Jade’s arm, magic disintegrated.

‘Truly a cheat-like ability.’

It’s also a power I miss.

Upon awakening as a Hero, one can draw and use surrounding mana, while the blue-transformed right eye enables seeing mana flow.

Thus Heroes can counter even magic from higher realms.

Though sensing and analyzing mana flow isn’t difficult at my level…
There’s still a difference between that and seeing every detail visually.

Soon Jade arrived before Doran and grabbed his neck.

“Surrender quietly.”

“Ugh, you lowly commoner!”

Just as Doran refused to surrender and attempted a final struggle,

-Squelch.

Jade completely severed one of Doran’s wrists.

“Oh…”

An admiring gasp escaped me unintentionally.

Though they’d never shown cruel or brutal behavior before, this suggested Jade had harbored considerable resentment toward Doran.

“This is revenge for Lena and me. Shall I do the same to your other hand?”

“Hwaaak! A-alright. I surrender. I surrender!”

Finally, Jade extracted surrender from Doran.

“The winner of this duel is Jade.”

“”Waaaaaah!””

Following the instructor’s victory declaration, cheers erupted.

Even though I orchestrated this situation, it remained a spectacular sight.

This could rightly be called a “miracle”.

-Srrrt.

With Doran’s surrender, the contract activated, severing the mana connection between Doran and me. As expected of an expensive contract, its effects applied swiftly.

Jade stood momentarily dazed before noticing me,

“I did it…”

Then slowly tilted sideways with a relieved expression.

-Thud!

I quickly dashed to catch Jade’s collapsing body.

“Hup!”

They lay unconscious in my arms with a peaceful expression.

-Squish.

Hugging tighter, Jade’s face buried deeper into my chest. My breasts were fully exposed through torn clothes from Doran’s earlier ripping.

Somehow I felt like a mother cradling her baby.

Ugh.

This thought gave me slight goosebumps.

Someone might ask why I went through all this troublesome planning.

Of course, I could’ve dragged Jade somewhere and killed or tortured someone dear before them to awaken their power…
But doing that would make me Jade’s eternal enemy to be hunted down. A fully realized Hero isn’t an easy opponent even for me.

Having lost my Hero’s power in the past, I needed it again for my plans.

Whenever a Demon King emerged, someone with the Hero’s power inevitably appeared.

After uncovering demons’ plot to resurrect the Demon King, I hoped my Hero power might return.
But the vanished power never came back.

Ultimately, I had no choice but to search worldwide for the chosen Hero.

One day, while combing through back-alley rumors and information guilds during my search,
I heard reports of a holy beam of light descending near Vail Academy.

Most dismissed it as nonsense since only low-level informants claimed to have seen it…
But hearing this, I recalled someone mentioning seeing a light beam fall upon me long ago.

‘This is it.’

Though not certain, my intuition screamed the Hero was there.

I immediately headed to Vail Academy. But obstacles arose from the entrance.

‘Now what?’

Having rushed here impulsively, I faced the problem of not knowing who the chosen Hero was.

The completely sealed Hero’s power couldn’t be detected even by my abilities. And if the chosen Hero wasn’t here…

“Sigh… Another wild goose chase?”

As I sat slumped on a roadside bench, lamenting my rash judgment,

“Hey, what classes today?”
“Combat training and… history.”
“Only combat overlaps with mine. See you later.”

Several students passed by the academy entrance, chatting cheerfully.

‘Academy life…’

As an orphan raised by mercenaries, I never dreamed of academy life.

But surely everyone in the mercenary band imagined it at least once –
Being born into wealth, naturally entering an academy,
Making new friends, taking exams, creating happy memories.

Seeing the students made forgotten childhood dreams resurface.

‘Since I’m already here…’

I naturally decided to experience academy life temporarily. Even if no Hero existed here, it would make good memories.

Fulfilling this small wish while resting didn’t seem bad. Though mingling with newly adult children felt slightly embarrassing at my age.

Days later, I forged documents and enrolled. While scanning students for the Hero,
I incidentally enjoyed reliving youth through academy life. Whether nobles or commoners, the inexperienced students seemed like chirping chicks to me.

Discovering Jade possessed the Hero’s power happened purely by chance.

**

During a group assignment where we struggled against a Black Ogre.

A creature that would normally vanish with a wave of my hand, but hiding my power made quick disposal difficult.

“Gueeeek!”

“Such a nuisance!”

-Thunk.

Even channeling mana into my sword couldn’t pierce its black hide. No wonder most adventurers flee upon encountering Black Ogres.

I’d have to use Aura at this rate…

-Swaaash!

The Black Ogre’s club rushed toward me as I hesitated.

I could easily dodge this by sidestepping-

“Look out!”

-Wham!

“Huh?”

My body suddenly flung forward. Jade had pushed me from behind.

-Crash!

Jade took the Black Ogre’s club strike meant for me and went flying.

‘What a foolish act…’

I hadn’t expected Jade to intervene for an attack I could easily evade.

Though I considered them unimportant, I had to save them. After quickly dispatching the ogre, I rushed to check their condition.

As I felt Jade’s face to check consciousness-

-Twitch.

An extremely faint but warm energy pulsed from Jade’s chest.

‘Th-this is…?’

Others might not have noticed, but I couldn’t mistake this energy’s identity.

It was the Hero’s aura.

**

Looking back, Jade’s Hero power likely awakened in response to their determination to protect me.

Truly fortunate. Perhaps a gift from the Goddess for my hardships.

From then on, I devised a plan to awaken Jade while enjoying myself.

First, seduce Jade to build affection and naturally create bonds. Ideally making Jade completely fall for me.

Next, use Doran who’d been tailing me – make Jade witness my violation to awaken the Hero’s power.

In this process, I’d enjoy watching myself being ravished and falling into depravity.

What a perfect plan!

Though risks of deviation existed… it proceeded almost flawlessly.

Thanks to Doran diligently having me, I was extremely happy for a week, and reactions from students plus Annie and Jade were fantastic.

In conclusion, I enjoyed this academy life immensely.

Enough to rank among my top five life experiences.

“Ugh…!”

Jade’s labored moan reached me.

Looking down, Jade’s face was buried in my chest, struggling to breathe.

‘Oops.’

Lost in thought, I must’ve hugged too tightly. Though dying smothered by my ample breasts might be a reward for Jade.

I loosened my arms to create space.

Jade’s face now showed peaceful expression again.

“Sigh…”

Regardless.

I gently stroked unconscious Jade’s cheek. My fingers came away smeared with dirt and blood from their face.

“Jade, I look forward to working with you.”

For our journey is just beginning.