Academy – Jade (1)

“Today’s lecture topic is Mutant Monsters.”

-Hmm.

As the professor lightly waved his hand, illusions of various mutant monsters unfolded above the blackboard. From common Goblin variants to ferocious Ogre mutants-the types were diverse.

“Mutant monsters began appearing after the Demon King and demons emerged on the continent. The Demon King’s power was identified as the cause.”

Monsters had always been a threat to humanity. However, since they were rejected by humans, elves, and even beastkin alike, their factions grew increasingly weak due to their inability to cooperate.

The problem arose after the Demon King’s appearance. The demons invading from the demon realm unified the monsters and used their power to create even stronger mutant monsters. From then on, humanity found itself helplessly pushed back and forced to flee from monsters.

Of course, this was only the story until I killed the Demon King and drove out the demons.

‘Still, is there any new information I don’t know…?’

Listening to things I already knew was torture. Sometimes, when I heard inaccuracies, I felt the urge to correct them.

Naturally, no one at the academy teaching as a professor would be knowledgeable enough to know such details.

Having given up hope, I rested my chin on my hand and blankly stared at the images of various monsters.

Then, I suddenly became curious about the anatomy of creatures I hadn’t experienced yet.

‘Wow… That Ogre looks like it’d be huge.’

Unlike humans, monsters came in truly diverse forms. Some were elongated, some had protrusions on their surfaces, others could move freely while embedded…

In any case, based on experience, there was every kind imaginable. Even I hadn’t encountered all of them yet.

I need to leave this place soon to meet them. I can’t wait for the day I escape the academy.

“After the Demon King’s death, mutants are believed to have nearly disappeared. However, reports of unexplained mutants have recently surged. Those undertaking ‘Subjugation Requests’ should be especially cautious.”

The professor looked directly at me while speaking. This was clearly meant for my ears.

Seems word of me taking on many requests has reached the professor.

Still, if it’s going to become public knowledge anyway, it’s not bad. I welcome rumors about me spreading widely.

‘Still, it’s annoying….’

Mid-lecture, I finally cast an illusion over my body.

There didn’t seem to be any crucial points to note, and this would make me appear diligently attentive.

Looking outside the window, the weather was clear with not a cloud in sight, sunlight pouring down.

Gazing at the scenery, I pondered today’s plans.

I’ve appropriately established a relationship with Jade. By now, people around us likely see us as… that kind of pair.

Now, I just need that bastard Doran to make his move….

“That’s all for today’s class. Prepare the assignment I mentioned earlier by next session.”

While lost in thought admiring the view, the professor concluded the lecture and exited.

“Hey, wanna grab something to eat?”

“Can you explain this part to me?”

“Ugh. I hate exam prep.”

I scanned the noisy classroom during break time. Then, I spotted Doran approaching Jade from one corner.

Doran whispered something briefly into Jade’s ear before leaving. After hesitating, Jade followed him out moments later.

Glancing toward where Annie sat, she was fast asleep with her face buried in her arms. Having chatted late into the night yesterday, it made sense she’d be exhausted.

The stage was naturally set.

“Haa…”

I stretched lightly.

Time to go harvest the fruits.

**

“Jade, you know where. Follow me to the inner garden behind the academy.”

Doran whispered into Jade’s ear. At the voice, Jade flinched.

Jade watched Doran’s retreating back.

He didn’t want to go. Fear etched into his bones made Jade’s body tremble. But refusing would only invite greater suffering.

Ultimately, Jade had no choice but to rise and head toward the school’s rear.

Jade arrived at the garden located behind the academy.

The academy garden was spacious enough that many students used it for clandestine meetings.

Deep within the garden, in a secluded corner where no one ventured-

Doran stood waiting.

“Why-“

Doran immediately slapped Jade’s cheek the moment he saw him.

-Smack!

As Jade collapsed to the ground, Doran began violently stomping on his body as if he’d been waiting for this.

Thud! Crack! Thud-!

“Ghk….”

I have to endure. Jade clenched his teeth, suppressing the scream threatening to burst out.

His only form of resistance was minimizing reactions to bore Doran.

“While I, a noble, get ignored by Rena right beside you.”

-Crunch!

Doran’s foot slammed into Jade’s temple.

“Agh!”

A pained scream escaped Jade this time-he couldn’t hold it back.

“You enjoyed Rena being friendly to trash like you, huh? Quit clinging to her and get out of the academy. Why’s a bottom-feeder like you even trying?”

Jade knew it too. Rena was far too good for him.

But he couldn’t bring himself to abandon the kindness and warmth she showed him.

‘Rena is beautiful, strong. She was even kind to me.’

Because of this, even while being beaten, Jade couldn’t bring himself to say he’d give up on Rena.

“I can’t… give up on Rena….”

Doran found Jade’s response absurd.

“Ha, are you insane? You think you belong with Rena? She’s perfect as my concubine. A commoner like you might have decent talent, but nobles only see you as collectibles-don’t you get it?”

Doran chuckled, perhaps imagining Rena as his possession.

“Hehe, she might act high and mighty now, but soon she’ll realize her place and weep beneath me.”

“Don’t insult Rena!”

Jade lunged at Doran for demeaning her, but his level only earned him fiercer blows.

“Pathetic bastard.”

-Crunch! Thud! Crack!

Jade loathed his helplessness against someone insulting her.

**

Jade had enrolled in Vail Academy with his parents’ support, hoping for his success.

Though not wealthy-his parents farmed near another city-they saved diligently to send him here.

But lacking talent, Jade lived on the edge, barely avoiding expulsion.

‘If I get expelled and return to my parents… what then?’

Jade constantly worried about this terrifying future.

One day, when he saw Rena-who’d enrolled mid-semester-Jade couldn’t believe his eyes.

He’d never seen anyone so beautiful in his life.

Golden hair cascading to her waist, sea-blue eyes, delicate features-he fell for her at first sight.

He wondered if the Saintess, whom people called the goddess’s incarnation, would look like this.

But Rena belonged to a distant world.

She topped her first exam upon arrival, with rumors she was nearing 5 Stars.

Jade, barely at 3 Stars Initial Stage and scoring bottom-tier in written exams, was her polar opposite.

Then one day, as if the goddess had granted him a small gift-

Jade was randomly paired with Rena for a group project.

Others mocked him for his last-place status and “luck,” but… he couldn’t contain his excitement at being with Rena. Just walking and talking with her for the project made his heart race.

The assignment involved volunteering at the Adventurer’s Guild for requests, with grades based on performance.

“Rena, wait! Isn’t this quest too difficult?….”

At the guild, Jade tried stopping Rena from selecting high-difficulty monster extermination quests-

“These are requests I usually handle. Just follow quietly.”

Rena’s confidence silenced him, forcing him to comply.

But his worries proved unnecessary-the first few days went smoothly.

No, effortlessly.

Rena’s claim of monster-hunting experience was true; she swept through targets like a storm.

With little combat experience, Jade barely contributed-only handling stragglers she missed.

Jade watched Rena mow down monsters.

Her golden hair fluttered as she dodged every attack, moving with flawless grace to cut them down.

Her sword strokes were like an artist’s brush-precise and delicate. The blade gleamed as if flowing with light itself.

Under moonlight in the dark forest, she resembled a sword goddess descended to earth.

But things couldn’t always go well.

On the final day, disaster struck-an unexpected mutant appeared.

A Black Ogre, a ferocious variant, emerged during an Orc extermination request.

With jet-black skin instead of green, it resisted even mana-infused blades.

Though Rena easily handled regular Orcs, she struggled against the Black Ogre.

―Screeeech!

Then, Jade spotted the Black Ogre’s club swinging toward Rena’s side.

A life-threatening moment.

Instinctively, Jade threw himself to push her aside.

-Crash!

“Jade!”

The tremendous impact knocked Jade unconscious.

When he awoke, pain radiated from his chest, and breathing was labored-clearly several broken ribs.

“Hurk….”

Blurry vision showed Rena finishing off the Ogre and rushing toward him.

“Ugh, why’d you do something so stupid… Huh?”

Rena touched Jade’s face to check on him, then froze.

When Jade looked at her quizzically, her blue eyes were wide with shock.

“Could you be….”

Rena murmured in disbelief, hand still on his face.

“I never expected Jade… To think… Hero’s talent… Poor thing….”

She began muttering fragments under her breath.

Suddenly snapping back, she frantically rummaged through her bag.

“No time for this-need to treat you….”

Rena pulled out multiple potions and began pouring them into Jade’s mouth.

“It was a foolish decision… but thank you for shielding me.”

Jade had never heard Rena speak so gently. From that day, she changed.

To others, she remained the same. But to Jade-

“You were in pain yesterday-are you okay now?”

Rena started worrying about him whenever something happened.

“You’ve got a cut on your face. Let me apply some ointment.”

“Th-thank you….”

Once, Jade gifted Rena sweets to thank her for helping him ace their group project.

Rena had rejected countless gifts from others. Jade expected rejection too.

‘Even if she refuses… At least I expressed my feelings.’

“This is to thank you for the group project. You don’t have to accept if you don’t like it.”

“What are you talking about? Thank you for the gift. I’ll enjoy it.”

But she accepted Jade’s present alone.

Jade even imagined her ears turning slightly red.

‘Could Rena feel…?’

This absurd thought consumed him.

Jade couldn’t fathom why she treated him kindly.

Did taking the Black Ogre’s blow for her move her heart?

Or my face? Probably not….

Whatever the reason, Jade was simply happy his crush noticed him.

But as the saying goes-gain something, lose something.

His happiness was short-lived. Hell soon found Jade.

One day after class, Doran approached him.

“Hey, Jade!”

“Doran? What do you-…”

“Seems something’s going on between you and Rena lately… Back off. She’s mine.”

“What…? Rena’s my precious friend!”

“Tch, this is getting tedious.”

From that day, Doran’s torment began.

-Thud! Wham! Crack!

“Agh, ugh! Stop….”

“How long you gonna cling to this academy? Quit already.”

The bullying ranged from simple beatings-

“This’ll hurt extra today.”

“Wait… Kyaaaaagh!”

-To electric torture using Lightning Magic.

Abuse usually occurred behind the male dormitory, away from Rena and Annie’s eyes. Later, it extended to deserted academy corners.

Resisting or reporting it risked Doran targeting Annie and Rena-so Jade endured.

Naturally, Annie and Rena noticed Jade’s injuries.

“You’ve got bruises on your arm. Did you fall?”

“Oh this…? Must’ve happened during sword practice.”

Jade could only blame training accidents.

Telling Rena might make her confront Doran.

But she couldn’t stop harassment in male-only spaces or hidden spots.

Moreover, asking the girl he liked for protection… Jade couldn’t bear such shame.

As Doran continued stomping on Jade-

“Who’s there?”

A woman’s voice rang out.

‘That voice-?’

Jade urgently turned toward the sound. There stood Rena, eyes wide with shock.

‘No, why now…!’

Shame and self-loathing made Jade want to hide, but it was too late.

Rena witnessed Doran stomping on him, her blue eyes widening.

“What are you two- Jade!”

“Huh? Rena? Ugh!”

Rena rushed over, shoved Doran aside, and checked Jade’s condition.

“Jade! Jade! Are you okay?”

“Ugh.”

Jade barely managed a nod.

To be seen like this by Rena… Haha, I’m terrified of what she’ll think of me now.

Self-loathing overwhelmed Jade at his helplessness.

“Were all your past injuries because of….”

Rena turned with fury, grabbing Doran’s collar as he stood.

“Kgh! Rena, do you realize what you’re doing?”

“That’s my line. Have you been tormenting Jade all this time?”

Doran shamelessly smirked and nodded.

“Yeah. Just educating a talentless commoner leeching off the academy. My noble duty.”

“You disgusting trash!”

Rena slammed Doran to the ground without hesitation.

-Thud!

“Ghk, oww….”

Doran grimaced, clearly not expecting this.

“Even for you, this crosses a line.”

“H-hey, Rena! If you do this to Doran-!”

Messing with nobles invited severe repercussions. Jade feared the fallout would harm Rena too.

But Rena’s next move left Jade stunned.

“No, I can’t tolerate your actions any longer.”

Shiiiing-

Rena drew her sword from its scabbard.

Jade watched her with dread.

‘…Don’t.’

Praying his imagination was wrong.

But his ominous预感 became reality.

“Doran, I challenge you to a duel.”