Academy – The Hero is a Pushover

“Growburn Village?”

At Sara’s words, Jade made a face that showed he had no idea what kind of place that was.

It was a remote village, so it made sense he’d never heard of it in his life.

“Right. The Hero should go to the Holy Kingdom as soon as possible to be formally appointed. I don’t know what those higher-ups are thinking.”

Instead of heading straight to the Holy Kingdom, they suddenly mentioned Growburn Village.

I pondered for a moment about what the Rika Kingdom’s intentions might be.

This is an unexpected order – what could their purpose be?

They must want something from us…

“The reward will be given by dispatched personnel when you solve the problem and arrive in the Holy Kingdom. I don’t know how much they’ll give. Anyway, even if you refuse as the Hero, the Rika Kingdom can’t do anything about it. If they try to control you arbitrarily, the Empire and other kingdoms won’t stay quiet. You can just ignore this kind of order.”

“Is Growburn Village suffering significant damage because of a dungeon?”

“Hmm… To my knowledge, the dungeon appeared in Growburn Village quite some time ago. The village’s location is too remote, making it ambiguous to send investigation teams, so it’s been neglected until now. Because of this, casualties keep occurring.”

Upon hearing that, Jade immediately responded.

“Then I’ll go to Growburn Village.”

“Alright, straight to the Holy… What did you say?”

Sara looked flustered by the unexpected answer. I thought he’d at least hesitate, but Jade made his choice without wavering.

Hehe.

Sara had underestimated the Hero’s pushover mentality.

Someone who wouldn’t save a village in this situation would never have been chosen as the Hero. True to being everyone’s errand-boy Hero, Jade chose the path of helping people.

…Of course, this was also my story from the past.

If I saw someone needing help, I couldn’t just pass by, so I got involved in all sorts of trouble.

While I helped and saved many people, there were more than a few times my life was threatened.

Hmm.

‘I was quite the pushover Hero too.’

For some reason, seeing Jade’s behavior kept overlapping with my past self, making me embarrassed.

“It won’t cause problems if we arrive at the Holy Kingdom a bit late, right?”

“That’s true but… Well, you didn’t become the Hero for nothing.”

Sara looked impressed by Jade’s spirit of sacrifice.

“Still, the higher-ups didn’t make an unreasonable demand. Growburn Village is slightly out of the way but still in the direction of the Holy Kingdom. Solve the village’s issues and head straight there. Of course, without Warp, you’ll need to use a carriage…”

According to the explanation, the situation isn’t as bad as expected. While reaching the Holy Kingdom will be considerably delayed, it’s not an urgent crisis yet.

“But what happens to the Academy if we leave?”

“I’ve already handled that. You don’t need to attend Vail Academy anymore. How could this small academy keep someone who’s awakened as the Hero?”

“Ah, then…”

Jade, who had been nodding, noticed Annie and me sitting beside him and froze. He then hesitated for a long time without answering.

Probably afraid we’d be separated if he left the Academy.

But the perceptive Dean solved Jade’s dilemma.

“Ah, that’s what worries you. Annie, Rena. If you wish, I can arrange for you to go together. Ultimately, who joins the party is strictly the Hero’s privilege.”

“Thank you!”

“But being part of the Hero Party isn’t easy. You’ll be joining the most dangerous party. Countless enemies will target you. Are you still okay with that?”

Sara spent considerable time explaining the dangers of the Hero Party.

She seemed worried we might join blindly due to Hero fantasies. Nothing could be more foolish than that.

What people see of Hero Parties are mostly glorious victories and honorable returns. But behind those honorable moments lie countless efforts and sacrifices.

Joining a Hero Party means being prepared to sacrifice your life. That’s how heavy the burden is.

‘Fate really…’

To think I’d have to participate again in that dreadful Hero’s journey.

Still, my answer was already decided.

“I’ll go with Jade. I also have a debt to repay him.”

“Hehe… Thanks.”

Jade scratched his head with a bright smile.

‘Aigoo, looking so proud about that?’

He must have remembered when he saved me at the mention of “debt.” Seeing that satisfied expression makes me want to plunge him into despair again.

Anyway, I must go with Jade. After all the trouble I went through at the Academy for this.

Or was it?

It felt more enjoyable than troublesome.

“I expected Rena would say that… Annie, what will you do?”

Unlike me, Annie was deep in thought.

Truthfully, Annie’s magical talent isn’t particularly outstanding. She probably wants to go but worries her skills might be a burden.

‘Such unnecessary worries.’

Officially, Annie is the only mage among us three, so we’ll need her help until we find a new mage anyway.

She’ll likely agree if given a little push, so I’ll sway her mind slightly.

“Annie, you don’t have to stay till the end. We’ll visit the Magic Tower during the journey. Didn’t you want to go there? How about coming along until then? Having been part of the ‘Hero Party’ will guarantee your acceptance at the Magic Tower.”

Annie’s wavering resolve seemed to fully tip to one side as a satisfactory answer came.

“If it’s until the Magic Tower… I’ll come along for now. My skills are lacking, but please take care of me going forward!”

When we all agreed to go, Jade’s expression visibly brightened. He grabbed one of each of our hands with both of his.

“Thank you, everyone. You’re the only people I can truly trust.”

Sara, being Magic Tower affiliated, wore an awkward expression.

“…I’m not sure the Magic Tower will accept you just because of that. Anyway, since you’ve all decided to go together? Then take this.”

-Thud.

Sara placed a pouch before us.

“Consider it a gift commemorating your friendship. It should be enough for expenses until you reach the village.”

When Jade opened the pouch, it contained more money than expected.

‘Quite generous.’

Roughly counting, it was over 10 gold coins… I’d need to complete about 50 subjugation requests to earn that much.

“…This is too much.”

When Jade hesitated at the burdensome amount, Sara added:

“It’s also an apology gift. I put in some personal funds too. If it’s still burdensome, think of it as a bribe from me to the Hero. I want to stay on good terms with a future hero.”

“Jade, take it quickly. It’s rightful compensation we deserve.”

I urged Jade from beside him. Not like Sara would take the money back anyway.

Though this means we can’t do the “pay with your body” play due to lack of money… We’ll just have to get robbed somewhere.

Sara’s relatively young age shows in her straightforward, unaffected style. She doesn’t seem like someone who’d betray or exploit us.

Before meeting her, knowing most academies aren’t in great shape, I assumed the Dean would be wicked too. I expected her to forcibly silence us or act unreasonably upon seeing us.

I would’ve destroyed the academy if that happened.

But Sara isn’t that bad of a person, making things ambiguous.

Should I lightly tease her instead?

**

After the long talk with Sara, we exited the Dean’s Office.

-Thud.

Jade sighed deeply as soon as the door closed.

“Whew… Never imagined the Dean would be like this.”

“I thought she’d be super dignified too. Her immediately kneeling shattered my mental image…”

“Guys, go ahead first? I need to speak with the Dean separately.”

“We can wait that long.”

Jade gestured it was fine and told me to come back quickly.

This might get me caught though…

‘Do I need to come back tonight?’

Still feeling unsatisfied, I try shooing Jade away again.

“No. Classes have probably started already – you should go.”

“It’ll just be a few minutes?”

Yet Jade kept trying to wait, completely oblivious.

‘How dense…’

But Annie, meeting my eyes, seemed to sense I wanted privacy and grabbed Jade’s arm.

“Jade, come on. We’ll go to the classroom first!”

“Huh? Shouldn’t we wa─”

“Ugh. Just be quiet and follow.”

Annie started dragging the bewildered Jade down the hallway.

‘I made good friends.’

I gave Annie a thumbs-up.

Once they completely disappeared, I reentered the Dean’s Office.

-Creak.

“Haa. The biggest issue is resolved…”

Sara, slouched in her chair, jumped upon seeing me.

“R-Rena? Did you forget something?”

“Sara-yang. It’d be a shame to end things like this.”

“Huh?”

Sara seemed flustered by my suddenly changed demeanor.

“Shall we talk privately?”

-Whoosh.

With a flick of my finger, the office was engulfed in crimson light.

“…What are you?”

Sara’s face hardened as she recognized the level of magic I used. A staff had already materialized in her hand.

Not bad reaction speed for an unexpected ambush.

“I’m Rena, a student of Vail Academy. Though I’ll be withdrawing tomorrow.”

“Still keeping up the act?”

“You can’t escape anyway.”

“Cough!”

Sara clutched her chest and collapsed. She’d tried casting Warp Magic unnoticed but got blocked by the barrier, causing mana backflow.

“With your skills, escape is impossible.”

“Haha… Two worst-case scenarios back-to-back in two days.”

Sara laughed hollowly while desperately trying to assess the situation.

“Do you have a grudge against the Magic Tower? Did you come to kill me? Or do you want something from me?”

“Nothing like that. I just want to play with you.”

-Thud. Thud.

I slowly approached the collapsed Sara and stroked her cheek. Her tense pupils shook violently.

“You seem stressed… Let me make you feel good.”