Ch.120Chapter 120. Into the Light (1)

“Everyone worked hard this semester.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Elaine reflexively bowed at Professor Amillion’s words while shifting her gaze to the empty seat beside her.

By now, she had grown more accustomed to the seat being empty than having someone sitting there.

‘In the end, he didn’t come back until the semester ended.’

A bitter smile appeared on Elaine’s lips.

The protagonist of the seat next to Elaine was Ryu.

Since last seeing him in the O’Neil Kingdom, Ryu still hadn’t returned to the academy.

Many things had happened in the meantime.

The war between the Flora Kingdom and the Laurellai Kingdom in the western part of the continent had finally ended with the Laurellai Kingdom’s victory.

The Flora Kingdom, which had been standing firm even against allied forces from across the continent, collapsed in an instant.

After one battle defeat, the Creatures suddenly vanished, and the Flora Kingdom surrendered the very next day.

Rumors suggested that the kingdom’s capital had been ambushed and nearly annihilated, or that the black mage had realized there was no hope and abandoned the Flora Kingdom to flee.

What was clear, however, was that the Flora Kingdom had surrendered and the war had ended.

And at the center of it all was an unexpected organization.

The Black Shadow Corps.

The Black Shadow Corps, which until now had never had a particularly good public image, had completely transformed their reputation through various incidents.

Hans, the commander-in-chief of the Laurellai allied forces, publicly declared that they had won the war thanks to the help of the Black Shadow Corps.

The commander went on to say that the Laurellai Kingdom would henceforth consider the Black Shadow Corps as allies.

The impact of this statement was tremendous.

Everyone who had been on the battlefields where the Black Shadow Corps participated as part of the allied forces was unanimously favorable toward them.

Thanks to this, the image of the Black Shadow Corps changed in an instant.

And that wasn’t the only news about the Black Shadow Corps.

The O’Neil Kingdom, which was essentially at odds with the Black Shadow Corps due to the Dragon Heart theft incident.

Even from the O’Neil Kingdom came statements supporting the Black Shadow Corps.

They said that with the help of the Black Shadow Corps’ leader, they had captured the black mage and avenged the O’Neil Knights.

As this news spread, the image of the Black Shadow Corps began to transform from merely positive to heroic.

People said that although they didn’t show it openly, they had actually been tracking black mages behind the scenes for the peace of the continent.

One reason these rumors gained such prominence was thanks to Yuria Phrysis, one of the six great families of Crescen.

Following the Laurellai Kingdom and the O’Neil Kingdom, Yuria Phrysis of the Crescen Empire also made a public announcement.

She revealed that she was actually part of the Black Shadow Corps and had been searching for the masterminds behind black magic within the organization.

She added that she was building alliances, saying that cooperation across the continent was needed to find and capture the remaining culprits.

She urged everyone to move forward with the single goal of eradicating black magic from the Arcaria Continent.

“Sigh, he really didn’t come back until the end.”

“…Yeah.”

Cynthia, with her purple hair swaying, came and sat in the empty seat beside Elaine.

By now, Professor Amillion had finished delivering announcements and left the classroom.

Elaine responded dejectedly to Cynthia’s comment.

Despite a series of continent-shaking news breaking one after another, Ryu still hadn’t returned to the academy.

Elaine had sensed when Ryu left that day that she might not see him for a while.

Ryu’s expression was definitely different from usual.

He always seemed relaxed, but on that day, he looked somewhat urgent and anxious.

“Do you think he’ll come back next semester?”

“Since he hasn’t officially withdrawn, I think he will.”

Elaine answered Cynthia’s rhetorical question, mixing in her own hopes.

The others might not know, but Elaine knew for certain.

Ryu wasn’t just someone who could be described as merely working with Yuria.

That day, Elaine had clearly seen the face behind the black mask.

Black clothes and a black mask.

The face hidden inside the Black Shadow Corps leader’s outfit was definitely Ryu.

The very person who had saved her from being kidnapped on the day of the academy entrance exam, and with whom she had gone through countless experiences.

The leader of the Black Shadow Corps, Ryu.

“…If Ryu doesn’t come back either, there will only be four of us in class next semester.”

“…Yeah.”

A sense of loneliness permeated both Elaine and Cynthia’s voices.

Their gazes naturally turned toward Emily, who was gathering her things by the window seat.

Emily would be taking a temporary leave of absence after this semester.

The reason for her leave was one everyone could understand.

To join the organization formed by Yuria Phrysis of the Black Shadow Corps and help find the masterminds behind the black mages.

From what Emily said, her decision wasn’t simply made because she wanted to be with her aunt.

According to her, Emily had seen Undead since she was young.

Additionally, befitting the Phrysis family, she had outstanding magical talent and had recently encountered Undead up close.

Although still a student, she was clearly an asset to anyone.

Yuria acknowledged this and proudly accepted her niece as a member.

So from next semester, Emily would also be away from the academy for a while.

Class S, which clearly started with seven people.

After Cain Hover left, then Ryu disappeared, and now Emily was leaving too.

“Emily and Ryu will both come back someday.”

Elaine nodded lifelessly at Cynthia’s words.

To be honest, she had a vague feeling that Emily would return someday.

However, she wasn’t confident that Ryu would come back.

Elaine had kept the secret she shared with Ryu until now.

She hadn’t mentioned to anyone that Ryu was actually the leader of the Black Shadow Corps.

When everyone speculated that Ryu might be part of the Black Shadow Corps, saying it was certain since he worked with Yuria, Elaine remained silent.

‘There’s no way the leader of the Black Shadow Corps would come back.’

At first, Elaine believed Ryu’s words that he would return later.

But as time passed, incidents occurred, and more articles about the Black Shadow Corps appeared, she instinctively felt that possibility becoming increasingly unlikely.

With the image of the Black Shadow Corps having improved so much across the continent, there was no reason for the leader to hide his identity and return to the academy.

Besides, they had already captured Landgar, the vice-principal who had been hiding as a black mage at Crescen Academy.

“Aren’t you guys coming?”

“Oh, yes. We should go.”

“We were waiting for you.”

Emily, who had finally packed her things, approached Elaine and Cynthia.

Elaine and Cynthia stood up simultaneously and lined up with Emily, who was scratching her head apologetically.

“What are you all doing during the break?”

Emily asked the two in a bright voice.

Emily, who already had plans for the break, seemed curious about her friends’ vacation plans.

Emily looked back and forth between Elaine and Cynthia with genuine curiosity.

Cynthia was the first to respond to Emily’s question.

“Nothing special. Just staying home and training.”

“Hmm. I see.”

“I’m similar. My father and older brother said they’d spar with me if I wanted.”

Emily nodded after hearing their answers.

Her expression was deeply tinged with regret.

She looked like a child disappointed about not being able to play with friends.

It made sense, as Emily had initially invited both Elaine and Cynthia to join Yuria’s alliance.

In the end, they both declined for various reasons.

“Emily, are you going straight to Yuria?”

“Yes. After moving out of the dormitory, I’ll go to my aunt’s house and stay with her.”

Emily’s expression was complicated as she said this.

She looked happy about being with her aunt but sad about leaving her friends, unsure of what to do.

Seeing this, Cynthia and Elaine smiled faintly and nodded at Emily.

Some things just couldn’t be helped.

“Wow, everyone has such solid vacation plans.”

*Freeze*

The three of them simultaneously stopped moving at the voice from behind.

They all turned around at the same time.

A voice both unfamiliar and nostalgic.

“Haha. Long time no see, everyone?”

“Huh…?”

“Oh!”

“…!”

They couldn’t help but be stunned by the sudden appearance of the voice’s owner.

Standing there as casually as if they had seen him just yesterday.

It was Ryu.

“What’s with those reactions?”

Ryu was still the same playful person they remembered.

**

Someone opened their eyes in the deep darkness.

Though it was pitch black with nothing visible ahead, the one who opened their eyes looked around as if they could see everything.

There was nothing around.

*Swish*

The awakened being moved their body carefully, as if checking that it was intact.

Left arm, right arm, right leg, left leg.

The limbs moved according to will.

*Crack*

The being, who had been moving their limbs little by little, soon began to move in earnest.

Moving all limbs simultaneously, someone’s body broke through the wall with a sound like crumbling rocks.

Still, there was no one around, just pitch-black darkness.

“Hoooo.”

A low breath filled the space.

Whoever had broken through the wall stood still for a while.

The figure looked as if sleeping while standing, or as if concentrating on something with eyes closed.

*Flash*

How much time had passed?

The being standing motionless in the darkness suddenly opened its eyes.

‘Something went wrong.’

At the same time, the being thought.

Seeing that there was no one in this place, the plan must have gone awry.

‘It doesn’t matter anyway.’

It didn’t make any difference either way.

*Grin*

The face, as stiff as the limbs, distorted strangely into a smile.