Ch.5656. The Lion King’s Birthday

After the competition ended, the atmosphere at Demacia Academy had changed significantly. The reason was that the true abilities of the cadets who had been quietly honing their skills were finally revealed.

Those who had already stood out during the semester were a given, but the emergence of cadets who had been hiding their true abilities until now heated up discussions within the academy.

This was especially pronounced among the first-year cadets. Having spent barely half a year at the academy, they hadn’t had many opportunities to accurately assess one another.

At best, they had only made rough estimates based on entrance mock battles and evaluations during lectures.

In the midst of this, the competition had been fought purely on skill regardless of social status, and the excitement from it had yet to subside.

Of course, evaluations of the top-tier students hadn’t changed much. Names like Ian, Patrick, Illen, Lily, Angelina, and Hans, who had already been tacitly acknowledged as top performers, simply gained more prominence.

But Gilbert’s situation was somewhat different.

If one were to name the best first-year now, Gilbert would undoubtedly be mentioned. The golem control techniques he demonstrated during the competition were in a realm beyond what others could reach.

Particularly, his final battle with Seraphina, whom many didn’t hesitate to call the academy’s strongest, remained a favorite topic of conversation among cadets even weeks after the competition had ended.

Their confrontation was evaluated as thrilling, spectacular, and even beautiful in its conclusion.

Given the circumstances, Ian’s reputation—as Gilbert’s opponent in the finals—also rose. Though he had lost like other cadets, his overwhelming performance up to the semifinals and his tenacious pursuit of Gilbert in the finals had left a strong impression on everyone.

Moreover, with his typically good conduct and handsome appearance, he had monopolized the popularity among female students through this competition.

Gilbert was also a strikingly handsome man, but his fierce gaze and the rumors surrounding him made people wary.

For this reason, Ian naturally received the attention of female students, and now he had a group of followers.

It was the same now. Even while moving between classrooms, the number of female students surrounding Ian showed no sign of decreasing. If anything, as time passed, female cadets from other years were also gathering around him.

Watching from a distance, Gilbert couldn’t help but admire the fact that Ian still didn’t use that cringe-worthy way of speaking in front of others. Selective chuunibyou—Gilbert wasn’t sure if it was a blessing or an even bigger problem.

“I agree. At this point, it could be called blind devotion.”

“That’s exactly what I mean. They almost look like they’re under an enchantment spell. Don’t you think so, Sir Gilbert?”

Hans asked Gilbert, who was walking ahead, but as he expected, no answer came…

“Well, perhaps so.”

“Huh…?”

Not expecting a response, Hans stopped in his tracks at Gilbert’s words. Usually, Gilbert didn’t respond much to such comments…

Did the sun rise from the west today?

Hans’ body frivolously turned westward.

Angelina sighed deeply at Hans’ behavior.

“I hope you’re not checking if the sun rose from the west today.”

“Y-yes, as expected of the Strategist Angel…”

Whack!

“I told you not to call me by that creepy nickname.”

That damned nickname…!

After mercilessly hitting Hans on the head, she shuddered.

The nickname that had stuck to Angelina after the comprehensive evaluation was “Angelina the Strategist.” During the evaluation, while Gilbert was fighting with his golem, she had gathered the panicked cadets and naturally assisted Gilbert, earning her that nickname among the students.

It made sense, as during the comprehensive evaluation, the sudden attack by the Resistance had thrown the cadets into a state of panic. The sudden appearance of seven or eight golems naturally made the cadets think of death.

While everyone was stunned and blankly staring up at the golems, it was Angelina who urged them on and led them. With a charisma that belied her small frame, she commanded all the cadets and activated the giant magical weapons to provide supporting fire for Gilbert.

The memory remained vivid in the minds of the cadets who were present during the evaluation, and after everything was settled, the grand title “Angelina the Strategist” began to stick.

Of course, she herself found the nickname horrifying.

“Ugh! Lady Angelina! Please stop hitting me! Stop!”

Hitting Hans’ head as much as she hated the nickname, Angelina finally snorted when she saw him raise both hands in surrender.

It was puzzling where the once intimidated commoner Hans had gone when they first met…

“Aren’t your hands getting harsher?”

“Don’t you think Hans is increasingly doing things that deserve punishment?”

Sensing killing intent behind her gentle smile, Hans stiffened and gave an awkward smile. Based on the time he’d spent with Angelina, he knew all too well what would happen if he said a few more words.

But seeing Angelina’s eyebrows gradually curving as if recalling the unwanted nickname, Hans broke into a cold sweat.

That was truly not a good sign.

Thinking he needed to change the subject somehow, he looked around frantically until he found something suitable.

“B-by the way, the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration is coming up soon!”

“Sigh… Sometimes I feel pathetic for getting angry at you.”

Seeing such an obvious attempt to change the subject, Angelina’s anger dissipated and her expression softened. Hans breathed a sigh of relief, but then bumped into Gilbert’s back as he suddenly stopped.

“Huh? Sir Gilbert?”

Hans examined Gilbert, who had abruptly halted. He was staring intently at a poster announcing the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration on the bulletin board, his expression visibly tense.

Had something upset him?

Hans was puzzled by this side of Gilbert he had never seen before.

Angelina also felt strange seeing Gilbert behave differently than usual.

From what she had observed, Gilbert wasn’t one to easily show such expressions. Even when eliminating the Resistance, he had analyzed the situation with cool composure.

It seemed odd that he would suddenly tense up at the sight of a poster for the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration.

“Is something wrong?”

When both Hans and Angelina inquired about his state, Gilbert snapped back to reality. He shrugged as if it was nothing, quickly resumed his usual expression, and continued walking.

Angelina and Hans wanted to ask more about his sudden change but decided against it. Neither of them preferred prying into matters someone clearly didn’t want to discuss.

Given Gilbert’s personality, he would have spoken up if he felt it necessary.

Meanwhile, Gilbert, who had worried the two, was in a complex state of mind.

He knew that day was approaching, but actually seeing it come near made him feel uneasy.

This was because the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration coincided with the day of the academy attack.

The question was whether those unidentified attackers would really invade the academy during the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration.

So far, events had been unfolding according to the game’s scenario, but starting with the Resistance incident, the information he knew had begun to deviate.

To put it bluntly, optimistically thinking, there might not be an attack on the academy during the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration.

However, Gilbert was not an optimist.

Although the information he knew was gradually deviating, looking at the broader foundation, events were still progressing according to the main quest.

Therefore, Gilbert formulated a plan, recalling how events had unfolded in the game. While he wasn’t particularly skilled at planning, he wasn’t incapable either.

At least he had prepared for the worst-case scenario where the academy might be attacked—if there was any consolation, it was that things couldn’t get worse than that.

Gilbert opened the door to the classroom they had finally reached. Angelina and Hans, who had remained silent sensing his unusual mood, followed behind.

In the classroom, cadets who had already arrived were gathered in groups, chatting. Some frowned at friends’ pranks, while others laughed cheerfully.

Though he hadn’t fully adapted to living in a world based on Tactical Combat, Gilbert had no disagreement that this was now his peaceful daily life.

And then.

The door to the classroom slid open, and a tall woman with long red hair entered, her hair flowing behind her. It was Briana, dressed neatly in the academy professor’s uniform, wearing her usual cold expression.

As she entered, the cadets stopped their conversations and straightened their postures. Briana’s gaze, scanning the cadets, lingered briefly on Gilbert.

It might have been his imagination, but it seemed like a look urging her only direct disciple to work harder. Perhaps it was just Gilbert overthinking, but considering Briana’s personality, that might not be far from the truth.

She was strict with herself, so why would she be different with her direct disciple?

Gilbert organized his complex thoughts and inwardly laughed.

There was no need to overthink. Though thorough preparation was necessary, becoming paralyzed by it didn’t suit his nature.

When had he ever strictly followed a meticulous plan?

Even when he recklessly completed a mission and returned with his friend’s body, he did so because he believed it was the right thing to do.

So this time too, it was a simple matter. Someday he might return to the world he came from, but for now, this was his world.

In that case, he had only one task.

Eliminate any invaders and protect the peaceful daily life of the academy, including his mentor Briana.

That was all he needed to do.