episode_0041

After a brief meeting with Iris that was not scheduled, I was led by the guard back to the underground prison of the academy.

Wearing the special restraint device was a matter of course.

In the dimly lit room where no light came in, it was hard to tell how much time had passed, but I sensed the guard descending once again.

Opening the prison door and unlocking the restraints, he casually informed me in passing, “The disciplinary committee regarding you has been canceled by the authority of the headmaster. Although the committee did not convene, the disciplinary action has been issued. I hope you heard this and will abide by it. You have received disciplinary measures in your dorm room for a week. During this period, be cautious not to leave your room or allow others in.”

Having worn the restraint device for only a few days, my body felt quite stiff.

Internally acknowledging the resilience required to endure villains and monsters while trapped in such a place, I relaxed my body when the guard urged me on.

“Starting today, disciplinary measures will be applied to you. I hope you cooperate so that you can quickly move to the dormitory.”

“He seems unfamiliar, yet remarkably naive.”

Incidents at Ardent Academy often lead to trouble in the underground prison as well. While students don’t often find themselves here, considering the occasional visits, this guard likely faced a high risk of being killed by an escaped villain.

Because his face was different from the guard I remembered.

Moreover, visiting the underground prison early on in the academy was a first for me, and the guard didn’t even realize that I mistook him for someone else.

“There were others whom I failed to protect in places unknown to me.”

If I put in more effort, could I help this guard continue to protect this place and live his life?

For now, I must do my best.

Quietly following the guard, I moved to the boys’ dormitory.

As students saw me while moving to the dormitory, their murmurs pointing in my direction were expected.

“Isn’t that Yukal who caused the incident this time? I heard he was locked up in the underground prison. Can he wander around like that before the disciplinary committee even convenes?”

“I heard from a senior in the infirmary that he brutally injured students. Cutting the body with a sword was just playful; he even tortured them by cutting off hands or fingers.”

“Shouldn’t he be expelled immediately? Just hearing about it makes me nauseous.”

There were no friendly opinions towards me. From the perspective of a third party with no connection to me, one could only think of me as a lunatic who wielded a knife against students in the sacred academy.

Perhaps… time will resolve this. As I navigate through future scenarios and minor incidents, I must rebuild my reputation.

More than that, I am concerned about Claire. Apart from when I escorted her to the dormitory after the incident, I haven’t seen her since.

I hope the warnings I left with Helena before being arrested and the explanations I gave Iris regarding Claire in relation to the recent events will work effectively, ensuring no major issues arise.

Lost in slightly frustrating thoughts as I walked, I arrived at the dormitory sooner than expected.

After explaining the cautionary instructions once again before I entered the room, the guard disappeared.

Despite being vacant for just a few days, there was a bit of dust accumulated on the floor and desk.

While wiping the dust off the desk, I got lost in thought for a moment when a familiar notification sound rang out.

Hastily checking, there weren’t any major differences from what I had expected.

【Main Scenario #1】

【You have successfully overcome difficult trials, safely arrived at Ardent Academy, taken the entrance exam, and passed. An intruder attempting to damage Ardent Academy will come to attack students. Prove that your efforts have not been in vain.】

【Success: Defeat or kill the intruder】

【Failure: Divine punishment】

【Time remaining: 6 days 23 hours 59 minutes 51 seconds】

“It’s about time for this phase.”

There isn’t much detailed information about the intruder, but it’s unnecessary. I’ve experienced countless encounters, so I know everything.

As it’s still early on, it’s just a lesser demon attacking with its monsters.

Even though dealing with a lesser demon may pose a bit of a challenge compared to regular monsters, with my current stats, I should be able to handle it alone.

The problem is, if the scenario adjusts like it did during the first one, it might be inevitable for people, including students, to get hurt or killed.

I waited anxiously, hoping for no additional changes like back then, but the scenario remained unchanged.

Considering my current stats are still early-game, I was worried the difficulty might change, but it seems I was needlessly concerned.

Finally feeling relieved, I slowly opened the status window after a long time and confirmed that notifications had piled up.

【Ora Lv.3 > Lv.4】

【Successfully withstood multiple fire-based elemental magic attacks in a short period. Additional adjustments to unique ability ‘Swordsmanship’…】

【Acquired the trait ‘Fire Resistance’.】

…

Clearing all other notifications, as I checked my information, a significantly changed appearance caught my eye.

[Yukal – Lv.20]

Strength: 28(+28) Agility: 28(+28)

Health: 28(+28) Magic: 28(+28)

Traits: Adaptability, Sixth Sense, Fire Resistance

Skills: Swordsmanship Lv.10, Meditation Lv.5, Ora Lv.4

Physical Enhancement Lv.3, Pyrokinesis Lv.1

Items: Stat Crystal (Bound, partially applied)

Unique Abilities: Equilibrium, Swordsmanship

Seems like I really took quite a beating. Acquiring the Fire Resistance trait requires surviving multiple hits of fire-based magic in a single battle, which is harder than I thought.

My level had also increased due to intense battles. Considering the boost from the unique ability ‘Equilibrium,’ my stats were almost equivalent to level 40.

To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, if I can reach Level 10 in the Ora skill and obtain derivative skills within the deadline, I should be able to handle everything neatly on my own.

Although I could probably handle everything in my current state, focusing intensively on training during this period would be very helpful.

Let’s aim to reach Level 10 in the Ora skill within the remaining time and focus on training.

Come to think of it, what about meals? If I receive disciplinary seclusion from Sungyong, time automatically skips by for that duration, but I’m not sure how the seclusion process works.

“I hope they don’t starve me for a week just because I can’t leave the room.”

With an uneasy mind, unable to properly grasp my sword, I waited until lunchtime, where my questions were answered.

A staff member from the academy cafeteria brought my meal to my room.

When I asked, they explained that during the seclusion period, cafeteria staff ensure meals are delivered three times a day so no one goes hungry.

The menu was of lower quality than eating directly in the cafeteria, but it was a normal meal. I felt relieved that things like military dumplings didn’t keep coming out.

After causing an incident and having the first meal, they finished the meal really neatly without leaving anything behind.

Leaving the tray and dishes outside the room, they were about to start training in swordsmanship when someone outside the window called my name and shouted.

Opening the window and looking down, Victor was smiling and looking this way, holding a basket-like thing.

“Yukal, are you doing well? I heard discipline stopped at probation. I brought this because I was worried you weren’t eating anything and starving. Catch it properly because I’m going to throw it.”

Saying that, he immediately threw the basket straight through my room window. I don’t know what was inside, but I caught it in one go, so it’s fine as long as it wasn’t a failure.

“I have a class, so I should go right away. See you in a week.”

Before I could say anything else, Victor ran off abruptly.

Opening the basket, I saw a delicately decorated lunch box.

“Did Victor have talent in cooking too? Unexpectedly matching tastes.”

Then, as I unfolded the note next to the lunch box, a smile formed on my face.

– I heard that you went through disciplinary action because of me. I’m really sorry and thankful. In case you’re worried, since then, there hasn’t been any trouble with me bothering you, and I’ve been doing well, so you can rest assured. I prepared a simple lunchbox in case you couldn’t eat during probation. I’m not sure if it will suit your taste, but I wanted to help a little. Since it’s a boys’ dormitory, I asked Victor to deliver it to you. I hope to see you healthy in a week.

– Claire

Since both Claire and Victor seem to be fine, I can focus on training without worry.

Yukal, who placed the basket filled with her feelings carefully on the desk, started training again.