episode_0049

Chapter 49 – Awaken

“Whew… good thing I wasn’t late.”

In the middle of the dense forest, I took off my mask and sighed. At the same time, my silver hair turned black again, and my brilliantly shining golden eyes changed to the opposite color and twinkled.

I fidgeted with the mask. “Even though it’s expensive, it’s worth it.”

Through the previous few incidents, it seemed there would be many situations where I’d need to hide my identity, so I bit the bullet and bought a transformation magical item, and it seems I made the right choice. Not only others, but even Alisa and Pernia didn’t notice anything at all.

Suddenly, I recall the look in her eyes before she jumped off the cliff. Her eyes, sparkling like rubies. Those eyes, full of a little worry and gratitude, were completely different from what she usually showed. They were beautiful and warm.

What if she found out the truth? I didn’t really want to imagine it. No positive reaction came to mind at all. It ended up being deception, but I couldn’t help it given her willingness to easily give up her life. I’m not rationalizing. I know that what I just did was the worst kind of deception and hypocrisy. I went ahead with it, knowing full well.

“Haa…”

Sighing once more, I decided this wasn’t the time and put the mask into my spatial pouch. It would be a big problem if someone saw it.

I slowly began to walk towards the mountaintop where Deborah would bring the professors.

“By the way, who on earth did this?”

Since dark magic was used, it’s obvious that the perpetrator is a member of the Dark Cult. The current Abel is, at best, merely a promising talent. There’s no need to mobilize dark magic to kill him. Yet, they unnecessarily took such a risk, meaning there must be a reason for it. What that is can be easily guessed.

“There’s a transmigrator in the Dark Cult.”

Even a crazy transmigrator who doesn’t even wish to return to Earth, but rather hopes for destruction. Just thinking about the hypothesis sent shivers down my entire body. I had no idea how to deal with such a person.

Feeling a bit helpless for a moment, I decided to assess the situation more calmly.

“First, it’s clear that Ethan Gloucester was involved.”

This is a training ground where the academy puts effort into ecological creation and control. To penetrate this tight security and carry out such a deed, one must either be overwhelmingly powerful or cooperate with an insider. In the former case, if they were that strong, they wouldn’t need to use the saber-toothed tiger; they could just kill Abel directly, so that’s out of the question. Then it leans towards the latter, and the most likely collaborator in that scenario is Ethan Gloucester. Because he’s a first-year student, he could reach this place without any suspicion. At the very least, his involvement is certain.

“My head hurts.”

Originally, the Dark Cult would only begin to reach into the academy from the second semester. Even then, they would only operate in the shadows, not truly revealing themselves until after the second year. Their involvement so early deviates significantly from the game’s progression. It was too harsh a trial for Abel, who hadn’t even properly grown yet. Ultimately, I will need to continue monitoring Abel’s every move and intervene at dangerous moments.

‘Things just got more troublesome.’

As I reviewed the episode, making various assumptions, I shook my head roughly.

“I’ll worry about it later. I’m dead tired.”

From encountering the saber-toothed tiger to fighting the werewolf and reaching this point, I had overexerted my body so much that I didn’t want to do anything anymore.

I tried to think positive thoughts as I slowly climbed the mountain.

A moment later, I reached the summit.

“Move the injured!” “Priest-nim, please heal them!”

There, the professors and priests Deborah had brought were already treating the injured. Those skilled in combat, like Sara and Serlin, were not visible, perhaps searching in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

‘So, the situation ends here for now?’

The appearance of the saber-toothed tiger and the manifestation of dark magic. And dealing with a few casualties, and so on – there might be a lot to do, but none of it concerns me as a student.

I approached Deborah, who was a little ways away from the scene.

“Deborah.” “Ah! Ruan! You’re safe! Thank goodness!” “Of course. You were faster than I expected, too.” “Yes! The professors also noticed something was wrong and were already on their way! I met them near the entrance and brought them.” “Good job. What did they say was the reason they hadn’t come until now?” “They said the surveillance magic had stopped. So they thought nothing was wrong. In the middle, it felt too strange, so they checked and saw the same screen was continuously playing. More importantly, where have you been? I thought you’d be here with us.”

Deborah, unaware of the transmigrator, seemed to not understand why I would bother saving them, leave, and then return.

I gave a vague excuse.

“I had a reason. Actually, because of that, I have a favor to ask. Can you grant it?” “A favor? What is it?” “Please keep it a secret that I killed the saber-toothed tiger. And what happened in the dungeon, too. Is that okay?” “Hmm… okay. In return, please grant me one favor later.” “Alright. It’s a promise.”

We linked pinky fingers and shook them.

*

The day after the practical training ended, the academy gave students a break to manage the situation and recover from the unexpected incident. And currently, Alisa was busy swinging her sword in the training room from morning, for the first time in a long while.

*Whoosh!*

The straightly thrust rapier cut through the air, spreading a piercing sound.

She shook her head. “This isn’t it. Sharper and faster.”

After being raped by Ruan, she had half-lost her will to live and hadn’t put much effort into sword training. Because she believed that no matter how much she struggled, she couldn’t change a predetermined future. However, as of yesterday, that thought was shattered.

As the mysterious man said, she had to look forward, not back. Instead of living crushed by past events, she should have proudly stood up again and strived for her goals. At first, she felt some resentment, but now she harbored infinite gratitude towards him.

“I must get stronger. I’ll get stronger and break free from my family.”

Alisa might not know it, but her goal is similar to Skadia’s. To reach a transcendent level where the shackles of nobility can no longer bind her. That is truly the way to gain the freedom she so desperately desired.

She didn’t need much. Just 3 more stages. If she could just surpass that much, the House of Bretes would not be able to treat her carelessly.

Alisa swung her sword diligently, burning with more motivation than ever. She had no doubt that the flowing beads of sweat, the fruits of her efforts, would lead her to freedom.

‘Because there’s someone who believes in me.’

Having also owed him her life, she resolved to do her best until the very end, if only to repay his trust. Because this was the only repayment she could offer.

Alisa swung her sword diligently, looking forward to the day they would meet again.

‘Then, I’ll be the one to save you.’

*

At the same time, Skadia was having tea on a luxurious balcony. She took a sip of black tea, then softly sighed and put the cup down.

“It was a single strike.”

Her eyes were currently fixed on the academy panorama spread out below the balcony, but her mind was reviewing the past. The masked man with silver hair and golden eyes, who had suddenly appeared and crushed the saber-toothed tiger with a single blow. She couldn’t pinpoint his identity, but a lingering possibility kept bothering her.

“Could he possibly be a first-year student?”

If that man truly was a student in her same year, it would mean she was nothing more than a frog in a well. Just thinking of such a possibility made a surge of anger rise within her. Rage and self-loathing towards her arrogant self gnawed at her mind.

Skadia, who had been continuing her futile conjectures, calmed herself and extended her hand to activate the new spell she had learned.

*Whoosh…*

As she concentrated her magic, a chill quickly gathered in her palm, forming transparent ice crystals. Though still lacking in detailed refinement, the condensed energy within was immense and pure enough to be undeniable. If she increased her proficiency and developed this, she would likely be able to open up even higher realms.

Nevertheless, Skadia was not satisfied.

“It’s still not enough. I must get stronger.”

To gain freedom. To carve out her destiny. And to defeat that man.

“Someday, I will definitely defeat you.”

At this very moment, one man was etched into the hearts of many women.

*

On a morning two weeks before final exams, as I arrived at school, I overheard the whispers around me.

“Who could it be? Probably a student, right?” “Wouldn’t it be? A professor wouldn’t have a reason to hide.” “Kyaaa! Oh no! Alisa is so lucky! From what I hear, he sounds super handsome. But aren’t there no students with silver hair and golden eyes? Did he disguise himself?”

Rumors about me had already spread far and wide. The female students debated who the masked man with silver hair and golden eyes could be, while also squealing, seemingly envious of Alisa who had been rescued by him. Other students were also noisy about the topic, though to varying degrees. Normally, there should have been a commotion about Skadia reaching the 5th tier, but all the attention ended up focused on me.

I wonder what their reaction would be if it was revealed that the masked man was actually me. Even if they call me a good-for-nothing brat, would they distance themselves, or would they approach freely and barrage me with all sorts of questions? Neither option is particularly appealing.

I ignored them appropriately as I walked through the school grounds and entered the classroom.

“They say the masked man killed the saber-toothed tiger in one blow, how strong could he be?” “I don’t know. Didn’t they say Skadia was there too? If she struggled despite that, then the masked man is actually the strongest among the first-years, isn’t he?” “Why was he hiding his strength? I’m so curious!”

Sure enough, all the students in Class 3 were equally noisy about the masked man. As I scratched my ear and headed for my seat, I suddenly felt a tickle on the back of my head. When I turned, Deborah was glancing at me. When our eyes met, she flinched her shoulders, then quickly gave a bright smile. It seemed she was happy that she was the only one who knew the identity of the masked man everyone was curious about.

I found Deborah even more intriguing.

‘This is unexpected.’

Honestly, when I raped Deborah, I expected our relationship to become so twisted that I even considered blackmail as preparation for retaliation, but in fact, she didn’t express any hatred or resentment towards me at all. On the contrary, it felt like some kind of fear Deborah had towards me had been diluted, perhaps? I couldn’t understand her way of thinking, but it wasn’t a bad thing.

A moment later, Sara entered the classroom. She began the morning assembly in front of the teacher’s desk. After taking everyone’s attendance, she explained the unfortunate incidents that had occurred during the practical training and apologized. The students of Class 3 put on a touching scene, consoling the professor by saying it wasn’t her fault.

After the assembly ended, what followed was the sparring session with Alisa, which happened twice a week.

*Thud thud thud!*

Fists rained down from all directions. I solidified my defensive stance and parried all of them at opportune moments.

‘I can handle this now, huh?’

Perhaps because I had grown further during the practical training, fighting the werewolf, I was gradually starting to see Alisa’s movements clearly. Assuming she wasn’t using her martial energy, it was enough for a close match. However, that would draw unnecessary attention, so I chose to quietly take the blows.

Alisa didn’t seem to like that.

“Fight back! Fight back! Don’t look behind you, look ahead! You can’t dodge because you’re already thinking about getting hit first!”

What I had said must have made quite an impression, as she used it directly. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Pffft!”

What a mistake. I quickly tried to compose my expression, but Alisa had already seen it. She seemed to think I was mocking her advice and erupted in anger.

“Laughing? How dare you laugh? Then let’s see you block this!”

Alisa’s fist struck the back of my arm. It hurt, but that was all. If it was just this, I could endure it indefinitely. But that wasn’t the end. Alisa’s fist struck the same spot again. As dozens of blows landed on the same spot in a short amount of time, the damage inevitably accumulated.

And finally, my defense was breached.

*Thwack!*

“Ugh!”

A fist that slipped through the gap jabbed my solar plexus. My breath hitched, and the strength drained from my legs. But this was just the beginning. As if showing no mercy, Alisa repeatedly punched my solar plexus through the same opening, just like when she breached my defense.

In the end, after being punched in the solar plexus 5 times in a row, I lost consciousness.