episode_0053

“But have you eaten your meal?”

“No, not yet!”

“Lloyd called us since morning… I haven’t eaten yet. But we have a lot of fruits that everyone brought…”

“I didn’t expect this many fruits. When we combine what others brought besides me, it’s quite a lot. Just eating these would be enough, don’t you think?”

“Maybe.”

Indeed, besides Ian, the others had brought a large quantity of fruits.

It seemed unnecessary to eat separately.

Moreover, surprisingly, after four days of waking up,

I didn’t even feel hungry.

So, we just kept eating the fruits that the others had bought.

Sitting and listening to the conversations while eating fruits made them taste even better.

Or maybe it was because we were all eating together.

“So, we can talk freely among ourselves. Back then, if the Saint hadn’t healed Ron… It could have been a disaster! I thought he was going to die for real!”

“But she just left us behind… That’s why Bern protected us so we could survive…”

“That’s…”

“Huh? The Saint left you guys behind? Why? I’ve never heard such a thing before.”

“Well…”

“Maybe… I shouldn’t have said anything…”

Well, there were incidents like that during training.

Afterward, when briefly taken to the academy for some simple questioning, they were instructed to keep quiet about matters concerning the Saint.

The sect where the Saint resided served the Goddess of Light, known as the Mother of Dawn.

There were also other deities like the God of Love, God of Order, God of War, and so on.

Although they served seven main deities, the sect where the Saint resided, the Light Sect, held the most influence.

In reality, considering the continent, it was almost accurate to say there was only one Light Sect.

Those who worshipped gods other than the seven main ones were considered heretics and either executed or exiled.

It was a place that strongly rejected the already strained relationship with the Demonkin.

Hence, in many aspects, it was a problematic place, which is why the players’ image of it wasn’t particularly positive.

In essence, a sect itself, over time, continued to deteriorate and eventually rot.

While the Saint herself was kind, it was the higher-ups who were the issue.

In truth, there are many more gods besides the seven main ones.

Due to the influence of the sect, which possessed such immense power that it could greatly impact the kingdom, they were gradually treated as heretics and faded away.

Therefore, even at the academy, they were very cautious when it came to education related to gods.

However, that didn’t mean we needed to be cautious.

This place was an academy that even the kingdom couldn’t meddle with.

Even if the Saint attended here, they couldn’t touch us.

“There’s nothing to hide; it’s a fact that the Saint’s group left you behind.”

“But still…”

“Hmm….”

“However, the one who left you behind wasn’t the Saint but the blonde-haired priest.”

“Oh, he made the Saint faint and carried her away..”

“He made the Saint faint? What…?”

“The Saint was trying to protect those who had fallen, but the blonde-haired priest said she was in danger, made her faint, and took her away.”

“But how could priests of the sect do such a thing!”

“But… I understand. I was able to catch the Chimera because I was lucky. It was an incomplete, imperfect being. That’s why I could catch it.”

“But still..! Leaving a person who had fainted behind..!”

“Still, thanks to Bern, we’re alive. Hahaha!”

“Yeah, right. As long as we survived in that sect… It’s fine. Let’s not say too much, lest the Saint hears about it…”

“….”

Ian seemed like he wanted to say something to express his lack of understanding, but his words didn’t come out easily, and in the end, he remained silent.

Ian’s feelings are understandable.

Clearly, being a good guy, he must be questioning what happened to his friends.

To see a future saint, or rather the priest assisting her, abandon people and flee—it must be hard to comprehend.

From what I’ve gathered, Ian also went to rescue people during his training.

He gathered people and prevented a member of Requiem who was waiting at the summit from carrying out their plans and disabled the barrier.

The academy claims everyone is equal and that everyone will shine.

However, upon closer inspection, the academy and this world are far from fair and equal.

Some are destined to shine while those at the bottom never escape their circumstances.

When viewed as just a game, these words didn’t resonate with me.

I lived an ordinary life and considered myself an ordinary person leading an ordinary life.

But living in this world, my perspective gradually shifted.

Just by looking at Elin and Lucy around me, answers become clear.

This academy, no, this world is not just a happy place.

Just as there is light, there is darkness. Coming here made me face the dark side of the academy firsthand.

The gap between nobles and commoners remains unbridged.

Those who envy beauty and talent continue to thrive.

Subtle and persistent torment goes unnoticed by others.

It’s unjust, unfair, and unchangeable.

No matter how hard you try, nothing changes.

That’s why Elin, Lucy, and Silia…

They must have been getting tired.

Comparing the Elin I first met with the one now, she has changed a lot.

Initially unable to meet my eyes or speak properly, she had a dark expression, seemed lifeless, with dead eyes.

Looking at her now…

She has changed a lot.

Seeing her bright smile, those shining eyes, I feel proud.

Anyway.

“Well, the priest may have done wrong, but it’s not incomprehensible. The priest had a duty to protect the saint.”

“Still, I disagree. If someone is struggling, if someone is in pain, we should help them, shouldn’t we? We can’t turn away.”

Ian’s expression as he spoke seemed a bit grim.

Was something troubling him?

The guy who used to smile brightly suddenly looked down, something seems off.

In the sudden somber atmosphere, no one spoke up easily.

However, someone broke the silence.

“Hahaha! Well, as long as we’re alive, isn’t that enough! Yes, if someone is struggling, we should help! We can do that too!”

“Yeah, that’s right… Let’s stop talking about that.”

“Sure, let’s do that.”

….

After that, we started chatting like before.

We talked about what happened during the training instead of the practical session, and discussed the club.

“So, you formed a club?”

“Yeah, it’s called the Flame Training Corps. It’s where you hone yourself.”

“Well, saying that is a bit… Anyway, I realized once again that God is fair…”

“Bern, just asking to be sure. Can I visit the club occasionally? I don’t really plan on joining.”

Oh, if the protagonist visits our club, it wouldn’t be bad.

We can keep checking on the protagonist’s condition, and maybe create an opportunity to spar with Ian.

That way, I can see how strong Ian is.

It’s not a bad idea for me.

“Do as you please. We don’t have many members anyway.”

“Oh, thanks.”

“By the way, was there any announcement from the academy? Like regarding the next exam?”

“Ah, there was such an announcement. So, what is it..?”

“It was about dungeon exploration.”

As Lloyd was about to speak, someone appeared behind him.

With densely packed features and shining silver hair.

And with sky-blue eyes, it was Elysia.

“Is the conversation over?”

“Yeah, we had some things to discuss among us girls. We all got along well and lost track of time chatting away, except for one person.”

Must be talking about Silia.

While the others seemed to have quickly become friendly, it seemed that Elysia and Silia particularly didn’t get along.

Maybe their personalities are as opposite as their hair colors, who knows.

Anyway.

“Tell me more about dungeon exploration.”

“Sure, dungeon exploration is done in teams of two. They say this time the teams will be completely randomized? And…”

“And, the dungeon exploration is scheduled for next Friday. The team assignments will be announced on Monday of the following week.”

While Elysia was speaking, someone interrupted.

She had dark black hair and eyes like polished obsidian.

Silia possessed a beauty akin to a masterpiece crafted by a dedicated sculptor.

“Hey, I was talking.”

“What? I was just sharing the information I know.”

“Just because of that, how can you interrupt someone?”

“Hah, unbelievable. Is this considered interrupting? I was just providing information.”

“…..”

Hey, Elysia.

Why are you looking so menacing?

Silia, why are you acting like that again?

Just a moment ago, everything seemed fine, right?

Did the atmosphere suddenly change?

As Elysia and Silia glared at each other as if ready to fight to the death, Ron, Lloyd, Ian, the three beside me, quietly closed their mouths and stuck by my side.

Feeling strongly that I shouldn’t say anything either, I silently observed the situation with these guys.

As the two started to clash, Ellen and Lucy approached to intervene.

“Lu, Luna.. You shouldn’t fight again. Just like earlier…”

“Y-yeah. Elysia, it’s not proper to come here and fight when visiting someone sick..”

Alright, perfect timing!

I don’t know why they’re fighting, but for now, try to calm them down a bit.

The atmosphere has gotten too tense!

As Ellen and Lucy tried to pacify the angry duo, sounds from outside the door began to be heard.

-Knock knock

Along with the sound of knocking, the door slowly creaked open.

Everyone present here stopped talking and turned to look at the door.

And then, the man who entered through the door.

Perhaps unable to escape the ravages of time, his black hair showed hints of gray, and his eyes were as dark as staring into endless darkness.

However, one eye seemed significantly damaged, its color faded.

Resembling Bern greatly. No, he was a spitting image of me, the middle-aged man who looked worn out by the years, was Jerome Flame, the current head of the Flame family.