episode_0099

Chapter 99 – Compatibility

Tick! Tock!

As the clock hands quietly ticked, a magic circle in its center glowed brightly.

Standing before it was a wizard clad entirely in red. Around him, whose appearance seemed to embody flames themselves, fiery magic ceaselessly swirled, solidifying the magic circle.

Watching the scene, Ethan yawned faintly, as if bored.

‘It’s about time soon.’

Before long, it was 3 PM.

The bombs were set to detonate at 5 o’clock, leaving only two hours. If the goal was to turn the academy into a wasteland, things were proceeding smoothly, but that wasn’t Ethan’s true objective.

All the bombs were merely devices for one purpose. No, not just the bombs, but all the Dark Cultists occupying this clock tower as well.

‘Hyun. Come quickly.’

This time, he would push him to his limits and rip off his mask.

As he grew anxious, the door burst open, and a hulking tiger beastman in a repairman’s uniform entered.

“Hey! The academy has caught onto the plan!”

At the cry, the Flame Mage’s gaze turned to him.

“Caught on, you say?”

“Yes. The student council is leading the search for the bombs. Some have already been found.”

“…Ethan. What is the meaning of this? Didn’t you say there was no chance of detection?”

The Flame Mage, Baltar. Deeply skilled in magic and possessing vast knowledge, he immediately surmised that Ethan was hiding something. Baltar, as a high-ranking mage, held a solid position within the cult, so recklessly using him would lead to unbearable repercussions. No matter that he was an apostle, he was still far too weak.

“That’s what I’d like to ask. Were you not careless in your actions?”

“…If you’re plotting something else, it would be wise to be careful. Understood?”

“By all means. More importantly, who are the ones who figured it out, Krak?”

In truth, he already knew who they were. Only Deborah’s precognitive eyes could arrive at a conclusion without any clues. The answer was as expected.

“It’s Abel, our top priority target for extermination, and his companions. To be precise, it seems the Grey Tower Master’s disciple discovered it first. I’m not sure how.”

“Hmm… The Grey Tower Master’s disciple is troublesome. It would be disastrous if they left the academy. In that case, we’ll have to change the plan.”

The time had come to execute Plan B, as he had prepared. Baltar crossed his arms and asked.

“What will you do?”

“We’ll call them here. Then we can deal with them all at once. No problem.”

“Have you thought of a method?”

“That’s simple. I’ll send a letter. With my spatial magic, that’s easy enough. The content will be something like, ‘If you don’t come alone, I’ll detonate all the bombs.’ How’s that?”

Ethan grinned mockingly. Baltar, seemingly displeased with the smile, twisted his stern face and turned back towards the magic circle.

“Do as you wish. I must finish completing the magic circle. Just make sure they don’t come here.”

Rumble…

With those last words, Baltar once again began channeling magic into the magic circle.

* * *

After the three-legged race ended and the commotion subsided, Deborah and I quickly headed for the empty lot behind the gymnasium. This was the designated meeting spot.

The others were already gathered in the empty lot.

“We’re here.”

“Everyone waited a long time, didn’t you!”

“Ah, welcome.”

“You arrived just in time, meow.”

Alisa and Pernia greeted us. In contrast, Abel and the rest of the group all seemed dispirited. After a quick greeting, they sat in a circle, poring over some letter.

“What’s that? A letter?”

“Ah, Ruan. Would you like to see this?”

As I took the letter Abel offered and unfolded it, Deborah quickly moved to my side. I slowly read the message.

[Come to the top of the clock tower immediately. The bombs you seek are here. If you inform anyone of this fact, I will detonate them at once.]

The content was exceedingly simple. Which made it all the more threatening and perplexing.

“Abel. Who received this, and where?”

“I did. It suddenly fell from the sky while I was on my way here.”

“From the sky?”

“Yes. Uni says it seems like spatial magic was used.”

“Spatial magic, huh….”

I think I know who the culprit is. If Ethan Gloucester is the mastermind, then this wasn’t sent merely because he noticed our actions. If it’s him, he would have considered that the plan might be exposed by Deborah.

In other words, this might have been the objective from the start.

‘Is he trying to kill Abel?’

At present, that’s the most likely possibility. Considering all sorts of hypotheses and variables, I asked Abel what he intended to do.

“Abel. What will you do? Will you go to the clock tower? Or will you inform others?”

“Of course, we have to go. They’ll be watching us. If we don’t move as they wish, they’ll detonate the bombs immediately.”

“…I figured as much. Is it the same for everyone else?”

At my words, everyone met my gaze and nodded firmly. Only Alisa averted her eyes, but everyone knew that wasn’t a denial. Although things had changed significantly from the game, these guys were still all too kind.

With a sigh, I handed the letter back.

“Then let’s hurry. If we hesitate, there’s no telling what they’ll do.”

“Okay! Let’s go, everyone!”

Abel led the group, running towards the clock tower. Running alongside him, I secretly made a request to Deborah using telepathy.

A short while later, we arrived at the clock tower.

[No Entry]

This darn sign. I wondered what they were doing at the time, but now that I think about it, they probably snuck in bombs or equipment needed for their installation. What was the academy doing to just let things like this be brought in….

As I clicked my tongue in disapproval inwardly, the group passed the ‘No Entry’ sign and went inside. The interior was very quiet. The clock tower was a popular dating spot for students, so staff should always be present, yet not a single person was visible. Abel seemed worried about them.

“What could have happened to everyone? Surely they aren’t dead, are they?”

“Well. If it’s the Dark Cult, they’d kill without hesitation.”

“Is that so? I won’t forgive them. Let’s go up quickly.”

“The elevator is dangerous. It’s better to take the stairs.”

I intervened appropriately, guiding the group towards the top of the clock tower. The clock tower had a total of 10 floors. For us, with our superhuman physical abilities, it wasn’t particularly high, but the problem was the dozens of Dark Cultists filling the floors in between. The 1st and 2nd floors were left empty in case of unexpected visitors, but from the 3rd floor onwards, dozens of Dark Cultists were waiting for us.

“Surrender quietly!”

“Just give up, and we’ll spare you!”

As if they had received orders to capture us alive, they all charged forward, urging us to surrender. Applying our experience from practical training, we formed a formation and withstood their attacks. Yas and I repeatedly engaged and retreated, dealing with the enemies who were aggroed onto Abel.

Thwack!

“Gah!”

An enemy pounding on Abel’s shield took a crushing blow to the side, screamed, and fell away. He couldn’t get up, hunching on the floor and spitting up blood, as if his ribs had pierced his lungs and blood was gushing back. I stomped my foot, completely ending the wretch’s life, and looked for my next prey.

In that manner, we steadily ascended the floors, defeating the Dark Cultists. And when we reached the 8th floor. Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the lower floors, and an additional dozen-plus Dark Cultists appeared.

Seizing the opportunity, I stepped forward.

“Leave this to me! You all go ahead!”

“B-but!”

“No arguments, hurry! There isn’t much time left!”

The current time was 4:10 PM. Time had already flown by while climbing the clock tower; it was almost sunset. However, as Abel still hesitated, Deborah, who I had previously asked for help, separated from the group.

“I’ll help! You all go first!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! We just need to hold them off, right! So hurry!”

“…Alright. I’m counting on you. See you soon!”

Abel, still seemingly reluctant, repeatedly looked back, but urged on by his companions, he climbed the stairs and disappeared from view. I grinned, looking at Deborah.

“Deborah. You know what to do, right?”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

“Good! Then here we go!”

Thereafter, a fierce battle began.

* * *

-Ruan, are you alright?

-I’m fine! Just hold on a little longer!

-Abel!

-Ugh! We can do it! Everyone, put your strength into it!

Different scenes flickered across his eyes. Ethan, who had subtly slipped out of the clock tower, sat on the building’s rooftop, leisurely observing the interior.

“Hmm… When will he appear?”

From his past experiences, Hyun always appeared when Abel was in danger. It was certainly time for him to show up by now, but for some reason, there was no sign of him appearing. In that case, there was only one possibility. That was, he was currently in a situation where he absolutely couldn’t step forward.

“Is he really among them?”

Excluding the possibilities that he was absent or would let Abel die, it was natural that Hyun was part of Abel’s group. Then the only ones left were Ruan Friuli and Yas.

“Who could it be?”

Just as he was watching the two with anticipation.

-Die!

-Deborah, look out!

-Ugh, ugh!

Ruan showed an opening, and one of the cultists who broke through his defense launched a lethal attack at Deborah, as if forgetting the order to capture alive. Deborah responded by activating a spell, filling the surroundings with a violet glow. Finally, as the magic dissipated, what was seen was a cultist collapsed with a crushed head, and Ruan, whose abdomen was pierced by a sword.

Deborah hurriedly supported Ruan.

-Ru-Ruan. Wake up!

Deborah gave a potion to Ruan, who was motionless as if completely unconscious. However, it was a wound inflicted by demonic energy, so it wouldn’t heal. For treatment, he would first need purification from the cult’s priests.

Meanwhile, the cultists steadily ascended to the 8th floor, surrounding the two.

-You insolent brats! We finally caught you!

-Now, let’s go meet your friends!

The cultists, certain of their victory, smirked vilely and aimed their weapons at Deborah. At that critical moment.

Flames roared!

A vortex of flames burst through the wall and surged in, turning four or five cultists into ash. A man descended into that spot. His dazzling silver hair, protected by a mask, fluttered, and his brilliant golden eyes swept over the surroundings. His appearance was incongruous with this place, stained with blood and traces of battle.

“Hyun! You’re finally here!”

At the appearance of the one he’d been waiting for, Ethan smiled brightly and involuntarily stood up. Then his expression awkwardly stiffened.

“But where did you appear from?”

This entire setup was just to see his face, but it seemed it was all in vain. He had certainly thought he was one of the companions, but he was a third party. Furthermore, Ethan hadn’t seen him arrive, so how he burst directly through the wall was also a mystery.

Ethan bit his lip in annoyance, yet couldn’t tear his gaze away from Hyun for even a moment.