Chapter 21

1.

It had been a month since I possessed a random Mob at Millennium Academy.

Or, rather, a little longer than that.

For some people, it might feel like a long time, but to me, it felt like an endlessly short period. From the possession, hero activities, and interactions and battles with numerous people–I couldn’t recall a month in my life that was as packed with events as this one. Everything had been so dense with happenings.

Therefore, from time to time, I couldn’t help but ponder.

If I had ended up in an academy other than Millennium, would my situation be completely different right now?

For instance, would I have been in Gehenna, the lawless realm, or Trinity, with its vast array of people? If I’d been assigned to one of the smaller academies, or even Abidos, a place full of debt-ridden individuals?

Of course, given my nature, I would have probably still sought out Millennium, forged connections, and made equipment, but my circumstances would have undoubtedly been drastically different from what they are now.

Right now, it’s a pointless assumption, but each time I experience Millennium’s cutting-edge technology, my admiration for it inevitably skyrockets.

Thus, I can’t help but notice the situations in other academies.

Sure, studying here is tough, and meritocracy is pervasive throughout the entire academy. There’s even Rio, the embezzler, around—but despite all that:

Millennium is the best academy for me.

‘The academy that’s most convenient for me to adapt to while also enhancing my abilities is undeniably Millennium.’

This is an undeniable fact.

For instance, compare the training rooms of Millennium with those of other academies. Most likely, other academies would only have standard athletic equipment and devices, based on the Kiburatos criteria.

But Millennium?

Everything here is a masterpiece of mechanical engineering at the cutting edge of technology. We aren’t just practicing for hand-to-hand combat. The training includes facing automated combat robots, the AMAS, developed by Millennium itself, and shooting exercises follow the same pattern.

…Of course, since the maintenance costs are correspondingly high, if I break even one robot, my life will likely fall apart too.

Nevertheless, it’s an ideal place to hone the senses I haven’t fully adapted to yet. It’s also an exceptional space for surpassing the physical limits I felt during my battle with Wakamo.

These are the reasons why the first place I frequent in school is the clubroom, and the second place is the training room.

‘But…’

This is why I came to the training room today.

According to my plan, today was the day to train my heightened senses, so I focused my mind and headed to the training ground.

As soon as I arrived, naturally detecting the presence inside the training room with my heightened senses, I couldn’t help but feel a chill down my spine.

‘What the… what is this?’

There was an unfamiliar visitor in the training room.

2.

A forced laugh escaped me.

‘Even when I fought Wakamo, my senses didn’t ring like this.’

The resonance of my heightened senses spread through my mind.

It reminded me that the entity beyond the door was infinitely powerful and warned me that it would be a threat.

What does that mean?

It’s strong. And it’s on high alert.

Alert for what? For me, the entity standing right by the door.

‘I don’t want to go in. This reeks of acting. Whatever is on the other side of the door.’

I sense the presence beyond the door.

It feels like a small figure exercising, as though they’re in the middle of a workout. Their gaze isn’t directed toward the door, but both of us know it.

We know each other’s presence.

Despite this, she’s still acting. She pretends to be calm and approaches me without hesitation.

“…Huh.”

Did she recognize me?

…No, that doesn’t seem right. It’s just a gut feeling.

The reason Mikamo Neru came to find me is probably simpler than that.

‘I don’t know. But I have no reason to run away like this.’

If I turned back now, I’d only attract more suspicion.

So, the action I need to take here is…

‘If you’re going to act, I’ll counter with my own act.’

I charged forward.

I resumed my paused steps, grabbed the door handle, and opened the door. As I did so, it felt as if a different kind of fighting spirit had taken over the training room.

Ignoring it all, I stepped inside.

I quickly surveyed the interior.

A few students were exercising, but all of them were watching one person.

A small frame, orange hair, sharp eyes. Even while exercising, she wears a flashy leather scarf. Despite her size, which appears like a child’s at first glance, she’s handling heavy gym equipment.

Mikamo Neru was there.

“Huh?”

A brief moment of observation, followed by the continuation of my act.

Upon noticing her, I let out an exclamation as though I’m surprised.

Facing Neru’s small figure working out right in front of me, I slightly opened my mouth, moved my facial muscles in a look of surprise, and widened my eyes without going overboard.

Then, I moved my hand to cover my mouth, just enough to obscure my expression.

And then,

“Ne, Neru-senpai…?”

“…Huh? Do you know something about me?”

“A-ah, yes! You’re the one they call the strongest in Millennium Academy, aren’t you, Neru-senpai? I couldn’t not know!”

Of course, expressing admiration as if it’s something natural, I hinted at my recognition of her. Then, Neru’s sharp gaze began to glimmer slightly, as if saying, “Look at that!”

Ignoring her gaze, I continued.

“Are you here to exercise, senpai?”

“Sort of, yeah.”

“Wow! I’ve been coming here almost every day, but I’ve never seen you before. It’s surprising to see such a famous person here.”

“Well… It seems like you’re more famous than me here.”

“…Me?”

“Yeah. You, Nanashi.”

However, the next words from Neru were almost enough to break my act.

What did she mean by that, Neru?

“You know. Recently, they’ve been calling you the ‘Next Strongest in Millennium’ or something, right?”

“Me?”

“Yes, so I came by to take a look at your face.”

“…”

“You look pretty average, but… Hmm, now that I think about it, you don’t seem average after all. You have fierce eyes but word is your personality is good. You and I seem to have some things in common.”

“??”

She probed and attacked but couldn’t break through.

And despite that, the main topic Neru suddenly brought up was something I hadn’t anticipated at all.

What?

Am I Millennium’s what now?

“What are you talking about…?”

“Huh! You really didn’t know about that, huh? Well, it doesn’t matter much. Hey, Nanashi. Let’s stop pretending and just get started, alright? Ho ho.”

“What do you mean by ‘starting’-”

“Still going to pretend you know nothing? You caught on, didn’t you?”

No. I don’t want to. I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I’m not doing it.

My heightened senses were going crazy, and I felt dizzy. I desperately wanted to run away, but Neru’s intimidating gaze made it clear that she wouldn’t let me go so easily.

“…I don’t want to.”

“Aaah?? What’s there not to like?! Let’s go quickly!”

“A.”

So I put up a small resistance, but she grabbed me and pulled me toward the sparring arena.

‘What’s really going on? Why did Neru come to find me?’

While being dragged, I quickly sorted my thoughts.

Neru said she came to see me because of the rumors going around Millennium and the fitness center recently.

And the content of those rumors claimed that I was the “Next Strongest in Millennium.” Why did those rumors spread? Why did it become something that attracted Neru’s attention?

I realized it instantly and had to grab my head in dismay.

‘d*mn. I just worked hard, that’s all.’

Why?

Well, it’s obvious. It’s all because I’ve put so much effort into my school life.

I’ve been practicing abnormal methods of exercise using my monstrous stamina, physical capabilities, and heightened senses, grabbing people’s attention. Moreover, to maintain the traits of a hero, I’ve tried to help people whenever possible.

As a result, there was no one who disliked me, and many people liked me. So, as I wandered around the campus, lots of people greeted me. There were even quite a few people who came just to watch me exercise every morning.

At first, I thought they were just amazed by my workouts, but strangely, more and more people kept coming. Some even asked me about my training methods.

Were these rumors the reason?

I found out the root cause. With realization came regret.

‘So, it’s not because of Silk after all?’

Neru just came out of curiosity to see my face. But now, since I’m a first-year and my reaction isn’t ordinary, she’s decided to check my skills and dragged me here.

In other words, I’ve dug my own grave.

If I had just acted normal, it wouldn’t have been like this. Instead, I showed off psychological tactics, acting skills, and unique heightened senses in front of her.

As a result, I’m being dragged around like a pig on the way to the slaughterhouse.

‘d*mn.’

It was frustrating.

Rather than being suspected because of Silk, I’d admit at least.

I’m just a newbie who got snatched by a veteran of this academy.

3.

“Hey, Nanashi, are you not even carrying a personal firearm?”

Neru stared at me in shock.

With a calm nod, I replied to Neru.

“…Because it’s bothersome.”

“What? What kind of crazy guy are you…? Where the hell did you leave your common sense? Ugh, like this, we can’t even start the proper sparring, can we?”

“…”

In Kiburatos, firearms for students are akin to underwear.

To leave it behind? It’s as if you’re wandering the streets without underwear. No, it’s even worse than that.

In real-time, I had become the academy’s most exposed psycho without underwear.

d*mn. I couldn’t explain that it was because of my hero activities.

“Hmm, if this keeps up, we should reschedule-”

“…Just let’s go ahead, senpai.”

“What?”

While rubbing my head, I looked at the bewildered Neru with a perplexed expression.

“Since I’m not confident with shooting, I’ll fight with something else instead. Moreover, wouldn’t it be annoying for you, Neru-senpai, to come looking for me again?”

“Yes.”

“Haha! You’re a funny guy. I don’t care about other things, but I do respect your guts.”

Neru chuckled and nodded.

“Yeah. Since it’s a hassle like you say, but if you can show me enough skill here, I’ll check in on you a few more times. I can at least commit to that.”

“No, you really don’t have to go through all that trouble.”

“Hang on! Just shut up and comply!”

“…”

What do you think you’re doing to me, you psycho?

I screamed internally while panicking, but Neru, interpreting my words as bravery, smiled.

“Anyway. What kind of equipment are you going to use?”

“This.”

I retrieved a military-grade shield and a mass-produced handgun from the storage inside the center. As Neru’s eyes caught sight of the equipment I had pulled out, they sparkled.

“…An interesting combination?”

“There’s a recent fighting technique I’ve been practicing.”

“Haha! A fighting technique. You’re going to demonstrate it to me right now? Against me?”

“Something like that.”

Well, that’s part of what she said correctly.

The fighting style I’ve adopted, called the ‘Captain America-style,’ needs to be tested to see how far it can reach.

Since I’ve met Neru, the strongest in the academy, now’s a good time to try it out.

‘The performance and form may differ from the equipment I’m still developing, but…’

It doesn’t matter.

Just fighting against Neru is an experience worth having.

This opportunity to check how far my abilities reach against someone called the strongest in the academy is definitely worthwhile.

Then let’s do it.

“Let’s start.”

“Hohoho! Alright! Let’s begin!”

With Neru’s maniacal grin as the trigger, we dashed at each other like bullets.

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