-Screeeech!!
In the midst of enjoying the festival’s final day, Bellver instinctively clutched his ears at the ear-piercing screech.
It was like the sound of a sharp metal blade slicing through thick glass.
It wasn’t just him; many around him had collapsed, clutching their ears in pain.
Still holding his ears, he instinctively looked up toward the barrier protecting the academy from external attacks.
The normally invisible barrier and its array were now clearly visible, struggling against some force.
“This way!!”
Confused but aware of the urgency, Bellver led Bella and Roho not in retreat, but toward the incoming threat.
Professors, security forces, and student council members would soon arrive, recognizing the emergency.
Both Roho and Bellver, being among the strongest students, joined the effort.
While Bella’s knighthood skills were still developing, her protagonist physique allowed her temporary superhuman strength to protect herself.
“What’s happening?”
“Why is the barrier reacting like this?”
As first-years, they were understandably disoriented, never imagining someone would dare attack the barrier.
Though startled by the premature development, Bellver maintained composure, having prior knowledge of such events.
Calmly, he explained: “Probably cultists. We had an attempted intrusion recently. We need to stop them here.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll help too. I’m confident in my firepower.”
“The professors will be here soon anyway.”
With overwhelming academy forces, including visiting experts during the festival, victory seemed assured.
Even Bella’s brother and Assistant Professor Tiel were present.
Not to mention the successors to the Mage Tower Master, whose power rivaled even the Cult Leader.
Relieved by the academy’s superior strength, Bellver wondered why the invasion came so early.
In the original story, the full-scale assault was supposed to happen mid-second year, resulting in a stalemate despite academy losses.
With current forces far stronger than in the original timeline, why risk a frontal assault?
Then it hit him – Tiel capturing all the previous intruders.
In the original, one cultist successfully kidnapped Roho before escaping.
What if that one was crucial to the cult’s plans?
A plausible theory – this full-scale attack aimed to rescue their captured ally.
Meaning losing this person would significantly hinder the cult’s plans.
Failure was not an option – succeeding here could lead straight to a happy ending.
“What should we do? Should we set up a wall?”
“Let’s wait. The barrier isn’t breached yet, and the professors haven’t arrived.”
“Yes.”
Surprisingly, Bellver remained calm where they expected panic.
Their image of him as timid and fragile didn’t match his current decisive actions.
Unknown to them, Bellver excelled in unexpected areas, including crisis management.
Ignoring their surprised looks, Bellver waited patiently.
Fragments of the barrier began falling.
A small hole, barely large enough for a hand, appeared.
Instantly, Bellver directed Roho while casting his own spell.
“Roho! Deploy high-level defensive magic at the breach!”
“Yes!”
Following Bellver’s orders without question, Roho’s incantation summoned massive fiery flowers and ice shields.
Just in time, as a dark hand emerged from the hole, releasing dark mana spikes that collided with fire and ice.
Successfully blocking the first attack, Bellver internally sighed in relief.
For the first time since arriving in this world, his alternate timeline knowledge proved useful.
Sensing this might be the last major conflict before reaching a happy ending.
“Good job. Leave the rest to big brother.”
“Everyone’s worked hard. Big sister’s here now, so take a break in the back.”
Current academy elites arrived, seeing the spectacular display of fire and ice.
The dean, head professor, board president, elder council chairman, knight captain, holy order cardinal, next mage tower masters, and more professors filled the scene.
Overwhelmed by the impressive lineup, defeat felt impossible.
Grabbing his friends’ hands, Bellver stepped back slightly.
Their role now was simply to subdue any who broke through the overwhelming containment net.
Time was on their side as defenders.
The enemy would tire themselves trying to breakthrough.
-Crack!!
“Everyone, prepare!!”
Just as they formed the containment net, a massive hole ripped through the barrier.
Black-clothed cultists descended en masse, fearlessly charging despite the overwhelming forces below.
Though individually weak, their sheer numbers allowed some to breakthrough magical defenses and reach the ground.
“Prepare your spells in advance. We’ll stop those who break through.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
Bellver prepared his spell preemptively.
Despite continuous mana consumption, pre-prepared spells were far more powerful than hastily cast ones.
Both Roho and Bella readied their own spells.
Noticing Bellver preparing a high-level spell despite being in the knight department, Roho questioned:
“Aren’t you in the knight department? Can you use magic?”
“I have dual majors. Magic is actually my main focus.”
“Wow, we had a genius here all along?”
Roho’s astonished reaction surprisingly eased Bellver and Bella’s tension.
They gained confidence knowing they only needed to handle breakthroughs while elite forces handled the frontlines.
Wanting to tease his smiling friends but restraining himself given the situation, Roho decided to ask later.
“They’re starting to breakthrough.”
“Already handling them.”
“Taken care of.”
Though elite cultists joined the fray, most breakthroughs consisted of grunts easily stopped by academy forces between Bellver’s group and the elites.
As they repeatedly subdued enemies, the number of descending cultists dwindled.
Successfully repelling most attackers.
All bishop-level cultists were eliminated, leaving only one cardinal, wounded and unlikely to breakthrough the overwhelming defense.
Everyone relaxed, believing the threat contained.
“Good work.”
“Bellver worked hard too. What an event on the festival’s last day.”
Bellver approached Roho, who was tidying up.
Bella still fought fiercely against breakthrough attempts but would finish soon.
“If it weren’t for you…!!!”
“Miss!!”
Why was Bella desperately running toward them?
What was that black thing flying toward Roho?
Instinctively, Bellver pushed Roho away.
Before he could react further, he and Bella were engulfed by the blackness, losing consciousness.
“Ugh. Where am I now? And what happened to me?”
When Bellver regained consciousness, he found himself inexplicably transformed into a younger Bella in an unknown location.
