Pastel shouted at every student she encountered.
“Get into the building! It’s paralysis gas, so don’t inhale it and barricade yourselves inside! Don’t let your guard down just because it doesn’t take effect right away—get inside!”
The flustered students evacuated into the building.
From within the paralysis gas, a pack of wolves came charging. As they lunged at the students, Pastel stomped the ground.
The fangs of the leaping wolves were bared. The student’s eyes widened. The sword attack shimmered. A spray of blood erupted. Blood splattered across the student’s cheek.
The wolf pack charged. A pink head flew through the smoke. The strike created a silver wave. The wave swept through the surrounding wolves. Silver glinted. Blood sprayed.
Drops of blood scattered, and the smoke turned red.
Emerging through the red smoke, Pastel shook her head to shake off the excitement and pushed the protected student. The student, dazed, was shoved out.
“Get inside!”
She shouted at the students who had stopped to stare blankly.
“Go in! Hurry!”
She led everyone and exited the building again.
Pastel looked around. The academy was shrouded in smoke with no one in sight.
She ran while exhaling. The odor of the paralysis gas tickled her nose. Her expression twisted.
“What kind of terror is this?”
What could be at the academy?
“To know precisely what organization is behind this, we’d have to gather more information. For now, this seems to be a pack of wolves that can be dealt with by students, using mild paralysis gas, so it doesn’t appear to be an extremist faction from the demon race.”
The demon thought for a moment.
“Has a new organization emerged while the cult fell and I was trapped? Perhaps a new group has come to steal relics.”
Huh.
“What does the academy have?”
“You seemed to forget, but the legacy of the Demon Lord lies here.”
“Ah, right?”
“The Sky Island is a battleground between humans and demons and is a bizarre island floating between the human realm and the demon realm. Aside from the Demon Lord’s legacy, there are many strange relics.”
Huh.
“Since the Sky Island Governorate has fallen, the academy is now managing the various unusual relics. Most of them have only historical value, but something seems to have caught the attention of this new group. That’s not uncommon.”
Of all places, a school was built here. Wasn’t it originally a military academy? Then it seems fitting to build it in such a dangerous place.
“I don’t know what the goal is, but it must be relic theft, right?”
“Yes.”
“If they just stay barricaded in the building, they’ll eventually leave, right?”
“Given their bold action, it’s likely they also aim for publicity, so student slaughter is probably not on their agenda. Such groups need a purpose that resonates with someone and notoriety. That’s how they attract talent and funding. However, student slaughter would just bring unpleasant notoriety. It’s not of any help to running an organization.”
“Realistic considerations, indeed.”
Pastel pondered.
“Got it. Then the Student Council should focus more on evacuating students than on countering the terror. We’ll trust the Knight Corps and the guards for the resolution.”
It was too late to join the control tower and represent the students as the Student Council. It would be right to evacuate the students on the scene.
She turned her steps back, running toward the garden. There were bound to be many friends flustering due to the sudden situation.
“Good thinking. After all, if there are knight-level attackers among them, you wouldn’t be able to win.”
“What’s so special about knight-level?”
Wasn’t Cardin not even a knight, let alone a knight-level?
“The Knight Corps refers to a knight-level individual and the troops underneath them. I don’t know about now, but in the past, there were less than twenty knight-level individuals throughout the entire empire.”
Oh.
That’s a level competing for the world’s strongest?
Eek.
If I run into one, I should just flee.
Go, Knight Corps, who are running toward the academy!
Upon arriving at the garden, she saw a student trembling atop a garden stone as a pack of wolves surrounded him, barking.
The paralysis gas rippled along the ground. The student’s strength drained from his hands, and he fell. The wolf pack rushed in.
Pastel picked up a stone and threw it with all her might. The dull impact struck the air. The trajectory rushed towards its target and collided. The wolf’s head burst apart, scattering its remnants.
The wolf pack that had been closing in on the student froze. A girl charged at the wolf pack. The wolf’s howls echoed like screams.
Eventually, silence descended.
Covered in blood, Pastel somehow guided the trembling student, who was staring at her, towards a nearby building.
After exiting the building and walking for a while, she held her head.
“Ugh.”
A strange dizziness washed over her.
Adrenaline, here it comes.
Wolves were no great threat, and while she was still sane (probably), the smell of blood was getting her heart racing.
At this rate, what if she encountered an opponent she couldn’t defeat and couldn’t think rationally?
Hormonal Friend, calm down.
If you calm down, I’ll reward you with the title of friend-friend.
It’s double the letters, you know.
Double.
Pastel shook her head.
Maybe she was okay, or maybe she wasn’t.
Suddenly, she heard clapping from somewhere.
“Nice disinterested act for a Craft. Or is it a Craft-like act? It should be devious enough.”
A man in a black robe approached through the smoke. The smoke moved as if it defied the very order of nature to avoid him.
Clearly, he was the mastermind.
Pastel fixed her gaze and pointed her sword at him. Surprisingly, in a calm state, she opened her mouth.
“Are you the mastermind behind this?”
“Hmm?”
The man tilted his head, examining his own black robe.
“Why ask when it’s obvious? I’m dressed like a villain, after all. Could you possibly think I’m a good guy? Oh, you have a lovely heart?”
The man exclaimed in delight.
“Young Craft.”
In that moment, the demon spoke calmly.
“He’s at the knight level.”
Huh.
Knight-level, just like that.
Eek?
The man, contemplating, pulled a dagger from his possession.
“Shall we see some skill?”
His finger caught the dagger’s loop and spun it. With a graceful movement, he reversed his grip.
Pastel felt as if cold water had been splashed on her mind.
Ugh.
He’s knight-level.
She chose the wrong opponent…!
What a surprise!
The hormonal friend who was formerly dazed just quieted down…!
Our friend is stronger at weak-weak than strong-strong?
I’m also strong-weak-weak…!
Complete buddies!
“Run, good job at that,” the demon said.
Before the demon finished speaking, Pastel turned and dashed away.
Ugh.
“Let’s make the first move a surrender, what?”
The flustered voice drifted behind her, but she didn’t look back, running as fast as she could.
Ugh.
Her pink hair fluttered.
The scenery blurred as she ran at full speed. She wove around buildings and went up and down stairs.
When she finally stopped in a secluded area, she heaved heavy breaths.
Ugh, that was close.
Seriously, she shouldn’t have joined the Student Council.
“Hmm, running doesn’t seem to suit you,” the demon commented calmly.
“Huh?”
What was that supposed to mean?
She felt a presence right behind her.
“Nice running—”
Adrenaline surged.
Pastel turned her body and swung her sword. The strike infused with her rotation aimed at the man.
The man, surprised, reached out with one hand. His finger touched the blade’s path and moved. The air vibrated.
The blade stopped, caught by his finger.
“Wow, your reaction speed—”
Immediately after, Pastel released the sword and swung her fist. Her fist collided with the man. The shock echoed.
The man, who had caught her fist with his palm, staggered back, frowning.
“Ugh, what kind of strength is this?”
Huh.
He’s really knight-level.
Pastel’s mind cleared as her sword and hand were grasped.
The hormonal friend, dominated until moments ago, chirped brightly.
Hehe, not possible.
I don’t know.
Bye-bye.
The hormonal friend zipped away.
Whirr.
Ugh.
Friend, don’t go!
Don’t leave me in this scary situation!
We’re friends!
Ugh.
“Ugh, that hurts.”
The man, shaking off his hand that had blocked the punch, moved. He lifted Pastel by her legs.
“Hooyah!”
Huh.
The man, lifting her princess-style, suddenly began to bounce her.
“Whoa-hoo, yay!”
Pastel bounced along.
Her view jumped around.
Huh? Huh?
What’s going on? What’s happening?
The man, completely shattering her fighting spirit, walked away happily.
Pastel’s eyes widened.
Ugh.
I’m being kidnapped…!
Her body trembled.
Tremble, tremble.
“I-I have nothing on me.”
That’s the truth.
“Oh! You know well!”
The man burst out laughing.
“No one knows better than us!”
Ugh.
Planned crime…!
Completely wicked kidnapping…!
Tremble, tremble.
She was whisked away straight to the building with the principal’s office, strolling down the corridor in his arms.
“Please put me down.”
“Really now?”
The man pointed casually at the corridor. A corridor filled with corpses and pools of blood filled her sight.
Ugh.
A scene of slaughter…!
“Please, anywhere but here.”
The man laughed lightly.
“Got it! Got it! I’ll put you down in a bit.”
They reached the rooftop. There were many figures cloaked in black robes. Each robe was stained with blood.
Sharp gazes turned towards them.
The man calmly walked to the center.
And then he stood before someone who had a shadowy disposition.
The figure, examining a bloody relic device, turned around. The black robe fluttered. The face was covered by a plague mask.
The man spoke.
“I brought her.”
Eyes behind the mask focused on Pastel. Then he looked at his subordinate.
“Why did you bring her?”
His voice was dry.
“Um? Wasn’t that what you wanted?”
The shadowy figure ignored the subordinate and examined the relic again. Gloved hands manipulated the device.
Silence stretched.
Another robed figure approached.
“Confirmation is ready.”
The shadow handed over the device. The robed figure took it and moved to one side of the rooftop.
As the gathered crowd made way, a black magic circle appeared. The device was placed at the center of the circle.
The man scratched his head.
“Oh dear, you really didn’t care at all.”
Pastel was set on the ground.
Huh?
Receiving Pastel’s gaze, the man shrugged and approached the shadow. This time their conversation slipped into silence, possibly about work.
Pastel, crouched and looking around, felt her tension release slightly in the surprisingly mild atmosphere.
Was she just kidnapped?
Was she in a surprisingly good state?
She rubbed her arms with her hands.
It’s okay, Pastel.
She was just kidnapped.
As long as her mind stayed clear, she’d survive.
“Proceed.”
The shadow gestured. The robed figures waved their staffs. The black magic circle began to glow.
The device at the center rose. A white light radiated.
Suddenly, the ground trembled slightly. It was a gentle vibration, like a drink being shaken. Although minor, it shook the rooftop, the earth, and reached her entire field of view.
“This is indeed a navigation device!”
The robed figures rejoiced, inspecting the tremors. They hugged each other, sharing their joy.
The rooftop was filled with ecstasy and delight.
Amidst this cheerful atmosphere, Pastel found herself isolated. In more ways than one.
Instead of the magical relic, the black magic circle filled her vision.
The black magic circle wasn’t drawn with the powder from magic stones but with something gloppy.
Huh.
Her memory flipped, bringing something similar to mind.
The mansion filled with monsters and the large magic circle drawn in the garden.
She had seen this somewhere…
For real.
Pastel shook her head in confusion. A magic circle was not a particularly special technique, and there was no need to draw unnecessary connections.
They wouldn’t carve magic circles in her mansion and create monsters.
Her loyal retainers wouldn’t have sacrificed themselves to protect their foolish clan leader either.
But Pastel couldn’t help but walk over. Surprisingly, she approached the black magic circle without any hindrance.
A sweet scent wafted through the air.
The first fragrance that magic stones and their awakening agents couldn’t chase away.
Enthralled, she reached out. As her finger touched the magic circle, a sticky black gelatin adhered to it.
Putting the pudding remnants smeared on her finger in her mouth, the meat pudding coated her tongue. Nerves tingled.
Her brain sparked.
A euphoria of reclaiming the lost.
A fulfillment as if emptiness was being alleviated.
Pastel’s lips trembled softly.
Hah.
A crooked smile formed.
The man approached.
“What’s wrong, young lady?”
The girl, keeping her head down, paused for a moment to fidget with her mouth.
She meticulously refined her words and suppressed her emotions, finally uttering a single sentence.
“Did you ever harm me?”
“Oh, quite a bit.”
The man replied readily.
“I see.”
The girl sealed her lips. She fidgeted with the sword’s grip and then released it.
The surroundings became bustling. As the mage waved his staff, the gelatin that made up the black magic circle rose and was packed into a box. The rooftop began to tidy up.
From beyond the sky, a sky island approached. It landed on the rooftop, and ropes descended. The figures in black robes grabbed the ropes. One by one, they were pulled up.
As the man walked toward the ladder, he turned back.
“See you next time, young lady.”
“Why…”
The girl couldn’t hold back any longer and opened her mouth.
“Why are you doing this?”
The man paused. After glancing at the shadow contemplating the relic, he boarded the rope ladder without answering. The ladder ascended.
The girl stared at the remaining shadow.
“Why are you doing this?”
Silence filled the rooftop.
The shadow, having completed its thoughts, tucked the relic away. Its gloved hands grasped the rope ladder.
“Love is greater than anything else.”
The dry voice echoed.
“There will be a day when you’ll understand, Pastel.”
The rope ladder rose.
The black robe fluttered.
Left alone, the girl stared blankly at the departing sky island. For a long time, it disappeared beyond her sight.
Clouds brushed past the sky.
The girl suppressed her emotions, opening her mouth.
“Master Demon, I have something I want to do.”
A cold voice resonated.
“I want to kill all of those people.”
For the retainers who protected such a powerless clan leader.
“What should I do?”
The demon fell silent for a moment.
Then slowly began to speak.
“You need to gather talent and build your power. There’s so much you can’t do alone.”
“I’ve made my decision.”
The girl turned her gaze from the sky and turned her body. With a cold face, she descended from the rooftop.
“I want to earn money, gather people, and build power.”
Until she kills them all.
The first semester had ended.
“But that method isn’t smuggling, is it?”
Oh dear.
“You young Craft? Why the silence? Hello?”
