“Was it alright, I wonder?”
“…Yeah, whatever.”
Though I couldn’t see her face, Erika must have nodded. The covert operation to arrest the present delinquent alongside Vice Chancellor Landgar had been carried out with flying colors. Everything proceeded exactly as we’d predicted. The moment Cynthia and the robed man were exchanging candies was when we perfectly inserted ourselves into the scene. Then we casually led the suspect to a prepared spot and detained him. From there, the play-acting commenced.
Unbeknownst to anyone, I had slipped into portraying someone who knew Cynthia far too well—before snapping out of it and adjusting my tone. Looking at Cynthia’s baffled response, I reckoned we’d tricked her perfectly. My acting prowess has undoubtedly skyrocketed since joining the academy.
“Now, all that’s left is getting that guy and the vice chancellor to confess they’re working together, right?”
“Yeah. Plus, we’ve gotta analyze this candy too.”
I fiddled with the pocket inside my coat.
“Guess we’ll need to ask that person, huh?”
“Yeah.”
The “that person” Erika referred to was none other than Yuria. Handing over the interrogation and analysis to Yuria would surely have everything wrapped up in just a few days—or so we assumed. Besides, Yuria was already digging into suspicious activities within the academy.
“I should head there now.”
“So… am I off the hook?”
“This time, too, you’re not joining?”
“I’ve done my part already, haven’t I?”
“True.”
Though, in all fairness, the only thing Erika had done was serve as a secondary lookout, ensuring the suspect didn’t escape. But catching the scene thanks to her surveillance of Cynthia was, without a doubt, a major contribution.
“Shall we go?”
“Yeah.”
Erika waved her hand and vanished in the blink of an eye. Though she likely just turned invisible rather than teleporting like I did. It’s still as baffling as ever.
“Surprisingly easy, wasn’t it?”
Ever since last time, it’s been clear that side quests were significantly easier than the main ones. Beating Cain in a duel felt like eating cold porridge. Though becoming the top of the entrance exam might’ve been slightly trickier…
“Or nah?”
On second thought, even becoming the top in the entrance exam wasn’t all that challenging.
<Side Quest (2-1) 'Going in the Wrong Direction' COMPLETED!>
<Quest Clear Reward Granted>
Just as I was thinking that, the completion message popped up. I thought there’d be something more we’d need to do regarding Cynthia but, apparently, this was enough to “save” her.
“Then…”
Without a second thought, I invested the newly acquired stat points into Luck. Though the reward was a little disappointing since the quest was fairly straightforward, you can’t complain about free gifts. Time to hand over the guy we caught earlier to Yuria.
Whoom—
“Huh?”
Just as I was about to teleport to Yuria’s mansion, another notification caught my eye. Another opaque UI had popped up even though the side quest completion message had just appeared.
<Main Quest (3) ‘The Approaching Sinister Presence’>
Objective: Host the Crescent Academy Festival
Content: Ensure that an event meant for laughter doesn’t turn into one bathed in bl**d.
Reward: 5 stat points, Acquire Title (Academy Dark Knight)
Penalty: Game Over and Reset
“Eh…?”
A sudden new Main Quest caught me off guard—a considerably large one at that. Normally, the quest rewards would catch my eye, but this time, it was the quest description that immediately stood out.
“Hahahaha.”
Nigel chuckled viciously, running his tongue along his lips. Even though there wasn’t anything there, it tasted distinctly of bl**d. It made sense since the most potent smell in the current space was that of bl**d.
Whoosh!
‘The Knight of Green Flame wouldn’t have fared this well.’
Nigel pulled his hood off, completely unfazed by the strong wind lifting his robe. Though not particularly tall from a distance, when his skeletal wyvern extended its wings, its size turned out to be far more imposing than expected. Nigel was indeed a d*ath Knight mounted on an undead wyvern, the Undead Wyvern Rider.
Nigel looked down coldly at his subordinates, now lying in pools of their own bl**d.
Though he felt a fleeting pang of regret for the fallen followers—raising them in secret had taken a great deal of effort over time, and they had been 7 disciples he somewhat acknowledged—the regret was short-lived.
Who would’ve thought they’d summon a wyvern rider?
He had assumed that sacrificing 7 black magicians of a certain level would summon a Knight of Green Flame-grade undead, but the result had far exceeded expectations.
“This is excellent.”
Nigel turned his gaze from the scattered corpses to his undead wyvern fluttering ominously in the air. The d*ath knight mounted on the skeletal wyvern looked far from ordinary.
“Very good.”
Nigel’s mutters gradually turned into soft then louder laughter, culminating in a wild guffaw. The plan had just become far more likely to succeed.
“A festival, you say?”
“Yeah. Do you happen to know when the usual festival dates are?”
“Each year varies slightly, but I believe it’s around mid-May.”
“Mid-May, huh?”
Since it’s late April, there isn’t much time left.
“Are you interested in the festival?”
“Yeah. That’s how it is.”
Elaine regarded me with a curious look. Why would an academy student taking interest in festivals seem so out of place?
“Though I thought you weren’t into this kind of thing.”
“Why not? Festivals are great.”
‘They also happen to be perfect for starting incidents.’
Of course, my interest wasn’t purely out of curiosity—it was quest-driven.
‘So, not a lot of time left, it seems.’
“Also, Cynthia hasn’t come again, has she?”
“…Yeah.”
“Emily’s sick too, they say.”
“Yeah.”
Since that quiet yet impactful event in the training forest that night, Cynthia hasn’t attended the academy. According to Professor Amillion, she suddenly fell ill. While a bit concerning, we decided to wait it out for now. It’s barely been 3 days.
I had already given her a piece of my mind, so she might need some time to herself to think.
Still, it’s unexpected that Emily’s not feeling well either.
“…Looks like it’s just us two again today.”
“Yeah.”
“Am I being bothersome?”
“Wh… Huh? No?”
“…I’m relieved to hear that.”
While absorbed in various thoughts, I had been robotically responding with “Yeah” until I almost said something wrong. Elaine’s dissatisfied look was directed my way.
Having completed the side quest involving Cynthia, a new main quest began. The weight of its content—like winning the grade contest—had kept my mind occupied for days.
“Anyway, could you do me a favor?”
“Favor?”
Elaine continued without meeting my eyes.
“After class today…”
I had already guessed what Elaine was about to ask. It was the same type of request I’d received countless times before: to be her sparring partner or to visit her house. At the start of the semester, I had occasionally accepted such requests under the guise of training for the grade contest—but rarely since.
I’m already busy honing my own magic; how could I help someone else?
Still, it’s been a while since we’ve last crossed swords.
“Okay, let’s have a good match then.”
“…Huh?”
“It’s been a while since we last dueled. I should get a grip on my sword again too.”
“Ah.”
Elaine looked genuinely thrilled.
A delighted smile on her face, her eyes locked onto mine.
Let’s just focus on sparring with Elaine for a bit and clear my head.
‘This isn’t bad.’
Elaine thought as she followed Ryu, stepping happily toward the training ground.
Really, sparring with Ryu was something to be celebrated.
He had the skill to rival a 3rd-year senior. His abilities allowed him to trade blows with her father.
‘In fact, this might be for the better.’
Though she originally intended to eat dinner together during this opportunity, sparring would also suffice. Just a tiny bit frustrating though.
‘Had I made too many sparring requests?’
As soon as Elaine mentioned her request, Ryu guessed what it was before she had the chance to finish. She had hesitated, feeling a bit shy about offering to have dinner together, but he jumped in first.
She couldn’t bring herself to admit that wasn’t what she meant in that moment.
“It really has been a while. Lately, it’s been all magic for you.”
Ryu murmured as he waved his wooden sword while walking ahead. Watching Ryu’s seemingly excited reaction, Elaine felt a strange irritation—well, not quite irritation, more like hurt.
“I’ll fight with all my strength. This might be my only chance to beat you.”
“Hmm? Good, then I’ll only use my sword too.”
Elaine’s voice, tinted slightly with a hint of resentment, only excited Ryu further.
“I’m going to fight with my absolute best.”
“Scary…”
Elaine clutched her sword hilt tightly, determined to land a heavy blow on Ryu this time around.
Though to achieve that, she shouldn’t remain emotional.
‘Hmmph…’
Elaine took a deep breath to calm herself—though her emotions didn’t settle so easily. Swearing to herself to land at least one strike today, she began preparing by tying up her flowing golden locks.
“Wow, you’re tying your hair up? Looks like you’re getting serious.”
“…”
I really want to land a hit on him.
