Chapter 81

The highlight of a school trip happens at night. Starting from talent shows to inter-class competitions—activities commonly referred to as recreations—all usually take place in the evening, leading students to push through despite being slightly exhausted, enjoying the night and waking up again in the morning to fulfill activities fitting of a school trip.

In that sense, the school trip organized by Erica’s school could be considered a little different.

The teachers, seemingly implying that since the students were adults, they would be responsible for themselves, left the students to freely complete group assignments during the day but gathered everyone for recreations at night after dinner—optional, of course, for those who didn’t want to join.

Letting students plan and choose the school trip destination was something not typically done in regular schools.

This school treated students more like college students, giving them freedom unlike typical schools that regulate student behavior.

In that light, the evening of the school trip that usually happens under strict school control allowed for some student non-participation this time.

One might assume non-participants were delinquents, but delinquents don’t always defy school rules entirely.

Especially during these gatherings meant for fostering camaraderie, even the delinquents attended and enjoyed themselves in the nearby auditorium.

The ones who didn’t participate were different — either those who didn’t want to draw attention from the delinquents, or those uninterested in mingling with others. Typically, these were the individuals who were bullied by said delinquents or just more introverted types.

The white-haired girl, walking with the hairband given by Inna, wasn’t skipping out of fear of getting noticed by the troublemakers, nor due to shyness or aversion to such events.

She simply had one thing on her mind — no time to waste during a school festival.

“Hmph, should I warn them or just keep quiet?”

Her worry revolved around one issue: informing others of a potential terror attack during the school trip and dealing with the consequences if it didn’t transpire. She feared how to make amends if she had mistakenly spread alarming misinformation.

Humans do make mistakes, and if this were a regular oversight, an apology would suffice. The real problem, however, was the basis of her belief that the school would be targeted.

Recalling the formidable force she had encountered when first commissioned by the student council – a woman capable of obliterating people with her powers mercilessly – the thought lingered.

And that one-month-old memory of a terrorist, wielding forbidden supernaturally lethal abilities, indiscriminately attacking in broad daylight, strengthened her conviction.

She recalled that during the first year, no homicides occurred, but she was certain they would during the second year, aligning with the main story. Given the timing of the school trip a few days earlier, she assumed the killings would correlate, as it would follow the usual clichés.

But what if the creators of this romantic visual novel decided to twist the clichés? What if the threat was not terrorism, but something else entirely? Her warning might have weakened another location’s defenses, potentially becoming a strategic advantage for the enemies.

Or perhaps, having been thwarted here originally, the antagonists might’ve decided to target another location, revising their plan.

In any case, the probability of a terror attack had decreased.

Instead of directly heading to her accommodation, the girl decided to roam the nearby pathways, her mind swirling with these thoughts.

There were two days left after the first day. Since the third day usually involved optional weekend trips, the next day was the only one where the entire school group would be present.

If the potential attackers wished to strike, their best window would be the next day, especially the moments when all students and teachers gathered in the morning or evening.

Since they had missed the prime window of attack on the first night, it seemed unlikely they’d target the school.

She hadn’t been overly concerned before, but now that the terror attack hadn’t happened yet, her doubts began to surface.

Unlike her previous decisions that had weighed on her, this choice, albeit in a fake world, could genuinely endanger lives.

One can’t arbitrarily manipulate another’s feelings; should someone’s associate d*e due to her mistakes, she might feel a twinge of sympathy for that person. In this world, that sympathy would be perceived as favorability.

Yes, her concern for making a wrong choice wasn’t purely altruistic — worry about others’ lives but also about her own potential bad ending.

Worrying over unseen black figures was a waste of mental energy. As always, the real concerns or threats came from those she could see.

“Shouldn’t you show yourself already?”

A moment ago, Erica had felt someone trailing behind her. Turning her head, no one was there. It almost seemed like a monologue directed into thin air.

But no matter how well-hidden, Erica could discern people’s roles and abilities in her sight. Thanks to the glowing text that appeared beyond buildings, she had noticed someone following her.

Realizing that her stillness wasn’t just a tease, someone with curly green hair emerged, walking confidently toward Erica.

[Ability: Instantaneous Enhancement.]

The moment the ability label appeared, Erica recognized her. There was only one girl with such a familiar ability.

“Shouldn’t you be with the other first years?”

The first-year girl who had once been her private tutoring student was supposed to be heading to places like Jeju Island or Japan, not Busan. Erica wondered why she was here.

The bewilderment on Erica’s face was so evident that the younger girl quickly scribbled something on her sketchbook.

[I got ditched because I was being ostracized on the way here. The teachers allowed me to stay here. Can I stay with you?]

A mix of truth and falsehood. Even though it was impudent for a first-year to speak casually to a senior, Erica assumed that the casualness stemmed from the hassle of writing in polite tones.

“No, I share a room so it’s not possible to host you.”

Erica liked this particular junior, though it wasn’t romantic but a professional fondness.

She would’ve helped if possible, but the accommodations were shared with others.

The teachers had allowed her to stay, so she’d find a place with them or someone else. No need to worry about accommodation arrangements.

[Just stay with me in my room! It’s too big and lonely.]

While Erica’s refusal seemed logical, the other party had no intention of accepting it.

The younger girl latched onto Erica’s arm. The soft sensation of attachment made Erica feel less aroused and more annoyed, unlike other men who might have misunderstood.

“I’m already sharing a room, so moving seems unnecessary.”

Changing rooms was akin to saying: “I’m closer to you than my current roommates.” Not to mention, there was no valid reason to do so.

Upon hearing Erica’s clear refusal, the girl released her arm and scribbled something on her sketchbook.

[Can’t you just come because of our past acquaintance?]

It was less of a request and more like throwing a tantrum under the guise of past camaraderie. Others might’ve compromised because of pity, but Erica instead reviewed her favorability with the junior.

[Goodwill: 17/20]

“Not good enough.”

A measly goodwill of 17 didn’t qualify the junior to share a room with Erica. No special profile appeared regarding how she planned to improve this.

Contrary to Erica’s expectations, the girl didn’t accept the rejection and continued writing.

[It’s dangerous for you to be alone. I’ve noticed some very powerful ability users lurking around you.]

“…What? When did you find out? At the station?”

That comment instantly grabbed Erica’s attention. If terrorists were already nearby, it was a fact Erica hadn’t known.

[I’ve noticed them around the building. I just arrived, so they could’ve been trailing me before that, but I wouldn’t know.]

Then there was still a chance of a nighttime attack.

The guilt Erica felt about unnecessarily alarming others quickly dissipated, replaced by one single emotion:

“Then, show me.”

Even though this wasn’t her main scenario, fighting and eliminating the antagonists from the world’s main plotline offered hope to return faster to her “home.”

[If you say you’ll stay in my room.]

“Alright, guide me then.”

Instead of involving more people, Erica followed Kana alone, heading towards an unknown threat. As others celebrated the highlight of the school trip in the auditorium, Erica quietly followed her green-haired junior into the darkness.

The white-haired girl proceeded forward, her motives unclear.

Was it concern for the safety of faceless individuals, confidence in her own powers, or simply the yearning to return to a world free of supernatural abilities?

No one could truly tell. Concealing her emotions, the girl, with a stoic expression, only followed her junior into the dark.

…Into the uncertain night.