Chapter 19: Yeriel - Clarice Academy Faculty Research Building
Clarice Academy, Faculty Research Building.
"Are you feeling alright?"
I'm sitting across from Instructor Sylvester at a table with steam rising lazily from our tea, his eyes narrowed as always while we talk.
"Yeah, more or less. Doesn't seem like I took any serious damage..."
The reason he called me here was simple. They needed to investigate yesterday's monster incident. Word travels fast in the academy—faster than a rumor on wings. Of course, the story going around was that Melissa Prominence of the Crimson Flame was the star who drove off the beast. Me? I was just the lucky cadet with a bad attitude.
"First off, I apologize for the horrific situation you faced during the exam. The headmaster will be hearing about this soon enough."
"Ah, sure."
"We'll discuss compensation later, but..."
Sylvester got to the point.
"I know it might feel awkward, but with the rest of your 2-1 party still recovering in the resurrection capsules, could you tell me everything you remember from yesterday? Anything at all?"
"Well... We were in the middle of the exam when the Ragged One came at us. It was radiating killing intent, so we had no choice but to fight right away."
Sylvester jotted something down and circled back.
"I see. We're looking into it here at the academy too, but it seems like the problem stemmed from the illusion magic's proxy dolls. That said, as you saw, Lev, the Ragged One had a physical body. Not something a freshman should take down easily."
He trailed off, eyes on me, clearly fishing for more. He suspects I wasn't the main player in taking down the Ragged One.
"I panicked too, so I just resisted with my crossbow. Lucky for me, it landed a critical hit. Plus, Hazel had enchanted it right before."
"Hmm... Mind if I see that crossbow?"
I handed it over, and he inspected it closely, turning it this way and that.
"Any prior experience with crossbows?"
"Practiced hard over the weekend."
His gaze flicked from the crossbow to my face.
"...I see. You really were lucky, then."
He didn't press further. Even up close, there's nothing suspicious. I didn't use mana or Mainhwa—it was basically a third power altogether, so no traces left behind. All that's left is my consistent story and the Ragged One's fragments.
'Ragged One died instantly from an enchanted crossbow bolt.'
One line summary.
"Instructor, may I ask something too?"
"Of course."
"What happens to our 2-1 party? Did we all fail the exam?"
"Nothing like that. In a special case like this, it's voided. Based on progress alone, Team 2-1 would have won anyway."
As expected.
With those words, the window I'd been waiting for popped up.
Supporting Role Achievement: How a Supporting Role Helps Another
Reward: 100 Supporting Role Points
You have acquired Supporting Role Points.
While I stared at the reward window instead of Sylvester, he asked in an acknowledging tone.
"You really meant it when you said you could do well, huh?"
"Results speak for themselves."
Maybe my nonchalant attitude did it, but Sylvester smiled faintly.
"By the way, Lev... I heard you were denied re-entry to the Blue Dorm."
"Yeah."
"With 49 demerit points piled up, you're still asking about passing the exam—it seems like you're serious about graduating. Any real plans to finish at the academy?"
"Yep."
"As a gesture for this incident, I'd like to help with your dorm reassignment, but demerits don't just vanish like that."
"Appreciate the thought."
After my curt reply, Sylvester pondered for a moment before speaking.
"...Come to think of it, there is one open spot."
"?"
"The Black Dorm... Selafi Black Dorm, if that's okay, I can assign you there."
Black Dorm.
Clarice Academy has four dorms. Lapa Blue Dorm for mana-wielders near the knightly types—swordsmen, holy knights, warriors—in Baraki Red Dorm. Support tech and scouts in Yegudi Green Dorm. And the nominally existing old dorm, Selafi Black Dorm.
In Reincarnated Academy, the Black Dorm's purpose kicks in around chapter 4 with a Chaos Gate opening there. Until then, it's abandoned, zero relevance in the story. I can imagine how rundown the facilities must be...
But beggars can't be choosers. I scraped by yesterday in a resurrection capsule, but starting today, I'd be homeless otherwise. Better than nothing.
"Please assign me."
* * *
Early morning. Melissa Prominence, recovering surprisingly quickly, had to field a barrage of worries transmitted via magic communicator.
Three whole hours reassuring her mother, father, and followers—it was more exhausting than the incident itself.
"Phew. Time to rest."
Combining meditation with a recap of yesterday, Melissa reflected.
Magic demands focus. Any distraction destabilizes the mana flow from heart to body, and forcing a chant in that state risks uncontrolled output—extremely dangerous.
In that light, yesterday was a disaster. Constant surprises shattered her concentration. In real combat, she would've been in peril.
But Lev Denek. He stayed cool.
He spotted the spirit medium faster than anyone during the exam. Calm responses, like he saw the whole thing coming.
Why cheat on the previous exam, then?
Or maybe the opposite—he knew about this one too.
Still...
The roar echoing in her closed eyes. The named-grade monster Ragged One appearing out of nowhere.
"Hey, Lady. Show us that top-seat skill."
If not for him, catastrophe.
Damn...
Sneering at him, yet the Ragged One—unfazed by her fire magic—dropped to his single strike.
"You've grown again today!"
"Impressive skill, Lady!"
"Our hope!"
Back in the duchy, endless praise fueled her honing of mana. Even the entrance exam top spot was hers.
But real combat? Different story. She couldn't do a thing. Couldn't show her preparations.
Such a gap...
And that guy—full of ego, skipping practice and classes—suddenly shines as a marksman.
"Made a deal with the devil or something?"
To Melissa, that made more sense than admitting his talent. Worse, his casual barbs had gotten under her skin.
"It's not!"
"Don't be a burden."
Sharp words she'd thrown herself.
What the hell... seriously!
She pounded the innocent pillow.
Talking big, now grateful to that jerk... Her face burned already. Was this the "responsibility" adults mentioned?
Classes assign tomorrow, and the girl's worries had no end.
* * *
Selafi Black Dorm upon arrival...
Even within Clarice Academy, it was on the outskirts. No wonder they call it exile central.
A rural scene amid the bustle—who knew?
Unpaved roads, untouched for ages.
"What a trek."
Twenty-five minutes on foot from the loop train... No wonder it's empty. Nobles value dignity—if assigned here, they'd drop out before living in this dump.
Finally reaching the entrance after a long hike.
Whoa. If the academy's all pointy Gothic and Baroque with modern flair, the Black Dorm's a modest three-story with red roof and white walls. Simple Renaissance style.
Practical over flashy—more fantasy vibe, honestly.
"Anyone here?"
Dragging my luggage to the entrance, no signs of life. But unlike the weathered exterior, inside was clean—recently maintained.
"Dorm supervisor?"
Even in this remote spot, academy rules mean a supervisor. Dorms play a big role in Reincarnated Academy, so the system's solid.
Then, from afar, a familiar face I half-expected.
"You're here...!"
"Uh..."
Snow-white hair. A bright smile evoking a sunny spring day.
Yeriel Artina
▶ Status Average: 4.5
▶ Specialty: Circle Magic (5)
▶ Unique Traits
Taicheonsa Transformation (Lv.??) (Inactive) (Details Unviewable)
Elemental (Lv.5)
Five... circles...?
The final main heroine of Reincarnated Academy, core character. Kind, warm-hearted supporter.
Yeriel.
Fix Yeriel's setting error.
Judged as error: Daughter of the Fallen Angel, Yeriel, held coming-of-age ceremony in Blue Dorm without Melissa noticing.
Starting location changed to Black Dorm.
"The instructor contacted me ahead...!"
Even as the final boss, her voice now held pure resonance and a hint of tremor.
"Ah, as a freshman... can I drop the formalities...?"
Yeriel spoke cautiously, keeping distance. She knows 'Lev Denek's' reputation—no way she doesn't. Hiding her tension by being considerate.
"Sure. Where's the dorm supervisor?"
"Huh...? Ah, yeah. About that."
Instead of answering, she pointed to herself and handed over a paper.
Name: Yeriel Artina
—Proves indefinite delegation—
...Dorm supervisors hold real power at Clarice Academy? Is this okay?
"Wel...come to being the first resident of Black Dorm...!"
"I'm the first?"
"Yeah...!"
She still smiled at me—the villain. Too kind, almost foolishly so. That's why her bittersweet end...
Well. Me holing up here—good for her?
Yeriel's fall is a key branching point for the ending. Manage her condition right, she becomes Edwin's ally to check Kaeran. Plus, with my demon eyes, living here lets me monitor her corruption perfectly.
"Got it. Show me to my room."
"Ah...? Right! First, fill this out..."
She seemed surprised I'd stay, fumbling the dorm guide papers.
"Whoa! Almost dropped it..."
Her flustered look was kinda cute. But I'm not really Lev Denek—no plans to devour or harm you. I'll keep quiet till I leave... so bear with the awkwardness a bit.
That said, just two people in the dorm... fine, but something else bugs me...
Ah!
Status: Level 2 Surveillance Magic (Caster: Aria Bluebell)
...Should be fine... right?