Chapter 52 - Carry Me
The first time I crossed paths with Kaeran His was relatively recent, but the guy was acting way more three-dimensionally than I'd anticipated. Even accounting for all the author's favoritism, he'd properly crossed the line. Acting like he was the regressor protagonist himself, hogging all the fortuitous encounters and taking the initiative. On top of that, whether it was reflecting the inflated power levels compared to the original Reincarnated Hero game, the chapter progression and story flow were accelerating faster and faster.
Probably all because of this...
1. Graduate from Clarice Academy without failing or expulsion.
2. Prevent the Kaeran ending.
Kaeran's ending must be one of the mission objectives. That's why, this time around, I'm being extra cautious. There might be backstory I don't know about. I need to take my time and use a surefire method to suppress his growth.
I'd love to just drown him in Mainhwa corruption, but because of his copy ability, I'd have to use it too, risking exposure. Or if he couldn't handle the Mainhwa and oxidized on the spot, as his duel opponent, I couldn't just casually keep attending the academy...
The worst case? He masters Mainhwa. Sure, the empire wouldn't tolerate a demon and would arrest him on the spot, but after that, things would be completely out of my hands, leaving a bad aftertaste.
Anyway, factoring all that in, the best move right now—unlike in the fanfic—is to keep Kaeran from interfering with the alchemy circle at all. I don't know how much he's sniffed out, but his approach to Hazel is straight out of the fanfic: grabbing leverage on the black market connection to the alchemy circle and blackmailing them.
The parasitic beast outbreak is a major plot point in Chapter 3, so if the author has any conscience, Kaeran wouldn't know about it at this stage. That means securing alchemy circle funding without relying on the black market, and handling the parasitic beast myself before it finds a host to snag the Parasite skill.
But... I'm short on cash.
"This should be enough... right?"
"What?"
Rewards from the beast incident, scholarships from chamber clears, everything I'd saved up so far—I'd confidently promised Hazel double. But alchemy turned out to be way more money-sink than expected. She asked for about three times what I had in gems.
This should keep them quiet for a bit, but once the money runs dry, who knows when the alchemy club members might stab me in the back.
To solve this funding crunch... here I am in Professor Diena's office.
"I was shocked to hear about it. Another beast outbreak... right?"
"Yeah, that's how it went."
"Was there anything... that bothered you?"
Diena handed me tea, her face tinged with unease. Am I making her uncomfortable...?
"No, nothing like that. Actually, I came today to ask Professor a favor as your teaching assistant."
"A favor?"
She sighed quietly, clearly having no clue what I was up to next.
"Yes. First, I'd like permission for extracurricular activities. Could you approve that?"
"Aren't you a first-year, Lev? It's a bit early for that... Well, alright, I'll allow it."
Extracurricular activities at Clarice Academy are straightforward. Cadets can't officially join guilds or mercenary work, but under the extracurricular banner, it's partially permitted. Basically, a license to roam outside and grow stronger.
But I had another reason for asking.
"Second... You're a war hero too, Professor Diena, right?"
"W-well... yes?"
"I hear the heroes will be here for the ranking match inspection soon..."
"That's not public knowledge for regular cadets yet..."
"They're people I admire greatly. Could you let me meet them?"
War Heroes. Over a decade ago, they repelled the beasts' final all-out assault, securing the empire's borders in that long, grueling war. Eleven heroes shone brightest at its end, including Master Archer Diena.
Of course, Diena was young back then, a promising archer thrust into the role when the Divine Archer Adrin fell, filling in as a reserve. By the time she joined, the war was wrapping up, ending with the subjugation of Lerage.
Officially, eleven war heroes survived, but the public recognizes ten excluding Diena—they're on another level entirely. To Diena, her seniors were no light matter.
With their invaluable experience, they were too busy for just teaching gigs like hers... And yet, here I was asking to meet them.
'Well, just meeting them...'
It shouldn't be hard to arrange. Most heroes still saw Diena as the cute kid sister.
But the reason piqued her curiosity.
"Mind if I ask why?"
"Just like I said. It's an honor to speak with legends."
"Hmm... Fair enough."
Diena pondered. Three heroes were coming: Holy Knight Dustin, Mage Scarlett, and Shaman Umberto... She'd planned to ask them about the suspicious aura around me anyway.
As she hesitated, I stood up.
"You haven't called me lately, and I've been thinking of quitting as your disciple..."
"W-wait a second!"
Normally, only upperclassmen student reps could meet them... But I'd been accepted as top TA.
"Fine. Just a brief moment... that much should be possible."
In the Royal Class circle room of the academy's main building, with its glass garden attached, Melissa spoke in a low voice.
"Aria, I turned her down."
Red-haired Kaeran replied coldly.
"I don't like jealous girls much."
"J-jealous? What do you mean by that?"
"More importantly, you're wearing the hairpin I gave you?"
"Uh...? Forget that! Jealous of Aria? You saying I was jealous of her...?"
Kaeran leaned back in his chair, as if he'd expected it.
After picking a fight with Lev Denek in the chamber, he'd done some digging. Magic aspirant turned archery hopeful, slaying beasts in the selection exam, beating upperclassman Gailon Sharptee in a duel, handling beasts in dungeon surveys... Living in Selafi Black Dorm due to penalty points, closest associate: Grade A, Aria Bluebell...
She seemed to have hidden skills but wasn't the type to push for attention with professors. He'd approached thinking she might reveal something about Lev Denek.
'Guess it's not a casual connection.'
"Kaeran, apologize. Aria and I aren't like that..."
"Whatever, go."
"What?"
Melissa gawked in disbelief, but Kaeran shot her a frosty glare.
"I want to be alone."
"Hah, I must've misjudged you."
With that, Melissa left.
......
-Grit.
Left alone, Kaeran bit his lip.
'Annoying...'
She was practically his already, but thinking of Lev Denek soured his mood uncontrollably. He needed to erase that guy from sight to feel satisfied.
Anyway... the outcome wouldn't change. His investigation revealed that was all there was. Whatever Lev was cocky about, it had to be that baseless weird archery... He'd asked Gailon Sharptee, his duel opponent, and learned even that trick came after brief training from Selena.
In contrast, Kaeran had private lessons from the empire's top talents. Lev was worlds apart from the starting line.
'Boring.'
Five days till the duel. Odds of him awakening in time...?
"Heh."
A chuckle escaped. Why had he fallen for such a low provocation back then? Kaeran brushed it off with a sly grin.
The academy was utter chaos all evening. Word spread like wildfire that war heroes—celebrities to cadets—had arrived.
Tomorrow's auditorium event and speeches would be official, but they kept hero visits low-key due to imperial pressure. The emperor had to be the grandest spectacle, after all...
Currently, in the special hall, select cadets met the heroes. I was lined up to talk, too.
"I-I admire you! You're my idol!"
"Thanks. Never slack on training."
"Scarlett! When's the next holy site purge?"
"Dunno."
'What fan service...'
Everyone scrambling to impress, clueless about the backstory. Probably angling for expedition spots over break or networking.
The heroes' caliber dwarfed such facades; they barely noticed.
'Younger than I thought...'
War ended a decade ago, but they looked mid-to-late thirties—my original world's age, battling great demons...
"Always approach with humility."
Blond, affable hunk in light leather underarmor: Dustin.
"Next."
Dark-haired beauty in form-fitting robes, looking bored: Scarlett the mage. No sign of Shaman Umberto.
And my turn.
-Murmurs.
All upperclassmen who knew each other; eyes locked on the intruder.
"Hmm, cadet's name?"
"Lev Denek."
"Lev Denek... You're quite the looker."
I cut straight to demands.
"Take me on the next expedition."
Other cadets snickered: 'Who’s this guy?' 'What’d he just say?'
Dustin burst laughing at my bluntness.
"Haha, honest kid, huh? Sorry, though—selections are done."
"Brat, your badge says freshman trash. Go prep for ranking matches."
"Scarlett, mind your manners...! You're not that old..."
"Don't mention my age!"
Novel canon: their banter, her bratty personality. She'd mellow out simping over much-younger Edwin...
I whispered just for them.
"You'll regret it."
"Hey, punks like you with big mouths? We've seen tons. Go train mo—"
"I know its location. The Armored Evil Dragon."
Armored Evil Dragon. Those words froze them. Scarlett's eyes sharpened.
"Brat. That word just now—"
-Whoosh!!
"You accountable...?"
"!!"
Her mana wave flooded the room. War hero for a reason—density like fortified steel. At least 7th circle.
Anyway... she hated the Armored Evil Dragon. It took her comrade, former hero Divine Archer Adrin.
Knowing my intel was real, she'd charge off to kill it now.
"Calm down, Scarlett."
Dustin's intervention eased the wave. His hearty face turned serious.
"Junior, jokes read the room. We've hunted it for years. Not funny."
"Not joking."
Scarlett gaped.
"...Hah... Brat, if you're messing—"
"Wanna bet?"
"What?"
Here, sell the Armored Evil Dragon intel for a big score.
"I'm confident."
And to face Kaeran, I needed a massive leap. Normal training wouldn't cut it in time.
My plan? 'Time to get carried~.'
Leech off them. Like in a game.
From war heroes.