The First Step of a New Hero
With the help of students, heroes, and countless citizens who had worked in shifts throughout the night to provide relief, the situation finally began to stabilize. An order to disperse was issued to the students gathered in the gymnasium. After leading the efforts on the ground all night and returning to dismiss the students, Eve sat at her desk in the faculty office and pulled her phone from her pocket. Her contact list was filled with the numbers of the city’s most influential figures. After scrolling through the screen for a moment, she selected a number saved as [Non-Work Related] and pressed the call button. Within 1.5 seconds, the connection tone cut off, and a man’s voice, thick with exhaustion, came through the line.
—"...I’ve picked up."
"Yes, it’s me. Has the emergency meeting ended? How is the atmosphere over there? I hope it’s alright."
—It hasn't ended. We were at it until just now and are currently taking a short break. As for the atmosphere, well, it’s a complete mess. It’s not like anyone alive has ever experienced an incident this large. When we mentioned that the culprit behind this incident seems to be a Witch, even Astra and Dolos, who are always calm, seemed incredibly tense."
At the man's words, Eve gave a bitter smile. To think that even the city's leadership, who handle all the major and minor affairs of the city, could be so timid. They were the ones who should have grasped the situation faster than anyone else and prepared the necessary countermeasures, yet hearing that they were shrinking back at the mere mention of a "Witch" left a bitter taste in her mouth. But who could blame them? It had been four hundred years since the last Witch, the Witch of Gluttony, was subjugated and all others vanished without a trace. Considering that there hadn't been a direct threat to the city like this since the era when Witches ran rampant, it was greedy to expect swift and accurate responses from those accustomed to peace. Still, it would be problematic if they didn't fulfill their roles, so Eve asked the man.
"You discussed the treatment of the wounded and the removal of the Maju from the minds of those who were controlled today, right? Those are the top priorities, above all else."
The people who had been controlled had suddenly regained their senses, but the reason remained unknown. To prevent the tragedy of people being controlled again, it was necessary to ensure the Maju remaining in their minds were thoroughly removed.
—Yes, that part is settled. We’ve mobilized all available personnel capable of treating the wounded, and we plan to install magical tools imbued with purification magic in every district to ensure the Maju are eliminated."
"That’s a relief. It seems everyone is doing what needs to be done amidst the chaos. I’m a little reassured."
—...Is that so."
The man hesitated before answering. Eve could read his worry and anxiety in that brief response. Knowing what was causing him such torment, Eve went ahead and brought up the subject.
"I suppose you’re worried about the aftermath of this incident."
—...That’s what’s driving me crazy right now. If it had been one or two victims, it would be one thing, but since every district was affected, the distrust in the current system is going to skyrocket. I can’t even imagine the social repercussions..."
Society, by nature, could only function under the belief that there would be no problems in their lives. This city had been running normally under the faith that heroes were protecting them. However, no matter how superhuman their abilities were, they were still human. Sometimes mistakes happened, and sometimes they found themselves in danger. That was why the leadership had to deceive the citizens. Even if heroes were injured by the appearance of powerful Maju or if scandalous incidents occurred, they would downplay the damage or cover it up if they thought it would have a negative impact on society. It was their role to smile and say, "Don't worry, everyone. The city is safe because our heroes are protecting us today," even while bleeding from a knife in their backs. But today's event was a major incident impossible to cover up, and as a result, countless people across the city had been harmed. People would cry out about the incompetence of the heroes and lose faith in them. If the arrows of anger from those who lost their families were pointed at the heroes, the fate of this city was obvious. Thus, they had only one choice.
—...For now, the proposal to publicly announce the existence of the Witches has been approved by the majority."
It was a way to create a common enemy to divert the arrows of anger that would be aimed at the heroes. However, the man continued in a troubled voice.
—...But, honestly, I am a bit negative about that proposal. I’m worried that the citizens, upon learning that Witches have reappeared, will fall into even greater chaos..."
At his words of concern, Eve guessed who he was really worried about. She smiled faintly and opened her mouth.
"It can't be helped. The fact that the majority agreed means they believe it’s the best option. Don't worry too much. It will work out."
—...If you say so."
The smile on Eve's lips deepened at the man's sullen reply. He was still cute in his own way, even as he aged. Thinking this, Eve spoke in a playful tone.
"By the way, I told you not to be so formal when it’s just the two of us. It’s fine to speak casually, really."
—Absolutely not. It’s awkward enough to be informal in public, so let’s not. Anyway, since you’re saying things like that, I assume you have no more business, so I’m hanging up."
With the man's firm reply, the call ended. Eve, whose mood had been dampened by the bad news, felt a little better thanks to the call and leaned back in her chair to catch her breath. Hearing someone knock on the faculty office door, she straightened her posture. When she told them to enter, the two first-year students she was in charge of, Scarlet Evande and Yoon Siwoo, walked in.
"What are you two doing here? You must have had a rough night; why aren't you resting at home?"
She asked, wondering why the two she thought had gone home after being dismissed were still at school. Scarlet opened her mouth with a serious expression.
"There is something I want to tell you."
"Something you want to tell me?"
Eve, who had been speaking with a smile, turned serious at Scarlet's following words.
"We are the ones who stopped the people being controlled."
"...Can you tell me in detail?"
What followed was a series of shocking revelations. That they had met a girl who introduced herself as the Witch of Sloth while helping people. That they had discovered the Maju that was the root cause of the mind control and had finally defeated it. That it was highly likely the Witch who caused this incident was not the Witch of Sloth, but another. Since it was hard to believe any of it, Eve asked if it was true, and Yoon Siwoo pulled out a sword emitting a golden light as proof. It was undoubtedly the same light she had witnessed shooting into the sky just before the people stopped being controlled. Seeing that, she knew what the two had said was true. Besides, although she hadn't known them for long, they weren't the type of children to lie about such things. Realizing that these children had effectively saved the city, Eve bowed her head and expressed her gratitude.
"You did a truly great job. If the situation had dragged on longer, who knows how much worse the damage would have been..."
As Eve said this, Scarlet spoke cautiously.
"If you think so, could you do us one favor?"
"Of course. If it's something I can do as your teacher, I'll do anything."
Eve readily agreed. Scarlet asked a question as if to confirm.
"The Principal has a say in how the city is run, right? Since you are the acting principal, you should be able to ask the Principal for something."
When Eve nodded, Scarlet made a bold request.
"Then please ask the Principal if Yoon Siwoo can be given the status of a hero. And please make sure to add that it would be better if more people could see him."
Eve was momentarily speechless as she realized their intention behind the request. As silence fell, Scarlet, perhaps thinking she needed an explanation, hurriedly opened her mouth.
"I, I think it's necessary. There will be many people dissatisfied with the current heroes. I thought we might need a new hero for them to rely on..."
Eve frowned, her head beginning to throb at Scarlet's words, and said,
"...The explanation is unnecessary. I understand why you made such a request."
"Then..."
"Before that, let me ask you one thing. Yoon Siwoo, do you fully understand what it means to ask for hero status in this situation?"
Yoon Siwoo, who had been standing quietly, glanced at Scarlet beside him at the question, then nodded with a resolute look in his eyes. It seemed as though Yoon Siwoo had agreed to the proposal Scarlet had come up with first. Eve sighed quietly to herself as she watched them. What was she supposed to say to students who were asking to be used politically for the sake of others? In truth, it wouldn't be strange for her to be the one bowing and asking for this. This girl she called Miss Evande sometimes made such unexpected requests, just as she had at the gymnasium. The girl who took such thoughts for granted, and the boy who decided to execute them after hearing her story. Both were children who were the epitome of heroes, thinking of others before themselves. That was why her heart felt heavy. Because, upon hearing those words, she had inadvertently thought it was a good idea. Because she realized that as a teacher, she was about to push a burden onto her students.
Eve, who had been contemplating while looking at the two, said to them,
"...Follow me for a moment."
*
The place Eve took them was in front of the school gymnasium. She pointed to the outer wall of the gymnasium and said to Yoon Siwoo,
"Yoon Siwoo, would you like to try attacking that wall?"
At those words, Yoon Siwoo drew a pure white sword from the air and aimed it at the gymnasium wall. Then, he swung the sword from top to bottom at a speed that was neither fast nor slow. A single vertical slash. Seeing that, Eve remained still for a moment before opening her mouth.
"...You may go. I will speak well of this to the Principal."
Watching the boy and girl bow to her and turn their steps toward the school gate, Eve approached the gymnasium wall once they were no longer in sight. The gymnasium wall was covered in nicks and scratches here and there. They were the traces of time left by students who had boasted of their skills, having been told they would be granted early graduation if they could destroy the wall. Eve ran her hand over the noticeable marks on the gymnasium building, also known as the "Humility Hall," because it was said that even confident students would bow their heads like rice plants at harvest time the next day after attacking it. The deep, gouged marks that looked like they had been pierced by a spear were Leon's, who had been faster than anyone else. The marks that looked like they had been stabbed by sharp shards were those of the Eloises, who had been so well-coordinated that they had even gotten married during their student days due to "speeding." The dented mark here was from Martina, a mage who overflowed with both confidence and skill. And as she gently ran her hand over the newly carved mark, Eve let out a dry laugh.
"To think that this is the result of holding back... how have they become this strong in such a short time since entering the academy... A student with the justification, the ability, and the will wants to leave the teacher's care, so how can I stop them?"
Eve pulled her phone from her pocket and called the number she had most recently contacted.
"Congratulations on your graduation, Yoon Siwoo."
Looking at the straight sword mark left by the Holy Sword of Humility on the Humility Hall. More clearly carved than any other mark, Eve prayed that the path ahead for her student, who would become a new hero, would be filled with blessings.