Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: EP.33 9-4. Crown Prince Route, Right?
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Time flew by relentlessly, and the following week arrived.
"I hope everyone's here."
A blue-haired man reeking of booze staggered into the lecture hall.
Dennis's once-sharp eyes were starting to dull, so he pulled a bottle from his pocket and downed one in a gulp.
"No matter how oblivious you all are, you must have some idea of what's about to happen at our Grand Hearts Academy."
Is this about the Hero Cult?
His white-hot glare reignited, and only then did Dennis seem to relax, letting out a deep breath. It's because of the Headmaster.
The academy turns a blind eye to his drinking. He's constantly channeling defensive magic through his own body as a medium.
"...Right, the grade exams are coming up soon!"
With a hot puff of breath, he summoned a 3D magic circle.
Grade exams sound like events where you could snag hidden pieces or elixirs pretty easily.
"To be frank, the gap among this year's freshmen is way too wide."
Not a surprising statement. We've got the Glass Knight and Kainel, and me too, of course.
Throw Ariel in there, and it's a party that's hardly weak. In the original story, this lineup could take down the Demon King.
But we can't challenge it yet—no way to block its powers.
"What...?"
"...Is that true, Professor?"
"Well, those two knights do look ridiculously strong."
"The barrier broke last time too..."
The lecture hall erupted in chaos. Sighing heavily, Dennis began chanting his spell.
"So, we've decided to give you all a chance to catch up. It should even things out a bit."
But why make such a big deal out of it...?
Oh, he's beating around the bush about the Hero Cult infiltration to motivate the students for training. I had my doubts at first, but I nodded in understanding.
If he straight-up admitted the Hero Cult had a base under the academy, the Emperor would storm in and chew out the faculty first.
"...Licht, why?"
I stared at Mardol. Why? Because you're here. If so much as a hair on your head gets touched, the imperial guard gets summoned and swords at my throat.
Just imagining it sent a chill down my neck. Feels like I've been through something like that before.
"It's nothing."
Probably mixing it up with the game. I shook my head like it was no big deal. That's also why I couldn't just yank off his helmet to check if he was the fake one.
"Anyway, the prof coming in next will explain the details. Drake!"
My master? Why's a familiar name popping up here?
"Students! Nice to meet you! Like Dennis here, I'm one of the Ten Heroes! Next up is the Sword Theory class on the syllabus..."
Cold sweat trickled down. Did they find out I'm studying magic? No way he'd crash a lecture like this out of the blue.
"...Cut the chit-chat, old man Drake. Get to the point."
"These young whippersnappers these days... No patience at all."
The Grand Sword Master with short golden hair scarred all over his face spoke up. His slightly annoyed expression quickly softened.
"Students of Grand Hearts Academy, don't you want to get stronger?!"
He flashed a sly, folksy grin. That's fake! Don't fall for it! You'll end up dragged to the mountains fighting boars and bears!
"If the Dragon Slayer says so, count us in!"
"Yes! Probably...?"
"Are you teaching us Drake-style swordsmanship?!"
The other freshmen, clueless about my master's true nature, cheered at the promise of training from a Ten Heroes member. Rough road ahead. Damn.
"Hahaha! Love the enthusiasm!"
Strength demands equal effort and hardship, but they don't seem to get it.
"With faculty agreement, today's and tomorrow's classes are replaced by a single practical session for the next two days!"
No spirit arts or holy power studies for two days? What the hell are we doing...?
"Monster hunting! More precisely, a 'group assignment'!"
Ah. That.
The alpha and omega of college life. The nightmare known as team projects.
I pressed a hand to my helmet's forehead at the mere mention—vertigo hit hard. It always boils down to the harsh lesson: "Trust no one."
The professors know team projects suck. Seen it plenty in real life. Ultimately, it's all about team luck—total crapshoot.
Great if you get a crew of hard workers, but someone always ghosts the day before.
"Starting today, you'll head into the monster-infested forest: the [Endless Monster Forest]!"
First I've heard of it. Doesn't appear in the original or sequel. Like the northern beast surge?
"Hunt any monsters you want! Figure out how to deal with them! Use your wits and reason!"
Never heard of this setup or assignment before.
Did my meddling change the past? For real?
That moment, the events from a few days ago flashed by like a montage.
The incident at the secret meeting spot at sunset.
If I hadn't been there... Sharutineth gets taken hostage by the Hero Cult, and then our Saintess becomes the second-generation one...
"Maybe mentions of the original Second Saintess became taboo."
No matter how I slice it, that's the piece I missed. If it only messed with romance lines, devs might leave contradictions be.
"Or like with the Northern Archduchess, they patch her survival for other works."
That eased my mind. I did good. I let out a huge sigh, heart still racing from the close call.
This could make for a solid romance fantasy academy story. Means we can save our Saintess too.
Recalling the beta tester email, I couldn't stop smiling. Thank god for the helmet—no one sees me grinning like a creep.
"Faculty scouted ahead so night monsters won't attack. Just one night, two days! No dangers!"
Fight in the morning then. Simple and convenient.
"Hunt the highest-grade monster you can, or the most you can manage!"
Watching Drake, a question arose.
This favors me and Mardol too much. There must be other evaluation methods. I leaned forward.
"Individual and overall faculty assessments will score teams and assign grades!"
Drake smirked like he had something planned. Scary when he does that.
Still fair. Good teamwork on weak monsters could net an A+.
"Professor Drake, does that factor in teamwork or combat styles too?"
"Good question! Of course!"
"Thank you, Professor."
A student from across the room asked. The Dragon Slayer answered cheerfully and continued.
"Note: No funny business at night! We're watching! Librarian Laplace and the Sage, other Ten Heroes!"
Info skills and future sight? Totally believable.
Archmage of the Library of Truth and the last mage tower sage.
"You're adults, but pull that crap and you're out! Out!"
His booming laugh shook the hall with sheer aura. Chills from the warning shout.
"Eek."
"...The Ten Heroes are insane. Could I pull that off at Grand Sword Master level?"
No, Kainel. Master's just weird.
I shook my head at the hero couple's shock.
Some Ten Heroes are otherworld heroes, but most are just peak normals—nothing more, nothing less.
'Dennis is one.'
Called unpaid for cleanup after the four heroes. A holy sword hero who grows to the end would outpace him.
Game proved it. That's why Kainel and Ariel's couple appears in the original.
"Licht, you too."
"...Think so? Mardol?"
The Emperor, Mardol's dad, is the exception—talk about weird things.
Woodcutter selling lumber who crushed the Hero Cult with a hand axe in war. Total munchkin.
...Original says he force-converted a Demon King by sheer power.
"..."
That's why I stick to iron swords. I eyed the new Pure Love Injector No. 2 at my waist.
Plain weapons can't touch the Demon King. Fancy gear's just wasted cash.
Holy swords earn their broken rep for a reason.
'In-game, I lucked into a similar weapon.'
Wonder where it is now. Last I recall, bought it from auction.
[zZSupremeDegenerateCoolZz: Quitting [Black Heart]. Need to sell quick.]
Straight-up snagged it. Quitters' gear often has rarities.
"Retiring means auto-fail!"
My wandering thoughts snapped back. Drake was dropping key info.
"If hurt or in danger, faculty will help. No worries!"
Professors Beatrice and Maria joining too.
Spirit arts, holy power—all poured out for freshman safety and growth.
Something's off. Way overkill.
"Then, in Tarden's name, ignite your wills! Students!!"
Drake stepped back from the podium with a hearty laugh.
"Anyone bailing, head home."
Dennis spoke up. Sudden schedule—some can't make it. Even with Hero Cult excuse, too rushed.
Wait, head home...?
Shouldn't that mean no assignment points?
"Doesn't apply to other years—just you freshmen special."
Answered my oversight. Freshmen only.
'Omniscience powers blocked again...? Hence group assignment to add variables?'
Random field trip felt weird. Goosebumps prickled my arms.
'Flip it: Outside, future sight and info access possible.'
Demon King watching? Overusing powers excessively.
Head throbbed. Only me and Nex would notice. Staying put in academy's risky.
"Departure in 10 minutes—we'll test your judgment in this pinch."
Dennis spoke fast, uncharacteristically tense. Boosting calculations to twist the Head's powers.
Anyway, escape academy quick. Cold sweat inside helmet.
Think. My guess: Only 'freshmen' targeted. Otherwise, all students protected.
What's key here? Why kidnap Sharutineth suddenly... and now.
Ah, got it.
Targeting Lupus. Makes sense.
She was close with that senior. [Knight Heart Trilogy] protagonists all had rough pasts thanks to Demon King.
Answer clicked—mind cleared. Stopped drumming fingers on desk.
"...Hurry and form teams—that's skill too, students."
Exhausted Dennis floated a 3D magic circle counting down.
Twice deflected. Evacuate all, Omniscience notices.
Group assignment excuse gathers freshmen for faculty guard... Not bad plan.
Should be outside calculations, like my prior moves.
Team-forming time—students hunting strong ones everywhere.
"Over there...! Black Knight helmet!"
"Licht, right? Hear me out!"
"Why so many people...?"
Topped last practical, so crowd headed my way.
"Kainel."
"Yeah, Licht."
Stood and looked back. Good always sat close just in case.
No point briefing on emergency—amps anxiety. Hero Cult trauma.
"...You know without saying? Team with Ariel too."
"Obviously. Grateful you're here!"
"Helmet guy! That typhoon move again? We trust you!"
Team formed quick. 叮- Names appeared on front circle.
Four per team. So...
"Hey, Mardol! Team with us!"
"...I got here first. Me first."
"Second place, no hogging first? Mardol! Beat that Black Knight Licht or whatever together!"
"Ohohoho! Step aside! That Glass Knight is fated to team with me!"
Harem route easy mode character as expected.
Women swarming: duke's lady claimant, rustic commoner girl, obvious knight captain's daughter...
'Stuck to him like glue.'
Pheromones or what? Mardol's surrounded worse than me, the top scorer. Kinda depressing.
But he's the one linked to our Saintess—gotta help. Decided to go Crown Prince ally route from now.
Protect this arc's protagonist too.
"Mardol—!!"
Pushed through crowd, shouted. Barely audible. He heard, responded.
"Licht...?"
His lowered glass helmet jerked up.
"Group assignment—team with me!!"
If he builds another harem here making Saintess cry, I won't stand by. Reached out for agreement,
"...Yeah, Licht."
He clasped my hand—names filled the circle. But why interlock fingers? Light grip's fine.
Is escaping academy briefly really safe?
Anxiety gripped my heart tighter.
Just one step from Licht's group heading to their group assignment,
Somewhere in the Granasia Empire, a child's sobs echoed.
"Waaahhh..."
"Oh my, cute little kiddo. Why the tears?"
"The balloon... got stuck in the tree... Mom and Dad bought it for meee..."
A boy barely seven stared pitifully at the balloon snagged in the branches, crying.
"...Just that? Boring..."
The long white-haired woman's tone shifted casual. Interest faded, she glanced up.
"Here."
"Eh? Whoa? Pretty big sis!! Thank youuu!!! Sniff, saved..."
No sooner said, a red balloon appeared in her hand from the tree. Handed over, the kid beamed through tears.
"Pretty, huh..."
The black-suited woman grimaced uncomfortably. Arms crossed, she continued.
"Yeah, crybaby. I'm heading to [Grand Hearts Academy]. Been ages since I went out—lost. Which way?"
She tilted her black hat, eyes closing wearily.
"Straight that way, past the fountain, go straight! Magic sis!"
"Thanks, kid. Um..."
Sudden spark of interest, the magician grinned, leaning into the kid's face. Playful predator eyeing a rabbit.
"Between Mom and Dad, who's better?"
Maniacal glee in her voice. Anyone else would've fled calling her crazy.
"...Huh? Sudden? Sis?"
"Sounds fun...! Right? Answer quick!"
But the kid, blind to doom,
"Can't choose! Sis!"
"...Hmm. Why not?"
"My parents are both awesome! Can't pick one! Hehe..."
An answer he'd regret forever, cursing himself lifelong.
"...Really? Then I'll 'make' it so!"
The white-haired woman gleamed golden eyes with a twisted smile.
— Clap.
Magic Hat clapped loud—chill wind rose, goosebumps everywhere.
Ominous aura. Sign of grave trouble,
"There! Now you can love both at once, like you said. Congrats, kiddo!"
"Y-Yes...?"
A tale too horrific for the boy unfolded.
"Your boring answer... so I 'merged' them into 'one'! Get it, kiddo?"
The Truth Demon King ignored his confusion,
"Too young to know? Go home and see—fun!"
Chuckling softly, she turned toward the academy.