Chapter 33
Chapter 33
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Classic Academy Cliches
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Academy stories always come with a handful of classic cliches.
Zap!Zap!
Practical class against captured magic beasts. Waves of light burst from the weapon summoned behind Han U-sol's back. The beasts struck by it sparked wildly, charring to a crisp from the outside in.
It resembled the technique Yeriel had used to take down the chimera. Only about two weeks had passed since she began her training, but true to form as a prodigy, she'd already mastered her master's skill.
Han U-sol was growing at a breakneck pace. He was impressive from the start, but after meeting his mentor, his progress had only accelerated.
Me? I'd been stuck in place since my mana reserves doubled last time. It wouldn't be long before Han U-sol overtook me.
'Talk about a gap that widens every three days.'
BOOM!
New magic beasts appeared, only to be obliterated by another blast of light from Han U-sol's weapon. I squinted and backed away a bit in the training arena.
'Great Hero. You couldn't teach me something like that?'
――…………
It pissed me off. The energy pouring from that light pissed me off, and the Great Hero staying silent like he didn't know pissed me off even more.
I turned my gaze to Yoon Na-rin.
Yoon Na-rin had been training like a maniac lately. As if all her previous sessions had been half-hearted, her mana reserves were climbing steeply.
Her growth was so intense that even Reisi Hearts, who occasionally beat her in spars before, hadn't won once recently.
Reisi had been grinding skills from me like crazy after the chimera incident, pumping up her mana too.
Yoon Na-rin's eyes were locked on Han U-sol.
Yoon Na-rin's eyes burned fiercely as she watched Han U-sol.
Was it the ambition of an aspiring hero ignited by someone stronger? Or the crush of a teenage girl in her prime? I couldn't tell, but her eyes were definitely on fire with something.
Not great at reading people, I just shrugged it off as 'probably both.'
'Go for it.'
I cheered her on silently.
She'd help him overcome future trials, mending his spirit.
From the looks of it, we were still in the early stages before the main plot kicked off. Yoon Na-rin's role would be crucial ahead.
My goal: Plan for upcoming crises, aid Yoon Na-rin, minimize casualties.
No more deaths.
I had to save people and become a hero.
"Next up, Anis."
"Yes."
Kantwell called me in his kindly voice. I stepped into the arena and summoned my personally named gauntlets, the Heavenly Demon Pulverizing Fists, slipping them on.
His signal came, and I leaped into the air, spinning a back kick at the frontmost beast.
'Heavenly Demon Pulverizing Kick!!'
Crunch!
The beast took it square in the temple, neck snapping as it crumpled.
Crunch! Crunch!
I kept unleashing flashy kicks, dropping them one by one.
With my physical stats boosted, low-grade magic beasts were no match anymore.
Crunch!
Last one down, I landed with flair.
"Whoa!"
Cheers erupted from the students. The boys whistled, calling it cool. I was a superstar.
"Wait, why the gauntlets, though?"
Yoon Na-rin's baffled voice got drowned out by the excitement.
History class after practicals. Boring.
Boredom led my mind wandering.
I pondered upcoming crises as the story progressed.
What event next?
'Hmm...'
Deep in thought, my body merged with the desk.
"...Anis. Wake up."
Pulled from the abyss of sleep by Silbi Bell's voice just as I was about to plunge in.
Whoa. Close call. Nearly devoured by the dark depths again.
They say staring into the abyss gets you stared back. Without her, who knows—maybe eternal rest in slumber's embrace.
Whew. Lucky. I gazed gratefully at Silbi Bell, who'd hauled me out.
"Stand outside."
Confirmed. Silbi Bell was a covert infiltrator. Definitely a bad guy.
No evidence. Just vibes.
Pouting against the hallway wall, I grumbled inwardly.
[Exams are coming up. What if you flunk? You know you'll need remedial classes. Snap out of it and listen from out there!]
Her words echoed as she banished me. Class droned on inside.
Sorry, teacher. But I have bigger issues than exams.
The enemy's next move. I needed to predict it, figure out how to protect everyone.
Half-listening to the lesson...
'...Oh yeah, midterms soon.'
As a hero-training institution, exams here emphasized practicals held outdoors.
Classic academy cliche? Prime spot for incidents.
'This...!'
It's coming together. Midterms often kick off major plot arcs.
'Maybe... an enemy raid during midterms.'
Not certain. But this was a novel. Something had to happen. My gut rang ominous bells.
――♩♪♬
The end-of-class bell rang. Back to my seat, but my mind was uneasy.
'Should I warn someone...'
I froze. Who'd believe me? Even I wasn't sure. Just cliche-based guesswork.
Shouting it everywhere, only for no raid? I'd be the attention-seeking troll spreading fake news.
Still, better safe? Tell someone quietly.
'...Yeah. At least the principal.'
I headed to the principal's office.
"...So, Miss Anis. A raid during midterms?"
"Yes... probably..."
"...Solid intel?"
"......"
Not solid, huh. Fergus murmured, and my face fell. I knew it lacked credibility.
"But we can't ignore the word of a Hero Medal holder. I'll tighten security just in case."
My face lit up. I thanked him profusely and left.
"......"
Fergus stared at the closed door, deep in thought.
The academy's defenses could handle upper magic beasts, even multiples—with Yeriel here.
Enemies knew that, so no issues during midterms. No need to bolster security.
He stroked his long gray beard.
Miss Anis.
Where'd that hunch come from?
Hallucinations? Voices?
What are you...
Seeing? Hearing?
Pity flickered in the old man's eyes.
Time flew to midterms.
Chilly vibes. Something felt off.
Midterms spanned four days. I sat tensely in class.
Day one: Written exams. Distracted by raid worries, tons of unknowns, but I muddled through okay.
Day one passed safely. Day two arrived—practicals only.
Practicals were my strong suit. Alert for attacks, I still performed well. Good score incoming.
Day two safe. Day three.
...No raid.
Day four.
...Nothing.
No raids, no incidents throughout midterms.
'...What?'
I blinked. What? Why nothing?
'......?'
Did the author... skip the plot? It screamed "event time."
The novel app updated to around chapter 70.
Fuck. What've you been doing for 70 chapters? No progress? No wonder I'm the only reader.
[We can't ignore the word of a Hero Medal holder. I'll tighten security just in case.]
The principal's words resurfaced. He'd trusted my shaky warning—guilt stabbed hard.
...Am I a liar now? Won't take my medal for fibbing, right?
'I don't know anything.'
Look, my gut screamed magic beast raid. Years of novel experience back it. Solid hunch, even the Great Hero agreed.
...Or not.
Positive spin: Principal beefed up security on my word, scaring off would-be attackers.
Tonight's update would tell. I avoid spoilers usually, but curiosity wins today.
Trained as usual, back to dorm.
Phone in bed, update hit. Tapped the alert, dove in.
'...What.'
The novel had the raid.
I jolted. First major divergence since chimera—thought it'd match again.
But no. Minor damage, but beasts attacked as predicted.
"......"
Cause of divergence: Me.
Told the principal, he trusted and reinforced security, enemies backed off.
Butterfly effect.
My tiny flap changed things— for the better this time. Thank the principal later.
'Nice.'
No deaths in novel either, but I made the future brighter. Erased the raid.
Felt like beating the author for once.
'Shitty academy trash. Plot's so predictable.'