Overlooked in the Onslaught
Raids were an essential event. If there was an academy in this world, it was only natural that the academy would come under attack. It wasn't a matter of plausibility or causality. It was just an established law of the world.
But even that law required at least a minimal justification. Why would such a massive academy, not some rural schoolhouse, allow an attack? An explanation for how it could be breached so absurdly despite being guarded by top-tier experts.
"It's the imperial prince!"
"Kill him!"
"Flam Phoenix! If we capture that guy, he'll be a huge hostage!"
"Grab him!"
"Portus is next to him!"
"Take them both no matter what!"
Every time they tried to head to a safe spot, someone would pop out. It wasn't just the black-masked intruders. Some of the classmates and seniors he'd exchanged greetings with just yesterday suddenly unleashed their abilities and charged ferociously. The most shocking part was that even a few faculty members were mixed in among them.
"What the hell is this shit! What in the world is going on?!"
"Traitors inside the academy? And this many? What the—!"
Flam and Portus seemed utterly shocked. The two of them had been surrounded their whole lives by people who only praised them and their families. No one would dare think of betraying them. After all, the ones backing them were the undisputed masters of their respective elemental affinities. Even after coming to the Continental Academy, nothing had changed. Everyone—classmates, seniors, even some of the fire and water faculty—were still desperate to cozy up to them.
But now, a number of those people—though not many—had joined the raiders, shouting that abilities were meant for the able, and there was no reason for the empowered to sacrifice for the obsolete powerless.
"...How utterly shameful."
Kalligo looked flustered too, but not as much as Flam or Portus. More than shock, he seemed furious and embarrassed that this was happening in his empire. How much effort had gone into gathering ability users from across the continent here? How many political maneuvers to legitimize it, how much public opinion shaping to make enrollment seem right?
And now this disaster in that very academy. With traitors inside, no less. No one could have predicted this grim reality. The fact that the defenses were breached so easily and the chaos dragged on proved it.
"...Hah."
And Abel? He'd been sighing repeatedly for a while now. He was dumbfounded. Anger boiled up. An unbearable rage surged within him.
Because of the attack on this important place? No.
There was only one reason he couldn't hide his emotions like this.
They're charging at the prince and those two guys, but no one's saying a word about me?
According to Flam and Portus, assassination notices had been sent targeting prominent ability users. That explained why the raiders and traitors attacked them on sight.
Then what about me? What about Abel here? Wasn't he a promising talent too? He'd placed third in the power measurement, and before that, he'd even taken down a third-year.
Why wasn't a single enemy shouting, "It's Abel! We have to take him out!"?
There were five of them in total, but only three were being targeted. Flam and Portus got the most attention. Occasionally someone recognized Kalligo and yelled about eliminating the prince. But no one ever came after Abel or Seria.
It hurt his pride. It felt like all his efforts so far were being denied.
Seria's probably thinking the same thing, right?
He glanced over, and sure enough, Seria's face was flushed red. She was biting her lip, clearly sharing his sentiments. This situation of being thoroughly ignored. This setup where they were completely excluded—it grated on her!
That's why Abel was even more thrilled about this academy raid. Heroes emerged in chaotic times, they said. In peaceful eras, no great figures ever rose. Most incoming students had auxiliary abilities anyway and just wanted to climb into society's power structure.
But Abel was different. He'd grasped a power others craved but couldn't have. And to use it merely as a tool for power games? No way.
He would grow. He would get stronger. And with that ability, he'd reach the top.
Even better? The powerful reputation that came with it. Flam, Portus, and Kalligo had it, but he sadly lacked it.
"Miss Seria. Remember our training? Let's call today live combat. Real combat."
Seria, meanwhile, had been lost in the extreme chaos, unsure what to do amid the fires everywhere, the nonstop explosions, and the enemies attacking at every turn. She'd despaired over what she could possibly do.
"You can do it. Once we get through this crisis, you'll grow a whole level stronger."
"R-Really? You think so?"
"Absolutely."
The reason academy raids always happened no matter what? This wasn't a crisis—it was a stepping stone for growth. A time-honored plot device, straight out of ancient tales like the Goguryeo watermelon war.
So Seria would gain something here too. No, she had to.
"Good timing. That water punk's been the only one bothering me, and I was getting bored."
"The arsonist who always loses has a big mouth as usual."
"Both of you, cut it out. The situation isn't leisurely right now."
Flam erected a massive wall of fire that no one could approach. Beyond it, spears of surging waves poised to launch at any moment. Watching the scene, Abel thought, Figures—these rivals sync up perfectly as characters.
In the total pandemonium of the academy, the five of them carved a path forward bit by bit. They helped the injured along the way and aided those under attack.
Each time, one thing stood out: these Supremacists had prepared thoroughly.
"Hey, Flam. When's backup from your empire coming?"
"What, calling me by name now? Did you finally wise up now that death's knocking?"
"My bad. Sorry, arsonist. So, the answer?"
"How the hell should I know! There've never been crazies attacking the Continental Academy before! In raw power, they outmatch a decent imperial army!"
He had a point. Since the Continental Academy's founding, no enemy like this had ever appeared. That was why Flam, Portus, and the academy's various ability users had been caught off guard early on, their responses lackluster.
"Think of it the other way around—it's only natural."
Abel, all too familiar with this flow, spoke casually.
"The fact that it's never happened before means our defenses and preparations have weakened accordingly. Something that's never occurred? No way we handle it smoothly when it does."
"But it's the Continental Academy."
"If they succeed, the ripple effects will be massive."
If the academy wasn't seen as safe, would other nations send their ability users? This place had been a sort of ability-user truce zone. If it fell, nations would hide their talents again, tensions skyrocketing. Music to the Supremacists' ears. It would elevate privileges over obligations. And in the process, self-absorbed ability users might awaken to their ideology.
"...So all this is truly the scheme of those wicked fiends. Sir Abel."
"Yeah, you could say that, Miss Seria."
From fear to anger. Not bad. A solid reaction for an ability user. Definitely not a bad academy raid event. Perfect setup for a comeback.
Just as Abel moved to step forward—
"Oh. Lucky me."
The problem? The man who appeared before them was not a character for "growth."
"Didn't expect to hook big fish this quick. Three of them, no less."
This event wasn't designed for growth—it was the world's allotment for the worst crisis imaginable.
"Another Supremacist, huh."
"I'll handle this one. Just watch."
Crimson flames danced up from Flam's hands like living things. Worlds apart from Seria's tiny sparks. A freshman, yet already surpassing most upperclassmen in control and power.
Kwaaaaah!!
Deeming him an enemy, Flam unleashed the blaze without hesitation. Intense heat. Even from a distance, it stung the skin. And the speed was insane—the foe had no time to dodge.
Fwoosh!
"...Huh?"
But for some reason, Flam's surging flames vanished mid-air.
"That idiot."
This time Portus stepped up. He formed a spear of gently rippling water, like before. But soon, he wore a bewildered expression too.
"What the hell."
Their abilities weren't manifesting. The moment they approached the man ahead, they fizzled out powerlessly.
Impossible. The guy using abilities was standing right there, hale and hearty. No exhaustion in sight.
Why?
"Pleased to meet you, young friends. And welcome... to my domain."