Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 223

My daily routine grew even more hectic after Valerian Academy opened its doors.

It was only natural; the time required to oversee and manage the academy was tacked onto an already packed schedule. The increased difficulty of my subjects as I advanced a year also played a significant part. I was now learning magic far more advanced than the intermediate spells of my second year.

Normally, I wouldn't have been able to handle my studies on top of such a grueling schedule. Thankfully, having obtained the Sage's Glasses, I didn't have to worry about the theoretical portions. Wearing the Sage's Glasses was like having the world's foremost authority on magic solving problems right by my side. Thanks to them, written exams and tests were no trouble at all.

I also signed up for Ishtal's swordsmanship class again this semester. My physical stats had already risen significantly, and thanks to the development of the Qi Meridian Treatment, the drawbacks of my Gu-eum-jeol-maek were gradually being offset. Now, I wouldn't be outmatched even when compared to the other monsters in the class. In fact, thanks to the Cognitive Acceleration Stone, I could even envision victory when sparring with them unarmed.

As for my Spiritology class, I enrolled in the practical course and continued practicing how to handle Kabeltar under Professor Isley. With every training session spent handling that creature, I became better at controlling the mana and demonic energy within my body, and my ability to sense demonic energy grew significantly. I had reached a point where almost no demonic energy leaked out of my body, even with Derod's Ring off.

Of course, I wasn't audacious enough to go around without the ring.

At Elena's request, I had temporarily enrolled at Seintea Academy, which meant I had to interact with her quite often.

A golden weekend.

In an outer district of the Union, on a sandy beach within the Meteor Archipelago.

I stared blankly at the shore, a trash bag in one hand.

"Why am I even here...?"

Normally, I would have spent the weekend catching up on work, but today, I was forced to participate in a freshman volunteer event as Elena's partner. The white sandy beach was a popular swimming spot in the summer, but recently, trash from the harbor had been washing ashore, requiring periodic cleanups.

Seeing my lack of enthusiasm, Elena tried to console me.

"Think of it as a chance to raise your approval ratings and make an impression on the freshmen. Besides, Seintea gives extra credit for this. Cleaning up the environment is just a bonus."

Elena picked up a piece of trash with a pair of tongs and dropped it into her bag. Following her lead, the Seintea freshmen began to move across the beach, getting to work.

"Right. Since I'm here, I might as well get it over with."

With a reluctant expression, I began the cleanup by manipulating my mana. I plunged my Azoth Sword into the sand.

Shhhh—.

As the alchemical mana emanating from the sword infused the sand, the white beach rippled like a wave, gathering all the scattered trash into a single pile.

Swoooosh—.

At the sight, the freshmen who had been painstakingly trudging around picking up trash began to cheer.

"Whoa, it's magic!"

"Get it all in the bags!"

The volunteer activity was originally expected to take the entire morning, but thanks to my efforts, it was over in just thirty minutes. Because of that, the Seintea freshmen earned an unexpected break on the beach.

I, too, transmuted a chair from the beach sand and sat down to enjoy the sea breeze. It was an utterly empty leisure for someone who had been given a terminal diagnosis, but feeling the cool sea breeze was still rather pleasant.

"The weather's nice. Here."

As I sat blankly in the chair, Elena handed me a drink she’d gotten from somewhere. It was an ion drink made by our Alchemy Club's brand, Alchemist. The familiar taste of Pocari X Wet filled my mouth.

"Tastes good."

But the sweetness was only momentary. A feeling of emptiness hollowed out my chest. I set the bottle down and leaned back. As I stared blankly at the horizon, Elena ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠crouched down beside me.

"You've looked glum this whole time," she asked. "Is something troubling you?"

"Troubling me..."

It was a worry, and a monumental one at that. I transmuted a chair for Elena so she could sit comfortably and fell into thought for a moment.

Truthfully, ever since I possessed this body, I’ve always known I could die at any moment. I’ve overcome many life-or-death situations because of it.

‘This body had already died once before.’

I’d lived comfortably, thinking of this as a new life I’d received for free, but receiving a terminal diagnosis like this hit differently. Everything I had done until now felt futile. It felt meaningless.

I had used every means possible to become stronger. I honed my magic, farmed all sorts of artifacts, and even regained my physical health through training. I’d partially cured my Gu-eum-jeol-maek by developing a treatment, and I’d even spent a fortune to establish an academy in preparation for the future. I’d provided benefits to many people and built strong relationships.

But what was the point of it all? Why did I struggle so hard to move forward when I’m just going to die in a few years anyway?

"..."

I stared blankly at the waves turning into white foam and disappearing on the shore before I finally spoke.

"It's nothing. You don't need to worry about me."

This kind of worry would only hurt the person who heard it. It was better to keep it buried in my heart.

But Elena was persistent.

"It's written all over your face that you want someone to worry about you, so I don't believe you. Please, tell me. I'll listen."

"..."

After a moment's hesitation, I finally asked a vague, roundabout question.

"If an unavoidable fate were approaching, what would you do?"

"Hmm?"

Elena tilted her head as if to ask why I was suddenly asking such an out-of-the-blue question. Still, perhaps because she’d offered to listen, she seemed to contemplate it with a very serious expression.

Elena soon hugged her knees while crouching on her chair.

"An unavoidable fate... Actually, I've had similar worries before. I don't know if you knew this, Roen, but I never really wanted to become a Saintess."

"I knew."

"How?"

I closed my eyes and recalled how Elena usually acted.

"You... were always smiling, weren't you?"

Elena, who always smiled brightly in front of others. Just as the old Roen had forced himself to smile for Ciel, Elena too had to always smile for the crowd that followed her. I could feel the loneliness behind that smile.

The big difference, however, was that Roen smiled to reassure Ciel, his only confidant, while Elena smiled for those who didn't understand her.

At my words, Elena gave a bitter smile.

"I guess I couldn't fool your eyes after all."

After a moment of thought, Elena stood up and spoke in a bright voice.

"But I don't really hate being a Saintess candidate anymore. You told me before, didn't you? 'If not me, then who?' It's hard, but there's nothing more rewarding."

Elena kicked at the beach sand with her bare feet.

"Well, not being able to date the person I like is a little heartbreaking, though."

"Is there someone you have in mind?"

"Who knows?"

Elena shrugged with a smile and continued.

"Anyway, if an unavoidable fate were to come, I'd do what I want to do. And I'd fight as hard as I can to not get swept away by it. I mean, who decides what fate is?"

"...Shouldn't a member of the clergy refrain from saying such things?"

According to the doctrine of the Lu Cult, the path of fate belongs to God.

"Ah, who cares. That's just what I think. Besides, the teachings on fate differ between denominations. Some say everything is predetermined, while others say it's up to you. Personally, I prefer the latter."

"Is that so. If I had to choose, I'd prefer the latter as well."

Pat, pat.

I dusted the sand off my pants and stood up. Elena was right. Nothing would change by just sitting around. In the time I have left, I'll do what I want and fight as hard as I can to escape my fate.

"Thanks, Elena. That helped."

Although I hadn't found a solution, I felt like a spark had been reignited in my empty heart.

"I'm glad to hear that."

With Elena's smile, our short counseling session on the beach came to an end. We got up and led the freshmen to the next location.

"What do you think? Do you like it?"

"Yes, this should be fine."

In the student council room of Valerian Academy, I reviewed the article Chloe had written and smiled in satisfaction.

It was an article featuring a positive interview with one of our academy's students. It stated that the student was very satisfied with academy life, that the promised support for living expenses and tuition was being provided as agreed, and that the educational environment was excellent.

If this article goes out as is, it will be a great help to my public image and the academy's reputation.

Chloe took the newspaper back and said, "By the way, the academy is doing incredibly well, isn't it? The students' reviews are good, and the faculty is stacked. It's amazing for something that was rushed."

"Rushed? It only progressed quickly because the foundation was solid."

"But just how much money did you have? The academy's construction started even before the Empire decided to invest, didn't it?"

Chloe was asking about the source of the construction funds. In response, I lowered my voice.

"Money? I have enough to toss a few ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gold bars your way."

"...Ah, I see."

As if she understood my meaning, Chloe quickly hid her dangerous curiosity. She must have realized that since she'd already taken hundreds of millions from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me, it was best not to pry into such matters if she wanted to keep receiving donations.

"Still, wouldn't it be risky if you get a financial audit? You should probably prepare for it."

"An audit? With the Emperor backing me, who would dare?"

Before, I used the Chairman as a shield to avoid external audits, but that was no longer necessary. Now that the Emperor has publicly declared his support, who would dare audit our academy and foundation?

"Anyway, I'm counting on you for future articles as well."

Chloe had written articles about the Chrono Dungeon I explored with Elena, and then the Kaleido Dungeon where I obtained the Sage's Glasses. This time, she had agreed to write a favorable article about Valerian Academy.

As I was talking with Chloe, there was a knock on the door.

Knock, knock.

"Sunbae, are you in?"

"Come in."

At my permission, Lize peeked through the door and stepped inside. Chloe's eyes sparkled as she looked at Lize.

"Oh my, how cute. Who is she?"

"She's a student here. Introduce yourselves."

I introduced Chloe and Lize to each other. After greeting her, Lize handed me the diary with both hands.

"Here you go, Sunbae. I've finished the analysis."

"Oh? Already?"

It hadn't even been a few weeks since we borrowed the equipment from the Magic Tower, and she'd already finished the analysis. That's Lize for you. She's the best.

"Hehe, Roxana-nim helped a lot. And so did Mr. Glasses."

"Mr. Glasses?"

I'd lent her the Sage's Glasses whenever she got stuck on the diary's analysis, and it seems they were a huge help.

"You don't need to know. So, is the code completely deciphered now?"

"I'm not sure if I can say it's finished or not. It's a bit ambiguous. I think it would be best for you to see for yourself."

"Alright. I'll check it when I get back."

As I took the diary, Chloe adjusted her glasses, showing interest.

"What's that notebook? Is it important?"

"It's a notebook filled with things that would make you faint if you knew. There's no bigger scoop than this."

To think that Roen, infamous as the continent's worst scoundrel, was actually a dark knight.

"What is it? Tell me, too. I'm short on stories these days."

I flatly refused Chloe's request.

"Not now. But..." I gazed out the window and said quietly, "Someday... the day may come when I tell you."

It was getting dark by the time I returned to my workshop and opened Roen's diary ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠once again. Thanks to Lize's efforts, a previously locked section had been decrypted.

I was half excited, half afraid of what information I would find this time. There was also the hope that I might find a clue to change my fated death.

I sat down in my rocking chair and turned on a soft light. A warm glow illuminated the dark room.

"Phew."

I took a deep breath to calm myself and opened Roen's diary.

Flip—.

[Year 311 of the Star Calendar. Admitted to the Union]

The start of the locked diary entries began with his admission to the Union. Unlike the earlier parts, which had mechanically recorded only his actions, from here on, Roen's own comments were included.

As I read through Roen's misdeeds—or rather, the actions that were known as misdeeds—from the first semester, my eyes shot open.

‘I have discovered the 3 Great Divine Artifacts lying dormant within the Union.’

‘And also the fact that the position of Student Council President is necessary to obtain them.’

‘The Sage's Glasses, the Cognitive Acceleration Stone, and the Orb of Life.’

‘I desperately need them.’