Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Serin Arjen (1)
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"Alright, since today is the first day after the entrance ceremony, I'll keep the explanation brief and wrap up class here."
Oh, perfect. I was hoping to take a look around the academy anyway.
The other students seemed to feel the same way, whispering to their neighbors about what they'd do once class ended.
"Everyone here entered the academy for different reasons. Some to grow stronger, others to climb the social ladder."
A few students nodded in agreement.
There were probably more than a few desperate souls in this classroom right now.
Class D was full of students with middling talent and skills who had barely scraped by to get in.
"But you're all overlooking something crucial. Why this academy was built in the first place, and what you should really be learning here."
Serin's voice, calm and measured as if she were about to reveal something vital, echoed through the classroom.
"It's normal if you don't know... but it'd be good to hear what the students think. Does anyone have an answer to this?"
She smiled faintly, as if trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
But despite her efforts, no one responded.
They were probably worried about giving the wrong answer and leaving a bad impression.
Maybe the reaction was unexpected. Just as I noticed Serin's expression hardening and raised my hand to answer—
Lea, sitting in the front row, shot her hand up and spoke.
"To cultivate the strength to protect ourselves without being swayed by others!"
It was an answer that perfectly captured Lea's personality.
Fitting for her vanguard role—focusing on defensive power.
Of course, it wasn't quite the right answer.
Still, Serin seemed pleased, her expression brightening a bit.
"The strength to protect yourself... Not correct, but a fine answer. And far better than all these silent students."
Serin had always admired proactive passion.
If even Lea hadn't spoken up, she probably would have been deeply disappointed.
"And Rowen? You were about to raise your hand, right? Feel free to speak."
Ugh... She'd noticed me in that brief moment.
What's more, she was staring right at me, clearly curious about what I'd say.
What we should learn at the academy...
I only had one possible answer.
"To learn how to confront evil so we don't repeat the mistakes of the past."
The day demons first appeared in this world.
Humanity, too busy tearing each other down, couldn't even mount a proper response to the sudden invasion and suffered massive losses.
Even when they finally fought back, suspicion kept them from uniting their strength.
Watching this, the Heavenly God forged the holy sword from a fragment of his own power and sent it to the mortal world.
The sword landed in a remote rural village, where a boy pulled it free.
'A brief tale from the legend of the first Hero.'
The Hero confronted the demons, igniting new hope in humanity.
Inspired by his resolve, the kingdoms banded together to form the first Hero's party.
Leading them, the Hero slew greater demons and ultimately sealed the Demon King—but perished in the process.
This academy, Avillon Academy, was founded afterward to carry on the Hero's will.
Of course, that meaning had faded over time. It was inevitable after so many years.
When I finished and looked at Serin, her eyes were wide with surprise at my unexpected response.
She turned away from me, addressing the class.
"Exactly. As Rowen said, Avillon Academy was established after the Great War to deal with the remaining demons."
The students nodded, their faces a mix of reactions—many hearing this for the first time.
One of them raised a hand with a question.
"But... my father told me that after the Empire allied with the other kingdoms, they exterminated most of the demons."
An intriguing question. Serin pondered briefly before continuing.
"Yes, that's the official story. But my experience on the front lines tells a different tale. Things changed a year ago when a group calling themselves the Demon King's Army emerged."
The class hung on her every word, stunned to hear the Empire was at a disadvantage—from Serin's lips, no less.
"They're resurrecting demons slain during the Great War. Demons are no longer mere myths. I'm here at the academy for a break from the fighting."
The classroom fell deathly silent in an instant.
The realization that they might have to fight demons on the front lines.
"No need to worry, though. You'll hardly ever face demons yourselves. That's what our allied forces are for—to protect the peace."
That's Serin Arjen for you.
Someone who'd sacrifice herself for others without hesitation.
Even now, she'd withdrawn from the front lines due to injuries from battling greater demons, but hid it and put on a strong front for us.
...And Serin is doomed to die.
One year from now, when two greater demons attack the academy to eliminate the Hero.
She stands alone against them to buy time for the students to evacuate.
By the time reinforcements arrive...
Serin lies dying from fatal wounds.
A forced event to trigger the protagonist's awakening.
No matter what you do, the protagonist can't save her at that point. She always dies.
'Not this time. I won't let her die.'
Now that I could finally change that future.
I was determined to save her, no matter what it took.
"Ahem... Rowen? Something to say? You've been staring at me since earlier..."
Ah, lost in thought too deeply.
I must have unconsciously kept looking at her while thinking about Serin.
I couldn't just brush it off as a mistake.
No choice but to execute my plan.
"After graduating from the academy, I want to join the Knight Order."
I wouldn't graduate anyway.
The Demon King's seal breaks in the third year—what graduation?
In the game, I think Serin helped with Knight Order entry if you chose that path.
It was a dead-end route with too many bottlenecks, so not a popular choice.
She'd probably just introduce me to one of her knights here too.
"Slurp... Really? I mean, are you serious? You're not just saying it offhand, right?"
Whoa, that's scary.
Those eyes, like a predator spotting prey.
I loved locking eyes with my favorite character, but this sent chills down my spine...
Like a professor eyeing a student who just declared they'd pursue grad school.
For a moment, I wondered if I'd made the wrong choice, but seeing her happy expression eased my mind.
"Good. Joining a Knight Order like you, Rowen, is a solid choice. It'll be tough and dangerous, but I guarantee it's worthwhile."
Somehow, my enlistment was already set in stone.
Seeing her beaming smile, I couldn't bring myself to object.
"Alright, that's it for today. You're free to go. Use the remaining time as you like, but I recommend wandering the academy and making friends."
With a few final words, Serin ended the class.
"Oh, and Rowen? Could you come with me?"
Her sudden call.
I wanted to explore the academy, but...
I had things to discuss with her anyway, so I agreed readily.
As we left the classroom and walked with Serin.
Suddenly, she stopped me and looked into my eyes.
"Rowen? Are you feeling unwell?"
Her voice was laced with concern.
As she leaned in to check my condition, my heart started pounding like mad.
My favorite character was talking to me one-on-one...
And for some reason, showing genuine interest.
"N-no, I'm fine. Just lost in thought..."
"You've been spacing out since earlier. You're not crushing on me or anything, are you?"
She smiled playfully.
The cool, charismatic woman cracking jokes like that.
It evoked the allure of a fox.
"Haha, just kidding. Even if you said you had a crush on me, I couldn't return it anyway."
Seeing my face turn beet red with no response, she laughed awkwardly and continued.
"I called you out because of what you said in class. I also owe you an apology."
Clack, clack. Her footsteps stopped at the door to Serin's office.
"Better to talk inside."
She opened the door and entered, signaling something important.
I couldn't just stand outside, so I followed her in.
"All I have is some mediocre tea. This okay?"
The room was surprisingly spartan.
Just standard-issue furnishings. She steeped a teabag in warm water and handed it over.
"Haha, I'm grateful for anything you offer."
"Glad to hear it. I was worried you'd be disappointed."
She sighed in relief.
"Truth is, there's a real reason I called you here. Care to guess?"
Her voice was relaxed, as if she knew everything.
What had I done wrong? As I racked my brain—
"You're hiding your true strength, aren't you?"