Episode 11: Even Then, My Heart Races
My heart raced even then. The hierarchy transcendence state had ended, and backlash wracked my body, but... it had nothing to do with that. My chest was pounding.
'I can use Belhalm's pocket watch one more time...?'
There was only one chance left. No matter the target, it was an unconditional opportunity for regression. And the value of regression was astronomical.
When I faced death. Or if saving this world ultimately failed. No matter when that moment came, I could turn back time.
If I saved it for an important time, it would surely be useful. I knew that rationally. But I'd already decided where to use the watch long ago.
—Woooooong!!!!! The watch began absorbing an enormous amount of mana. As an artifact capable of invoking Star Manifestation-level magic from the start, the mana it required was absolute.
Normally, a mere 6th Circle mage like me couldn't use it. But in hierarchy transcendence state, it was no problem at all.
Belhalm's Pocket Watch prepares for the final regression.
I had no certainty of success. It was undeniable fact that Belhalm had overcome death crises multiple times through regression. But Lilia wasn't simply dead—she was closer to annihilation.
And not just any annihilation, but absorbed into the Seal of Original Sin. Whether I could rewind someone completely erased from the world was unknown.
'...But who cares about that crap.'
So what if it failed? The only thing that mattered was the possibility of saving Lilia.
Specifying the target of regression.
In an instant, an enormous amount of mana swirled, stamping down a pure white point.
'Please.... I don't want to lose her again....'
Once was enough. This was my second life, meant to live without regrets.
—Woooooong!!!!! Even though I'd clearly targeted Lilia, the mana began concentrating around my heart.
—Thump! Thump!!
I thought I'd grown numb to pain, but this dizzying agony forced me to hunch over.
Talent: Insight strengthens your mind.
But it didn't matter. If this was the price of regression, it was a bargain.
"...Nghhh!!!"
My head started ringing blankly. Even with Insight fortifying my mind, my consciousness was...
"...Should I call you a fool? Your body's back to normal, and you still use magic like that?"
Was the hierarchy transcendence state over? Against my will, my body pitched forward.
I should have hit the ground, but for some reason, I was leaning against someone's chest.
"Li...Lilia..."
"I'm back. No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't just leave my master behind alone."
"Good... thing..."
"Rest well. And thank you."
With her warm voice.
—Ding!
Leaving behind the familiar alert sound as always, I let go of the last thread of consciousness I was clinging to.
Two days after Dante collapsed.
The academy faced an unprecedented emergency.
"This makes no sense! A problem in that exam hall..."
"I don't know what to report to the imperial family. For something like this to happen with the Great Sage's legacy."
"It's the first time since the academy was founded. It might even be a precursor to the prophecy."
Normally, demon-related incidents weren't disclosed to professors except the chairman and her inner circle. That's how Dante had handled countless demons so far.
But Belhalm's shadow side this time was unfortunately impossible to hide.
'Of all times, this happens when I'm away...'
The chairman, who should have stepped in immediately, had been absent. Thanks to that, student reports and the ruined exam hall became evidence.
Not only the academy's professors, but high nobles, the imperial family, and even the church found out.
"Enough.... I'll report this to the imperial family and church separately."
Hinisila Prihen knew from history books and Belhalm's records that it was his shadow side that appeared in the exam hall.
But except for a few students, no one knew it was the Great Sage himself.
'Not many can recognize the Great Sage's face.'
Too ancient a figure, with few records of his appearance left. If it became public that the Great Sage himself appeared and caused that mess, the academy would face unavoidable scrutiny.
So, as chairman, she made one decision.
"Demons have been sighted recently in large numbers. If it's an isolated model like the exam hall, they might have slipped in."
Not Belhalm's shadow side. If the opponent was an unavoidable disaster-like demon, it would reduce the academy's responsibility somewhat.
They weren't beings the academy could have known about and blocked.
"More importantly, what's the damage report?"
Hinisila quietly asked, sipping black tea from the table.
"Fortunately, no fatalities."
"...No fatalities?"
How could that be? The opponent wasn't a normal demon—it was the Great Sage himself. Even sealed for ages, a 10th Circle mage. The father of magic who first established circles.
No deaths against such an opponent was nothing short of a miracle.
"Yes. Many injured, but it seems low-rank demons were subdued by the students."
Do you know how absurd that sounds? She wanted to ask, but swallowed the words.
One person flashed through her mind.
"...That's fortunate, then. This emergency meeting ends here. Kellin, stay a moment."
"Understood, Chairman."
Perhaps relieved their responsibility lessened, the professors left without hesitation.
Soon, only she—the chairman—and Kellin, her right-hand magic department professor, remained.
"...That student again? Dante?"
"Yes. From what other students said, he handled it almost alone."
It no longer surprised her. That child always brought unexpected miracles. Like a mythic hero or biblical saint.
"...Almost alone means other students were there too?"
Maybe other top students like last time?
"That could be."
She nodded unconsciously. The opponent was the first mage. Even excellent Dante couldn't handle him alone. Especially as a mage, the Great Sage was the worst matchup.
"No.... It wasn't a student."
".........Pardon?"
If not a student in the exam hall, who? Professors couldn't interfere due to the barrier.
Who could have intervened?
"Better to see for yourself. Let's go."
"...Yes, that might be best."
Agreeing with Kellin, they left the meeting room for the infirmary.
Given the academy's constant injuries, the infirmary divided by patient status:
Good condition - Green. Needs attention - Yellow. Somewhat dangerous - Orange. Critical - Red.
And beyond critical, near-death like fatalities: Isolation required - Black.
Kellin and Hinissila entered the black ward door.
"...Human bitch?"
Opening the door, her eyes fell on one woman. Black hair, red eyes. Pointed fangs too.
"...A demon?"
A textbook female demon appearance.
"I sense that repulsive mage's trace. Do you know what this place is to come here?"
In an instant, pressure overwhelming even an 8th Circle mage like Hinissila poured out. An absolute hierarchy no human could wield—clearly demonic.
"......As you see, the one who fought alongside student Dante."
"I expected some level, but this exceeds it."
Far beyond high demon. An archdemon. Even Hinissila swallowed hard.
"...More importantly, student Dante shows no sign of waking."
".........So? Why'd you come for the kid who's already down?"
Her tone was sharply edged, like a demon protecting a human.
'...The man of charm. Seducing even demons.'
Absurd enough to laugh, but that would enrage the demon before her, so she held back a smile.
"Always late. Last time too."
"...Were you watching?"
"Always."
"......We are always grateful to student Dante."
He always acted without seeking reward, even against foes far beyond students.
"So what're you gonna do? He's already..."
As Lilia trailed off.
Dante was practically dead now. Backlash from invoking regression in a human body at its limit post-hierarchy transcendence. Backlash from forcibly squeezing out demonic energy to fully demonize. Backlash from overworking his body after dying and reviving. And finally, mental backlash.
All damage accumulated to this state.
"...That's why we're here to help."
".........Help? From lowly humans?"
"He's precious to us too. And to you, right?"
"……………."
"This time, it's our turn to repay."
Being responsible for students was the academy's foundation. Even if tough tasks fell to Dante, Hinissila had no intention of ignoring his efforts and sacrifices.