Academy's Hero
The sunlight streaming through the window had grown noticeably cooler. It felt like the autumn breeze carried the colors of turning leaves.
"Autumn's already here."
It seemed like just yesterday he'd enrolled at Arcadia Academy, but time flew by. Counting from his transmigration, it had already been ten years.
"You're more sentimental than you look. I never would've guessed."
As he lay blankly on the bed, staring out the window, a familiar voice came from the direction of the hospital room door. It was soft yet commanding, the voice of a natural leader.
"I figured you'd come a bit earlier, Chairman."
"The position of academy chairman comes with more work than it seems. How's your body holding up?"
"Thanks to you, I'm fine. A little more rest, and I'll be almost fully recovered."
Hinisila Prihen simply smiled gently at him.
"But where is she?"
"Ah... she stepped out for a bit. I asked her to grab some things from the dorm."
In truth, he'd sent Lilia away precisely because he anticipated Hinissila's visit. He trusted Lilia completely now, but he had no idea what kind of conversation he'd have with the mage before him. If it involved any punishment for him, he didn't want her overhearing.
"...First off, thank you for sparing my life. But may I ask one thing?"
"I have a pretty good guess what you're going to ask, but go ahead."
"Why did you let me live?"
There was no malice in the question—just pure curiosity. Strictly speaking, he was a magin worse than devil worshippers, the master of a demon no less. By this world's standards, which thoroughly rejected demons, it was hard to understand.
"Do you know this? The first hero had a demon by his side, one who helped him."
"......Pardon?"
Even as a transmigrator, this was news to Dante. He let out a dumbfounded voice at information that hadn't appeared in the game.
"It's not widely known, but it's a fact even the Church acknowledges. Not all demons are hostile to humans—there were quite a few friendly ones."
Demons and angels were essentially the same beings without clear distinctions, created together at the genesis. They were divided only by whether they were benevolent or antagonistic toward humanity. At first, there were no separate realms for demons, heavens, or humans.
"And the current world is in utter chaos, demons included. You know that, right?"
"Yeah... I do."
"You've encountered plenty of demons yourself in the past half-year alone."
He had no desire to deny it. Her words were undeniable fact.
"There's no need to reject demons who are friendly to humans. They're valuable assets to us."
So that was it. She planned to borrow the power of this demon—Lilia—to combat the others. Likely not based on his or Lilia's will, but the Church's or her own judgment.
"And above all..."
Hinissila curved her lips into a smile and paused for a moment.
"You're a hero."
"......Pardon?"
"Saving students along with taking down demons in half a year? Of course you're a hero."
Perhaps because it was the first time he'd ever heard such words, he couldn't hide his flustered expression.
"The academy has no intention of discarding its heroes. The fact you're alive right now is all thanks to what you've accomplished."
Hero.
A term that should belong to heroes or saintesses was now directed at him.
It's not wrong, if you think about it.
But it was still bewildering. He'd only moved to survive himself.
"So hold your head high. As long as I'm here, no one will point a blade at my student—the academy's hero."
"Ah."
That must have been what she wanted to say. That she would be his staunch backing. Those words alone rendered most of his worries up to now meaningless.
The empire's greatest mage and academy chairman—Hinisila Prihen's name carried that much weight.
"Oh, I might have taken up too much of your time. Lots of people waiting to see you, so enjoy."
"...Thank you. Ah, more importantly, my finals grades..."
"No worries. Full marks across the board, just like always."
"Ah."
First place overall in the first semester of freshman year at the academy. He'd wondered if it might not pan out this time, but relief washed over him.
Honestly, now that I've reached this level of skill, grades don't matter much...
Still, he wanted the results of his hard study. No reason to give up the top spot.
"Dante, you're okay...!?"
"Don't rush in so hard. He needs rest after all that hardship."
"Says the one who got here awfully fast herself, Yuria."
"......An illusion."
The moment Hinissila left the room, three presences that had been waiting behind the door flooded in.
Luel, Belloa, and even Yuria. They'd all come the instant visiting hours opened.
"Better than I look. Everyone's taken good care of me, so recovery's going smooth."
He forced himself to sit up a bit and smiled at them.
"Doesn't seem like it. Your circles look unstable even at a glance."
"...Yeah. Your life force feels dimmer too."
"Indeed. Your divine power feels fainter than before."
Yeah, yeah. No point pretending with these three. Their eyes were sharp as ever, each picking up on different issues.
"Well... I'm not great right now, but I've improved a lot. And I'll keep getting better."
With exams over, he had nothing pressing. The next event was a ways off too. Dedicating the rest of break to recovery would fix everything.
"You always sacrifice yourself."
"Seriously. Always getting hurt."
"Be careful. Please."
Was this what it felt like to be fussed over? Since transmigrating, it was rare. His eyes stung a little without warning.
"We're here too. Lean on us sometimes."
Luel placed her palm on the back of his hand. Her words tugged at his heart.
"Yeah. I will."
Time would only widen the gap—their peaks were higher than his. Sure, with enough time he could catch up, but unlike his all-around excellence, they each specialized in one field.
High peaks, that is.
Belloa as a mage. Yuria as a saintess. Luel as a hero.
Soon, they'd be major powers in this world. By then, it should be fine for him to rely on them.
"Ah! Speaking of, who was that girl from finals? Didn't recognize her."
As he nodded, lost in thoughts of the future, Belloa brought it up.
"Huh?"
"Someone was next to you. Looked new."
She meant Lilia, probably. They had no way of knowing about her otherwise. Unless they were alone with him, Lilia stayed in spirit form.
Now that her appearance is out, she doesn't bother, but...
The three likely hadn't met her. Yuria might have sensed her presence, though.
"You're right. When you collapsed before, there was a woman I'd never seen too..."
"Black hair, red eyes, right?"
"Yes. That matches."
For a moment, the air in the room grew heavy. Chilly, almost hostile?
This topic's dangerous...
Beyond her being a demon, none of their expressions were bright. They smiled, but something darker lurked beneath.
To break the mood, he had one option: change the subject.
"Must've been a mistake. Anyway, what're you all doing for summer break—"
Creeeak.
"Master. The clothes you asked for..."
In perfect timing—or terrible—the door opened, and Lilia returned from the dorm. The three who'd just been discussing her turned their gazes as one.
"Huh? That's the one from before..."
"Dante. Doesn't look like a mistake."
"Yeah, her."
Their reactions varied, but all their tones sharpened toward him.
Ah. Why now, of all times?
No, if I just sync up with Lilia quick, it'll be fine.
That's what elixirs were for in situations like this. If he explained fast—
"Human bitches flirting with my master, huh."
............Pardon? Lilia?
Her shocking words blindsided him. He'd expected some politeness, but none at all. Her tone cut just like theirs.
The mood had been tense since he woke, but this was a disaster.
"Master. Care to explain?"
"...Dante. I think I need one too."
"Yes. Please do."
"Same here, Dante."
Ah. He was supposed to be resting, but his head throbbed worse than ever. Today felt like the worst headache yet.
Please come back, Chairman.