Monster Season (4)
Tianis Academy after the monster assault was over. There was no trace of its former glory. The beautiful gardens and walkways had vanished without a hint, and countless buildings lay in rubble-strewn ruins. It was a scene of utter devastation. In just six hours, the continent's premier academy had been reduced to a state that made it hard to believe its reputation.
"Ha... what a mess."
On the way to the student cafeteria, Evan let out a deep sigh. I said to him,
"Still, the damage is light compared to the number of monsters."
The horde that attacked the academy numbered roughly 60,000 to 70,000. Ending up with this much destruction against fewer than a tenth of them was a solid defense.
"I know, but... it still sucks."
Evan looked heartbroken at the sight of his beloved academy. But what could we do? Tianis had been practically empty. If the third-years away for their graduation exams and their professors had been here, we might've halved the damage. With the first-years too, we could've defended perfectly.
Even so, the mood at Tianis wasn't the worst. No one was moping or downcast. Instead, the air buzzed with vigorous voices.
"Hey! Help me lift this rock!"
Those with energy left banded together to clear building debris.
"Here's some potion. This'll make you feel better."
They helped the injured and exhausted with homemade or brought supplies. The reason everyone could push on like this? Zero fatalities. The buildings were wrecked, but the second-years, professors, and guards had held the line hard enough to keep everyone alive. Of course, injuries were plentiful, and the area around the Student Council Hall was packed with patients.
By then, we'd reached the student cafeteria. It wasn't quiet here either. They were busy cooking for those who'd fought and the wounded—chopping ingredients, stir-frying, steaming. No breaks as food went straight from pan to plate. It felt like another battlefield.
We sat at a makeshift table outside the cafeteria. Food arrived right away. They knew we'd been through hell and showed consideration. Unfortunately, the chaos meant no menu choices. Still, we ate gratefully—it was delicious, and after that long fight, we were starving.
Once bellies were full, I brought it up.
"So, how'd it go on your end?"
"Right, Junior Evan. No casualties?"
"Us? Plenty injured, yeah. Monsters crashed the practical training outta nowhere."
Evan explained what happened in the Thousand-Year Mountains. Luckily, professors and some students hustled, so no deaths. Evan was one of them.
"I'd be dead if I'd been a second slower."
"You did good."
"Haha, all thanks to you, hyungnim. Without that training, no way I'd have made it."
"When have I ever wasted your time?"
"True enough."
Worth the training, after all. In the novel, even first-years died in droves. Anyway.
"So, Evan, you okay?"
"Me? Well... beat."
"Beat? Looking like that?"
Evan was a wreck. Uniform shredded to bits, scabs everywhere visible through the tears. Those were 100% stop-the-bleeding jobs. Nothing else treated.
I poked his arm. "Doesn't this hurt? Huh?"
"Ack, hyungnim! Timeout, timeout!!!"
Just a light jab, and he yelped like he was dying. Lying to me? The expert on this stuff.
Then Rana asked,
"You really skipped proper treatment?"
"Ahaha... too many hurt kids. Mine wasn't bad, so I got the basics."
"Junior Evan. That's not okay."
Rana was pissed too. She summoned her familiar—the phoenix Nene.
"Nene, heal Junior Evan?"
-Chirp!
It cried out eagerly at her command, then breathed fire that enveloped Evan, mending his wounds. The phoenix's sacred flames held healing and purification.
His face finally relaxed.
"Next time, get full treatment. Got it?"
"Yesss..."
"Sigh..."
What a handful. Anyway, Evan's sorted.
"Where're the other two?"
"Veil got called by the profs. Family stuff incoming."
Arden was the empire's guardian house. They rush in for imperial crises. But no Ardens showed. So yeah, comms about that.
"And Cloi?"
"Cloi's back and crashed. Exhausted from all the running. She hustled hard."
"How hard?"
"Me and Veil level. She gripes but gets it done. Wish she'd always."
Evan sighed at Cloi's antics. But only friends talk like that. They bickered like siblings.
"She seemed kinda pissed, though. Mad kids got hurt?"
"Don't pry."
I warned Evan. Some things are better unknown. Cloi doesn't empathize with others' pain anyway. If she's mad, it's real mad. And I knew why.
Mid-convo, Evan's head nodded. Battle fatigue plus full belly—sleepy time.
"Tired? Crash anywhere. Tents are fine."
Dorms intact, but heavy cases occupied them. Comas included.
"But still..."
"Tsk tsk. Rest up."
He toughed it out till I piggybacked him to a tent and dumped him on a cot. Out like a light.
"Junior Evan's stubborn, huh."
"That's just dumb."
"Hehe, yeah."
Protagonist through and through. Stubborn in weird spots.
"So, Rana, what's your plan?"
"Huh?"
"You're sleepy too."
"Yeah, wiped."
Rana's eyes drooped. She'd worked as hard as me. I took her to my dorm—prepped with magic for Monster Season, unscathed.
We joined the early sleepers.
That evening. A quiet night shrouded in silence. I stepped out of the dorm to patrol the academy. Why? The boss mob directing the monsters could strike anytime, anywhere. In the novel, there was a second wave. Here, it'd lost too many minions, so low odds. But "what if" meant thorough checks.
"All clear."
Blockade walls solid, no midnight rushes. Heading back, Tianis entrance was noisy. Late-night visitors.
"About time."
Monster Season pact: all nations cooperate. Troops dispatched accordingly. We'd meet tomorrow anyway, so a glance and back to dorm.
At mine, Cloi sulked on the bench out front. I sighed inwardly and spoke.
"What're you doing out this late?"
"Hiiing, senpai..."
Spotting me, her pout turned to a rush-hug.
"Comfort me. I'm so wronged...!"
She sobbed into my chest. Prime "soothe me" mode. But no way.
I peeled her off. "Don't fake-cry that crap."
"Senpai! I'm dead serious!"
Yeah, this was real. That anger genuine. Another inner sigh.
"So, what's the issue?"
"Y'see, senpai~."
Her face lit up as she vented.
"Tianis dorms are solo, right?"
"Yeah."
"Full owner control inside. Decor, furniture—whatever."
"Right."
Spot on. She continued.
"Imagine: intruder in your room uninvited! How's that feel?"
"Pissed."
Territory invaded. Infuriating. Nature equivalent: fight to the death.
"Exactly! Super gross, right? Now imagine they trash it too?"
"Murderous."
"Senpai gets me!"
"Cut the bullshit."
She tried hugging again—thinking soulmates. I stepped back.
"Tch, gotta accept sometimes? You do for Rana-unnie."
"Rana's not you. Stick to the point."
"Hiiing..."
Pout, then bounce-back.
"Fine, senpai's sweet tonight, so I'll let it slide!"
Grinning for no reason.
"Anyway, that's me now. Intruder in my turf. Super pissed, yeah?"
Ridiculous. I murmured,
"So, territory breached—you wanna kill 'em?"
"Who'd misunderstand? I never said that~."
"Not misread. Truth."
Sneer ignored, she smirked.
"Anyway, senpai. Wanna end this shitshow? I hate seeing Tianis wrecked more."
She eyed me.
"I tip you off a tiny bit, you handle—done quick. Thoughts?"
"......"
Unexpected. Novel deviation. There, info "coincidentally" to Evan mid-season. My fault? Or plot twist?
Pondered. Story's shifting, that's sure.
"...Cloi."
"Yes, senpai!"
"That implies you're linked. Tell profs or others—what happens?"
Subtle pressure. Tempting, but nah.
Her response? "Pfft! You'd rat me out?" Laughing fit.
I deadpanned, "Yeah. Report."
She howled harder, clutching sides. Finally,
"Senpai. Know what I've learned watching you?"
"What."
"This..."
Eyes locked, piercing like Ariel.
"You don't rely on others. Handle everything solo."
"......"
"Rana-unnie? You know I caused it but kept quiet. Even from her."
Cautious hand reach.
"Sure, a few you lean on. Evan?"
Grabbed my hand. Fingers wiggled on palm.
"Others? Tools, almost."
Face neared. Slow, sticky—like before. No seduction.
"Life unable to trust. That was pre-Kyle Arden villain senpai."
Whisper. Continued,
"Never blab to outsiders. My conclusion."
"Sure?"
"Positive. Your heartbeat says so."
"I control that."
"Naw~ not you. Stubborn in odd spots, like Evan."
I pulled away. She licked lips, disappointed.
"Fine. Deal."
"Smart choice!"
"Info when?"
"Can't pin exact. Bastard's elusive."
"Tell when you know."
"Got it!"
Deal done, we split.
"See ya tomorrow, senpai~ dream of me!"
"Go."
Sent her off. Sat on bench, thinking.
"I can handle that one solo."
Too much for Evan. Not the real boss anyway.
"Yawn~."
Sleepy despite rest. Back to bed with Rana.
The next day. Support troops from foreign nations arrived in full at Tianis Academy.