Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: I Hate the Festival (1)
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Beneath the swirling clouds and flocks of birds soaring across the sky, flags fluttered in the wind.
The banner of the academy—established under the banner of the future, dedicated to training heroes who would protect the people and vanquish villains—waved proudly, drawing a massive roar from the crowd.
A stage to evaluate the students' abilities, teamwork, and spirit of cooperation.
A competition between clubs that would even factor into their future hero evaluations.
That was why the students' emotions ran high, and the academy's fervor burned hotter than ever.
Like a fire raging, the weather felt sweltering despite it still being early summer.
With the entire student body gathered in one place for the impending festival, the heat was enough to choke you.
"It's hot..."
"...Make some ice."
"I made some earlier."
"It melted. I accidentally shattered it because it was so hot."
Zenon's face was already flushed red as he fanned himself with his clothes, pleading.
Due to his ability, he'd always been weak to heat since childhood.
This was the umpteenth time he'd asked for ice only to shatter it moments later.
Even if I made it fragile, it didn't look good that he kept blowing it up right away.
I shot him a slight glare, and he scratched his head, averting his eyes.
He's sweating buckets. Seeing him suffer more from the heat than anyone else softened my resolve.
Ah, I shouldn't keep spoiling him like this.
Reluctantly, I made more ice, and Zenon flashed a grateful grin.
"Don't break it this time."
"Got it. I'll handle it carefully now."
So he hadn't been careful before? It irked me a bit, but a distant voice drew my attention away.
"Is everyone gathered?!"
That voice from orientation day. I couldn't see the face, but the booming voice suggested it was the same person.
Figures they'd MC events like this.
Boom—
Countless colors streaked across the sky before bursting like blooming flowers—fireworks.
Blue flames flickered, forming the academy's logo.
The letter S, symbol of heroes who protect the people and defeat villains, etched itself in the heavens as a figure appeared on the platform.
Crackle—
As if boasting of his extraordinary presence, the clear sky split open, and lightning struck down without warning.
Amid the thunderclouds of electricity, a man emerged, tearing through the darkened area.
Still crackling with lingering currents, holding a spear shaped like a bolt of lightning in one hand, the man appeared.
His dark gray hair surged with electricity, and his distinctive yellow eyes scanned the surroundings.
His muscular build exuded intimidation, his rugged features overwhelming the crowd. Then, he raised the hand holding the spear toward the sky.
A roar erupted—not from him, but from students who recognized him. Hundreds of students, even professors, cheered at the sight.
Only Zenon and I stayed silent.
"Edwin Carmen."
...That was the man's name.
#
"...You okay?"
Zenon nodded casually, as if he'd expected this. He told me not to worry and fixed his gaze back on the man.
This was probably the first time seeing him in person, not on TV.
His mouth said he was fine, but his eyes trembled incessantly.
Forcing composure, lips pressed tight—blood tinged the edges. Biting his lip, maybe.
"...Haa."
The hatred he harbored for his father was beyond anyone's comprehension.
His life denied, his mother and friends denied. Constantly criticized, suppressing those feelings forever.
Even if anticipated, this wasn't easy to endure.
Comforting him now would backfire.
I glanced at Zenon, fists clenched, staring ahead, then turned back to Edwin Carmen.
In the original story I remembered, Edwin Carmen showed no hostility toward Zenon.
Not warmth either—just indifference, as if oblivious.
Acting as if his deeds were natural, even questioning if they were sins.
He knew right from wrong in principle, but didn't see his actions toward Zenon as wrong.
Like pruning a branch—no one cared. To him, Zenon was just a side twig.
...At least until now.
In the original, Zenon claimed first place here.
Defying Hera Carmen's expectations of weakness after the B District incident, he crushed Kaiser and Odin, ascending to the top.
That was when Zenon ceased being a mere branch.
Could he do it again this time?
The thought crossed my mind. Not Professor Veronica's club, but Ray Meyer's. Not a complacent Hera Carmen, but one more prepared than ever.
Worried my altered plot might lead to unforeseen disaster.
But I shook off the thoughts and refocused on Edwin Carmen.
I couldn't undo the changed course.
These were deliberate choices.
Like not turning back the rising sun, or recalling lost stars. My path ahead was set: witness this world's end.
Even if the future was shrouded in darkness, I had to press on.
Hadn't I overcome fear of the unknown long ago?
Lightning surged anew in the sky.
Thunder arrived a beat later, sending shivers through me. Feeling the Top Hero's presence, I realized how far I still had to go.
...Can I do it? Doubt crept in amid growing inner fear.
And the answer came.
I can.
Muttering it inwardly, I looked ahead again.
Edwin Carmen had vanished from the platform; students cheered wildly just from his presence. In the feverish crowd, Zenon quietly spoke.
"Guess it's starting now."
"Not nervous?"
I was a little, I added, and Zenon turned to me with a faint smile.
"Not at all."
"...Good then."
"Don't get hurt."
"I won't."
How many times has he said that?
I shook my head at the tiresome refrain, and he burst out laughing.
Why are you laughing? Even as I glared lightly, he kept grinning. Sighing briefly, the surroundings began to shift.
The sandy ground turned to knee-high grass and soil; the packed field became a dense forest.
Staring blankly for a moment, a tickling breeze on my cheek snapped me back, grasping the situation.
"...Just the two of us left?"
"Seems like it."
Some kind of ability? The masses vanished, leaving only Zenon and me. Matching it to original memories.
Like puzzle pieces clicking, conclusions formed.
"...Festival's probably started."
"What?"
"Smartwatch alarm should come soon."
I ignored Zenon's dumbstruck repeat and pondered the soon-to-ring watch.
No signals, no directions, not even word of teleportation—just starts.
I'd have panicked without prior knowledge, but recalling the original, I stepped forward.
Ding—
Perfect timing. Operating the button revealed a map.
A dense forest, empty clearing at center.
And at the clearing's heart—what we had to destroy: the core, probably.
"You see it?"
"Yeah... so we're in C Zone now?"
The forest divided into A, B, C, D zones and central clearing. C Zone, where we landed, had the most students.
60 clubs, 120 participants—70 in this zone.
"What a pain."
That was all the reaction. Zenon sighed lightly too, staring blankly toward the presumed core.
Rustle—
"...Hear that?"
My ears perked at the sound from the thick woods. Nodding at Zenon's mutter, I eyed the direction.
Shaking leaves, unnaturally swaying branches like someone perched above. I sighed softly.
"How long since it started?"
"...Yeah."
About 7 or 8? Sounds from multiple directions. Guessing the ambushers.
Exploding anything here would be tough.
A mishap could burn the whole forest, just revealing position.
Zenon would use his ability after reaching the clearing.
I placed a hand on Zenon's shoulder as he moved to activate, striding toward the still-swaying trees.
Thinking they were undetected? No reaction even up close.
And when fully under the tree,
Roar—
As if the tree were a trap, countless things rained down from above.
Fireballs, iron spikes, arrows, bullets, and more.
Assaults poured in an instant, enveloping me before exploding with a deafening boom.
Amid thick smoke and swirling gray currents of silence, a blue glow permeated.
Crack—
Devouring the mist, the chill, the silence spread.
Ice thorns rose; shattering untouched attacks with my hands, I drew a new sword.
Thorns merged, converging into a long blade—extending, widening.
A greatsword of brilliant blue, mirroring the sky.
Simply swinging it unleashed physical force beyond measure, hurling countless ice shards.
Like ice blooming within.
Thus its name, evoking life budding forth:
Second Sword: Genesis Sword.
I smiled at the stunned students.
As if a mere ambush like this would work. Training hadn't been wasted; it felt good.
Whoosh—
The sword soared toward the sky.
Heavy as its imposing presence. With its swing, the festival's first elimination occurred.