Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Monarch Family's Telegram
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I received a telegram.
It was sent directly from Naphael Monarch of the main family.
The message requested arranging a meeting with the Cross Alliance.
'Suddenly?'
After reading through the entire contents, it started to make sense.
The telegram was packed with the backstory on the kidnappers I'd captured and the events that had transpired since.
What was shocking was the identity of the group involved.
The Elohim Church.
A group composed of those who worshiped extraterrestrial beings.
Honestly, as someone who'd pegged the Purists as the culprits in that incident, I couldn't help but feel puzzled.
'They shouldn't be active yet.'
Either I'd been mistaken, or this was one of their rare operations.
Either way, it was outside my expectations.
I read all the way to the suspicions noted at the end of the telegram.
'There may be unidentified victims.'
It wasn't certain, but the fact they'd bothered to write it meant they had a certain level of confidence.
That was Naphael for you.
'But...'
The incident had prompted heightened security for the cadets' families.
With the Alliance on such high alert, could something really happen?
In any case, I had one thing to do.
I went to find Jang.
Roze came along, of course.
The experiments were showing solid results, but it was still too early to let our guard down.
"Jang. How've things been lately?"
"Very good."
Jang had to kill off his emotions to control his Transform.
So in human form, he'd been utterly emotionless, but now he was starting to show feelings like the other cadets.
He was still awkward at expressing them, though.
"Today's Merdi's turn, right?"
Jang's eyebrow twitched slightly.
He might not react to the other three, but he definitely did to Merdi.
'I wouldn't play favorites either way.'
He got pummeled by Roze until his soul nearly fled his body, had his flesh frozen solid and shattered by Barton, and faced disassembly shows against Sahim.
None of it was a walk in the park.
I found myself admiring Jang's mental fortitude for enduring it all.
"Today's going to be different."
It somehow sounded lacking in confidence.
Jang's skills had definitely improved by leaps and bounds.
He was terrifying when Transform turned him into a raging maniac, but he was even stronger now that he could keep his reason and act as he willed.
The longer he maintained his reason, the longer he lasted against the four of them.
'But not yet.'
He still had a long way to go.
Enduring a bit longer wouldn't cut it.
For Jang to stand on equal footing with the other four, he'd need to fully retain his reason even in Transform state.
That would be the true turning point.
"Anyway, do what you have to. I've got other business today."
I relayed the telegram's contents to him.
He listened quietly, then spoke up.
"I didn't expect contact from the Monarch family."
"Did you know something about this?"
"That's why we cadets were dispatched to Cradle of Heroes Academy."
"...Really?"
"Yes."
That was another bombshell.
I tried to connect the dots.
The Cross Alliance and the Elohim Church.
The two groups were sworn enemies, no doubt.
More precisely, the Cross Alliance actively dug into the Elohim Church's activities and blocked them.
As Jang's past story showed, their enmity ran deep.
"So, we're here to keep the Elohim Church in check...?"
"With us around, they won't dare act rashly."
The Elohim Church had a history of persecution by the Cross Alliance, so they steered clear of them.
They even said you wouldn't see a trace of the Elohim Church within a light-year of a Cross monument.
No other deterrent could match the suppressive power of Cross Alliance cadets inside the Academy.
'But what could it be?'
It was clearly a serious matter.
The Elohim Church rarely surfaced, but when they did, they caused major problems.
Still, was it bad enough for the Cross Alliance to send out cadets?
That made me tilt my head.
'Is it worse than I thought?'
The telegram's closing note came back to mind.
It had pointed out the possibility of unidentified victims.
If that was true, it strongly suggested the Academy could be at risk.
"The Elohim Church has never shown this level of aggression. It was like they were staking their lives on it."
"Did you figure out what's going on?"
"No idea. Even if they did, it probably wouldn't reach me."
"Hmm..."
A groan escaped me naturally.
'What the hell? Nothing lines up.'
Neither the Cross Alliance cadets at the Academy nor the Elohim Church's activity were in the original story.
These moments always hit me with a strong sense of unfamiliarity.
And fear.
Because it drove home that this world—this world I'd created sitting in a cramped chair tapping away at my keyboard—wasn't mine alone; it was alive and moving on its own.
"We'll contact the Monarch family ourselves. We can't pretend we don't know this much."
"...That'll help."
I snapped back at Jang's voice.
"Naphael Monarch is capable."
More than capable, even.
His personality might not mesh, but his abilities were undeniable.
With Naphael and the Cross Alliance collaborating, things would move even more efficiently.
I could confidently say the Elohim Church's activities would hit a massive wall.
*
The headmaster returned to the Academy.
Perhaps because of that, it felt like the place was gradually returning to normal.
The special classes that filled the schedule had also done a lot to distract the cadets.
"This is the first time you've summoned me like this."
Aside from regular check-ins, he'd only made time when I requested it, so why call me to his office first?
I poured my own tea without waiting and took a seat.
"Want some of this too?"
"I won't say no."
I picked up one of the cookies he offered from the shelf.
Pretty high-end.
But I knew they were a far cry from what he offered other female cadets.
These were probably bought in bulk and stocked up.
"Things must be tight these days. Should I send some better snacks your way?"
"Eat up while you can."
"...Pardon?"
"No, how's your studies lately?"
What was the real reason he'd called me here?
I eyed the headmaster probingly before answering.
"Well, this semester's been a bit boring."
There were no courses like Real Time Alien Tactics or Practical Combat that left a strong impression.
So yeah, boring.
The other cadets weren't saying it, but some felt the same doubt.
"Right? The final semester at the Academy usually has lighter coursework than before."
"Because of the Core Weapons?"
"You know it."
Core Weapons weren't just handed out.
They required complex adjustments based on each cadet's biometrics.
That was one reason they only selected superhuman cadets—fully grown adults.
What if the owner of a customized Core Weapon died?
It wouldn't be discarded, but recycling would be a hassle.
By this point, they'd maxed out the mental, technical, and physical armaments needed for superhumans anyway, so minimizing further losses was key.
"Honestly, more training would be pointless. But we can't send you to the front lines ignoring the set curriculum. Treat these last three months like your final vacation."
"...You sure have a way of putting it."
"Not wrong, though."
He grinned, needling me masterfully.
I couldn't snap back; I just cooled my rising temper.
It rang true for some.
A third-year cadet's odds of surviving one year as a superhuman were only 90%, dropping to 70% for the second.
My cohort's were probably lower, given the brutal frontline.
"...So why'd you call me here?"
"You're getting along well with the Cross Alliance folks, I hear?"
"It's just business."
"I know that as a stakeholder. I'm talking about Jang Werewolf."
The headmaster mentioned Jang.
We'd kept our various experiments with him under wraps from the admins.
Of course, we trashed the sparring room every time, so they probably weren't clueless.
"Not allowed?"
"Quite the opposite—I'd encourage it. I was worried while away, but having you around, Leonard, was a relief."
"Haha."
The headmaster sipped his tea and looked me straight in the eye.
"You're a real enigma, Leonard. You might end up doing even bigger things than your friends. Or maybe you already are."
"Me?"
"Ahem. This tea's good. Have some more."
I ran my thumb along the rim of my cup.
Such praise was beyond me.
What wind had blown him to say that?
As I settled my thoughts, another line came.
"You're doing well, Leonard."
Hearing that reassuring tone eased me.
I drained my tea in one go.
Then tossed out a question.
"...What were you up to while away?"
"Oh, that? Personal business—though you wouldn't buy that, huh?"
He checked my face and switched mid-sentence.
"I took out some insurance."
"Pardon? Insurance?"
"Yes. Had to protect the treasures of the future."
More nonsense.
I stared at his grinning face, trying to read between the lines, then gave up.
Better demolish these cookies.
*
One month until the semester ended.
Talk of Core Weapons had naturally become a hot topic among the cadets.
"Not worried?"
"About Core Weapons?"
Sahim answered.
We were in study session now.
Memory sticks piled up beside us, full of papers we'd already devoured.
I'd reached a level where I could be called Doctor now.
To get certified, I'd need to write and submit a paper to an academic conference, then pass reviews—but I didn't feel the need yet.
'Just a formality.'
The knowledge in my head was a treasure trove surpassing any paper.
If I'd wanted the title, I could've had it from the early days of studying.
"Of course I'm concerned."
Sahim's ability enhanced the essence of whatever gear he used.
Once he got his Core Weapon, no target would escape his sword.
If he wielded a shield, no one would breach it easily.
"But right now matters more. Focus on the lesson, Lemon."
During these sessions, Sahim was a strict teacher.
If not aiming for superhuman, he'd surely be a university prof.
I thought the image suited him perfectly.
"Not many days left where I can guide you directly like this."
"That's a shame."
Odds of third-year superhumans from the same cohort ending up on the same battlefield were slim.
Real-time contact would be tough too.
Only after years of service and clout could you pick postings—and that was distant.
"Still, I wanted to talk about something else today."
At that, Sahim leaned back.
"It's a bit tricky, though..."
"Something? Don't hold back."
The headmaster's insurance talk had made something click.
If you're uneasy, prepare accordingly.
Academy life was ending, but hurdles remained before it was truly over.