Chapter 366
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 366
Chapter Title: Academy and the Mad Mage's Preparations
Posters urging participation in the Eastern Front had gone up at the academy. They called for completely eradicating the demons plaguing the empire's greatest headache, thereby preserving the national strength that was bleeding out in the war.
They expected many academy students to join.
The empire, which had overwhelmed all the kingdoms even while maintaining a single constant front, would undoubtedly reign as the continent's undisputed hegemon once the Eastern Front was resolved.
But people needed to think carefully.
Once the imperial forces tied up on the Eastern Front could be redeployed elsewhere, tightening the noose around the local powers that had been left largely unchecked until now would be a simple matter, wouldn't it?
The former Redburn Duke, leader of the noble faction, had already lost his head to the current Redburn Duke, Roderus, who was walking the pro-imperial line.
In other words, once the Eastern Front was wrapped up, the empire's central authority would rise to terrifying heights, and the nobles wouldn't even dream of stirring up trouble.
An era of peace was coming.
As long as Irid, soon to become the empire's emperor, didn't declare wars of conquest against the remaining kingdoms, an unshakeable golden age would arrive.
And in peaceful times, opportunities for social advancement were rare. A commoner student oiled his katana while muttering to his gun-kata buddy next to him.
"This is pretty much our last real shot at making a name for ourselves, right...?"
"Huh?"
"Think about it. What are we gonna do after graduation? Become some lord's knight, an elite adventurer, or join the imperial army. But if there's no war, there are no merits to earn."
"Yeah... I guess so?"
No enemies meant no rewards. If the empire's local factions kept causing chaos like before, leading to constant territorial skirmishes, that would be one thing. But once the turmoil settled, the only money-making gigs that came to mind were...
Ruins exploration or monster hunting.
Neither paid all that well. Ruins dives were a total crapshoot, and monster hunting had lousy rates.
Because any monster dangerous enough for a huge bounty got handled by knight orders. And middling pests like goblins were cheap work for low-tier adventurers.
What was left were those in-between quests that went nowhere. Elites who weren't quite elite enough were stuck with the meh jobs.
Mages had it better. They could hole up in a magic tower, do research, and make bank. But for sword-swingers? No answers.
"That's why we gotta jump in now. Stamp our mark there, and it might open doors for us."
"Stamp our mark... Think I can pull eyes with my clumsy self who can't even do a heretic jump? All I know is survival skills, dungeon crawling, tentacle fighting, mental barriers, catching flying daggers, and gun-kata."
"It's all about packaging these days. We're academy bottom-feeders, sure, but hype up even our lame skills right, and we might catch some eyes. C'mon, let's sign up."
And so, some academy students threw themselves into the demon extermination campaign. On the horrific demonic hellscape of the Eastern Front, where even veteran mercenaries were dropping like flies, they handled things with suspiciously seasoned skill, racking up impressive feats.
The thrilling classes with the Mad Mage had, before they knew it, turned them into survival pros.
Selbia was doing some part-time work taking applications from Eastern Front volunteers. Everyone was busy with preparations, and this was the only way she could help, so she'd volunteered.
If she'd learned illusion magic instead of fire magic, would things be different? Maybe she could've pitched in while they prepped.
No. Firepower was essential for pushing any job forward.
She couldn't join in on making secret weapons or poisons, but her familiar's overwhelming firepower would shine especially on the battlefield. She'd just show off a cool side then.
Maybe practice some dramatic poses on purpose. Or figure out makeup...
As Selbia flipped through papers, pondering her appeal, the Pale Fox Princess arrived with her swarm of noble lackeys. The princess approached with elegant steps and picked up a pen.
Selbia slid over an application form and asked,
"You going too?"
"Yes. Daddy... ahem, Father tried to stop me, but battlefield experience will greatly honor our house and Father."
"Risking your life for honor?"
"If we must split hairs... risking my life for the honor of my beloved family."
Just two extra words, but the meaning shifted a lot. Selbia nodded. She could relate.
Cheers erupted from the Pale Fox Princess fan club trailing behind.
"As expected of the Princess!"
"I'll follow you forever!"
As the ass-kissing kicked off again today, the Pale Fox Princess pressed a hand to her cheek with a soft sigh.
"...Forever might be a stretch. You'll all return to your families after graduation..."
"Whaaat?!"
Thud.
Lightning struck above her followers' heads. That was right. After academy graduation, they'd return to their proper places. Naturally, they couldn't trail the princess indefinitely.
A few shouted out.
"No, I'm... the third son of my house. I don't need to inherit it. So I'll become your knight, Princess! Then I can serve you forever!"
"Ugh, guh...! I'm the eldest son who has to inherit everything, so I can't stay by your side...?!"
"Hahaha! Tough luck with all that fat inheritance. Should've been born into the blessed ranks of the spares!"
Joys and sorrows crossed paths. In this world of inverted envy, some suffered while others rejoiced. And the Pale Fox Princess was in the former camp.
How long do they plan to follow me...?
Clack, clack.
After they finished signing and swarmed off, the next up was White Snow. White Snow gave a blank greeting to Selbia, who growled on reflex.
"You're beautiful today too."
"Sudden compliment?"
"From me."
"...Yeah, knew it. Same as always with you."
White Snow wrote her name on the form with her usual calm. And next to it, Selbia's name too.
"Hey, why'd you write my name?!"
White Snow's familiar scattered wide-area slows, while Selbia's unleashed devastating barrages. Simple but effective synergy, so teaming them up was super efficient.
They'd even teamed up before, so low chance of mishaps, and above all, going with a friend would feel good──
Without explaining any of that, White Snow summed it up.
"You need me anyway, right?"
"What?"
"I wrote it for slow-thinking Selbia ahead of time."
Selbia nearly flared up her Flame Heavenly Demon Art in rage.
Swallowing her irritation, the proposal itself was welcome. Linking with White Snow let her project firepower effectively on the field. Traveling together... would be reassuring.
She propped her chin, pouting as she waved her hand dismissively.
"Fine, I'll take it. Now go."
"Sure. Looking forward to it."
Clack, clack. White Snow vanished coolly, chill aura trailing her.
Most applicants seemed done now. Luna had apparently joined via the Redburn house, so she wouldn't come here.
Selbia sorted the papers, sealed them in envelopes, and headed to the Mad Mage's lab. Her heartbeat quickened tempo every time she approached him like this.
Dashing at a guy who didn't see her romantically was a sharp stab to the heart sometimes.
"...But what can you do about good feelings. Gotta push forward as far as it'll go."
Love's flames burned brighter anyway.
Even if it never worked out, going all-in now would leave no regrets. Selbia opened the lab door.
"I'm here. Thirty-two applicants today..."
Creak.
The door half-opened then caught. Peeking through, the obstacle was the Mad Mage crawling on the floor, muttering with googly eyes.
Selbia asked Yuria Lanster on the sofa.
"Yuria sis, what's up with Professor?"
"Session withdrawal. Hits after too long without a session. He's convinced he's a sad caterpillar right now."
"...Ugh, seriously."
How was he so consistent? Selbia glanced slyly, then sat on the sprawled Mad Mage's back. Her butt sank in.
"......"
Tense.
Her playful appeal attempt. She played like this with Yuria sis, so she copied. To Selbia's eyes, the Mad Mage didn't seem to hate it.
Selbia poked casually.
"What is it, Professor? Wanna do a session but can't for some reason?"
"...It's like, I wanna do a session, but timing's off right now, or too much work──"
And the dam of complaints burst.
Stressed out.
Obviously. Trying to decapitate a world-tier, insanely dangerous bastard—the risk was top-tier among all my fights so far.
I knew it had to be done. Sharpening the blade now for the headshot was the timing to minimize sacrifices, I thought.
But...
Thinking someone I know might die... My heart clenched, stress spiked wildly. That's why sessions were calling to me. People crave TRPGs under stress.
I wanted to. I could. But... awkward.
It was a moral issue. In this critical moment before chopping the black dragon's head, ditching everything for stress relief made me a conscienceless jerk, right?
But also, since it might be the last chance, maybe just one light session? Then it'd feel off. Meanwhile, my brain dual-cored: plotting anti-black-dragon spells.
Like a test-taker eyeing a computer before exams.
"Isn't prep pretty much done?"
"Yeah. All wrapped up."
Nothing left to do, even.
"Then can't you play a bit?"
"But..."
"Then don't."
"Hiiiing..."
Selbia gave me a fed-up look. Yeah, I knew. Better to decide than waffle.
Squish.
"Urk."
Another person's weight piled on my back. By the feel, Yuria Lanster. Sitting side-by-side with Selbia, she said,
"Or lift the bed-wrestling ban, Mad Mage. I'll drain your stress like a burst tank."
"Wha..."
Scary word choice.
"Anyway, Professor. An oppa I know said... proper rest boosts efficiency. 'Haste makes waste' is gold."
"......"
"Finish today's work and play light. Board games are fine. Or like Yuria sis said, that stuff..."
Then.
Beep-beep. Beep-beep.
Crystal orb three lit up—a message from the holy city, not a call. Telekinesis pulled it over. Sender: Bennett.
The content:
Makes sense. Like how I hacked the goddess via holy sword, the black dragon could attack her through proxies. Messy.
So reinforce Hero-ping and Pope to ease worries...
Isn't this session bait?
Flash.
No plans to torment Hero-ping or Pope in hellish sessions. No squeezing emotions for familiars. They already had immense power dwelling within.
The goddess's authority.
Hero-ping and Pope got direct freebies from her. Mastering that would surpass most familiar-users.
A session for that...!
"Whoa, your eyes just lit up..."
"Takes time to muster forces for the Eastern Front anyway. That gap's enough for a quick break."
Whoosh.
"Kyaa!"
"Mm."
I stood, tossing the two atop me onto the bed, and prepped for a rush trip to the holy city.
Yeah, let's do it.
Make it fast and intense, savor it fully, then charge the black dragon refreshed!
Come on in, Hero-ping, and Pope... to my cyberpunk world!