Chapter 93
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Sister School Ties
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(1)
1.
May 14th, Friday.
Two weeks after the Abyss rift closed.
Following the Abyss worshiper assault incident, another fatal accident had plunged the academy into a somewhat somber mood.
But it didn't last long.
A far juicier piece of gossip had already begun circulating among the students.
"Hey, did you hear about that?"
"Hear what?"
"Our academy. They're forming a sister school alliance with Eloden Academy from the Holy Kingdom."
"What? For real?"
"Has it actually gone through?"
"Yeah, that's what I heard."
Conversations like the one drifting over from the next table.
A delegation from Eloden Academy—the Holy Kingdom's premier educational institution—had arrived.
For one reason alone.
To formalize a sister school pact with Arsen Academy and facilitate exchanges between their students.
'Of course, on the surface, you might wonder what the big deal is.'
It's just two schools mingling, after all.
Surface level, it wasn't much of a conversation starter. But once you factored in Eloden Academy's unique reputation, the story changed entirely.
'Eloden Academy.'
Among the continent's many schools, it was infamous for its extreme exclusivity.
Unless you were from the Holy Kingdom, admission was off the table. And if you followed a different faith? You'd get bounced right out of the application review.
They didn't accept transfers, either. In the century-plus since its founding, they'd never once signed a sister school agreement with any other academy.
So when they proactively suggested an exchange, it was bound to cause a stir. And just like that, the first exchange tournament was set for the first week of June.
'And one more thing.'
There was a little tidbit only Noa knew about.
At the current moment, Eloden Academy was home to no less than two future heroes destined for the hero party.
'The Saintess and the Holy Knight.'
The next Saintess, Laurea Ro Sharfel—a second-year.
The Holy Knight, Ian Marcus—a first-year.
Both were currently enrolled at Eloden.
'Not sure if they'll join the exchange tournament.'
But if they did? It'd be a massive event.
Five of the seven heroes fated to stand against the Abyss would be gathered in one place.
Noa was mulling over what she knew of those two heroes when—
"By the way."
A voice shattered her reverie out of nowhere.
It was Ivela, sitting right beside her.
She took a sip of her iced coffee, piled high with ice, and muttered curiously.
"The exchange tournament itself isn't a big deal, but what about Larba Academy?"
The words had barely left Ivela's mouth when Ullan, seated across from them, tilted his head.
"What's that?"
"Huh? You don't know Larba Academy?"
"No."
A frank, unapologetic reply.
As if not knowing was no big deal.
Ivela made an awkward face, but Dilia and Noa jumped in with explanations.
"It's Rakerta's royal academy."
"They've been sister schools with Arsen for decades, exchanging every year."
The Kingdom of Rakerta.
A major maritime power in the alliance of kingdoms, sharing a border with the Holy Kingdom.
Larba Academy was its top institution. Ullan finally nodded in understanding at their rundown.
"I see. So the exchange periods overlap?"
"Yeah. That's why I was wondering."
Ivela nodded along.
Then Ullan spoke up abruptly.
"No need to worry about it."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Just do both at the same time."
Eloden Academy and Larba Academy.
Run exchange tournaments with both simultaneously. Problem solved. Noa let out a sigh at Ullan's straightforward fix.
"That's not possible."
"Why not?"
"Rakerta and the Holy Kingdom... don't get along."
"Historically, they've fought multiple wars, and even now, there are ongoing border disputes."
Unlike the Holy Kingdom's monotheistic zeal, Rakerta embraced religious freedom.
The Holy Kingdom refused to equate heteroraces with humans, while Rakerta pursued heterorace-friendly policies, integrating them into daily life.
Religion, culture, society, politics—they were polar opposites. Their relationship was inevitably hostile.
As their heated explanation wrapped up—
Ullan wore a subtle expression.
"Complicated ties."
"Exactly. Holding them together would definitely spark a huge fight."
Noa nodded.
The conversation looped back just as—
Ding! Dang!
The clock tower in the plaza chimed. Lunchtime was over. Dilia stood with a reluctant look.
"Well, I'll head out first."
"See you at dinner."
"Yeah."
Ullan waved her off, and she flashed a beaming smile, as if her reluctance had been a mirage.
But it was short-lived.
Dilia glanced at Ivela.
She knew Ivela had a lecture right after lunch, too.
"...Aren't you going?"
"Nah, my building's right next door."
Ivela smiled sweetly.
Meaning she'd leave a bit later. Dilia pouted and turned away.
A little while after Dilia vanished completely—
Ivela cleared her throat shortly.
"Ahem! Hey, Ullan?"
"Hm?"
"Remember that promise from last time?"
"Promise?"
"The outing pass."
"Ah, yeah."
He recalled their deal: after midterms, when he got his outing pass, they'd go have fun together.
They'd planned for early May originally, but various events had made him forget.
As the memory clicked for Ullan, Ivela hesitated briefly before asking.
"About that... if you're free, wanna head out together tomorrow morning?"
"Sure."
"R-Really? For real?"
"Yeah."
It was a prior promise, after all.
And he had nothing tomorrow.
So he accepted readily. Ivela beamed, clearly thrilled by the prompt reply.
"I'll book the carriage, so meet at the main gate tomorrow at 8 sharp!"
"Got it."
"Okay. Guess I'll head out too."
Mission accomplished.
Ivela turned away whistling cheerfully.
Off to her lecture.
Noa narrowed her eyes, watching Ivela's retreating back.
'Ivela definitely likes Ullan.'
Her conclusion after observing closely while hanging out with them.
The fact she wanted to head to the capital alone with him was proof enough.
'And...'
There was more evidence.
Tonight, Noa had plans with Ivela.
If the outing with Ullan was confirmed, she'd ask for advice on tomorrow's outfit and plans.
'It's obviously a date.'
At this point, even someone clueless about romance could see it. Ivela harbored romantic feelings for Ullan.
'Makes sense, I guess.'
Unlike the original story, Ullan had deeply involved himself in Ivela's character arc.
He'd beaten Himmel to a pulp to defend her honor, even dueling Count Deorg.
Plus, with Ivela's muscle fetish—one of her defining traits—there were more than enough reasons for her to fall for him.
'The issue is...'
Ivela wasn't the only one with feelings for Ullan. With a quiet sigh, Noa thought of the girl who'd just been here.
'...Dilia Arpen.'
From what she'd sensed lately—
Dilia was looking at Ullan with emotions much like Ivela's.
Their constant bickering, the subtle ways they checked each other—it all fit if they were vying for Ullan.
'But Dilia's a mystery.'
Where did her crush come from?
She didn't have Ivela's muscle kink, and Ullan hadn't done her any huge favors.
'In the original story, Dilia...'
Wasn't interested in romance at all.
Even when Holy Knight Ian—one of her future comrades—confessed romantic interest, she'd stayed ice-cold to the end.
After much deliberation—
'Whatever, forget it.'
Noa shook off the stray thoughts.
Relationships were their business.
And compared to other issues, it wasn't that pressing. She shook her head vigorously and stood.
"Well, I'll be off too."
"Somewhere to be?"
"Got research materials to check in the library."
Lately, Noa had practically lived there.
Investigating how Ullan knew about the Frost Dragon's existence.
'Per the original story, he shouldn't know about the Abyss Lords yet...'
But this world had veered wildly off-script.
Records on the Abyss Lords might already exist. That's what Noa was digging into.
"Anyway, excuse me."
With a quick bow—
Noa turned to leave.
But then, Ullan suddenly grabbed her wrist. His eyes serious, he said.
"Noa."
"Yes?"
"What are you hiding?"
"...!?"
Noa's eyes widened for a split second.
Caught completely off guard by the unexpected question.
But she quickly suppressed her shock, feigning calm as she countered.
"M-Me?"
"No use denying it."
Eyes brimming with certainty.
Ullan stood.
The subtle pressure from him made Noa backpedal until her back hit the wall, cornered.
"I already know everything."
"Wh-What are you talking about?"
With her back to the wall, composure crumbled.
As Ullan closed in, Noa instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.
But nothing happened.
Ullan simply reached into her pocket, pulled something out.
"You've been fiddling with this since the day before yesterday."
A small glass vial.
The achievement reward from subjugating Frost Dragon Glacia: the Elixir.
"What's this? Important?"
"Whew, yeah, you could say that."
Noa sighed in relief.
Realizing the "hidden thing" Ullan meant was the Elixir.
She cleared her throat and began explaining.
"It's called an Elixir. An incredibly rare potion. They say it maximizes the drinker's potential."
"What kind?"
"You won't know until you drink it."
She skipped the part about penalties potentially doubling.
Instead, she shifted topics slightly.
"Actually, I was gonna give it to you."
"To me? Why?"
"I saw the future."
Noa stared straight into Ullan's eyes.
Her face utterly serious.
"A future where you keep fighting those monsters from Zone 2."
"..."
"So I wanted to give it to you. If it boosts your potential, it'll help big time against monsters someday."
This much was true.
After Ullan triumphed over the Frost Dragon two weeks ago, Noa had thought long and hard.
And reached a decision.
Invest in Ullan.
'Even with his fated path...'
This time, he might dodge it.
No—might shatter his destiny entirely.
Ullan was already leagues beyond his original strength, growing at a terrifying pace.
And the Frost Dragon subjugation was mostly his doing. Practically solo.
So she'd happily yield it.
'And another thing.'
There was more.
Elixirs doubled trait performance—including penalties.
'Bad luck, and penalties could double or worse.'
If Noa drank it and her frailty penalty doubled? She'd be too weak for daily life.
High risk.
'Whereas Ullan's penalties...'
Berserker and Blockhead.
Doubling them? No issue.
He was already reckless; more wouldn't show.
'At worst, he couldn't do double-digit math.'
So Ullan was the safer choice.
After finishing her explanation—
Noa added a caveat.
"But heads up."
She figured warning about penalties was prudent.
"There's a tiny chance of side effects, so decide carefully... Huh? Wh-What are you doing?!"
Noa yelped in shock.
Before she could finish, Ullan downed the Elixir.
The vial emptied in seconds.
She stared blankly and stammered.
"Y-You drank it all?!"
"Yep."
"What if it was poison?!"
"It's fine. No poison."
"That's not the point...!"
She hadn't explained the penalties yet! As she stomped in frustration—
Ullan said plainly.
"I trust you."
"..."
Noa was speechless.
Those trusting eyes.
"No reason for you to harm me."
That's why he drank.
Ullan explained.
Even so, warnings first! Who just chugs it?
Noa sighed wordlessly.
But the die was cast.
'Let's see what changed.'
Noa blinked at Ullan, opening his status window.
The change was obvious at a glance.
'Superhuman Strength became Herculean Power.'
In Arsen Continental Chronicles, Superhuman Strength rivaled monsters. Herculean Power surpassed giants.
Plainly put: Ullan's strength had more than doubled.
'Phew, good.'
More power would definitely help.
Especially against Abyss monsters ahead. Noa, relieved, asked.
"How's it feel? Notice anything different?"
"Hm, not really."
Unlike the status shift, Ullan hadn't sensed it. Noa hinted slyly.
"Feel any stronger maybe?"
"Stronger?"
"Yeah, like power surging."
"Guess I'll test it."
Test how?
Noa blinked curiously as—
Ullan clenched his finger. Then flicked the wall she leaned against.
And the result—
Crack!
A chunk of wall exploded off.
"...Huh?"
That wasn't all.
The shockwave whipped up a gale, kicking up a massive dust cloud that swept everywhere.
"Cough, cough!"
"What the—?"
"Where'd this dust come from...?"
Students caught in the fallout.
Ignoring them, Ullan muttered with clear realization.
"Definitely stronger."
"Looks like it."
Noa had seen Ullan flick a wall before. It just made a hole then.
Not blow off a section.
As Noa chuckled in disbelief—
Rumble!
The remaining wall gave way, collapsing emptily. Even adjacent walls toppled like dominoes.
"..."
"..."
Noa and Ullan were speechless.
Instinct screamed it.
Stick around, and they'd get dragged to student affairs.
"Now what?"
"Uh, well..."
As Noa pondered, she spotted the thick dust veil. An idea struck; she grinned.
"Bounce before anyone sees."
"Good plan."
Ullan agreed.
But they didn't know.
Cafeteria corners were riddled with surveillance crystals.
Two hours later.
Ullan and Noa were hauled to student affairs on public property destruction charges.
Ch. 24. What Happened in the Capital