Chapter 283
Chapter 283
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 283
>Chapter Title: Just One Real Punch
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Salvatium.
It was a name I hadn’t thought of in a long time.
A secret society of black mages who practiced forbidden magic, centered around the prohibited mages.
No one knew its origins or the secrets they harbored.
The only thing known was one fact.
That they wielded magic that defied all reason.
But.
“A prohibited mage tried to get in?”
Obern opened his mouth calmly at my question.
“Yes. You knew that Master and I set up barriers around the academy last year at the principal’s request, right?”
I knew that.
It was the principal’s countermeasure after the Trial Chamber incident shook everyone.
“But it actually activated?”
I hadn’t sensed any barriers while coming and going from the academy.
“Think of it as a trap. It’s not always active. It only triggers when it detects black mana...”
Even so, there should’ve been at least some flow of mana.
A barrier so subtle it could fool the senses of a transcendent mage?
It was beyond my common sense, but that wasn’t the important part right now.
“Anyway, keep going.”
“Yes, so...”
Obern explained what had happened that dawn.
The intruder—whether a black mage or a prohibited mage—had tried to enter the academy at dawn today.
As one of the casters maintaining the barrier, Obern could monitor its status in real time, and he noticed immediately when it activated.
Fortunately, the barrier worked properly and repelled the intruder, but it was badly damaged, so he’d been repairing it until now before coming to find me.
That’s when I spoke up.
“The barrier got damaged?”
“Yes.”
“Doesn’t that mean the intruder was that strong? Then it’s more likely a prohibited mage than a black mage, right?”
“That’s probably the case. But...”
“Got it. Don’t jump to conclusions, huh?”
“Yes. Sorry if that sounded arrogant.”
“Whatever.”
What’s arrogant about it?
He’s Muspellun’s disciple, after all.
I smiled contentedly at the ever-humble Obern.
The conversation continued.
“So, to sum up, some prohibited mage or whatever tried to enter the academy? And that’s it for now?”
“Yes, that’s all for the moment.”
“Hmm...”
I crossed my arms and sank into thought for a bit.
‘Things are unfolding too coincidentally.’
It wasn’t surprising that Salvatium had its eyes on the academy.
No, maybe it was overdue.
Given their obsession with grimoires and such, Presen’s artifact was a top-priority target.
What puzzled me was the timing.
‘...Of all times, now?’
Were they taking advantage of the academy’s chaos?
I considered it briefly, but the odds weren’t high.
From the academy’s perspective, the imperial auditors weren’t welcome, but on the scale of the entire empire, they were still on the same side.
They’d bicker and fight when it was just them, but if an outsider attacked, they’d band together—like shitty brothers.
‘Though the shittiness of their relationship is the real trap.’
Either way, all the personnel coming and going inside the academy wasn’t good news for Salvatium.
“Um... Senior?”
“Huh? Yeah?”
“What should we do?”
Obern looked at me with resolute eyes.
The same kind of gaze I’d seen in the Hamern Great Forest.
I met his eyes for a moment before speaking.
“Why ask me?”
“...Pardon?”
...Oops, my mistake.
Ahem.
“I mean, we should think about it together. Remember the Great Forest? Could we have overcome that ordeal if it was just me?”
“But I didn’t do anything...”
You know you didn’t, huh.
“No, you did plenty. Think about it—even dung has its uses in medicine, and you were always right there. Plus, you brought Sha... uh, that freeloader along.”
As I spoke, I realized Obern had actually done quite a bit in the Great Forest.
Sure, he was a bit slow on the uptake personality-wise and didn’t drag us down... but he did bring Shine, and he cast Overclock at the end.
“Dung...”
“...Forget the dung.”
“No. I’ll etch your words into my heart, Senior.”
Planning to tattle to Muspellun later?
‘They say a good smack to the head erases memories.’
I toyed with my fist amid the threat to his life, but thankfully, I didn’t end up hitting Obern.
“Yes. It’s not about how amazing my contributions were. The role doesn’t matter. So... like dung used in medicine, I just need to be in the right place, doing what I can.”
“Rii...ght?”
“Thank you, Senior. You always give me such profound insights.”
“Rii...ght.”
I wondered if he was mocking me, but his eyes said otherwise.
“So, Senior, could you give us some time to discuss what to do next together?”
Obern asked with sparkling eyes.
As I gazed into those clear eyes, two thoughts crossed my mind.
Was that another abyss... or the pinnacle of stupidity?
I looked up at the sky.
‘...Muspellun Senior, you’re still happy, right?’
Of course she was. Honey dripped from her eyes whenever she looked at Obern.
Anyway.
“For now... shall we move somewhere else?”
“Yes, Senior.”
Obern replied with a bright smile.
As we walked, he asked a question.
“Senior, if it’s okay, could you introduce me to your friends sometime? Ah! Not now, later. Later! Senior Damian, Senior Chenbi, and Senior Evelyn saved the students during last year’s Trial Chamber...”
“...Shut up.”
“Pardon?”
“...Never mind. Let’s go.”
Adding one more to the idiot trio?
Such a horrific thing could never happen...
Not until dirt was in my eyes.
* * *
After spending time with Obern brainstorming countermeasures for Salvatium, the sun was already setting.
“See you later, Senior. Oh, and the communication orb...”
“Use it anytime if something urgent comes up.”
“Got it!”
Obern headed off to the first-year dorm with the communication orb I gave him.
Watching his back, I felt a complicated mix of emotions.
‘He wasn’t this bad before.’
Was this why Muspellun sent Obern to the academy?
To get hit in the back of the head in this little society called school and get his shots against life’s bitter lessons?
...Nah, he seemed way too cheerful for that.
His relationships with others looked smooth too.
Every first-year he passed greeted him—like he was friends with everyone.
‘Can you really live like that?’
I wouldn’t know.
Life felt too harsh for that.
Shine, Damian, Chenbi, Evelyn, Railey, the principal, Maiseln Senior, and a whole bunch of others.
If I acted like that, they’d probably give me the side-eye.
Anyway, enough idle thoughts.
I left Obern behind and headed to the dorm.
I planned to go in and prep for tomorrow’s classes, but just as I arrived at the dorm, a voice called out.
“Aster.”
Waiting for me on the path to the dorm was Evelyn.
“...?”
“What’s up?”
Oh, she was curious about that.
Makes sense. Knowing Muspellun was Obern’s master, Evelyn must’ve found his visit suspicious.
“You’re not gonna tell me?”
“No, it’s not that.”
I’d just been thinking for a sec.
Salvatium wasn’t directly tied to the Magic Tower, technically.
‘...Or is it? If it involves me, does it involve the Tower?’
“Do you know about Salvatium by any chance?”
“...?”
As expected, Evelyn tilted her head.
In the end, I had to explain what kind of group Salvatium was, which led to spilling details about the Hamern Great Forest I hadn’t shared before.
Once the whole story was out.
“Well, that’s the gist of it.”
“...”
Evelyn narrowed her eyes, her eyelids twitching faintly.
Deep in thought, maybe.
In the fading twilight, her red hair shimmered.
‘...Bet it burns easy.’
Well, hair’s generally flammable by nature. But that shade of red makes it look especially fire-prone...
That’s when Evelyn spoke.
“You’ve been fighting those kinds of people, Aster?”
“Nope.”
“...Oh, okay?”
“If I had, I’d be dead already, right?”
It’s only this life—with my past memories and Heaven-Defying that I’ve survived.
Fighting Salvatium or the Decullans nonstop? I’d have croaked ages ago.
Relieved by my answer, Evelyn let out a sigh.
“Good thing.”
“Why?”
She smiled brightly at my question.
“I was wondering if I needed to pack my bags.”
“...Pack?”
“Yeah. The Magic Tower’s great, but I don’t wanna die young. You gotta be alive to make money, right?”
“...”
How does she always pick the most punchable lines?
But Evelyn wasn’t done. She had one more gut-punch waiting.
“Oh, Aster. So I can head to the Second Black-White Slums for a while, then?”
“...”
“Classes probably won’t go on properly anyway. Call me when all this blows over. Oh, should I tell Chenbi and Damian too?”
...Okay, so you’ve got some conscience. Thinking of Damian and Chenbi amid all this.
But what about me?
I sighed and shooed her away like a fly.
“Forget it. It’ll be fine.”
“Alright then. You’ll handle it, Aster.”
With that, Evelyn lightly headed to the girls’ dorm.
A moment later.
“Oh, I’ll go pack for now?”
The question mark was there, but it was more announcement than question.
I stared at Evelyn’s retreating back and thought.
‘Just wanna sock her one good time.’
Of course, it was just a thought.
Who’d manage the Magic Tower’s funds if I actually hit her?
She’s probably the one person who won’t die because of her skills.
I reined in my trembling fist and headed to the boys’ dorm.
‘Oh yeah, by the way... Professor Pellina should be fine, right?’
Thinking of my good deed made my heart swell with pride.
I’d check when I went to school tomorrow.
What a fulfilling day.
* * *
A hectic morning. Aster entered the classroom with a beaming face.
He was excited to see what fruits his good deed for Professor Pellina had borne.
The students huddled in groups, chattering about what they’d seen and heard the day before. Naturally, Professor Pellina’s story was mixed in.
But.
“...?”
What the students had overheard about Professor Pellina was quite... no, vastly different from what Aster expected.
“You hear? Professor Pellina knew the auditors were coming.”
“Yeah, I heard too. She emptied out the secret vault’s slush funds.”
“They’ll have to investigate to know for sure... What was it? If she’s not careful, something like evidence tampering? Could get heavier penalties for that?”
What... the hell was this?