Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Return
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The next morning.
After packing my things, I headed for the academy's main gate.
I had changed into the new uniform Ceria had prepared for me.
Perhaps because of that, my steps felt lighter than ever.
A moderately sized island close to the mainland.
The Hero Academy was located in the center of the island.
If you were to ask why it was built on an island of all places.
Was the lore that it started as a secret project and grew in scale over the years?
Well, it wasn't something I needed to worry about.
It wasn't like we were forbidden from going outside, so there was little sense of isolation.
Entry and exit were surprisingly easy.
So much so that even the Demon King's Army could send in spies.
An event would occur later, but that was something to deal with when the time came.
Anyway.
The Hero Academy was now in its golden age.
The number of students alone was nearly two thousand.
All the kids with outstanding potential from across the continent had gathered here.
Most possessed practical martial skills like swordsmanship and magic.
But there were also many students specializing in tactics and strategy in preparation for the war against the Demon King's Army.
Especially during this period, unlike in the past.
An overwhelming number of ridiculously talented prodigies had all flocked here.
There were a whopping ten monsters who had received an S-rank evaluation.
It was a truly terrifying force.
To exaggerate a little, they alone could dominate the battlefield.
"..."
How am I supposed to survive?
This isn't a school, it's a den of demons!
Among the ten hero candidates.
About half of them would probably target me.
Either by trying to win me over or by crushing me so I could never get back up.
Well, system-wise, we wouldn't clash directly.
But it was entirely possible for them to send kids with similar rankings to tire me out.
'All the better.'
I'll have to defeat them one by one as they come and climb the ranks step by step.
You know why the Demon King gets beaten by the Hero?
It's because he throws mediocre underlings at them for experience points!
Jace's hiatus had been quite long.
He had consistently maintained a top-10 rank, but now his ranking had plummeted ridiculously.
Around 500th place, maybe?
I should at least get back into the top 100, right?
Too high, and I'd attract too much attention.
Too low, and every Tom, Dick, and Harry would look down on me.
From the top 100, things get serious.
It was packed with students evaluated as A-rank.
For reference, Ceria and Chloe were fluctuating in and out of the top 50.
Anyway, I'm going to shoot for the top 100.
Anyone who wants to get on this train better hop on quick.
As I passed the main gate, I could feel hostility from all directions.
They must remember the tyranny Jace had committed.
I paid them no mind and walked straight toward the Student Council.
"So it begins."
Ceria was waiting in front of the Student Council building.
Conscious of the gazes around us, she seemed to be suppressing her delight.
"I'm sorry for making you worry all this time."
"It's alright. Everything will be back to normal soon enough."
Absolute faith.
She gave a faint smile, as if to show her firm trust in me.
Thanks to her, any lingering anxiety vanished completely.
She soon led me to a spacious room used for meetings.
It was the same place where my trial had been held.
But it wasn't as crowded as it was back then.
There were no faculty members at all, and only five or six students were in sight.
Chloe, who was subtly smiling with her eyes.
Largo, who was glaring at me as if my very presence displeased him.
I ignored them and looked at another female student.
Vice President Isabel Presti.
Naturally, she was A-rank and in the top 30.
Because the Student Council President was lazy, she was the one who effectively ran the council.
In other words, as long as I was at the academy.
It meant I couldn't escape her influence.
So getting on her bad side would be the end of me.
But thankfully, she had a fair and just personality, so I could rest easy.
However...
Jace was already on her bad side, wasn't he?
While she wasn't a direct victim.
She must have struggled to clean up the messes this body had made.
It wouldn't be strange for her to hold a grudge.
She probably wouldn't find fault with me openly, but you never know.
"Jace Crodain. After confirming whether you have met the conditions set during the trial, we will decide whether to revoke your punishment. If you have any objections, speak now."
Her tone was stiff.
I was actually relieved by her business-like attitude.
It was clear she would proceed according to the rules, without exception.
I slowly drew my sword.
I then took my stance and entrusted my body to instinct.
An aura of light flickered and enveloped the blade.
In front of everyone, I had skillfully manifested Sword Ki.
"—!"
A few couldn't hide their surprise.
Amid the widespread looks of admiration and interest.
Isabel adjusted her glasses and immediately made her decision.
"You've achieved an impossible condition in such a short time. Very well. The punishment is revoked. As of this moment, all your rights as a student have been restored. That doesn't mean your past troubles will disappear, but that is a matter for you to resolve on your own. I hope you overcome your difficulties."
The words flowed from her like a river, without hesitation.
Proving she didn't hold the title of vice president for nothing.
Be that as it may...
It ended far more easily than I expected.
Is this really all there is to it?
For a month's worth of effort, it feels somewhat anticlimactic.
From the moment I manifested Sword Ki.
There was no room for debate, but still, it felt a little strange!
Well, I guess what's good is good.
Isabel scribbled her signature on a document and handed it to me.
"It will take quite an effort to climb back up."
Then, so only I could hear.
She quietly whispered that she was personally rooting for me.
Hmm, I hadn't expected this...
I wracked my brain, but I couldn't quite grasp her true intentions.
"I've caused you a lot of trouble until now."
"Yes, quite a lot."
"...I'll be more careful from now on."
"Yes. I'll trust you one last time."
Even after exchanging a few words, I still couldn't figure her out.
Something felt off, but it wasn't enough to bother me.
The Student Council was, after all, a neutral party.
I might receive help from them, but they would never do anything to harm me.
With one last look at the girl's impassive eyes, I left the room.
* * *
Due to the nature of the Hero Academy.
The Student Council's existence was more than just indispensable.
Because they had gathered all the talented kids from across the continent.
Incidents, both big and small, occurred on a daily basis.
As the burden on the Student Council grew.
So too did the worries of Vice President Isabel deepen.
'Jace Crodain...'
Her disappointment was immense.
He had once risen as a new star, only to fall in an instant.
With his strength and spirit broken, he was no different from a dead man.
Originally, Jace's mere existence had exerted influence.
He had kept the ten hero candidates in check while maintaining a balance.
He himself might not have intended it, but looking at the results, that's what had happened.
To be blunt, Jace was the only normal one.
The other hero candidates all had some sort of flaw.
So far, they hadn't crossed the line.
But it wouldn't be surprising if something happened at any moment.
To keep the hero candidates in check.
There naturally had to be someone stronger than them.
In that sense, there was no one who could replace Jace.
'They're all so selfish...'
Aggressive, insidious, greedy, and so on.
Most of them were the type to only care about themselves.
In Isabel's eyes, they were the real problem children.
Unlike the troublemakers in the lower ranks.
The situation was more serious because there was no way to handle them.
It wasn't something she could complain to anyone about.
Unless the existing system was completely overhauled, nothing was going to change.
So she had half given up.
No matter how powerful the Student Council became, it was impossible to control everyone.
But now, there was hope.
In a situation where she was at a loss.
Jace had made a spectacular comeback, as if to show everyone.
His posture, attitude, atmosphere, and more.
Considering everything, it seemed he had really come to his senses.
His original self... no, he seemed a bit tougher, and that was even better.
'In the past, he was too nice for his own good...'
In just one month, he had fixed his dantian and even manifested Sword Ki.
Like everyone else, she couldn't help but be surprised, but she didn't show it.
He'd have to do at least that much.
At his current level, it was out of the question, but Jace had already reached the peak once before.
This wasn't his first time.
He would recover his state faster than anyone else.
As Jace grew stronger, the balance would naturally be restored.
As that thought crossed her mind.
Her empty heart was once again filled with expectation.
Of course, no one knew what would happen.
Especially since the hero candidates wouldn't just leave him be.
She wanted to help Jace until he regained his original strength, but.
'Given my position, I can only watch...'
Well, it was fine.
Even if she didn't step in herself, supporters would emerge.
To repeat, Jace was the only normal one.
Whether strong or weak, he treated everyone fairly and was highly respected.
Even if not right away.
As time went on, everyone would come to realize that fact.
Until Jace stepped outside.
Isabel watched his back the entire time.
It felt as if a new wind was blowing through the academy.
* * *
I checked the document Isabel had given me.
Despite its length, there was only one thing worth noting.
[B-Rank Evaluation. Current Rank: 666]
I finally grasped my current standing.
I was S-rank... I used to hang out in the top 10!
I myself was unfazed.
But this body's heart was screaming in agony.
At least it's not C-rank.
Man up and admit you've gotten weaker!
Of course, I felt no sense of loss.
Memories are just memories; they're completely separate.
But...
Why rank 666 of all numbers?
The number was so ominous, as if foretelling a future full of trials.
"..."
Ah, I have a bad feeling about this!
I don't know for sure yet, but I feel like every day is going to be terrible!
The will of the universe, trying to roll me around like a ball.
With the power of a mere B-rank, I couldn't dare to defy it.
"Rank 666... well, it can't be helped. You'll climb back up soon anyway."
Ceria tried to comfort me.
Sorry, but it wasn't having much of an effect.
The ten hero candidates.
They were the problem, but not all of them would be targeting me.
There were some psychos among them, but there were also some with good dispositions.
Jace originally had good relationships with his peers.
Excluding the troublemakers who couldn't stand to see that.
If I sweet-talk them right, maybe one or two will side with me?
I tried a change in perspective.
It wasn't a completely ridiculous plan.
Hobbies, favorite foods, worries, and so on.
I knew the hero candidates inside and out.
No, my memory's a bit hazy, so not quite to that extent.
But I had a feeling the information would pop into my head when I needed it.
'I should think about that approach later...'
Before leaving the Student Council building, I glanced at Ceria.
If things get tough, just tell me.
This big sister will take care of everything for you!
It might have just been my imagination.
But she seemed to be subtly giving off that vibe.
If I relied on her, my body would be at ease.
But my heart would suffer an irreparable wound.
That's just how the creature known as "man" was designed.
To act strong in front of his fiancée, even if it killed him.
"Please, be strong. I'll always be by your side."
"—!"
With those words, my body and soul were instantly healed.
It was enough to rival the healing spell of an S-rank saintess candidate.
Courage surged within me.
I felt like I could overcome any adversity.
I forcefully threw open the closed door.
"..."
What is this? This sea of people?
About a hundred students were gathered nearby.
A sense of dread slowly crept in.
I tried to ignore it and engage in some wishful thinking.
'Could they be here to welcome Jace back?'
Well, they were welcoming me.
The problem was that they were cheering in the exact way I had feared most.
"It's Jace!"
"He finally showed up."
"Jace Crodain. I challenge you to a ranking match right here, right now—"
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm first!"
They shoved each other and growled amongst themselves.
It wasn't hard to grasp the situation.
A hundred people had been mobilized on the very first day to crush me.
Look at this. See? The kids are scarier.
Some of them might have received orders from above.
But I could see they were trying to score a mental victory by defeating my weakened self.
I had expected this to some extent, but there are too many of them!
An ordeal I could never overcome alone.
I instinctively glanced at Ceria.
She blinked, as if she didn't understand what was happening.
-Those kids are so weak, they're not even a match for him. Why?
I wasn't certain, but.
I got that impression from the girl's innocent expression.
I turned my head and stared in a certain direction.
Our eyes met, and Chloe shook her head, looking troubled.
Ah, there's no one I can trust!
Of course, I didn't expect anyone to fight for me.
But still...
How am I supposed to get through this insane situation?
Fortunately, it seemed I wasn't just meant to die.
"So you were after Jace, as I thought. You arrogant brats... I'll crush every last one of you!"
A top-20 ranker.
Largo, the guy who had visited me before, had suddenly joined the fray.
"..."
I had been hoping for help, but...
It feels strange for this unexpected guy to jump in!
It was utterly bewildering.
Is this what they call utter chaos?
Ugh, this is so messy. I need to become a ranker as soon as possible, if only to get away from this.