chapter 18
18 – Love triangle (3)
-From now on, we’ll get one hit each time we talk nonsense.
Note papers fluttered in front of me, but I couldn’t bear to write the answer.
Holding on to his side, he let out a pitiful cry of pain. I couldn’t even scream because I was in the classroom.
I looked up at Beatrice with my whole body shaking.
Anyway, isn’t this too much?
“Huh.”
Despite my complex and delicate eyes that contained such a meaning, Beatrice did not care. He just shook his head and smirked openly, as if he hadn’t even thought about it.
I tried to shoot something in my heart, but in the end I couldn’t open my words and had to sigh.
I think I was joking around. I’ll admit I’ve been teasing you a little too much.
I moved my gaze forward, pressing down on my side, which was still aching.
As if Tsumei didn’t notice the commotion on this side, she continued her explanation calmly.
Is it because I quietly put my head down? It’s fortunate that Tsumei and the other students don’t seem to be interested in this either.
“That’s why the purpose of the academy is to nurture heroes after all. The continent is still confused. As everyone knows, the famous ‘Gaebyeok Day’ was only a few decades ago…….”
Just in time, Tsumei was in the middle of tapping the blackboard and explaining the significance of the academy’s establishment.
Unresolved chaos in the past, infested monsters, conflicts within the empire, and more.
Stories about various problems that are getting worse to the present flowed through her mouth.
It felt like I was listening as if I was reviewing what I already knew, but surprisingly, the concentration of the other students was considerable. There are even people who listen to Tsumei’s story with their eyes shining.
This was another fresh look.
To roughly empathize, wouldn’t it feel like listening directly to the story of ‘It was like that then’ by an elderly person who experienced World War II firsthand?
‘The Day of Gaebyeok’.
The time of the Continental War with a very grandiose name, it was a story so famous that even a kid in the slums knew it well.
Right now, Tsumei was one of the protagonists of that war, so it wouldn’t be strange that those guys who were born and raised in this world were listening to the story with interest.
Of course, from my point of view, the reaction is bound to feel a little subtle.
‘Tsumei, who talks about that calmly, is amazing too. She probably isn’t that much of a memory of her that she wants to recall.’
No matter how widespread the history was, there was no way that everything would be transparently disclosed.
Is it for nothing that they say that history is written by the victors?
I looked around at the students with a slightly uneasy expression.
The Day of Gaebyeok wasn’t just a continental war on a slightly larger scale, as they thought.
Various mysteries that can never be told in just a few words.
‘The fundamental cause of the outbreak of war, or the reason why dozens of dragons perished in the process… ….’
There is much to be said about the strange fate of the dragon species.
But since I don’t have anything to confide in, it’s probably best to stay still for now.
Anyway, the students at this point really didn’t know anything about the truth of the past.
I just grew up listening to it since I was young, so it must be natural.
It’s not something I can explain.
There is no reason for that.
A problem that will naturally be resolved as time passes and the story progresses.
One of the charms of this game was watching the main cast gradually approaching the secrets of the world.
‘By the way, that’s why it’s even more amazing.’
At that point, I turned my head.
The one looking at me was our saintess, who had almost slashed my side in half with a tearful emotion right before.
Did you notice my gaze? Beatrice turned to me and frowned.
Perhaps he thought I wouldn’t be able to answer his question, but his expression was clearly disapproving.
‘He’s also a person from this world, after all. I’m still young.’
Of course, I didn’t care about the silent pressure she gave off and just continued my thoughts.
Beatrice Louise.
With the title of a saint, she certainly had something unique compared to the other students.
While the other guys were focused on Tsumei’s story, she, on the contrary, was burning with other emotions.
I am not curious.
It was obvious hostility.
Beatrice’s gaze at Tsumei couldn’t be said to be moderate, no matter how nicely she tried to wrap it up.
Listens to the story, but does not accept it as it is.
Maybe it’s because I know a little more.
There is something missing from Tsumei’s story. It’s because she deliberately hid it, and Beatrice knows that, so she doesn’t feel worth focusing on.
As a high-ranking member of the Holy Order in the first place, Beatrice had access to more accurate records of her.
The superiority of her intelligence was certainly incomparable to her ordinary students.
The truth about the continental war in the past, and the fate of the intricately intertwined dragons. She will all know
That was the reason why there was a clear temperature difference compared to other students’ reactions.
However, the reason why she now looks at Tsumei with hostile eyes was in a slightly different place.
For a moment, I forgot that Beatrice was looking at me and stiffened my expression.
I remembered her past.
A scene from the game started playing in my head.
────────────────
Fire, fire…….
A village in the countryside is on fire.
At the center of the village that collapsed horribly, stood a little girl of only about 10 years old.
– … ….
With a body full of scars, he breathes heavily as if he is about to collapse at any moment.
In just a moment, even though I didn’t really do anything.
Her girl lost all her own world.
Looking up at the gigantic monster that obscured the sky, the girl wept weakly.
It took only a moment for her to fall unconscious.
The time when the life of the ‘blue dragon’ was cut off by the hand of the savior who arrived late.
The girl has awakened the power of a saint.
────────────────
I feel really sorry for the wounds Beatrice is carrying.
For me, I was at a loss as I couldn’t touch her because I had to make sure that the relationship between her and Tsumei didn’t get any worse, but…….
But apart from that.
‘Mmm.’
I feel a bit disturbed.
I sighed inwardly.
When I saw the story in the game, I wasn’t very impressed, but the fact that the game became a reality changed the feeling that came through.
Is it because you can no longer treat your opponent as a mere fictional character?
It was definitely a pleasure to be able to see and feel the character I loved.
Instead, it cannot be denied that there will be a lot of things to be shaken up in the future.
In this game that became a reality, I was no longer in the position of an observer.
I was in a position where all I had to do was look over the screen.
Not anymore.
I fell into a position where I had to face it with my body and take full responsibility for what I had done.
‘When I say fall, it sounds like something negative.’
That’s what they said, and in fact, I didn’t take this situation itself negatively. Really unexpected.
I think maybe he’s quite happy inside.
Anyway, it was something I had to deal with.
Even if it’s a bit bland, what’s the difference?
Now that the situation has turned out like this, I have to accept it.
The time to think was long, but the decision was quick.
I snatched the note from Beatrice’s hand.
“Oh.”
Beatrice blinked as if slightly embarrassed.
But I didn’t care and scrawled my pen.
It wasn’t long before I finished her message and handed Beatrice her note back, and she accepted it with a sullen look on her face.
I was impressed with her sharp eyes, as if she was saying that she would slap her on the other side as well if there was another nonsense written on it.
Stand up-
Of course, even those eyes faded as soon as he checked the contents of the message.
-Without any procrastination, let’s get right down to it this weekend. I will explain in detail a little later.
A faint discoloration dwelled in Beatrice’s eyes.
Then he glanced up at me through the memo, and his eyes seemed to be asking if this was true.
I nodded without a change in expression.
This time it wasn’t really a lie.
In the first place, the fortune of 500 gold itself was only a short joke, and I also knew that it would be better to obtain the magic sword as soon as possible.
In the early days of just entering the academy, nothing major happens. But even more so, it is necessary to prepare in various ways using this period.
Obtaining Flügel’s Demonic Sword will be a huge advantage in my academy life from now on.
Mitigate the penalty using the magic sword’s ability.
It is probably difficult to completely incapacitate them, but even opening the airway to some extent will be of great help in living in this fantasy world.
‘Because except for the penalty, the ability itself is no different from Tier 0.’
Of course, there was nothing else to worry about.
If I use the magic sword as my exclusive weapon, my specs will definitely be strengthened. It was clear.
But on the other hand, if I think of it the other way around, the fact that I am using the magic sword, which is one of the core elements of the main story, means that the reaction will be so great that it cannot be ignored.
Beatrice gritted her teeth and tried to destroy the demonic sword, and Tsumei tried to protect it somehow.
If I did something wrong, I could have drawn the anger of both the main characters and met a bad ending.
No matter how different the goals are, a third person suddenly popping out and swiping a demonic sword would be an unwanted picture for both of them.
It was definitely something to think about.
If you think about my safety, it would be right to approach the demonic sword episode as carefully as possible.
But.
‘I still do it.’
I had no intention of giving up the magic sword.
I know it’s a risky endeavor.
The moment this tightrope goes off, I go to the goal. It’s probably close.
I wouldn’t even have thought of it if there wasn’t a side benefit.
In the end, that’s it.
Even though it’s dangerous, there’s more to gain than that.
‘Whoa.’
Take a deep breath and relax.
I looked at Beatrice and Tsumei alternately.
As long as things go according to plan, nothing will put my lifeline at risk.
…… Maybe.
*****
The break time came quickly.
Chimei stopped her explanation when she heard her ringing bell.
“Now then, shall we end our small talk? There won’t be any regular classes today anyway, so you can go around the academy as you like from now on. Or you could have a self-introduction time.”
At those words, the students’ eyes lit up with anticipation. They were eyes that clearly showed what they wanted.
Tsumei let out a chuckle.
“Yeah, what. After all, it’s free time.”
Most of the students immediately put on bright faces.
Maybe it’s because Tsumei is still having a hard time, but he couldn’t bear to show any more reaction, but maybe that’s just a matter of time.
Jumping!
“Then I will go first.”
It was Tsumei who opened the classroom door and stepped out first.
“Oh, that’s right.”
She looked like she was about to leave, but she turned her head to look at the students one last time.
With a faint smile, she shook her hand lightly.
“This is new, but welcome to the academy, kids. Then see you tomorrow.”
After that greeting, Tsumei really disappears.
As the dragon, which had almost half dominated the air in the classroom, disappeared, the atmosphere that had been a bit rigid naturally dissipated.
Students looked around for a while and then got up and started to gather in groups of threes and threes. Soon after, the sound of conversation with each other gathered and gathered, and the inside of the classroom quickly turned into a commotion.
I didn’t know that the gold dragon would become the teacher in charge, and I was relieved that it wasn’t as scary as I thought. There was a lot of talk going back and forth, but perhaps naturally, the main one was about Tsumei.
I looked at the scene for a while, then turned my head.
I don’t even need to use memo paper anymore, I said with a sad expression on my face.
“It seems that the saintess doesn’t have many friends. Why can’t there be a single person gathering around?”
“…… Are you arguing now?”
One of Beatrice’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
Certainly, there were no other students around her other than me, her partner(?).
I made an even more regretful expression.
I then gave her a light pat on the shoulder, and Beatrice twitched the corner of her mouth once again.
She looked down at my fist for a moment, wondering if she should hit it one more time, but no matter how much she did, she didn’t intend to hit me again, so she quickly backed away.
“Let’s move on to the underground. Didn’t I say I’d explain later?”
“…… Whoa.”
Beatrice let out a deep sigh.
But he seemed to know what to prioritize, trying to calm down his anger and waving his hand at me.
“…… Okay, let’s talk. Instead, if you intend to make fun of me again this time, then I really won’t stay still.”
Coming back with acceptance was a threat that wasn’t threatening at all.
I calmly shrugged my shoulders.
“I don’t know whether or not, who said that?”
Beatrice wrinkled her expression as if she didn’t like each and every one of my actions, but she didn’t seem to have any intention of interrupting me.
Before continuing, I looked around and looked into the eyes of the other students.
It was a story that wouldn’t be good if someone overheard it.
Fortunately, everyone seemed busy talking among themselves.
The first day of the academy is more refreshing than you think. It wasn’t unusual for everyone to be excited and chatting.
Of course, even taking that into account, there seemed to be a different reason why there were no students around Beatrice and me to the point where it was suspicious.
‘This is true.’
I just laughed out loud.
It was because I could roughly guess what they were thinking about keeping distance.
Even if they exchanged casual conversations, it would be even more clear if they occasionally sneak peeks at the atmosphere over here.
They still misunderstood my relationship with Beatrice.
Beatrice also seemed to be able to read such a strange atmosphere without difficulty, and soon bowed her head.
You can see that the tips of his ears are slightly reddish. It was a very fresh reaction.
I laughed silently and raised a finger.
“First of all, let’s learn a little more about the basement of the academy.”
“…… What is it?”
Beatrice replied in a small voice, and I immediately folded my raised fingers and showed them.
“Could that huge space under the ground be created just to seal one ‘magic sword’?”
A meaningful word taken out before the full-scale explanation.
At that, Beatrice also moved her gaze slightly upward, as if she had doubts. Her expression contained a puzzling feeling.
“You said that yesterday, right? I approached the entrance to the basement, but I couldn’t go any further because of the magic circle applied right in front of it.”
Beatrice hesitated, then nodded her head.
“That’s why I thought I couldn’t break through. If you get it wrong, it’s like going to hell on that road.”
“…… What do you want to say?”
“The premise is wrong, saintess.”
I clicked my tongue and waved her fingers together.
Beatrice was slightly taken aback by that, but she showed no further reaction.
I just wait for my next words with a sullen expression.
A natural smile spread across my lips.
“If the basement was built to seal only one demonic sword, there would be no need to expand the space that much in the first place. It just needs to be about the size of a basement, so there’s no need to create a labyrinth and place it there.”
The premise is literally wrong.
Beatrice must have reached the entrance to the underground by chasing after the demonic sword’s faint sign, but in the end, that was a mistake.
The basement wasn’t just a space for demonic swords, and the area was wider than Beatrice thought.
It was said that there was a reason why Tsumei had dug an underground space of that size.
And in a space of that size, is there really only one place that can be called an ‘entrance’?
I laughed and shook my head.
That can’t be.
“The entrance the saintess found is a passageway that leads directly to the place where the demonic sword is located, and it is the most dangerous route. That’s for sure, but I can’t guarantee safety.”
At that point, Beatrice’s expression started to go blank.
You probably understood what I was trying to say.
“That means… ….”
“Yes.”
I nodded and immediately added a word.
“All you have to do is enter through the standard entrance. It is to attack the aisle that not only the dean, but also the teachers and various researchers of the academy pass through.”
Beatrice wouldn’t have known.
When Tsumei built the basement of the academy, the fact that she set up a large research institute inside it.