060. return (3)
It’s cold.
This ominous feeling is familiar, but the moment the name of the main character ‘Ackerman’ is entered, the weight changes.
Ackerman, who went on a mission, never returned. Everyone else has returned and even reported it, except for the main character in this world.
My heart sank, and my breathing was disturbed. What if it’s wrong? no way. it won’t be dead
It’s Ackerman though.
Who is Ackerman?
He is the main character of ＜Warrior’s Kingdom＞, the chosen hero, the swordsman who will become a sword master, and the one who was born with a lucky 7 stat and the destiny of the protagonist.
This means that he is not a talented person who will go away in vain while performing a B-class mission.
For the first time since falling into this world, I felt my head freeze.
‘Where did I go wrong?’
No matter how you think about it, the problem was that I fell here in the first place. Damn, why am I here?
If Ackerman really died, then what? What will the next day be like?
Who should stop the resurrection of the demon king?
Heroes appear in troubled times, will another protagonist appear?
As all the worries quickly passed, the blood started to flow in my head again.
‘okay. Let’s stay calm.’
It’s Ackerman.
Hero.
I, who knows more than anyone else about his deceit, shouldn’t be suspicious.
Sometimes there are delays in returning to work. Because it often happens when I play.
I was overly worried when Ackerman’s name came up.
“Don’t make a fuss, be quiet.”
As if reading my thoughts, Zeros closed the mouths of the noisy students.
“A few days late in returning to duty is common. What’s the point of tardiness when there are deaths? Quietly pray for the return of your comrades.”
For some reason, Zeroth said the right thing.
The cadets also nodded.
You should keep in mind that you may fight monsters when you go on a mission. In other words, it means that you can die without a rumor anywhere at any time.
Aeonia isn’t as peaceful as you think.
The cadets felt a strange sense of incongruity in the sight of Zeros calmly speaking of ‘death’. The young cadets swallowed, not knowing how to react.
“Nevertheless, the academy has to move on.”
Zeros was more emaciated than he had seen before. The eyes that lost the firearm and the cheeks that went in to the extent of shadowing were highlighted.
On the contrary, the poisonous heart seemed to have grown even more, and there was a lot of power in the voice.
Perhaps due to the influence of magic, the body is weakened, but the mind and mana are enhanced.
‘It might be a temporary illusion.’
Zeros guided the festival schedule.
It is an event held every year at the academy, where each class can show off their skills or show off their achievements.
Separately, there are events such as auction halls and parties, so it can be seen as a microcosm of aristocratic society.
Speaking of the festival, it felt like Ackerman had long since been forgotten and returned to everyday life.
Class time went by like crazy.
Since the first schedule after returning from duty is a festival, I feel like I’m floating.
“The combat class must hold a sparring event with the crusaders during this festival.”
Zeros came down from the podium and disappeared. Gilliot took his place and began to explain.
“Oh oh!”
An armed confrontation with the Crusader-type cadets.
It is an event of pride. Gilead emphasizes that one must never be defeated and that one should raise the honor of the battle world.
“battle! battle! battle! battle!”
After the first mission, the combat cadets, who had a lot of momentum, created slogans and got excited.
It seemed that the festival had already begun.
“There were 5 people participating in the event. I will accept applicants. Applicants line up in front of me!”
Of course, it was a position with many things to gain, such as honor and additional grades.
It is the main battle that must come down. There was no reason not to support it.
The cadets flocked like clouds. There were almost no people who did not apply, except for the C class cadets.
As the frenetic time passed, I sat in a corner thinking about Ackerman’s survival and Sianna’s wish.
“what are you doing.”
Until Cain came.
“… … ?”
A face close to expressionless. The gaze is empty, not mine. Still, Cain spoke.
what else
“What are you doing? Why don’t you always answer when I talk to you?”
“why.”
“Are you not applying?”
I always feel it, but Cain with his hair undone really looked like a different person. The word noble lady is a woman that suits her very well.
“really. Why don’t you!”
“Why?”
At that time, two men came out from behind Cain.
It was Hoya and Fonte.
Are these guys pretending to know when they talked to me?
Their appearance was a bit embarrassing.
I don’t know about the other guys, but I don’t want to get involved with the main characters, so I’m always stuck in a corner. Why are you coming to me on your own?
“Because it’s annoying.”
These guys are annoying too. I got up to leave.
“If it were you, would you be able to make it to the top 5?”
Hoya naturally blocked my retreat. This monkey guy.
“… … ?”
“Ackerman is also excluded from the candidacy because he didn’t come today.”
That’s hoya, isn’t it none of your business?
I narrowed my brows.
“I want to go out with you as a representative of the combat world. I don’t think it’s bad. Your skills are enough power.”
This time, Ponte said, crossing his arms. His arms were so thick that the expression of crossing them seemed more appropriate.
He’s got the momentum to wield a giant ax or hammer, not a spear.
“Aren. Aren’t opportunities like this rare?”
Cain took a step closer and asked. ‘Why’ don’t you participate in the event with your skills.
It is natural for academy cadets to participate in the event. Even more so, it was common sense for them to hold the opportunity to represent the combat world in their hands.
Their common sense is that they don’t understand why I’m not participating.
Because in their eyes, I became a pretty good cadet.
If it wasn’t for Zeroth, I could have been a failing student who somehow got into Class A. Chet.
“take no interest.”
i just want to rest
I added softly. It’s a specification to talk to these guys any more.
Even if Cain can’t help it, never talk to a muscle-obsessed man and a clawed Hoya… … It’s something that shouldn’t happen.
“What a strange fellow.”
“I don’t understand. That guy, I really miss him.”
Hoya said to the back of my head.
Cain stared back at Aren, who walked away without a word. A child who is always selfish Again, I chose what I wanted to do.
I’m embarrassed, but I shook my head.
‘I wish we could go out together… … .’
The regret was swallowed down his throat.
Cain’s goal is overwhelming victory. She was going to show off the trophy to Zeros.
It’s revenge for being sent on a D-class mission, and a chance to be recognized by Zeroth and the family.
‘Nope. If Aren is included, I’m worried.’
In that sense, I comforted her by saying that it might be better if Aren doesn’t bother me if she’s by my side.
I will throw away all my thoughts in order to win.
* * *
The class ended immediately after the registration of candidates to participate in the event.
As the atmosphere was the atmosphere, it was not a situation to remain and train separately.
Because I need to rest a little, and I have a little pile of things to see.
‘Let’s go see Lorena today.’
The team members passed it off as just drinking and getting tired, but it sure looks like it needs some research.
“Oh, Aren. You are here!”
Lorena, who smelled of alcohol in the workshop today, seemed in a good mood.
“yes. Your expression looks bright today?”
“ah. Yes. Now that the graduation work is almost finished, it seems like people are living a little bit.”
If you are locked in a small studio every day and smell alcohol and chemicals, it will be difficult for you to keep your mind intact. It’s a long-awaited rest, so I’m glad.
However, it is an eye that is lacking in some way.
It seemed that a workaholic would look like that when he was off work.
“Fortunately, the.”
“you? How was your first mission?”
“Don’t talk.”
I waved my hand and responded.
“Ugh. I see.”
Lorena sends an ok sign as if she wants to know what it was like even if she didn’t listen like a third year student.
“So, did you have a drink after party?”
“yes.”
The story naturally fell into the main topic.
I finished my mission and drank. We didn’t get up until late the next day. I just finished my review.
“What!?”
thud!
Lorena gets up, banging the workbench hard. I took a cigarette and trembled my hand.
“No, what are you talking about? That’s what happened after drinking Lorena 19!?”
“I don’t know about anyone else, but all I drank was Lorena 19 and beer.”
Lorena was speechless for a while, like someone hit by a hammer. It was only when the long cigarette ash dripped and fell that I came to my senses again.
“what… … What did you do wrong?”
Lorena spread out her research papers on the workbench with a rough motion.
“ingredient… … is perfect Was the temperature a problem? Because the proportions aren’t right!? Or is it mixed with impurities? Although the studio was very dirty. damn! What!”
bang! bang!
Research papers fluttered in the air at her punch. It was the moment when she returned to the sensitive and nervous Lorena again.
“calm down. Because it’s not like that.”
“What?”
Lorena kicks out a cigarette. He took out another cigarette, put it in his mouth, and stared at me. The light in his eyes flashed again. She is a strange woman to regain her vitality in this situation.
“Tell me properly. Do you know anything?”
Lorena jumped over the workbench and shook my shoulder.
“Calm down and listen to me.”
I pulled Lorena away and sat down on the chair.
What should I say
yes that would be nice
“Do you know Margie?”
Hmm, this comment is a bit strange.
“uh? Margie? Why do not you know. I’m also born at the academy.”
“yes. Then you know that Magi can’t materialize, right?”
“It’s similar to Mana. It is every alchemist’s dream to materialize pure mana.”
Mana materialized and condensed into one universal substance is called the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ here.
It’s an item that never appeared in the game.
However, the moment I confirmed that the magic had melted into the alcohol, I assumed that I could make this ‘Philosopher’s Stone’.
“Why are you talking like this all of a sudden?”
“The alcohol was mixed with Magi.”
“… … What is he talking about… … .”
Lorena feigned disbelief but slipped the [Lorena 19] in my hand.
and snatched it
“… … Jin, are you for real?”
Lorena swallowed loudly.
“I’m not sure yet. I checked while I was drunk.”
“Huh… … ? how did you check There were no tools either. No, I don’t think you’d lie. Because I saw all your skills. So, this is hard to believe!”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Hmmmm. therefore?”
This is something I don’t really want to talk about. I have no choice.
“The arcane magic passed down from generation to generation in our family… … .”
I was ashamed to say this, but I couldn’t finish it.
“Oh oh. After all, you have something!?”
“Yes?”
Indeed, Lorena showed great interest in my words. It feels like even the stars are twinkling in your eyes.
“It’s like knowing a lot of alchemy knowledge, and material decomposition magic… … Hey, can’t I learn some magic from your family? I will ask you this.”
Lorena grabbed my hand and started asking for favors.
“It could be.”
How can a person confined to a workshop and only making alcohol have such a strong grip? I barely got my hand out of her.
“ha… … really.”
She sighed, covering her face with her hands.
“I can’t help it.”
Suddenly, Lorena jumped up, put her hair in a loose ponytail, and rolled up her sleeves. and shout
I go my own way!
“So. What you want to say is that the reason you had a bad hangover was because the demonic energy melted into the alcohol, right?”
“Yes.”
“This is absurd, but… … If so, you should check it out first. I’m not saying anything wrong.”
Lorena held up the last drop of the sample with great confidence.
“Can you tell me more about how things were then?”
“yes.”
I explained what happened during the mission.
A situation exposed to magic. Stories that Viktor kept having and never opened and drank first.
“Hmm… … Even so, it is impossible for the demonic energy to melt while simply fighting monsters. Maybe we’re simply mistaken. Did you make a mistake in the manufacturing process?”
“It could be.”
“still.”
For an instant, Lorena’s eyes radiated like madness.
“If you do this well, if you do it really well… … !”
Lorena slightly trembled her fingers.
“The Philosopher’s Stone.”
“yes. Maybe I can make a Philosopher’s Stone.”
A thrill arose.
We were both thinking the same thing.
Is it possible? It doesn’t matter. The key is to see the potential.
Do you think you can create an item that has never appeared before? … I can’t help but be excited.
omnipotent substance. As a black magician living in this world, I became interested.
Am I gradually assimilating into this world?
“Anyway, it’s too early to get excited, but it will take some research. It’s interesting.”
“Yes?”
“yes. I didn’t do anything, so I was actually getting a little sore. Rather, it was because I had a job that I was motivated? Besides, you might have discovered something amazing… … Thank you, junior.”
Also… … Practical cadets are not normal.
Apart from that, her work may well be a huge discovery.
She had long erased the possibility that Lorena 19, which she had ambitiously prepared for, might have failed.
Like a cadet who risked his life in alchemy, his mouth drools at the new kite. Her head will be full of ‘philosopher’s stones’.
“I won’t be crazy again until graduation.”
Lorena lit the alcohol lamp.
“Once I analyze it, I will let you know the result. Let’s talk again then.”
“yes.”
Lorena was already absorbed in her work. I don’t care if I leave or not.
* * *
When I left the practical building, I saw a flower sunset that dyed the sky red.
Personally, this is the time when I think the academy campus is the most beautiful.
Looking at the ivory-colored buildings stained with a reddish color, I wanted to believe that this place was heavenly.
It was a very peaceful scene.
Buildings dyed red, flowers in the park swaying in the breeze, and sika deer crouching down to sleep.
There, a man carrying a woman on his back.
“uh… … ?”
That’s kind of weird.
The woman wearing a fancy dress that didn’t suit the academy seemed to have fainted, and hardly moved.
In addition, blood was dripping down the path the man walked with difficulty carrying a woman on his back.
‘Are you hurt?’
I got closer
The man’s hair color is familiar.
There was no way I could not recognize that flame-like head burning more than the red that dyed the entire campus.
“Ackerman?”