Chapter 39
Liam let out a long sigh.
He, along with four students – Emily, Serena, and two others, had seized the central stronghold between the 1st and 3rd factions.
It took them 10 minutes to capture it, leaving around 7 minutes remaining.
Compared to the other factions, Liam’s group managed to find the central stronghold in a relatively short time.
The central stronghold wasn’t exactly hidden, but due to the size of the stage, finding it wasn’t easy.
However, since it was the most memorable place for him when reading the novel, he had a rough idea of its location and specific terrain.
Without photos or illustrations, it took more time than he thought, but it was still quick enough.
“It’s good we found the central stronghold easily, but…”
Liam remembered Bargan, who completely ignored his words.
If Bargan wasn’t going to attach Alicia, he could have added more members at least, but Bargan had set the defense team at 7 members.
As far as Liam recalled, the advance team of the alliance from the 4th and 5th factions consisted of a total of 11 members. Not only were they outnumbered, but the fact that the antagonist Erika was leading them was the real issue.
According to the development, the scouting teams from the 3rd and 2nd factions would also seize the opportunity. Even if they received the stronghold’s buff, it was uncertain if they could withstand a siege.
If Bargan was really the possessed one, he wouldn’t be unaware of this information, but he didn’t deploy more troops.
However, it would be out of context to inform Bargan of this fact and demand additional reinforcements.
If he wasn’t the possessed one, there was no way to prove it, and even if it was the truth, he couldn’t explain how he obtained the information.
Moreover, Bargan was not someone who would easily listen even if the information was given.
“Liam… You seem quite down.”
“Ah, Emily… just a little in various ways.”
Liam chuckled, and Emily could read his expression. Recently, she had been expressing her honest emotions.
“Lately, Liam, you seem to be burdened with many worries.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Is it because life at the Academy is tough?”
“….”
Liam remained silent for a while, then raised his eyes to look at her. His slightly mischievous face hadn’t changed.
“Are you trying to cheer me up now?”
Emily gazed at Liam quietly, then shifted her gaze to the sky, lightly tapping the wall with her foot. Her hands were hidden behind her back as if carrying a burden.
“Well, there’s something I received when I first came to the Academy, you know?”
Emily, who had been hiding her shyness, smiled brightly.
From Liam’s perspective, she looked most beautiful when she laughed without a care in the world.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Although there was no special magic in Emily’s encouragement, strangely enough, Liam did feel a bit less worried.
“It seems like I still haven’t adapted to the changed environment.”
“Back when you first arrived, you were so thrilled.”
“That’s true.”
Liam admitted that he had been getting lost in his worries frequently lately. The stress of the unfolding changes was one reason, but he had also developed a bad habit of fretting over trivial matters on his own.
Watching Liam like that, Emily pondered on what story she could tell to lift his spirits, then spoke up.
“I’m just being petulant. Actually, I found it quite difficult too.”
“Oh?”
“It’s not a heavy story, so listen lightly. Most of it is resolved now anyway.”
Liam suspected what was coming and decided to quietly listen to what Emily had to say. Pointing her finger, Emily began speaking.
“Well… I tend to fall a bit short compared to others at the Academy, talent-wise, you know? Oh, you don’t have to say empty words. I’ve painfully realized my lack of talent.”
“……”
“I was somewhat of a promising prodigy in our hometown. The world is indeed vast. Isn’t it?”
Despite her self-deprecating words, Emily wore a gentle smile. She didn’t blame or agonize over her innate abilities.
“Even the entrance ceremony was a disaster. I almost cried when I found out I was in the same group as the senior who gave that awful speech.”
“You did grumble quite a bit.”
“Can you forgive my embarrassing past, Liam…?”
Emily lightly brushed off Liam’s teasing.
“Anyway, I ended up in the same group as that noble gentleman, even joined the research society he founded, enduring both praise and criticism. But by persisting, I found I could endure it.”
“……”
“It seems like I gain something from it too. Why does it feel like I’m evolving in some way?”
“Dealing with non-humans?”
“Something like that?”
Laughing out loud with Liam, Emily soon stopped and added.
“Well… there’s also that. That guy. Annoyingly, he has a good eye.”
“Eye?”
Whether it’s seeing people well or understanding their nature, that kind of thing.”
“Ah…”
The information Liam had read about Emily in the novel was extremely limited. She only occasionally appeared as a supporting character, so he had no knowledge of her skills or preferences.
If Liam’s original memories were absent, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he knew nothing about Emily.
If Bargan was indeed a possessed person according to Liam’s hypothesis, they should have the same information, yet it seemed different. Was the hypothesis wrong?
Liam could have checked Emily’s status, but he chose to ask instead of confirming. He wanted to hear her answer directly.
“…You seem much stronger?”
“Not really.”
Emily’s response was cheerful and unexpected.
“But, I think I’ve got a handle on things.”
Liam stared at her intently.
Emily’s expression was diverse. The smile she wore this time was different from before.
More cheerful and bright.
Yes, just like before.
“Huh…?”
Suddenly, buried in his memories. The image of the missed her overlapped.
In the original memories, Emily was carefree, only being cheerful without a worry in the world. Not about competition, just swinging a sword, enjoying the days of the past.
Her smile shining in the reddened sunset.
Precious memories.
…Whose memory is this?
“Liam…?”
Emily, who was looking at Liam with a worried expression, suddenly approached and grabbed Serena’s collar, shifting her gaze to Serena.
Liam also slowly composed himself and faced Serena.
Liam did not have time to reminisce.
It was because Serena reacted, perhaps sensing a slight but subtle change.
“Serena, did you sense something?”
“……”
She silently nodded her head. After exchanging glances with Liam for a moment, Serena swiftly leaped to a high place to observe the approaching figures from afar.
Serena is a scout. She possesses excellent senses that allow her to observe the enemy and has honed them further.
Moreover, based on Liam’s assessment, Serena significantly outperformed the average new Academy student in terms of status. Among the current members, she was the one who could quickly grasp the number and identity of the enemy.
“The number?”
With her body crouched and her vision expanded, Serena indicated a shape with her finger. The number that her finger gesture represented was predetermined.
「20」
“…!!”
Serena additionally signaled with her finger that the individuals were an alliance force from Classes 4 and 5.
Liam had anticipated 11 individuals.
But the reality was 20.
The capacity of one class was 25 students. With each group consisting of 5 members, it was nothing other than all the missing members from one class approaching.
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“There are too many. And they’re coming so fast!”
It’s hard to believe that such a large number could have left the safe zone and come in a straight line. The risk was significant to pass through a forest or swamp filled with all sorts of monsters and traps.
As far as Liam knew,
His Class 1 was at the western end.
Classes 4 and 5 were far apart at the eastern edge.
Even if they had not left the safe zone and were aspiring heroes surpassing ordinary people in physicality, it wasn’t an impossible speed. But the number and the timing were different from the information he knew.
The future had changed due to Vargan’s magic.
They were charging forward without hesitation.
Now Liam could sense it too.
Some were riding on mission horses. They didn’t intend to hide their power. On the contrary, they spread their wings wide like fierce eagles, as if challenging anyone who dared to come.
Serena quickly drew her bow, preparing for action, and others swiftly moved into their positions.
Liam also quickly drew his sword, preparing to face them. There was no chance for a surprise attack.
Certainly, there must be someone with exceptional detective abilities attached.
It wasn’t just Liam’s group who recognized the opponent.
“Serena, who do you think the vanguard captain is?”
“Ranked 7th in admission scores. Beliar Troa Bantlo.”
Serena spoke for the first time.
She was delicate and young.
“It seems things have changed after all.”
If Liam’s scenario was correct, Erika should have led the Allied Forces. However, the current vanguard captain of the Allied Forces was the strongest first-year swordsman, Bantlo.
He was Erika’s friend and the leader of Class 4 to which she belonged.
“It seems we’ll have to give it our all.”
Liam swallowed nervously.
“I knew it would come to this. It’s hard not to be tense… isn’t it, Liam?”
“I’m shaking… but.”
Crackle!
A blue current sparkled from Liam’s hand holding the sword. Liam responded to Emily with a stiff smile.
“It’s not like I’ve been quiet all this time.”
Twinkle.
A light indicating the capture of the central point flashed on the flag.
***
Kwaaang!!
A massive vibration resonated throughout the base. Screams and shouts echoed from all directions.
“aaargh!”
“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!”
“Where from? Where did they come from?!”
“Lord Vargan, give orders! The enemy, the enemy has invaded!”
“You fool, Lord Vargan is busy! We’ll hold them off!”
There were five enemies.
The surprise attack point was the North Gate.
Second Squad. Artellion led the special forces and stormed the stronghold of the First Squad.
“Oh, Artellion… How could the prince already…! Lord Vargan, what should we do?!”
“Pin. Stay calm and head to the back door. There’s a man there who is Artellion’s loyal follower.”
“Are you saying…?”
“I entrust that guy to you. I expect great results. Don’t disappoint me.”
“Yes, yes!! Understood, Lord Vargan!”
With cheers of anticipation, Pin, who seemed to have forgotten his fear, dashed out with determination.
Truly a simple lad.
Easy to handle, but somewhat pitiable in a way.
“Breaking through the unsafe zone and bringing four more along. Indeed, we must acknowledge his power, Artellion.”
Prince Artellion of the Ocel Kingdom was a figure who, in terms of personal combat abilities, demonstrated more strength than the original Vargan and was a former protagonist.
It was faster than expected. Indeed, he must be eager to engage in the pre-admission ceremony battle.
Kwoong!
Whether it was an earthquake or the bulldozer crashing, the entire base shook. Once the guy with a spinning head entered combat mode, he charged like a madman.
Was it the blood of the body that would later be called the Executioner boiling?
In the original story, the scene where Artellion and Bargan fought was outside Base 2. The video magic seemed to be working properly.
Standing in the spacious place reminiscent of the King’s Audience Chamber, I waited quietly for him. It wasn’t proper to sit on the throne in front of the prince, especially.
Shortly after.
Kwaang⎯!
The huge door made of thick iron literally shattered, and a man entered.
Though smoke filled the air, he approached steadily, revealing his appearance completely.
Contrary to the violent and grand entrance, an elegant and graceful appearance. Shimmering golden hair. A stunningly graceful gait.
Without a doubt, the original and complete protagonist.
Here comes Artellion Von.
“You must have had a hard journey. Prince.”
He bowed with one foot back, showing respect. However, it seemed unconvincing to him.
The sword he carried was stained with a crimson aura.
It seemed like it would jump out and ring his neck at any moment.
“It’s not like this. How about having a drink instead? Our cook seems to have brewed a remarkable⎯.”
“Stop the theatrics.”
“….”
It’s a shame. I really wanted to let him drink, seeing how his skills have improved. But with him speaking like this, it seems unlikely that he would leisurely enjoy a drink.
Swang⎯.
As Artellion raised his sword, the sound of the sharp and sturdy aura cutting through the air was heard.
There was no intention to wait.
He immediately.
Swaahk!
As if folding into space, Artellion’s sword rushed forward at a fierce speed.
Directly witnessing it visually, it was truly a striking and powerful presence that seemed to defy the laws of physics.
However.
“Excellent reaction speed, Alisia.”
“…!”
Kakagak⎯⎯!
The deep crimson aura clashed with an equally intense one. It wasn’t just iron against iron, but the clash of auras created a sinister sound.
The prince seemed quite surprised. His colorless dragon eyes changed.
Even in Alisia’s eyes, locked in a fierce gaze with him, tension flowed without any concessions.
“Respectable Prince, though I am just a mere Duchess, I apologize for speaking like this.”
He spoke from behind, watching the fight.
Each word filled with sincerity towards the great Prince.
“Please be the stepping stone for my excellence.”