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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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-Boom! Kaboom!
Signal flares were fired simultaneously.
As the treasure hunt began,
-Let’s start with the Lintz Forest area!
-Is there a party that needs a Rank A vanguard?
-We need a support class! Rank doesn’t matter!
The cadets, having formed their parties, started to depart one by one.
And I…
Faced a variable.
‘Fallen Angelification, Stage 1…?’
“Lev…?”
Outwardly, there was no noticeable change in Yeriel.
As befitting the object of admiration for the cadets, she was just as pretty and cute as ever.
‘Hmm…’
Since the original game’s plot also revealed this fact only at the last moment,
It was unlikely that there would be any outward signs.
And if I recalled the conditions for Fallen Angelification, it was clearly stated that it occurred when Yeriel realized her true feelings.
Of course, this information came from the game, not the fanfic… so it was just a brief mention.
‘The specific circumstances were probably…’
Yeriel realized that the reincarnated person was Edwin, and she felt guilty about her past where she couldn’t be with him or protect him when he was sacrificed as a hero.
And she also learned that the things that went wrong at the academy were actually just misunderstandings.
Even before meeting Edwin again, Yeriel had always carried a sense of apology in her heart,
And those fond feelings gathered, expanding to mean that she had feelings for Edwin.
However, at that point, Edwin already had many other romantic interests.
In the end, Yeriel thought that she wasn’t qualified to be Edwin’s lover,
And so, she underwent Fallen Angelification…
‘Wait, then…’
The trigger was simple.
The sincere feeling of loving someone, and the resulting frustration.
In other words, angst…
But if I considered the current relationship between Yeriel and Edwin,
There was no way she would fall into angst because of Melissa.
So, the reason she approached me now was…
Yeriel smiled at me with a slightly trembling voice.
“Lev, you can refuse if you want…! I’ll be fine…!”
“…”
Just as she said,
If I refused here, she wouldn’t follow me or bother me.
She was too kind-hearted; she would rather suffer alone than burden others.
It was the same during her Fallen Angelification.
Even while her mind was being eroded,
She didn’t want to burden Edwin,
She didn’t want to trouble others,
-Goodbye, Edwin…
So she tried to seal herself away.
Perhaps her saying she wanted to team up with me today was her own resolution.
It wasn’t just a simple desire,
It meant she had a definite reason to be with me.
‘It’s an important timing, but…’
However, I needed to be alone today.
I had things to do, and more importantly…
According to the fanfic’s plot, the one who could save Edwin and Melissa,
Was Yeriel.
“Yeriel, it seems like you have something to say to me.”
“Uh… huh?”
Yeriel gently ran her fingers together.
It was a gesture she made when she was caught.
“…I’m sorry, but I’m planning to go alone today.”
“Alone…?”
At my setting of boundaries, Yeriel’s expression momentarily turned downcast.
“Instead, let’s meet after the event. Just the two of us.”
Suddenly, Yeriel’s eyes widened.
“…J-just the two of us?”
I felt like I might have caused another misunderstanding…
But seeing Yeriel’s expression brighten again, I didn’t feel like taking it back.
Well, it should be fine.
Time was of the essence.
“I feel bad saying this, but Yeriel, please keep an eye on Edwin.”
“Edwin…?”
“Yeah, he’s such a pushover. I’m worried he might get into trouble.”
“Ah… Okay…!”
I explained it vaguely, but Yeriel seemed to understand.
“Lev…! See you later! I’ll be waiting!”
“Alright.”
Leaving her smile, which made me feel good just looking at it, behind, I headed towards the old commercial district.
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-Thump-thump.
“Haa…”
Yeriel’s heart started racing again.
She had really planned to ask him today.
She wanted to ask about his relationship with Aria for sure, and to sort out her feelings.
But…
Just the two of us…?
The words “just the two of us” automatically replayed the events from the capital in her mind.
-Yeriel… you have quite the imagination.
-…Lev, you’re naughty….
‘St… Stop!’
Yeriel’s face quickly flushed.
It seemed too early to conclude about Lev and Aria’s relationship.
‘But…’
If he was in a relationship with Aria,
And he was acting like this to other girls besides her…
-……
“Lev, that’s unforgivable…”
Suddenly, Yeriel’s tone and eyes turned cold as death.
Fortunately, it was only for a moment.
“Because Lev isn’t that kind of person…!”
There must be a misunderstanding caused by jumping to conclusions.
And the best way to clear up this misunderstanding was through conversation.
If they talked alone tonight, it would be resolved one way or another.
.
.
.
Afterwards, Yeriel searched for Edwin as Lev had asked.
It wouldn’t be easy to find him among so many cadets,
But she clearly remembered yesterday,
-Edwin…! We’re going together tomorrow, right?
Melissa had said that, so they must be together.
-Thud.
Actually, Yeriel’s mind wasn’t only occupied with Lev, but also with Edwin.
Even though he couldn’t find a party for the dungeon investigation, he diligently trained alone.
It was only recently that she had felt sorry for him and brought him into her party.
But after the ranking battles, the number of people approaching him had noticeably increased.
On one hand, she thought it was a good thing,
But on the other hand, she was worried.
He seemed to trust people too easily.
‘Is that why Lev…’
Asked her to keep an eye on Edwin?
“So that’s why…”
She felt somewhat embarrassed.
Unlike her, who had jumped to conclusions based on just a ring and made a sudden request,
Lev was thinking about Edwin as well.
-Lev helped me! He’s surprisingly meticulous, you know?
He had helped Edwin with his training until the day before the ranking battles.
Aria, who had nearly suffered a disaster at the hands of the fire demon during the dungeon investigation,
‘He also came to rescue me when I was kidnapped by the black coffin…’
He just didn’t show it outwardly, but he had been acting like that towards everyone.
Perhaps the reason he was going alone today wasn’t just for his own sake, either.
‘I wish he would take care of himself a little more…’
For some reason, the more she saw him, the more affection blossomed in Yeriel’s heart.
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-Rumble!
-Clang!
“Dy…lan, this way……! Hurry!”
The knight of sword and shield, Raymond Rolleno, who was full of noble pride, was wrestling with a wolf illusion.
“Yeah, Raymond. Hold it steady…”
-Stab!
-Screech!
Dylan’s bluish spear pierced through the wolf-shaped monster.
The creature, with its spiky mane, let out a short shriek before dissolving into illusory dust.
“These illusions are so realistic… Did we get anything good this time?”
“Hmm…”
What dropped for the two of them was an ordinary-looking white card.
“Again…”
They had encountered and fought illusions about five times so far,
But aside from one green card, all they had received were white cards.
“…”
Rank S. Raymond and Dylan.
The two, who had become friendly yesterday at the Hall of Culture during the social gathering rehearsal due to their shared goal of ‘defeating Kaelan’, had decided to team up for today’s event as well.
However, unlike Raymond, who genuinely thought they could become close friends,
Dylan’s thoughts were a little different.
‘I have to prove that I’m no less than Kaelan.’
Kaelan, who had been the most talked-about freshman.
After he left, Dylan expected that the public’s attention would naturally shift to him, who was also Rank S and ranked third or fourth among the vanguards.
However, Dylan was still treated like a nobody.
He received many offers from insignificant small and medium-sized guilds, but the large guilds remained silent.
What was even more infuriating was that the Rank C Edwin Gwynne was starting to receive far more attention.
Of course, it was highly unusual for a Rank C to defeat a Rank S, so it was understandable that it would be a hot topic,
But even so, for even the Crimson Flame, Melissa, to be…
Fawning over him like that.
“Why, for such a guy…!”
“Wh-what’s wrong? Dylan.”
-Thud.
Startled by Dylan’s sudden outburst, Raymond grabbed his shoulder.
“Phew, it’s nothing.”
Dylan brushed off his shoulder irritably.
Why weren’t the members of the Royal Class circle paying attention to him?
He definitely wanted to show that he was just as strong as Kaelan.
However, it was impossible due to the vacation.
Therefore, this treasure hunt was important.
By obtaining higher-ranked cards than others, he would re-establish his value.
The areas where the treasure hunt was taking place were,
The old commercial district with four waterways,
The closed training grounds and outdoor colosseum,
And half of the Lintz Forest area where the selection exam was held.
The stronger magic circles were likely to be hidden in more secluded locations.
Dylan adjusted his glasses and said to Raymond,
“Raymond, we’re going to the commercial district.”
“Huh? Why?”
“It’s the closest, and there are waterways.”
“Waterways…?”
“Yeah, forget hunting monsters, this is a ‘treasure hunt’ first and foremost. Naturally, higher-ranked cards would be hidden in more difficult places.”
“Are you talking about the underground waterways?”
“Why? You’re a vanguard too. A Rank S warrior with holy power. Raymond Rolleno.”
“Well, that’s true, but….”
“We don’t use mana, we use stamina, so we’ll rely on mobility.”
Dylan’s words made sense, but Raymond carefully asked, trying not to sound scared,
“Bu, but what if we step on two at the same time? Wouldn’t it be a bit dangerous to face two of them…?”
“Don’t worry about it. You hold them off, and I’ll finish them. This spear is a famous blacksmith’s work. It’s said to even be able to slay demons.”
“S… slay demons?”
Slightly reassured by the word “slay demons,”
Raymond followed Dylan with a resigned expression.
.
.
.
Since the current commercial district had been moved closer to the dormitories for the convenience of the cadets,
The old commercial district had long lost its vibrancy.
However, there was an underground waterway here, which was occasionally used for transporting trade goods by boat.
-Drip. Drip.
Humid, damp, and musty…
Inside the underground waterway.
“Dylan… I really doubt Professor McClone would have set up magic circles all the way down here… Don’t you think?!!”
“…!!!”
-…Rustle…
-Rustle, rustle…
“Wh-what…”
The cowardly Raymond’s words were cut short.
-Thud!
-Clang!
A corpse-like ghoul, its face difficult to discern, lunged at him.
-Bang!
“Kyaaa!!!!”
Raymond, who managed to block it with his shield in the nick of time, was pushed back,
-Stab!
And Dylan’s spear pierced the ghoul from behind.
“Haaa..”
-Drip. Drip.
And from the tip of the spear flowed…
Rotten blood… emitting a foul stench.
“Ugh!”
Raymond, already feeling nauseous, started vomiting on the side of the waterway.
“This is an illusion…?”
It wasn’t an illusion.
And as the two became accustomed to the darkness,
What stood before them was.
A stone gate that looked like it had been carved from a demon’s face.
Ominous symbols representing the forces of Pandemonium were drawn all over it, and there were even shapes that looked like impaled skulls.
For now… the demon’s mouth was closed.
Like the calm before the storm.
Like a venomous snake hiding its fangs.
-……
At the sight they had never seen before, Dylan and Raymond’s bodies froze, sweat dripping down their bodies.
“D-Dylan, wha… what is tha…t…?”
“……”
They had to report this.
Every nerve in their bodies was screaming that.
“I, I’m sorry. I, I need to go first! This… I think it’s better to report this to the academy…!”
Just as Raymond was about to run away before wetting himself,
-Creeeeaaak!!!
-!!!
-Whoooosh…!
The demon’s mouth opened.
The Gate of the Underworld…
Had been opened.
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Everything is just fine. At worst she will confine him in a bed