—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The word displayed on the hologram screen and uttered by Kang Chul-soo… second semester.
For my classmates, it was a new beginning, a renewal of their daily lives.
For me, it was the end of the early stages of the story, the gateway to the mid-game.
Of course, the story was already a mess, having long since gone off the rails.
Ever since I met Grey, the Vice-Captain of the 9th Extermination Unit, who should have been stationed at the northern outpost and learned that Enchantress, a Named Fallen who shouldn’t have known about me yet, was interested in me, the gears of the story had started to creak.
And during the midterm evaluation when Enchantress attacked the deserted island and Pride attacked the Academy, the story had derailed completely, like a train jumping its tracks.
The derailment led to changes.
And changes meant variables.
Summer break, the internship.
Events that shouldn’t have happened, events that never occurred in the game.
The large-scale Fallen attack on the Extermination Unit outpost.
The premature appearance of Greed, a Named Fallen who should have appeared much later.
The resulting Fallen purge, which happened earlier than expected.
And just recently…
…the highlight of the first semester, the Main Quest.
The Duel Season.
Originally, the scheduled attack was supposed to be led by a Named Fallen, with a small group of Fallen.
But the Academy was attacked not by one or two Named Fallen, but by an Apostle, four Named Fallen, and a massive horde of Fallen and monsters.
A small-scale attack had turned into a full-blown invasion.
So, I was worried.
What kind of incidents and accidents would occur in the second semester?
What preparations did I need to make to ensure the safety of the main characters and those around me?
‘Still, it’s fortunate…’
…that while the story was a mess, the main plot points remained the same.
I could prepare for the upcoming episodes and events, while being extra cautious about the variables.
I organized my thoughts and focused on Kang Chul-soo’s voice as he explained the second semester curriculum.
I kept my eyes on the hologram screen. And as if on cue, the schedule, detailing the time, location, and subject of each class, was displayed.
‘Hmm… there’s definitely more training than theory classes in the second semester.’
Especially the training our class often participated in.
Villain Response Training, Fallen Response Training, and Alternate World (Simulated) Adaptation Training.
The proportion of indoor classes had decreased, and the proportion of outdoor classes had increased significantly.
Perhaps that’s why…
“Wow… look at how many outdoor classes we have.”
“I prefer training to boring theory classes, but… isn’t this too much?”
“So, the second semester is the real deal, huh…”
…groans of exhaustion could be heard from all around.
I chuckled, listening to their complaints.
‘Maybe it’s because I’m attending the Academy…’
…but despite being twenty years old, their behavior was no different from that of high school students.
But that thought was fleeting.
The smile on my face vanished.
The future, the future only I knew about.
That bleak future made my mouth taste bitter.
‘…How long can I enjoy this lighthearted atmosphere?’
Could I do it?
Could I eliminate the Apostles and Outer Gods?
Could I protect the people in this classroom?
‘…Heavy.’
My shoulders felt incredibly heavy.
The weight of knowing the future.
The weight of having experienced the apocalypse.
It felt like it was crushing me.
But I wanted to get used to it.
The responsibility of knowing the future.
The mission of preventing the apocalypse.
So, I would endure it.
The burden that weighed me down, that bound me.
‘But come to think of it…’
…I didn’t have to bear this burden alone.
‘I don’t have to be the only one who knows the future.’
For example, the Transcendents.
The Chairman, the Principal, the Saintess, and the Sword Saint.
I could tell the Transcendents who were favorably disposed towards me about the future.
Of course, I didn’t know if they would believe me.
After all, the future I knew was incredibly bleak and difficult.
‘…But they might.’
Considering the invasion during the Duel Season and the fact that I had warned them about it, the Principal, the Saintess, and the Sword Saint might believe me.
And the Chairman…
‘…would probably believe me even if I lied.’
For some reason, the Chairman was incredibly favorably disposed towards me.
If I had to use the affection system as an example… Contempt, Indifference, Neutral, Interest, Friendly, Trust, Love. Her affection level seemed to be at Trust.
So I had to tell the Transcendents.
About the future.
But first, the scar of the Dimensional Rift above the Academy had to be repaired.
‘Is it about 20% repaired now?’
When I last saw it before class, it was still far from complete.
And considering that only about 20% had been repaired after several days…
‘…it would probably take one or two weeks.’
So, I would focus on classes for now.
And once the repairs were complete, and the Saintess contacted me, I would tell the Transcendents.
I made a mental note, and at that moment…
“Lee Yu-jin.”
…Kang Chul-soo called my name.
“Yes?”
I replied, and…
“So, what are your thoughts?”
“…My thoughts?”
“Yes, your thoughts.”
Uh… I don’t know.
I couldn’t answer his question.
But I couldn’t say I hadn’t been listening either.
So, I racked my brain.
What had Kang Chul-soo asked?
Why had he asked me?
I tried to understand his intentions.
But since I didn’t know what he had said, I couldn’t find the answer.
So, in the end, I was about to confess my ignorance…
…when…
Tap, tap.
…the pink-haired angel sitting next to me whispered,
“…He’s asking if you prefer theory classes or outdoor training today.”
“…Thank you, Asuka.”
I whispered my gratitude to Asuka for explaining Kang Chul-soo’s question.
And I quickly answered him.
“Outdoor training, of course.”
“Right?”
Kang Chul-soo grinned at my answer.
And groans of protest erupted from all around.
“Ah, Top Student! I trusted you!”
“How can we have training on the first day of the second semester?!”
“Hey, Lee! Let’s have a relaxing class today!”
No.
We’re having outdoor training.
I’m not giving you the indoor class you want.
I crushed their hopes for a relaxing class in the classroom.
Their protests intensified, but…
‘Yeah, yeah. Complain all you want.’
I’ll just increase the training difficulty.
“Instructor, how about Villain Response Training for our outdoor class?”
“Oh, good idea.”
Kang Chul-soo’s face brightened.
And in contrast, my classmates…
“Ah, Top Student!”
“You evil bastard, don’t do that!”
“Do you feel better now that you’ve made us suffer?!”
…despaired at the future that awaited them.
I chuckled, and at that moment I felt a sharp pain in my side.
I turned my head and saw…
“…Hmph.”
…Asuka pouting at me.
Judging by her reaction, she had also wanted an indoor class.
‘Why didn’t you tell me sooner?’
I would have considered it, at least.
Of course, I would still have chosen outdoor training.
Still…
‘…I feel a little bad.’
I smiled wryly and patted Asuka’s head.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Outdoor training on the first day of the second semester.
While some students complained to Kang Chul-soo, wanting theory classes, wanting to relax indoors…
“I know you all want to rest, especially since it’s the first day of the second semester. But think about what happened a few days ago. If it weren’t for the Academy’s preparations, you would have all been in grave danger. So, I want you to train.”
…he reminded them of the invasion during the Duel Season.
And they fell silent, recalling the events from a few days ago. They stood up from their chairs and headed towards the training grounds.
They understood.
Why Kang Chul-soo had said that.
Why he insisted on outdoor training.
As he had said, the reason they had survived the Fallen invasion was because of the Academy’s preparations.
Thanks to those preparations, they had been safe from the immense threat.
But they might not be so lucky next time.
So, they had to protect themselves.
And to do that, they had to train. They had to strengthen their bodies and minds.
But still, training on the first day?
They had already done more outdoor training than theory classes in the first semester.
They had trained harder than other classes, even harder than the second-years.
So, couldn’t they have a relaxing class today?
Couldn’t they focus on theory, since there weren’t many theory classes listed on the curriculum?
‘…That’s what they’re thinking, aren’t they?’
Their expressions were devoid of motivation.
And their mood darkened even further when we arrived at the Villain Response Training grounds.
A ruined cityscape.
“Sigh.”
I sighed and shook my head, looking at my dejected classmates.
‘It can’t be helped.’
If they lacked motivation, I would just have to provide it.
I opened my inventory.
And I retrieved the elixirs I had obtained, except for the Golden Apples and the one in the box.
My classmates’ gazes shifted towards me.
“I have a quest for you.”
I placed the elixirs in the box.
And I continued, letting them hear the clinking sound of the elixirs,
“The first person to catch me during today’s training will receive this box of elixirs.”
“……”
“……”
They froze.
Or rather, their bodies froze, except for their eyes.
Their breathing grew heavier.
Their eyes followed the box in my hand.
I smirked and stored the box in my inventory. And then, I leaped.
I jumped onto the roof of a nearby building.
I reached into my still-open inventory…
…and…
Flap.
…changed my outfit using Transfer.
An outfit I hadn’t worn since the first Villain Response Training.
An outfit I had modified to appear more imposing.
…
…
The outfit of Villain Crow.
I had no intention of giving them the elixirs easily.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Your Text Here]
