I Became the Academy’s Heroine Stalker – Chapter 59

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Su-ah’s words, no, Ercia’s, no…

Was it Su-ah?

‘Ugh, why did everyone keep transforming? It’s so confusing.’

‘Was this a transformation story?’

‘But there was no “transformation” tag.’

‘Were there any Hidden Pieces that allowed transformation?’

‘Hey, author.’

‘Let me transform too, dammit.’

“….”

Anyway, after hearing Ercia’s story, his mind was left in a jumble, and he completely forgot that it had already grown dark.

It was a shocking story that gave him a glimpse into the latter half of the original work.

Su-ah’s true identity, the reason she hid her powers, her days as a regressor, the 51 failed attempts at salvation, and so on.

His head felt like it was about to explode.

Trying to cram the vast history of 51 repetitions into his head was overwhelming.

“So… you’re saying… you’re a regressor from the future…?”

Ercia chuckled while combing her awe-inspiring sky-blue hair with her fingers.

Perhaps because she was a 52-time regressor, something beyond his comprehension, she seemed completely unfazed.

Was this the composure of a veteran who had lived for at least a hundred years?

This veteran said to him,

“Why are you speaking formally to me? You can speak comfortably.”

“Ah… well, should I…?”

He agreed, but honestly, it felt awkward.

52 repetitions? Was that even possible?

And what was with the transformation ability?

If she had transformed into something more ordinary(?), like a beast-person or an elf, it would have been easier to interact with her.

But she had transformed into an angelic being that demanded reverence, making it incredibly uncomfortable.

Well, her mystical beauty, which made him understand the meaning of “eye candy” in 0.1 seconds, was breathtaking.

But apart from that, her sacred aura made him feel like if he dared to speak informally, a mace would come flying from somewhere, accompanied by a cry of, “Behold! Smite this blasphemous heretic!”

Fortunately…

*Rustle…*

“Hoho, it seems you’re quite uncomfortable. Perhaps this form is more to your liking?”

“Well, yeah.”

Ercia returned to Su-ah’s form.

He decided to keep the pang of disappointment he felt to himself.

First, he tried to piece together the long, rambling story.

“So, you’re a 52-time regressor, a member of a group called Eternity, formed by a new species of transhumans called Supernova, dedicated to planetary salvation. You were assigned the mission of saving this planet from Illusion, and you’ve been working with Choi Do-han as the agent for 51 repetitions, but all of them failed. But in the 52nd attempt, you observed my voluntary change and chose me as the agent. Is that it?”

Su-ah smiled, seemingly satisfied with his summary.

“That’s correct.”

“Then what was I doing during those 51 repetitions?”

This was the part he was most curious about.

He wondered if Han Tae-jin, who disappeared after the middle of the original story, would appear in the latter half.

Having possessed him, he knew Han Tae-jin had amazing traits, talent, and luck, so he felt like he must have played some role in the latter half.

However, Su-ah closed her mouth and hummed thoughtfully.

“Hmm…”

“Seems like a difficult question.”

“It’s more like a statistic of 51-time regressors. Those who learned about their future always met a tragic end. We hypothesize that it’s because they become more focused on the future than the present.”

“So, everything you’ve told me so far is all the information you can share?”

“You can ask me anything else you’re curious about, but yes, that’s all the information I can give you for now.”

He crossed his arms, leaned back against the bench, and pondered while humming.

It was shocking, but also incredibly useful information.

No, it was the most crucial information at this point.

The future entrusted to Choi Do-han ultimately led to ruin.

In other words, someone had to take direct action.

And that someone, as Su-ah had pointed out, was most likely him.

‘So… in the end, the original author had planned a trashy ending.’

A destructive ending to follow the shocking, light-path conclusion.

‘That author was completely insane.’

To choose a dark, ruinous ending for a novel that received nationwide attention, he must have been a total lunatic.

Maybe he was the same author who wrote the light path ending, just using a different pen name?

It was a reasonable suspicion.

If he ever returned to his original world, he would have to investigate.

He pushed aside that useless thought and suddenly looked at the statue of the Virgin Mary.

“But then, who was that woman who came out of the statue earlier? The one who looked exactly like you when you… transformed?”

“Ah, hoho.”

Su-ah giggled again.

What was so amusing?

Perhaps, after experiencing the exhausting repetition of 51 timelines, she found the newly written 52nd narrative quite interesting.

Su-ah followed his gaze towards the statue, then stopped laughing and answered,

“That’s me.”

“What?”

“A kind of avatar, if you will. Another self for communicating with Eternity.”

“….”

Transformation, and now an avatar?

Just how much effort had the author put into the character of Yoo Su-ah?

He was starting to think she was the author’s favorite heroine.

Just how far did her abilities extend?

Anyway…

“But.”

“Yes?”

“You said you chose me as the agent of your mission, right? To defeat Illusion and bring about salvation.”

“That’s correct.”

“What if I refuse?”

Su-ah pouted and tilted her head at his unexpected question.

But she quickly returned to her trademark smile.

“Hoho. Then there’s nothing I can do, is there?”

“…?”

Her nonchalant reply, as if the fate of the planet wasn’t at stake, left him speechless.

So, he stared at her,

And Su-ah chuckled again.

“I’m just kidding. There are many conditions and analyses involved in selecting the agent of the mission.”

“…Conditions? Analyses?”

“Do you intend to refuse the planet’s salvation?”

“Of course not.”

“That’s all that matters.”

“Ah.”

His doubts were quickly dispelled.

Of course, a transhuman of the Supernova species wouldn’t choose the agent of her mission by randomly picking someone and saying, “Whatever, I choose you!” like a gacha game.

And since he knew that he was the only one who could stand against Illusion now that Choi Do-han was starting to crumble, the appearance of such a powerful ally was welcome.

From his reliable bodyguard, Renia, to his reliable informant, Ercia.

Moreover, he, as the reader, knew Illusion’s headquarters and God R’hell’s true identity.

So, at this point, running away like an idiot and saying, “I don’t care! Salvation is not needed!” would be insane unless he bleached his brain.

Since he was already possessed, he might as well take on a grand mission.

It would be more stylish that way.

Now that his path was clear, all that remained was to move forward.

“So, what should I do from now on?”

“Now that you know your destiny, you just have to carve your own path. I will simply remain by your side as an observer and advisor, brother.”

“…I see.”

‘Remain.’

A 52-time regressor would remain by his side.

Those words moved him.

He nodded once, solidifying his resolve, and stood up.

He had learned Su-ah’s true identity and confirmed that she was highly likely to be an ‘asset’ to him.

And he now had a clear motivation: planetary salvation.

Having been chosen as the agent of the mission, opposing Illusion was now his destiny.

There were still many things left unsaid, but those were secondary.

His throbbing head was already refusing to store any more information, so he decided to deal with the rest later.

It had gotten quite dark.

He needed to head home for Renia, who was waiting for him.

But Su-ah didn’t get up.

“Shouldn’t you be going back now?”

“Ah, well, yes, but…”

Su-ah hesitated.

He watched her, wondering what was wrong, and then he understood as she checked her brown leather wristwatch.

“Ah, you missed curfew, didn’t you?”

“…We talked for so long that it’s way past 10 pm, which was the curfew time.”

“Hmm…”

Tae-jin scratched the back of his head.

He knew that the dormitory was Su-ah’s only sanctuary.

She didn’t have any close friends she could visit unannounced at this late hour due to her poor social skills.

And suggesting a motel, a common lodging option for him, felt somewhat… sinful towards ‘Ercia.’

Moreover, how could he let someone who was working tirelessly to save the planet in her 52nd attempt stay in such a shabby place?

In the end, there was only one option.

“Well, if you’re okay with it… do you want to stay at my place?”

“…What?”

“Ah, no, I mean, it’s okay if you stay for the night.”

“Ah…”

A moment later, their awkward journey together began.

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“Where is that man at this hour…!”

Once formalities were dropped, words and actions naturally followed suit.

After switching to informal speech with Tae-jin, Renia, with somewhat lowered emotional and expressive barriers, paced back and forth in front of the entrance with her arms crossed while stomping her feet.

Her appearance, emotions, and words were a 99% match for a wife waiting for her husband to return home after a late-night work gathering.

“Ugh! I can’t live like this!”

Renia lightly pounded her chest.

As the clock approached 11 pm, she was burning with anxiety.

He had never returned home past 9 pm.

Yet, it was almost 11 pm.

Especially with her master being a trouble magnet(?), she couldn’t help but worry as his summon and housemate.

And then,

“Ah…!!”

Beyond the glass window next to the entrance, she saw two heads bobbing above the wall.

The jet-black hair, as dark as the night sky, was definitely Tae-jin’s.

But next to him, another head with brown hair was bobbing along.

“What?”

Like goldfish gasping at the surface, only the tops of their heads were visible, making it difficult to identify the other person.

But they were definitely walking side by side, and they were definitely coming home.

*Rustle.*

Renia quickly polymorphed into her Reina form and waited by the door.

A moment later, as soon as the doorbell rang, she opened the gate.

And then,

“…Tae, no, Master?”

Renia opened the door and came face to face with Cadet Yoo Su-ah who was standing next to Tae-jin.

“Su-ah…? What are you doing here at this hour…?”

“Ah, Sister Reina. I apologize for intruding at such a late hour.”

Su-ah bowed her head politely and apologized.

At the same time, Renia glared at Tae-jin.

It was a glare filled with worry for his late return without notice, but there was also a hint of jealousy mixed in.

“…?”

However, Tae-jin couldn’t understand the meaning behind Renia’s glare and simply tilted his head in confusion.

And Renia, for some reason, felt an overwhelming urge to slam the door shut.

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