I Became the Academy’s Time-Limited Genius – Chapter 24

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Translated By Arcane Translations

Translator: Silverriver

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My steps were light, my fists heavy. A phrase I’d heard somewhere before. I hadn’t understood it then, but I think I did now.

Each step sent tremors through the ground. My senses were heightened, drawing out the full extent of my strength.

Deron’s body, blessed with the Genius trait and cursed with the Terminally Ill trait, was sending a warning.

Don’t fight this opponent.

The demon descended, possessing Ruberic’s body. It should have appeared in the middle of the plaza during the Spring Festival, but my actions had altered the timeline, forcing its premature arrival.

To be honest, it was partially intentional. What good would come from a demon appearing during the Spring Festival?

It was better for it to appear within the academy, minimizing the damage. And hopefully, minimizing the rumors as well.

The demon’s roar sent shivers down my spine. It wasn’t directed at me, yet my body reacted to the sheer malevolence it radiated.

“Are you alright?!”

Professor Akdin, freed from the binding spell, rushed to my side.

I couldn’t answer his question honestly, so I simply nodded.

“This is… could it be…?”

“A demon. Probably.”

Judging by the way it was clawing at its body and screaming in agony, it wasn’t a complete manifestation.

There had been similar signs in the original story. But back then, the immediate priorities had been to confirm the demon’s arrival and ensure the citizens’ safety, leaving little time for a proper response.

But this time was different.

There were no citizens to evacuate. Some students were panicking, but Professor Akdin was here.

It was a better situation than in the original story, where only the students, without any professors, had to face the demon.

But defeating it would still be difficult.

An incomplete manifestation, a more favorable situation… that’s what made it difficult.

The first main boss of Becoming a Hero at the Academy. A high-ranking demon.

A demon who had expended most of its power descending to this world, yet still powerful enough to overwhelm most of the protagonist’s party.

The boss that first demonstrated the true threat of demons in the novel.

The demon’s true name, Morax, which Ruberic knew as Dante. Immune to most magic, Morax could only be harmed by Aura-based attacks.

Its tough, shell-like skin absorbed almost all magic-based attacks. But even Aura wasn’t entirely effective.

Beginner-level Aura could only inflict superficial wounds, while intermediate-level Aura was needed to cause real damage.

By this point, readers of the novel would realize…

‘This isn’t a boss we can defeat easily.’

Of course not. It was the boss designed to awaken the protagonist’s Hero trait.

The boss that forced the protagonist, witnessing the brutal defeat of his close companions, to unconsciously unleash the power of the Hero.

But now, it was an event mob I had to raid and defeat with everyone else.

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Clang!

“Damn it! It’s completely blocked.”

Jix, one of the strongest students in Class A, struck the barrier repeatedly with a blunt weapon, but it didn’t budge.

Ruberic had been talking to Deron when he suddenly let out a strange cry, and a menacing aura erupted, forming a barrier around them. Sensing something was wrong, Sophia had tried to lead everyone out of the training grounds, regardless of their class…

…but they were trapped.

“What’s happening…?”

“What are those black things in the sky?!”

Black energy, not clouds, filled the sky. The students screamed in fear, pounding on the barrier, but nothing happened.

Sophia gritted her teeth. There was no way out through the barrier, so she had to find another solution.

‘But how?’

She couldn’t think of anything. Finding solutions had always been her responsibility, both in her village and at the academy.

“So you’re all here.”

A sudden voice. Sophia’s head snapped up, and she looked towards the source of the sound.

It was Deron. The one who had been sparring with Ruberic had returned, unharmed.

Professor Akdin was with him.

“Professor?”

The gloomy atmosphere lifted slightly. With a professor present, they might have a chance.

“A demon has descended.”

But the professor’s next words plunged the students back into despair.

A demon. A being they had only heard of in stories and books, a creature of nightmares.

It didn’t take long for fear to spread among the students. Fortunately, no one screamed.

As students of Iliad Academy, they possessed a maturity beyond their years. The problem was that they were still students, prone to childish impulses.

Sophia approached Professor Akdin and reported the situation, just as she would report the number of people after a hunt in her village.

“Ten students from Class A. Nine from Class B. Everyone is present except for Ruberic Caius.”

“So Ruberic is the only one missing.”

“Yes.”

Akdin nodded in understanding. But instead of retreating, Sophia asked,

“The barrier prevents our escape. Is there another way out?”

“We have to kill the demon.”

Deron, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. Sophia frowned. She didn’t like this outsider interfering in her conversation with the professor.

“Do you think that’s even possible…?”

“Deron is right.”

Sophia’s eyes widened. Professor Akdin was agreeing with Deron?

Did that mean they actually had to fight the demon?

Ignoring her surprise, Deron continued,

“It’s a high-ranking demon, but it’s weakened from a forced manifestation. And Ruberic’s condition was already poor, so the demon is likely resting. It will regain its strength over time.”

“So you’re saying we attack it now? What guarantee do we have that we can win?”

Sophia wanted to prioritize safety. If they waited, other professors would come.

But Deron’s answer was unexpected.

“Do you need a guarantee to try?”

“What…?”

“We’re trapped by the barrier, with no other escape route. And our opponent is getting stronger by the minute.”

Deron smirked and continued,

“It’s like we’re being forced into a raid.”

“…Other professors might be able to break the barrier.”

“Other professors, yes. The Headmaster would be even better. But what if they’re too late? What if the demon recovers its strength first?”

He stated firmly,

“We all die. Every single one of us.”

Sophia’s eyes trembled at the weight of his words. Death was a distant concept for most, yet always close at hand.

But it was a concept they preferred to keep at bay.

The moment Deron spoke of death, the image of it filled Sophia’s mind. She forced the thought away and spoke,

“But that’s unrealistic. Just look at the energy it’s radiating. Everyone is terrified. We don’t stand a chance, even if we all attack together.”

Sophia’s opinion was realistic and reasonable. They should remain safe, wait for rescue, and avoid injuries.

That level-headedness and flexible thinking would make her an Archmage one day.

“Honestly, the risk is too high.”

But Deron simply chuckled and said,

“You only consider risk when you have a way out. Sophia. Waiting here? A good idea, as long as the demon doesn’t grow exponentially stronger.”

Sophia looked at Professor Akdin, silently pleading for him to contradict Deron.

But Akdin nodded. Deron was right.

Sophia’s mouth snapped shut at the sight. If even the professor agreed, she couldn’t think of any other solution.

“I’m not saying we kill it. The demon is resting. Our job is to interrupt its rest. That’s all.”

Silence. The students were listening to Sophia and Deron.

Deron might be the disgrace of the nobility, but considering his actions so far…

And considering he wasn’t wrong…

His suggestion held merit.

“I’m not asking everyone to go.”

Deron stepped back, and Professor Akdin spoke.

“We’re buying time. We’ll be fighting a demon on the front lines. Those who are afraid can stay here.”

Akdin, having decided to follow Deron’s judgment, addressed the gathered students.

“But… but that’s like deciding who dies first!”

One of the students shouted. But no one contradicted him.

Not even Professor Akdin.

Because he was right.

“You have a choice.”

Instead of arguing, Akdin offered them two options.

“Stay here and wait for rescue, or come with me and disrupt the demon’s rest.”

Silence.

The first option was tempting, but they couldn’t ignore the second.

Not after hearing Deron’s words.

“I’ll go.”

Agnes was the first. She held Jeolyeong in her hand. The sword radiated a chilling aura, as if eager for battle.

“I-I’ll go too.”

Adele, with her brown hair, followed Agnes.

One of the strongest first-year students, along with Deron.

A wielder of immense divine power. Her divine power, reminiscent of the Saintess, might be able to inflict significant damage on the demon.

Then, with a sigh, Sophia stepped forward.

Erina Philstine, her red hair blazing, joined the assault team.

“Anyone else?”

Despite Professor Akdin’s call, and Agnes’s gaze, the other students remained silent.

Their first real combat experience. The fear of death paralyzed them.

As Professor Akdin’s gaze fell…

A final voice spoke up.

“I’ll go.”

A soft, almost feminine voice. A man with an effeminate appearance.

“Lee Han. That makes seven.”

The protagonist, Lee Han.

Deron’s gaze lingered on Lee Han as he stepped forward.

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Lee Han’s finally in the house, y’all!