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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Schlus had said that pursuing a path without talent was foolish. If I insisted on doing so, I had to put in the effort. Otherwise, he wouldn’t teach me magic. I had heeded his words.
I had practiced magic whenever I had free time, even making time when I didn’t have any. I had practiced creating and dismantling spells until I collapsed from exhaustion.
But there was one weakness I couldn’t overcome: controlling the direction of my spells. If I relied on instinct, the spells would always go astray.
I could add specific instructions to the spell, but that took time. In close combat, it was better to focus on security and speed.
So, I had put aside long-range attack spells. Instead, I had focused on—
Crack…!
“Gah!”
—wielding whip-like flashes of light.
The whip form, being a continuous line, adhered to the laws of physics. I could use it like a real whip. I had also practiced wielding a sword while casting spells.
The result was this, whips of light lashing out, sending enemies flying, and my sword cutting down anyone who got too close.
I was finally starting to understand. Schlus had been right. I could actually become a magic knight!
“Protect me!”
“…”
The leader of the hooded figures yelled, and they huddled together. I was wondering what they were up to when—
“Trie! Aim for Yusek’s heart! Now!”
“Huh?”
Schlus’s uncharacteristic outburst startled me. He sounded panicked. It meant the situation was dire.
Swish…!
But my light whips couldn’t penetrate their tight formation. Should I use a fire spell? But what if I missed and incinerated the professors?
“Trie! Get down!”
“Huh?!”
Schlus suddenly pushed my head down. A powerful surge of mana emanated from the hooded figures. It was dangerous.
Could I protect everyone if I jumped in front of them?
“Raaaagh!”
I was about to push Schlus away when—
KABOOM!
Something flew past me with a whoosh. The mana surge vanished. I looked up and saw the hooded figures collapsing, large holes in their bodies.
Their leader, his heart pierced, slumped to the ground.
“Erica…”
Schlus muttered, turning towards the university. He was staring at a building in the distance, barely visible to the naked eye.
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“All graduate students confirmed dead.”
A professor checked Yusek’s pulse and made the announcement. They had killed them all. Not a single one had been captured alive. But no one blamed Erica.
If it hadn’t been for her, they would all be dead.
“Perfect timing. You must have told Erica, Iris.”
“Ah…? Me? Umm… I… suppose so?”
Iris avoided my gaze. That was suspicious. But this wasn’t the time to question her.
“I saw one of them running away. I’ll pursue him.”
“Stop. In your condition? Leave it to the Imperial Police.”
“Every second counts.”
“You need medical attention.”
“…”
Ludwig’s firm grip on my shoulder stopped me. My arms were mangled, but… he was right. Even if I caught him, I couldn’t fight.
“Understood. We’ll be heading down the mountain.”
It was over. I left the cleanup to the professors and turned to leave. I was about to walk down the mountain when my vision blurred, and I stumbled.
“Ah…”
Iris was standing before me, her arms outstretched, as if expecting me to fall. It was a familiar scene. I was about to fall into her arms when—
“Whoa, careful there, Schlus.”
“…”
Trie grabbed me by the scruff of my neck.
Then, I lost consciousness. My last memory was of Iris, her gentle smile replaced by a frown.
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Erica stared at Schlus’s peaceful face, his arms bandaged, as he slept.
“What is going on…?”
So much had happened today. She had been paralyzed by Iris’s internal circuit manipulation. With her mana flow restricted, she had slowly gathered enough mana to dispel the spell.
When she had finally managed to move and stepped out of the dormitory, she had seen a massive pillar of light piercing the sky. She had known it was Schlus.
Then, the chaotic battle had begun. Through her observation spell, she had seen a hooded figure whose body was glowing red and swelling. Her instincts had screamed at her to target his heart. She hadn’t hesitated.
She had cast a long-range sniper spell.
“I don’t understand anything. You’ll explain everything when you wake up, right, Schlus?”
She poked Schlus’s cheek. She was scared. She wanted him to wake up. But she knew that he would just brush off her questions and rush off somewhere. He always did.
She wouldn’t expect anything. She wasn’t worthy of his trust yet.
“Erica.”
“Schlus!”
Schlus’s eyes fluttered open. Startled, Erica offered him a glass of water. He reached for it, then noticed his bandaged arms and sighed.
Erica held the glass to his lips, and he drank.
“Schlus, you need to rest. So try to—”
“Are you okay, Erica?”
“Huh?”
Schlus’s hand covered hers, his voice filled with concern. Erica tilted her head, confused.
“You killed someone.”
“Oh, that? I’m fine. Everyone else has already done it in the South.”
“Erica, don’t put on a brave face.”
“What are you talking about…?”
“A false bravado is worse than admitting your weakness.”
“…”
Erica followed Schlus’s gaze and noticed that her hand was trembling. It had been trembling ever since she had cast the spell.
“Wh-Why is this happening? Why… why…?”
“Are you suffering, Erica?”
“No… I’m fine… I’m fine…”
“Tell me the truth.”
“Ugh… Fine. I’m suffering. I’m scared. I’ve become a murderer…”
Erica had to admit it. She hadn’t been able to adapt to this harsh reality, unlike the others. Trie hadn’t shown any hesitation.
Ainz had been flustered at first, but he had quickly adapted. Iris… well, Iris was a Saintess. She couldn’t kill anyone.
They had all played their roles, while she was still afraid of taking a life. She felt like a coward, pretending to be noble and aloof.
“I’m a coward. A coward pretending to be noble…”
“If you were a coward, you wouldn’t have cast that spell. You’re not a coward, Erica.”
“But—”
“So what if you were a little late? So what if you’re suffering? No one is unaffected by taking a life. If they are, they’ve lost their humanity. Everyone suffers at first. It’s your courage, your willingness to kill to protect your friends, that matters. That courage was greater than your hesitation. You saved the lives of your friends and the professors. That’s all that matters.”
Schlus’s gentle words calmed her. Her trembling subsided. But something was still wrong. Her heart, instead of slowing down, was beating faster. She opened her eyes and realized why.
“Are you feeling better, Erica?”
“Yes…”
Schlus’s face was close. Too close.
“I-I’m fine now! Kyaaah?!”
“…”
Startled, Erica jerked her head back and fell off the bed. She had thought there was a backrest.
“Is your head alright, Erica? Should I call a doctor?”
“I’m fine…”
Schlus chuckled. Erica smiled. It was the first time she had smiled since casting the spell.
“Schlus, can you tell me what happened today?”
“…”
She immediately regretted asking. Schlus hesitated. He still didn’t trust her.
She lowered her head, disappointed, when—
“It would be more efficient to explain everything at once.”
“What do you—”
Creak!
The door opened.
Emilia, Iris, Ainz, and Trie entered. They all looked concerned, but Emilia’s eyes were filled with tears as she rushed towards Schlus’s bedside. They gathered around him.
Schlus felt like he was on his deathbed.
“I have something to tell you all.”
Schlus spoke, his gaze sweeping across their faces. Iris, sensing the gravity of the situation, quickly erected a silencing barrier.
“But hearing this means becoming a part of my fate. You all understand my precarious political position. If you’re afraid, you may leave.”
“…”
Silence. No one moved, not even Emilia. Schlus smiled faintly.
“There hasn’t been an official announcement regarding the perpetrators of the attack on the Imperial University. The culprits behind today’s Untier incident and the previous attack are the same. There’s no official name for this group yet…”
Schlus began to explain, focusing on the facts. He shared as much information as he could with his companions, those who had chosen to share his fate. He had decided to trust them, just as they trusted him.
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