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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“You’ve done something quite remarkable.”
“It was nothing.”
“That’s not something someone who cleared five unexplored dungeons with a group of students should say. I heard the Adventurers’ Guild is hoarse from shouting your name every week.”
Honestly, aside from the first dungeon, the others weren’t that difficult. They were unexplored because of annoying gimmicks, complex puzzles, or ridiculously difficult mazes.
I bypassed the gimmicks by digging tunnels, solved the puzzles, and simply broke through the maze walls.
Unlike the game, there were no indestructible objects here, so all sorts of shortcuts worked.
The rewards, however, were underwhelming.
And I still hadn’t found the sacred relic that could lift Karina’s curse.
“Anyone could have done it.”
“If it were that easy, legendary explorers like Fabriz would not be so revered.”
…Who?
Probably some famous explorer. Not important. If they were, I would remember them.
I took a sip of tea and looked out the window.
The second semester started in a week.
It might not seem like a big deal, but it was for me.
A very big deal.
It was when Milia and Karina would enroll in Kalon Academy.
In other words, it was when the events of the original story began. While Karina was destined to be involved no matter what, I couldn’t help but worry about Milia.
She had no combat ability whatsoever.
She was in the General Studies department, which was somewhat removed from the main storyline, but that didn’t mean incidents wouldn’t occur.
One of the General Studies students would cause trouble during the second semester… or was it the third?
…I wanted to have Milia keep an eye out, but I wasn’t sure she was up to the task.
“Are you listening?”
“Ah, I apologize.”
“Well, it was just idle chatter… You seem troubled.”
Principal Merlin’s eyes met mine.
I couldn’t exactly tell him, “I’m worried about Milia and Karina getting caught up in the various incidents that will occur during the second semester of the academy,” so I gave a vague answer.
“The second semester is about to start. I’m worried about Karina enrolling in the academy. As you know… incidents keep happening.”
I observed Principal Merlin’s expression as I spoke. He seemed to share my concerns and nodded.
With three major incidents in a row, it would be strange not to be worried.
Even the most optimistic person would struggle to remain positive after three consecutive disasters.
“That’s why I’ve increased security during the break. We’ll also assign additional guards for the Saintess.”
I doubted that would be effective.
In the game, they were known as “the incompetent group that can’t even prevent a single incident despite being elite.” They should have been able to prevent at least half of the incidents on campus, but they failed to stop any of them.
It was hard to trust them.
“We’ll be with Karina.”
“Even during classes?”
“Of course.”
Protecting Karina, or rather, observing the events of the original story, required near-constant protection.
Renny even bathed with Karina. It was probably because she didn’t have time to bathe separately, but still.
She was someone who could probably punch a Cerberus to death with her bare hands.
“I agree. She’s the Saintess. The cultists are after her.”
The Halphas Cult… was he talking about them?
Come to think of it, why were they so quiet?
In the original story, they weren’t major players in the main quest, so it made sense for them to be quiet. But it still bothered me.
It didn’t make sense for them to suddenly disappear after relentlessly pursuing us all the way to Kalon Academy.
What were they planning?
“Speaking of cultists… have you heard anything about the Halphas Cult?”
“Hmm… I heard the Holy Knights destroyed a few of their branches. But that’s all.”
A few branches?
They still hadn’t found their headquarters?
Were there any competent organizations in this world?
“They weren’t that organized… It’s suspicious, but I can’t figure out what they’re up to.”
“I’d feel better if it was just the Holy Knights being incompetent.”
It would be better for me if the Halphas Cult was weak and the Holy Knights were just incompetent.
I could just crush them myself later. But if the Halphas Cult was actually powerful and the Holy Knights were struggling…
“You’re quite harsh on your colleagues.”
“Neither Renny nor I are Holy Knights.”
“It’s quite unusual. It’s not unheard of for a Saintess to have non-Holy Knight guards, but this is the first time there haven’t been any. This Saintess is quite unconventional.”
Unconventional… was she?
I had no interest in the previous Saintesses, so I wouldn’t know.
Principal Merlin stroked his beard and looked out the window for a moment, then turned back to me.
“…So, what do you think of my proposal?”
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“Jo~hann! Look! My acceptance letter!”
Milia beamed, handing me a piece of paper. It read, “Congratulations on your acceptance to Kalon Academy,” written in elegant cursive.
“Congratulations.”
“I was so nervous about Milia getting accepted… I’m so relieved.”
Karina smiled with relief, her eyes warm as she looked at Milia. It was the look of an older sister or a mother looking at her younger sibling or child.
I chuckled and said to her,
“Congratulations to you too, Karina.”
“Oh, yes… Thank you.”
[Young love.]
Karina’s slightly flushed cheeks were beautiful, and I stared at her, mesmerized.
She awkwardly avoided my gaze and mumbled,
“It’s embarrassing when you stare…”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to it…”
A wry smile appeared on her face.
As the Saintess, revered by everyone, she must have been used to such attention. Some of those gazes must have been filled with admiration, perhaps even romantic interest.
But… that had nothing to do with me, right?
It wasn’t that I disliked Karina, but my priority was survival, not romance. Nothing I achieved here would matter if I didn’t survive.
So…
“Johann? Are you listening?”
I looked down at Milia, who was tugging on my sleeve and pouting. She seemed upset that I hadn’t responded while I was lost in thought.
“What is it?”
“How do I look?”
…Huh?
My mind froze like I had seen Medusa.
Milia, of all people, was asking me this question? Milia, who seemed completely oblivious to such things?
What had changed?
She was wearing a school uniform, but other than that, she looked the same. I carefully examined her from head to toe.
“…Did you change your hairstyle?”
“No!”
“Did you change your makeup?”
“It’s the same!”
“Are you talking about the uniform?”
“Yes! Why did you make me go through all that!”
I thought there was some deeper meaning.
I sighed, looking at Milia, who was puffing out her chest with a smug look.
I had been overthinking it. Milia wouldn’t have such complex thoughts.
“So? How do I look? Does it suit me?”
“Yes. It suits you well.”
I had seen Viola’s uniform a few times, but she always slouched, so it never looked like a proper uniform.
Milia, on the other hand, looked refreshing in it. This was what a schoolgirl should look like.
Technically, she was a university student, but the uniform made her look like a high school student.
Milia, pleased with my answer, started chattering excitedly.
She went on and on about how much she liked the uniform, how excited she was about joining the General Studies department, and countless other trivial things.
The endless stream of TMI went in one ear and out the other.
As I was nodding along, half-heartedly listening to her, she suddenly changed the subject.
“Hee hee. You know what? Karina looks amazing! I was so surprised when I saw her!”
Karina must have gotten her uniform as well…
Wait, what?
I turned to look at Karina.
She was blushing, her eyes wide with surprise at Milia’s comment.
What was so amazing?
As if to answer my question, Karina covered her chest with her arm.
Her ample bosom, impossible to conceal with just her arm, was only emphasized by the gesture. My instincts whispered.
That those mounds of fat were where my eyes should be focused.
“…Ah.”
It was a good thing Renny wasn’t here.
Realizing what Milia meant by “amazing,” I quickly turned away from Karina and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I just remembered something I have to do.”
“Can I come?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Just no. Karina, I have to go. I’ll see you later.”
“…Oh, okay. Take care.”
“Johann!”
Ignoring Milia’s calls, I quickly walked down the hallway.
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