It’s already been a week.
I marveled inwardly at the realization that a week had passed since the semester began.
Compared to last year, this time feels incredibly peaceful.
The first semester of the second year usually lacks significant events, so it’s only natural…
To be frank, I couldn’t even guarantee that those two events would happen at all.
The incident involving a fake magic book causing chaos at the Academy and the cult’s attempted terrorism on the Academy.
Both events were orchestrated by the Halphas Cult from behind the scenes.
But Harpas died a year earlier than in the original story, huh?
So essentially, the Halphas Cult event can be considered nullified. This means the first semester of the second year inevitably has a bit of free time, but… there’s still a chance it won’t be entirely peaceful.
The true ending DLC.
I have no clue what extra events and stories that damned DLC might contain.
If it’s something like adding events between the existing story arcs, there’s a high probability that unknown events will suddenly spring up, and I’ll have to face them without any preparation.
In short, it’s a kind invitation for chaos to pay me a visit.
“Regarding this part… just check page 35…”
Before that, I have to scrape together information from the clues I’ve gathered. Even the tiniest grain of information holds immense value for me right now.
Let’s see, what was the biggest clue I’ve obtained so far?
Ah, it was the knowledge gained from my conversation with Harpas.
Unlike the original work or maybe it was never revealed in the original?
Anyway, he didn’t come down to this land of his own will. He showed up after making a pact with someone and started a conquest war.
I had three questions.
Who on earth made a contract with Harpas?
One thing’s for sure, it has to be someone capable of forcing a contract on Harpas. But if it’s someone more powerful than a demon, it must be a god, right?
In the original, Kalon only appears once in the latter part of the story, and he doesn’t seem that powerful…
Excluding Kalon, what else is there?
‘Survival Academy’ only features demons as divine beings aside from Kalon. The true ending DLC probably lays out more world-building…
The only hint I have is the magic book that’s been hanging around my side, doing nothing but sulking.
Rue.
The object that was probably the magic book in the true ending DLC was undeniably an alien existence.
It’s not just a book surrounded by tentacles, but mind-related magic didn’t exist in the original. So, this must be dark magic or some entirely different sort of magic… If it was dark magic, it would have caused a ruckus by now.
Even asking the only clue, Rue, results in nothing but a lack of memory.
As I pondered this, the phrase Harpas mentioned about an existence not belonging to this world suddenly popped into my head.
Oh, no way!
If that’s the case, there’s just no answer to it.
When it comes to outsiders, it can only be Cthulhu.
Why didn’t I think of this sooner?
Was I too tied up in the ‘original’?
Regardless, if the opponent is an outsider, it makes sense that such grotesque beings would show up.
That’s just their characteristic.
Censorship could be their doing as well…
But, I don’t really know what Cthulhu is exactly.
All I know is just what I picked up here and there.
But one fact remains clear—
“Johann?”
Oh.
Only then did I hear the students noisily chattering. Has class ended? Was I too lost in thought? I met Karina’s worried gaze.
“Are you troubled about something?”
“Johann, are you worried?”
“Worried, huh…?”
Everyone’s looking at me. These guys worry too much. I chuckled and replied.
“Nothing serious. I was just sorting out things I experienced last year in my head. When I think about it, so much has happened.”
“…Indeed, it has. I was bedridden for months.”
“But now you can stand tall, can’t you?”
“That’s thanks to you.”
“If you’re grateful, maybe you could bump up my salary a bit.”
“Sadly, that’s not my decision… And, you have plenty of money, right?”
“I was joking. Now that I’m pouring money into Yeomyeong-gwan…”
I pay the salaries of those doing paperwork, fix any issues with Yeomyeong-gwan, and even spruced up the kitchen during vacation at Ashley’s request.
The building is hundreds of years old, so there were so many worn-out parts. They remodel periodically, but there’s a limit to that.
Now, I seriously have to think about where my influence doesn’t reach in Yeomyeong-gwan.
“You don’t have to go that far…”
“This is where you all live. If you can live a little more comfortably, that’s enough for me.”
It sounds like labor, but for me, it’s something I can resolve in just over an hour. It’s practically my home, and I don’t like seeing any worn-out parts…
“Johann…”
Was my comment that touching? Karina looked at me with moist eyes.
“Shouldn’t we be leaving soon?”
“…Ah, yes.”
Only then did Karina withdraw her lovely gaze and embrace her bag. My eyes unintentionally wandered to her chest slightly squished by the bag, but I quickly turned my attention back to her face like a professional.
“Is it heavy?”
“It’s fine.”
If Karina says it’s fine, then I guess it can’t be helped. I glanced at the bag nestled against her and turned to survey the now-empty classroom.
“I must have been lost in thought for quite a while.”
“You’re not just worrying for no reason.”
“Yeah, yeah! It’s already been 5 minutes since class ended!”
“I’m sorry. I might make you late for class.”
“No, no, today we finished early, so we’re still good.”
Viola defended me from the side.
According to Viola, that’s a relief. It means Karina won’t have to be late because of me.
“Then let’s hurry!”
With Millia’s shout, we began to move for the next class.
—————-
“Principal Merlin. Please take a look at this.”
A balding middle-aged man approached the crystal ball resting elegantly on the desk, while Principal Merlin stood next to it. As the middle-aged man tapped the crystal ball in a specific pattern, it began to glitter and display images within.
“It’s a crystal ball sent by my assistant, Timmy. As you can see… the state of the volcano lately is quite unsettling.”
“Is the dragon about to awaken?”
At Principal Merlin’s worried voice, the middle-aged man shook his head.
“I’m not sure. As you know, the awakening of that dragon happened hundreds of years ago.”
“Ah… they say disasters come in waves. I have no idea what is happening in this world.”
Principal Merlin sighed as he stared out the window. Outside, it was as bright as the warm spring breeze, but in places their eyes couldn’t reach, darkness was gradually gnawing away at peace.
“First, we should send this information to the royal family… No, to the House of Duke Ryan.”
At Principal Merlin’s command, the middle-aged man looked puzzled.
“To the House of Duke Ryan, you say?”
“It’s more trustworthy than the royal family at this point. The royal family is… fragmented right now.”
The situation of the royal family relayed by Johann was nothing short of disastrous. After being spoiled by long peace, the military had grown lax, the royal family was busy squabbling over the throne, and the emperor’s health had worsened after collapsing four times already.
It wouldn’t be strange to say the nation was in decline.
“What on earth is happening to this country…”
Principal Merlin was more worried about the students than anything else. High-ranking officials would manage to be well off, but the students weren’t so fortunate.
Even though Kalon Academy has a high noble ratio, there are commoners and people of other races, so not everyone can find a safe haven in this chaotic world.
“Listen, Willy. Given the strange flow of the world, I feel we must prepare ourselves mentally.”
“Huh? What do you mean…”
“It could mean war might break out.”
Civil war? Or perhaps… an invasion by demons? There’s no certainty on either front. But he trusted his instincts. This world would eventually plunge into chaos.
“I don’t know how this old man can alter the flow of the times… but I must do what I can. Gather the council members. I can’t be the only one who knows about this.”
“…Understood.”
Willy, with a solemn expression, rushed out of the principal’s office. Left behind, Principal Merlin deeply sighed, pressing his fingers against his eyelids.
“Why on earth is this happening in my later years…”
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