CLYDE ASTLEY POV:

《Graponia Royal Academy》16th of the Fall of Water month; 17:15

I descended onto the ground after cancelling my flying magic. This startled the students when they saw me.

Concerning what happened with Nate, I decided to go to an inn to rest after what happened.

My body was completely exhausted from our clash against each other.

Since I stayed at an Inn, I decided to leave my luggage there as well. After talking with Odette, I’d leave the kingdom afterwards.

‘I wonder if Helen is okay…’

She didn’t say anything about what happened. Even until we reached her house where I dropped her off. She was silent the whole way.

‘That damn Nate.’

He ruined my and Helen’s date. Just by looking at his eyes, I could tell that he used the magic drug again.

Not just by looking into his eyes, I could tell by the energy he was giving off as well. It was the so-called combusted mana that leaks out of someone’s core that had entered the combusted phase.

There was nothing I could do to save him so I gave him mercy. Perhaps he did something to repent. Or maybe not.

‘He’s probably already dead…’

“Is that him?”

While I was walking the academy grounds, I noticed the stares of all the students.

Judging by their badges, they were first years. It was mandatory for all first years to have extra classes during the holidays. Besides them, the student council president along with the teacher staff should also be present.

I noticed that I came at a bad time. The academy grounds was filled with the first years who just came out of the hall. I could see professors exiting as well.

“What’s he doing here?” As I walked, the students gave way for me. I had no other choice but to walk past them.

Their eyes weren’t pleasant to say the least. They were looking at me as if I was a monster.

Most of them shuddered just from making eye-contact with me. I sighed.

‘Why are all of you so scared? Is this because of yesterday?’

How could they even tell that it was me?

“Hello, Clyde Astley.” At that moment, someone grabbed my arm.

“It’s the president.”

“They seem close. Isn’t he going to be the vice president next year? I heard from my older brother.”

“Yup. I don’t blame them for selecting him. I mean, look at him. He’s basically fit for the role.”

“I don’t even feel mad. I wouldn’t think of opposing him if he becomes vice.”

The students continued bickering as the person was pulling me out of the crowd.

“Miss Victoria?” It was the student council president.

We stood underneath a tree, further away from the crowd of students.

Victoria sighed. “Do you know what you caused by putting on that show yesterday?”

“Um…What?”

She took off her glasses.

“It hasn’t even been a day yet and I’m already tasked with sitting in meetings with student councils from other schools to stop them from taking you.”

“Eh?” I tilted my head.

“The Ulkan Magic Academy in the Magus city, the Magic Tower mages, the Magic Association’s own School of Magic Arts…there have been many others but those are just the few who want to take you from this academy.” Victoria nibbled on her nail in frustration.

“Why?”

“Why? You’re seriously asking me why…” Victoria laughed brokenly. “How the heck were you able to hide such power!? And if so, why did you reveal you had it!?”

“W-Whoa, calm down…” I tried to whisper so the students couldn’t hear us. They were looking at us intently.

'This is a severe misunderstanding about my power.'

“Ah...I didn’t know we had a monster in our school…I’ve been up on my feet all day. Do you know how hard it is to talk with those predators out to get you?”

Victoria sighed again. She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes.

“I already sent a letter to the Bentinck manor telling you to stay inside. It seems you didn’t get it. Although I rejected their offers with the Headmaster’s authority, they are still eager to meet with you.”

“Then why don’t I just meet with them? Shouldn’t that solve the problem?” I asked carefully.

Victoria looked at me as if she couldn’t believe my words.

“Those manipulating old coots will do whatever they can to reel you in. Even go to extreme measures.”

“O-Oh…Ha…ha…hahaha.” I laughed awkwardly.

“What are you doing here, anyway? If those guys hear you’re back then they’ll storm in here.” Victoria seemed to have calmed down.

She fixed her hair and her uniform while waiting for my answer.

“I wanted to know if miss Ingrid is in office today? I…err…She told me that if I wanted to talk to her about something then her door is always open to me.” I looked up at the west wing building where the magic lab was located.

“Oh, miss Ingrid? She’s currently running an errand. She’ll probably be back in an hour or so.” Victoria rummaged in her blazer. She pulled out a key. “If you want to wait for her, use this.”

“Ah, thank you.” I was about to leave.

“And Clyde.” Victoria called out to me. She put her glasses back on.

“Yes?”

“When the academy reopens, I want the two of us to have a long talk in my office. Understood?” Victoria said with a no-nonsense tone.

I smiled and gave a thumbs up.

“Got it! Thanks!”

◇◇◇

“Hello?” I entered the lab after knocking. The inside was quiet.

‘So Viria actually went to the Red Abyss with her real body?’

I figured as such because I didn’t see that middle school girl anywhere in the lab. Only the empty classroom seats and teacher’s desk. The magic lab was fairly big. I looked at the door at the end of the hallway.

Ingrid W.

It was Odette’s office that was beyond those doors. I took a few steps forward. However, when I was about to continue walking towards the office, I heard the sound of a pair of heels hit the floor.

“….!”

When I turned around, my eyes widened.

“Huh?” The person who was there also looked surprised.

“Miss Ingrid…?”

Ingrid, no, Odette was standing there.

‘I could’ve sworn I saw no one outside.’

“Teleportation? Isn’t that an Upper High magic spell!?” I said.

“Shit…” Odette face-palmed herself. “Indeed it is. What are you doing here, brat?”

She took off her purple mage hat and her cloak. She sat down on one of the desks of the classroom.

“…” I silently watched her. “You’re not worried that I know you can use that kind of magic?”

Upper High rank was a level only the Great Sage was able to reach. Sure, that spell that stopped the meteor from falling on the kingdom was of the same rank, but that was a combined effort of Viria and Eredhel.

The two were bedridden for an entire month afterwards from overburdening their bodies.

Yet, somehow, this woman was able to cast Teleportation so easily.

“You already know so why should I hide it?” She said coolly. “Besides, everyone already suspected that I was at least that powerful. Being Viria’s teacher and whatnot.”

She folded her arms and crossed her legs. “Now, answer my question: why are you here? Only the first years or those students who need extra classes should be present today.”

I grabbed a nearby chair and sat down as well. I leaned forward.

“You...are the Great Sage…right?”

“…..”

A silence loomed after my words. Odette’s eyes only widened slightly.

“Me? The Great Sage? Are you an idiot? She’s already dead.” She feigned ignorance without batting an eye. One could see that she was great at lying. Must’ve been the hundreds of years that she lived.

“I already heard from Sol that you are the real Odette. One of the five heroes.”

“…..” She went silent again. “So you met the goddess?”

I thought if it was a good idea to tell her. I already mentioned her name so it didn’t matter if I told Odette.

Odette hummed and leaned back on the chair. She closed her eyes for a brief moment.

“I am indeed Odette Winstom.”

“Winstom? That’s your surname?”

“It is. Now tell me, for what reason did you come directly to me to tell me this? You could’ve told the entire world that one of the heroes is actually alive. Or are you here to threaten me?”

“N-No!” I waved my hands. “I was told by the goddess to tell you something. I don’t plan on revealing your identity to anyone! I swear!”

“Hmm…” Odette narrowed her eyes at me. “Tell me something, you say. What is this information you must relay to me?”

I collected what I had heard from Yeltena, Sol and Artemis. After organizing what I remembered, I spoke.

“A disaster as great as the Magic Revolution is on its way.”

Her eyes widened. It was the first time she had given such a reaction.

Her lips parted but she didn’t say anything. She sighed. “Does this mean the entire continent will be affected?”

“Yes.”

“What does she expect me to do with this information…” She sighed again.

“The goddess said that you will know what to do if I tell you.” I said.

“Indeed. But tell me something, does this involve Zero’s race as well?”

“She is certain of it, yes.”

It seemed to me that not even they knew if their words were correct or not. It was like the information they received was from someone else. Someone from a third party. Not the humans or the gods.

“Miss Odette…”

“Hm?”

“Are you the only one of the heroes who is still alive?”

“No.” She answered without hesitation. “Alucard is out there somewhere.”

“….And the other hero?”

If the heroes were alive then surely they were capable of stopping the disaster, right? We had Alucard and even Odette to back us up against the Immortals!

Odette shook her head. “Heliona died.”

“Heliona? That was the name of the divine bow user?”

Odette nodded.

The divine bow user was said to also have been a high elf. He was capable of using his magic power to manifest arrows strong enough to kill S rank monsters in one hit.

His name was Arash in the book my mother read to me.

‘So this is what was meant by the fact that many events of the past was altered…’

Heliona was described to be a man in the book Eleanor read to me. The Great Sage herself just told me that the fourth hero was actually a woman. I wasn’t sure why it was necessary to change her gender, though.

“You know what’s funny? She said that she’d destroy the immortals for all the suffering they caused in the past. In the end, she ended up dying to them. She…was just a headless corpse when Iris and Clark found her in that world inside the Red Abyss. We never managed to locate her head. No magic could bring her back to life in that state.”

“So she was the third member from the Elca Kingdom who died…?” I asked to make sure what I heard was right.

“Yes. We did a great job making sure no one knew of her identity. She has been part of the Order for six generations. Each generation, she used a new face and name. Her drive for justice was just as intense as Iris. If it was me then I would’ve gotten bored doing the same thing. Being part of the White Order was just a title. It held no other meaning.”

“Huh? But they are the new heroes of this era, aren’t they!?”

“Boy, you want to know why they were really created back then?” Odette ignored my rambling. “You have heard of rune ascension, right?”

“Yes…It’s when they use the 99th rune to unlock the hidden potential in a person. That is how it was possible for them to become to strong.”

“That is the simple explanation. However, what lies under the surface is much more ominous.”

“Under the surface?”

I didn’t understand what she meant by that.

“If looked at in another perspective, they have the right to give and take the power the White Order has. Sure, not everyone would be able to handle the ritual, but all they have to do is keep looking until they can find replacements. That is, if the current members are deemed unsuited for the role.”

“…..”

“They are dogs to humanity. That is because humanity wanted it that way. And us, the heroes? We were born with such power. We had no owner. The power belonged to us alone. However, that is why we were seen as dangerous people to be left roaming freely. Swearing our allegiance made no difference. The wretched humans want the power of control in their hands. This is what Rezar wanted in order to make sure the White Order don’t end up as untamed beasts.” Odette finally paused to take a breather. “Well? I hope you see now that nothing is as it seems. The Order may be the heroes of this continent, but they are still dogs on a leash to the Magic Association and humanity.”

“So…did miss Heliona go against their orders and they left her there to die?” I asked.

“That is indeed what happened. She continued pushing that they must follow the enemies, however, they didn’t listen. They were given clear orders to only chase the person away. Heliona’s effort was how we came to know of them. And what did that lead to? Her death.” Odette clenched her hands. “Even I, at my current level, was not able to do anything. I couldn’t save her. I couldn’t save…my friend…”