Chapter 34: Academy Conquest (1)

I always held the belief that love was a truly noble emotion.

Throughout my journey, I crossed countless paths, encountered many individuals, and had listened to their unique stories. However, love emerged as a recurring character, always making its presence known.

I thought it was still a distant tale for me.

While I innocently bestowed my blessings upon the love of others, deep down, I believed that such emotions would never grace my life.

However, after meeting a professor who perfectly embodied the word 'coldness', I was soon able to experience that emotion.

Afterward, I fought alongside him to save the continent.

We overcame numerous challenges and hardships. We grew, felt sadness and anger, and eventually reached the end.

But I was defeated...

"If there is a next time for you, then—"

In the end, what was the professor trying to say to me?

I regretted that moment.

I couldn't properly express this feeling to you.

The absence of just one person caused my heart to shatter like fragile glass and into irreparable fragments.

All that remained was a tinge of regret from a young girl.

That was the end of the world—or so I thought. However...

I suddenly found that I had regressed back to the present around 7 months ago.

It was when my parents expressed their joy at my enrollment into the esteemed Loberne Academy. I was dumbfounded, I couldn't help but feel a different emotion blossoming within me.

Once again, I had the chance to reunite with Professor Deus.

How long had it been?

My life had turned unbearably gray after his passing.

Which was why I cherished the opportunity to meet the professor even more than living again.

Honestly, I yearned to see him immediately, but I restrained myself, and painfully endured the wait for the sake of my ultimate goal.

This was like sowing seeds to reap the harvest.

And now...

Finally, the moment I had been eagerly awaiting had arrived—I could stand before my beloved Professor Deus.

"Phew!"

Mana surged through Aria's clenched fist, a testament to her mastery over the magic she acquired in her previous life.

Crash!

Aria shattered the reinforced glass with her fist, which had been strengthened by the evil spirits. Princess Eleanor, who was observing from behind, could only stand there with her mouth agape in astonishment.

However, before she could say anything, Aria already left everyone behind and exited through the window.

* * *

It was far from a simple barrier.

The exorcism at Norseweden, I could recall the awakening and gathering of souls in the vicinity...

And what was happening now mirrored that event.

Not only were the academy's evil spirits gathering, but wandering souls and other ephemeral creatures were appearing one by one; they were breaking the boundary between life and death.

A single glance at the colossal worm-like entities that had emerged on the academy's field was enough to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

These creatures, known as Death Devouring Ghosts or Devourers, were instruments of torment. They would feast on their victims for hours as a form of punishment.

The situation had spiraled out of control and had become too dire. Thankfully, I knew the solution.

"Illuania, hand me the axe and wait outside."

"Ah, understood."

"The guards will be arriving soon. Explain to them everything just as I instructed you."

Illuania bowed her head and exited the barrier.

I held the axe I had brought for Findenai and prepared myself to confront the Devourer, but...

"You're here!"

Suddenly, Findenai's lively voice resounded from above. To my surprise, she was gliding down towards me, gracefully skimming across the smooth body of a Devourer.

Another Devourer nearby lunged at Findenai, with jaws wide open, ready to attack. However, she had already anticipated the move and leaped skillfully, causing the clumsy Devourers to clash with each other.

With the agility of a wolf, she landed before me, making a grand entrance.

"Why are you so late? I wasn't concerned about you at all, but I did have the idea that I was possibly abandoned."

"There was a slight mishap on the way."

Findenai glanced at my attire, noticing the singes on my suit, remnants of the encounter with the widow spirit during my carriage ride. She clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

"Tsk, you can't even travel without getting into trouble."

"...I do not want to hear that from you."

Never did I imagine that I would hear such words from a woman who seemed to attract incidents just by roaming around the mansion.

Findenai nonchalantly disregarded my response and flashed a grin as she took hold of the axe.

"It's strong and sturdy. Not bad! Where did you get it?"

"From the Verdi Warehouse."

It appeared to be quite valuable. Darius would definitely have something to say if he found out I took it.

"Great! How should I handle this? Should I destroy them all?"

Findenai chuckled confidently, the axe resting on her shoulder.

Strangely, seeing her like this filled me with a sense of reassurance.

"No, I will make my way into the academy. Clear the path for me."

"What the Master commands, I will oblige!"

Findenai twirled her maid outfit and dashed forward. Due to her energetic movements, everything was exposed, but she didn't seem the least bit embarrassed thanks to the shorts she wore underneath.

Following, Gideon descended from the rooftop, brandishing his Sword of Flame with precision.

Erica also landed gracefully with golden mana scattering around her.

In perfect harmony with Findenai, both of them commenced a relentless assault on the Devourers, cutting them down one by one.

Although the evil spirits found it easier to interact and harm living humans within the barrier, the reverse held true as well.

"Die! Die! Dieeee!"

"Huu!"

Gideon and Erica moved with greater intensity as if seeking to relieve themselves of the pain and suffering they'd experienced from the evil spirits.

At that moment, a graceful figure approached me, effortlessly maneuvering through the horde of Devourers—a feat even Gideon and Erica couldn't accomplish.

She wore Loberne Academy's distinctive uniform, with a red tie signifying her status as a first-year student.

Her flowing black hair and universally beautiful appearance would earn her the title of beauty by anyone who laid eyes on her.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Aria Rias, a freshman who entered Loberne Academy this year!"

Her cheerful smile seemed out of place amidst the hellish scenery that surrounded us.

"Aria Rias."

I unintentionally murmured. It was a name that would be forever etched in my memory.

She was the protagonist of this game.

"Um... considering that you broke through the barrier and made it in, you seem really strong. Can I fight alongside you?"

Feeling a bout of momentary conflict, I glanced in the direction from which she had come from.

There was a broken window on the second-floor classroom. It revealed struggling students, desperately trying to jump out and crying for help.

"Tsk."

Without thinking, I clicked my tongue in frustration.

The Aria Rias I knew was an innocent girl who understood the importance of justice; she cherished the concept of camaraderie with her classmates.

Though their time together must have been short, I knew she wouldn't abandon her fellow students from the same class.

With a bitter smile, I passed by her.

"If you are a student, just stay put. You are not the one protecting but the one being protected."

"Ah, yes! I understand!"

I nodded and left behind a delighted Aria, who, for some reason, bounced up and down with strange excitement. There were many things I wanted to ask her, but...

That is not my priority right now.

For now, stabilizing the academy took precedence.

I walked the crimson path prepared by Findenai.

The Devourers had been dealt with roughly, and the three of them who had been engaged in battle were standing at the entrance of the building, waiting for me.

"You're finally here. You're damn late."

Gideon complained openly, running his hand through his red hair.

"We are going in. Everyone, prepare yourselves."

Ignoring his remark, I focused on gathering mana. Now, without any souls to use, it was time for me to test my basic skills as a Necromancer.

At that moment, Erica hesitated and cautiously approached me.

"Um, about what happened earlier..."

"Let us postpone the small talk. We do not have time for it now."

Upon hearing my words, Erica pressed her lips together and slightly nodded before asking another question.

"What are your thoughts about the barrier?"

Finally, a meaningful topic emerged. I answered as I enveloped mana in my hands.

"The spirits are utilizing necromancy to create it."

"Necromancy?"

"Was there not a Necromancer you had invited?"

"...Ah!"

Erica nodded vigorously, realization dawning upon her.

"I see! So that's how the spirits were able to create this barrier. Since the invited Necromancer died, they would have become a spirit too!"

"However, given that the Necromancer is a victim, I doubt that they're willingly cooperating. It's more accurate to say they're being forcefully used!"

So, this meant that we had a clear goal.

"Once we locate the Necromancer's soul, it will be over."

Then we could immediately dismantle this barrier, causing the awakened and summoned spirits and monsters to either weaken or vanish.

"I see."

Erica fixed the ends of her white glove tightly, indicating that she, too, had finished preparing for battle.

Gideon interjected with a raised voice.

"Wait! Before we begin, tell me. Deus Verdi! Are you a Necromancer?"

Unconsciously, I furrowed my brows and responded.

"Get ready. You should know what kind of monster is at the central entrance, right?"

"..."

Gideon's face was filled with dissatisfaction as he looked at me, and I let out a sigh before answering.

"Yes, I am a Necromancer. Are you satisfied now? If you keep wasting time with pointless questions, I will make you the first casualty, understand? Now, shut up and get in formation."

I snapped at him, giving a stern warning.

After hesitating for a moment, Gideon, who bit his lips in frustration, stood beside Findenai.

"Master can be quite terrifying at times."

"Everyone shut up."

Findenai giggled as Gideon's face turned red with a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

Erica cautiously took her place next to me. Together, we all entered the central entrance.

As soon as we stepped inside, we immediately noticed a one-armed Bushi sitting on the stairs of the first floor with his head bowed.

He raised his head slowly, and his eyes with blue flames within, emitted intense hostility towards us, the intruders.

"Well, that bastard is still the same."

As I expected, Findenai, who must have had a previous encounter with the skeleton, smiled confidently.

So, she must have already lost the axe too.

I had anticipated it, but her confidence indicated that she already had plans.

"He is a soul who was pulled out of rest."

I briefly started to talk about the Bushi in front of us.

"A warrior who hasn't laid down his sword, determined to protect innocent spirits."

Upon hearing my words, Erica and Gideon looked at me in surprise. It seemed that the two of them were familiar with the past events that had taken place in this land.

"We cannot go inside unless we defeat him."

Shing!

As if affirming my words, the sound of a sword being unsheathed echoed in our ears.

With a purplish aura, the one-armed Bushi slowly rose to his feet.

And without delay, he rushed toward us.