Chapter 12 Return

The next morning.

After packing my belongings, I headed toward the academy’s main gate.

I had changed into the new uniform that Seria had prepared for me.

Perhaps because of that, my steps felt lighter than ever before.

A moderately sized island close to the mainland.

Hero Academy was located in the center of the island.

If you were to ask why it was built on an island of all places…

Initially, it started as a secret project, but as time passed, the scale gradually expanded… was that the setting?

Well, it’s not particularly something to worry about.

Since they don’t prevent you from going outside, there was hardly any sense of isolation.

Entry and exit were easier than expected.

So much so that the Demon King’s army even sent spies.

There would be events happening later, but that’s something to deal with when the time comes.

Anyway.

Hero Academy was currently experiencing its greatest golden age.

The number of students alone reached nearly 2,000.

All the kids with outstanding potential from across the continent had gathered here.

Most possessed practical forces like swordsmanship and magic.

But in preparation for the war that would have to be fought against the Demon King’s army, there were also many students specialized in tactics and strategy.

Especially during this period, unlike before,

excessively exceptional talent monsters had all flocked here.

There were as many as ten monsters who received S-grade evaluations.

It was truly a fearsome force.

To exaggerate a bit, they alone could dominate the battlefield.

“……”

How am I going to survive?

This isn’t a school—it’s a demon battlefield!

Among the 10 Hero candidates,

about half seemed likely to target me.

Either by persuasion or by trampling me so I could never rise again.

Well, systematically speaking, there probably wouldn’t be direct confrontations.

But sending kids similar to my ranking to make things troublesome was entirely possible.

‘Rather, this is good.’

I’ll have to defeat them one by one as they come and climb the ladder step by step.

You know why the Demon King gets defeated by the Hero?

Because he throws mediocre guys at them as experience points!

Jace’s absence period had been quite long.

He had consistently maintained the top 10 rankings, but now his ranking had fallen ridiculously.

Roughly around 500th place?

At the very least, I should get into the top 100, right?

If it’s too high, I’ll attract too much attention.

If it’s too low, any Tom, Dick, or Harry will definitely look down on me.

From the top 100 onwards, it truly becomes serious.

Students evaluated as A-grade were lined up there.

For reference, Seria and Chloe were fluctuating up and down within the top 50.

Anyway, I’m going to rocket up to the top 100.

Those who want to board should board quickly.

As I passed through the main gate, hostility was detected from all directions.

I suppose they remember the tyranny that Jace had committed.

I walked straight toward the student council, paying no mind to it.

“Now it begins.”

Seria was waiting in front of the student council building.

Perhaps conscious of the surrounding gazes, she seemed to be firmly suppressing her joy.

“I’m sorry for causing you worry all this time.”

“It’s okay. Soon everything will return to normal.”

Absolute faith.

As if trusting me firmly, she smiled faintly.

Thanks to that, any trace of anxiety completely disappeared.

Soon, guided by her, I arrived at the spacious area used for meetings.

It was the place where the trial had been held.

But there weren’t as many people as there had been then.

There were no faculty members at all, and about five or six students were visible.

Chloe, who was subtly sending eye-smiles.

Largo, who was glaring as if my existence was unpleasant.

I looked away from them and gazed at one female student.

Vice President Isabel Presti.

Naturally an A-grade and a ranker within the top 30.

Due to the student council president being lazy, she was effectively controlling the student council.

In other words, as long as I’m at the academy,

I cannot escape from her influence.

Therefore, it would be the end if she dislikes me.

Fortunately, she has a fair and just character, so I can be at ease.

But…

Jace had already gotten on her bad side, hadn’t he?

While not a direct victim,

she must have suffered trying to clean up the mess this body had caused.

It wouldn’t be strange if she harbored resentment.

She probably won’t openly nitpick, but you never know.

“Jace Crodaine. After confirming whether the conditions set in the trial have been achieved, I will decide whether to withdraw the punishment or not. If you have any objections, speak now.”

A tone that felt stiff.

I was rather relieved by that businesslike attitude.

It was clear she would proceed according to the rules without exception.

I slowly drew my sword.

Then I took a stance and entrusted my body to instinct.

An aura of light rippled and enveloped the sword.

I had skillfully manifested sword energy in front of everyone.

“—!!!”

Some couldn’t help but be surprised.

Amid the prevalent atmosphere of admiration and interest,

Isabel adjusted her glasses with a swift motion, then immediately made her decision.

“You’ve achieved the impossible condition in that short period. Very well. I’ll withdraw the punishment. As of this moment, all your rights as a student have been restored. However, that doesn’t make the problems you caused disappear—that’s something you’ll have to resolve yourself. I hope you overcome the difficulties well.”

She poured it out smoothly like flowing water.

Showing that she didn’t carry the title of vice president for nothing.

That aside…

It ended much more easily than I thought.

Is this really all there is?

For something I worked hard on for a whole month, it feels somewhat anticlimactic.

From the moment I manifested sword energy,

there was no room for controversy, but still, I feel a bit off!

Well, good things are good things, I guess.

Isabel scribbled a signature on some document and handed it to me.

“It will take quite a bit of struggle to climb back up.”

Then, so that only I could hear,

she quietly whispered that personally, she was cheering for me.

Hmm, I hadn’t even considered this kind of case…

I racked my brain, but I couldn’t quite grasp her true intentions.

“I’ve caused you much concern all this time.”

“Quite a lot indeed.”

“…I’ll be careful from now on.”

“Yes. I’ll believe in you one last time.”

Even after exchanging words, I still don’t quite understand.

It felt somewhat unsettling, but not to a degree worth worrying about.

The student council is, after all, a neutral force.

If I receive help, so be it—there’s nothing that would harm me.

With the girl’s indifferent gaze as the finale, I left that place.

***

Due to the nature of Hero Academy, the existence of the student council was essential, and more than that.

Because outstanding kids from all across the continent were gathered together, major and minor incidents repeated like daily occurrences.

As the student council’s burden grew, Vice President Isabel’s worries also deepened.

‘Jace Crodaine…’

The disappointment was beyond measure.

He had once risen as a sacred figure, but fell in an instant.

With his strength and spirit broken, he was no different from a dead person.

Originally, Jace’s very existence wielded influence.

He kept the 10 Hero candidates in check while maintaining balance.

He probably had no such intention himself, but looking at the results, that’s what happened.

To put it bluntly, only Jace was normal.

The Hero candidates excluding him all had slight flaws.

Until now, they hadn’t crossed the line, but it wouldn’t be strange if something erupted at any time.

To suppress the Hero candidates, naturally there needed to be someone stronger than them.

In that sense, there was no one to replace Jace.

‘Everyone does whatever they want…’

Whether radical, cunning, or greedy, most were types who only cared about themselves.

In Isabel’s view, they were the real problem children.

Unlike the lower-ranking problem children, it was even more serious because there was no way to deal with them.

There was no one to complain to either.

Unless the existing system was torn down and rebuilt, nothing would change.

So she had half given up.

No matter how strong the student council’s power became, suppressing everyone was impossible.

But hope arose.

In a situation where she could neither do this nor that,

Jace had spectacularly revived as if to show off.

Posture, attitude, atmosphere, and so on.

Considering various factors, he really seemed to have come to his senses.

His original appearance… no, he seemed to have become a bit sharper, which made it even better.

‘Before, he was problematic because he was too nice to people…’

In just one month, he had fixed his Dantian and even manifested sword energy.

Like others, she couldn’t help but be surprised, but she deliberately didn’t show it.

That much should be expected.

With his current level, it’s nowhere near enough, but Jace had already stepped on the peak before.

The fact that this wasn’t his first time.

He would recover his state faster than anyone else.

As Jace grew stronger, balance would naturally be maintained.

As that thought reached her, her empty heart was once again filled with anticipation.

Of course, no one knows how things will turn out.

Especially since the Hero candidate side wouldn’t leave him alone.

She wanted to help Jace until he regained his original strength, but ‘Given my position, I can only watch…’ Well, it’s fine.

Even if she doesn’t step forward directly, supporters will emerge.

As I said again, Jace was the only normal one.

Whether strong or weak, he treated everyone equally, so his reputation was solid.

Even if not right now, as time passes, everyone will come to realize that fact.

Until Jace went outside, Isabel kept watching his retreating figure.

It seemed like a new wind was blowing into the academy.

*****

I checked the document Isabel had handed me.

Despite the long content, there was only one thing worth noting.

[B-grade evaluation. Current ranking: 666th place]

Now I truly felt my position.

I was S-grade… I used to play around in the top 10!

I was fine with it, but this body’s heart cried out in anguish.

Where else would you find someone who isn’t C-grade?

Accept like a man that you’ve become weak!

Naturally, I felt no sense of loss.

Memories are just memories—they’re completely separate.

But…

Why 666th place of all things?

As if foretelling that trials lay ahead, the number was too ominous.

“……”

Ah, I’m getting a bad feeling!

I don’t know for sure yet, but each day seems like it’ll be terrible!

The universe’s will to make me tumble around.

With the power of mere B-grade, I couldn’t dare resist it.

“666th place… Well, it can’t be helped. You’ll climb up quickly anyway.”

Seria tried to comfort and console me.

Sorry, but it didn’t have much effect.

The 10 Hero candidates.

They’re the problem, but not all of them will target me.

Among them, there are some crazy ones, but there are also kids with good natures.

Jace originally had smooth interpersonal relationships.

Excluding the problem children who found that sight disgusting,

if I coax them well, maybe one or two will become my allies?

I tried a change of perspective and it wasn’t a completely absurd plan.

Hobbies, favorite foods, worries, and so on.

I had a thorough understanding of the Hero candidates.

No, my memory is hazy, so not to that extent,

but I had a premonition that it would come to mind exactly when needed.

‘I’ll have to think in that direction later…’

Before leaving the student council building, I glanced at Seria.

If things get tough, tell me anything.

This big sister will solve everything for you!

It might have been my imagination,

but she seemed to be subtly showing such signs.

If I were to rely on her, my body would be comfortable,

but my heart would suffer irreparable wounds.

That’s how the creature called man is designed.

Even if he dies, he’ll pretend to be strong in front of his fiancée.

“Please take heart. I’ll always be by your side.”

“—!!”

With those words, my body and mind were gently healed.

It was enough to rival the recovery spells of an S-grade Saint candidate.

Courage welling up powerfully.

It felt like I could overcome any adversity.

I vigorously opened the tightly closed door.

“……”

What’s this? This cloud-like crowd of people?

About a hundred students had gathered nearby.

Anxiety slowly rising like smoke.

While trying to ignore it, I activated my happiness circuit.

‘Could it be they’re here to welcome Jace’s return?’

Well, they did welcome me.

The problem was that they were cheering in the form I was most worried about.

“It’s Jace!”

“He finally appeared.”

“Jace Crodaine. Right here, right now, I challenge you to a promotion battle…”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m first!”

They pushed each other around, growling.

Understanding the situation wasn’t difficult.

A hundred people had been mobilized from day one to crush me.

See? I told you kids are scarier!

There might be orders from above, but I could see they wanted to achieve psychological victory by breaking this weakened body.

I expected it to some degree, but there are too many!

A trial I absolutely cannot overcome alone.

When I unconsciously glanced at Seria, she blinked as if she didn’t understand.

—Those kids are so weak they’re not even worth facing, so why?

I’m not certain, but I got that feeling from the girl’s innocent expression.

I turned my head to stare at one side.

When our eyes met, Chloe shook her head as if troubled.

Ah, how can there be no one to trust!

Of course, I didn’t expect anyone to fight for me.

But still…

How am I supposed to overcome this crazy situation?

Fortunately, there was no law saying I should just die.

“As expected, they were targeting Jace. These insolent things… I’ll crush them all!”

A ranker in the top 20.

Largo, who had visited before, suddenly joined the battle.

“……”

I was hoping for help, but…

A strange guy popped out, making me feel weird!

It’s confusing beyond measure.

Is this the chaos of chaos?

Ugh, I need to become a ranker quickly, if only out of disgust.