When Ren suddenly vanished from the room, an uneasy silence lingered, thick with tension and unanswered questions. The group was still in shock, their eyes glued to the spot where he had stood just moments before.

Liana was the first to break the silence, her voice barely a whisper. “He… vanished. Just like that.”

Rolan shook his head, disbelief etched on his face. “I thought when the principal said he was like a ghost, it was an exaggeration. Now I can see why.”

Lucius, gripping the edge of his seat, looked confused. “It’s not magic—I didn’t feel any mana. But if it’s technology, I’ve never seen anything that advanced.”

Shiro, still staring at the empty space where Ren had been, seemed lost in thought. “I don’t think it’s either. Whatever it is, it’s clear we don’t understand it.”

“What do you think, Principal? Is he a threat?” Celes asked, turning to Valis curiously.

Valis, still staring at the spot where Ren had disappeared, shook her head slightly. “He didn’t strike me as a threat, but whether he has a motive or not, he definitely has one.”

“What I’m curious about,” Barran interjected bluntly, “is why he seems so interested in Class F.” His eyes shifted to Shiro and his classmates.

The group exchanged confused glances before all their eyes landed on Shiro.

“W-What? Are you saying he’s interested in me!?” Shiro stammered in shock.

“Why are you so surprised? It was obvious from the way he gave you that clue about controlling that weird transformation of yours,” Lucius said, blunt as ever.

Rolan smirked mischievously. “Or what? You think he’s interested in you because he likes you?”

Before Shiro could respond, Liana slammed her hands on the table. “That’s impossible!” she shouted, her voice echoing in the room.

Everyone was taken aback by her sudden outburst, especially Rolan.

Realizing the attention she’d drawn, Liana’s face flushed with embarrassment. She quickly hid her face behind her hands.

“I-I was just joking, right, Lucius?” Rolan said nervously, trying to shift the awkwardness.

“Don’t drag me into your dumb joke!” Lucius snapped back.

Celes sighed in exasperation, shaking her head at the two.

Valis, watching the interaction, stifled a laugh but quickly regained her composure. “Alright, enough. We need to discuss this mysterious man’s proposition for you all in the capital.”

The group exchanged serious looks once more.

Barran narrowed his eyes. “He claimed to have a path for you to grow stronger, yet he didn’t say what he wanted in return. I don’t trust this… not entirely.”

“I feel the same,” Celes added, “but like the principal said, I don’t think he’s a threat. If it were a trap, there are far easier ways to set one up, especially for someone with that kind of power and knowledge.”

“Just because he isn’t a threat doesn’t mean we should trust him,” Lucius countered. “He said it himself—he’s not our friend.”

“But if there’s a way for us to get stronger, shouldn’t we at least consider it?” Rolan asked.

“It’s true we’re lacking,” Liana admitted, her frustration barely concealed. “I could feel it during the fight in the dungeon.”

The discussion went back and forth as no one was willing to back down from their opinion.

“Enough,” Valis said sharply, her voice cutting through the debate.

The group immediately fell silent.

“You have a few days before the trip to the capital,” Valis continued, her tone serious. “Use that time to think about it carefully. Shiro, as the leader, it’s your responsibility to discuss this with your classmates. Whatever you decide, I won’t interfere.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Shiro responded firmly.

“Good. This meeting is over,” Valis declared. “And remember, everything about this mysterious man stays in this room. I expect your silence on the matter. Is that clear?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the group replied in unison.

“Good. You’re dismissed,” Valis said, waving them off.

As they began to file out, Valis suddenly called out, “Oh, one more thing.”

They stopped in their tracks, turning back with worried expressions.

“Your punishment will be in two days, in the morning. I trust none of you will be late?” Valis said with a playful but menacing smile.

“Y-Yes, ma’am,” they stammered.

“And remember,” she added, her grin widening, “if even one of you is missing, the punishment will be doubled. A class needs to stick together, don’t you agree?”

“Yes, ma’am!” they shouted before bolting out of the room.

Valis chuckled as she watched them flee.

“Isn’t that a bit harsh?” Barran asked, sounding surprisingly sympathetic.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“I thought you’d agree with me,” Valis teased.

“Normally, I would. But we did just survive an invasion,” Barran replied.

“They need to learn from their mistakes,” Valis said firmly. “They’re young, and surviving that ordeal has made them think they’re mature.”

“So, what’s your take on them?” Barran asked, curious.

“They’ve learned something new about the world,” Valis mused, “but they’re far from mature. They still lack experience, practice, and the judgment to make sensible decisions.”

"Then why did you let them decide on the mysterious man's offer?" Barran asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because I trust them," Valis replied confidently. "At the end of the day, they are our proud students, and I trust them to make their own decisions—whether right or wrong. We can't babysit them forever, can we?"

Barran was taken aback by her words but eventually relented, a smile tugging at his lips. "You really are perfect for the role of principal."

“Haha, of course I am,” Valis laughed proudly.

For the first time in a long while, the quiet meeting room rang with the sound of laughter from two very unlikely individuals.

----------------------------------------

The Next Few Days

The peaceful atmosphere of the academy stood in stark contrast to the chaos that had erupted just days ago. Students were encouraged to focus on recovery, with classes suspended for the week. Though most had escaped physical harm, the battle had taken a heavy toll on their mental well-being.

Even seasoned third-year students had never faced an enemy like that, let alone the first years who were still adjusting to the rigors of the academy. To help with their recovery, mental health professionals were brought in, offering guidance and medicine to those in need.

Reinforcements from the capital had also arrived, bringing with them an impressive array of mechs, tanks, and soldiers. They were stationed in the town as a precautionary measure, prepared for the possibility of a second attack. Valis, the principal and a former general, took charge of coordinating the troops.

In addition to the soldiers, families of students and citizens of Ecrin had flocked to the academy from across the empire, nearly overwhelming the grounds. Thankfully, the troops managed to organize a functional system to reunite families without incident.

Barran, the vice principal, made sure supplies were distributed efficiently. Even Eslis, who had just recovered from exhaustion, insisted on helping. Alongside mages from the capital, she worked tirelessly to restore the academy's protective barriers, though Barran repeatedly forced her to rest.

Meanwhile, Shiro and his classmates took it upon themselves to help their fellow students regain a sense of normalcy. Collaborating with other classes, they organized activities aimed at lifting spirits and easing the transition back to everyday life. Sports events, game nights, friendly duels, and more were held. Though progress was slow and difficult, they were determined to see it through.

A ceremony to honor the dead had also been held in the academy's training grounds. A massive stone wall was erected in the center, where the names of the seventy-six people who had perished were etched. Flowers, candles, poems, and farewell letters adorned the wall, transforming it into a beautiful shrine for all to see.

Ren watched all of this from a distance, a quiet sense of relief washing over him. This was what he had hoped to see when he realized he had been transported into the game he loved. While the game was filled with thrilling combat, monstrous foes, and formidable villains, it also celebrated the bonds between characters who supported one another through thick and thin.

He recalled his time playing as Shiro—or someone close to him—wandering the academy halls, completing tasks, and deepening relationships with other characters. The game had been rich in detail, but now, that world was real, right before his eyes.

He had feared that everything would be destroyed when the horde attacked, but seeing the academy slowly return to normal filled him with quiet pride. He had managed to save them, and even though circumstances forced him to conceal his identity, he was content. Ren had never set out to be a hero; he just wanted to protect the world he cherished.

As Ren strolled through the academy, taking in the familiar scenery and the people who had once been mere pixels on a screen, he still found it hard to believe it was all real. The sights, the sounds, the smells—everything was vivid and tangible in a way he could never have imagined.

While wandering the halls, Ren suddenly heard a commotion coming from the library. His curiosity piqued, so he decided to check it out. Inside, he found a group of students, but three of them stood out—Shiro, Liana, and another familiar girl, Teria Rinworth, a third-year student from Class A. In the game, Teria had feelings for Shiro and was a side heroine, energetic and outgoing, a stark contrast to Liana’s gentle, soft-hearted nature. Even from afar, Ren could sense the rivalry between the two girls.

“Oh, Liana, I didn’t see you there. You’re so tiny, you’re easy to miss,” Teria teased, puffing out her chest proudly.

It was clear from Liana’s expression that she was furious. “Maybe you should get your eyes checked. I hear poor eyesight is common in the elderly,” she shot back menacingly.

If you looked closely, you could almost see sparks flying between them as Shiro stood awkwardly in the middle, caught in the crossfire.

“Uh, girls? Maybe we should focus on the meeting… and keep it down a bit? We’re in the library, after all,” Shiro said cautiously, trying not to make the situation worse.

Both girls pouted but reluctantly backed down for now.

Ren leaned against the doorway, content to watch from afar.

“I can’t decide if I should be jealous or pity him for being stuck in the middle of that,” Ren chuckled quietly to himself.

After observing for a while, Ren decided to continue his walk.

The academy grounds were serene as Ren continued his stroll, the weight of recent events slowly lifting from his shoulders. The air was crisp, the sky a clear blue, and the remnants of the battle seemed distant, replaced by the calm routine of life resuming.

As he wandered through the gardens, Ren’s thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a familiar figure in the distance. Kneeling alone by the flower beds was Celes Ortensia, a member of Class F—his favorite character in the game.

Ren paused, observing Celes from a distance. Though she was a member of Class F, she always seemed somewhat detached from the others. She engaged with her classmates when necessary but often kept her distance.

Perhaps it was due to her double life as an agent for the agency, or maybe she simply wasn’t used to interacting with others her age. Whatever the reason, she stood apart—a lone figure among her peers.

In the game, Celes had been one of Ren’s favorite characters. Something about her tomboyish appearance—bright purple hair and piercing green eyes—had always captivated him. She looked fierce and unapproachable, yet Ren knew that beneath her tough exterior, she was kind and fiercely loyal to those she cared for.

It was that contrast, that depth, which had drawn him to her. And now, seeing her in person, he felt that same fascination stir inside him.

His curiosity got the better of him. Moving closer, Ren approached her from behind. As he approached, he saw what she was doing—tending to the plants and flowers in the garden. Her hands moved gently as she watered them, each motion deliberate and caring.

There was a tenderness in her actions that took Ren by surprise, a side of Celes that hadn’t been as apparent in the game. She tended the plants as if they were her own children, her expression soft and focused.

A pang of guilt hit Ren for spying on her like this, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away. There was a quiet beauty in her solitude, a serenity that clashed with the image of the fierce warrior he had always known. Watching her now, Ren felt an unexpected connection to this world—one he had only known through the confines of a screen. Yet here it was, alive, breathing, and real.

As he stood there, a thought crossed his mind. Should he reveal himself to her?

Celes might be in Class F, but at this point in the story, she wasn’t fully integrated into the group. There was a chance she wouldn’t even tell anyone about seeing him, except perhaps Barran, her handler for the agency. Ren trusted her discretion, but it still wasn’t an easy decision. If he did show himself, what would he say? How would she react?

He found himself torn, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. His heart raced, and for the first time in a while, he felt uncertain. Once he made his move, there would be no turning back.