Proofreader: Me!

“Julia, before you join in, I need you to listen to my words with full trust.”

“F- full trust?” She looked away and made ‘hmph’ sound. “Hurry up and tell me then!”

“Fen’s brother has an ace up his sleeve, and no one will be ready for it. Except me and you, he will blind everyone, but I know your mana sense can be used more efficiently than Serina’s.”

“Is that true?” Julia blushed, seemingly not believing me.

Well, even though she could view further distances, Julia had a faster activation time. I could tell from the short time we spent together, as well as the proficiency stat I saw for mana sense for both of them.

“It most definitely is, which is why after that happens, I need you to simply dig out a hole under his feet before he attacks Rodney.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just tell all of them?”

“The thing is, even if I did tell them only Serina and Uriel could reverse its effects. But they both don’t have enough divine energy nor mana to do so at this point,” I looked her deeply in the eyes. “Which means…”

“Only I can do it?”

“Exactly.”

Julia smiled, despite the dangers we were currently in. She turned toward the battlefield, stealing glances at me in the process. I didn’t know what to say, so I ignored it.

Seeing her immediately take action I let out a breath of relief.

As expected, everyone could handle it as long as I warned them of some of Rayas’ abilities. His tornado for example wasn’t permanent anymore.

I watched on in impressed, they were perfectly executing team-coordinated attacks despite only partying up for the first time.

‘Or have they actually…?’

I couldn’t think further, as Fen stood in silence.

“Move!” I exclaimed, “He doesn’t care if you’re his brother, snap out of it!”

He remained motionless, forcing Rodney to take up the attack without his shield raised. However, our three ranged dealers put him into critical health.

It was here, that my short plan was put into action. I feigned surprise, making Requiem lean into carelessness thinking he had won.

There, he fell into a small pit.

Julia perfectly executed my order, and Fen acted as bait, it all worked just as I hoped. Next, I needed to ensure Requiem had time to escape or we would all get destroyed by ‘them.’

However, this situation was currently under fire due to my words. Fen even grabbed my shoulder with a fierce gait.

My mind was racing with possibilities, currently, there was no other way to get Rayas out of there except activating his teleport stone or if we were to kidnap him. Unfortunately, that ‘guy’ would definitely kill us in the process. If we take him now, who knows whether or not the academy may remain standing.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

In spite of that, without his sword, his rehabilitation may be possible… but it’s too soon to say.

“We have to take him out for custody!” Fen was yelling at me in anger. “I know he’s done… many things which deserve… death. But!”

Currently, I was playing villain, but it may have been too much.

“Hah… I can’t do this anymore.” I shook my head. “In all honesty, if we take him now or kill him now we’ll die.”

“What?”

“How do you think he got here? Or who even gave him that weapon? He has a backer who can easily eliminate us, and maybe even the academy itself.”

“Then why were you-?”

“I wanted him to teleport himself out, but it seems he fainted on his lonesome.”

Fen immediately objected, “I’ll bring him out myself.”

“Didn’t you hear what I said? We’ll die.”

“I’ve been listening to you all this time, you knowing about my brother or even his powers. It’s all… suspicious, how do you expect me to believe you so easily?”

He raised his sword.

“First and foremost, he is still my brother. If it means I can save him, I’ll do everything I can.”

This was not how I expected things to play out.

“This is a misunderstanding Fen, I want you two to live. But there’s a time and place for everything, I don’t want to risk us all dying because you aren’t strong enough to back your actions.”

“Again, how am I to trust you!” He swung his sword at me.

These kids and puberty, can they use their minds for even a second? We’ve been friends for a week already! A full week!

“Hahahahah!” A deep voice rebounded off the walls into our hearts. “What a warm welcome.”

Our situation’s chances of surviving dropped to practically zero. I read about it in the guides for Fen, his arch-nemesis.

“Ah, my dear disciple, did I not tell you to avoid today’s event?”

“!!!” In a flash, they stood behind Fen, picking up Rayas.

“It is a bit early, but I’ll still extend some greetings to the bugs of the academy!” He bowed in front of all of us, “I am the leader of Demon Uprising, Vier. Nice to meet you!”

“Now, may we meet at a later date.”

“Hey, give him back!” Fen recklessly charged forward.

“Unfortunately, I can’t risk Abel ending me so soon. Goodbye!” His lukewarm smile and vanishing play left us all silent.

Our battle was hard fought, but for these protagonists, it would seem like it was for nothing. As if proving that, Fen fell to his knees, slamming the floor with battered hands.

I felt bad, but it was all necessary.

“If you want to save your brother, you must first be stronger,” I crouched to his side and met his eyes.

Before I stood up, I felt a brush of air against my skin.

“Geh…”Hands were now grasping my throat.

“You, what was that? Why is Requiem gone?” Rodney’s eyes were fierce.

Serina had a frown on her face as if she couldn’t help it. Despite standing firm, her legs remained trembling.

“I- I don’t know.” My throat was squeezed tighter.

“Ron! Let him go!” Uriel’s voice cried out from the distance.

A rock pummelled Rodney’s face in. Julia was panting from the side, a result of exhaustion of mana.

“You!” He yelled fury etched in his voice.

“Let it go,” Fen grabbed Rodney’s arm.

His grip tightened, “Why should I?”

“It’s fine,” Fen glared into his eyes, “Luke must’ve had his reasons.”

“We will talk about this later,” Rodney left no room for arguing before leaving.

My throat was finally let go, and I could breathe.

“Wait, why are you doing this Ron!?” Uriel quickly followed behind him, lecturing Rodney with an anger I had seen only once.

Fen, however, was left alone.

I watched from behind his back, unsure of what to say. If there was anything Fen had wanted from me… it wouldn’t be consolation.

Instead, it was something he persistently asked of me.

“Let’s train together from now on.”

I gave his shoulder one last pat before joining Julia and Serina. Though, I noticed the twitching of pointy ears.

‘Ash really is a good guy through and through.’

I snuck a glance as he began to silently comfort Fen as the three of us left.