Proofreader: Me!

Krulia’s POV

His prediction was correct, Uriel would need our help. Throughout this entire quest, he has shown nothing but competence. From saving civilians, and now accurately assessing the battlefield. Both Ark and I assumed Uriel could protect the others without issue, but he saw through that lax mindset.

He really… was a delectable child.

‘No!’

I slapped my cheeks. I’m not the tribe leader right now, I couldn’t let my instincts remove my rationality.

…

For the sake of my country, and my race, I needed Luke if I was correct.

When I re-educated Carlos, I intended to see if he truly had been blessed by the world tree. Via the high-ranking appraisal stone, I wished him to gaze into the suspicious nature of what he held.

I talked to Uriel in passing, hearing about how he would lay next to a potted plant in homeroom. The past saint had been said to have left behind two halves of the World Tree seed in case of emergency.

I highly suspected that this plant was the other half of the New World tree, Yggdrasil's offspring. The half I possessed, was what I had been tasked to raise since birth, with my status as a Saintess candidate coming second in priority.

This was getting burdensome, maybe I should just ask him outright?

“Are you okay Senior?” The blue-haired junior, Lisana, appeared before me.

“Of course! I’ve already called the others, we just have to wait now.”

“Luke is kind,” She said, as if reading my mind.

“Excuse me?”

“…”

She ignored me, and went back to the Order of Unity’s forces, conversing with Uriel.

I guess I’ll have to take her advice then.

-x-

Luke’s POV

A scream resounded from the village, to which I was curious about, but these stupid idiots, wouldn’t give me a rest!

“Get off me!”

I unleashed my 4x Magic Missiles at the cultists before me.

[Critical Hit!]

[Critical Hit!]

[Critical Hit!]

[Critical Hit!]

Satisfying dings of the boards filled my ears.

“Now!” Ark yelled.

It was his signal.

“Got it!” Enhancing my agility, I fell back, rolling past trees down the hill we fought on. On cue, the bodies of wood burst into crimson dust. Cries of burning people echoed, showing our success.

‘That’s why I'm the fifth-ranked in the second year!’ Or so he said.

The next step was to regroup, and repeat this until they gave up. Although, I could feel my reserves of mana starting to run out. And, it wasn’t like I had much to begin with.

Ark fell back, noticing my panting, “You seem tuckered out, need a break?”

“Hah! As if.” Even if my mana was depleted, I could enhance my recovery and hold them off as needed.

“Luke,” He grabbed my shoulder. “They’re safe now.”

“Oh.” The weights on my conscious were finally released. “Tha- that’s a relief.”

“Woah, don’t pass out on me yet,” He supported my stumbling body. “Let’s go meet up with the others first.”

He rushed me over to the village, passing me a small vial. “It’s a bit weak, but it should lessen your pain.”

“It’s fine.”

“No one recovers that quickly, just drink it.”

‘No seriously, I enhanced my mana recovery speed.’

How I wish I could say that, but no one would believe it. And I doubt it’d appear on my status board for others.

“I’ll shove it down your throat if you don’t,” He scolded me.

Reluctantly, I took off its cap, downing it in one go.

“Good, let’s continue now,” Ark smiled, letting my side go. “We have to hurry up, or it’ll be midnight before we know it.”

‘Weren’t you just worrying about my body just a second ago?’ I wanted to retort, but he already took off.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

-x-

“Luke, you’re here!” Uriel and her… assets bounced as she muttered quietly “You really are…”

I looked at her face, which blushed red.

‘If it wasn’t for the settings I know they don’t… don’t like...’

I paused. The way Julia would react, the way Serina had been so watchful, and how Uriel looked at me…

‘Is it time? Three of them, I’ve been purposely…’

Nudge!

Ark shoved me aside, “How’s everyone?”

“Because of you two, no one died.” She teared up, “T-thank you!”

“Woo~” Ark whistled from the sidelines, prompting me to want his face to cave inwards.

‘If I could, I probably would Ark. But, romance can destroy the world. Sorry to ruin your delusions.’

“The civilians are also safe, and have been transported to the empire through the Academy,” Lisana added.

“That’s great to hear, but…” A sobbing child was holding me. It was incredibly heartwarming, however I also had a request for this saintly mess.

I pat Uriel’s back, “Can we talk later?”

“Sniffle, S- sure… AH! I’m sorry!”

Finally, she let go, rushing back to her camp.

“Well, don’t we have a player?” Ark wrapped his arm around my shoulder, “And with the future Saintess no less!”

“Ark, our junior would lose his head if he tried!” Krulia retorted with a shout.

He put his hands on his hips, “Only if he remains as a commoner, I have a feeling he’ll be great later down the road.”

I cut off their insulting praise, “Thanks for the compliments, but I’d rather talk about the rewards now.”

Ark tilted his head, “Didn’t we already tell you?”

“Junior, you can have all of it,” Krulia mischievously chuckled, “Both of us are quite loaded.”

I bowed without delay.

“Uhm, Junior?” A flustered response came from her. “Why the sudden thanks?”

“I see the light of which both you and Ark has provided me, how could I not revere those who have given me enlightenment?”

“Cut that out, you’re making Krulia uncomfortable.”

“Ouch!” Ark hit my head repeatedly.

I glanced toward Lisana, whose eyes showed a glint of confusion.

“I was joking! But I am serious about being grateful, so stop hitting me!” I pleaded for peace.

“Don’t disrespect the Saintess candidate again!” He said holding back a laugh.

This guy literally only hit me because it was funny for him.

“You shouldn’t hit the junior like that, probably?” Krulia seemed to be in the same state as Lisana.

“Yeah, I’m done,” I walked away. “I’ll go talk to Uriel.”

“Ooo~ Luke and Uriel sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

“That’s enough Ark!”

“Ow!” He cowered under the smacks of Krulia. “Stop, stop!”

‘Heh. Got what you deserved.’

My unplanned revenge was satisfied, after all, I am a very forgiving person.

“Huh?”

I heard footsteps from behind, “What are you going to ask Uriel?”

Lisana had caught up to me, who was currently walking over. “If she wants to join my party. That was honestly the reason why I wanted to join this quest.”

“Is that true?” Quickly looking over her face, there was a slight dip in her overall expression. Maybe, I shouldn’t phrase it that way.

“Although, I think I’ll add you to the lineup if you want,” I added on.

“…”

“You can think it through, and I also don’t mind if you come or go whenever you want.”

Lisana responded to me with bright eyes, “I’ll join.”

I made a soft clap, “You’re the first guaranteed member then, congrats.”

There was a slight upward curve of her lips, being the most emotion I’ve ever seen from her. She was easy to communicate with, completely opposite to the way the game presented her interaction options. Imagine, having to purposely avoid specific topics and fulfilling time-consuming personality checks, it was something many had struggled with.

‘I guess I’m lucky?’

It’s not like I planned to get close to her. While she’s very strong, there are a lot of restrictions about her joining the party due to family circumstances.

Lisana tapped my arm, “Uriel is uncomfortable.”

She pointed toward the commotion happening over at the camp. There was another group of people that never participated in this quest. From my what I could tell, they were wearing some kind of royal armour.

“S- stop it, we- we’re in the middle of recuperating and wi- will return to the academy soon!” Uriel exclaimed with an uncharacteristic fear in her voice.

My hands clenched. Suspicions grew within my mind, why would any student try to barge in on an already taken quest?

“I already stated my reasons, so tell me, how was the devil extinguished?” A familiar hate-able voice rang out.

It seems my question was answered. For whatever reason, Luna was here and causing a ruckus too.

“Excuse me,” Henry butted in between the scared Uriel and the frustrated Luna. “I believe you have it mistaken, the devil was never summoned. We managed to cancel its descent through our Saint’s help.”

“Hmph.” Finally, her slew of words halted. “That’s all you had to say.”

“Sorry for the impudence princess, but may I ask why you are here?” Henry found it within himself to ask.

“I have been alerted that my kingdom was under demonic influence,” Luna scoffed.

“Yes, I understand, but everything has already been solved. Us seniors have class tomorrow, and need to arrive as soon as possible.”

“Unfortunately, the correct procedures must be taken to ensure this will not happen again.” Luna crossed her arms, displaying her ample rack hidden behind the academy uniform.

“I… I understand.” Henry didn’t show it openly, but his eyes screamed in low despair.

I exchanged glances with Lisana, murmuring, “This isn’t allowed.”

“Is it?” Lisana raised her sword.

I whispered with a bit of fear, “Yes, under the Academy’s influence, no power is to be administered to any pier regardless of their affiliation. It’s stated in the rulebooks, on the front page since nobles would cause conflict with commoners without it.”

“Mmm.”

Hearing such information, Lisana stepped forward without an inch of hesitation.

“Eh, Lisana?” Uriel gasped.

“Hmm?” Luna glanced over in contempt.

Lisana stood firm with her cool expression, “Luna, you are breaking the academy rules.”

“Hah? We’re not in the academy but in my territory. Why would it apply here?”

Lisana looked back at me, unsure of what to say.

“Hah…”I put my hand to my face. “Princess, we’re under the guidelines of questing, so unfortunately everything you’ve said is invalid.”

“Ex- excuse me?!” Luna shouted. “How dare a commoner speak back to the future empress!”

Her attitude shot up to a hundred, yikes.

“Anyways, seniors we can pack it up, you can check with Abel if you wish,” I yawned arriving by Uriel’s side.

“I really don’t know how you expect me to repay you, Luke,” She bowed her head.

“It’s fine, we’re friends after all right?”

“This- this, how dare you ignore me… YOU COMMONER!” Luna’s face was illuminated with bright red colours. “Grab him at once!”

Uh…

I didn’t expect her to be this reckless.