"So you are saying nobles are harassing the commoners, correct?" I questioned, seeking confirmation from Aliya. While I was away, it seemed many things were happening inside the academy.
<Yes. Just as you said,> Aliya replied through the communication spell.
"I see. I will look at it when I come back tomorrow. For now, you can do whatever you want without being involved in the conflict too much. Sooner or later, you will be dragged into it, but at least try to keep yourself for now." Knowing that Aliya was a commoner as well, there was a high chance that commoners would seek her help; maybe even the nobles might pressure her.
<I know, I know.> Of course, Aliya was a girl who did a lot better than me when it came to managing people and businesses, so there was nothing to worry about.
"Is that so? Then-"
<You didn't forget your promise, right?> Aliya interrupted, a teasing tone in her voice. But, of course, knowing her tone, I knew she had a slight longing.
"Of course not. You know I never forget."
<Then, I will be waiting, mister~>
"You should be."
<Goodnight then.>
"Goodnight."
"As expected. It is happening a lot sooner than it was supposed to."
I mumbled to myself after ending the call with Aliya. It seems things are going the way I slightly predicted.
In the game, there were several events that were both concerning demons and humans as enemies.
In the first semester of the academy, there would be mostly demons and sparring while deepening player's relationships with other heroines.
But at the same time, the player would also deepen the relationship with the villains. This was not a face-slapping game where you would simply destroy people, and this would be it.
No, villains had motives and reasons for why they were doing those things, and because of that, things would escalate a lot further than how they looked.
Just like in the case of Declan Blackwood and the Blackwood Family.
They were a major villain in the second year of the academy, where the player had already set its roots inside enough.
Since they were elitists, they discriminated against commoners, and this would get severe and severe until the player was also dragged into a confrontation by a heroine.
"But, it is a lot sooner than it was supposed to be. It must be because I revealed that Declan had ties with demons."
I knew I was informed that the events would be squeezed, but I thought, at the very least, the order would protected. But this world was not a game, so it was impossible to see the future by simply referring to the knowledge from the game anyway.
"But, I don't understand what their goal is. Why are they now moving? I had already drawn the eyes of everyone onto the academy, so they should invest a lot more than they would normally do. Now should not be a time to do such a thing."
I mused to myself. Without sufficient information, it was not enough to understand what was happening either.
"But, the lead I left for them should be enough to make them busy for now. Let's see if he is here or not."
******
"Xander is dead, am I correct?"
A commanding voice echoed through a lavishly adorned room, its opulent furnishings contrasting with the tense atmosphere that filled the air. At the center of the room sat a man, his cold, obsidian eyes fixed on the robed figure standing before him.
"Indeed, Master. That man has been eliminated. I witnessed the entire event," the robed figure replied, his voice steady despite the weight of the conversation.
"Explain the circumstances of his demise," the man demanded, his gaze unyielding.
SHIVER
A shiver ran down the robed figure's spine as he recounted, "A masked individual materialized suddenly, seemingly from thin air."
"A masked figure?" the man repeated a hint of incredulity in his tone. "And the guards allowed this to happen?"
"I don't know. When I questioned them, they said the person they saw was a young man with brown hair and brown eyes. They saw that he was a 3-star rank, so they left him as prey for Xander's thirst. But I can't confirm his face since I couldn't use my spell to connect with their minds." the robed figure explained.
"Then, you are suggesting that the boy was the one that killed Xander using the mask, correct? And he was 3-star on top of that."
"Master, there is no way that boy was the one that killed Xander. The one that killed him didn't look like a boy at all; his height was quite tall. And he was a skilled swordsman."
"I see….."
BAM
"Are you joking with me right now, One? Do you expect me to believe that the guy I myself raised for this job was killed by a random person?"
"I know it sounds unbelievable, but please watch this."
PUFF
As the robed man spoke, a smoke of black cloud appeared before his hands. Inside the smoke, a bunch of figures materialized; one had a claw, and the other one had a sword in his hand.
As the recorded events unfolded, it became evident that the clawed combatant initially held the upper hand, using a spell to manipulate blood. Yet, when a blood cage was summoned, the connection was severed, leading to an abrupt shift in the tide. The battle ended with the destruction of the cage, revealing Xander's lifeless form.
"As you are aware, Xander's unique art allowed him to sever connections between his blood realm and the external world," the robed figure explained. "This made it impossible to discern the events transpiring within the cage. Upon its demise, I was able to ascertain that Xander had already perished."
The footage mirrored the robed figure's words, displaying the fateful encounter.
"Why did you not extract his memories from his soul?" the man inquired, his voice edged with a note of impatience. "Is that not within your realm of expertise?"
"Yes, but when I attempted to reach his soul, it was in a state of disarray. His memories were inaccessible, and contact proved futile," the robed figure answered.
"So, you propose that this masked figure not only ended Xander's life but also irreparably damaged his soul?" the man surmised.
"Yes," the robed figure affirmed.
SWOOSH SPURT
In an instant, a sudden gust of wind sliced through the air, accompanied by a sickening spurt as blood sprayed forth.
THUD
A heavy thud resonated as the robed figure's arm fell to the ground, severed and lifeless.
The room remained hushed, the severed arm on the ground serving as a macabre reminder of the consequences of failure. From the shadows, a figure emerged, stepping into the dim light cast by the room's opulent chandeliers. His presence exuded an otherworldly aura, his piercing black eyes fixed on the robed figure.
"You allowed this to happen, One," the man spoke, his voice a blend of authority and disappointment. "You had one task—ensure Xander's success."
One bowed deeply, his voice subdued as he replied, "I apologize, Master. I underestimated the capabilities of the assailant. The situation escalated beyond my expectations."
The Master's gaze remained unyielding as he contemplated the unfolding events. "The masked figure, the destruction of Xander's soul—these are elements that were not part of our plan."
"One" nodded, his face hidden beneath the hood of his robe. "I understand the gravity of the situation. What would you have me do, Master?"
The Master's lips curled into a sinister smile. "We must identify the one responsible for this interference. Their audacity cannot go unpunished."
"One's" robed figure shifted slightly, an air of determination emanating from him. "Master, consider it done. I will uncover the truth behind Xander's death."
The Master's eyes bore into "One," his voice commanding. "Ensure that no trace of our involvement remains. Retrieve the perpetrator and any relevant information they possess."
"One" bowed again, his voice resolute. "I will not fail you, Master."
As "One" turned to depart, the Master's voice resonated through the room, his tone cold and unforgiving. "Remember, the threads of fate are in our hands. We are the orchestrators of this world, and those who challenge our designs will meet a fate far worse than death."
With those words echoing in the air, "One" exited the room, embarking on a mission to uncover the truth and maintain the delicate balance that had been disrupted by an unexpected force.
Looking at the arm that was lying on the ground, the man only waved his hand.
SWOOSH
And the arm disappeared.
SWOOSH
Following that, suddenly, a person appeared before the man.
"What did you wish to master?"
It was a woman in a maid's costume. Her eyes were also pitch black.
"Bring me some fresh blood."
"Understood."
The man put a grin on his face as he watched the night, revealing his sharp teeth resembling a monster.
"I wonder what academy students taste like?"
SWOOSH
"They are here, master."
And then, as the man turned his attention to the newcomers, his grin widened, saliva dripping from his mouth.
"You may leave."
SWOOSH
And as the maid left the room, the man looked into the eyes of his meals.
They were a bunch of little boys who had yet to mature at all…..
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