The Academy’s Holiday
After the field trip ended, a holiday came upon the Academy. What I needed to do during this time was obvious.
Training and sparring.
My mind told me that taking a day or two off wouldn’t hurt, but when I actually tried to rest, my body itched with the need to move, making it unbearable.
After months of pushing myself to the limit, exhausting workouts had become a part of my daily routine.
Ding.
As I sprinted along at my usual pace, I heard a notification pop up, drawing my gaze.
[Head to the Temple of the Principal God.] [Reach the Temple within the time limit.] [Time remaining: 30:00] [Reward: ???]
I came to a sudden stop, confused by the message.
What’s this? Go to the temple? Why? The quest seemed pointless, lacking any clear reason or meaning, so I tilted my head in thought.
Hmm. Well, they’re offering a reward, so I guess I’ll go. But why now? Is there a problem at the temple?
"Why... why did you stop...?"
Turning around, I saw Frey panting heavily, while Joy was already sprawled out on the ground, exhausted.
"I just remembered something I’d been putting off."
"It’s something small and stupid I’d forgotten about, nothing important."
Going to the temple shouldn’t take long, so I told the two of them to take a break and left the training grounds.
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"Huff. Oh, my dear, even your sweat has a captivating aroma."
No sooner had I stepped outside than the Vain Fox appeared, spouting her usual disgusting nonsense as she stared at me.
Hah. Are you trying to disgust me, so I won’t want to touch you?
Sorry, but if that’s your plan, you’ve failed! Even if you pull that perverted face, you’re still just an adorable baby fox in my eyes.
She once told me that the reason for her current form was because I lacked strength, didn’t she?
So, if I get stronger, will she revert to the form I saw in the forest?
Ugh. No thanks. Can’t she stay as a cute baby fox forever?
"Where are you going?"
"To the temple."
"And what would a useless fox like you want with that?"
"I was merely asking if I may accompany you?"
There was no need for her to finish the sentence; I already knew her intentions. Her face, a mix of innocence and slyness, gave it all away.
She probably wanted to follow me just to sniff my sweat again.
Perverted freak. Your tastes are seriously messed up.
And yet, why do you run away embarrassed whenever I try to pet your fur?
If you were a true pervert, wouldn’t you enjoy even that? Why are you such a pathetic excuse of one?
"May I?"
"Do what you want."
"Not that I care either way."
At my answer, the Vain Fox trotted happily beside me, though she kept a safe distance—just far enough that she could dart away if I tried to grab her.
Sigh. What a pathetic, cowardly fox.
<You know, it’s hard to tell who the real pervert is here.>
'...How is finding a small animal cute considered perverted?'
Isn’t it a perfectly normal human instinct? You’re being unfair, old man. You admit the fox is cute too, after all.
<If that’s what you believe, then sure.>
'What are you trying to say, old man? Just spit it out.'
Depending on your answer, I might have to resurrect that academy garbage tour I scrapped earlier.
As I bantered with the old man, I noticed something different about the atmosphere outside the academy.
What’s going on? Why is everyone whispering like that? And why do the academy guards and teachers look so on edge?
Did something happen while I was training inside? There’s no event like this in the game’s scenario at this point.
Unable to make sense of the situation, I stopped a passing professor.
"Lady Alrn, what brings you here?"
"What’s going on?"
"Speak, you useless professor. Stop stalling."
"Well..."
As soon as the explanation ended, I sprinted toward the temple.
Nakrad attacked Faybi in the middle of the academy streets and fled?! What kind of insanity is this?!
It’s not impossible. Nakrad is the Apostle of Tariki, the Evil God of Darkness. If nothing else, his ability to hide is second to none.
If it’s not in a place like the academy, which inherently rejects infiltration, stopping him would be almost impossible.
Even now, with time left before the Evil Gods fully revive, it would still be hard to block him. However, his other abilities are a different story.
No matter how powerful he is, there’s no way he could paralyze Faybi with just a touch, especially at this point in time.
That means something happened that I don’t know about! Damn it! Why can’t things just unfold like the game?!
As I approached the temple, I could sense the chaotic atmosphere around it.
People were gathered outside, staring at the temple doors with worried expressions, while several members of the temple staff blocked the entrance.
The situation, with an Apostle of the Evil God attacking the saint, had caused the temple to forbid entry to outsiders.
Tch. What a hassle.
"Move."
"Out of my way, useless guards. Don’t make me feel worse by touching me."
My infamous reputation worked even here.
The merchants, who catered to academy students, were well aware of the rumors circulating among the students. Of course, they remembered my face as one of the most feared individuals.
As soon as someone shouted, "Lady Alrn?!" a path cleared, though the temple doors remained shut.
The priests who had previously suffered because of me weren’t running this time, though. Instead, they stood their ground.
"My apologies, Lady Alrn. The temple is currently—"
"Useless priest♡ Are your eyes just for decoration?♡ You can’t even see what’s in front of you, you pathetic idiot♡ You’re so pathetic it’s hilarious♡"
I flashed the priest my cross necklace, causing him to grimace.
Right now, I couldn’t exactly be called an outsider by the Principal God’s church.
Having cured Agra’s curse twice and proven I could hear the god’s voice, how could they possibly call me an outsider?
And by the way, I officially became a believer of the Principal God after receiving Faybi’s blessing. So, really, an outsider? Is that what you’re going with? Seriously?
"But still—"
"Move. You’re in my way♡"
The priest’s face flushed red with anger at my taunt, but he still refused to budge.
Sigh. Just get out of my way already. I’m trying to save your saint.
I’m not even doing anything to harm you guys, so why are you being such a pain?
When I tried to push through, the priests attempted to stop me. But, of course, that wasn’t happening.
No matter how much training they’d received as priests, they were still just that—priests.
Those trying to block me couldn’t withstand my strength and crumpled to the ground like paper.
"Getting beat by a girl, you pathetic losers♡ Stay down and cry♡ It’s sad to watch♡"
"Lady Alrn?!"
As I entered the temple, I called out to the old man.
I’d been here a few times, but I didn’t know the layout. And obviously, I had no idea where Faybi was.
But it didn’t matter. The old man’s navigation was always spot-on.
<Head through the door to your right...>
"Stop right there!"
"Don’t let her through!"
"How is she this strong?!"
After forcing my way through, I burst into a room and found Faybi lying on a bed.
Even paler than usual, her already white face now looked like that of a corpse. If it weren’t for the slow rise and fall of her chest, I might’ve been fooled.
Ding.
Just as I bit my lip in frustration, another notification rang out.
[Quest Update] [Save Faybi!] [Faybi has been rendered unconscious by the Apostle of the Evil God. Save her within the time limit!] [Time remaining: 24:37] [Reward: ???]
Why does it feel like the god is more desperate to save Faybi than when I’m in danger? What a useless, perverted god.
I thought you were just a pedophile, but it turns out you like pretty people regardless of gender? How big is your strike zone, anyway?
"Lady Alrn?! This is—"
"Shut up, you moronic bishop. If you’re going to spout nonsense, just keep quiet♡"
The bishop hesitated for a moment before noticing the cross necklace around my neck and stepping aside.
Huh. As expected of someone who made it to the rank of bishop. At least he knows when to back down.
With the bishop’s silent permission, I entered the room and examined Faybi’s face. Her usual frown was still there, but the rest of her looked even more fragile.
<Her body is fine. But there’s dark magic from the Evil God inside her.>
'Inside Faybi?'
<Yes. That must be what’s affecting her...>
While I was discussing a solution with the old man, the Vain Fox suddenly leaped onto the bed.
Hey, what do you think you’re doing? I’m kind of in a hurry here. Can you not do anything weird right now?
"The Apostle of the Evil God dragged this child into his mental realm."
'...What?'
"What was that, Vain Fox?"
"Simply put, he kidnapped only her mind."
Having gone through her own trials of the mind, the Vain Fox seemed particularly skilled in this area as she explained.
The Apostle had planted his power inside Faybi long ago, slowly taking hold of her. Once his control was complete, he came to meet her in person and trapped her mind.
"The Apostle is quite skillful."
"Vain Fox?♡ Stop rambling and get to the point♡"
"What’s the rush? The solution is simple. If someone’s been kidnapped, then we just need to rescue them. I’ll send you into her mind so you can defeat the kidnapper and bring her back."
'Me?'
"Me?"
"Who else would go? My physical body is as weak as it looks. No one else can go but you, her contractor."
So I can’t just send Karl or someone else to handle it? Damn it.
Can I even beat Nakrad in my current state?
I’m stronger than I was back then, sure, but I wouldn’t say I’ve grown enough to guarantee victory.
If I enter Faybi’s mental world, I’ll probably end up facing the same situation as last time.
Just thinking about it brought back the memories.
Blood pouring from holes in my body, soaking the ground beneath me. Bones breaking, then being patched together again, only to break once more. Just when I thought I’d grown used to the pain, a fresh wave of suffering always came to remind me of my arrogance.
The only reason I survived back then was pure luck. It was only by chance that I’m still here, standing.
In other words, if my luck hadn’t held out, I would’ve been buried in the dirt by now.
And right now...
To save Faybi, I’ll have to rely on luck again.
Luck so uncertain, it’s questionable whether it even exists.
Oh well. That’s easy! I’m lucky, so I’ll survive this too!
I squashed the fear in my chest and looked up at the Vain Fox’s face.
She was smiling that ridiculous smile again.
What? Why are you looking at me like that?
"Master, there’s no need to worry. As long as you carry the light within you, you will never lose to him."