With only a week left until midterms, the classrooms in the academy fell silent.
The professors, well aware of the overwhelming scope of Soul Academy's exams, showed consideration by giving their students some breathing room. Of course, some professors continued their work, indifferent to the students' cries, but most were more considerate, aware that the students entering the academy would one day wield significant power.
Originally, during this time, I would have been locked in Joy’s room studying, half-willingly, half-forced. Joy, who always dedicated all her time to me even when there were classes, wouldn't have left me alone during a period without lessons.
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Not long ago, I had even felt like my intelligence was rising. I had been ready to throw myself into the hell of studying.
But now, the situation had changed. It had become clear that Luca, that troublemaker, was planning to gamble his future and life for some chaos, and there was no way I could just focus on studying.
<I think it might be possible to deal with the situation itself.> ‘Right. After all, we have Faeby at our side.’
Faeby’s influence was considerable. Especially in matters related to the Evil God, she probably had more authority than the kings of a country.
If she were to say that something strange was happening within the academy, the factions of either the First Queen or Second Queen would have no choice but to listen. If that happened, Luca’s plans would be significantly derailed.
<The problem is that the other side’s plan is probably already well under way.>
‘Yeah, I realized that too late.’
But I didn’t think everything was lost. Faeby and I had caused enough commotion that Luca couldn’t ignore it.
If it had been before the plan progressed, maybe Luca could have carried it out without anyone noticing, but now, with things already in motion, Luca would start struggling as soon as things started to look ambiguous.
<The best option is to crush him before he can start struggling. Ha. Faction struggles are really annoying.>
The reality was that even the academy’s dean couldn't do anything on his own at this point.
Using Faeby’s or my connections to throw a wrench in the plan was possible, but making such radical moves that could completely destroy the plan was impossible.
Damn it. I wanted to call in Benedict, the ultimate weapon. If Benedict came with the Knights and attacked, we could easily crush Luca's allies and whatever mess he’s created!
But Benedict—he had said he was going to talk with some distant branch of the Arlen family, and now I couldn't reach him!
Until last year, we were in contact at least once a day, but now it’s barely once a week!
Last time I saw Benedict’s monstrous face, I could tell he was looking a little tired, so it was clear that dealing with the Arlen family’s distant branch wasn’t easy.
...Still, if I asked Benedict earnestly for help, he would drop everything and come.
Because that's the kind of person he was. If it was for his daughter, he'd do anything.
Knowing this, I couldn’t place unnecessary burdens on him.
It’s true that things would be easier with Benedict, but it wasn’t like I couldn’t continue with my plans without him.
It was a bit disappointing not to see Luca’s face crushed as he was overwhelmed, but that was about it.
<What are you going to do?>
‘I’ll let the other side do whatever they want.’
At this point, me taking action wouldn't cause a huge change.
It would be better to let the other side continue their plans rather than provoke them.
There was one week left before midterms. Even if Luca spent the extra week, there wouldn’t be a dramatic change. But for me, that week was entirely different.
‘For now, I’ll warn those around me. After that, I’ll move without hesitation.’
“That’s it, I’m done playing around with the idiot.”
When Lucy conveyed the message, Joy paused for a moment, considering it.
Luca, the professor, was planning something with the followers of the Void? The same Luca who had achieved so many accomplishments at the academy over the past few years?
“Hmmm. That guy.”
However, Arthur, who was standing next to Joy, showed no change in his expression.
“Poor prince. What do you know about that disgusting pervert?”
“It’s about the incident from last year when we had that bet. I suspect it’s related to Luca.”
There had been suspicious circumstances, but after nothing had happened since, Arthur hadn’t delved deeper. Lucy raised an eyebrow slightly at his words and then let out a soft laugh.
“Surprising. I thought the poor prince only ever got fooled.”
“I did get fooled, true. The reason I didn’t press further was that I didn’t want to poke a hornet’s nest.”
Arthur muttered under his breath, as if to say there was nothing he could do, crossing his arms and leaning back.
“In the end, you’re telling us to prepare but not to act first, right?”
“Heh. As expected of a sly prince, you catch on quickly.”
Lucy’s laugh made the others’ expressions subtly shift.
Was she really going to throw herself into danger again?
Were they just things to be protected from afar?
Could they not trust her?
Everyone thought this, but none spoke it aloud.
They kept their concerns buried deep inside, not wanting to burden Lucy further.
“Going solo again?”
In the sudden silence, Freya’s voice popped out.
“Cowardly.”
Her words were blunt, and the others shot her disapproving glares, but Freya paid them no mind.
“Having fun by yourself.”
“Foolish swordsman. Don’t you see that I’m going to suffer instead of you?”
“Let’s go together. I’ll stay by Lucy’s side.”
“Hm. Well. I don’t mind.”
“Don’t mind!? You really don’t mind!? Is that what you mean!?”
At Lucy’s unexpected words, everyone was stunned, each saying something before looking at Lucy’s half-closed eyes. They all cleared their throats and took a step back.
Lucy, with her hand half-covering her mouth, chuckled, then turned her attention back to Freya.
“Actually, the fun might be on this side. This shabby, half-assed academy is full of idiots who believe in the Void.”
The others understood what Lucy meant.
If she truly cared for them like babies in a stroller, she wouldn’t leave them behind but take them with her.
Because she trusted them, she was leaving them behind in a place where she didn’t feel secure.
“If the foolish swordsman is so scared he wants to cry and run away, I’d take him with me. What will you do?”
“...Hmmm. Fine. I’ll stay here.”
Freya, trying to hide her disappointment, took a step back, and Lucy, laughing at how obedient Freya seemed, left.
The ones left behind watched the closed door, each lost in their own thoughts.
“I’ll go inform Cecil-hyung. I’ll make sure that his forces can move, even if I don’t have all the details.”
Arthur spoke, and as if on cue, Joy added:
“Then I’ll tell the noble ladies to be cautious. With the kidnapping incident, it won’t seem strange.”
“Then I’ll let the church know there could be something going on. Everyone’s still on edge after the beginning of the semester, so I think they’ll be able to respond quickly if something happens.”
“Saint, I apologize, but will you inform all the priests?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll only inform those I trust.”
Arthur still looked concerned, but Faeby smiled gently at him.
Had it been the old Faeby, she might have been offended, but not anymore.
Now, she could see that not everyone under the gods was warm-hearted, and she knew that Arthur’s worries weren’t unfounded.
That’s why she was able to nod confidently.
Faeby could see those with the warmth of the gods in them.
While they continued discussing, Freya suddenly jumped up from her seat.
“Freya, where are you going?”
“To train.”
“...Train?”
“A training to slice anything that comes my way. This time, I’ll beat it before it touches Lucy.”
Whew. Thankfully, the excuse worked. If Freya had stuck around stubbornly, it would have been incredibly annoying. His simple-mindedness actually helped here.
<May I ask what you're planning to prepare?>
‘It’s nothing major. It’s not like I’m planning something as grand as what I did in Burrow’s estate.’
I could perform a miracle if I wanted to. I could go to Count Arteia’s house, pray, and bless him, and then I’d have everything I wanted.
If that doesn’t work, I could talk to that perverted apostle and have him make a personal accessory for Count Arteia.
But there were two main reasons I didn’t consider this:
One, it would draw too much attention. I already draw attention because of my accessories. If I triggered a miracle, the Church of the Gods would definitely start looking my way.
And two, Luca would like it if I did a miracle.
Think about it. A student like me performing a miracle, something I shouldn’t be able to do under Luca’s script? Luca would smile as he watched, thinking he created me.
That can’t happen. It can’t end like that.
The bastard Luca’s final moments should be empty.
I won’t let him go easily, not after everything he’s done to me!
It’s just a one-sided grudge from across the monitor, but still! I won’t let that bastard die with a smile!
‘I’m going to summon the person Luca hates and loves the most in this world.’
<...Is it the person you mentioned when you provoked Luca?>
‘Yes.’
The person Luca once adventured with before he became a professor at the academy. A person who gave Luca despair with his own talent.
The current sword saint.
In the original game story, this person was supposed to have a huge impact on Freya.
‘What do you think the foolish rock feels when it sees the stars shining down from the sky? How amusing will his expression be when he faces an even brighter star?’
Just imagining it makes me laugh.