The story of Soul Academy is largely divided into two main branches: the Main Quest and the Subquests.
The Main Quest isn’t particularly groundbreaking. It follows a typical hero’s journey where the protagonist must seal away the evil gods who have reappeared in the world. Personally, I found it to be a fairly average story—not bad, but not particularly great either.
What people really liked were the various Subquests. These included character-related stories, hidden lore in certain regions, and narratives tied to specific items.
But here’s the thing: Subquests are just that—subquests. Whether you complete them or not, the world doesn’t change much. The Main Quest, however, has a significant impact on the world. If you don’t complete it, the world will definitely be affected.
If the evil gods were to fully resurrect, who knows how much chaos would ensue?
Failing the Main Quest results in a game over. What happens next is only known to the inhabitants of a world that has lost its protagonist. How could I know what happens after that?
One thing I’m certain of is that the resurrection of the evil gods wouldn’t be beneficial, especially from my perspective as an Apostle of Armathi. Even now, every time I enter an external dungeon, Agra picks a fight with me. Imagine what would happen if he fully resurrected—what kind of mess would I be in?
So, from my perspective, I can’t help but keep an eye on the Main Quest.
And more than anything else...
“[Watch what happens at the Academy Square.]
[Reward: ???]”
It seems our pathetic deity wants me to do so.
They sent me this message as soon as I woke up this morning.
I thought the deity didn’t care about anything as long as they could keep tormenting me, but I guess they do pay attention. Or maybe they’re planning another way to mess with me?
I debated it for a moment, but I had already decided to go. There’s no reason not to if there’s a reward involved.
So, after getting ready in the morning, I headed out to the streets alone.
Normally, I would’ve brought Carl with me, but it seemed like he was behind on his Academy duties because of me.
Even though Carl is officially a professor, he still has his responsibilities. He had been prioritizing my requests over his duties, which was very much in character for him but not the best decision.
After all, if he doesn’t do his job as a professor, he won’t be able to stay here.
“Lady Allen, please let him finish his work.”
Professor Anton, the Combat Professor, had even bowed his head and requested this, so I couldn’t just ignore him. I ordered Carl to finish his work.
Anyway, today’s event is the starting point of the Main Quest.
It’s something that the people in the Academy Square will handle whether the protagonist is there or not.
What difference would it make if I got involved?
Even if there’s danger, there will be plenty of people around to help. Whether Carl is there or not shouldn’t make much difference.
With that thought in mind, I arrived at the Academy Square and casually surveyed the area.
The guards who are always stationed there were present as usual.
There were priests out doing their weekend volunteer work.
Academy professors patrolled the streets to ensure the students were safe.
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With this level of security, they should be able to handle any Apostle of an evil god that tries to attack.
Let’s see... The Main Story event is supposed to happen between 2 and 3 PM, right?
There’s still plenty of time, so maybe I’ll take care of some other things first.
I should start by meeting with Alsetine.
I need to get a new shield, after all.
“Yes, that’s right!”
“Exactly, info broker.”
Since the day I earned some money from that bet, I’ve been considering what kind of shield I should get.
I plan to get a top-tier shield before the second year starts, so there’s no need to blow 10 platinum coins right now.
Soon enough, there will be plenty of things to spend money on, so it’s better to save where I can.
So, I thought about getting a shield made by a dwarf—one of those quintessential fantasy races known for their hammering skills.
A shield crafted by a dwarf, complete with magical enhancements, would be useful throughout my first year.
“It’s possible, of course. For the right price.”
“Here, I’ve paid you handsomely!”
“Here you go, info broker. Even the most unscrupulous merchant couldn’t complain about this.”
I slid a platinum coin across the table to Alsetine, who nodded in agreement.
I wasn’t just saying it; I was genuinely paying a high price.
Considering that a shield made by a dwarf usually costs around 7 gold coins, I’d essentially added 3 more coins as a distribution fee.
Even Alsetine shouldn’t be able to complain about this deal.
“I’ll secure it for you as quickly as possible.”
After receiving his assurance that he’d have the shield within a week, I left the shop, still with plenty of time to spare.
Hmm. Since I have time, maybe I’ll take a leisurely stroll around the Academy streets?
I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had a chance to relax.
Where should I go first?
Maybe I’ll grab some skewers from that bridge where the protagonist and one of the heroines had a tragic parting. They’re cheap, but I’ve heard they taste good...
Huh?
While walking through the back alleys, I noticed a familiar side profile.
Usually, she has her hair styled with lots of curls, but today it was tied back.
She was also dressed in white, which she rarely wears, and she wore a mask, probably to hide her face.
But she couldn’t fool me.
After all, this outfit is the same one Joy wears whenever she disguises herself in the game Soul Academy.
What is Joy doing here?
At this time, shouldn’t she be laughing and chatting at some social gathering with other noblewomen?
I was puzzled, tilting my head in confusion, until I saw the sign of the shop Joy was forlornly staring at.
Ah. Joy, you came for bread?
This place is okay, but don’t you have a favorite bakery somewhere else?
Maybe she’s still exploring different places since it’s early in the Academy year?
“Joy!”
“Airhead Lady, what are you doing here?”
When I called out, Joy instinctively turned her head toward me but quickly turned it the other way as soon as she saw me.
That alone was enough to reveal her identity, but Joy, thinking she could salvage the situation, pretended not to hear me and started walking in the opposite direction.
“Joy, you’ve already been caught.”
“Airhead Lady, do you really think you haven’t been noticed? That’s a pretty lousy and stupid decision for a duke’s daughter.”
I called out to her retreating figure, and Joy’s shoulders visibly twitched.
Then, with a sigh, she slowly turned her head back and spoke in a voice much lower than usual.
“Airhead Lady? Who might that be?”
“Pfft.”
“Puh-haha.”
<...Heh.>
The moment I heard that voice, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Wow, seriously. I get that you want to change your voice, Airhead Lady.
But if you’re going to disguise it, at least do it properly.
Your voice is all over the place—who would believe that?
It was so ridiculous that even Grandpa couldn’t stop laughing.
As my laughter grew louder, Joy’s shoulders shook more and more until she finally sighed and took off her mask.
“How did you know?”
“It was obvious.”
“Airhead Lady, it was obvious. The way you walked, all airheaded and clueless.”
“Who walks like that?”
Joy shouted, running her hand down her face in frustration.
“Lady Allen.”
Then, looking at me with her characteristically cold eyes, she cautiously began to speak.
“Whether you believe me or not, I’m only here to buy some bread.”
“I know. Joy wouldn’t do anything strange.”
“I know, Airhead Lady. You don’t have the guts to do anything weird.”
When I told her I didn’t doubt her, Joy widened her eyes and mumbled.
Did she not expect me to believe her so easily?
Well, it’s only because I know the full situation. If I were some gossip-prone noblewoman, this would’ve caused quite a scandal.
It’s pretty unusual, after all. A duke’s daughter wandering around in disguise in the back alleys.
It’s perfect gossip material.
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Airhead Lady, can’t you even trust your benefactor? What a suspicious coward.”
“That’s not... No, you’re right. I’ll trust you.”
Joy started to say something but then shook her head and nodded.
Does she trust me, or does she just believe that I don’t have any connections to spread rumors?
Given her personality, it’s probably the former, but the latter is true as well.
Even if I did talk behind her back, who would listen to me?
Carl, at most?
“Anyway, Joy. Be careful.”
“Airhead Lady, stop doing airheaded things. If you keep it up, nasty rumors might start.”
“To think that there would come a day when I’d hear something like that from Lady Allen...”
Joy sighed deeply again after hearing my advice.
Sure, it’s not really my place to say, considering I’m the one wandering the back alleys without a care.
But Joy, it’s only natural that people with something to lose behave differently from those who don’t.
<Huh? Wait. Girl, I can feel the presence of an evil god.>
Just as I was about to tell the dejected-looking Joy that the bakery was closed on Sundays, Grandpa spoke up.
What? Is the event already starting?
It’s not even lunchtime yet.
Why are the Apostles so diligent?
My pathetic deity said I’d get a reward for watching this.
Even if they’re usually useless, they’re good about giving rewards, so I don’t want to miss out.
Should I just say goodbye to Joy and rush over to the square?
“Where is it?!”
If the attack hasn’t started yet, I could get there in time...
<It’s coming here.>
Here? This back alley?
Why?
Isn’t it supposed to attack the temple in the square?
What’s it after, coming here?
<Flee! It’s a powerful one. You can’t handle it right now.>
I moved faster than I could think.
I couldn’t just leave Joy behind, so I slung her over one shoulder and started running toward the square.
“I felt the presence of Armathi, but it turns out to be a little girl.”
Armathi.
The name most hated by the evil gods.
And the one who’s now my patron deity.
Hearing that name, I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.
This pathetic, useless, petty, and trashy god never helps when I need them.
As I bit my lip and reached into my pocket to pull out my mace and enlarge it, a message appeared before me.
I thought it was going to be something about Agra watching me again, but it wasn’t.
[Hold on]
[Hold on until the people in the Academy Square arrive]
Surprisingly, it was a message from my pathetic deity.