Chapter 61: Heist (1)

At first, it was just a simple possibility. Since they were throwing evidence out in the open, it meant that weakening the barrier stone was not the goal.

Even if the academy’s leadership noticed that fact, they would have no choice but to protect the barrier stone. The Dark Cult is the attacker, and the academy is the defender.

In a full-scale battle situation, it might be different. In a small-scale terror-type battle, the defender is much more disadvantaged than the attacker.

And it’s the academy’s barrier that makes up for that disadvantage, so this is unavoidable.

“At first, it was just a possibility. There are many suspicious points in this Dark Cult attack.”

“…Yes. Even I wouldn’t cause an attack like this. Because even a regular student like me can tell that there will be an attack.”

“You’re right, Elissa is quick-witted.”

I muttered that and slowly continued to speak.

“Even if the academy’s internal forces are dispersed during the midterm exam, the defense of the barrier stone will be thorough. But it wouldn’t be that difficult to kidnap a student while the teachers are dispersed, right?”

Even the academy can’t track all students.

In my previous life, where CCTVs were installed everywhere, missing persons often appeared, so there’s no way the academy, which suffers from a shortage of manpower, can track all students, let alone CCTV.

And tracking and protecting are separate stories. Even if you realize that a student is being attacked, it will take some time for help to arrive.

“So, from tomorrow, stick close to Elin-sensei. It’s okay to give up the midterm exam.”

“But, then Sian’s midterm exam grades…”

“Even if a Crusader-class believer appears, no matter how much you are, you’ll be easily subdued. I can handle up to 1st-class action agents. But if it goes beyond that, I can’t.”

The difference in skill between a 1st-class action agent and a Crusader-class is like heaven and earth. Right now, even if all the 3rd-year students are included, the only one who can fight a Crusader-class alone is probably Regina.

“Breaking the barrier stone can always be done. If the current principal is scary, it can be done after the principal returns.”

“That’s true.”

“But, kidnapping you, Elissa, must be done now. You have the qualities to become a great wizard, and you are an easy pawn for the Dark Cult to handle.”

Fortunately, Elissa’s acceptance was quick. She was too mature to ignore my words with the spirit of a young child.

“So, I’m going down now to tell Elin-sensei everything and ask for your protection. Got it?”

“…Yes. I don’t want to put my loved ones in danger again.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Looking at me with a complicated expression, Elissa asked carefully.

“By the way, how will the attack begin? Will they make the fake Stigmata holders go berserk like last time?”

“No. They hid a spatial transfer magic circle under the fake Stigmata. They’re going to use the fake Stigmata holders as sacrifices to open the transfer magic circle.”

“That…”

For now, it seems better to leave Elissa’s fake Stigmata alone. Judging from Elissa’s words, the fake Stigmata that Elissa has was engraved 10 years ago.

10 years ago, there was probably no proper plan for the academy invasion. So there would be no reason to engrave a spatial transfer magic circle under the fake Stigmata.

“So Elissa, there won’t be anything to restrain you. The reason they gather the fake Stigmata holders is to save them.”

“Because my fake Stigmata doesn’t have a spatial transfer magic circle?”

“Yes. Besides, if it’s a fake Stigmata that’s been stuck for nearly 10 years, it’s more dangerous to remove it. If that much time has passed, it’s already half-assimilated with your body.”

We said that and prepared to go down. The sky at 6 p.m. was dyed with the sunset.

It’s time for everyone to prepare for the next day. My role is over if I just take Elissa to Elin-sensei.

Now all that’s left is to fight with Yelena and Regina. I’m not doubting their combat experience… but they’ve barely worked together. Matching each other and skill are separate.

In front of me, who was having such leisurely thoughts, a translucent window appeared.

[Main Quest – Chapter 1]

[Protect ‘Elissa’ from the Dark Cult’s attack]

[Reward: +Lv.10, Stigmata Enhancement, ‘Elissa”s Favorability]

[Failure: ‘Elissa’ appears as a mid-boss]

“…Eh?”

Seeing the status window that appeared silently as always, I froze. Usually, the main quest window appears when the main quest starts.

That means the main quest has started now. So, the attack of the Dark Cult guys has already begun.

No, wait. Wasn’t the Dark Cult going to attack during the midterm exam? Why did they start the attack already?

The academy just before the midterm exam is sensitive in many ways. Teachers are already attached to students with fake Stigmata, so it will be difficult to cause proper damage.

It took a little time to accept the situation. My brain froze at the sudden appearance of the status window, and I stared blankly into the air.

“Sian…?”

Elissa pulled me out of that state. Perhaps she realized that something was wrong when she saw my dazed purple eyes. Anxiety appeared in Elissa’s eyes.

…I couldn’t be embarrassed already. I’m doing this to make a happy ending, so what if I panic? I have to remain calm.

“Huu…”

I took a breath and slowly organized the situation.

If a terror occurs now, the initial response of the academy leadership, who did not expect this, will inevitably be delayed.

Of course, the teachers haven’t completely spread out into the forest, so the suppression of the situation will be much faster. However, the initial confusion will spread uncontrollably.

Taking advantage of that gap, it is not that difficult to kidnap one person, Elissa. Elin-sensei didn’t know much about Elissa yet.

Damn, if I knew this would happen, I should have told Elin-sensei about Elissa in advance.

“I’m sorry, Elissa. I think I was too short-sighted.”

“Yes…?”

“I thought they would attack after the midterm exam opened. So, I didn’t tell Elin-sensei yet. I should have told her if I knew this would happen.”

“What do you mean…”

Before Elissa’s words could end, a heavy thud was heard from the academy. In an instant, the flow of mana became ominous, and the flow of air became sharp.

“The academy attack, it seems to have started earlier than we thought. Let’s move quickly.”

“Ugh?!”

I pulled Elissa a little roughly. Because it seemed like it would take some time for Elissa to understand my words.

Now was not the time to kindly explain the situation. With the situation like this, action came first.

It seems that knowledge of the original work is only a hindrance as time goes on.

Even though I know that the original work will not go as it was because of the ‘seed’ and my existence. Even though I keep reminding myself of that, I unconsciously keep thinking of the story flow of the original work.

No, this time it wasn’t simply because I knew the knowledge of the original work. It seems that Elin-sensei also fell for their trick.

“Kyaaak-“

Breaking my thoughts, I heard a girl’s scream from afar. The peaceful atmosphere was broken, and eight dark blue magic circles appeared in the sky.

“Damn…”

I gritted my teeth and hastened my steps. Yes, now is not the time to be in such self-blame. Since the situation has already happened, solving the situation comes first.

Weapon. I need a weapon. It’s inside the academy, so I just left the sword in the dormitory, but the attack started at this gap.

So the first place I headed was the dormitory. Fortunately, the dormitory given to the A-class students was closest to the back mountain.

Standing on the cliff of the back mountain, the building of the A-class exclusive dormitory is visible. The distance to the rooftop is roughly estimated to be about 25 meters.

“Elissa.”

“Yes…?”

“It’ll be a little dizzy. Hold on.”

I said that and put my hand under Elissa’s body and lifted her up. A pose commonly called a princess carry. Embarrassment appears on Elissa’s face.

“Hyak?! What are you doing…?!”

“Hold on tight.”

Leaving those words, I jumped down the cliff. Elissa, surprised by the strange floating sensation that enveloped her body, hugged my body tightly.

I also put strength in my arms holding Elissa and clenched my left hand. The space twists three times in a row, and black particles leave traces in the air.

Thud.

With a light footstep, Elissa and I landed on the roof of the dormitory. At the same time, numerous presences are felt around.

“…”

The pursuit of the Dark Cult has begun.

With an eerie rattling bone sound, undead began to climb up the dormitory building.