studiobondurri Chapter 12 : Chapter 12
Chapter 12 : Chapter 12
Chapter 12: Is This a Crisis or an Opportunity? (1)The note contained a few brief sentences.
‘Collect the undetonated Beast Pouch.’
‘Quantity: one. Location: the forest on the eastern outskirts of the Academy.’
‘Deadline: two days.’
That was it.
I sank into thought quietly.
“Hm. A Beast Pouch, huh.”
The Beast Pouch was a critical terror weapon deployed for the first time during the attack a week ago, plunging the Academy into chaos—a decisive strike prepared by the Beltus Cult to target the Academy.
It caused primary damage by unleashing beasts outward, followed by secondary damage through a Mana Freeze triggered by the ensuing shockwave, completely neutralizing mages below a certain skill level and the results were staggering.
It dragged the prestige of the supposedly impregnable sanctuary, which allowed neither incidents nor enemy intrusions, into the dirt and shattered the pride of the empire, the continent’s strongest nation, in half.
To grasp how significant this was, even considering the Academy was open due to the special circumstances of the Entrance Festival, the Academy is universally recognized as the continent’s premier magitech facility.
Those who manage it are renowned mages respected everywhere, and the Academy’s security force is an elite group handpicked from the capital’s defense unit.
What about the staff?
From professors to assistants, even the cadets attending the Academy—excluding freshly enrolled newbies—are all formidable individuals, each one hard to underestimate.
Yet a single weapon shattered that collective.
Of course, the intervention of the Central Knights prevented the situation from escalating further and brought it to a close.
But no one is unaware of the invisible cracks that have formed.
Just step outside, and you’ll see public sentiment hitting rock bottom, with an unprecedented unease settling within the empire.
The empire’s failure to identify the enemy or determine what weapon was used only adds fuel to the fire.
In short, the situation is steeped in defeat.
If similar attacks were to occur multiple times in this state?
The empire could collapse from within, self-destructing.
And that’s precisely the Beltus Cult’s aim.
Naturally, a single undetonated Beast Pouch left behind is bound to be a source of concern for the cult, which seeks to exploit this.
The Beast Pouch still holds significant utility as a weapon.
If it falls into the Academy’s hands, countermeasures will be developed, and the cult wants to prevent that.
This is the background behind why, despite the sensitive timing, I was tasked with retrieving the Beast Pouch.
Beyond the brief mission details, the note also included a drawing.
It depicted a red, round object resembling a plant’s fruit—unmistakably the cult’s Beast Pouch.
The estimated location was the forest on the eastern outskirts.
Coincidentally, that’s where my first-period class is held.
“Huh? Wait a second.”
Now that I think about it, isn’t the eastern outskirts forest the setting for the ‘Remnants of Terror’ event?
The ‘Remnants of Terror’ is the first event in Chapter 1, following the tutorial.
During class, swamp orcs suddenly appear, attacking the cadets, and the event revolves around annihilating them.hen I won’t let go.”
Of course, if I don’t want to, I could just refuse outright.
She’s a bit clingy, but her personality means she’d never force me.
I could shake off her hands if I really tried.
But… do I need to?
If there were no benefits, I’d refuse without hesitation, but that’s not the case.
No, it’s actually a fantastic deal.
The class is only once a week, so it’s not like it’ll take much time.
Full marks for attitude is an irresistible temptation for me.
To improve my image, I need to boost my grades too.
Plus, there’s a chance I might be stuck here forever, unable to return home, so I need some insurance.
On top of that, while the title of rookie professor isn’t much, the weight of the name Ilai Dain is undeniable.
A cleric of the Great Cathedral.
A connection with someone like that is worth making, even if it costs money.
To sum it up, even if it looks like I’m dancing to her tune, the benefits are so substantial that I should be the one begging for this.
My deliberation didn’t take long.
“Alright.”
“Really? Yay! I knew you’d do it!”
But there was a problem.
“Um, can you just decide this on your own?”
“Of course?”
“Won’t the others object? I mean, the junior cadets from the Class of 890. If they find out I’ve been made your assistant like this, they won’t accept it. Some might even openly oppose it.”
“Even though you’re their senior?”
“Senior or not, that doesn’t matter. Especially not in my case.”
Professor Ilai thinks for a moment before nodding as if she understands.
“I see. But don’t worry about that. I have a ‘method.’”
Seeing her grin as she says this, a sudden unease creeps into a corner of my mind.
Tch. These bad premonitions usually turn out to be right.
“Anyway, shall we head over? It’s time to start the class.”
Led by her hand, I head toward the clearing where the class is held.
Throughout the walk, Professor Ilai chatters nonstop.
Most of the conversation consists of her one-sided questions.
About my past.
Why I skipped lectures and messed up my school life.
If I’ve been through tough times or carry painful scars.
She throws out questions like a psychiatrist, and I make up vague answers to respond.
I glance at my pocket watch to check the time.
It looks like retrieving the Beast Pouch is out of the question for now.
First period is almost here.
Damn it.
Well, it’s fine.
Like they say, the more urgent it is, the more you should take your time.
I’ll search for it after class, once it’s completely safe.
The Beast Pouch isn’t going to grow legs and run away.
Or so I console myself.
That’s when I stop dead in my tracks.
“Hm? What’s wrong, Gerard?”
Professor Ilai asks.
But I don’t answer. I can’t.
I’ve just realized what kind of ‘method’ she mentioned and how today’s class will unfold.
It’s a bet.
A competition among the cadets to claim the position of assistant and its privileges.
Scenes flash through my mind.
As expected, the cadets object to me becoming the assistant, and in response, Professor Ilai proposes a bet to find a certain elixir.
Yes. That’s her solution.
And during this process, the ‘Remnants of Terror’ event occurs.
“Is something wrong? Your expression suddenly looks bad.”
“Oh. Sorry, Professor. I need to use the bathroom.”
“…What? Bathroom?”
“Yeah. Nervous, I guess? Haha.”
“Ugh. You should’ve taken care of that in the morning. It’s a life lesson, a lesson!”
The elixir they need to find in the bet is the fruit of a spirit herb called the Dawnflower.
It has a luscious red, round appearance.
And today.
I saw a drawing of something with a similar appearance on a note.
“So, um. Is there any chance we could cancel class today, Professor?”
“Oh, Gerard. Do you think that’s possible?”
“Right? Just kidding.”
“You’re more fun than I thought, Gerard!”
I laugh along with her, meeting her eyes.
But damn. I’m laughing, but I’m not laughing.
Yes.
I finally understand why a dormant Beast Pouch goes off.
There was never any time to take it slow, no matter how urgent it was.