Let’s Block the Ruined Route in Advance Chapter 60

Felix crumpled the letter in his hand with a bored expression. He threw the little bundle at the ground, and it burst into flames before it hit the ground.

 

“Tiresome stuff.”

 

He received it a couple times a week, an invitation to join the Matriarchy.

 

“It’s more of a request than a notice, and it’s an abomination.”

 

Joining the Tower was the natural progression of a mage’s second coming. But the question of who the guiding wizard was was a complicated one that led to factional strife.

 

The steadily accumulating letters were written in a flurry of words, each with a mixture of invitations and threats to join their ranks.

 

“I can’t even say I’m her disciple.”

 

Still in her thirties, Rosalia hadn’t quite gained a foothold in the steeplechase of those over a century old. 

 

It was a natural consequence of her talent, but her gypsy tendencies made her reluctant to live in a group.

 

‘I shouldn’t have done the paper if I knew this would happen.’

 

Last semester. He had published a new approach to math that had apparently gotten the old guys greedy. He clicked his tongue briefly and picked up a worn book.

 

It was a hard-earned treatise on black magic.

 

“At least the tower still has a grace period, here’s the problem.”

 

There was something Felix had been working on since he’d met Rosalia and exploded with growth. The hunt for the entity that destroyed the County of Forss and put dead mana into his heart.

 

While he hadn’t yet figured out who they were, he had figured out why they had placed the mana in his heart.

 

Flipping through the tome, he paused at a line.

 

[How to destroy the soul of a target].

 

Placing the mana of the dead into the heart of the living was a vicious black magic that would gradually fuse the soul to annihilation.

 

‘What would they gain by killing my soul, an empty body with no soul?’

 

Nothing was certain yet. Felix rubbed the corners of his eyes, feeling the need to investigate further.

 

He still lacked the strength and information.

 

The danger that had overtaken the human category had not yet fully dissipated. He needed to grow stronger if he was to ensure Eileen’s safety and future.

 

“I didn’t do anything.”

 

Felix remembered the day in the greenhouse when he could only watch helplessly as Eileen fought. He never wanted to feel that helpless again.

 

 

 

 * * *

 

 

 

A high-risk demon has appeared in the northwestern provinces.

 

The Empire is once again shaken by a catastrophe of epic proportions that has breached the Empire’s heavily fortified borders. Even worse, it was a mobile beast not far from the city center, so the damage was even greater.

 

“There are more than forty dead.”

 

“They say the toxins have caused a lot of injuries, and we won’t be able to approach the temple until they’ve finished cleaning it up.”

 

The atmosphere at Verotanis Academy, which had been relaxed after exams, was also shaken.

 

Students with relatives living in the affected areas cried in class.

 

“Isn’t this dangerous?”

 

As anxiety grew in everyone’s hearts, Verotanis made an announcement that seemed to cut through the anxiety head-on.

 

[We are opening a real combat class.]

 

“A combat class?”

 

“There’s been a lot of trouble with demons lately, and there are a lot of students who want to become demon investigators or knights after graduation, so this is a special class to learn and practice actual combat in advance.”

 

Cordelia said as Eileen nodded.

 

“I think I’ll apply for that.”

 

The look on her face when she said that was one of decisions, so Eileen nodded. She wanted to tell her it was dangerous, but this was Cordelia’s decision.

 

“I’ll support you.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

“Do you think Lucian and Felix will support you, too?”

 

“I think so, since they’re both interested in fighting.”

 

She wants to be strong.

 

Lucian, Felix, and Cordelia in the greenhouse that day. Their resolve was the same.

 

Eileen respected them for making a decision and moving forward. It was an anxious future, but the thought of the three of them together made it less so.

 

“…But be careful not to hurt yourself.”

 

“Of course.”

 

Cordelia smiled confidently.

 

 

 

 * * *

 

 

 

“I knew you would.”

 

“Me too.”

 

“Well.”

 

The first face-to-face meeting of the applicants for the actual combat squad. Lucian, Felix, and Cordelia found each other in the auditorium and sat down together as if it were natural.

 

Lucian glanced around as if remembering something, then turned to Cordelia.

 

“Where’s Laquerta?”

 

“In case you’ve forgotten, he’s a healer.”

 

“Oh.”

 

Lucian smirked at the memory of the woman who was supposed to be in the vanguard. Cordelia ignored him and scanned her surroundings.

 

Emma, the second-year Fire Elemental.

 

Daniel and Iris, the second-year prefects.

 

Familiar faces were everywhere.

 

“That red-eyed third-year senior over there uses twin swords, you should watch him when he trains. His trajectory is amazing.”

 

“Hmph. Do you know the guy with the longsword next to him? His scabbard is interesting.”

 

“Ah, him.”

 

Lucian and Cordelia excitedly analyzed the strongest players, mostly from the Swordsmanship and Magic faculties. The situation outside was rather grim, but the mood in the special class, which was made up of new powerhouses oriented toward actual combat, was encouraging and belligerent.

 

“Huh?”

 

“He’s here.”

 

Cordelia and Lucian’s expressions turned puzzled when they spotted Neumann standing silently. Apparently, he had signed up for a special class, unlike the one they had expected him to join based on his lazy attitude at the beginning of the semester.

 

As they turned their attention to the other students, someone opened the door to the auditorium and entered.

 

Three people walked up to the lectern: Albert, dressed in a suit that resembled a uniform; a middle-aged, muscular woman with short blond hair neatly slicked back; and a man whose bangs covered his eyes, making it hard to guess his age.

 

“Okay, everyone, silence!”

 

The students’ eyes snapped to the familiar faces.

 

Albert, a Lightning Elementalist, Amanda, a swordsmanship professor from the Imperial Knights, and Rousseau, a high-ranking mage and renowned magus.

 

At a glance, it was clear that Verotanis was serious about this special class, choosing faculty members who seemed to be highly skilled in their respective fields.

 

Amanda stepped forward as Albert held the students’ attention.

 

“I think it’s great that 98 students have applied, some of them to protect family and friends, others because they want to be stronger.”

 

The middle-aged, callused professor of swordsmanship spoke solemnly, and the students shifted in their seats to listen.

 

“Whatever the reason, during this training, you’ll gain new experiences, watching each other’s backs and protecting each other, and we’ll do our best to make sure that experience is the strongest wall between you and the real world.”

 

All in good spirits.

 

Wrinkled eyes folded affectionately as they met young blood. The students in the seats responded loudly to the encouraging kindness.

 

“We will learn hard!”

 

Amanda nodded, appreciating the pleasant echo. 

 

No matter how dark the world might get, the night was never scary as long as there were embers to light the way.

 

 

 

* * * 

 

 

 

A summer festival.

 

The Academy’s most anticipated annual event had been decided to go ahead, albeit in a somewhat murderous atmosphere.

 

Rather than languish in depression and fear and raise Magi, Verotanis had decided to enjoy the moment and gain strength for the future.

 

“The festival, I’m so excited.”

 

Eileen exclaimed, her excitement for the festival having been building since reading Lucian and Felix’s letter last year.

 

The three-day festival featured a variety of booths organized by different departments and food stalls from outside the school during the day, and a variety of performances and fireworks at night.

 

“But the crown jewel of the festival is the ball on the last day, which is attended by all grades.”

 

Held in the academy’s main hall, which is only open on special occasions, the lavish ball is unique in that it is open to the families of current students, as wealthy aristocrats have generously sponsored it for their children.

 

Eileen hadn’t been able to attend the ball the previous year due to a summer cold. So for Lucian and Felix, this ball was even more special.

 

“This ball has an important legend.”

 

Lucian and Felix stared into each other’s eyes. A vision of sparks flew between them.

 

The first couple to dance at the summer ball is guaranteed to be together.

 

“She’ll never be your partner.”

 

“I’ll never lose.”

 

It may sound like a childish thing to say, but their eyes were as serious as a duel.

 

“Eileen, will you be my dance partner?”

 

“Eileen, I want to go to the prom with you.”

 

As soon as the festival schedule came out, both of them, worried about missing out on a player, shouted at the same time, and a flustered Eileen shouted back.

 

“Suddenly?!”

 

Laquerta, who had been stilled by the scene, spoke up with a frown.

 

“I want to go to the ball with Eileen, too.”

 

“You too?!”

 

Cordelia, who had been watching the situation with interest, chimed in.

 

“I’m going with Eileen, too. There’s no school rule that says girls can’t be partners, right?”

 

“I know!”

 

“Okay, who do you pick?”

 

Eileen scratched her forehead as four pairs of expectant eyes met hers.

 

It was a mess.