When we returned, the principal asked,
“What did you two talk about?”
“Nothing much. Just seemed like he was close with my disciple.”
The Sword Queen smoothly brushed it off without even a 0.1-second delay.
It was the kind of effortless quick thinking you’d expect from a martial arts master.
To be fair, it was true that I was somewhat close with Han So-mi.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder. Was that really something worth having a separate conversation about?
The principal, not one to be easily fooled, seemed to pick up on that as well but chose not to press further and instead introduced me.
“Remember I mentioned there was a Monarch among the first-years? This is him.”
“Mhmm, I figured as much the moment I saw him.”The Sword Queen gave a small nod.
As someone who had also reached S-rank, just like the principal, she probably had the eyes to see things others couldn’t.
At the same time, she shot me a rather displeased look. One that seemed to say, “Of course you’re a Monarch. You already reek of trouble.”
Considering I’d just embarrassed a great great senior, that reaction was understandable.
I calmly met her gaze without flinching, and after staring at me a little longer, she turned to the principal and asked,
“The Blood Cult folks don’t know about him, right?”
“From what we can tell, no. This attack seems to have just been a coincidence.”
“In that case, no need to guard the main base too heavily.”
If the Blood Cult’s true target was “Monarch Kim Ho”, they’d stop at nothing to hunt me down. Even after one failed attempt.
But if their target was just “first-year Kim Ho” then things might quiet down for a while.
In that case, simply tightening security should be enough.
It also meant the two S-rank heroes could step away from campus for a bit without major concern.
The principal asked,
“Where are you off to?”
“I just had a nap, and… I had another dream.”
“What was it about?”
The Sword Queen furrowed her brow, as if trying to recall something, and spoke slowly.
“…It was a dark, cold place. I saw a teleportation portal.”
“Dark, cold, and a portal… Could it be the Dungeon Building?”
“Probably.”
The principal’s gaze suddenly deepened.
It seemed like something had just clicked in his mind.
“Using this whole commotion as a distraction… but to send in someone of elder-level strength? That’s overkill, isn’t it?”
“They probably didn’t expect things to end up like this either. Still, I have a feeling someone out there is taking advantage of the chaos.”
At the Sword Queen’s words, the principal gave a subtle glance to the side.
The vice principal, who had been waiting nearby, immediately sent a message somewhere.
Moments later, the vice principal reported with a stiff expression on her face,
“They found traces of an intruder in the deeper levels.”
“Which number?”
“Number 24.”
Someone had entered an A-rank dungeon during the chaos.
The principal glanced at the Sword Queen and marveled.
“Wow, your dreams really are something. We might’ve missed this completely if not for you.”
“Hmph. Didn’t I say? People think older folks just lose sleep for no reason.”
“Of course, I was joking.”
Trying to steer away from the awkward comment, the principal shifted the topic.
“Think it’s the Blood Cult?”
“Who knows? One way or another, someone clearly wanted something in there badly enough to sneak in.”
“Whatever it is, we shouldn’t let them have it.”
Which meant they had to follow quickly.
Since it was an A-rank dungeon, sending regular staff wouldn’t be enough. The principal and the Sword Queen themselves would need to go.
And as they said earlier, the main campus would be relatively safe even in their absence.
The Sword Queen spoke up.
“Let’s head down right after we see the start of tomorrow’s preliminaries.”
“Let’s do that.”
As their discussion wrapped up, I turned to the principal and asked,
“You said Number 24?”
“That’s right.”
He even double-checked with the vice principal to confirm.
I gave a small nod, then quickly put together a strategy guide on the spot.
“I’ve only written down the essentials. Just the stuff that’ll be useful. Please have a look.”
“…Oh, thanks.”
The principal accepted it with a somewhat dazed expression.
The Sword Queen also looked at me with a curious gaze.
Clearing debts is always a win.
Even without getting a promise in return, just contributing to the stabilization of Dragon Slayer Academy would bring benefits down the line.
Future strategy guide dealings with the academy office would go more smoothly too. That’s a bonus.
With nothing more left to say, the principal stood up first, effectively signaling the end of the meeting.
“We’ve taken up too much of your time, haven’t we? Go on now. I’ll make good use of this guide.”
“I’ll be heading out.”
I gave a polite bow and left the principal’s office.
In front of the academy building, Go Hyeon-woo, Seo Ye-in, and Shin Byeong-cheol were waiting for me.
Looked like they’d rushed back from the downtown area as soon as they heard the news.
Ahn Jeong-mi was there too, standing a bit off to the side.
Well, it’s no surprise since the Blood Cult showed up.
Not exactly the time to be enjoying a peaceful dinner.
No telling when those guys might strike again.
Go Hyeon-woo and Shin Byeong-cheol asked,
“Kim-hyung, are you alright?”
“What the hell happened out there?”
“I’m fine. As you can see, not a scratch.”
I answered with a grin.
Seo Ye-in came closer too and started carefully checking if I had any injuries.
Seeing that, Go Hyeon-woo and Shin Byeong-cheol exchanged a knowing glance and each chimed in.
“Hmm, glad you’re in one piece.”
“Still, I bet it was a shock. Might be good for your sanity to take it easy today.”
“Plenty of time to celebrate making the finals later, after all.”
“Yeah, exactly. See you all tomorrow.”
And then, they cheerfully backed away and disappeared into the distance.
Even after the quick-witted guys had left, Seo Ye-in’s inspection continued for a while.
Then, looking up at me intently, she spoke.
“Stop making me worry.”
“I’ll be careful.”
It wasn’t like I’d intended to run into that Blood Cult Mister, but it was true I’d been making her worry a lot lately.
Then, Seo Ye-in held out a hand.
“Give it.”
“What?”
“Caw.”
I asked as I pulled out the Crow Tree.
“This?”
“Confiscated.”
“And why’s that?”
“Safety first.”
“If it’s safety first, why take my weapon?”
Instead of answering, Seo Ye-in simply reached out further, trying to grab the Crow Tree.
As I dodged her hands left and right, a sudden thought crossed my mind.
“Planning to lock me in a pot after you take it?”
“Safe.”
“It is safe, I’ll give you that. But don’t you think that’s a bit extreme? Maybe there’s a better option.”
“……”
Seo Ye-in seemed to ponder seriously for a moment, then quietly grabbed my arm.
“Sleep with me.”
“That also part of the whole safety-first thing?”
“Close surveillance.”
“And what if I can’t get up afterward? Then what?”
“…You will.”
She didn’t sound very confident.
Frankly, it wasn’t very convincing either.
At that moment, Ahn Jeong-mi, who had been silently watching our back-and-forth, gently chimed in.
“Kim Ho-nim, I’d say there are few places safer than the current training center.”
“I agree with you.”
I nodded in agreement.
The dorms were fairly secure, but they did have a weak point. Parents could enter relatively freely.
In contrast, the training center strictly controlled external access, not only because of the training rooms but also due to the presence of various cultivation facilities.
Even parents were required to get official permission from the academy office and be accompanied by a staff member in order to enter.
In that sense, staying in the special cultivation room until safety was guaranteed wasn’t a bad choice.
And while we were at it, there was no reason not to let her use the Kim Ho Pillow.
“Alright, let’s go. You’ll finally get to use the Kim Ho Pillow as much as I want for a while.”
“Lucky.”
Seo Ye-in said that, then walked around behind me and stretched out her arms.
“Carry me.”
“I’m the one who’s been through all the trouble. You should carry me.”
“…Fair point.”
An exclamation mark might as well have popped up over Seo Ye-in’s head.
I quickly slipped behind her, stretched out my arms, and spoke in a sloth-like tone.
“Carry me. Carry me. Carry me!”
“…Okay.”
Soon, Seo Ye-in began walking slowly with me on her back.
I casually ignored the look of shock and horror on Ahn Jeong-mi’s face.
But we didn’t make it far before my view started to sink lower.
Seo Ye-in had plopped down on the floor.
“….…”
“Why are you already worn out?”
“…Switch.”
***
The next day.
We headed to the arena.
After sitting in an empty spot and waiting a while, the stands began to fill with students and guests.
– Murmur, murmur…
The excitement of the tournament’s opening day still lingered, but at the same time, there was a faint sense of unease.
Probably because word had spread about a Blood Cult elder showing up.
Voices from behind us carried over.
– Are we really gonna be okay?
– Shouldn’t the tournament be canceled or something?
– What if they planted a bomb or something?
Considering the Blood Cult’s notorious reputation, their concern was understandable.
They were unpredictable. No one could guess what they might do.
Just yesterday, that elder guy had gone completely nuts, running all over the place.
As the murmuring steadily grew louder, a small temporary podium appeared to the side of the stage.
And the principal stepped up to it with a microphone in hand.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard about the unfortunate incident that occurred yesterday.”
“……”
“I understand your concerns, but the tournament will proceed as scheduled.”
Another wave of murmuring spread through the stands.
The principal continued unfazed.
“Even when our enemies try to shake us, I believe it’s the mark of a true hero to remain unwavering and stand firm.”
“….…!”
“Our teachers are working hard to track down any remnants and strengthen security. I too am doing my utmost, and I have no doubt we’ll stabilize the situation quickly.”
The principal’s words were full of confidence.
That sense of assurance seemed to resonate, and the uneasy murmuring in the crowd gradually faded, replaced by the sound of applause filling the arena.
Clap, clap, clap, clap,
The principal bowed politely to the audience as he received the applause.
Then he stepped down from the podium and left somewhere with the Sword Queen. It looked like they were heading off to tackle the deep-level dungeon, just as he’d mentioned the day before.
Next, the vice principal took the mic.
“We will now begin the Group 3 preliminary rounds. Will the participating students please move to the stage.”
A quarter of the students seated in the stands rushed down toward the stage.
Shin Byeong-cheol, as if by magic, found us and plopped down next to us.
He flashed a sly grin and said,
“Should we place our bets on Groups 3 and 4 too?”
“Of course.”
“Now that’s what I like to hear! Blood Cult’s the Blood Cult, but betting’s betting, you know?”
“Mr. Shin Byeong-cheol, just a thought… but wouldn’t it be better if you just earned money the honest way?”
“Haha, you say that because you don’t get it.”
Shin Byeong-cheol wagged his index finger from side to side.
Then, in the most serious tone imaginable, he continued.
“You earn steadily, and you keep betting. That way, it’s bound to hit big someday.”
“Sounds like total nonsense… but kind of convincing too.”
Well, it was true that hitting it big once over summer break had made life a bit easier.
I decided to respect Shin Byeong-cheol’s philosophy on labor.
Soon after, he started rubbing his hands together.
“So, where shall we place our bets today?”
“Hmm…”
I took my time scanning the stage carefully.
Even from a distance, that red hair stood out right away.
“I’m thinking of betting on Hong Yeon-hwa.”