I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City - Chapter 123



122 – A Quest, After All This Time

The academy headmaster, with his impressive beard like freshly fallen snow, had foreshadowed changes to the Orion Academy’s curriculum.

These reforms arrived alongside the lighter academy uniforms that mirrored the warming weather.

No longer were students solely trained to combat the monsters threatening humanity.

Compiled from data gathered by the major powers, formal instruction in interpersonal combat, preparing students to face malicious humans, was integrated into the curriculum.

And, as some students had hoped, the amount of theoretical material was trimmed and streamlined, making way for more hands-on, combative practice.

Today was the day that Juyeon would individually mentor each student in Class 1.

While other students continued their own training, awaiting their turn.

Rohan stood opposite Juyeon, armed with an academy-issue sword and gun.

“Haa…”

Rohan exhaled slowly, his body drooping like liquid.

The tip of his sword pointed towards the ground.

Sweat beaded on his ebony bangs.

The instant a drop hit the floor.

Rohan’s body surged into motion, like a bolt of lightning.

[Triple Sword – Winged Light Drill]

“Hmph!”

He pushed off the ground, leveraging the momentum into a thrust.

A spark flashed.

Clang—!

Juyeon deflected Rohan’s blade with a wooden sword.

And couldn’t help but be impressed.

Rohan’s growth surged, like bamboo after a monsoon.

‘A magnificent thrust. Infused with a rotational force created with mana.’

And the speed… surpassing any swordsmanship Rohan had previously displayed.

As I’ve observed during repeated drills, his progress is remarkable, especially with rising skill.

‘If he can minimize the preparation and use this thrust in quick succession… it could be a potent weapon.’

Juyeon sees it.

The effort and practice Rohan pours in where no one else can witness.

Against an opponent of equal skill, it would be difficult to deflect Rohan’s thrust unscathed on the first strike.

Even with a slightly superior technique, the chance of a clean parry would only be around fifty percent.

“The time it takes to settle into your stance is still too long. As you know, enemies won’t wait for you to prepare like your instructor does.”

“Kgh!”

Rohan gripped the sword, forced back with fierce resistance, and leveled the pistol in his left hand.

“Focus on compressing your movements. It’s improved, but still not practical for real combat.”

As Juyeon continued his advice, Rohan unhesitatingly pulled the trigger.

Bang!

Juyeon regarded the mana-infused bullet with curiosity.

This must be what changed the Omega on the deserted island.

He briefly considered letting it hit him out of sheer curiosity, but the dignity and responsibility of an instructor suppressed his primal instincts, and he chose to evade.

Juyeon reminded himself that this was an academy lesson.

That this was a time to teach Rohan.

‘His firing trajectory is flawless. He wields the gun and sword with complete ease.’

Instinctively determining the direction of the barrel is not something that can be taught through words.

It’s an area where instinct and experience harmonize.

Rohan seems to have truly found the weapon that suits him.

In Juyeon’s memory, the Rohan who suffered mana exhaustion during their first spar came vividly to mind.

He had certainly used a gun and sword back then as well.

‘He wasn’t channeling mana into his bullets then. I thought he couldn’t.’

Was the period when he carried only a sword a time of wandering?

From noble mtl dot com

‘Even if he has the talent to infuse mana into projectiles, wielding blades simultaneously isn’t easy. Many dedicate themselves to a single weapon, truthfully.’

Juyeon held back the compliment that threatened to spill from his lips.

Rohan, as he stands, is in need of the whip.

Clang! Clang-a-lang! Tang! Tang! Pshew─!

Juyeon, deflecting Rohan’s blade and projectiles with his wooden sword, continued to dispense advice.

“Of course, the path Rohan’s swordsmanship seeks might not be this. But for practical use, you need to compact your stance.”

“Yes, sir…!”

“If the instructor’s advice conflicts with the sword’s intention, you must find a middle ground. Prioritize the form the sword aspires to, and consider the instructor’s words secondarily.”

At Juyeon’s instruction to try again, Rohan prepared his third sword once more.

After a full-powered thrust was effortlessly blocked.

He received correction on his subtly faltering posture, and was pointed to the rough point of his mana flow.

Bee-bee-beep! Bee-bee-beep!

The alarm sounded, signaling the end of Rohan’s turn.

“That’s all. Go back and practice.”

“Thank you, sir!”

··

··

The final class ended, and the academy day was complete.

Rohan, heading for the academy’s showers, stopped in his tracks at the sight of the girl before him.

It was Ichinose, unusually without Noah by her side.

“You worked hard.”

“You too, Ichinose.”

If there weren’t students passing nearby, the nickname “Baby-nose” would’ve been out immediately.

“Ahem…!”

“Why? Need some help?”

Seeing Ichinose clear her throat as if about to speak, Rohan raised the corner of his mouth.

The fact that she was trying to appear serious, instead of aiming for cuteness, was particularly endearing.

“Do you remember before? When I said I’d treat you to a meal separately…”

“Of course I remember.”

It was a story that Rohan hadn’t bothered to bring up, as she hadn’t spoken of it for so long.

“How about tonight? Are you… busy?”

“I’d be happy to. No plans.”

When Rohan readily agreed, Ichinose’s lips and cheeks twitched.

“I’ll just shower and come back. Can’t go out like this.”

“I’ll wash up at the dorm too. I’ve been sweating way too much.”

“You just smell good, though?”

“Eep… ! Get away!”

As Rohan playfully approached, Ichinose startled and stepped back.

“Anyway, contact me when you’re done. I’ll get ready and wait.”

“Yes. See you later.”

Ichinose walked away with a graceful gait.

Watching her, Rohan hurried to finish his shower.

He pulled out his phone as he climbed the stairs.

He always sent a message to Sion and Clara beforehand in these situations.

Rohan quickly finished showering. Of course, washing up wasn’t all.

He changed into a crisp uniform and ensured that his weapons, Radiance and Brand, were ready.

To finish, he ordered a large iced Americano from the franchise cafe in front of the academy and put the straw to his lips.

“Mmm.”

Rohan drank fast.

He emptied the coffee in an instant and swirled the remaining ice with his straw.

As he considered opening the lid and chewing on the ice, a message came from Ichinose.

‘Unexpected.’

The place Ichinose wanted to meet wasn’t a bustling downtown area.

When he got out of the taxi at the location she shared, it was a quiet street, like the alley where he first met Ichinose.

‘There.’

Ichinose was there, wearing pretty casual clothes and standing demurely.

She was still holding her sword. Excellent.

As Rohan approached, her head, with its closed eyes, turned.

“I’m not late, am I?”

“I just got here myself.”

“What about Noah?”

“He’s busy today. Apparently, it’s an important day to determine the leader of the alley cats in the academy city…”

Ichinose trailed off, finding even her own words difficult to grasp.

But for Rohan, the image formed easily enough.

He’d witnessed Noah drilling stray cats in the park before, imparting his own brand of discipline.

“Strange. The two of them not joined at the hip.”

“There are days like this, you know. Does Rohan prefer Noah being around…?”

“Why would Baby-nose even think that?”

“…”

Ichinose pouted slightly, then led the way.

There was no sulkiness in her face as she glanced back, urging him to hurry.

Rohan fell in step beside her.

“Are there any good shops around here?”

“Yes. It’s a place only those in the know are aware of.”

“So now I’m one of those in the know?”

Ichinose chuckled at Rohan’s words, questioning.

“Rohan likes meat after all, doesn’t he?”

“I do like meat. But I eat my greens too. Not particularly picky.”

“Then you’ll be satisfied. It’s a steak place that only sells a limited weight each day.”

“Ooh!”

“The meat’s good, and the portions aren’t small either. The sides are excellent too.”

“My mouth is watering already.”

Rohan could tell. She’d chosen a place specifically with his tastes in mind.

Ichinose wasn’t one to prefer hearty meals.

It was best to react as grandly as possible, paying respect for the consideration.

“They even have desserts you can enjoy inside after your meal, so…”

“…”

The two of them, walking along the quiet alleyway, stopped.

A black monolith had suddenly appeared in their view.

‘Monolith!’

By the time he recognized it, it was already too late.

Kugugugugu───!!!

A pitch-black monolith exuded an ominous aura, its inscriptions gleaming.

Magic surged, twisting and seizing the very fabric of space.

“Ichinose! Get over here!”

“···!”

Rohan, his face grim, yanked the frozen Ichinose into his arms, holding her tight.

They absolutely couldn’t afford to be separated inside.

[ A Quest has been triggered. ]

[Succubus’s Nest]

◇ Quest Objective: A Monolith, a symbol of anomaly, has appeared in the Academy City. Escape the distorted space safely with your comrades!

◇ Category: Sudden

◇ Success Reward: 30,000P, Party Full Recovery, Exclusive Main Story Unlocked

◇ Failure Penalty: None

A new notification window, a sight he hadn’t encountered in what felt like forever.

Rohan’s eyes widened in alarm.

‘A Succubus? A Succubus’s Nest!?’

The title was so intense, he barely even registered the rewards.

And then, in a fleeting instant.

The monolith swallowed them whole.