My Students Regret It After I Retired - Chapter 100



99 – Two Girls Entwined by Fate

“That’s too dangerous.”

Bendict tried to dissuade him, but Leos spoke even more forcefully.

“It’s a place with countless ability users, including the Heavenly Assembly Lord. If they’re only vaguely strong, they’ll just get in my way. In my current situation, I’m more afraid of my comrades being captured and taken hostage than losing to enemies by force.”

“I know, but brother. I also possess abilities, don’t I?”

“You suffered too much damage in the previous battle.”

“I fully recovered after taking the top-grade elixir you gave me.”

“Then use your abilities right now.”

“…”

Bendict couldn’t say anything.

“I already noticed. Just because your external and internal injuries healed, doesn’t mean your mental state is fine. When using abilities, mana is important, but the most crucial thing is mental strength. During that time of experiencing excruciating pain that transcended the fear of death, your mind was frayed and torn apart, over and over again. It will take much longer to recover.”

Bendict had taken Leos’ damage for him, but in return, he was suffering from tremendous mental aftereffects. Even if the top-grade elixir had healed his external and internal injuries, his mind wasn’t right, so the manifestation of his abilities was naturally impossible.

Even so, Bendict didn’t want to let Leos go alone because he was afraid he might die.

“Brother Leos, I’ve seen the Heavenly Assembly Lord multiple times. She’s strong. You’re strong enough too, but she’s incomparably stronger. I think if you searched the entire world, there wouldn’t be anyone stronger than her. And beside her are numerous members of the Heavenly Assembly who haven’t died yet. It’s impossible alone. Even with the Bloodfall you use, even with the Five Swords, it won’t be enough to face not just the Heavenly Assembly Lord, but all the other members. I’ll be the bait. Please, use me to increase your chances of victory, even just a little.”

Leos contorted his face fiercely before speaking.

“Did you think I’m the kind of b*stard who would sell out a comrade’s life, for just a piece of bait?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Bendict shut his mouth as if he was frustrated that he couldn’t follow.

Rakart, who had been listening quietly, agreed with Bendict for once.

“Leos, it’s dangerous to go alone. But as you said, those without abilities are of no help.”

“It can’t be helped. There’s no other way, so I have to go alone.”

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“Isn’t there another way? Keltazar.”

At the sudden mention of Keltazar’s name, Leos looked at Lacart, who then spoke.

“Wasn’t it Keltazar who awakened his ability because of you? That ability to summon grotesque undead.”

Leos then realized, a ‘doh’ moment. He’d forgotten. His own trait.

[Ability Inducer]: Can awaken the abilities of those nearby. However, this ability only applies to those with an unwavering, unparalleled will. This trait is manifested only in those intertwined with your fate.

The trait of Ability Inducer.

An absurd trait that could awaken even the abilities of ordinary people.

But the Ability Inducer had only manifested once so far.

“I have a trait called Ability Inducer. It’s supposed to awaken abilities only in those with unwavering will, among those strongly intertwined with my fate.”

“An unwavering will, huh…”

Lacart nodded as if he finally understood, adding,

“Then it makes sense. Keltazar was a madman obsessed with the Emperor. His loyalty was so strong, it surpassed even madness. He died thinking of the Emperor even in his last breath. Keltazar was strongly intertwined with you from the start, and on top of that, he had an unwavering will to protect the Emperor, so that’s why your Ability Inducer trait activated, right?”

“Probably.”

“Sorry. My heart is sincere in wanting to help you, but it seems this much heart isn’t enough to awaken an ability.”

Lacart spoke apologetically, but Leos shook his head.

“Your will isn’t the issue. It’s just that our fates aren’t that heavily intertwined from the start.”

“What are you talking about? We’ve been through so much life and death together, I thought our fates were intertwined enough.”

“It’s because of my senses. I can feel it. How deeply someone’s fate is intertwined with mine. When I saw Keltazar, I felt that our fates were devastatingly intertwined, but when I look at you, I don’t feel that same level. It’s hard for me to explain it in detail.”

“Hmm…I see. That could also be part of the Ability Inducer’s power.”

Lacart sighed in disappointment. He was disheartened by the fact that he couldn’t help in the final battle.

He could throw a tantrum, demanding to be taken along, but Rakart was a cold, calculating man. He knew better than anyone that his presence would be no help, just an annoying obstacle.

To fight those with abilities, they naturally had to bring someone with abilities themselves.

“Leos. You said you can sense those whose fates are intertwined with yours, right?”

“That is so.”

“Among those nearby, is there anyone you feel is connected to you by fate?”

“I don’t know.”

Leos’ awkward reply made Rakart notice something was off, and he paused to think. Then, he spoke of someone who might be intertwined with Leos’ fate.

“Wasn’t it your former disciple who recently joined the Scarlet Shadow? Their name was Sierna, or Enas for sure.”

“…”

When Leos remained silent, Rakart asked again.

“Is either of them intertwined with your fate? I want you to be honest. Those here now want to fight alongside you more than anyone. But, lacking abilities, they can’t follow. However, sending you out alone is practically suicide, as you well know. So, unless we secure an ally with abilities and bring them along, we’ll stop you from leaving by any means necessary.”

“Nonsense.”

“I’d even injure myself to stop you. I think Benedict would naturally help, too. Maybe even your colleague, Heresia, might help me once she knows the truth.”

“Don’t do anything foolish.”

“I don’t want to either. So, answer honestly. Is either Sierna or Enas intertwined with your fate?”

Leos let out a heavy sigh before finally replying.

“There is one.”

“Who is it?”

“Enas. I feel a powerful fate intertwined with him. More so than Keltazar. And there’s one more.”

“Not just Enas, but one more? Who is it?”

“Beline.”

The moment her name was spoken, a profound silence descended around them. Everyone knew how strained the relationship between Beline and Leos was.

“Even if we accept Enas, Beline… well… fate being intertwined, like with Keltazar, it’s not always a positive thing, so maybe it’s just like that.”

Lakart quickly assessed the situation.

“Ultimately, the only ones who can be awakened as ability users through the Ability Conductor trait are Beline and Enas. But since Beline hasn’t been located even within the Imperial Palace, we don’t know where she is, so we can’t bring her in.”

“I wouldn’t try to bring her in, even if I knew her location.”

“I know that. Anyway, we only have Enas left. If you’re going to leave alone, at least awaken Enas and take her with you as an ability user.”

“Impossible. I need to leave as soon as possible. The Heavenly Sovereign has probably already heard that the Emperor is dead. And I killed a large number of the Heavenly Society members in the Imperial Guard.”

“If they were going to attack first, they would have already.”

“Careless words. The moment she arrives here, not only me but everyone here will die. It’s only logical to choose the place and time of my choosing.”

“Leos, if you die, we all die. Do you think the Heavenly Sovereign will leave remnants of you like us? She will kill everyone who was in the area, including everyone who met you. So even if it’s delayed, it’s right to pursue a more certain victory.”

“…”

Leos ran a hand through his hair, then finally nodded.

“I know. Awakening Enas, and taking her with me to fight is more likely to lead to victory. But how? I don’t even know how to use the Ability Conductor.”

Lakart thought deeply at Leos’ words, then replied.

“It was said that the Ability Conductor is definitely activated by a strong, intertwined fate, and an opponent with an unparalleled, intense will. In that case, I can take care of it. Leos, I investigated the relationship between you and Enas.”

Lakart spoke as he walked past Leos.

“Don’t leave, just wait one more day. And, though you may not want to, make some time to talk with Enas. If you do that, I will try to activate your Ability Conductor trait once.”

With those words, Lakart immediately began to walk towards Enas.

‘An unyielding will… above all else…’

How much Enas thinks of Leos.

Depending on that, the probability of her ability awakening would also completely change.