TL/Editor: Raei
Illustrations: Here
"..."
I observed Noctar, Siena, and Amy from afar, standing near the base of a large tree.
The Northern Forest, vast and wild, was a key location in the original game.
I'd told them to wait there once they got here.
"With Siena here, we can wrap this up fast."
Tap tap.
I gently tapped Jang Woohee's shoulder and nodded.
It was my silent way of saying, 'Don't call me a prophet.'
I had already warned her during our carriage ride, but...
It's best to steer clear of needless confusion.
Siena, Noctar, and Amy.
All three were dependable, but they didn't need to know everything.
In this world, the title of prophet held immense power.
Those who could see glimpses of the future were few, less than ten in the whole continent.
Jang Woohee glanced at me and nodded in understanding.
As I headed towards the group who had arrived ahead of time...
"What's up, Theo? Why were you two exchanging looks like that?"
Siena, who had rushed over, crossed her arms at me.
"I wasn't exchanging looks with her."
"No, you can't trick me. Listen, don't do anything reckless. Don't spray that strange medicine again. If you do, I won't let it go!"
Siena frowned at me.
But despite her stern look, her voice sounded more playful than upset.
"···I have my own life too."
"And?"
Siena gazed at me, her face puzzled.
...Ah.
So sure of herself, I was momentarily lost for words.
"And? she says."
"People who like each other shouldn't have secrets, right?"
"...That's one-sided. Isn't it?"
"So you see it too.”
Siena interpreted my words differently.
...Liking each other, isn't that a one-sided thing?
And I can't communicate with spirits like you... I can't even see their shapes.
Siena giggled in amusement.
"Hehe, do you want to see the spirits?"
"···No, forget it."
'How?' The question lingered on my lips, but I bit it back.
If I bring it up now, she's the type who would drag me off to the Great Forest claiming it's to teach me how to communicate with spirits.
Living in the Great Forest would eventually allow me to sense and interact with spirits, thanks to the clean air and water.
But that would take around a hundred years.
······By then, I wouldn't be in this world anymore.
"Well, we can't do anything about that. Anyway, try not to cause trouble, okay? I can't promise what I'll do if you do-?"
Siena clutched my arm tightly.
"..."
Without a word, I looked away.
"Hehe."
Siena took my silence as agreement and let out a chuckle.
"Really~ Our Theo is so cute. He knows he's about to be scolded, but he still tries to resist shyly."
Siena kept talking by my side.
It wasn't a 'shy' resistance.
'This annoying woman.'
It's a strategic step back, setting the stage for a bigger leap in the future.
I've made my decision.
While Siena has been of great help to me, I can't let her keep pushing me around.
Having her constantly watching me would limit many things, personal life aside.
'I planned to get it later, but I might need it sooner.'
I need to speed up acquiring another hidden piece.
This hidden piece is not a weapon or a piece of equipment; it's a kind of Divine Beast.
Divine Beast.
A natural foe to spirits.
With it, I can certainly escape Siena's watch.
Plus, it has many useful abilities.
However, it's situated quite far from the academy, and the round trip would take at least a week.
That's why I planned to get it during the upcoming holiday.
But now······
Plans have changed.
'I'll have to ask Rok to shift the location of the next practical evaluation to that place.'
Changing academy events diverges from the original game.
The likelihood of facing unexpected issues increases.
But stopping Siena's spirit-based spying is the priority.
And since the story has already changed, more changes won't matter as much.
I will just give my best in every moment.
I remember the big frame on the wall of the Hero Department's training ground with the words [Overcome. Surpass.]
'Somewhere along the way, I feel like I've truly become a hero.'
I wonder if Theo's spirit is affecting me.
Even though Theo's character and abilities were seen as below average, he genuinely wanted to be a hero.
Sigh, such is my fate.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Noctar. Hmm, what was your name again... Jang Woohee, right?"
"Yes."
"Hehehe, the name of a strong person is hard to forget."
Noctar laughed and extended his hand to Jang Woohee.
Jang Woohee shook his large hand, which looked like a pot lid.
"Theo, I don't like her."
Siena clung to Theo's arm once again, shooting a glare at Jang Woohee.
"......"
On the other hand, Amy looked at Jang Woohee calmly.
Amy had learned to hide her feelings because she'd been dealing with Theo, a troublemaker since their childhood.
'Hmm.'
Her aura felt familiar, though faint.
The slight aura of an assassin.
'Surely, during that first mission with the young master...'
It was the same woman who had been watching them at that time.
Such an aura is uncommon.
A petite figure, standing around 150cm tall.
Moreover, her physique matched the one she had seen that day.
"......"
Now, they were on the same team.
Amy moved towards Jang Woohee and extended her hand.
"I'm Amy, serving Master Theo. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Jang Woohee."
"Yeah, pleasure's mine."
With her customary indifferent expression, Jang Woohee accepted Amy's handshake.
'He has an assassin by his side. Is he planning something?'
Jang Woohee already knew.
Amy was also an assassin, much like herself.
But she was still unaware that Amy was part of Equilibrium.
Today's mission is to detain the infiltrator from 'Turning White', who occupies a leadership role within the academy.
I began the briefing without hesitation.
"... If you head north from here, you'll reach our target's hideout. If we can't find the target along the way, secure the hideout first."
"Just like before, we're not allowed to kill the target, right?"
Noctar questioned.
"Not necessarily. While it's preferable to capture the target alive, we'll react accordingly to unexpected situations."
"I get it, Theo. I'll do just that. Kekeke, if you're this earnest, it means our opponent is tough. It's been a while since I faced a strong adversary, it stirs my blood."
Noctar laughed, grinding his teeth together.
Then, I imparted a few minor details to the team members.
'With a team like this, we should be able to nab her.'
The leader has the abilities of a seasoned mid-tier hero.
Definitely stronger than Francis.
But we also have Jang Woohee and Siena on our side.
'Once we take out the leader, dealing with the remaining infiltrators within the academy will be much easier.'
When taking on a group, it's most effective to target their leader first.
It'll be challenging.
However, I now wield both strength and knowledge.
"Now, let's move immediately."
"Hold on a second."
It was Jang Woohee.
"What is it?"
"I want to change into something more comfortable."
"Understood."
"I'll be back shortly."
With that, Jang Woohee vanished from our sight.
Before long, she returned.
Her outfit was black, just like the other day.
She had dressed in clothes designed for easy movement.
"I'm back."
"Alright. Let's get started."
...It felt as if not even 10 seconds had passed.
She was exceptionally quick.
Her speed was faster than that of a freshly enlisted recruit just entering training camp.
...Could it be she had been wearing it underneath all this time?
After about 20 minutes of walking, the surroundings began to darken.
Noctar shared his observation.
"The ambience has shifted here. We should tread quietly, correct?"
"Yes. If we spot them, I'll give the signal."
We're almost there.
According to the original game, their hideout should be around here.
Then...
Rustle.
A slight disturbance stirred the bushes opposite us.
A minute movement that others might overlook.
But I had already activated [Observer's Eye] before we entered.
Nothing could escape my scrutiny.
"...Jang Woohee."
I spoke while keeping my eyes fixed on the gently swaying bushes.
"Yes."
Jang Woohee had noticed it too.
In an instant, she moved toward it.
I concentrated ahead, calling out as I dashed forward.
"Follow closely!"
"Hehe, got it~"
"Alright, let's move!"
"I understand, young master."
The team members trailed behind me.
...Alright, let's catch them swiftly and make our way back.
***
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