ALL NOVEL Chapter 19
Claris Academy Faculty Research Building.
“Are you okay?”
I’m sitting at a table with steam rising from a cup of tea, chatting with Sylvester, the half-squinting instructor.
“Yeah, well, it seems like I’m not seriously injured…”
The reason he called me was simple.
They must have needed to clarify the situation regarding the demon creature from yesterday.
As they say, “a rumor without a foot travels a thousand miles,” the gossip within the academy spread like wildfire.
Of course, the word was that Crimson Flame Melissa was the one who mainly dealt with the demon creature.
In the midst of it all, I was just an unlucky student with a bad personality.
“First of all, I apologize for putting you in such a horrific situation during the test. The Dean will be in touch soon.”
“Oh, uh, okay.”
“I’ll let you know about the compensation later…”
Sylvester got to the point.
“It might feel a bit awkward, but since the 2-1 party members, except for you, Lev, are currently receiving treatment in the Restoration Chamber, could you tell me in detail what happened yesterday if you know anything?”
“Um… while we were taking the test, a rag came to us. It seemed filled with murderous intent, so we had no choice but to engage in battle right away.”
Sylvester scribbled something down and then asked one more thing.
“I see. Although there’s an investigation happening within the academy, it seems like there was a problem with the illusion magic’s medium. However, as you saw, the rag was indeed a real entity. It shouldn’t have been an easy opponent for a freshman.”
Sylvester trailed off, seemingly expecting more from me.
It felt like he was somewhat aware that Melissa wasn’t the primary force behind the rag’s capture.
“I panicked, so I just resisted with my crossbow. But, thankfully, I guess I landed a critical hit. Plus, Hazel had just done an enchantment for me right before that.”
“Hmm… Could you show me the crossbow for a moment?”
When I handed him the crossbow, he inspected it from all angles.
“Did you have any experience with using a crossbow?”
“I practiced hard on the weekends.”
For a moment, Sylvester shifted his gaze from the crossbow to my face.
“…I see. You can certainly say it was very lucky…”
And then he didn’t ask any further questions.
Seeing it in person really confirmed it.
I hadn’t used magic or a demon transformation, and effectively, it was like using a third power; there would be no traces left.
In the end, all that remained was my consistent testimony and some fragments of the rag.
“The rag collapsed with a hit from the enchanted crossbow.”
That summarizes it in a nutshell.
“Professor, can I ask you something as well?”
“Of course.”
“What will happen to our 2-1 party? Did we all fail the test?”
“That’s not the case. In special situations like this, it’s nullified. Of course, judging by the progress, it seems 2-1 team would have won.”
Just as I thought.
With that statement, the screen I had been hoping for appeared.
–Charaang!
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[Achievement Cleared]
[Supporting Role Achievement: Supporting Roles Know How to Help Supporting Roles]
[Reward: 100 Supporting Role Points]
[You have acquired Supporting Role Points]
—————————————————
As I was focused on the reward screen rather than Sylvester, he asked me with a tone of acknowledgment.
“You really were capable, huh?”
“Well, the results speak for themselves.”
Perhaps because of my nonchalant stance, Sylvester smiled softly.
“By the way, Lev, I heard you were denied entry to the Cheong-gwan dormitory.”
“Yeah.”
“Considering you have been assigned 49 demerit points, it seems you still have some lingering attachment to your studies, asking about passing the test. Are you really planning to graduate from the academy?”
“Sure.”
“I’d like to help you get back into your dorm as a gesture of goodwill, but… demerit points can’t just be wiped away instantly.”
“Thanks for saying that.”
Hearing my brief reply, Sylvester started speaking, looking a bit thoughtful.
“…Speaking of which, there is an available spot…”
“?”
“If you don’t mind, I can assign you to the Black House… Selafi Black House, that is.”
The Black House.
Claris Academy has four dormitories.
The Raphae Cheong-gwan, where students mastering magic stay.
The Baraki Jeokgwan, where melee-type knights, paladins, and warriors stay.
Then there’s the Yegudi Green House, which hosts those specializing in support techniques or scouts.
And finally, the nominally existing old dormitory, Selafi Black House.
In the [Hwanseangaka], the reason for the existence of the Black House is because the Chaos Gate opens there around Chapter 4.
That’s why up until then, it’s been completely sidelined, essentially holding no significance in the story.
I couldn’t even imagine how dilapidated the facilities might be…
But this isn’t the time to be picky.
I spent a day in the Restoration Chamber yesterday, but today I have to face the prospect of sleeping rough.
Surely, it has to be better than that.
“Please assign me.”
*
Early in the morning, Melissa, who recovered quite quickly, had to listen to the numerous worries conveyed through her magical item.
After a lengthy three-hour reassurance of her mother, father, and followers, it felt even more exhausting.
“Phew. Now I can finally rest.”
While meditating, Melissa began to reflect on yesterday’s events.
Magic requires concentration.
If even a little bit falters, the flow of magic from the heart to the body becomes unstable, and if a spell is forcibly recited in such a state, it could result in a serious mishap.
In that context, yesterday was the worst.
She couldn’t gather her thoughts amongst the continuous unforeseen circumstances.
If it had been a real situation, it would certainly have been dangerous.
But Lev Denec. He remained calm.
He was the fastest to notice the presence of the spirit during the test.
His composure seemed as if he could see through the entire test.
Why had he resorted to cheating during the last test?
No? It could be the opposite. Perhaps he acted that way because he had prior information about this test too.
Still…
–Growwwl!
The roar that seemed to echo when her eyes closed.
The suddenly appearing named-level demon creature, the rag.
“Hey, Princess. Show us a bit of your top skills.”
If it hadn’t been for him…
It might have led to catastrophe.
Breakdown…
She underestimated him, yet the rag, which didn’t budge under fire magic, fell with just one of his strikes.
–Today, you’ve grown even more!
–What superb skills you have, Princess!
–You are our hope!
She had always lived receiving praises in the Principality.
So she dove deeper into mastering her magic.
She became the top student even in the academy entrance exam.
However, reality was different.
She couldn’t do anything.
She wasn’t able to show what she had been preparing all along.
Who could have predicted this level of disparity?
But… the one who had always been too prideful to practice or attend classes suddenly stood out as a marksman…
“Did you make a contract with a demon or something?”
For Melissa, it made more sense to think of him that way than to acknowledge him.
Moreover, what worried her most was how she had become too excited by his remarks at times.
–No way!
–Don’t be a nuisance!
Thus, she ended up delivering a harsh backlash against herself.
“What the heck… what’s going on?!”
–Bam! Bam! Bam!
She struck at the innocent pillow in frustration.
She said those things, but ironically, she now found herself in a debt of gratitude to that annoying guy…
Her face felt hot already.
Is this what adults refer to as responsibility?
Tomorrow, the class assignments will be made, and the worries of the girl continued endlessly.
*
Arriving at the Selafi Black House…
It was on the outskirts of Claris Academy.
It’s not called a place of exile for nothing.
Who would’ve thought there would be a rural scenery like this in such a bustling academy?
For starters, it seemed this path hadn’t seen human foot traffic in a while.
“So dirty!”
Walking 25 minutes to the Circulation Train…
In this location, nobody might want to live here…
The nobles prefer to uphold their dignity, so even if they assigned me to the Black House, they might say, “If I have to live in a place like this, I’d rather get expelled!”
After a long while, I could finally enter through the entrance.
Oh wow.
If the academy had a sharp and elongated Gothic or Baroque architecture blended with modern aesthetics, the Black House was a low three-story building with a red roof and white walls.
It seemed modest even among the Renaissance styles.
Given that it was built for practicality rather than flamboyance, it looked more like a fantasy setting.
“Is anyone here?”
When I entered the entrance with my luggage, I sensed no presence.
But contrary to the old exterior, the inside was clean, suggesting it had been well maintained even recently.
“Dormitory Supervisor?”
Despite being in a remote area, it was still the academy, so there should be at least the dormitory supervisor.
Furthermore, Claris Academy has a well-structured system for dormitories since they often appear in the story.
At that moment, I suddenly spotted a familiar face from a distance, as if I had somehow known it.
“Have you arrived…?”
“Uh…”
With her snow-white hair and a cheerful face that reminded me of a sunny spring day.
—————————————————
[Yeriel Artina]
[Average Status]
: 4.5
[Specialization]
Circle Magic (5)
[Unique Trait]
Tarchangel Transformation (Lv.??) (Inactive) (Unable to view detailed information)
Element (Lv.5)
—————————————————
‘5… Circle…?’
The last main heroine of the [Hwanseangaka] and a fundamental character.
A kind, warm-hearted, and gentle supporter.
It was Yeriel.
–Charaang!
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[Anonymous Feedback: Please correct Yeriel’s setting error]
[It is determined that it is an error that Tarchangel’s daughter, Yeriel, hasn’t been detected by Melissa despite being in the Cheong-gwan and undergoing her coming-of-age ceremony. Therefore, the starting location has been changed to the Black House.]
—————————————————
“I was informed by the professor in advance…!”
Even though she’s the ultimate antagonist, her voice at this moment was filled with pure resonance and a hint of tremor.
“Oh, as a freshman, can I speak informally with you…?”
Yeriel cautiously asked, stepping a distance closer without coming too close.
She must surely know what kind of person ‘Lev Denec’ is.
In an effort to hide her nervousness, she was considerate of me instead.
“Yeah. But what about the dormitory supervisor?”
“Uh…? Ah, that’s…”
Instead of answering, she pointed to herself with a finger and handed me a sheet of paper.
—————————————————
Interim deputy for the Selafi Black House dormitory supervisor
Name: Yeriel Artina
-This certifies the indefinite delegation.
—————————————————
…
The dormitory supervisor holds considerable power within Claris Academy, doesn’t she?
Is this even allowed?
“Welcome to being the first student of the Black House…!”
“I’m the first?!”
“Uh-huh…!”
She was still smiling at me.
Who knew there would be someone so kind to a villain? She was too naïvely kind.
That’s why it ended in such a bitter ending…
What do I do?
Is it really a good influence on her if I settle down in the Black House like this?
For now, Yeriel’s downfall will be a significant branching point for the ending.
So, I need to carefully manage her condition to make her a supporter of Edwin, which will allow me to counter Caeran.
Plus, since I have the magical eye, living in the Black House itself would be a perfect position for monitoring when she might fall.
“Got it. Show me to my room.”
“Huh…? Yeah! But first, let’s… fill this out…”
She seemed a bit surprised that I would stay there and quickly started handing out the dormitory guidelines.
“Oops! Almost dropped it…”
Watching her flustered was quite amusing.
But I’m not Lev Denec, so I have no intention of consuming or harming you; I just hope to stay quietly…
I just request you to tolerate me, even if it’s a bit uncomfortable.
By the way,
There are only two people in the dormitory…
But something else feels off…
Aha!
[Status: Level 2 Surveillance Magic (Caster: Aria Bluebell)]
…Is this okay…?