Invincible
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#107
🕑 Added 2024-09-13 16:44:27 +0000 UTCThe Calm Before the Storm (1)
Gomon's eyes wandered aimlessly around the room, his expression dazed. He couldn't help but think how dreary the atmosphere in Rockefeller's office was. The curtains were such a dark purple that it was difficult to tell if they were actually black. The paintings hanging on the walls were equally dismal in their color scheme, enough to make anyone who looked at them feel as if they were on the verge of depression. The candelabras, with their antiquated design, brought back memories of a museum visit.
'This guy has some peculiar tastes.'
Just as Gomon was lost in thought, staring blankly at the flames, the candlelight began to flicker. A dull thud, as if someone was pounding on the desk, reverberated in his eardrums.
Bang!
"Ugh!"
Gomon flinched and glanced at Rockefeller's face. His eyes were hollow and menacing. It seemed he had been caught daydreaming.
"Did you even hear a word I said?"
"Oh, of course! I was listening carefully, Professor Rockefeller."
Gomon tried to cover it up, but Rockefeller narrowed his eyes as he asked,
"Really? Then tell me what I said."
If he couldn't answer, he would be grilled for the rest of the day. However, Gomon felt confident. Even though he had only half-listened to Rockefeller's nagging, he knew what the conversation was about.
"You were talking about how Hersel Ben Tenest received the highest score, weren't you..."
Rockefeller clicked his tongue and wrinkled his nose.
"The big brute sure knows how to slip through like an eel."
Gomon thought to himself, Of course. But Rockefeller, seemingly determined, showed no signs of stopping his criticism.
"I’m sure I gave you hints, but it seems you didn’t catch on. I didn’t feel the need to spell it out, but you knew what I meant, didn’t you?"
"Yes, yes, I know... You wanted him to be transferred to the Knight Department, didn't you?"
"So, what did you do about it?"
"Well..."
Gomon felt bitterly wronged. In truth, he had planned to sabotage Hersel. The problem was that there were certain conditions that needed to be met to carry out the plan.
"I thought since he didn't seem interested in the Three-Headed Wolf Hunt, he would try to gain points through treasure hunting. So, I figured we could just burn whatever herbs or materials he had found."
Using fire tactics is a basic strategy for a Roaming Band. Just as they had burned food supplies, he expected everything to go up in flames. Even if by some chance it remained intact, they planned to set it on fire as soon as he stepped outside. Under the circumstances, everyone would assume it was the Roaming Band that committed the arson.
"But?"
"We couldn’t locate the base where they were hiding..."
No matter how much they searched with the crystal ball, they couldn’t find it. All they could do was occasionally confirm that the Roaming Band was moving around. If they let their guard down even slightly, it was as if the band disappeared into thin air.
"You know as well as I do, Professor Rockefeller, how hard it is for just three of us to monitor 250 students and keep an eye on the instructors."
As Gomon voiced his complaints, Rockefeller's murderous aura seemed to dissipate. He even began to smile, which made Gomon even more uneasy.
"So, it’s my fault? I’ll admit it. I overestimated you all. I’ll make sure that’s reflected in your next performance review."
"W-what?"
When Rockefeller picked up his pen, Gomon's face fell. A few scribbles from that man could easily delay his promotion. If he wanted to avoid disaster, he had to keep defending himself.
"But, well, Hersel did find the artifact. Even if I had done my best to hinder him, the outcome would have been the same. His perfect score was guaranteed from that point on."
"Hmm."
Rockefeller seemed to be deep in thought, his gaze drifting upward. It looked like he was considering various possibilities and calculations.
"Now that you mention it, no one could have expected him to find the artifact."
"Exactly, there's nothing you can do about a prodigy."
"Well, let’s drop this topic for now. You can leave."
Rockefeller waved his hand dismissively, signaling for him to leave. Gomon seized the opportunity to move, but then remembered the promise he made to Hersel and stopped in his tracks. He knew he would get an earful, but a promise was a promise.
"Uh, Professor Rockefeller?"
"What is it?"
"Actually, I promised Hersel that the academy would give him something in return for hunting down the Bloody Viper, Berme."
As expected, Rockefeller's eyes widened in anger.
"Who gave you the authority to make that decision?"
Gomon grumbled internally, You did the same thing during the evil spirit incident...
“Well, the thing is, he's much stronger than I thought. If it weren’t for him, I would have been dead.”
Though he was prepared for a scolding, Rockefeller spoke calmly.
"I might not know about other things, but I do acknowledge your magical skills. I’m well aware of how strong Berme was. The fact that Hersel Ben Tenest easily took him down..."
There was a tinge of regret in his voice. Gomon, sympathizing with Rockefeller's feelings, nodded in agreement.
"Yes, it does seem a waste for him to stay in the Magic Department."
"So, you've finally realized it. That kid’s skills far surpass those of the professors, not as a mage but as a swordsman."
Gomon's eyes sparkled at Rockefeller's words. He thought the professor would be pleased to hear what Hersel had requested.
"Haha, but you don’t need to worry too much. It seems he hasn’t entirely given up on the sword."
"Hmm?"
"He asked for a sword. A good one, to be provided by the academy. Maybe he’s warming up to the idea of joining the Knight Department?"
Rockefeller's eyes glinted with interest, though his tone remained harsh.
"I'll consider it. Now, off you go."
"Thank you, sir."
Gomon hurriedly left the office. Only after he had gone did Rockefeller lean back in his chair and smirk.
"I don’t particularly want to, but I’ll have to give him something good."
Thinking of the commotion likely happening at the Roaming Band’s base, he couldn’t help but laugh.
"To think that the Bloody Viper, Berme, was killed by a mere student..."
The news would undoubtedly spread among those who specialized in exploring the Demon Realm. Principals of other academies would be kicking themselves for letting Hersel go for such a cheap price. Even Arkandric would be smugly boasting about it. That’s how valuable Hersel was.
***
The lobby of Schlaphe Hall was noisy from the early morning. A large man in full armor was bellowing at the top of his lungs.
"I’ve heard the rumors. Let’s see your skills, Hersel Ben Tenest!"
As he removed his helmet, I cautiously backed away, trying to slip out unnoticed. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but that face definitely belonged to Goren, the Saint of the South. But then Ricks shouted at the man and pointed directly at me.
"Hersel is right over there, Sir Goren. Even for someone like you, you'd better be prepared. Right, Hersel?"
No.
I tried to flee, but somehow, Riamon, Belman, Leana, Silla, and Erucel from Adel Hall had gathered to block my exit. In the center of them all was Rockefeller.
"Hersel Ben Tenest, this is your guest. Handle it quickly."
With telekinesis, Rockefeller pushed me right in front of Goren. Goren unsheathed his sword.
"I’ll take the first strike."
As he thrust his sword toward me, a system window appeared.
[Impact detected.]
[Activating trait.]
[1-second invincibility cooldown: 59 seconds.]
I watched as Goren’s sword shattered, and I tried to bluff my way out. But he had another sword, which he quickly swung, slicing clean through my neck.
"Aaah!"
I jolted awake to the sight of a white blanket. Sweat dripped down onto the sheets. My breath came out in ragged gasps.
"Hah, hah..."
Was it just a dream?
- Hersel, did you have another nightmare?
Donatan’s concerned voice reached me. I barely managed to calm my racing heart as I replied,
"Y-yeah, maybe it was a prophetic dream..."
This place was starting to scare me more and more. I was even beginning to think that the mansion was better. If I didn’t do something soon, I felt like something truly terrible would happen. I needed to think deeply about this.
Knock, knock.
A sudden knock came from the door. It was morning already. A visitor at this early hour?
"Hersel Ben Tenest? Hmm, are you still asleep?"
It was Gomon’s voice. I got up in my pajamas and opened the door for him.
"Ahem, sorry for bothering you so early. But I wanted to deliver some news right away."
"News?"
"Yes, about the sword. Professor Rockefeller has prepared it for you, so come and pick it up."
Did I really have to go there myself?
"You could’ve just brought it with you."
I shot him a sharp look, and Professor Gomon gave me an awkward smile. He glanced around before whispering in my ear.
"Well, the thing is... it's stored in the Treasure Hall. You know what that means, right? If word got out, it could cause quite a stir, so make sure not to tell any of the other students. It's something that’s only given to the top graduates."
The Treasure Hall? I stared at Gomon in disbelief and asked again.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course I am. So hurry up and get ready."
The Treasure Hall was a vault filled with legendary swords donated by renowned Pathfinders before they died. Some of them might have been the final works of legendary blacksmiths. Not only were they top-tier in performance, but they were also priceless treasures that couldn’t be measured in gold. I quickly showered, changed clothes, and followed Gomon.
***
The Treasure Hall could only be reached by passing through the professor’s quarters. On the way, I could feel the occasional gaze from the professors. They were probably curious why a student was wandering around here so early in the morning. Amidst it all, I heard a scolding voice coming from inside the faculty office.
"How could you do your work like this?"
"I-I'm sorry..."
"It’s the first time I’ve ever seen someone mark a wrong answer as correct. Didn’t you graduate from here? You should’ve been able to solve it!"
I peeked inside as we walked by. A young-looking female professor was being berated by an older colleague who seemed to be her senior. Gomon cleared his throat and redirected my attention.
"Ahem. There’s plenty to see on the way to the Treasure Hall, so how about I give you a little tour?"
"No, thank you. Let’s just get this over with."
I was already familiar with everything here. But as we passed through the hallway and a new door came into view, Gomon’s curiosity got the better of him, and he started playing tour guide.
"That room is responsible for the fortress's barrier. Whenever you’re doing those monster defense training sessions, the equipment in there is what they use."
"..."
"And here’s something most of the other professors don’t know: you can control the barriers inside the fortress from the headmaster’s office. Isn’t that amazing? You can even block off floors and stairs as you please."
It wasn’t that amazing. This academy was built in the heart of the Demon Realm, so of course, security would be top-notch. I kept my expression indifferent, but Gomon didn’t stop his explanation.
"In the past, unlike now, the academy was often attacked by savage monsters. Plus, it was during a time of war, so there were always armies trying to raid us."
This place was incredibly remote. During wartime, it would’ve been difficult for the empire to send proper troops here, so it was a prime target for hostile nations. But that was all ancient history.
"The Grand Mage considered all of this from the very start of the construction."
"Should you really be telling this to a student?"
I asked with a half-lidded gaze, and Gomon laughed sheepishly.
"This isn't exactly a secret, you know."
Professor Gomon seemed to have a deep interest in the history of Frostheart. Given the many secrets of the fortress, it was no wonder someone as curious as he would be intrigued.
"It’s just a shame. If it weren’t for all the wars, the records would have been perfectly preserved."
After the Grand Mage died and centuries later, Frostheart had once fallen into the hands of a foreign nation. Much of what was lost back then is unknown even to me, the player. The only one who might know anything more is the woman in the moving portrait.
Before I realized it, we had arrived at a hall filled with relics. I paused to look at the framed picture. It was closer to a video, showing the Grand Mage and three young apprentices smiling. Two were girls, and one was a boy with white hair. Gomon seemed pleased that I was interested in the picture and chuckled.
"Isn’t it fascinating? A moving picture. But is it really a picture? It feels more like they captured a moment in time."
"Do you know who those three are?"
"Hmm? Well, I’m not sure. They look like the Grand Mage’s apprentices, but it’s strange that not even their names were left behind."
Feeling playful, I pointed to the girl with the necklace and shared an eerie Easter egg that Gomon would likely enjoy.
"There’s a ghost story about this picture. At exactly midnight, the girl with the necklace will glare at the other girl, the one with the ponytail."
"W-what?"
I chuckled and quickly waved it off.
"I’m just kidding. It just seems like something that could happen, doesn’t it?"
Gomon scratched his head. He pointed to the open door, signaling that our little tour was over.
"So, you have a sense of humor after all. Anyway, here we are at the Treasure Hall. I’m not sure what you’ll receive, but if anyone asks, just say it’s a sword your family sent you. They’ll believe it since your family’s well off."
He walked off with a friendly grin. I didn’t dislike him, really. He might talk a lot, but he was a likable person.
"Thank you for showing me the way."
"Sure. I hope you get something good."
The Treasure Hall was softly lit, filled with glass cases holding armor, staffs, and swords.
'There are so many tempting items here.'
- Choose wisely, Hersel. And remember, if you're not satisfied, ask to swap it out.
I found myself eyeing a robe that greatly enhanced magical defense.
'Should I ask for a robe instead of a sword?'
- You little...
As I pondered how to irritate Donatan this time, I heard footsteps and a familiar, unpleasant voice.
"So, you’ve arrived, Hersel Ben Tenest."
Rockefeller approached me. I refused to smile, not wanting to show any sign of submission. I assumed he would just toss me whatever weapon was convenient, but surprisingly, he seriously considered the options.
"You prefer longswords with a small cross guard and tend to choose blades with a standard thickness... If I recall correctly, you picked such a weapon during the third trial."
In the dungeon practicals, we were free to choose our weapons. It seemed he had observed me closely and remembered everything. His obsession with transferring me to the Knight Department was palpable. It was a bit unsettling.
"In that case, this one should suit you. Would you like to try it?"
Rockefeller waved his staff, and the glass disappeared as a longsword flew toward me. I looked at the sword thoughtfully.
『Song of Flames』
This sword temporarily enhances the wielder's defense upon attack. It can generate a flame shield that briefly blocks enemy attacks. When flames are ignited on the blade, its armor-piercing ability increases. By rank, it’s one of the few S-grade magic swords here.
To think he would offer me such a fine weapon. But it was a sword I shouldn’t accept.
"May I choose a different sword?"
This one was meant for Leana when she graduated.
"Hmm, are you serious? You must not realize the value of this sword."
"I’m well aware. But I have my heart set on another weapon."
I approached a glass case holding a black magic sword. The hilt and cross guard were both a dismal black, giving the sword a sinister appearance.
『Shadow Blade of Weakening』
When imbued with magic, the sword’s sharpness is amplified. It weakens the opponent's armor, dealing additional damage. One spell can be engraved onto the blade.
It was an A-grade sword. A very good weapon, but it seemed somewhat inferior after seeing the top-tier weapon earlier. Still, I chose this one because it allowed for versatile use of magic and the engraving of a spell.
"I’ll take this one."
Rockefeller raised an eyebrow, then scoffed.
"That’s Sir Beljamin of the Black Sea’s sword. Choosing the weapon of a man who met a tragic end... you’ve got poor taste, Hersel Ben Tenest."
As expected, this guy is as annoying as ever.
***
Through the iron bars by the window, Felia flew in. Lying on the bed, staring at the mosaic glass shards, Luon asked,
"You’re always flying out and back around this time."
"Well, there’s a professor I’m keeping an eye on. Been observing her closely."
"A professor? Is that allowed?"
"Isn’t that just how life works? Even adults can get scolded and secretly cry."
Felia had been watching a young female professor who had only recently started working at the academy. Being new to the job, she often made mistakes and was frequently scolded by her senior. Her weakening spirit made her a prime target for malevolent spirits.
"By the way, could you help me cut this hairband tied around my ankle? I need it done, Luon."
Luon looked at her curiously.
"Wasn’t it something precious?"
"Of course. But at the same time, I’ve come to hate it."
"...I find that hard to understand."
Luon got up and untied the hairband. The dove reverted to its wild state and flew out the window.
Thunk!
The metal hairband snapped, releasing a dark mist that began to form the shape of a woman.
