I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains

Chapter 133

"Miros aside, Donovan is an extremely rare existence. The Marquis Kisen family would never simply discard someone who accepted the Hyperhemia experiment and awakened completely."

"Is he really that important?"

I understood that the gigantic Donovan was strong, but he was a character who did not appear in the original work.

In the original, a different person had similar traits.

'If that's the case, this means that later on, there could be other individuals who adapt to Hyperhemia.'

Luca paused after thinking that far.

'Now that I think about it, the future's changed a little already.'

Originally, Miros and Donovan were characters who did not appear in the story.

They were ones who, lurking in the shadows together with Martin, shook up Hernan Academy and tormented the protagonist.

But now, all of them had disappeared.

'This must have caused a significant change in the future.'

And among those changes, there was a high chance that the Hyperhemia experiment related to Donovan would also be affected.

"For two weeks, I did every possible research I could on those two. As a result, I've discovered that Donovan is the existence closest to 'immortality'."

"Immortality?"

As the word 'immortality' was mentioned, interest flickered in his eyes.

The word itself was already intriguing, but for Luca, there was another reason.

In the original story, those who used the word 'immortality' were villains.

As he showed interest, Herote smiled gently.

"That's right. Because he gained too much life force, he created a kind of small circulation."

"A small circulation?"

"Simply put, he can absorb mana and convert it into life force. Most of those called 'Transcendents' can do this, but what's significant is that he's an artificially created Transcendent."

An artificially created Transcendent.

That was the final goal of the Hyperhemia experiment.

"Though there are a lot of shortcomings compared to a real Transcendent, what matters is that, if used right, he can display power no less than a true Transcendent."

"So there's no way they'd give that up."

Thinking that way, there was no reason for the Marquis Kisen family to abandon Donovan.

The reason they're leaving him alone for now is likely their confidence that Donovan won't die, no matter what happens.

"The technique with Miros seems strange too, but to really find out, I'd need to take him apart. But honestly, I'm not confident I'd be able to reassemble him afterward."

"Huh."

Disassembling and reassembling a person.

That was not something one should say to another person.

"So, I've already found out everything I can for now. For the rest, I want to get it directly from the Marquis Kisen brats."

"So you're planning to use them as bait?"

"Exactly. I've already hidden special magic in both of their bodies. All I have to do is wait until they're taken away."

At Herote's words, Luca let out another short sound of admiration and then spoke.

"Where are they now?"

"They're already far from here. Judging by the direction, they're heading north."

Herote said that and chuckled.

"Sure enough, if they're going that way, the Marquis Kisen family will have a hard time using their strength."

"North?"

At the mention of the north, Luca showed a strange expression.

The north—a cold region.

He thought there was some description he'd heard about that place.

[Divine Standard of Dominion]

― This is a god's banner, painted with the image of a trumpet-blowing angel.

― It carries the great power to declare the dominion of a god.

― Currently, it's just being used as someone's blanket in a cold region.

"Hmm..."

Luca let out an odd noise and shook his head.

'No way. Things won't go that smoothly.'

At that moment, Herote spoke in a subtle tone.

"So, was your journey fun? Judging by what you brought back, it must have been quite eventful."

What Herote meant by 'what you brought back' was, of course, Ravinia.

Ravinia flinched at that moment.

She felt it instinctively.

The weight of Herote's power.

Even the Waypoint inside her felt threatened, as Herote's powerful magic power radiated from her.

"Don't call her 'that'. She's my companion now."

"!"

"Oh my, that's..."

Herote, about to say something in response to Luca, noticed his sharp glare and let out a soft laugh.

"If you say so, I'll accept it. So, aren't you going to tell me about your journey?"

"Did we ever become that close?"

"Aww, come on~ Aren't I your companion too?"

Herote spoke in a half-teasing tone as she wrapped her arm around his.

Luca clicked his tongue and shook off her arm.

"Let go."

"Aww."

Pouting as she let go, Herote looked disappointed.

"You're really not going to tell me? I'm hurt."

"There's not much to say."

"That's not what matters! I told you about everything that happened to me, but you're not going to tell me? That's not fair."

Herote puffed out her cheeks.

Seeing her, Luca sighed and then spoke.

"I'll tell you once, so listen carefully."

"Wow!"

Luca then recounted everything that had happened so far.

* * *

"Hee~ That really was a fun journey, wasn't it?"

"It wasn't boring, at least."

As Luca answered indifferently, Herote glanced with admiration at Ottbo, who was listening absentmindedly.

"So the boy from the Gress family played quite the role this time?"

"Huh?!"

"Yeah. It goes without saying that he's talented with drive magic."

Luca said with a chuckle, and Herote made a curious face.

"But then why didn't he use regular magic? It might not compare to your swordsmanship, but using it here and there could have been helpful."

"I did regret that, but forcing someone to do what they're not able to is a bit much."

Thinking Herote was criticizing Ottbo, Luca defended him, but that hadn't been Herote's intent.

"I should be able to now, though."

"What do you mean?"

He could do it now?

It was an odd way to put things.

As Luca tilted his head, Ottbo spoke up cautiously.

"I used it. Flight magic."

"...?"

Luca looked at him as if to ask what he was talking about.

But Herote seemed to understand at once.

"Right? No way a child from a mage family would be unable to use magic after the restriction was lifted."

"...restriction?"

At the mention of restriction, Luca's expression soured.

"Yes. It's not exactly a tradition, but in old mage families, it's common to put a restriction to prevent their secret spells from leaking out. That restriction was placed on that kid too."

Herote winked with one eye as she spoke.

"But I removed it! Strangely, the restriction wasn't on drive magic—which is their secret art—but on regular magic."

"What...?"

Luca looked blank, not fully understanding the situation, while Herote rested her index finger between her cheek and chin as she mumbled.

"Oh, but I guess only being able to use drive magic and not regular magic would get you looked down on, seen as a half-baked mage, so maybe it's effective in that sense?"

"So... Ottbo couldn't use regular magic because of a restriction? And the Gress family put it on themselves?"

At Luca's question, Herote nodded lightly as if to say "Isn't that obvious?"

"That's right. Unless you're a mutant like me, magic is mostly determined by bloodline. In an old mage family like that, even if you don't show much talent, it's almost unheard of to be unable to use magic at all. And there's no way there'd be someone who's great at drive magic but can't use regular magic."

Now that he considered it, it made sense.

Milia had mentioned that drive magic is often harder than regular magic.

It was odd for someone so good with drive magic to be unable to use regular magic.

"Judging by your story, he definitely has talent for drive magic. In old mage families, the eldest son is usually prioritized, so if he was on par with or a bit more talented than the eldest, they might have restricted him for the elder's sake. Leaving his drive magic intact could be for him to do research for the family later on."

At Herote's guess, Luca glanced sideways at Ottbo.

But Ottbo didn't look particularly shocked.

He seemed to have expected it to some degree.

"... What's wrong, Luca?"

Sensing Luca's gaze, Ottbo gave his usual sheepish smile, and Luca answered in a flat tone.

"Did you know?"

"Well... The favoritism towards my older brother, somewhat?"

Ottbo scratched his cheek.

"But I never actually thought there was a real restriction. After all, I could use drive magic just fine. I just assumed my talent for regular magic had all gone into drive magic."

"Huh."

"Besides... suspecting it wouldn't have changed anything."

Seeing his wry smile, Luca was silent for a moment before turning his head.

"There's no need to worry about that family anymore. Our organization will become something greater."

"Haha, that's true."

"Hee. A secret organization, huh. You'll let me join too, right?"

Herote slipped into the conversation.

Luca answered indifferently.

"Would an adult even want to play with kids?"

"So you do realize you're a kid..."

Herote looked at him with a fascinated expression, then beamed.

"With someone like me, age doesn't matter anyway. I'll look this way forever, and I'm pretty, after all."

"..."

Luca narrowed his eyes in silence.

Seeing his reaction, Herote pouted her lips.

"That's harsh. React with something, at least."

"Is everything sorted out at the Academy? The renovations seem to be finished."

"You're ignoring me...?"

Herote, looking disappointed at Luca's apathetic remark, shrugged her shoulders.

"Of course the renovations finished quickly with me here. With just a snap of my fingers, tasks that would take a hundred workers a month can be done in a moment."

"Then why was the Academy closed for a whole month?"

"Well, organizing the instructors was one reason, but I also had to learn about managing the Academy. It was exhausting."

Judging by her tired eyes, it must have been taxing even for her.

Luca chuckled, then spoke as if remembering something.

"If you've organized the instructors, what happened to my master?"

"Your master?"

"Kryphi Mosto."

At his words, Herote thought for a moment, then said "Ah~" as realization dawned on her.

"He was caught by Zeritz."

"?"

Originally, Kryphi was supposed to stay behind at the Academy, handling chores and refining sword techniques for Luca.

'But... Zeritz had suggested that we go out and train together.'

If Luca hadn't refused Eltima's suggestion, he and Kryphi would have gone on a kind of sword training journey with Zeritz.

'So, he got taken away in the end.'

With a look of mild pity, Luca watched Herote place her finger on her cheek and say,

"Come to think of it, lady Eltima contacted me and said your master supposedly broke down a wall?"

"... Ho?"

That was an especially interesting story.

* * *

Ching!

A flash of light burst out, and the sound of dozens of swords clashing rang out in a single compressed moment.

Boom! Crackle!

The shockwaves swept everything that lay on the ground, and the earth itself split.

The ripples of power from the two sword saints colliding were too much for the surroundings to withstand.

Ching! Ching! Ching!

Several clashes.

And then, several waves of force.

When all of that ended, only two figures remained standing on the ground.

"You brat! If you'd followed me from the start, you could've reached this level back then!"

The man wielding a massive sword spoke boisterously—Invincible Sword Zeritz.

Naturally, the one standing before him was—

"If I had followed you back then, I still could not have reached this far, master."

The Nightmare of the Battlefield, Kryphi Mosto.

At his words, Zeritz grumbled curtly.

"Talking back, are you? You shouldn't say that to a master who perfected your sword!"

"I perfected this sword myself."

"Tch, what a cheeky kid."

Even as he cursed, pride was visible in Zeritz's eyes.

That was because Kryphi's sword—

Woooong.

—was dyed jet black, as though it could swallow all light.