[Continental Year 997, March, Esdinas Academy, 4th week of the semester. Monday. Old School Building, Vermilion Bird class lecture room.]
“This weekend, we’ll be going on a field practicum, so make sure you’re all prepared.”
Instructor Esta began the Monday morning with an announcement about the upcoming field practice.
“I thought we weren’t going…”
“So we’re really going?”
“Is it just us?”
The students of the Vermilion Bird class reacted uneasily, visibly reluctant about the field practice.
Though it would be their first, they openly showed their hesitation.
The reason?
“With everything feeling so chaotic right now, won’t we attract even more people targeting us if we go out for this practice?”
Yunia asked, looking at me with a worried expression.
“Considering how many people are already targeting Phoenix…”
In the past month of March, both officially and unofficially, more than fifty “female students” tried to approach the Old School Building.
If you’re wondering how the number got that high, it’s due to the significant impact my actions made at the academy throughout March.
Among the male students, the Kegel technique started to show tangible results, with some of them admiring Phoenix while others schemed in secret.
“Instructor Esta, noble sons—especially those connected to Silverstar—are already sending female students after Phoenix, trying to acquire some kind of ‘secret technique.’ Do we really have to go outside the Old School Building?”
As Ludmila pointed out, there were even schemes to abduct me.
‘Kidnapping and brainwashing are Regif Habsderk’s specialty.’
The Mid-boss who kidnaps the heroines is me, but the male students are actually making a dark plan to kidnap such a being.
Why?
“Whether inside or outside, they’ll keep targeting us regardless. It’s not just for their own gain—they need to hand over the magic pants to their fathers, brothers, or acquaintances.”
Because of the magic pants.
“At least until a factory for mass-producing the magical pants is established and the product becomes widely available… probably around a year.”
Due to the rarity of the magic pants.
“Silverstar can’t recklessly rush this either; they need to meticulously plan the factory’s location, facilities, and personnel. Until then, all the magical pants produced will go to students, staff, and those working for the Academy.”
Demand could practically encompass every adult male, yet supply doesn’t even reach ten pairs a day.
Even those who have them want to have more than one pair of magic pants, so the enthusiasm for them is indescribably fervent.
Just yesterday, a female student under the influence of a noble male tried to sneak into the Old School Building at night.
Though stopped by staff, she refused to reveal the name of the male student who hired her to attack the building and abduct Phoenix.
Why?
Because if his name became known, he might lose his chances of acquiring the magic pants.
When Silverstar eventually starts large-scale production and distribution, those who support them hope to secure priority for their estates and regions.
Though they may be cautious, they’re still hiring others to approach or abduct me; you have to recognize their intense desire.
“I have a question, Instructor.”
“What is it, Student Yunia?”
“If we leave the Old School Building, couldn’t someone break in?” “No need to worry about that. Instructor Kadisha will stay behind to guard it, along with security staff. Also…”
Beep.
Instructor Esta displayed someone’s face on a magic screen.
“Student Council President Keyarnim and the council members will guard the Old School Building. They’ll set up a base near it without entering.”
Crown Prince Julius and other student council members appeared, each organizing themselves to set up camps near the Old School Building.
“For the Student Council, this is their form of practicum—a camp setup to defend a base and protect valuable treasures from intruders. Because…”
“This practice is for first-year students only, correct?”
“Yes, Ludmila. This first practice in March is designated for new students only.”
That’s how it was decided.
If you’re wondering whether the second and third years aren’t participating, the “Old School Building Defense” practicum has become their exercise.
“If someone intends to target us, we might as well establish a setting that encourages mutual monitoring. This way, any intruders can be inspected by staff, and students won’t resort to extreme measures.”
“And what will they gain if they break through the Student Council’s defenses?”
“An extra pair of magic pants.”
Instructor Esta revealed a treasure chest, one that looked as if it belonged in a dungeon.
Inside were the magic pants we, particularly Evangeline, carefully packaged as if they were treasure.
“Both male and female students want these, so the returning students’ practicum will likely be intense. It may even resemble a battlefield.”
“Female students want magic pants too?”
“There are various reasons. They could claim them as lost and auction them for a profit, gift them to a fiancé who isn’t at the Academy, or—”
Instructor Esta stretched her hands out.
“They could even gift them to younger siblings worried about joining the Academy or to a father or brother at risk of Mana Drain.”
To younger brothers, as a sister’s nurturing gesture.
To family members, as a hope to shield them from Mana Drain.
“Up to now, only male students have received magical pants, but this will be the female students’ only official chance to obtain them.”
Just as male students are desperate, female students also yearn for the magic pants.
The Academy, capitalizing on this desire, is using it to educate and foster the holistic growth of its students.
“The returning students will be observing the academy curriculum they’ve known, while the new students will be exposed to it for the first time.”
Instructor Esta said, projecting a magic image onto the board, highlighting areas across the Esdinas Academy map.
“Under the guidance of their instructors, the new students will experience different dungeons outside the academy. As for us, the [Vermilion Bird] class, we have a set destination.”
“The Marquisate of Ludvecia, right?”
“Correct.”
When Instructor Esta pointed to the Marquisate of Ludvecia, a chill ran down my spine.
“Well, we’ll see once we get there.”
It was as if he was trying to confirm my true identity-
“Marchioness Ludvecia is waiting.”
Or rather, it was a worried gaze, concerned about how someone like that might view me.
But.
“Is that so? Haha.”
There’s no way I’ll be discovered.
Nor do I plan to be.
* * *
[A bit later, in the Old School Building Situation Room.]
I headed to the situation room to check the magical screen that showed real-time visuals of the Academy grounds beyond the forest surrounding the Old School Building.
[Phoenix! Phoenix! Phoenix!]
As soon as I arrived, I could see a crowd of male students chanting my name and surname at the entrance to the forest leading to the Old School Building.
[Phoenix is a God!]
“The Church of the Goddess would probably faint if they heard that.”
Externally, I had to respond this way to their cries of devotion.
‘They’re not seriously treating me like a God just yet.’
Although there may be some genuine gratitude, these students shouting my name at the edge of the forest aren’t really my followers.
[So give us the magic pants!]
“People pray to gods for blessings, but this seems a bit too straightforward.”
They’re idolizing me, but in truth, they’re just hoping to get their hands on the magic pants.
They praise me, hoping to secure a larger supply of this miraculous item than others, and ultimately use it for their own benefit.
Those who have regained confidence through the magic pants and are truly grateful don’t stage noisy demonstrations outside the Old School Building.
They simply express their thanks whenever they experience the pants’ effects.
“…”
Before leaving for the practice, I do one final check.
I inspect the lower bodies of these fake devotees causing noise pollution outside the Old School Building, checking whether they’re wearing magical pants.
Even if some aren’t wearing them, they’ve likely tried them on at least once.
‘None.’
There are none, which means I can leave for the practice with peace of mind.
‘If the protagonist were to wear the magical pants, they’d immediately react and incinerate him.’
Do people even know?
Magic pants.
If I snap my fingers with intent, they could become a “bomb”.
“…”
But I won’t use it that way, so it doesn’t matter.
It’s reserved only for one specific person, or certain types.
‘If someone dons the magic pants and associates with an angel, they’ll die.’
An anti-angel bomb.
The magic pants explode the moment they detect angelic energy.
Thus.
The Academy will be safe.
Even if an angel behaves suspiciously toward men while we’re away, if they’re wearing magic pants, those pants will provide a powerful countermeasure against the angel.
‘When you receive a gift, there ought to be a reward.’
A special feature of the magical pants, unknown to the world.
Anyone wearing them can overpower an angel, making them submissive.
Well.
‘As long as they enjoyed it, that’s what matters.’
Even the revered monk Wonhyo once drank refreshingly from a skull; sometimes it’s best to go with the flow.
