“So, you’re saying there’s a ‘plan’ left behind by the Four Saints for future generations in the basement of the Old School Building?”
“Are you implying there’s a seal that recreates the monsters the Four Saints faced 500 years ago through illusions?”
After seeking the cooperation of the instructors and explaining the situation to Yunia and Ludmila, their reactions were immediate.
“Ah, of course. The legend left behind by the Four Saints for the students of the Academy—that must be it. After all, this place is not a matchmaking market for finding a spouse post-graduation but a cradle for nurturing heroes.”
Ludmila seemed particularly positive about the idea, appreciating the historical significance tied to the legend of the Academy.
Given her critical stance toward Esdinas Academy’s realities since even before her arrival, her interest in uncovering its history was unsurprising.
“Is there really a separate space underground?”
Yunia, on the other hand, showed great interest in the magical concept of ‘illusions’.
“Is it a sealed area inaccessible by ordinary means, or is there an actual dungeon sprawling beneath the ground? Spatial compression? A dungeon? Or some other abnormal phenomenon? Or perhaps an infinite staircase leading downward?”
Her curiosity seemed less about the exploration itself and more about studying the magic likely created by the [Sage], one of the Four Saints.
The Hero, the Emperor, the Sage, and the Saintess.
(TLN: I swear to god the author changes it every time. I’ll keep it like this for now.)
And, among them, a figure akin to their rank but who remained on the surface instead of sealing the Demon World, someone who prepared for the future—the [Witch], now known as the [Grey Witch], Yunia’s master.
Yunia herself remained unaware of this.
The legacy of the Grey Witch was so obscure that only a select few even knew of it.
Regardless, by modern standards, the Four Saints were SS-rank individuals, each deserving the title of [Grand Master] in their respective fields.
They were beings who transcended humanity, surpassing level 99 and reaching a mythical 100 and beyond.
Using their own bodies, they sealed the entrance to the Demon World and constructed a dungeon of illusions atop their remains.
The difficulty of such a trial was unimaginable.
“Hey, Phoenix.”
Evangeline, seemingly a member of the special class, raised her hand.
“Does this make money?”
“That’s the question I wanted to hear most, Evangeline.”
“Don’t—! I mean, you can ask, but not like this!”
As I lifted Evangeline into a rather compromising posture reminiscent of certain Western films, she screamed in protest.
However, her question was important enough to warrant recognition.
“Who praises people by doing this?!”
“I’m right here. And I didn’t even say anything aloud, did I?”
“You were looking at me with that ‘Good job!’ expression! What are you even saying?”
“Ah, my face gave me away?”
After placing Evangeline back down, I hardened my expression.
“We have a duty to challenge the trials left by the Academy’s founders. As students of the Academy and future heroes destined to lead in their respective fields!”
“It’s weird when you suddenly start on about heroism.”
“If the Academy’s more enthusiastic instructors heard this, they’d probably say something similar. At least it’s better than those who encourage students to find partners to marry and produce superior offspring during their three years here.”
“Hmm…”
“Being forced to bear the responsibilities of heroism isn’t ideal, but voluntarily stepping up to become one isn’t such a bad thing.”
Ludmila quietly raised her hand.
“At the end of the day, isn’t ‘hero’ just a term for being the best in your field? Especially with the unprecedented crises we’re currently facing.”
“You mean the angels?”
“Exactly, Miss Yunia. While angels are supposedly granted power by the Church of the Goddess, the ones we’ve seen so far seem to have been mentally distorted, likely due to the influence of the Middle World…”
Mentally distorted.
A roundabout way of saying that the angels were essentially violent, delusional zealots.
Of course, these angels might have originally been rational beings, but I kept quiet to avoid shattering Ludmila’s perspective prematurely.
Some truths are best realized through direct experience.
“So…”
“So, does it make money?”
“…That’s what’s important to you?”
“Of course! If there’s no profit, why should we risk fighting monsters from 500 years ago? It’s dangerous! And more than that…”
Evangeline mimicked gripping her neck and scowled.
“I heard that in those illusions, you can still feel the pain of death?”
“That’s right. It’s a trial from the Four Saints, after all.”
“So, you go in, fight ancient monsters, and come out with nothing but the experience of it?”
“Pretty much.”
“Phoenix! I denounce you!”
Evangeline raised her hand high and shouted.
“Pay wages for unpaid labor!”
“While it’s technically a trial and not work, I can provide rewards if you want them.”
“Wait, really?”
“Of course. Do you think I’d expect my ‘companions’ to take on something so dangerous without compensation?”
“…When you say it like that, you make me look like the bad one!”
Evangeline blushed and yelled.
“I was just saying it’d be better to spend time on things like part-time jobs or monster hunts to save up for next semester’s scholarship…!”
“You might end up sitting on a pile of gold if this goes well.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah. Think about it. It’s a hero’s trial. What do you think awaits at the end?”
“…What’s there?”
“I have no idea.”
In truth, I do know.
Completing the final 100% clear of the Seven Star Trials—Pandemonium was something I succeeded in alone.
Before heading to the Demon World, I encountered ‘them’.
“Perhaps we could meet the founders themselves.”
“…Oh.”
Even for someone like Evangeline, who hailed from a DLC region, the idea of meeting heroes from 500 years ago was undeniably enticing.
“Think about it. Monsters from 500 years ago appear as illusions. If we defeat them and progress deeper, wouldn’t we be able to meet those legendary figures themselves?”
“You’re saying…they’re alive?”
“They wouldn’t be alive.”
They’re petrified.
“But even if they’re dead, their spirits, remnants, or echoes must still exist.”
“…Oh.”
“Just sharing the story of meeting them with others could rake in a fortune, don’t you think?”
“…Of course.”
Evangeline snapped her fingers.
“So what you’re saying is, while there may not be tangible ‘wealth’ to gain, we can reframe the experience into something of new value, essentially creating money out of it?”
“That’s exactly it.”
“But that’s not all, Evangeline.”
Yunia interjected with a serious expression, scanning the room.
“If there’s a way to transmit one’s experiences to others, even in the form of illusions, mastering that magic alone could open up limitless possibilities. If such magic truly exists…!”
“The same applies to fighting monsters from 500 years ago.”
Ludmila added.
“These are beasts that no longer exist, ones that heroes themselves fought against. Just facing them would be an honor. And if they’re A-rank monsters, wouldn’t the experience itself be invaluable?”
“True, it does sound beneficial. But.”
Evangeline raised her hand once more.
“How do we even know if such a thing really exists?”
“That’s…”
“It’s just a bit too dangerous to trust it solely because ‘Phoenix said so,’ isn’t it?”
“It is dangerous.”
Extremely so.
“And you’re okay telling us about this?”
“You’re my companions.”
“Ugh… If you put it that way, how could we not participate?”
“Are all your questions answered now, Evangeline?”
“Just one more thing.”
Evangeline fixed me with a serious gaze.
“You told us to bring swimsuits.”
“I did.”
“You…you know what the inside of this ‘illusion’ looks like, don’t you?”
“…”
Is it because she’s from a DLC?
Unlike the others, who could be called ‘vanilla’, Evangeline was sharp, cutting straight to the core of the matter.
– Listen carefully.
Changyeom had once given me foolproof advice.
– If you ever need to make a spoiler-like statement but can’t reveal the source, this is what you should say.
A perfectly reliable method.
“It’s not the time to talk about that yet.”
“What?”
“Indeed…the time has not yet come.”
Evasion.
“What kind of answer is that?”
“You don’t want me to…I’m joking, just joking.”
Or not.
“I’ll tell you the truth.”
Revealing the truth.
“I am an apostle of God, sent to this land with a mission to save humanity.”
(Correction: an apostle of the Demon God.)
“I’m here to guide you through the hero’s trials and prepare humanity for the disasters that await.”
