Academy’s New Guard is Unusual - Chapter 56

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 56
‘So today is the Freshman Welcoming Ceremony.’
What I’ve possessed is a game.
There are critical events that happen inevitably—what we call Main Events—and the Entrance Ceremony was one of them.
The Freshman Welcoming Ceremony is a Main Event that follows the Entrance Ceremony.
The Freshman Welcoming Ceremony is an event you can’t skip in an academy story.
Usually, whatever problem crops up during the Freshman Welcoming Ceremony amounts to nothing more than petty conflict, but this damn game was different.
‘Right from the start, a freshman goes missing.’
As students spread out to search for the missing student, things spiral into something far worse.
One of the lower-ranked students conducting the search touches a Taboo—that’s what does it.
Naturally, that lower-ranked student was Evangeline.
Just like at the Central Library, there was a high chance that a Rift would open during the Freshman Welcoming Ceremony.
I had to attend the Freshman Welcoming Ceremony no matter what.
The problem was—
“Excuse me? The Freshman Welcoming Ceremony? That’s organized by the Student Affairs Department. It has nothing to do with the Security Corps.”
The issue was that the Freshman Welcoming Ceremony was run by the Student Affairs Department.
Of course, it wasn’t a major problem. I had a reliable senior to lean on.
“Go to the Student Affairs Department.”
“The, the Student Affairs Department? Must we really go?”
At that, Milo visibly grimaced.
It was the typical reaction whenever the Student Affairs Department came up. At the academy, they were essentially inspectors.
Students, professors, staff—everyone avoided the Student Affairs Department. There was actually a prison inside their office. And Taboos too.
“If you don’t like it, don’t come.”
“I’ll, I’ll go.”
Milo answered with grim resolve, his entire bearing like that of someone marching to his doom.
“Don’t worry. If you haven’t done anything wrong, there’s nothing to fear.”
“Ugh—”
“Oh, that’s right. I threw the headmaster during the Entrance Ceremony.”
“It, it wasn’t intentional!”
“Wasn’t it?”
“Really!! I swear!!”
“Just joking.”
Milo let out a relieved sigh, wiping his chest. I chuckled softly and continued walking.
The Main Building of Elysium Academy was a cunning blend of modern corporate headquarters and medieval architecture.
Most of the Main Building’s key facilities were above ground, but there was one facility located underground.
That was the Student Affairs Department.
Because of it, the Student Affairs Department had a few urban legends attached to it.
Underground there were levels as vast as the above-ground portion, and all of it was supposedly a prison managed by the Student Affairs Department.
It was slightly exaggerated, but not entirely fabrication.
The Student Affairs Department actually did have a prison.
Most places throughout the academy were guarded by members of the Elite Guard Corps, but the stairs leading down underground were guarded by students in uniforms.
The yellow armbands on their shoulders caught my eye.
They were the Student Affairs Department.
As we approached, the students openly displayed their caution.
One of them actually raised his hand to stop us.
“The Security Corps cannot access the Student Affairs Department.”
Milo glanced at me surreptitiously.
“They said we can’t. Let’s just turn back—”
“Tell the department head that Grave is here.”
The moment I mentioned the department head, the student grew flustered.
“Do you know the head?”
“Do I really need to explain that?”
“No, sir. Please wait a moment.”
The student pulled something from his shoulder—it looked like a walkie-talkie, though it was familiar to me.
‘A Student Affairs communicator.’
Each organization at the academy had its distinctive features. Where the Elite Guard Corps had their Guard Batons, the Student Affairs Department had these Magic Communication Devices.
“Ah, sir. There’s someone asking for you.”
— Who is it?
A weathered voice came through the device. It was Logan.
This was what made the Magic Communication Device frightening—it connected directly to the Sword King.
“A Security Corps member named Grave, sir.”
— Send him in at once. No—I’ll come out myself.
“……Yes?”
The student asked, but the transmission was already cut off. He looked at me in bewilderment.
I casually adjusted my uniform. Milo’s face had turned nearly green.
Heavy footsteps echoed from inside the stairwell, and soon Logan appeared.
When he spotted me, Logan’s lips curved upward—though it resembled a predator spotting prey more than a smile.
“Come inside.”
“Yes, sir.”
I followed Logan. Milo trailed behind with an expression verging on tears.
Inside the thick iron door, all was dim and humid. Lamps mounted on the walls flickered ominously.
It felt less like the Student Affairs office and more like stairs descending into an underground prison.
At the end of the stairs stood another thick iron door—utterly out of place in an academy.
Logan pulled the door open. The screech of metal assailed my ears.
Inside was surprisingly ordinary—an ordinary student affairs office with tables and desks.
The problem was the dark bloodstains scattered about, and the unsettling, unfocused eyes of the students seated at the tables.
Logan’s office was deeper in. It was sparse—a worn sofa that looked scavenged from somewhere, a desk without a chair. The minimalism bordered on shabby.
There were decorations, if you could call a well-used Mace and Hammer decorations.
“Sit.”
Logan, already seated on the sofa, jerked his chin toward the seat across from him.
I sat down casually. Milo hesitated, standing behind me.
Then Logan opened his mouth, addressing Milo.
“Got any crimes on your conscience?”
“Y-yes?!”
“Usually the ones with guilty secrets fidget like a dog desperate for a piss.”
Logan stared at Milo. Milo’s face went deathly pale.
“This one set up a Mana Stone Bomb during the Entrance Ceremony, sir.”
“……?!!!”
“Oh, bold of you to walk into the Student Affairs office of your own volition.”
“Yes, sir. He’s a grave offender indeed.”
Milo looked at me desperately, tears welling up in his eyes.
Then Logan burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahaha! There’s a real joy to teasing!”
“You, you were joking?”
“So did you really set up a Mana Stone Bomb?”
“No! Absolutely not!”
“Hahahaha!”
Logan laughed loudly again. Milo blinked stupidly.
“Too bad. I was going to give you a reward.”
“A reward, sir—”
“You knocked the headmaster flying! In all my years, I never thought I’d witness something so magnificent. Haha!”
Logan’s laughter was so boisterous the office shook.
“So, what do you need?”
Abruptly, Logan dropped his smile and fixed me with a sharp look. His eyes, like a tiger’s, seemed to pierce straight through me.
I got straight to the point.
“I want to participate in the Freshman Welcoming Ceremony.”
“The Freshman Welcoming Ceremony?”
“Yes, sir.”
“That’s all you came for?”
Logan squinted as he asked.
Just that? I shook my head.
“I have information.”
“Information?”
Logan glanced sidelong at Milo. I addressed Milo directly.
“Wait outside.”
“Yes, sir!”
As if waiting for exactly that command, Milo bolted. The moment he shut the door, Logan spoke casually.
“Good lad.”
Logan, speaking briefly, got straight to business.
“So what’s this information?”
Logan asked without a shred of jest, his face blank.
I considered carefully as I met his gaze.
Logan’s target was Evelyn. But taking out Evelyn wasn’t the end of it.
If Evelyn fell, the Republic would replace her with someone stronger and more covert. That was how the Republic operated.
Moreover, I’d already befriended Evelyn. Taking her out now would guarantee catastrophic consequences. In fact, I needed to protect her.
Even a small slip could make Logan suspect me.
I needed to redirect Logan’s attention elsewhere.
Fortunately, I had a suitable target.
“We’ve received information that Professor Benevroba is a Republican agent.”
“……Benevroba?”
“Yes, sir.”
Logan’s pupils shifted slightly, just barely perceptible.
He stared at me intently. Those sharp eyes seemed to see right through me.
Of course, there was nothing to worry about.
I feigned appropriate tension and averted my gaze.
“Hmm. Benevroba is quite solid. He’s been working at the academy for a good while now.”
It was true. Benevroba had an excellent reputation among the faculty.
That was precisely why I’d mentioned Benevroba to Logan. He was someone even Logan couldn’t touch lightly.
This would keep Logan’s attention engaged for quite some time.
“It’s reliable information.”
I spoke with conviction. Because it was reliable.
Benevroba was indeed a Republican agent.
The problem was that catching him would be extraordinarily difficult.
And there was an even bigger problem—that catching him would yield very little of value.
He wouldn’t give much up, and he posed no real threat if left alone.
In short, he was a low-yield Republican asset.
But Logan wouldn’t care. Logan was the kind of fanatic who only needed to catch Republicans—nationality obsession incarnate.
“I see.”
Logan nodded slowly.
His eyes, which had seemed dull, gradually rekindled—like pouring oil onto dying embers, they blazed back to life.
‘Hooked him.’
I’d passed off a troublesome Republican to Logan, he’d gained a new target—a win-win exchange all around.
“But why the Freshman Welcoming Ceremony?”
Logan asked casually. I answered just as naturally.
“The Republicans might try something, mightn’t they?”
“The Entrance Ceremony just happened. It should be safe for now.”
“Even so, one can never be too careful. I thought it best to prepare for any eventuality.”
“Impressive zeal. I like that.”
Logan smiled at me—a predatory grin.
It seemed I’d passed.
“I’ll tell the Corps Commander myself.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Logan waved his hand dismissively—a clear sign of dismissal. I stood.
As I moved toward the door, someone knocked.
It wasn’t Milo. Milo was too crude to know what knocking was, much less do it so politely.
I glanced back at Logan.
“Ah, speak of the devil. Let him in.”
Logan spoke while lighting a cigar. I opened the door.
A broad-shouldered, middle-aged man stood in the doorway.
His face was like a lion that had become human—eagle-sharp eyes, shoulders so wide the doorframe seemed barely able to contain them.
I knew that face.
Rather, I couldn’t help but know it.
He was the headmaster.
‘The Sword King, Raibenthardt.’
Raibenthardt was the Imperial Sword.
That is, the second-strongest knight on the continent.
What was more formidable than his martial power was his renown.
Raibenthardt was the most honored warrior. He bore the very title of Sword King.
Which was why he had fallen to the lowest place.
Apart from external factors, the headmaster was essentially the Final Boss of the game.
That was why I moved carefully in Squad 42.
And now, to face the very enemy I should avoid most—
A variable. A critically dangerous one.
“Ah, I see you have a guest.”
The headmaster’s blue eyes fixed on me.
My mind raced.
The headmaster stood undefended. Should I take his life now? If I severed his neck and unleashed my Aura through his heart—
Countless scenarios spiraled through my head, but the conclusion was singular.
‘I lose now.’
My win rate didn’t reach even 0.1%. Even if I won, there was Logan behind me.
Attacking now would be suicide.
‘Later.’
I stepped casually to the side.
But I had no intention of wasting this opportunity.
“I’m Grave, of the Elite Guard Corps Squad 41.”
The instant I said “Squad 41,” the headmaster’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
It was a fraction of a moment, but I caught it.
“Ah, my apologies—it was Squad 42, not 41. I’m still new.”
I bowed and quickly corrected myself.
And I arrived at a certain conclusion.
‘The headmaster is indeed watching Squad 42, where Hanswell is.’
I tilted my lips into a slight, angled smile.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————