1 Second Invincibility in the Game

In the evening, an owl that had woken up early started to hoot. I walked while gazing at the light streaming from the window glass. Limberton and Aslay, who were beside me, wore expressions of bewilderment.

“…Really, are we going to Adele Hall?” Limberton, still unable to believe it, even pinched his cheek.

I asked for his thoughts.

“I told you it’s true. So, how do you feel?”

“Well? I’m not sure if I should be happy or not. Considering the intensity of the lessons there, it might be too much for me.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. It’s the same for Aslay. Both of you didn’t fare that well in the regular classes at Schlaphe Hall, remember?”

The regular courses don’t teach archery or hand-to-hand combat. Apart from strategies for dealing with monsters or survival skills in the wilderness, there’s not much that would be helpful.

“Still, since we’re entering Adele Hall, make sure to focus more during the after-school lessons.”

Aslay nodded, looking at me with a sense of admiration.

Then Limberton shared some surprising news.

“Oh, right. My bow’s been acting weird lately.”

“Weird? How so?”

“Well, it’s hard to explain. The arrows are noticeably faster. Even the instructor was surprised. He asked if I had done something because the bow’s tension hadn’t changed.”

Without changing the bowstring, the projectile speed had increased—quite a surprise.

[Blessing of the Wandering Wind ]

-Fame and honor are things that one must let go of eventually. The only thing that stays with you throughout life is yourself. The blessing provides wind corrections to improve accuracy. It detects targets through sound waves.

Traits:

◇ Sharpshooter ◇

◇ Hawk Eye ◇

Although Limberton’s shooting skills were already superior to those of ordinary archers, this development was unexpected. It seemed to be a precursor to an additional attribute called the “Vacuum Bow,” which creates a vacuum ahead of the arrow’s path, allowing it to travel faster and farther without air resistance.

“Anyway, it’s good news. Usually, when I infuse aura into the bow, it dissipates quickly, but now the range has increased to reach the target before it fades?”

What is this guy? When did he grow so much? This ability only manifests when one starts overcoming their own complexes.

“Limberton, by any chance, have you experienced anything unusual recently?”

I asked indirectly, and Limberton raised his gaze and let out a sigh. After thinking for a moment, his mood seemed to dampen, and he lowered the corners of his mouth.

“Should I call it a turning point? There was one incident.”

“A turning point?”

“Well, it’s a bit embarrassing to say, but remember about a month ago, when the professors accidentally released a strange sleep gas throughout the academy? Everyone had vivid dreams.”

Was he talking about the Irte Incident, the Nightmare Phantom?

“I had a weird dream where Serda rejected me, and Silla appeared.”

I wasn’t sure if he had a lucid dream or was just caught in a complete fantasy. If it were a lucid dream, it would mean he actually faced Silla…

“Anyway, she got on my nerves, so I got angry. I said some embarrassing things, but it felt liberating, as if I was reflecting on myself.”

Limberton’s expression, usually lighthearted, showed a hint of self-acceptance. It seemed he was finally overcoming his deeply hidden self-deprecation. Once he fully overcomes it, Limberton’s blessing will fully bloom.

“That’s a good thing,” I complimented, and Limberton laughed sheepishly. Aslay chimed in as well.

“You are a proud friend, Limberton. Tonight, I will pray for the great blessing of nature to be bestowed upon you.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

While we were chatting, we arrived at the main gate of Schlaphe Hall. Limberton spoke wistfully.

“So this is it. Just when I was getting used to it, I’m sad to think about moving out.”

“You sound like you’re graduating or something. You can always visit.”

I replied nonchalantly and stepped into the lobby, where the voices of Schlaphe Hall residents could be heard as they set up the tables and laid out the food they had prepared.

“This time, it’s a bit grander, huh? Did they collect a lot of membership fees?”

“Of course. Thanks to Hersel, the financial situation has improved a lot compared to before. It’s only right to show some gratitude. Ah, of course, we should also celebrate the efforts of the others.”

This was a modest celebration that took place at the end of every term, organized for the students leaving for either Buerger Hall or Adele Hall.

“Oh, Hersel!”

Athera spotted me and quickly approached. Then, in a sly tone, she whispered in my ear,

“I managed to bring in some moonshine this time. Want to try?”

“…I’m not touching alcohol.”

“Tsk. How boring.”

It wasn’t exactly a farewell party, so the atmosphere was more like a casual get-together. As everyone grabbed a bottle, the dorm warden, who had been watching, sighed and shook his head. But seeing his faint smile as he walked away suggested he’d let it slide for the day.

Sitting down and taking a sip of water, I scanned the crowd of noisy revelers. Have I gotten attached to them somehow? I suddenly felt a slight reluctance to leave.

***

All first-year students of Adele Hall gathered in the lobby, chatting away. Displeased by the sight, Kerndel of 1st seat scowled as he passed by.

“They’re making the dormitory chaotic. Are they asking for discipline or something?”

His cronies from the Ten Elites chimed in.

“See? This is why too much leniency is a problem.”

“Yeah. Isn’t there anything to restrict them?”

Overhearing this, Silla furrowed her brows.

‘They haven’t changed a bit, even after their disgrace.’

Despite being defeated by the Tenest Triplets, their power remained intact. Although their tyranny hadn’t worsened, their unpleasant nature persisted. Kerndel seemed intent on enforcing discipline as he started walking toward us. But before he could get closer, Emeric and Bernthal stepped in his path.

Bernthal, the Adele Hall dorm representative, spoke.

“A lot of changes are coming soon, so let them have some discussions in advance.”

“…Bernthal.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Kerndel sighed and turned away, his followers trailing behind. As they walked, 4th seat Amenda waved in their direction. It was clear that the greeting was meant for Erucel, the 7th seat.

Silla glared at Erucel with a face full of annoyance.

“Well, well? What are you smiling about?”

“Ahem. I wasn’t smiling. I was just returning the gesture.”

Erucel tried to play it off casually, but to a woman’s eyes, his fluster was evident.

“Sigh.”

Silla sighed, finding Erucel pathetic. After finally taking back the Top Ten from them, Hersel and Mircel had relinquished their positions without hesitation. They could have reshaped policies entirely for the first-years, yet they chose a lukewarm approach and simply left.

Of course, she had already heard the reason long ago.

—But, senior, why are you still allowing them to do as they please?

She once asked Emeric that question, to which he replied,

—Is there something wrong with your current situation? I believe we’ve improved it enough.

—That’s true, but you could still eliminate the discipline drills altogether.

—Oh? Hmm, I suppose it’s about time to say this.

Following that conversation, Emeric called a meeting for the first-years.

—Listen up. What I’m about to say is what Hersel wanted to convey in response to your complaints.

She was anxious, but only for a moment. Hersel’s message turned out to be incredibly deflating.

—If you don’t like it, become the Top Ten yourselves. That’s all.

The rest was left for them to figure out on their own. Emeric then explained Hersel’s intentions.

—Hersel clearly wants you to find your own way through this. So, honor his intentions and focus on your training.

As Silla watched Kerndel’s group leave, her resolve burned within her. Hersel’s decision felt a bit heartless, but when it came down to it, they were the real root of the problem. The anger needed to be directed at them.

‘Right. I need to beat them down myself to feel satisfied.’

Apparently, others felt the same. Many glared at Kerndel’s back with blazing eyes.

“Well, we’ve chased away the intruders, so we’ll take our leave,” Bernthal said as he and Emeric departed.

Once the small commotion settled, the previous topics of conversation resurfaced.

“Ugh, it’s so frustrating. I’m getting demoted. I’ll have to start the second semester at Buerger Hall.”

“Keeping your spot is no easy feat. The competition is fierce.”

Some were moving to Buerger Hall. Having built bonds during their time together, the mood was full of regret about the impending separation. It was Bellman who consoled them.

“Do your best in the second semester. As long as you meet certain criteria, they’ll expand the dormitory slots.”

Adele Hall’s original capacity was 26 students. This number was actually a minimum, as there were plenty of vacant rooms in the dormitory. In previous semesters, anyone who made it into the top 26, even if their scores fell short, was allowed to stay as a stopgap measure. As long as their scores were within Adele Hall’s cutoff, they could remain, regardless of additional capacity.

‘That’s right. They even increased the spots for Mircel, the special admissions student.’

As Bellman offered his words of encouragement, Silla glanced over at Leana.

“Well, it’s only natural that Hersel will come to Adele Hall. How do you feel about that?”

Teasingly, Silla brought it up, and Leana averted her gaze.

Silla teased as she leaned in closer.

“What’s with that reaction? It’s different from usual.”

“…It’s just because you’re teasing me,” Leana replied, trying to avoid Silla’s gaze.

“You’re acting really suspicious.”

With a playful glint in her eyes, Silla glanced up at Leana, who shook her head.

“It’s just that everything will be different from the usual environment, and that’s something you can only understand once you’re there. It’s a bit confusing, that’s all…”

Leana was talking more than usual, and it was clear she was slightly flustered. Silla considered teasing her further, but Leana quickly changed the topic.

“I heard Limberton is coming too. I guess the atmosphere at Adele Hall will change a lot.”

“Ahem…”

Silla cleared her throat and fell silent. Since the dream incident, she felt uneasy around Limberton. She was worried that he might discover the events of the dream were real. But as long as everyone kept their mouths shut, it shouldn’t be a problem.

“Aslay, Ricks, and even that girl with no presence…”

“Oh, right, that barbarian. But who’s this girl with no presence?”

“I don’t know. I’m sure I know her, but her name… Hmm.”

“Whatever. If you can’t remember, then you can’t.”

Silla stopped Leana, who was trying to strain her memory. In reality, there was no major concern about those students coming to Adele Hall. The real problem was just one person.

“And then there’s Dorosian. The others aren’t much of a concern. We just need to be wary of her.”

As soon as Silla mentioned Dorosian, a wave of fearful reactions came from the others.

“Ugh.”

“D-Dorosian…”

Many among them had suffered at Dorosian’s hands before, making their reactions unsurprising. Those from noble families were familiar with the Grice Ducal House, and it was common for their children to encounter each other.

“Ugh, I wonder if normal classes are even possible.”

“Still, hasn’t she been quieter here? Maybe she’s matured?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s just suppressing it for now, but her twisted nature will resurface someday.”

As the concerns about Dorosian grew, Bellman intervened.

“I think you can rest easy.”

“Huh?”

“I heard from Ricks that she’s been really quiet in the Schlaphe Magic Department. As long as you don’t provoke her, it should be fine.”

The suspicion remained, largely because Bellman didn’t explain the reasoning.

“I didn’t do anything, yet I ended up buried underground.”

“Same here. I was just passing by, and she forced me into a doll-dress-up session!”

“And you say it’s safe? You only think that because you’ve never experienced it.”

The victims recounted their traumatic encounters, trembling as they remembered the bizarre incidents, like locking glasses with a magical seal or attempting to launch someone into the sky with a weight-reduction spell. However, the mention of a certain name by Bellman quickly calmed the atmosphere.

“It’s because Hersel is here.”

The anxious expressions relaxed, and they glanced at each other.

“So, what about Hersel?”

“Well? Does he keep Dorosian in check with his strength? Is that why it’s been peaceful so far…?”

“No, I don’t think that’s it. I’ve seen them talking a few times, and it didn’t seem like a coercive relationship or anything.”

Bellman, relying on what he’d heard from Ricks, continued,

“Apparently, Hersel is the only one in the Schlaphe Magic Department who talks to Dorosian. They’ve even started joking around lately, so I think it’s thanks to him that things have been quiet.”

In short, Hersel acted as a mediator, suppressing Dorosian’s chaos. Silla had already heard this from Ricks, so there was no need for her to listen further. She half-listened while making small talk with Leana.

“So, you’re still not going to tell me what kind of dream you had back then?”

“…I’ve told you several times, Silla. It was just an ordinary dream.”

“Well… It’s just that you never give any details, and that makes me curious.”

While they were chatting, someone approached them. Looking up, they saw Kerndel grinning slyly. He scanned the area like a conspirator before speaking, evidently relieved that Bernthal and Emeric were not around.

“Talking in such a public place, huh? It seems you’re asking for some punishment.”

What nonsense. They were the ones blocking the meeting hall. Moreover, the warden had given permission for this gathering, so there was nothing that could be used against them.

‘This guy, one day I’ll break that annoying nose of his…’

Tension filled the lobby as the unwelcome visitor arrived. Just as Bellman was about to step forward, footsteps echoed from the entrance.

“Wow, the facilities here are really something. Gravel, wasn’t your house similar to this?”

“Hm, sort of similar, Ricks.”

“Aslay, is that all the luggage you have?”

“I do not indulge in excess, Limberton.”

It was Hersel and his group, carrying large bags. Hersel led the way and approached Kerndel, who instinctively stepped back in surprise.

“Ugh.”

“I heard something about punishment earlier.”

Hersel leaned in toward Kerndel with a menacing glare.

“Senior, do we need to receive it too?”

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