I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains

Chapter 179

― Oh my, look who it is! Isn't this Luca Traverse and the man bold enough to lightly reject a date with one of the most beautiful women—both in figure and face— and one of only three tier 10 mages on the continent? With what audacity did you contact me after that?

Herote had made a subtle offer to Luca, suggesting that, now that they finally had some free time before the end of break, they could do some research together.

Of course, Luca had refused immediately.

"I told you I had no choice since I hadn't seen my parents in years. Surely someone said to be one of the continent's most beautiful women isn't that lacking in generosity?"

Luca responded indifferently.

But in his tone, which seemed to flatter her just a bit, Herote made a playful snort as if she didn't dislike it.

― Hmm~ Well~ I suppose that can't be helped~.

"Then, may I say why I called?"

― Aw~ already~? It's been a while since we talked—how about some small talk first?

It was clear Herote just wanted to talk to Luca.

With an inward sigh, Luca replied.

"What do you want to hear about?"

― Just~ anything?

She was so willful that, if he didn't please her to a certain extent, there was a chance she wouldn't grant his request.

Helpless, Luca decided to tell her what had happened during the break.

"I'll tell you about how Ottbo, who went back home for break, almost ended up subjected to another restriction by the family head and ended up running away."

― ... Huh?

Herote was caught off guard by the unexpectedly serious topic.

But as she listened, she got drawn in, her expression vacant until his story ended.

"... So that's how Ottbo is now living with my family."

― Wow... How do you end up having such adventures not even a week into break...?

When the story finished, Herote looked incredulous.

Luca just shrugged.

"Looks like I'm destined for such things."

― Well... it's a problem most ancient mage families have. That kid is rather pitiful, too.

"I think it was a decent enough conclusion, myself."

Herote chuckled slightly at Luca's words.

― Just going through all that is quite pitiable. Besides, in the end, that child's parents still didn't accept him, did they? In the end, what's truly valued is the eldest son with the purest blood.

"......"

― Heh, but that's all superstition. No one knows how pure someone's blood will turn out to be. Considering that child's talent, maybe he inherited the Gress family's blood more deeply than anyone else. But that won't matter to them, will it? It's a sad story.

With that, Herote fell quiet for a moment, then shrugged.

― It was an interesting story. Felt like I'd read a novel for the first time in a while. And is it even more rewarding because cute you are the one reading it?

Watching her speak playfully, Luca pouted his lips.

"I'm not cute, though."

― Heh. Well, how about 'charming you,' then?

"Are you teasing me?"

Herote giggled at his blunt words.

― No. I mean it.

[Herote Marcato's likability has increased.]

At the same time, a notification popped up.

Luca clicked his tongue.

'Why does my likability rise from things like this?'

The human heart really is hard to understand.

― Now that I've heard an entertaining story, shall we get to the main point? Why did you contact me?

Herote, seemingly having warmed up, finally asked for the reason for his call.

Luca answered impassively.

"First, have you finished the tool to find devils?"

― I'm working hard on it. But it's still a bit lacking. I think I might be able to finish before the new semester starts?

"I see."

Luca nodded.

He hadn't expected it to be finished so quickly, so he wasn't disappointed.

Besides, he had more important matters right now.

"Recently, I dealt with devil worshippers near our territory. And I eliminated the 'Devil of Hunger'."

― ... What?

Herote looked displeased.

― Didn't you just help the Gress family's child with running away recently?

"That ended, and then right after I happened to discover and deal with it."

― Wow... There's actually someone as active as Lady Eltima out there...

Herote was unable to hide her amazement.

Luca shrugged.

"I definitely felt that the power of the sky was diametrically opposed to the devil's power. I erased the Devil of Hunger all by myself."

― Wait, hold on. You did that alone? Are you out of your mind? What are you going to do if you do something so dangerous?!

Herote jumped in shock.

Luca spoke calmly.

"I had insurance prepared. And one of those was you. If I used this, you'd know my location immediately, and if I asked for help fighting a devil, wouldn't you come?"

― ... Well, of course, I would've rushed over without a word...

Herote looked exasperated.

― Still, that's way too risky!

"That's why, this time, I want to use a less dangerous method."

― A less dangerous method?

Herote looked puzzled.

Luca answered plainly.

"I want to meet with the members of Heaven's Door."

― What's that?

"... Ah."

At this point, Heaven's Door hadn't been formed yet.

When Luca faltered, Herote went silent for a moment, then spoke.

― You want to meet Lady Eltima's companions in the empire, right?

"... Yes."

Thankfully, Herote seemed to catch on right away.

She looked away from the screen briefly and then said:

― I can immediately pinpoint the locations of Lady Eltima's companions operating within the empire. They're currently active out west. If you want, I can send you to them right now.

"Not right now. If I contact you again, can I ask then?"

― Alright. I'll let them know in advance.

With that, Herote ended the call. Luca let out a faint sigh and, heading for the door, said,

"Bella. Get ready to travel."

* * *

A secret laboratory beneath Hernan Academy.

There, Herote sat, a strange expression on her face.

'Heaven's Door, huh.'

The mysterious name Luca had mentioned.

Judging by its sound and his reaction, it seemed to be a group Eltima would form in the future.

'Luca Traverse must know the future.'

Herote had many doubts about Luca.

To start with, he was far bolder, more composed, and daring than someone his age should be.

And he possessed power far too strong for his years.

Furthermore, he knew far too much about things ordinary people couldn't possibly know.

Among them was knowledge about her research.

'He said God told him.'

She didn't intend to deny that.

After all, unless God had told him, there's no way an ordinary boy would know about her research.

The question was, just how much did God tell him?

'Now I'm convinced. Luca Traverse knows the future. I don't know how, exactly, but he does.'

There are several ways to know the future.

Foreknowledge, regression, or perhaps time reversal.

Regardless, only one thing matters.

'That means even my ideal magic probably happens in the future as well.'

She could just ask, but she didn't want to.

If Luca did, in fact, know about her ultimate magic,

did it mean he knew because she succeeded, or because she failed?

She didn't want to know that.

'What matters is whether I succeed or fail this time.'

Thinking so, Herote glanced at something.

"Hoo..."

There stood a girl with white hair and red eyes—Ravinia Way.

She was creating an avatar of Waypoint.

'It's about time she advanced to the next stage as well.'

Saying this, Herote flicked her finger.

Swoosh!

"Eek?!"

Suddenly, Ravinia's body flew over to stand in front of Herote.

Startled by the unexpected situation, Ravinia looked at Herote with a disgruntled expression.

"What is it, mage...?"

Ravinia called her "mage".

That's how incredible Herote was—so much so that calling her by name was intimidating.

Herote spoke gently.

"It's about time for you to move on to the next stage."

"The next stage...?"

Ravinia swallowed hard.

Herote gave her a bright smile.

"That's right. It's about time you headed to the battlefield."

The battlefield—a place where life and death coexist.

That's where she was destined to go.

* * *

"Where's big brother?"

"He left with a relieved expression after seeing you drive away the devil and change the weather over Hebro territory, master."

"Huh."

Luca was finishing his final preparations after everything was ready.

"Ottbo. I'll tell the attendants in advance, but even so, it'll be pretty awkward for you to stay here in my absence. Bear with it a little."

"It's fine! I'm used to being awkward."

"... Is that so."

A rather sad story.

Luca twisted his lips slightly, then turned around and said,

"I'll be back before the break ends. Take care until then."

"I should be saying that to you..."

Luca would be the one off fighting devils, while Ottbo stayed behind in the territory.

Glancing over to see Ottbo looking flustered, Luca grinned.

"When I get back, let's go for a drive."

"Okay!"

And with that, Luca left the mansion and headed for a deserted spot.

He activated Herote's communication device.

― Are you all set?

"Yes."

Glancing at Bella, who was carrying the luggage, Luca then looked back at Herote.

― First, lady Eltima's companions are divided into two teams. One is collecting information on devil idols worshipped by devil worshippers, and the other is hunting down the devil idols and their devotees found that way.

"I see."

― Which team should I send you to?

At her question, Luca answered flatly.

"The hunting team, of course."

― Got it.

Whoosh!

"?!"

With no prior warning, magic circle, or anything, the scenery instantly changed.

Even though he had known this would happen, it was still a jaw-dropping ability.

'As expected of a tier 10 mage.'

Warp, which supposedly only tier eight mages and up could barely manage.

It was astonishing to see it used with such ease.

"Oh my, master. This is my first time in the western region too."

Bella looked around in amazement.

It made sense—the western region's atmosphere was entirely different.

It looked straight out of a western movie.

Here, the backdrop was wasteland, and looters and cartels operated like the southern region's criminal organizations.

Seeing the vivid colors of the landscape, Luca clicked his tongue.

'So this is what it actually feels like. Amazing.'

Even in modern times, Luca had heard about western movies.

He hadn't seen one, but he'd experienced it through games.

But seeing it in real life was entirely different.

'Kind of feels exciting.'

It even felt like he could hear background music with whistling.

― This is Ironspring, a mining city in Cochise territory, one of the main hubs of the western region. The spirit stones there are pretty high quality.

"Huh."

Back to another mining city.

But compared to Bizen in the south, this was a city on a whole different scale.

Just seeing people casually puffing on expensive luxury cigarettes told you all you needed to know.

― They should be there soon.

"..."

Herote had said she'd told them he was coming.

Luca was curious.

'Who will it be?'

Luca already knew most of the future members of Heaven's Door.

They were all key players in the story.

He looked forward to seeing who would appear.

"They said you could tell right away because the art style's different. Guess Herote was right."

"!"

At the mention of Herote's name, Luca turned.

And his eyes widened.

― Nice to meet you. Stranger from afar.

—A man spoke as if he'd been waiting for me.

—His well-groomed beard and white hair tucked under a hat gave him a dignified air.

—He brushed at the eyepatch covering one eye and said,

― The Goddess guided me to you. She told me to help you reach the academy safely.

― ...

—I stayed silent. Was it the aftereffects of dimension travel? I couldn't speak.

—At that moment, the man asked,

― What is your name?

― My name is...

A memory flashed—the first chapter of the original, 〈I Became the Savior of the Academy〉.

Looking at the man in front of him, Luca twisted his lips.

'To think I'd meet this man already.'

A handsomely groomed beard.

White hair beneath a hat.

And an eyepatch covering one eye.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Ben Dwight. What's yours?"

Ben Dwight.

The protagonist's first master, and the man who guided him to the academy.

He had appeared.