Chapter 65 - - 65: A Favor?

Chapter 65: Chapter - 65: A Favor?

A few days had passed since the attack on the academy, and although the atmosphere had not completely returned to normal, the constant tension that had filled the capital immediately after the incident had finally begun to ease.

The academy was still under heavier security than before, with additional guards stationed near the entrances and several teachers keeping a closer watch over the students, but at least people had stopped looking over their shoulders every few seconds as though another group of terrorists might suddenly appear from the shadows.

Classes had resumed as well, although some practical lessons were still being conducted under stricter supervision, and the damaged sections of the eastern training hall were being repaired while the academy investigated how the attackers had managed to infiltrate the grounds in the first place.

For me, the biggest difference was that I could finally walk through the academy without someone immediately asking whether I had really fought one of the terrorists alone.

Apparently, defeating Kamil had made me considerably more famous than I had expected.

"Lord Kai, is it true that you defeated one of the attackers by yourself?"

"Was that really the same man who fought several senior students?"

"How did you see through his invisibility?"

"Is it true that you used some kind of advanced wind magic?"

Those questions had become rather common during the first two days after the incident, and although I answered a few of them when there was no way to avoid doing so, I eventually learned that the easiest way to escape was simply to keep walking while pretending I had not heard anything.

It was strange seeing how quickly rumors spread throughout the academy, especially because most of the students had not even witnessed the entire battle themselves.

Some of them had only heard about Kamil from the students who were present, others had seen the aftermath of the battle, and a few had probably heard exaggerated versions of the story from someone who had heard it from someone else.

Still, my name was not the only one being mentioned.

In fact, several students had become considerably more famous because of what they had done during the attack.

Jasmine Curzon, the student council president, was among the most prominent names being discussed, particularly because she had remained in the middle of the chaos and helped organize the students while the academy was under attack.

Her brother, Jin Curzon, had also gained considerable recognition, although his situation was slightly different because of his position in the student council election.

But Ralf Walker’s name had spread even further than both of them, mainly because his spatial magic had allowed him to move between different sections of the academy far more quickly than most other students could, helping both teachers and students who were trapped in dangerous areas.

And then there was Albert Carson.

Whenever students started talking about the attack, his name almost always came up eventually.

The academy had apparently been unaware that the quiet exorcism teacher they had been seeing every day was actually a Grand Mage, and the revelation had naturally become one of the biggest pieces of news to come out of the entire incident.

The students had begun treating him differently after that, although Albert himself seemed to have no interest in the attention and continued teaching his classes with the same expression and manner as before.

*At least he does not seem to enjoy the attention.*

I thought as I walked through one of the academy corridors.

Unlike Albert, however, Ralf seemed to be benefiting considerably from his newfound popularity.

It was not difficult to understand why.

Ralf had already been running for the student council presidency, and before the attack his campaign had mostly depended on his family’s influence, his connections with various students, and the support he had gathered from several big families.

Now, however, there was another factor working in his favor.

People had seen him actually doing something during the attack.

His spatial magic had allowed him to reach places that would have taken ordinary students and even some teachers considerably longer to reach, and he had helped evacuate students from dangerous areas while also assisting the teachers in moving around the academy.

More importantly, the story of how he had arrived with Albert to save Prince Lucian and us had spread throughout the academy, and although most students did not know the exact circumstances behind it, they knew that Ralf had brought one of the strongest people in the academy to the battlefield when the situation was at its worst.

That alone had created a considerable amount of goodwill toward him.

I happened to see Ralf from a distance as I entered the main courtyard, and there were already several students gathered around him, talking about the election and asking questions about his plans for the student council.

Ralf seemed to be handling the attention well, answering them calmly while occasionally exchanging words with some of the students he already knew.

*His popularity definitely increased.*

Before the attack, Ralf had been competing against Jin while trying to convince students that he was the better choice, but now the situation had changed considerably.

The attack had given both of them an opportunity to show their abilities, although in completely different ways.

Jin had also gained recognition for his actions during the incident, and his reputation among the students remained strong, but Ralf’s spatial magic had given him something that was particularly valuable during an emergency. Mobility.

When an entire academy was attacked simultaneously, being able to reach another location almost instantly was an ability that naturally stood out.

And because the election was still ongoing, the timing could hardly have been better for Ralf.

*My support probably helped too, although I doubt it was the main reason.*

I had already promised Ralf that I would support him before the attack, and now that the incident had happened, there was little reason for me to change my decision.

Of course, I had not supported him simply because he was my friend. I still had my own condition attached to that agreement, and Ralf had fulfilled his part by coming when I used the distress signal gem.

If he had not arrived with Albert at that moment, I might have been dead by now.

Even with my abilities, there was a clear difference between fighting Kamil and fighting that beast like man.

Kamil had been strong, but I could understand his strength and adapt to his fighting style.

The other man was different. The moment I sensed his strength, my instincts had told me not to fight him directly.

And that instinct had been correct.

*I still do not know who that man was.*

That was one of the things that bothered me the most.

The Bloodied Hounds had clearly been more dangerous than I had originally expected, and the existence of someone strong enough to overpower Riza and force me into retreat made the situation even more complicated.

There were also questions about Albert.

I had already discovered that he was a Grand Mage, and that alone had changed several things in my understanding of the academy. Then there was Clara, the strange spirit who had fought alongside him.

The more I thought about everything that had happened, the more I realized how many things in this timeline were different from the game I remembered.

Even the election was beginning to change because of it. I looked toward the group surrounding Ralf once more before continuing across the courtyard.

*The timeline really has changed a lot.*

At least this particular change was not something I needed to worry about.

If Ralf’s popularity continued increasing at this rate, his chances of winning the student council election would become considerably better.

And if he became the next president, having someone with spatial magic and a connection to the Walker family in that position could prove useful later.

For now, however, I had no intention of involving myself any further than necessary.

The academy was finally beginning to return to normal, and after everything that had happened, I would rather let everyone enjoy that temporary peace.

Unfortunately, considering how much the timeline had already deviated from the game, I had a feeling that this peace would not last forever.

....

I was walking through one of the academy corridors with Elena when a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind us.

"Elena, Lord Kai, please wait!"

We turned around and saw Lily approaching us with a slightly hurried expression, her arms holding several books and documents against her chest.

"Lily, is something wrong?" Elena asked.

"Actually I wanted to ask Lord Kai for a favor, if you have some time available."

Elena glanced at Lily and then at me, apparently just as curious about what kind of favor she could possibly need from me.

"I suppose I can spare some time. What do you need?"

"It is related to some research I have been helping with, and I think Lord Kai might be able to help us."

"Research?"

Lily nodded awkwardly as if she herself is confused about how to explain it.

"It would be easier to explain once we reach the laboratory." She turns toward Elena

"If you have some free time, could you come with us?"

I looked at Elena, who seemed equally curious about what Lily was talking about, and after a moment both of us nodded.

"Alright."

Lily smiled with relief before turning around and leading us toward the research wing.

I had no idea what kind of research required my help, but considering Lily’s involvement, I assumed it would have something to do with magical plants.