Chapter 362: The Hero At The Academy (I)
The next morning at Belsorth Academy....
It was the first day of a new week, and Ishtar had just stepped onto the academy grounds.
As Ethan had promised, one of his summons had begun accompanying her to school.
And he had chosen Nina for that task.
The half-dragon walked calmly beside her, dressed in an elegant sleeveless white top, a pair of plain, well-tailored trousers and black ankle boots that completed the outfit, giving her a refined appearance.
Ishtar’s attire wasn’t too different; her own white lace shirt had long sleeves, paired with dark trousers and a pair of regular boots.
Although Francesca had returned and was now able to keep her company once again, Ishtar had genuinely begun enjoying her time at the academy.
Because of that, Ethan had allowed her to continue attending for another week.
The moment the pair entered through the academy gates, conversations around them began dying out.
The eyes of students from every direction turned to them almost instinctively. Only this time, very few of those looks were directed toward Ishtar.
During her first week at the academy, she had been the center of attention. After all, besides Mr. Kieran, the final-year form tutor, she had been the only other demon studying within Belsorth Academy.
Additionally, Ishtar never needed to disguise her appearance.
With the King’s approval, coupled with a few privileges Ethan had managed to secure, she was permitted to attend the academy openly, much like Mr. Kieran himself.
However, Today, it wasn’t Ishtar who held everyone’s attention.
It was Nina.
The summon carried an overwhelming presence. Even those with only the slightest sensitivity to mana could immediately tell that the woman beside Ishtar was a summon who possessed a level of magical power unlike anything they had ever experienced from a summon before.
Ishtar noticed the countless eyes following them. And after a brief moment, she turned to the summon and said politely, "Lady Nina, I’m alright from here."
Just as she did with Ethan’s other summons, Ishtar addressed each of them with genuine respect. Even Albedo, despite that demon’s unruliness.
Nina turned her head slightly. "My Liege instructed me to escort you to your classroom."
Ishtar smiled awkwardly. "Then... could you perhaps ask my Liege if it would be alright for you to stop here?"
She glanced around at the students still staring in their direction before lowering her voice. "I’m... a little uncomfortable."
After a second, Nina’s expression softened into a smile as she inclined her head. "My Liege has agreed to your request."
She paused before adding, "However, he asked that I inform you I will return at dismissal time to escort you home."
Ishtar smiled and gave a nod. "Thank you, Lady Nina."
With that, Nina turned around and calmly made her way back toward the academy gates.
Ishtar watched her leave for a brief moment before heaving a sigh of relief and continuing toward the main building on her own.
——
Within Headmaster Kolinski’s Office...
The aged Headmaster sat behind his desk while Dark Nova occupied the chair opposite him.
There was a smile on the old man’s face as he said. "It is an honor to finally meet you... our country’s Number One Hero."
The Headmaster had always admired Dark Nova.
Had he been several decades younger, he likely would have struggled to hide just how star-struck he felt.
Dark Nova, however, barely acknowledged the compliment. "I came here to deal with an evil within this academy."
His calm reply immediately caused the Headmaster’s smile to fade. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly. "How so?"
And with that, the two of them began their discussion.
————
The first-year students gradually settled into their seats as the classroom slowly filled.
Not long afterward, Glen walked over and took the seat beside Ishtar.
"Hello." he said with a smile.
Ishtar smiled back. "Hi, Glen."
The two soon fell into idle conversation, talking quietly while the remaining students continued arriving.
After a while, Glen leaned slightly closer. "There’s a new art shop that opened somewhere in the city."
He smiled. "Do you want to stop by after school before heading home?"
Ishtar’s expression turned apologetic. "I’m sorry... I can’t."
She shook her head gently.
"Even if I wanted to, I’m under strict movement restrictions right now. I’m just going straight home after school."
Glen looked a little disappointed. He was just about to try convincing her otherwise, when the classroom door opened.
Every conversation immediately died down as they watch the figure who had entered.
It was the Headmaster himself.
The aged man looked across the class before speaking. "All first-year students are to assemble immediately at the courtyard in C Wing downstairs."
They all had confused looks as no one understood what was happening. However, not a single student questioned the Headmaster’s instruction.
—
A short while later...
The first years had all assembled at the courtyard in C Wing.
Each student stood properly spaced apart from the next, with several meters separating one person from another.
There were only twenty-one first-year students in total.
Ishtar stood somewhere close to the middle of one of the rows. Several meters to her right, positioned at the very end of the same line, was Glen.
The arrangement had been personally directed by the Headmaster.
Once he was satisfied with their positions, he gave a slight nod toward the slender female assistant standing beside him.
She acknowledged it with a nod of her own before turning and making her way back into the academy building to notify Dark Nova that the students had all gathered.
As soon as she disappeared from view, the Headmaster stepped forward and began some talk.
"I know many of you are wondering why I’ve called all of the first years out here." His eyes swept across the assembled students. "But it appears... there is something unusual taking place within the grounds of this academy."
The Headmaster slowly walked between the rows of students as he continued speaking.
"There are people, or perhaps... things that should not be here. And their presence within this academy has the potential to place every one of you in danger."
As he spoke, his eyes moved across the gathered first years one after another.
Then, his gaze settled on Glen.
After about three seconds of being stared at Glen’s heart skipped, then his eyes widened in sudden realization that had been found out.
Before his body could even react, a black blur tore across the courtyard in an instant.
Dark Nova appeared directly before Glen, stretched his hand forward and grabbed the boy’s throat before lifting him off the ground.