[Author Note: There will be a name change, where Venditus will now be called Benedictus]
(Wim's POV)
Wim doesn't know what's happening to him now, but he can't remember anything before he fainted.
His vision is clouded, and he can only see darkness.
A silent darkness without the slightest light.
Is he dead?
No.
Is this the *World Between* that is Limbo?
That can't be right either.
...
...
...
???: "Wim, promise me that when you find meaning in your life, you can be happy even without this old man's help."
Who is that?
Wim recognized the voice.
It was the voice of a grown man he had known back on Earth.
Someone who truly cared about him, more than he did about himself.
It was his father, Hop...
....
....
***
(Back to the present)
White light began to illuminate his vision, and then he could see clearly.
Wim: "...Mmhm..."
Wim finally opened his eyes again, then he slowly began to wake up and see everything.
He was inside the Arbites' tent.
He tried to get up, but immediately felt pain in his right abdomen. Looking down, he saw a bandage tightly wrapped around the gunshot wound from the battle with the Necromancer, indicating that the bullet had been removed. Although it still hurt, at least he was still alive.
There, he also saw several Arbites members maintaining security at the academy, standing guard at the entrance to Ullanor. There were also members from the Steel Academy helping out, indicating that they were working together on this rescue operation.
Before he could think further, a familiar voice rang out from beside him.
Lucius: "You're finally awake, Wim."
It was Lucius sitting on the bed next to him, his face tired and his right arm heavily bandaged.
Wim: "Lucius... Where are we now?" Wim asked.
Lucius: "We're at the rescue camp in the Ullanor Cemetery. We managed to survive there."
Wim: "I see..."
Then he asked again.
Wim: "By the way, where are the others? Are they okay?"
Lucius: "They're all safe thanks to the two of us, so there's no need to worry."
Wim: "I see, thank goodness," he said with a relaxed sigh.
Wim hadn't thought that this Episode 4 Main Quest would be any harder than the previous one, considering he had already completed Episode 4 in the game version, and it wasn't as challenging as he had experienced. Now,
However, there's one thing that's odd for Wim about this Main Quest Episode.
In the game, Necromancer Heutsz never uses a firearm, relying solely on the knife he carries on his belt.
But this time, Heutsz isn't using a knife, but rather a Cane Gun attached to his magic staff. This makes him even more different from the game version.
As far as Wim knows, Heutsz is a Dark Arcane from The Hive who hates modernization, such as firearms. He believes firearms have replaced magic as the primary weapon in this magical world.
This is undeniable, considering that Arcane train for years to develop their magic. While firearms are more efficient than magic, many people prefer them over magic, which requires years of training.
However, because of this, the use of magic as a primary weapon in this world has gradually declined, being replaced by these more efficient firearms.
Because of this, Heutsz, a hater of modernization, has vowed never to use a weapon in his life. That's how the game tells it.
However, it's different. Here, Heutsz uses a firearm, so there's a difference between the game version and the one Wim encountered previously.
He began to wonder if there was a difference in the story that made it different from the game version?
Or was there something Wim didn't know about that made the story 180 degrees different from the original?
Since he was stranded here, he'd noticed many small changes from the original story.
The bandits sent by The Hive from the Prologue Episode, Professor Syit's sudden change in potions, and finally, the Necromancer Heutsz, a hater of modernization, who uses a firearm.
These are all small things that have changed in the story. Although the plot remains the same, the small details have undergone significant changes in the Quest.
But for now, Wim finally decided to immediately strengthen himself to face the small changes that would come.
For now, he needed to get some rest, because he was tired from this Episode Quest.
As he lay down...
A voice came from the tent door.
"We're here."
"Wim, Lucius. How are you two?"
"Oh, you two are awake, huh?"
"You guys are really amazing."
It was the students Wim and Lucius had saved, and they wanted to thank them.
Luna, Louisa, Morian, Benny, Mella, Maria, Ken, Edward, and the other members of the Dralan Club appeared like an endless wave of people. Some brought fruit, some brought snacks, some just came to visit, but they all had the same goal: to thank Wim and Lucius for saving them all.
Wim: "Oh my gosh, there are so many," he thought.
Wim was indeed a bit annoyed by the crowd. It was noisy, attentive, and too crowded for someone who wanted to lie down like Wim after nearly being chopped to death by the Necromancer.
But of course, he couldn't tell them to leave. Since it was Wim and Lucius who saved everyone, it was natural for them to want to express their gratitude.
Some students even sobbed as they expressed their gratitude. Some said they had resigned themselves to death when surrounded by the Undead, others praised Wim and Lucius's bravery, and still others saluted as if saluting a war hero.
However, among the many expressions of gratitude, one person offered no thanks. There was not a smile.
A girl with many fans in her gaming community, with white hair and a graceful aura, approached Wim, who was sitting on the bed with a serious expression like a judge delivering a verdict.
Louisa Von Teuer
In a cold and firm tone, she asked.
Louisa: "Commoner..." That was what Louisa called Wim.
Wim: "Yes, what's wrong?" he replied, asking again.
Louisa: "...What are you keeping from us?"
...
The entire tent froze.
All sound disappeared, as if someone had pressed the mute button. Only the magical fan was still spinning.
Lucius reflexively asked Louisa, trying to mediate.
Lucius: "What do you mean by that, Louisa?"
Louisa stared at Wim without blinking.
Louisa: "I mean, how could someone with no Mana, no magical talent, no noble bloodline, and a commoner like him… get accepted into Unio Academy?"
Then she continued.
Louisa: "As you know, the requirements for admission to the academy are very strict. It's impossible for someone like this commoner to pass the selection. Unless—"
Her gaze sharpened.
Louisa: "—he's hiding something. Something big."
Those words caused whispers to spread among the students.
At first, they began to praise and thank Wim, but after hearing Louisa's question, they began to think twice about praising him.
"That's right…"
"How did he get in?"
"Could it be that he bribed someone?"
"It's common for commoners to engage in such fraud."
"Strange... very strange..."
All his praise had turned into suspicion, or possibly worse.
Wim began to panic.
Oh shit... shit... shit!
He himself had no idea how he'd gotten into the academy. He only remembered the game giving him an "entry certificate" without any clear explanation.
Although Wim's logic dictates that it's part of the game's system, this world, which isn't actually part of the game, is truly a mystery that's hard to explain.
It's no wonder Louisa, in the community, is called one of the most complicated protagonists for players.
Initially, many players disliked her because of her cold and arrogant attitude toward other protagonists, including the player avatar. She always forced her way to get things clearly, considering herself very special, even to the point of making players want to punch her beautiful face.
However, as more players learned about her background, they began to rethink their depictions of Louisa and began trying to save her. However, because there was no good ending for her, Louisa ultimately remained on the path to a bad ending.
But before the atmosphere could get any more chaotic…
The tent shook.
And someone entered.
With heavy steps, a sharp gaze, and an aura cold enough to kill anyone's spirit...
It was Instructor Kryuger.
He stood near the tent curtain and behind Louisa, then he spoke without waiting for a question.
Kryuger: "He was enrolled directly into Unio Academy by Headmaster Sherman, at the request of the previous Headmaster, Benedictus."
About ten students immediately screamed in surprise.
"What! BENEDICTUS!? WITH THE PRINCIPAL OF THE ACADEMY, SHERMAN!?"
"An 8th-grade Arcane Master with his disciple, the Lightning!"
"The legendary Perpetual and the legendary Primaris!?"
"That's too much, too much!"
The names of Benedictus and Sherman, someone considered on par with world heroes, made the tents buzz with rumors.
It's undeniable, as they both have quite a reputation.
Benedictus, the 8th-grade Arcane who successfully became a Perpetual, is an Arcane who has achieved immortality and is now 347 years old.
Along with his student Sherman Azchkei, who achieved the title of Primaris at a relatively young age and is known as the Lightning for his ability to accelerate his movements.
Kryuger continued, still with a surprised expression.
Kryuger: "Even I don't know why Benedictus asked Academy Principal Sherman to recommend a student like him to study at Unio Academy. But it was a direct order from someone at the top of the world. No one, including me, can argue with that."
Then Kryuger looked at Louisa coldly.
Kryuger: "Also, it's not appropriate for students to interfere in another student's personal affairs, let alone question the decisions of someone of Benedictus' stature."
Louisa was shocked, but managed to maintain a straight face. She tried to defend herself.
Louisa: "B-but, Instructor! I feel something is wrong with Wim! I just-"
Kryuger: "I don't care," Kryuger interrupted quickly.
Then he continued.
Kryuger: "Just because something is wrong doesn't mean you can prove it with your own words, Princess Louisa Von Teuer."
Louisa was taken aback by the mention of her full name.
Kryuger: "Now, apologize to him."
Her face froze.
As a princess of the Kingdom of Helible, apologizing to a commoner would be offensive to the nobility.
But this was an order from the instructor. And in the realm of education, noble status would have no meaning here.
Louisa clenched her fists, her lips trembling with shame and anger.
Finally, in a barely audible voice…
"…I'm sorry." she said, turning her face to Wim.
Everyone fell silent.
While Wim immediately accepted the apology.
Wim: "It's okay..."
Wim knew that Louisa in the game had a hard time apologizing because she wanted to feel perfect.
Perhaps this was also one of the reasons why she was loved by so many fans.
The two began to shake hands, apologizing.
Louisa quickly turned away, trying to avoid anyone's gaze, feeling humiliated.
However...
Wim, with his slightly mischievous nature, opened his mouth and said:
Wim: "Hey... Don't take it personally, you Lizardess."
All students: "..."
BOOOOOSHH!!
A small flame shot straight into Wim's face, sending him flying like burning paper.
The fire didn't kill Wim, but it did create a jolt of heat that charred his face like burnt toast.
Wim: "... Ouch..."
Louisa appeared through the tent curtain, her face bright red, cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment, clutching a magic wand that was still smoking.
She glared at Wim with anger, then said in a trembling voice:
Louisa: "Watch your filthy mouth, commoner!"
Then she slammed the tent curtain shut and left, followed by several students from her Dralan Club.
The tent then returned to calm.
Meanwhile, Lucius looked at Wim, whose face was charred like charcoal.
Lucius: "...You really are courting death, Wim."
Twink!
Wim could only reply with a thumbs-up.
But that wasn't over yet. Kryuger, who was inside their tent, began to glance at the two students.
Kryuger: "... I almost forgot the reason I came here was because of you two."
His gaze was sharp, his aura heavy and oppressive, like a wild beast that had just found its prey. Wim and Lucius instinctively straightened their backs. Wim even thought, "Yep... We're done," as his last words before something terrible happened.
Kryuger stared at them both for a long moment, then lowered his gaze slightly.
Kryuger: "You realize what you've done, right?"
Lucius and Wim tried to speak, but their voices were choked. Kryuger likely already knew what they were trying to explain.
Then Kryuger continued, and it was exactly what they were trying to explain.
Kryuger: "Sneaking out of my sight as the Supervisor of your hunting party, entering the Ullanor Cemetery to rescue the trapped students, and recklessly confronting the Dark Arcane Necromancer, who was clearly no match for a first-year without the assistance of other senior Arcane students, has caused your grades to drop many times over."
Kryuger stared at them sharply, as if considering whether to scold them. Tension filled the room again. The students even paused, watching the scene awkwardly.
Finally, another, calmer voice broke the silence. From the corner of the tent, someone walked in, puffing out a puff of smoke.
Bright: "Just let them go, Kryuger."
It was Bright, a senior instructor from Steel Academy.
Bright: "If it weren't for these two brats, half the students there would probably have been victims. They deserve a break, not anger."
Kryuger snorted softly, staring at Bright for a moment before finally slumping his shoulders.
Kryuger: "Okay. But rules are rules."
He looked at Wim and Lucius again.
Kryuger: "You will receive a multiple deduction in disciplinary points for breaking so many rules. However…"
Kryuger: "Since you also saved your comrades and defeated a fifth-rank Necromancer without our full support, you will both receive a multiple deduction in points. And also, everyone who dared to face the Necromancer will receive a commendation from the academy."
Lucius looked at Wim with a relieved expression, while Wim only smiled weakly and lowered his head, muttering a hoarse thank you.
Kryuger turned and walked out of the tent with Bright. Before leaving, Bright patted Wim gently on the shoulder and said, "You have great potential, young man. Don't waste this second chance."
As the two of them disappeared under the tent's fabric, Wim was finally able to lie back on his bed to wait for his time to recover and prepare to strengthen himself.
Wim: "Phew... Yes, Finally I can sleep soundly."
Lucius: "Weren't we sleeping too much earlier?"
Wim: "Screw you..."
Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait, please read on.