101

Inside the director's office of Regis Academy.

Between the two people sitting face-to-face, an indescribable tension filled the air.

"You're saying you'll save the academy?"

The director, wearing a face full of disbelief, questioned me.

"Yes. There will be many dangers in the future."

He furrowed his brows, visibly displeased by my words.

Well, that reaction is only natural.

In the novel, he was someone who deeply loved the academy.

He always took pride in his position as the director and constantly worked for the academy's betterment.

But to suddenly have a stranger appear and claim the academy would face danger. It was only natural for him to be skeptical.

"Ridiculous. Such a thing won't happen."

"Then how do you explain the attack that occurred just yesterday?"

When I countered, Darcan's eyes briefly flickered with calm fury.

"That happened because of a traitor. It will never happen again."

"And can you guarantee that another traitor won't arise?"

"…What an insolent child."

A faint murderous intent emanated from him, sending a shiver down my spine. But I kept my head held high and met his gaze.

I didn't want to act this way, but I had to tell him.

The attack yesterday was just the beginning.

Countless disasters and incidents would befall the academy in the days to come.

"Do you doubt me?"

"You're stating the obvious. Do you really think it's not suspicious to hide your face like that?"

"Ah."

"When speaking with someone, it's only polite to look them in the face. Tsk, tsk."

…I had forgotten.

Flustered by his words, I quickly removed my robe, letting my black hair cascade down around me.

The director stared at my face blankly for a moment before clearing his throat and speaking again.

"Even if you reveal your face, nothing changes. The academy is mine to protect."

"…Just like in the novel."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

Director Darcan.

Nicknamed the 'Stubborn Old Man.'

He was a character composed of pride for the academy and an innate arrogance.

But pride alone was no match for the disasters that were to come.

It wasn't until many students were harmed during the catastrophes that he finally set aside his arrogance and came to his senses.

And I know his true identity.

He's not human.

That old man's body is nothing more than a well-crafted avatar. Darcan's true nature is that of a fae. One over a hundred years old, in fact.

Fae, beings who live alongside spirits in nature, wielding countless mysterious magics.

Darcan was one of them.

His stubbornness likely stems from his fae nature as well.

Fae are notoriously unwilling to listen to others, almost to an infuriating degree.

'I'll have to convince him.'

I didn't leave my home and come here without a reason.

The rumor that brought me here.

A ridiculous and unbelievable story that the hero is a woman.

Of course, I didn't believe it.

In the original story, the hero is undoubtedly Robin.

The hero chosen by the sacred sword, appearing once in a century, doesn't change so easily.

At first, I thought the rumor was false, and I only intended to check that everyone was fine before returning.

After all, the original novel was a happy-ending story that progressed well without me.

But then, the saintess was injured.

No, she almost died.

Something that should never have happened.

Even the academy attack this time caused much more damage than I expected.

It was utterly baffling to me.

"Why on earth..! I've only done things that should have helped the original story!"

I sent my younger sister, Lily, one of the hero's party members, to the academy after helping her grow far more than before.

I worked hard to turn Athena, who was destined to become a villain, into a virtuous figure.

Unintentionally, I even brought one of the Demon King's commanders, Sephir, over to our side.

If anything, I should have helped, not hindered.

So why has the story turned out this way?

I don't know.

The ripple effects of the butterfly effect were beyond anything I could imagine.

But no matter what, it was ultimately because of me.

And now, I had no choice but to step in.

I pulled out a golden envelope from my belongings.

The reason I came here.

To confirm that the rumor about the hero being a woman was false.

But if, by some chance, the rumor was true…

I came here to prevent calamities in this altered story and ensure no one got hurt.

My beloved sister, Lily, must be attending the academy by now.

After all, we had pinky-sworn to go there.

And besides her, there were other heroines in the novel with good hearts.

I couldn't bear to see them in danger.

Thus, I would stop the impending calamities.

When I handed the golden letter to Darcan, he raised an eyebrow, looking at me suspiciously.

"What is this?"

"A letter that will lend credibility to my words."

The director reluctantly opened the envelope and pulled out the letter inside.

Minutes passed.

The only sound in the room was the ticking of the clock's second hand.

As Darcan read through the letter for some time, cold sweat began to trickle down his face.

"This… This is…"

I, the Hero of the Empire, declare Hera, the owner of this letter, as my person, my proxy, and my love.

Should anyone dare to disregard her even after reading this letter,

I swear my wrath will incinerate every trace of your body.

–Athena Caladbolg.

His body began trembling at the mention of her name.

He desperately wanted to believe it was fake.

But the powerful sunlight-like mana emanating from the letter and the seal stamped below confirmed its authenticity.

Athena Caladbolg. The Hero of the Empire.

It was undoubtedly her.

"Why… why is she…?"

Cold sweat dripped down his nape.

For a moment, he almost let out his true voice in shock, but somehow, he managed to suppress it.

Athena.

I had met her once before.

A mischievous fairy by nature.

And back then, I had played a trivial prank on her once.

I never liked how people exaggerated heroes in the first place.

After all, they were merely humans.

How strong could they possibly become with their inherently frail bodies?

But I had come to realize firsthand just how wrong my thoughts were.

"Ke… kehk… keuhhk…!"

"Hmm… A fairy, huh? Interesting. I've heard that fairies concentrate their magic in their wings."

"Sp… spare me…"

"What happens if I burn those wings?"

"Gg… guhlk…"

Her golden eyes, blazing ominously at that time, still haunted my nightmares.

The sheer horror I never wished to face again.

But the traces of her.

Why are they appearing in front of this woman?

I lifted my trembling eyes and looked at her.

A girl with such breathtaking beauty that I was left momentarily breathless the first time our eyes met.

For some reason, I could sense an unusual aura emanating from her.

"Will you believe me now?"

At first, she was nothing but suspicious.

Clad in a black robe, she spouted nonsense that wasn't even remotely funny.

The academy is in danger?

That's impossible.

This place is fortified with countless layers of defense, enough to be called a fortress.

And I'm the one managing it.

Although this time, an ambush from within had been allowed.

If it came to a frontal attack, not even the Legion Commanders could break through.

So I dismissed the woman's words as mere nonsense.

But…

After reading this letter, I could no longer ignore her.

Athena, without a doubt the strongest among all the powerful individuals I've ever encountered, vouched for this person.

No matter how absurd her words seemed, it would be wise to at least hear her out.

'…This isn't because I'm scared.'

It's definitely not because memories of that time have resurfaced and made me afraid–

"Director?"

"Ahk!"

At her sudden call, I flinched.

The woman frowned at me as if she'd witnessed something ridiculous.

Feeling oddly embarrassed, I cleared my throat a few times.

Regaining my composure, I spoke to her humbly.

"Hmph… Very well. Let's hear what you have to say."

"…Understood."

The woman glanced at me with a look of mild disdain, then let out a short sigh and spoke with a serious expression.

"Listen carefully from now on. Don't miss a single word."

For some reason, her grave demeanor made me feel a sense of tension.

I swallowed hard and looked at her.

She opened her cherry-red lips and began to speak.

"Next month, there will be a giant monster attack during the midterm exams. You should prepare defenses against large monsters. They're weak to fire, so it would be wise to secure fire-based magic in advance. Also, about the outdoor training planned for this summer, don't go. Or if you go, change the destination at the last minute. The demons have obtained information and are planning an ambush.

Ah, and there's a student named Cain. Keep a close watch on him. He'll eventually turn into a dark mage. And although there's still time, next year, a Legion Commander will attack this place. You should consult the Grand Sage to strengthen the grand barrier in advance. Also—"

I could only stare blankly at the woman as she prattled on.

"….."

'Is… is she a bit unhinged?'