Chapter 12: The One with the Field Trip

Saturday came before I even realized it, most of Friday spent on training.

[Traveling Club Announcement - There will be a short trip on Saturday for freshman orientation.]

That was today. The traveling club had planned a short orientation trip, and we were supposed to meet at the Valor's Portal Station connected to the capital. I packed my gun into my cross bag and headed there.

When I arrived, Ethan Ward, Gavin Holt, Natalie Cross, and Celeste Wren were already waiting. They didn't acknowledge me, which wasn't surprising, but standing near them still made me feel on edge. Today would mark the first real incident in the story. Something was going to happen in the capital.

While I mentally went over the sequence of events, the club president showed up.

"Hello, I'm the club president, Nolan Park. I didn't believe it when I saw so many applications, but… it's true. Who knew such amazing cadets would join?"

President Park was a guy with average height and a harmless, friendly look. He scratched his neck as he looked around.

"First, I'll give a short introduction about the traveling club."

He smiled awkwardly and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. Yep, just like I'd written, nervous and prepared.

"Cough. Once or twice a month, we take trips outside of Valor to relax. Training during these trips is strictly forbidden. That's why we're known as the Traveling Club."

Another cough. He folded the paper and put it away. That was it? No dramatic speech?

"Today, we'll take a short trip to the capital for orientation."

Everything was proceeding the way I planned. Club members would pair off and explore the city.

"We usually follow a theme for each trip, but since today is orientation, we'll just split into pairs."

Ethan would be paired with Natalie and end up running into trouble at a museum. I'd be part of that soon enough.

"Then we'll start by drawing lots."

Technically, drawing lots was left to chance. But not for me. Thanks to Observation and Reading, I could see what was written on each slip. I touched my chin and considered: Should I pick Ethan? Or Natalie?

"I'll go first."

Celeste stepped up and drew a name. I realized something just as she pulled it out, I forgot to factor in my own name.

"Noah Swagger."

My name. My heart sank, but her expression didn't change. She looked at me calmly with her usual composed mask.

Thankfully, the rest matched the original storyline. Ethan got paired with Natalie. Gavin ended up with the club president. After the pairings were done, we gathered in front of the portal.

The portal was a massive piece of magi-tech, 15 meters tall, 30 meters wide. These gates connected major regions across the country. You could go from one city to other in under 3 seconds.

"Cadet Noah Swagger. Confirmed."

The portal operator gave us each a seal that would activate the teleportation.

"Let's go."

The club president went in first. Ethan followed, then Gavin, Melissa, and finally, me.

The world around me warped for just a moment.

Then I was standing in a new place. The capital portal station looked sleek and modern. Just two steps through the gate, and I was across the East Sea.

"It's 12 P.M. We'll meet back here at 6."

Our portal had exclusive access from Valor, so there was no one else around. The nearby portal, though, was probably packed with travelers.

"Follow me."

We were given a second seal before we left the station. I saw the words "Center Station" on the wall as we stepped out.

"You can go wherever you want using public transportation. No reports required this time, but be back by 6 or you'll get penalized."

The president gave the warning, then left us to explore. Celeste walked without saying anything. I followed her until she suddenly stopped.

"Let's split up."

"Huh? Oh. Yeah, sure."

She was probably planning to visit her father's guild. That worked out for me. I needed to keep an eye on Ethan anyway.

"Again."

She glared at me, hand on her hip.

"Don't talk to me so casually."

"Huh?"

"This is your second warning. There won't be a third."

I didn't doubt her. If I messed up again, she'd absolutely do something drastic.

"Yes, I understand. I apologize."

"Tsk."

She walked off without another word. No goodbye. Just five minutes in, and we were already done.

***

"Whew, I thought I got lost."

After switching buses three times, I finally arrived at the National Weapons Museum. The place was known for displaying replicas of historical weapons excavated, many of which had become artifacts. And today, something would go wrong here.

I stepped in, heart slightly uneasy.

"Daddy, what's that?"

"Oh, that's the Four Tiger Sword..."

Being the weekend, the museum was crowded with kids and parents, probably hero hopefuls or just fans of relics. But even in a crowd, some people naturally stood out. Like Natalie, who I spotted pretty quickly.

"I want it."

She was eyeing a bow in a glass case like a predator, lips smacking like she hadn't eaten in days. But she wasn't the one I was here for.

As expected, it didn't take long to spot him. Tall, solid frame, clean-cut looks, the walking protagonist. Ethan Ward.

I approached slowly and noticed what he was staring at.

"The Seven-Branched Sword?"

It was an artifact once owned by the king of an ancient kingdom, gifted as a love letter to a knight. According to the story, it was found in the final room of a dungeon. I'd written that one in detail.

"Hm? Ah..."

Ethan turned toward me, a bit surprised.

"Noah Swagger."

"Yeah. Sorry, didn't expect to run into you, so I blanked."

He smiled politely and pointed toward another exhibit.

"Apparently, Napoleon's rifle is here too. Did you see it?"

"Napoleon had a rifle?"

"Yeah, it came from a dungeon in France. They say it's the real deal."

In this world, historical weapons could become artifacts if their owners were legendary enough. Even Napoleon's rifle made sense here.

Still, I wasn't interested.

"No, I don't think I'll have time."

The words came out without much thought. It felt weird, talking to Ethan like this. He was supposed to be my character, but standing in front of him like this, it felt off. He was everything a hero should be, handsome, skilled, kind. Maybe too perfect. A bit… artificial.

I looked down and tapped the floor with my foot.

"Then..."

BOOM.

A deep rumble exploded through the hall.

The entire place fell silent. Then...

koong, koong, koong

The heavy thud of something massive stomping closer.

Screams started echoing.

"Kyaaaak!"

"What is that!?"

The panic spread fast. Fear turned into chaos. Parents clutched their children. Some people ran toward the exits, but that was a mistake. Death was waiting outside.

"Stay here! Don't go out!"

Ethan shouted to the crowd, sensing what was happening. He wasn't wrong. Outside, an intermediate-rank monster and its horde were wreaking havoc. Alone, that level of monster wasn't a big deal, a hero would arrive within a minute, and the mess would be handled in jiffy.

But this wasn't just that.

A djinn had infiltrated the museum. The real objective was an assassination, one targeting a gifted child marked by the Hero Association. And with chaos erupting all over the city, the real heroes wouldn't prioritize a building with its own security team.

Clang!

Glass shattered behind us.

Ethan snapped his head in that direction.

"Melissa!"

She had smashed open a display and grabbed the bow she'd been admiring earlier.

"Are you out of your mind!?"

"Nope. I'm fine."

The alarms blared. Steel barriers dropped, sealing every entrance in three seconds flat. That added more panic, but ironically, it also kept people safe. Not even an intermediate monster could break through those defenses.

"This is faster than trying to calm everyone down one at a time."

Melissa raised her voice, standing tall.

"Everyone! Stay calm! It's safer here! We're heroes too!"

"Hey, you..."

"Shut it. Don't just stand there. Get a weapon."

"What? Why me?"

"Because there's death outside. Pick your choice."

She nocked a magic arrow and glanced at Ethan before subtly nodding toward someone.

"There."

A man in a black coat. He stood too still, like he wasn't part of the panic around him.

Melissa fired before Ethan could react.

"Wait...!"

Too late.

The arrow punched clean through the man's throat. Ethan froze, unsure what just happened.

But the man didn't fall.

He gripped the shaft of the arrow with one hand and pulled it out. Black magic burned through the wound. The arrow disintegrated into ash.

He turned around slowly, red eyes glowing like embers. Calm. Focused.

Definitely a djinn.

The protagonist's face lost all color. He moved quickly, smashing another case and pulling out the Seven-Branched Sword. Even as a replica, its craftsmanship made it artifact-grade.

"Oh, that's the famous one, right? Splits into seven blades or something."

Melissa smirked and stepped beside Ethan, confident.

I quietly pulled my handgun from my bag and loaded a round.

I thought about standing next to them, but decided against it. Two steps back. I didn't need to be seen. If the djinn noticed me and saw me as a threat, I'd be done. I wasn't strong enough yet.

Let the two protagonists shine.

For now.