Chapter 21 – This, No One Expected

The instructors of the Cradle are all veterans of reversals.

Not that they’re actually old, but it means their skills are *that* good.

But even those instructors, there was one thing they absolutely wanted to avoid.

“Ughhh….”

“uuung—”

—Nod nod

Be it Innate Ability or an Ability User, in the end, the core is still a human being.

The time when the body feels most languid, the afternoon. Add lunch to that, and drowsiness reaches its peak.

The common opinion was that no Innate Ability could block this, of all things.

“Hmm.”

Teacher Smith, standing at the podium, gave a low groan, scratching his head.

Of all times. He’d been caught in the time slot that the Cradle’s instructors most wanted to avoid.

Worse, it was the infamously boring and dull Monster Behavior Studies class.

Even on normal days, several students would do other things or doze off.

If it fell right after lunch like today, there was no hope.

“Alright, alright!!”

—Clap clap!

But what could he do? He was the teacher, and they were the students.

Those who must teach and those who must learn. In the end, everything was for the future.

“You’re all dying from sleepiness, right? I know! The PE class is normally placed after the lunch time. Your Teacher here is very sleepy too! But what can we do? Everyone, let’s try hard and focus on the lesson! Aja, Aja!!”

Teacher Smith’s lonely struggle was by no means unique.

Still, they were Ability Users who were defending the Empire, after all. Everyone was fighting it, at least in their own way.

Some were pinching their cheeks or thighs. Some were chugging down ice-cold water.

Some eventually succumbed to sleep and hung their heads.

Meanwhile, a few maintained bright, alert eyes, as if this much was bearable.

“….”

Among them was Deus, sitting at the very back.

‘Honestly. It’s all because their stamina is so weak, stamina.’

Tsk tsk. A tutting sound escaped him involuntarily. Were these truly Ability Users who would defend the Empire’s future?

No, how were they going to fight monsters if they couldn’t even overcome a single wave of sleepiness?

Wasn’t this something that could be subdued with sheer grit alone?

Said the one who himself had a history of dozing off.

Deus shook his head and abruptly turned his head to the side.

“….”

There, he saw Yurisia locked in a death struggle with sleep.

Verging on defeat, to be precise. Her head bobbed, threatening to fall.

Deus, watching this unfold for a moment, reached out and tapped the desk.

Careful not to startle Yurisiah, he was as gentle as possible.

– Thump, thump!

Of course, that didn’t mean it was quiet.

“Hng?!”

Yurisiah, startled, abruptly lifted her head.

Her eyes darted around, probably thinking a teacher had taken notice.

“Yurisiah.”

Lest she be further alarmed, Deus gave a light wave.

*I* woke you, no need to worry even more, he meant.

“Ah…!”

First, relief that it wasn’t a teacher.

Then, gratitude that Deus had been considerate of her.

Finally, the shame of having been seen in such a state, before him.

‘Ugh…’

Yurisiah’s face bloomed crimson, the same shade as her hair.

If this were a comic, hot steam would surely be puffing from her ears!

“Next, we’ll delve into the subject of shadow-type monsters. These ones prefer the darkest places even more than other monsters. But they’re certainly not weak against light. In fact, many Luminary Adepts have had a terribly hard time dealing with them. Their behavior is….”

He’d assumed it was just a matter of overpowering them with abilities, but there was a method to it.

Deus took notes on the lesson, thinking this over.

Well, it would have to be that way, to explain the diversity of abilities.

Strengths and weaknesses, working in harmony to support one another.

If one side were too strong, the balance would crumble, leading to big problems in the end.

‘Monsters come in all sorts of varieties, too. Different behaviors. So, they’re not just combat-power measuring sticks. Are these the main villains, then?’

How could he adapt to this world perfectly?

Finding a way back was important, but it was too early for that.

For now, finding his place and living here was paramount.

Firstly, this world was not some run-of-the-mill academy story.

Like the apocalyptic fiction he had enjoyed, there were gates, and monsters.

It was simply that the atmosphere wasn’t as desperately grim as “＜Gate Open on Day One of the Mercenary Band＞”.

‘In that one, monsters were the main issue at first, but gradually other villains, and even stronger individuals, emerged, right?’

Monsters were, quite literally, ‘monsters,’ making them easy to recognize as enemies.

But other people, unless you could read their minds, were hard to distinguish.

He felt grateful that there didn’t seem to be such types in this world.

“Deus?”

No matter how he looked at it, being an Adept was the best path to survival here.

It just so happened that his accidental over-training due to misinterpreting the genre turned out to be a huge advantage.

If he made a name for himself, he could get rid of this ‘black-haired foreigner’ label soon!

“Deus…?”

Ah… I must have let my imagination run wild again.

“Ah, Yurisia. Did you call me?”

“Uh-huh. Class… ended, but you were just staring straight ahead.”

What? Class is already over? When on earth?

Panicked, I looked around, and sure enough, it was break time.

To be so lost in thought that I didn’t even notice…

“H-Hey, is something wrong?”

“Something wrong? Nah, just…”

[Attention, Yggdrasil students. Gate alert issued. Gate alert issued. This situation is real. I repeat, gate alert issued. Gate alert issued. This situation is….]

“Something is… wrong…”

It feels somewhat unfair. What if something really did happen?

And a gate alert, of all things? Isn’t that a huge deal?

“Everyone, listen up! Pay attention!!”

Mr. Smith, who had left the classroom just moments ago with a greeting, rushed back in.

He slammed his hand on the teacher’s desk and shouted, “Don’t panic! Kids! Don’t panic!”

Let’s just ignore the fact that he looked like the most panicked one of all.

“This is not a drill! This is real! Everyone get out of the building! You all know, right?! If a gate forms near the building, it could collapse and cause a major disaster!”

“Even with the barrier protecting us?!”

“If that were possible, the barrier-type ability users would be the top dogs! Just get out, everyone! Now! Next, all teachers and Yggdrasil staff, and follow the guidance of the student council!”

A gate, huh? Monsters, huh? Ah, suddenly I’m curious what they look like.

“Deus! We, we should get going…!”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Following behind Yurisia, who was visibly tense, Deus thought to himself.

*

So, it finally happened. Hunter-sensei pushed his sunglasses back up his nose.

They were doing their best in the Repair Room, he heard. They had even gotten some new materials in.

They said it would take about a week to repair and get it working again.

But as things usually go, accidents always happen at the worst possible time.

And it just so happened to be on his shift.

‘Fieldwork is getting a little rough for me these days.’

Ability users don’t have long lifespans. Not the length of life, but the length of their powers.

The power of abilities inevitably comes with an overload on the body.

Therefore, the amount of time they can actively work in the field is not very long.

Most are already retired by their late 30s or early 40s.

Those who worked harder in the field find it a struggle from their early 30s, in reality.

“Ugh.”

Not quite washed up, but not as fresh as in his 20s either.

So, just in case, he lightly stretched his body. If he pulled his back, his life as a man would be over.

Fortunately, his body seemed to have returned to its former glory.

Moving smoothly without any aches or creaks.

―Koo-goo-goo!

Space warps, a gaping maw of abyssal darkness yawns open.

From beyond, a musty stench of death rises, utterly revolting.

Decades ago, this was called the end of the world.

Back then, the facts about Abilities were unknown, the existence of Adepts undiscovered.

At best, sword ki or magic were all that could resist.

How many sacrifices were made before humanity was finally ready?

Everyone remembers those days, which is why today’s Adepts take their duty seriously.

This is a right and a gift, but also a shackle and a destiny.

―Kyaaack!!

Monsters that harmed countless people in the past once again unleash their shrieks.

Within that place, they were masters, unique existences, the strong.

Nightmares eager to spread their malice to this world without reservation.

“Hunter-sensei!!”

“Ah. You’ve arrived, Tiamat-sensei. How goes the evacuation?”

“Proceeding smoothly! I left it in their hands and came!”

Good news. The students are not quite ready yet.

It’s not that I don’t trust their Abilities. They need a more unwavering resolve.

This is a fight against monsters, but also a fight against oneself.

“How is it?”

“Hmm. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to be a high-risk Gate.”

“That’s a relief! It would be terrible if the whole area was destroyed!!”

“Let’s take care of it quickly. I have a class afterwards.”

Even if they cannot display the same prowess as before.

They are still Adepts. Guardians who protect the Empire from disaster.

Even if their bodies weaken and they age, that fact remains unchanged.

“Shall we have a contest?! See who catches more!”

“Very well.”

Hunter-sensei removes his sunglasses and quietly places them beside him.

A nickname given by the students. Deer-like eyes. As they say, gentle and innocent eyes.

But filled within them is a clear animosity towards that calamity.

“The loser buys dinner tonight.”

“I’m absolutely having meat?! The most expensive kind!!”

“And yet, it always ends up being pork belly and soju, doesn’t it?”

“Sometimes I drink somaek too?!”

“…Do as you please.”

The two instructors of the Cradle immediately dashed towards the manifested Gate.

Without imagining what awaits them in the depths of the abyss.