All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 104

◈ Chapter 104

52. Complex World – 2

The year’s final Hero Festival ended, and the students gathered in the party hall.

This time, I had a proper partner, and we even danced properly.

After finishing the opening dance, Wildee released Ian’s hand, beaming.

“Hehe, Ian. You’re quite the dancer, aren’t you?”

“It’s nothing much.”

“Still, I was really worried. I thought you might attend without a partner again this year.”

There was an uproar from all sides about whether the Hero Festival winner would go without a partner again.

So, Ian tried to invite Hestian again, but this time she refused.

She said she could give him as many invitations to prayer meetings as he wanted.

In the end, he sought out the students in his class, and Wildee, who had held out until the end without finding a partner, became his partner.

“Ohohoho. As expected, the one who endures wins.”

As Wildee felt proud, arrows of criticism flew from the side.

“Don’t get too excited just because you were partners once.”

“Yeah. There are so many people after Ian right now.”

Ian was calling himself the head of the Brandon baronial family.

But already, the Scarlet Kingdom, to which the Brandon baronial family belonged, denied him.

No territory, no vassals [subjects or dependents].

He was even a nobleman not recognized by the country.

So, it was even better.

If they could bring him in, they could have a Sword Saint or a Forest Keeper, a powerhouse treated as equal to an Emperor, in their family.

“Even my family told me to bring you in since we became partners this time.”

Wildee said with a bitter smile, and Widiana and Oerina felt similarly.

His value soared, so there were many who sought him out.

“Besides nobles, there are many places that want him.”

Graegin took a sip of wine.

Not only the Archaeological Society he belonged to, but also the Adventurer’s Guild was sending invitations.

And that’s not all.

The letters delivered to him every day were only from knight orders or mercenary groups whose names were known throughout the continent.

“What are you really going to do?”

Yet, Ian had never once said he would go anywhere.

Bala, curious about his future, asked, and Ian shrugged.

“Wouldn’t it be better to worry about you guys than me?”

“Ugh. That’s true.”

Parkbare, who was next to him, quickly agreed.

He had won the Hero Festival this time and obtained another Heroic Crest.

In other words, a full promotion exam was possible.

He had been working hard until now to prepare for it.

And now, starting tomorrow, he had to take the promotion exam throughout the vacation.

“Ian, you said you’re exempt, right?”

He was being treated as equal to the three strongest people in the current world.

To tell him to take a promotion exam?

A waste of time and manpower.

The instructors actively reflected the opinion that it would be better to offer him a senior instructor position.

As some students looked at him enviously, Ian smiled and said.

“You’ve been doing mock exams steadily, right? If there are no special problems, you’ll all be able to get promoted.”

At those words, the students who had been nervous sighed.

“We can do well.”

Was it because of that?

A small smile appeared on the faces of the B class students.

“Ian, do you have a moment?”

Then Aranse approached.

He nodded and said.

“Then I’ll talk to the instructor and head in first. Wildee, have fun and head in.”

And as always, he left bluntly.

As Ian came out of the party hall, Aranse immediately got to the point.

“What are you planning to do now?”

He asked on behalf of all the instructors at the Academy.

In response to that question, Ian took out an envelope from his pocket.

Handing it to Aranse, he said calmly.

“I kept my promise.”

He maintained high grades during the semester.

And he had made all the preparations for the intermediate B class to be promoted.

He had certainly kept his promise to this extent.

“That’s right. You’ve worked hard.”

Kirke’s report came out, which hadn’t happened when he had kept his promises until now.

Only then was Ian satisfied.

The conditions for strengthening the language had finally been met.

Just as the Sphinx became stronger on the condition that it could not hear the answer to the question.

Just as the tiger became stronger on the condition that it missed its prey.

Ian also strengthened the language through the condition of keeping his promises.

Having made and kept promises to this extent, the language would be useful to some extent.

While he was feeling proud, Aranse said seriously.

“So… where are you planning to go now?”

“I’m thinking of going to the Forgotten City first.”

“And?”

“Next… there are some annoying guys, so I’m going to get rid of them.”

Pandemonium.

And demons.

Now, it was time to do something heart-pounding to fulfill the dreams of this possessed body.

“Whatever you do, you’ll succeed. You were truly the best of the students I’ve ever met.”

“Thank you for the good evaluation.”

“I won’t see you anymore?”

At his words, Ian tilted his head.

‘What is he talking about? It doesn’t seem like he’s going to kick me out now.’

He shook his head and pointed to the envelope he had given.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“There’s no reason to leave.”

Why abandon a perfectly good base?

If the Academy had been hostile to him, he would have smashed it and left.

Then why would he abandon his perfectly good status and rights?

Besides, he had kept his promise with Aranse and could use it as a free base until graduation.

When Ian retorted sullenly, he quickly opened the envelope.

Inside the envelope, which he had only thought was a letter of resignation, was an application for a short-term leave of absence for the first semester of next year.

“I’m going to enter the Tower of the Forgotten City during winter vacation, but it’s hard to predict how long it will take. I heard there are many worlds there.”

“That’s right.”

“So I’m going to take a leave of absence and go. A short-term leave of absence means I can return midway, right?”

Certainly, there was such a rule in the school rules.

Due to the nature of the Academy, there were many nobles, so they would take a leave of absence in this way in case of territory wars or problems in the family.

Of course, Ian was for a different reason, but that wouldn’t be a problem.

No, even if it was a problem, he was such a valuable talent that the Academy could recognize it as a special case.

“Haa… Th, that’s what it was.”

Aranse breathed a sigh of relief.

Anyway, a leave of absence was much better than dropping out.

So he smiled, unable to hide his joy, and asked.

“But isn’t the Academy too small for you?”

Of course, it was too small.

But for him, who roamed through many worlds, this world itself was too small.

So it was the same no matter where he went.

Then why bother changing affiliations and wandering around?

He could do everything he needed to do while using this place as a base.

Ian shook his head, and Aranse smiled awkwardly.

“Th, is that so? You’re still unpredictable.”

He didn’t expect him to stay at the Academy even though he belonged to the ranks of the strongest.

Ian, who gave an answer that completely deviated from everyone’s expectations, shrugged lightly.

“And please don’t tell the kids about my leave of absence. It will be a burden when they take the promotion exam.”

“Will it be a burden?”

“If they find out I’m not here when the first semester starts, it might be. It would be good if it ends during the vacation, or I’ll tell them when I return.”

* * *

The next day came.

As the B class students headed to the exam hall to take the promotion exam, Ian picked up his bag.

The promotion exam was conducted individually.

Warriors were tested on how to handle Aura [a life energy] and their respective combat methods.

And mages were tested on their circles and magic proficiency as a basis.

And then there were tests on what was covered in the main subjects, such as written and practical exams.

If they passed there, they would become senior students from then on.

“There won’t be any problems, right?”

Then that’s it.

Ian picked up his bag without much burden.

Even with the sacred objects, there weren’t many items.

“Myaa~.”

Myaene, who glanced at the dormitory, cried out loudly.

Myaene, who knew he was leaving, jumped up and climbed onto the bag.

Ian smiled at the sight and left the Academy with Myaene.

“Let’s go to the Forgotten City.”

“Ah. Yes, Student Ian.”

Ian was a talent that the Magic Tower was also paying attention to.

In particular, he had received direct instructions from the Lords to report immediately if he was going to enter the Forgotten City.

Perhaps that was why the hand of the wizard manipulating the gate was trembling quite a bit.

“It, it’s done.”

“Here. The cost…”

“Ah. Students can just go in.”

“Is it the Magic Tower’s instruction?”

“Yes.”

They were trying to show goodwill little by little in this way.

Ian, who noticed their intentions, gratefully accepted.

Why would he refuse the favor they were giving?

“Run!! Run!!”

“Ugh!! I, I’m sorry!”

“You bastard! How dare you try to steal my bag?!”

“I’ll kill you! You son of a bitch!!”

“Come on!! You crazy bitch!!”

The area around the Forgotten City, which had come out through the gate, was still a mess.

As Ian, who was watching the explorers, mercenaries, and martial artists rampaging wildly, went down the stairs.

Some mercenaries found Ian.

“Ian Brandon!!”

The commotion subsided at the shout.

Interest, and hostility.

Even competitiveness.

They laughed when they saw the boy who was said to have the skills to face a country, following the Sword Saint, Forest Keeper, and Emperor, the current strongest.

Even those who were fighting each other turned their weapons.

What was the need to face a country?

If they caught Ian, they could gain that much fame.

Some moths who thought simply were trying to rush in.

Ian said leisurely to them.

“If there are any guys who want to rush in, rush in. I’ll kill you.”

Those who heard it cheered and rushed at him.

Paladad County moved at the commotion near the gate.

When Bowin Paladad, the head of the Paladad County rescue team, arrived.

There were a dozen or so explorers collapsed there.

And in the center of them was a boy putting his sword into its sheath.

“Huh?! That person is?!”

Bowin was startled and ran over.

Ian smiled when he came.

“It’s been a while.”

Bowin Paladad.

He was the head of the Paladad County rescue team whom I had met during the last Forgotten City exploration.

He was embarrassed to see Ian and the surrounding scenery.

“What’s going on?”

“Moths who didn’t know their place.”

Bowin had also heard rumors about Ian.

He had become equal to the Sword Saint, Forest Keeper, and Emperor.

But unlike them, Ian was still young.

So whether they didn’t believe in his skills or looked down on him.

Thoughtless people had rushed in.

And Ian had mercilessly eliminated them all.

He quickly grasped the situation and nodded.

“You did well.”

He didn’t care about the deaths of those who didn’t understand their skills and ran wild.

“Let’s go to our office first. I’ll escort you.”

“No.”

Ian picked up his bag.

As Myaene, who was next to him, climbed onto his shoulder, he pointed to the Forgotten City.

“I’ll go in right away.”

“Yes? But…”

“I don’t want to waste time.”

Bowin was embarrassed by his refusal.

“Then get a permit at least! I’ll bring it to you right away!”

After waiting for a while, he brought a high-level permit.

With this, you can also use the Paladad County’s safety zone inside the first barrier.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Please show that pass when problems arise inside. Then the problem will be solved in most cases…”

“And you can say that I have a good relationship with Paladad County.”

Bowin smiled awkwardly.

He didn’t expect him to notice that.

“Well. I’ll do that much since I received a favor.”

“Th, thank you.”

As he bowed his head, Ian headed straight for the barrier.

He showed his permit and passed through the third barrier, and a long time passed after he entered, until dawn the next day.

Two people wearing black robes and hoods headed for the door of the barrier.

Some of those who saw them screamed in horror.

“Baba! It’s Baba and the Overlord!! Call the kids right now!!”

One of those who heard the shout sighed and took off his robe.

Baba, a man with an impressive red beard, said to those behind him.

“I’ll take care of this side, so go in and find Ian first.”

As he lightly said, drawing his Aura Blade, the Overlord nodded slightly and immediately went inside.