All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 273

137. I Won’t Leave You Alone – 1

It had been a while since I ventured outside the Academy alone.

While Ian was patrolling the villages around the Academy, some people greeted him.

“Oh! Aren’t you Count Ian?! Wow~ Thank you for always protecting the Academy!”

A wooden cup filled with warm lemon tea was offered.

As Ian tried to pay for it, the merchant quickly shook his head.

“No, no! Thanks to the Count and the Academy students patrolling every day… this is a token of our gratitude!”

“Mya~.”

“Oh my. And I have something prepared for Myane too!”

He took out a cookie he was selling in one corner.

Myane happily munched on it, and he grinned.

“I’ve been doing business at the Academy for almost ten years now. I’ve never had it so easy as these days.”

Since Ian claimed the Academy as his territory, problems had significantly decreased.

Until now, Academy students patrolled, but that didn’t mean there were no issues.

In particular, some accidents caused by drunken nobles were beyond the students’ ability to handle.

And that’s not all.

Some thugs in the Academy streets extorted money under the guise of a seat fee.

But not anymore.

What crazy person, let alone thugs, would cause trouble in Ian’s territory, even among the nobles?

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Count. Haha!”

Other merchants around laughed along with the merchant’s laughter.

Ian looked around at them and chuckled back.

“Still, don’t overcharge too much. I acknowledge the market special, but if I hear it’s excessive….”

“Ah, of, of course.”

The embarrassed merchant scratched the back of his head.

Ian lightly raised the juice he gave him, drank it in one gulp, and was about to turn around but stopped.

“Ah. And you might need to evacuate during the vacation, so be prepared.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean?”

Ian didn’t answer his puzzled question and just walked away.

* * *

Ian’s behavior didn’t change even during the Hero Festival.

He would work in the research and development area and go to the Mial Mountains if there seemed to be a problem.

Occasionally, he would oversee the students’ training.

He spent his time like that, and the last day of the Hero Festival arrived.

“Ian.”

“Hmm?”

Rowena came to Ian, who was sitting in the dormitory garden meditating.

She had received all the reports, and there was nothing more to say regarding the Academy’s operation.

Why did she come when there would be nothing more to say after today, as the Academy would be on vacation?

Puzzled, Ian looked up, and Rowena smiled brightly.

“I’m going back to the Salt Territory this vacation.”

“I heard. The successor battle is starting, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you think you have a chance?”

“Somewhat.”

After being elected as the student council president, she had been involved with many countries, knight orders, and nobles while running the Academy.

She had increased her influence within the Salt Territory, so she had a good chance of succeeding in the successor position.

“If you help me, it won’t be a possibility but a certainty.”

“Haven’t I helped enough so far?”

That was certainly true.

Since Ian took over the Academy, she had also served as his accountant, utilizing his influence as much as possible.

She had gained a lot in the process, so it was true that she had received a lot of help from Ian.

“I guess so.”

“I’ll at least cheer you on from the bottom of my heart.”

“Haha. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. But if you become the successor, won’t you quit the Academy?”

“No, I won’t. I need to get as much benefit as possible from the Academy.”

In addition, the railroad installation project between the Fredician County and the Academy will start next year.

There was a lot to gain in the process, so it was better to stay attached to the Academy as much as possible.

“I can be your accountant until you graduate.”

“Okay. Good luck.”

As Ian said, seemingly uninterested, she got up from her seat.

“Are you not attending the party again this time? I prepared it quite grandly this time.”

“I didn’t even participate in the Hero Festival, so what would I do there? And this Hero Festival’s winner is….”

“Acewyn Karza in the upper grades. Olden Wikalsi in the advanced grades.”

“Yeah. Right. It’s their chance to be in the spotlight, so there’s no need for me to participate.”

“I guess that’s true.”

“Being the winner and receiving attention is a good thing too. Let them enjoy it.”

Ian said firmly and started meditating.

Rowena stared at him intently and then left the garden.

“What did he say?”

Wildy and Widia were waiting outside the garden.

Wildy immediately asked when she saw her coming out, and Rowena shook her head.

“I knew it.”

He’s not attending the party again this time.

That means he’s going to be alone.

“Ian has a strong tendency to isolate himself.”

Wildy said worriedly, looking at the garden.

Widia nodded in agreement towards her.

“We may be weaker than him, but I wish he would rely on us a little.”

Wilbal said in a nonchalant tone to Widia, who was feeling sorry.

“Maybe he doesn’t think we’re reliable.”

Other students nearby closed their mouths at that statement.

It was a heartbreaking story, but it wasn’t wrong.

To rely on someone means that they can endure it.

But Ian wasn’t weak enough to rely on someone.

And even if he did rely on someone, there was no way they could endure something he couldn’t.

“Still, we have to.”

“Yes, we do.”

As Haryun muttered, Wildy answered, and Ian, who had finished meditating in the garden, walked out with Myane.

“I thought you weren’t attending the party? Are you going to attend?”

“I’m not going. I have work to do, so I’m going to the lab. But what are you guys plotting here?”

“Plotting… I was just about to tell you.”

As Haryun stepped forward, Ian cut him off and passed by.

And without even glancing at the gazes fixed on him, he said.

“And don’t worry about me and do your own thing.”

The students bit their lips at those words, which sounded cold.

* * *

The Hero Festival was over, and the Academy’s vacation began.

Academy students left the dormitory one by one.

And.

Ian sat in the garden, watching the students.

Vacation had started, and the dormitory would be closed soon, but the students didn’t leave and didn’t even pack their bags.

As they came to him, Ian opened his mouth.

“I told you not to worry about me and do your own thing. You guys never listen. Where’s Leila?”

“…How did you know?”

“It’s obvious. Didn’t Leila tell you? That monsters would attack the Academy.”

“And she even told us that Rubellin might be behind it.”

Graegin said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

Blanche, echoing his words, wore a confident expression.

“Hey. You should tell us when something like this happens.”

“You guys are all going to be busy.”

Blanche, for one, was going to have Kilrod teach her the secret techniques of the Auden County throughout the vacation.

The same went for Haryun and Graegin.

Not to mention Wildy and Widia.

Not only them but all the students in the upper-level Class B had many important schedules during the vacation.

They were all giving up those things and trying to stay in a dangerous place.

“That’s true, but we can’t do that.”

At that moment, the dormitory door burst open.

A man wearing a white mask and a person wearing luxurious armor.

And a mercenary with a large build.

And Leila and Helid stood next to them.

“The Sword Flower Troupe Leader. And Commander Ise and the Widron Mercenary Captain….”

Widia murmured in surprise.

She never expected Leila to bring them along.

“I heard the situation. This winter. The Karza Knights had training, but we must keep our promise.”

Ise slightly raised his sword.

The enchantment he received from Marzana in the Forgotten City’s Tower revealed itself.

“The Queen wanted me to help you.”

“You don’t have to help.”

“I’m acting on my own, so don’t feel burdened.”

As Ise said firmly, the Troupe Leader also nodded.

“I just wanted to catch Rubellin too.”

“You guys are so dishonest. I just came to help you. You helped me last time. My guys are waiting outside the Academy right now.”

Widron spoke bluntly to the Troupe Leader and Ise and then grinned.

Leila nodded to them and took a step forward.

“Ian. I know you’re strong. But ten hands are better than one.”

“Hmm.”

“And everyone who’s here with us this time. They’re all strong people. They’ll definitely be helpful.”

“That’s right. My family decided to step in too, and the Guardians will help.”

Everyone had received help from Ian, big and small.

Of course, he told them not to worry about it.

But how could they not worry about it?

“Hey, who do you think we are? Ian.”

“I’ve always thought of you as a brother. No, as my brother.”

Park Bare laughed loudly and put his arm around Ian’s shoulder.

Oerina glared at them and stepped forward.

“Yeah. Honestly, it doesn’t matter if you came from another dimension or not.”

Came from another dimension?

So what?

The important thing was that they had received a lot of help from Ian.

And now it was time to repay it.

“Student Council President Rowena has taken out quite a bit of the student council operating funds, protection funds, and other funds. If we use this, we can gather more mercenaries. And….”

Wildy nodded.

“I’ve also talked to the Magic Tower. They will also step up for Fredon Academy.”

At that moment, the door opened.

It was Aranse and Valentine.

Behind them were Pridion and other instructors.

“I heard from Leila. You said that powerful monsters from all over are heading here now?”

Pridion held Ian’s hand tightly.

“You should have told us about something like this. Ian. No matter how strong you are, you’re a student. Protecting the Academy is our instructors’ job.”

“That’s right. Student Ian. Don’t try to shoulder everything alone.”

Everyone looked at Ian and cheered him on.

Everyone was trying to step up for Ian.

Ian scratched the back of his head, facing their determination.

“Okay.”

“Huh?”

“No, I mean, if you’re going to help, what can I say?”

Ian said indifferently to them and got up from his seat.

“It’s supposed to be a touching scene, but your reaction is too dry. Hey. Brother. It’s okay to cry.”

“Cry?”

Ian flicked off Bala’s hand, which had lightly grabbed his shoulder, and put his hands in his pockets.

“Where are you going?”

“To the development lab.”

Leaving those who remained in the garden, Ian headed to the development lab.

Ian entered the ship next to the development lab and activated the tightly closed door inside.

As the door that only Ian could open opened, Kirke said in a calm tone.

Inside the ship’s warehouse were hundreds of mass-produced Titans and hundreds of Guardians that had been secretly brought from the Forgotten City.

It was prepared non-stop throughout the Hero Festival because Rubellin was attacking.

Ian looked around at it and replied nonchalantly to Kirke’s words.

“I’m going to make more.”