All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 53

53. The Forgotten City – 1

Around the time the alliance of powerhouses from across the continent dissolved.

Aran Seth wore a sulky expression, and Ian wore an even sulkier one.

“Is that all you have to wear?”

“That’s what I should be asking you.”

Ian was in his drab academy uniform.

Aran Seth was in his usual practical light armor.

It was the same outfit he wore to the eve party before.

“By the way, where’s your partner?”

“I don’t have one.”

As soon as the Hero Festival closing ceremony ended, he returned the sacred object and asked Head Nun Hestian.

And he was rejected.

Aran Seth, hearing his story, was dumbfounded.

“Who asks the Head Nun to be their partner?”

“The plan was perfect…….”

It was a paper-thin difference.

He thought that if they were this close, she would agree.

But Hestian only refused with a gentle smile.

“You really bring all sorts of unconventional things with you. Sigh. Let’s go.”

“Myaaa~.”

“You might as well take Myaane as your partner.”

“He’s a male.”

“Myaaa~.”

Myaane jumped and climbed onto Ian’s shoulder.

He scratched his neck with his paw, bothered by the black bow tie around his neck.

And so, the two men and one animal arrived at the entrance of the party hall.

“Then I’ll go to where the instructors are and join you later.”

“Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable with all the scrutiny you’ll be getting?”

“I’ll just stay for a bit and come over. You go to where the kids are and pretend you have a partner.”

“What’s wrong with being solo?”

Ian was confident, and Aran Seth gave a bitter smile.

‘Well, is that guy even someone who cares about what others think?’

After a brief chat, they entered, and the party hall fell silent for a moment.

It was because Ian had no one beside him.

“Oh my. The Hero Festival winner doesn’t have a partner?”

“Who did he ask that rejected the winner?”

“No joke. Which princess is it?”

‘It’s not a princess, it’s the Head Nun.’

While they were whispering, Ian didn’t care, and Wildy hurriedly ran over to him.

“Come over here.”

She took him to where the Class B students were gathered and smiled bitterly.

“You didn’t find a partner?”

“I asked, but I got rejected.”

“Who did you ask?”

“Sister Hestian.”

Wildy tilted her head.

And asked with a serious expression.

“The Head Nun of the Sun Temple?”

“Yeah.”

At Ian’s reply, Wildy burst out laughing.

“Ahahaha~ You’re really something. How can you ask the Head Nun to be your partner?”

“What’s wrong with it? You can ask anyone to be your partner.”

Ian pointed to one side.

There was a student with an instructor.

“That’s a special case.”

“And if you look at the precedents, nuns can attend parties too.”

“Still, you wouldn’t ask a 70-year-old grandmother who’s turning 70 this year.”

“Tsk. Still, it’s a relief I wasn’t just rejected.”

Because Hestian declined and apologized, she gave him an invitation to the Sun Order’s main prayer meeting during the vacation.

Ian took out the invitation from his pocket and showed it.

Only selected people can attend the Sun Order’s prayer meeting.

In a way, you could see it as a benefit.

‘That’s right.’

He would gain much more than the energy of the sun he would have gained by being partners with her.

Ian was satisfied, and Wildy gave a bitter smile.

“But why the Head Nun?”

‘It’s because her divine power is the strongest.’

Instead of answering, Ian shrugged and asked.

“You seem quite interested in me… So, where’s your partner?”

Wildy was momentarily speechless.

Hesitating, she raised her hand covered in white gloves.

“…Over there.”

Where she pointed, Haryun was waving his hand slightly with a sullen expression.

“What is it? What kind of partner are you if you’re family?”

The two of them subtly avoided eye contact.

It seemed that neither of them could find a partner elsewhere.

“Well. Okay. Well. It’s good to lick each other’s wounds.”

At Ian’s words, Haryun and Wildy choked up.

But what could they say?

As they became gloomy again, Blanche’s confident voice was heard.

“Hey. If you thought you couldn’t find a partner, you should have told me. I know quite a few kids.”

A female student he had never seen before was standing next to him.

“I’m Wisil Hyson from Intermediate Class F.”

As she greeted, music began to play.

Blanche nudged Ian.

“Hey. But you’re the winner, aren’t you going to dance at least one song? Or can’t you dance?”

Then it’s better for someone who dances well to be with him even for a little while.

As he tried to find someone from the same class, Ian shook his head.

“Actually, my solo dance is amazing too. I used to be called the Dance King.”

‘At that time, Master, you truly shone.’

As Ian recalled the memories, he was really about to go out alone, but the students stopped him.

“Just stay still…….”

“What are you going to do dancing alone? Let’s dance together later.”

No matter what, how could they let him dance alone?

It’s better to just keep his composure here.

At that time, Aran Seth, who was with the instructors, approached.

“Why aren’t you guys dancing?”

As Aran Seth said with a smile, Ian grabbed him.

“But Instructor. About what I told you before.”

“Huh? What?”

“The Forgotten City.”

He was taking a sip of wine when he almost choked.

“Cough. It’s not just a simple tour, is it? What you want.”

“Yes. I did some research, and it seems there’s a lot to prepare to enter the Forgotten City.”

“Haa. Okay. First, you need a permit from the family that manages it.”

“What happens if you don’t have one?”

“Even without it, it’s not impossible to enter. However, you can’t use all the facilities and benefits there.”

“Does the Sword Saint also?”

“Um…… Yeah. The Sword Saint is one of those who goes around without permission.”

Aran Seth also met the Sword Saint in that way.

He lightly fended off the attacks of the assassins and explorers in the Forgotten City.

Seeing that, he admired the Sword Saint’s swordsmanship.

“It was amazing.”

Aran Seth gradually shared his memories.

While listening to it, other students asked about the Sword Saint, and Ian grinned.

‘So, that means I can wander around alone.’

Caution is necessary.

‘That’s a given.’

“…Anyway, the Forgotten City is dangerous. Do you still have to go?”

As Aran Seth finished explaining, Ian nodded.

“If you don’t want to go, I can go alone.”

“Don’t say weird things. It’s a dangerous place for those who don’t know anything, no matter how strong they are.”

“Huh? Why?”

Ian wasn’t the only one interested in it.

As some other students also showed interest, Aran Seth sighed deeply.

“The facilities, the monsters. There are many traps. And…….”

There are monsters that are hard to find on the continent, defense facilities that are the legacy of the Magic Kingdom, and powerful guardians.

“In addition, there are many traps set by assassins and explorers, and compasses don’t work. Not only that, but there are also areas where the geography changes every moment. Never. Ever. Go alone.”

Aran Seth looked at Ian.

He had high expectations for him, who had worked hard for his promise with him.

He had no intention of betraying those expectations.

As he said, a promise is only a promise if it’s kept.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go with you. I’m better than any guide.”

At that time, another song ended.

Shortly after, Park Bare came to them.

“Hey. Ian. It’s okay to ask someone else to dance now.”

“Yes. Ian. Shall we go out and dance a song?”

“You dance with your partner first.”

Wildy and Haryun looked at each other.

Both of them couldn’t find a partner, so they had no choice but to become partners.

They didn’t want to, but they had to dance?

“Please have mercy.”

“Dancing with Haryun?”

As they refused each other, a new song began.

Those who didn’t go out this time gathered to drink wine or talk.

Perhaps because the Hero Festival was over, they were more relaxed and enjoying the party when an instructor came in and looked around.

“Ah.”

And he found Ian and approached him.

“Ian. The Dean sent this. Please check it.”

‘Could it be that they’re trying to make him do something during the vacation?’

Ian received the envelope he gave him and opened it.

“What is it?”

Blanche went behind him and looked.

The contents of the envelope were a guide.

“Imperial Academy Exchange Program 담당 [In charge of] Guide?”

“Ah. This. Is Ian finally in charge?”

As soon as the second semester begins, the exchange program with the Imperial Academy begins.

At that time, exchange students from the Imperial Academy come, and someone was needed to take care of them.

“Who’s coming?”

“I wonder if any pretty people are coming~”.

“Why does it matter if they’re pretty if they’re from the Empire?”

Oerina scolded Blanche.

As Blanche frowned at her, Balla pointed to the guide.

“Is this going to mess up your schedule during the vacation?”

“It’s not like that. It’s just telling me not to play during the vacation and to train hard.”

“So, who’s coming?”

Ian was puzzled by Graegin’s slightly subdued voice.

He had a serious expression, unlike usual.

“It’s not written.”

It has not yet been decided within the Imperial Academy.

As Kirke told him the results of accessing the truth, Ian passed the guide over.

Graegin, who received it and checked it thoroughly, groaned briefly.

Everyone was puzzled by the sight.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

Ian asked, speaking for everyone, and Graegin said in a serious tone.

“Exchange program 담당 [In charge of]. How about refusing?”

“Do you know something?”

“I’m just a little uneasy.”

Everyone was even more puzzled by the words.

Graegin is Ian’s roommate and knows his skills better than anyone.

Is there anything that would make him uneasy?

“The rumors aren’t good.”

“Who do you think is coming?”

As Ian asked again, Graegin hesitated for a moment.

“The strongest of the Imperial Academy. There is someone who is currently on leave due to the war. And I heard that the war that person participated in is almost over.”

Everyone was startled by his words.

“E, eh. No way.”

“Isn’t that war still going on?”

“I heard it ended a few days ago.”

As Graegin said, Ian tilted his head.

‘You are referring to Osnen Rud Braid, the student council president of the Imperial Academy.’

‘If it’s Braid……’

It’s the Imperial family name.

Wildy frowned her pretty face.

“He’s the Emperor’s top disciple.”

“The Empire’s monster prince. Osnen Rud Braid, called the Nightmare of the South…….”

“He defeated Chairman Rakid and is a skilled powerhouse who has eliminated ten masters in numerous wars.”