Advent of the Three Calamities

Chapter 696: Return to Empire [4]

News of the cadets returning to the Empire had already started to make waves across the Empire.

Journalists started to wait before Haven’s Academy grounds, each one holding onto several recording devices and notepads.

“From what I’ve heard, it shouldn’t take too long for them to arrive.”

“…Any minute now.”

“Who do you think received the highest score?”

“I’m not sure. As far as I’m aware, the recording stopped halfway through their mission.”

The cadet’s graduation trial was an event that was meant to be displayed throughout the entire world. It would not only showcase their skills, but it would also give the general population an idea of how dangerous the Mirror Dimension was, alongside displaying ways to survive.

Overall, this was generally something that most Empires accepted and wanted the public to know about.

With the ever-expanding Mirror Dimension, there was a chance that they might need such knowledge.

“From what I’ve heard, the cadets headed deeper into the Mirror Dimension, which is why the recording stopped. Thankfully, the Chancellor is with them, and so it doesn’t seem like anything bad happened to the cadets.”

The discussions were animated, and a certain fervor started to envelop the Academy grounds.

’They should be coming out soon.’

Linus was amongst the people in the crowd, staring at the open dome that housed the Mirror Crack of the academy, revealing it to everyone present. His expression was rather complicated.

’…I’ve managed to rank second in my year. If I’m given time, I should be able to reach first in the next year. I’ve grown strong enough to stand at the very top, and people have finally stopped looking down on me. And yet… I can’t seem to be happy about it all.’

For what reason did Linus train?

He trained because of his dreams. The Nightmares that used to constantly haunt him, reminding him of the possible future.

He trained to stop the maniac that was his brother.

And yet…

Dead.

His brother was dead.

It had been over six months since he had heard the news, and in that time, the nightmares seemed to have stopped. He should’ve been happy.

Happy about the fact that he no longer had to worry about the nightmares and his brother.

Happy that he could be at peace again.

And yet…

’I feel so empty.’

All that Linus felt was a strange emptiness.

The emptiness stemmed from the fact that he never got to show ’him’ his changes. He never got to… make ’him’ see how much he had grown. Just to stop him.

“I see a fluctuation!”

“They’re coming!”

All of a sudden, several voices echoed loudly across the crowd as Linus slowly raised his head to see figures slowly emerging from the crack.

Click! Click!

The repetitive sound of shutters clicking echoed, and immediately, the place fell into chaos as the reporters pushed forward.

“Over here! Look over here!”

“Look at me!”

“I see the princess! Princess, look over here!”

“Prince! Over here!”

The chaos grew more and more pronounced with each passing second, and Linus felt that he had no other choice but to move back. Either way, he wasn’t really interested in seeing the cadets returned.

He was only here as a formality.

Now that they were back, he could finally return to training.

However, right as he was about to turn, from the faintest corner of his eyes, he spotted a certain figure.

“Hm?”

As his head flicked in that direction, he found himself staring at one of the Academy guards.

He blinked his eyes slowly.

’Was I seeing things?’

He scratched the back of his neck. In the end, shaking his head, he left the premises.

***

Click! Click!

“Please look over here!”

“Over here!”

’Holy shit.’

Looking at the chaos that was unfolding before my very eyes, I took several steps back. Thankfully, I had been prepared beforehand and got Delilah to hand me the Academy Guard uniform.

Using the uniform, I managed to sneak my way out of the crack.

But there was only one problem.

“Hey! Help out over here!”

“Stop the reporters from coming in!”

I was now truly mistaken for a guard, and in order not to break my cover, I had no other choice but to follow their instructions as I hurriedly moved to help them.

“Don’t push! Hey, watch it!”

Very clearly noticing me, Leon’s head turned, and our eyes met.

’Oh, fuck.’

I immediately felt a sinking feeling as Leon tapped on the others and then pointed in my direction.

“Wha! Wha… Why are they heading this way!”

The guards around me panicked, and so did I as the reporters suddenly grew more numerous and my workload increased.

Leon and the others, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed as they ’pretended’ to go in my direction.

’These bastards. Just wait until I’m fully back. I’ll make sure to destroy all of you.’

The reason why I kept my identity a secret was simple.

Atlas.

If he were to be aware of my existence, he’d immediately come find me. From what I knew, he wasn’t in the Academy, but I couldn’t afford to take any risks. Whether he knew my real identity or not, I didn’t know.

However, I couldn’t take any more risks than I already had.

And so…

Tap!

Gently pressing my foot against the ground, the gravity around increased a tiny bit, and the movements of everyone present slowed down considerably.

“W-what? What’s going on?”

“….Why am I suddenly out of breath?”

The faces of a few reporters grew paler, and some even grew red from the strain. However, I ignored it and urged the cadets out of the mess.

“Get out! Out!”

The other guards followed my example and pushed the cadets passed.

As it was Leon’s turn to go out, he gave me a side glance before silently making a laughing gesture and leaving.

I could only trace his back with my eyes before forcing the others out.

It was this way that we managed to clear all the cadets away from the mess, and I was finally able to leave.

“Hoof.”

Before I knew it, I found myself sitting on one of the benches around the Academy, wiping away the sweat that had formed on my forehead.

’Remind me not to ever work as a guard at the Academy, ever.’

This job felt like hell. Most likely, the salary was also pretty shit.

“Well, I guess I have to do what I have to do to support the family.”

Chuckling, I lowered my head to stare at the ring on my finger. The one that looked identical to hers.

’Fiancé, huh?’

I wasn’t even sure if she was just joking or not, but whatever the case was, I was going to roll with it.

She was beautiful. She was rich, and she was powerful.

What more could I even ask for?

Even if she didn’t want me anymore, I planned on sticking to her like an octopus.

“Pftt.”

The thought made me laugh a little.

But…

I really meant my words.

I wasn’t going to let go.

’She’s mine’.

***

“Chancellor. Chancellor. Any words regarding the cadet’s performances?”

“Do you have anything to say about how they performed? Was there anyone who failed? Seeing how every single one made it back, does that mean everyone passed?”

“Chancellor!”

The moment Delilah stepped out of the gate, all focus turned on her. This was only natural. Not only was her appearance enough to draw all eyes, but she was also the strongest person within the Empire.

She was the center of attention wherever she went.

As her black coat, resting above her shoulders, fluttered, Delilah calmly gazed across the surroundings. Seeing the numerous reporters, her lips gently parted.

“The cadets have just finished their examination. The results of the assessment will be given on a future date. Please let the cadets rest, and the Academy will give out a statement later. There have been no injuries, and all have returned safely. Thank you.”

And with that, Delilah nodded, and her figure faded from before the eyes of everyone present.

“Wait! Wait!”

“Chancellor!!”

The reporters grew frantic, trying their best to get a statement, but it was already too late.

Delilah was already gone.

Swoosh!

With the curtains of her office ballooning, Delilah gently stepped into it and looked around. It was rather dark, but it was spotless. During her absence, someone must’ve cleaned the place.

Satisfied, Delilah sat down on her seat.

But right as she did, something flickered in front of her.

—Delilah.

A face that belonged to someone she knew appeared in front of her. His expression was serious, but looking closely, one could see the subtle worry on his face.

“Father.”

—…How was the trip? Did anything go wrong?

“No.”

Delilah replied flatly.

“Everything went well.”

—I see.

Orson nodded his head slowly as the room fell silent. But only for a brief moment as Orson’s face changed subtly.

—…About our previous discussion. You said you have someone you’re engaged to. Who is it? Why have you never told me about it before? It can’t be that you just made it up to run away from me asking, right? That would be rather sad.

“It’s not.”

Delilah shook her head.

“….My fiance.”

She paused, and the image of a certain person flashed across her mind.

“He exists.”

—Then why have I never seen him?

“Because I don’t want to.”

—Then I don’t approve. He can’t be your fiancé if I can’t see him.

“…..”

Delilah’s brows knit together as she looked at her father. Indeed, in order to be officially recognized as her fiancé, he’d need her father’s approval.

’How troublesome.’

“Fine.”

In the end, she nodded her head.

“….I’ll bring him eventually.”

—Really?

Orson’s eyes lit up.

—You’re not going to get some poor soul to play as your fiancé, right? If you-

Click!

The conversation ended there as Delilah hung up.

She was used to these types of conversations. It was the only thing that her father would talk about. Fiancé this, fiancé that.

He really didn’t believe that she had one.

But she had one.

One that she wasn’t planning on letting go. After all, it took her so long just to get him.

It would be rather troublesome if she had to look for another one.

…And she didn’t want to look for another one.

It had to be him.

She really meant her words.

Delilah wasn’t going to let go.

After all…

’He’s mine’

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