SRS 203
“Aren’t we supposed to receive dimensional missions only after we’ve finished Professor Ariel’s lectures?”
“We haven’t even heard much of an explanation yet. Is it alright to do this already?”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
There was particular unrest among the first-year students, who had never received dimensional mission forms before.
Yohan could almost feel his friends’ tension and concern physically. He looked up at the vice headmaster. Serdik Agor’s expression was resolute, and at first glance, even cold. Seeing that he had no intention of retracting his statement, a groan mixed with exasperation escaped Yohan’s lips.
“…Have You foreseen this much as well?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
Suhyeok, who had been applying ointment to the corner of Yohan’s mouth, asked.
“…I said it feels like we’ll have to start dimensional missions earlier than expected.”
“Oh, that? Why?”
“…Hmm. It feels like God must have foreseen this situation and warned me in advance.”
It was an embarrassing thing to say in front of an atheist, so he lowered his head. However, Suhyeok was unconcerned whether Yohan was a High Priest or a hunter. He calmly grabbed his chin to reapply the ointment.
“Well, I suppose that’s possible. They say your god is pretty amazing, right?”
“…He is amazing.”
“Then it’s a plausible story. Stop keeping your head down. There are still a lot of open wounds. You have so much divine power, so why do you keep running around with these minor injuries?”
“It’s just that right now, it’s hard for Yohan to heal external injuries with divine power.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“He overdid it. Since the internal wound has become infected, he doesn’t have the energy left to heal the external wounds as well. And if he pours more divine power into it, he’ll overload. That would be worse than doing nothing.”
“Ah, I see.”
It was Mikael who explained the situation to Suhyeok, who scolded him with a “tsk” as if he were a little child. Yohan averted his gaze, embarrassed by the kind explanation.
“…When did you get a chance to look that closely?”
“I saw it while examining you earlier. Anyway… I wonder what’s going to happen now. From the looks of it, this seems to be the Divine Realm.”
“The Divine Realm?”
Mikael’s explanation piqued the interest not only of the group from Room 304 but also the first-year students nearby. This was because the faculty, headmaster, and vice headmaster (who were supposed to explain the situation) had left after posting only a brief notice to restore the school and tend to the injured. Yohan belatedly realized how irresponsible this situation was; he was flustered for a moment before letting out a sigh.
The school had always been a place where no one knew where it was headed, but after this incident, it had become even more unpredictable.
Mikael was just as baffled; he glanced around at the crowd that had surrounded him like a flock of lost ducks before adding to the explanation.
“To be precise, it’s more accurate to call this a location in the Divine Realm that’s connected to the Nameless Realm. Judging by how strongly I can sense the headmaster’s divine power, it seems they’ve set aside a separate space for us to stay. After all, the Divine Realm is normally a place with such intense pressure that humans can’t live there.”
“So this isn’t the Nameless Realm?”
“…We can go back eventually, right?”
“They said we’d be able to go back once the barrier is repaired. We’ll just have to trust them, what else can we do?”
The confused students scratched their heads before slumping down.
“Ugh… I don’t get it. I thought I was dead, but here I am; I enrolled in school because I was told I could be revived, but all these crazy things keep happening, and now they’re saying I’m some kind of hero-in-the-making…”
Melek scratched his head and simply stretched out flat on his back.
“You guys say this is the Divine Realm, but you’re totally fine with it? They moved the entire territory here, aren’t you even surprised?”
Shan pointed out Melek’s attitude with a look of exasperation, but few students shared Shan’s confusion. Instead, they all chose to switch off their rational minds and lay down next to Melek.
“What’s there to be surprised about? It’s the headmaster after all. He must have figured it out somehow.”
“I-I’m just going to stop thinking about it. It’s hard enough as it is…”
“I don’t see the point in being surprised or scared. We’re the youngest students here anyway, and we don’t have any power.”
At first glance, it seemed like they’d given up, or perhaps they’d simply compromised by accepting the situation. Although their attitudes and emotions varied, Yohan understood that this was part of their self-preservation instinct.
He huddled among the first-years – who were trying, even if only forced, to relax and find some composure – and felt the flow of divine power circulating within his body. Just as Mikael had said, this was indeed the Divine Realm, the divine power flowed more smoothly than usual.
That must mean the power of his god was connected to this place too.
Yohan glanced around briefly, confirmed that there was nothing to see but fog, and then took in the condition of his friends. Thankfully, his efforts to protect them had paid off, and none of the people he knew had been seriously injured.
“What should we do now?”
“Let’s wait a bit. The professors will be back soon.”
Since everyone was at a loss as to what to do next, they all sat down to wait. Not long after, the faculty, along with the headmaster and vice headmaster, reappeared after sorting out the situation. Once they had a moment to catch their breath, it became clear that they were busy dealing with their own responsibilities.
“Since everyone seems to have calmed down, I’ll now explain our plan of action moving forward.”
Snap.
As Serdik snapped his fingers, a
map materialized in midair. Its appearance looked somewhat familiar, it was a map of Fantasiademia.
“Since we’ve relocated the entire territory, including the commercial district, you can go about your lives as before. Students, please return to the living areas designated for your respective grades.”
At those words, the upperclassmen scrambled to their feet and began preparing to leave. Yohan marveled at their adaptability.
Would they also be able to remain so calm if they stayed in Fantasiademia for a long time?
“Once you’re back in the dorms, you’ll be provided with dimensional mission forms. Upperclassmen, please check the forms sent to your teams as you’ve done before and cooperate on the dimensional missions. And as for the first-years…”
The vice headmaster’s gaze turned towards the students.
Gulp.
A few students nervously swallowed.
“Yohan….”
Someone, claiming to be scared, even grabbed Yohan’s hand. Starting with that one student, the others began clutching each other’s hands or forearms, creating a rather comical scene where everyone was clinging to one another in a tangled circle.
Flutter, flutter, flutter.
Just then, dozens of sheets of parchment suddenly appeared out of thin air and fluttered toward the students like paper birds. Yohan reflexively snatched up a sheet of parchment as it flew toward him.
“…A dimensional mission request form?”
As he checked the text at the top, Serdik continued his explanation.
“Normally, you would undertake dimensional missions after completing the regular curriculum, but as you know, given the exceptional circumstances, we’re deploying you a little earlier than planned. Accordingly, first-years will begin with lower-difficulty dimensional missions. You’ll have two weeks to complete relatively safe missions and get accustomed to the process.”
“…Um, for something described as ‘low difficulty,’ there’s nothing written on this form.”
One student asked cautiously. Just as he said, the parchment contained nothing but the title “Dimensional Mission Request Form.”
Serdik explained.
“The difficulty will be adjusted to match your level. Mana is analyzing each student’s abilities and characteristics to form the optimal team, so please wait a moment. Once the team members’ names appear on the parchment, your assigned professor will be designated, and the details of the assignment will appear.”
“So the team members are assigned automatically?”
“…I guess we’re not forming them ourselves after all.”
It had already been nearly half a year since they started school. Since cliques had formed to a significant degree, students who had worried about being separated from their friends looked at one another, but what they feared did not happen.
“Team members are selected based on a combination of practical experience, combat ability, and everyday friendships. ”
Just as Serdik had said, the groups had been put together with names that were familiar to one another.
Yohan also checked the names printed on the parchment he was holding and couldn’t hide his delight.
‘Group 3: Yohan Herse, Mikael, Kylus, Im Suhyeok, Sei, Bebel Lombardi
Supervising Professor – Professor Shinbi’
Everyone from Room 304, plus Sei. Familiar names. Although he wasn’t particularly close with Bebel, who was taking Tamer Studies, they had at least become somewhat acquainted through casual encounters. When Yohan glanced over at Bebel, the young man, who introduced himself as a prince of the Lombardi Kingdom, smiled triumphantly. It seemed he also was pleased with their group.
“Whoa!”
Just then, Suhyeok slung his arm around Yohan’s shoulder and grinned.
“Familiar faces, huh?”
Suhyeok, who was also holding a parchment, showed the names of the group members listed on it and grinned mischievously. As Yohan nodded, the members of Group 3 naturally gathered around Suhyeok and Yohan. Well, since the members of Room 304 were already together, it was more a matter of Sei, Bebel, and Professor Shinbi joining them.
After confirming who was present, Professor Shinbi nodded.
“The balance looks good.”
Yohan, skilled in healing and defense.
Mikael, who demonstrated well-rounded abilities across various areas.
Suhyeok, who excelled in close combat and strategy.
Kylus, adept at close combat and protection.
Sei, who handled long-range attacks and could provide various forms of support.
And even Bebel, a tamer effective against unconventional threats.
It was a combination you might call textbook.
“However, that also means it’s probably the most difficult mission among first-year students.”
Following Professor Shinbi’s words, the mission details were soon displayed.
[Dimensional Mission (Assigned to: Group 3 / Supervising Professor: Professor Shinbi)]
- Eliminate the berserk beasts appearing around the mountain village (0/18)
- Rescue the missing herb gatherers (0/3)
- Investigate traces of Lawless Worshippers (0/1)
- Compile a report on the investigation results (0/1)
Reward: One box of multidimensional conversion gold coins
*If you wish to decline this mission, please write a statement of reasons, submit it to the Nameless One, and obtain approval.
“Team assignments are complete. Please consult your supervising professor for further details.”
As soon as the parchment was complete, Serdik left. Professor Shinbi looked at Yohan’s parchment and stroked her chin.
“Hmm… Eliminating the beasts and investigating the Lawless Worshippers are paired together. While it’s definitely on the easier side compared to the missions upperclassmen undertake, Group 3 is likely the only one handling both of these at the same time. Since the group consists of high-achieving students, expectations are probably high.”
As Professor Shinbi spoke as if it were only natural, Sei hesitated before asking,
“Is this too difficult for a first mission?”
“Hmm… It won’t be easy, I suppose? But don’t worry. We won’t force you to do it. If you want to give up, just raise your hand.”
Yohan looked at Professor Shinbi in surprise.
He had seen the “withdraw from assignment” clause on the parchment, but he hadn’t expected her to mention it as if it were actually an option.
“Can we actually withdraw from the assignment?”
“Yes, you can!”
“Oh…”
“Well then…”
A moment’s hesitation flashed across Bebel and Sei’s faces. Just then.
“What happens to students who give up?”
When Mikael asked with a friendly smile, Professor Shinbi’s eyes crinkled, then she folded her fingers.
“First, you’ll meet with the headmaster and the vice headmaster. After a one-on-one interview, you’ll go over there.”
With a quick gesture, Professor Shinbi nodded toward the corner. Standing there, radiating a menacing aura with his arms crossed, was the Phantom Sword Master.
“The Sword Master will help you find the courage you need.”
As Professor Shinbi spoke with a beaming smile, the students were speechless.
“…Doesn’t that just mean he’s going to beat us until we say we’ll do it?”
Only Sei’s realization echoed quietly through the room.
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