Chapter 45
'It should be around here.'
The hole was made by ants, but the vast cavity was a natural formation.
Or, did the game art team create it?
Well, it's not important right now. Let's not dwell on it.
'On the surface, it appears to be a circular structure, but there's definitely a top and a bottom.'
And on the lower right side of the map, there's a secret passage leading to 'that place'.
The peculiar thing about this secret passage is that it seems blocked from the outside, but once you enter, there's a movable path.
Why? Because old games used to have such features.
Walls that look solid, but have passable paths inside.
'To be precise, it's a limitation of the 2D map structure.'
'Hero of the Academy' is a game from 18 years ago.
It's a classic among classic games.
A major game, but it couldn't escape the map structure unique to 2D SRPGs.
'In other words, it's a path that's actually open, but doesn't appear so from the outside.'
Of course, this being reality, such a mechanism would be impossible.
However, there must be some way it's implemented.
'Either hidden with illusion magic, or made with a breakable wall.'
Or it could be both.
Fumbling. Fiddling.
It was when I was tenderly feeling the wall.
"What's he doing now?"
"Touching... the wall?"
"I've heard people have diverse tastes, but... to think such a preference exists?"
"Don't look. Perversion is contagious."
Whispers.
In an instant, I became a pervert who loves walls.
But that was only for a moment.
With slit like eyes, the synergy of [Ominous Aura].
The kids quickly averted their gaze from me.
An existence so ominous, people hate even to look at.
They would rather avoid than ask what I'm doing.
Impossible to understand, but isn't it just pretending not to see someone's tastes?
That's not it.
The game's settings definitely had an effect.
...It had to. For the sake of human dignity.
'Well, it's a good thing for me.'
If I were caught entering the secret passage, various problems would arise.
So, this is a good thing.
Being called a pervert who fondles walls is nothing.
Drip.
After wiping off a bead of sweat, I refocused.
Fumbling.
As I continued to feel the wall.
Swoosh.
'Found it.'
The secret passage leading to the ant nursery.
* * *
Surprisingly, my hand was half gone.
At a glance, it looked like my hand had penetrated the wall.
It wasn't severed. I could still move my fingers on the other side.
'It must be an illusion.'
An illusion that made a real open path look like a solid stone wall.
Who did this wasn't important.
After all, it's a dungeon that's used once in the game.
I withdrew my hand from the wall.
I couldn't enter right away.
'I'll wait for the ants' attack.'
Luna is a problem, but avoiding the eyes of the instructors and Caron is a bigger issue.
But soon I'll be out of their concern.
'The ant attack will start soon.'
What if something unexpected happens? Of course, that's possible.
'Hero of the Academy' is a game with high degree of freedom.
But that won't happen.
Because.
'I've experimented thousands of times in the game.'
The wall with illusion magic.
When the ant attack starts, and you're near this area, two choices are presented.
- Head to the space behind the wall.
- Fight the ants.
Heading to the space behind the wall leads to the hidden 'ant nursery', a hunting ground for leveling up.
A route favored by most veterans, including me, repeated tens of thousands of times, but instructors like Caron never pursued.
'Not even once.'
That's why I was so confident.
When the option to move appeared, it was confirmed that there's a 100% chance they'd forget about my existence.
I was calmly waiting for the right timing.
That's when Caron shouted loudly.
"What is this...! Everyone, form a circular magic array!"
"Huh?"
"It's an attack! Stand back to back in groups! Half of the instructors should block the holes, the rest protect the students!"
Before Caron could finish speaking, the instructors sprang into action.
Simultaneously, ants burst out of several holes.
Squeak!
Scream!
"Aaahh!"
"Everyone run!"
"I, I need to confess!"
The instructors were busy moving around, the children huddling together, some tripping as they ran, others falling into panic, and so on.
It was chaotic, much more than expected.
'Now's the time.'
As I pushed myself forward, I was sucked into the wall.
Inside the wall, I had no issues with breathing.
I could move freely.
'It's no different from the cavity next to it.'
The problem was the utter darkness; I couldn’t see anything around me.
But it's okay. This place is a straight path.
I moved forward slowly, my hand on the wall.
'My absence won't be much of an issue.'
Caron is one thing, but these are instructors from Annwood Academy.
Experts who could easily earn a knight's position in a prestigious noble family.
Even our group's instructor, Ron, was skilled enough to easily subdue someone like Luna.
'After all, it's an event where no one dies.'
Luna has no reason to worry either.
So, what I need to do now is not miss this opportunity to become stronger.
'There’s light.'
A single twinkling light in the distance.
I quickened my pace a bit and soon reached the spot.
I arrived at the intended location, but I didn't move rashly.
No, I couldn't move.
Because as soon as I emerged, a steep cliff greeted me.
"Keke, just like in the game."
I wasn't flustered at all.
Because it was the same landscape I had seen in the game.
Two massive cliffs facing each other.
On the opposite cliff, there were paths made by ants, and hundreds of them were busily moving around.
The queen ant, the baby ants, the eggs, and the worker ants were all there.
Yes, the opposite cliff was the breeding ground of the black ants.
'But the queen ant and the baby ants are deep inside the cliff.'
The dungeon managers probably had no idea such a place existed.
They couldn't have imagined two queen ants in one dungeon.
They would suffer for a while with paperwork and cleanup, but that's not my problem.
What's most important now.
'Is my level up.'
The secret passage I came through is one of the hidden pieces.
A secret passage only accessible to supporting and extra characters, not the main character.
But there was one more condition required.
'The character must be capable of long-range attacks.'
Yes, the way to level up explosively, or 'power level', was to bombard the opposite cliff.
There was no need to aim specifically.
There were so many ants that no matter where you attacked, you would always hit.
That's how swarming they were.
Of course, even with maximum preparation, including mana potions, a 3-4 level up was the limit.
This is the early part of Episode 1.
The lack of variety in skills and pathetic attack power were to blame.
Even if you got lucky with a potential gamble and acquired a good skill, there was a limit due to the lack of mana.
'But I am different.'
I now possess [Divine Imitation].
An overpowered skill that you could only get after Episode 3.
And I have that skill now.
"Keke, other veterans would be jealous."
I laid my hand on the new sheath I had received.
It was the sword Rodelin had given me after conquering the Demon's Shard.
I received a demerit point, but so what.
As long as it was free.
After placing my hand on the sheath, I fell into a brief contemplation.
The attack skill I'm currently mimicking are [Earth Flip], [Sky Splitter], and [One Flash].
First, I'll exclude [Sky Splitter].
'It can only be used vertically.'
The skills mimicked through [Divine Imitation] are all rated A-grade.
Moreover, the secret swordsmanship of the Lucid family is considered the best.
To split from the ceiling to the floor with such a secret technique?
The whole cavity might collapse.
'On the other hand, One Flash is flexible in angle.'
In fact, there was another reason for coming here.
To gauge the real-world potency of an A-grade skill.
In the game, the results of skill effects were often not shown after they were deployed.
Partly due to the difficulty of implementation, but more so because it was a 2D game.
There are clear limits to the graphics of a 2D game.
'One Flash has the effect of splitting the moon.'
That's why I told Luna that the Lester family's swordsmanship could 'split the moon'.
It's one of the most beautiful effects in 'Hero of the Academy'.
Of course.
'Except for when the final boss uses this skill.'
The feeling when I saw my character fall after the moon-splitting effect is indescribable.
Anyway, I needed to check the potency of an A-grade skill.
That way, I could distinguish when to use it and when not to.
If it's weaker than expected, I'll use it comfortably anytime.
'I should use it horizontally on the top path.'
If I cut at the bottom, the cavity might collapse.
Well, it's unlikely to be that powerful, but as someone who prioritizes safety, caution is best.
The number of ants killed will likely be less than I thought.
'After confirming its power, I can use it a few more times without delay.'
Lester Family's [One Flash].
As I declared the use of the skill, my body began to move on its own.
My left knee slightly bent, the sheath set upright in response.
Even the angle of my wrist as I drew the sword.
All these movements flowed naturally as one.
Simultaneously, my right hand moved like lightning to draw the sword.
The Lester family's first secret technique.
One Flash.
And then.
The light in the cavity went out for a moment.
* * *
"Sa, save me!"
The huge pincers on the ant's mouth targeted a boy's neck.
'Am I going to die without ever confessing!'
He had hardly spoken to her, but surely she would have accepted his confession.
How regrettable.
Crunch!
"Huh?"
The boy couldn't help but be surprised.
The neck of the black ant threatening him was already lying on the ground.
And beside it.
"Ca, Caron sir?"
"Join the others over there."
"Yes, yes?"
But joining them was just an expression.
Caron began moving towards where the children were clustered, the boy tucked under his side.
Even amidst this, Caron didn’t stop his movements.
Dozens of ants met their end in Caron's hands.
"Regain your composure here and join the fight."
"Yes, yes!"
Caron placed the boy in a safe spot.
As he cut another ant's neck, he surveyed the situation.
There were still innumerable ants.
However.
‘The chaos has diminished.’
The anxiety, fear, and panic that began with the ant attack.
Panic is the most dangerous element in battle.
It renders logical thinking impossible and inhibits one's true abilities.
Yet, that panic had disappeared.
It hadn’t even been five minutes since the battle started.
It was thanks to the instructors showing their true abilities, but the basic capabilities of the children were a bigger factor.
He recalled what the other subject teachers had said.
--TL Notes--
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