Chapter 10

Chapter 10

After the basic healing class ended.

Roan was sitting with Atoga in the professor’s office.

The interior of his office matched the character well.

Sophisticated ornaments and neat furniture.

Even the neatly organized bookshelf.

Roan recalled his memory of seeing this place on his monitor and thought about the reason Atoga might have called him.

‘He wouldn’t have called me just to talk about my family or give me compliments.’

There must be a reason for calling a student to his office from the very first class.

Clack—

“Now, I don’t know if it will suit your taste, but have some.”

Atoga quickly brought two cups of tea.

A unique scent that was bitter yet smelled like soap.

“Nuben?”

Roan muttered the name of the tea leaves that suddenly came to mind.

Atoga spoke, looking slightly surprised.

“You know Nuben? It’s rare and not famous, so not many people know it.”

That is why I know it.

No matter how much “God & Devil” recorded detailed settings, it did not describe the aroma or taste of ordinary tea separately.

For the tea leaves to be recorded separately, their evaluation had to be good.

“I know it was enjoyed by the Holy Emperor, Gidenuel XVII.”

At least a story about a reasonably famous Holy Emperor liking it had to be embedded.

In the first place, the name Nuben also came from his title.

“You really surprise me in many ways……”

Atoga admired him honestly.

Gidenuel was a figure from as much as 2,000 years ago.

Even if he was still a renowned holy ruler, remembering even the tea leaves he enjoyed was enough to feel absurd.

Roan felt proud at his admiration.

‘Now it feels a bit rewarding to have played “God & Devil.”’

Yes, when he was first possessed, he had imagined this kind of life a little.

A comfortable life, chatting with characters in the game world he had only dreamed of, in a small way…….

“Staying alone in the Holy Emperor’s Palace and collecting anecdotes of the past Holy Emperors was a small pleasure. It was a joy to realize that you all were humans just like me.”

“Truly wonderful!”

As Roan spoke with a joy that was rarely felt, Atoga even clapped his hands in delight.

But he soon brought up the main topic.

“Oh, look at my mind. The reason I called student Darc separately is because of the treatment you showed during the class earlier.”

Roan had roughly expected that much.

However, because he did not know how his magic looked to Atoga, he couldn’t guess the details.

“How long have you been researching healing holy magic? I heard you awakened it right before entering the school.”

“?”

How long had he been researching?

‘I’ve never done that.’

Oh, he did do it.

Back when he only played the game.

Since it was naturally a circumstance he couldn’t reveal honestly, Roan chose silence.

From experience, the people of the Holy Empire were good at interpreting things on their own.

“It’s surprising enough for a freshman to use ‘Instant Hemostasis,’ but to even combine ‘Nerve Regeneration’ and ‘Cell Regeneration’ in your own way…… and using Hilonian that is rarely used nowadays. It makes no sense.”

Atoga was the same.

However, the contents far exceeded Roan’s imagination.

Nerve regeneration and instant hemostasis…… what?

He had only used two of the most basic of basic black magics.

“As someone who also lost family to black mages, I understand student Darc’s position. The longing for healing holy magic stems from loss.”

Atoga, speaking like that, was misunderstanding even further.

“I am very curious about the secret, but I will not ask.”

“……?”

There was no secret.

No, even if he told him, it would be useless.

‘It’s just because I’m a black mage…….’

Atoga was a clergyman, and Roan was a black mage, wasn’t he?

“However, the originality in student Darc’s holy magic is still too prominent. If that becomes severe, it’s not good. In the future, I will help you build your skills from the basics.”

“Ah…… I see.”

“I am absolutely not criticizing you!”

Atoga went on for a long time after that about the importance of basics, how combining holy magic carelessly was bad, and so on.

But those words hardly applied to Roan.

‘So, the translation of False Divinity arbitrarily created a high-level holy magic.’

And uniquely enough to surprise even a healing professor, while using ancient Hilonian.

This must be due to the gap originating from the fundamental difference between holy magic and black magic.

He had to pay attention to it, but it wasn’t something he could do anything about.

After talking for a long time, Atoga stood up and went to the bookshelf.

Then he pulled out a book.

It wasn’t formally bound, but looked like he had temporarily bound it himself.

“This is?”

“Roan’s healing magic is wonderful, but it shows that you learned it on your own. It’s too complex.”

Naturally so.

“This is an introduction to basic healing that I wrote myself. It hasn’t been published yet, but student Darc will need it.”

“……Thank you very much.”

Roan expressed his gratitude while receiving the book with both hands.

‘I don’t really need it, though.’

Even if it was an introduction to basic healing, it was meaningless to Roan, who couldn’t use holy power in the first place.

Selling it later around the exam period…… was a bit much, but renting it out for money would probably be fine.

Thinking such thoughts, Roan left the office.

……However, False Divinity, recognizing Professor Atoga’s introduction book in Roan’s arms, thought a bit differently.

Wiggle—

A small fluctuation arose inside Roan, but he failed to notice it in time.

Meanwhile, Atoga saw Roan off to the door.

“Lastly, do not get too consumed by hatred. It is by no means a good nutrient.”

In Atoga’s head, Roan had already become an unfortunate genius who lost all his family to black mages and self-studied holy magic like crazy.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Fortunately, Roan could accept the final advice.

Since he had no hatred to begin with.

At any rate, thinking that he was a truly great educator in spirit, Roan walked out of Hetrona Hall.

Two people were waiting for Roan at the entrance.

Naturally, he thought it would be Demona and Hector…… but.

“Why are you here, Kedan?”

It was Rafia Kedan instead of Hector.

“Ah, Roan. Just…… thought we could go to the next class together.”

Rafia spoke with an awkward smile.

“Where is Hector?”

“The fanatic ran off in a hurry after hearing a rumor that a black mage was wandering around.”

Demona spoke with a snort.

“……Why didn’t you go?”

Roan thought Demona would be as serious about black magic as Hector.

Then Demona asked back with a bewildered expression.

“Does that make sense? A black mage in Acherandir. A clergyman shouldn’t listen to wild rumors. What do you think, Kedan?”

They were extremely correct words, but hearing them from Demona’s mouth was utterly awkward.

“Uh? Yeah, right. What kind of black mage would be here.”

“…….”

Instead of saying anything, Roan remained silent.

‘He’s right here.’

He felt that Demona and Rafia were surprisingly too innocent.

One had to live with the vigilance that the person closest to them might be an enemy.

Although it wasn’t something Roan should say.

Of course, he could guess who the black mage wandering Acherandir was.

“Kedan, don’t you hang out with your roommates?”

“Just call me Rafia, Roan. I also call you by name, so why so stiff. My roommates are, well…… a bit difficult.”

“Hmm?”

Roan tilted his head.

It was surprising that there was someone whom even the sociable Rafia would find difficult.

“The Saintess candidate, and someone named Riel…… do you know her?”

However, after learning who Rafia’s roommates were this time, he could only nod in agreement.

“Certainly……”

Zion originally had an unapproachable personality, and would be even more so because of Roan’s presence.

And Riel was simply a formidable character.

No matter how friendly Rafia was, there was a limit to getting close.

Meanwhile, Roan was flustered as he looked at Demona, who was staring at him with ardent eyes.

“……Why are you looking at me with those eyes?”

“Can’t I also call you Roan?”

“…….”

Was it because of that?

‘Does this bastard, who is a Wycronon, have no pride?’

He didn’t seem to be this much of a softie when he played the game.

“……Go ahead.”

“Great, Roan!”

Demona snickered, saying, “I was faster than that fanatic.”

‘No, is his pride actually strong?’

The problem was that it was only towards Hector.

Roan stared at Demona with eyes slightly mixed with contempt.

Demona, not knowing that, was delighted and turned to Roan to ask.

“By the way, do you know what the next class is, Roan?”

“So, the second class is……”

Roan thought for a moment, then straightened his face.

‘I need to be on guard.’

The second class was probably the most dangerous time for him.

***

Unlike Hetrona Hall, which was located in the center of Acherandir.

Saint Ciotric Hall was located in a somewhat secluded outskirts.

Roan and his friends felt a slight chill as they entered inside Ciotric Hall.

“……Roan. Doesn’t it feel a bit spooky here?”

Rafia asked as she wrapped her arms around herself.

Roan nodded.

“Naturally.”

“Ah, really? Is there a reason?”

“Countless wandering spirits are probably watching us even now.”

“……You’re joking, right?”

Rafia instantly turned pale and looked around.

Demona, who had been listening quietly, was the same.

Unfortunate for the two of them, but it was true.

Saint Ciotric Hall also served as a correction facility in this vicinity.

It was called a correction facility, but in reality, it was no different from a hotbed of heretic inquisitions.

Indeed, while playing the game, horror events related to wandering spirits would take place in Saint Ciotric Hall.

“We’re late. Let’s go in quickly.”

Saying so, Roan urged Demona and Rafia.

He wasn’t afraid of wandering spirits, no matter how many there were, but he had to be careful of the professor of the upcoming class.

Excluding Harden, one of the characters most likely to notice Roan’s secret was the professor in charge.

Buzz, buzz—

In the classroom where freshmen were gathered, the sound of murmuring was already flowing out.

─ Ugh…… what is this again?

─ Don’t tell me we have to go inside this this time?

Looking at the various torture devices and grim cages hanging around the classroom, the students muttered ominously.

Having just come from stabbing their forearms with knives in basic healing, it was natural for them to react this way.

Meanwhile, as soon as Demona entered the classroom, he searched for someone diligently and soon showed a triumphant smile.

“Yo~ fanatic.”

“……What is it.”

‘Is he okay with being called a fanatic now?’

Surprisingly, Hector answered Demona’s call calmly.

“Did you find the black mage? Geez, a black mage in a holy place like this, there’s no way.”

“I found him.”

“What? You found him?”

“Yes. But I just came back because it was a bit troublesome.”

Demona wore a puzzled expression at Hector’s words.

He must have meant, why did you come back without splitting his head when you were talking about your axe and all that.

“Aha, did you wimp out?”

“……Who did!”

“Weren’t you scared and wimped out when you actually saw the black mage?”

“No!”

Roan was honestly impressed.

Compared to Demona, who was on the slender side, Hector had a burly physique that made him stand out among all the freshmen, including the beastmen.

‘Yet he provokes him so spectacularly.’

Indeed, heretic inquisitors did not act violently unless they were dealing with heretics or black mages.

On the contrary, in daily life, they were a breed that followed doctrines to the point of being obsessive.

That was why Roan had to be even more careful, but…….

“Hmph, anyway, that kind of thing isn’t important.”

“? You were the one who asked first, Wycronon.”

Demona shook his head and gestured to Roan.

“Isn’t that right, Ro-an?”

‘It feels like he put a slight emphasis on my name just now.’

Looking at Demona, Roan was at a point where he wondered how childish a person could get.

No matter how much Demona and Hector fought over him, just for something like that—

“Ro-Roan……?”

‘It works too well.’

It seemed he had slightly underestimated the two of them.

Shaking his head, Roan sat down next to Demona.

Rafia, who had walked over hesitantly, sat next to Roan.

“Since when did that heretic bastard call you by name, Darc?”

Hector’s gaze as he spoke was almost desperate.

Roan let out a small sigh and spoke.

“If you want to call me that too, go ahead.”

“Roan!”

“Roan!”

At that, Demona and Hector called Roan’s name at the same time.

Although the difference was that one had a tearful face and the other a bright expression.

‘What peaceful fellows.’

While someone was sitting here prepared to have their head broken in this class.

……It wasn’t a metaphorical expression; he was literally prepared to have his head broken.

Creak—

At the two’s fuss, Rafia slightly moved her chair to the opposite side.

“?”

“Ahem, cough.”

When Roan glanced back, Rafia avoided his gaze with a dry cough.

The reason was obvious.

It was because of the two idiots, yellow hair and red hair, sitting next to Roan.

Rafia looked extremely apologetic to Roan while also walking on eggshells around Hector and Demona.

‘Yes, at least you should survive.’

Roan decided to let Rafia go from a broad perspective.

Rafia was not a character meant to hang out with three gloomy people like them.

She was a so-called ‘insider’ who would always live brightly in the sun.

Just then.

Screeech—

With a goosebump-inducing noise, the classroom door opened.

The chatter-filled atmosphere of the classroom turned solemn in an instant.

Just as even model students shrank for no reason in front of the dean of students.

The ordinary Acherandir students also could not open their mouths carelessly in front of the professor of this class.

“Ohh—”

Of course, Hector was an exception.

‘I felt strangely good earlier, so it must have been because of this.’

Only then did Roan’s doubt seem to be resolved.

Naturally so, since this class was none other than ‘Anti-Black Magic Combat.’

Thud— Thud—

Heavy leather combat boots advanced step by step onto the podium.

As if the atmosphere of Saint Ciotric Hall was compressed into a single point, the professor appeared, trailing a dismal aura.

Resting on her shoulder was a combat hammer almost as tall as an average person.

The hammer, with clear bloodstains and steam still rising from it, stood out even more because its original color was white.

Halt—

Finally reaching the middle of the podium, the professor.

“Nice to meet you!”

Smiled brightly at the students in the classroom.

“Wow, how long has it been since I saw freshmen~ So, so glad to meet you! I am Kaina Ho, in charge of the black magic combat class!”

“…….”

Kaina Ho.

She, standing slightly under 160 cm tall, was indeed a black magic combat professor and Acherandir’s heretic inquisitor.

Looking only at her long brown hair braided into pigtails, cute impression, and small build, one might wonder slightly how she was doing such rough work, but.

“……Greeting.”

─ H-Hello, Professor!

If one actually faced her gaze when she stared with a straight face, she was also a figure with a spirit that would make ordinary people faint.

The moment Kaina exploded her threatening spirit, the students greeted in surprise.

“Glad to meet you~ Glad to meet you~”

Kaina became bright again.

Smiling cheerfully, she went to the corner of the podium and set down the hammer she was carrying on her shoulder.

Thud—

A sound that made one wonder if the podium was breaking.

“Sorry I’m late! I wanted to come early, but there was a bit of work~”

─ That somehow…… looks like blood is on it?

─ ……I think steam is rising from it too.

The students were terrified at the sight.

A hammer with warm blood on it, and the heretic inquisitor’s ‘work.’

Even without knowing the details, it felt like one could imagine it on their own.

‘I hope it’s not the blood of someone I know.’