Advent of the Three Calamities

"In a few short weeks, you will all be sent out of the Academy."

The news I received from Professor Hollowe was quickly shared with the others in the next class. As expected, everyone had some sort of reaction to the news. However, I was somewhat surprised to see them not be as shocked as I thought they'd be.

As if noticing my confusion, Leon leaned closer to me and whispered, 'Not everyone here lives in a cave-like you. We kind of saw it coming from miles away.'

"Eh...?" Really?

No, but when I thought about it, I found myself unable to argue at all.

Wait, was this why Professor Hollowe told me the news privately?

"Professor, if we are going to be sent out. Where will we be going and what about our mid- terms?"

Studious as ever, Aoife was the first one to ask a question.

With her hand and back straight, she looked like a straight 'A' student.

"Good question, Aoife."

I almost winced in disgust when I saw the smile that crept up on her face when she received the compliment from the Professor in charge.

What an easily inflatable ego.

"Regarding the mid-terms, for those of you who are hoping, unfortunately, it will not be canceled."

The expressions of many fell.

"...The grading will be a bit different. No, in fact, this entire situation is a little delicate. After

a lot of discussion, we've decided to base the grading in accordance with how you will perform during the excursion."

"Then what about the theoretical exam?"

"Oh, that."

The Professor smiled. With long black hair and a grayish mustache, Professor Arlan had an amiable and friendly expression.

"We'll be having that next week."

|| ||

||

The entire classroom fell silent. It was so quiet one could even hear a pin drop. No, wait... I think I could hear something.

'I want to puke.'

It was the sound of my stomach rumbling.

With everything that had been happening lately, I hadn't had the time to focus on my studies. If anything, I was currently lagging behind by quite a lot. Thankfully, I knew that I wouldn't be the only one suffering. If there was someone else who had a problem studying then it'd have to be...

'Uh?'

Turning to look at Kiera, I noticed a faint smirk on her face. It felt eerily familiar to the one Aoife previously had.

As if noticing my confusion, Leon once again moved closer to me and whispered, 'Why do you think she's been studying a lot lately? Like I said, predictable.'

I slowly brought my hand to my chest.

Why did my heart suddenly hurt so much?

'Loser~'

Frowning, I flicked my head in Leon's direction. I was just about to open my mouth when I noticed that he was staring at the front with an indifferent expression. Then, as if sensing my gaze, he looked at me.

'You need anything?'

I narrowed my eyes and decided to let it go.

He wasn't worth it.

"Now, about where you will be sent..."

With a brief pause, all attention fell on the Professor once again. Seeing that he had the attention of all the cadets, the Professor finished,

"...You will all be sent to the Kasha."

"...What?!"

Finally, the cadets showed surprised expressions. Indeed, these were the reactions that I expected from them.

It was especially refreshing to see Aoife's smile fade away from her face.

The same was true for Leon who stiffened slightly. It was just subtle, but it was subtle enough for me to pick up.

Moving next to him, I whispered, 'I bet you weren't able to predict that~'

As my voice reached his ears, his entire expression changed as he hastily moved his head away from them. Then, with a horrified expression, he massaged his ear.

"Don't ever speak like that again."

He shuddered while scooching away from me.

I was a little surprised by his actions at first but then understood it. Putting myself in his position, I'd also react the same way.

"Wait, Professor. Did I hear correctly? Are you saying the excursion will be held in the Kasha?"

"No, Aoife. You didn't hear wrong."

"Wha... What? How does this make sense?"

"I'm not sure, but it was approved by your family. I thought you'd be the one to know the most about this situation."

"Yes?"

Aoife blinked her eyes repeatedly, looking completely lost. Even though I was a few rows before her, I could still hear her soft mumbled, 'What? I've never been told. My brother never

told me. How does this make sense?'

The shock in her voice was clear to see.

She really didn't know about the situation.

"Okay."

The Professor clapped his hands once, gathering everyone's attention once more.

"For those that are confused, you'll be given a more detailed briefing on what you will be doing there and how you will go there. For now, how about we go to the Academy's Mirror

Crack?"

At that, I raised my brow.

I had been planning on visiting the crack beforehand, but this saved me the trouble.

The Professor reached the podium, gathered the papers, and neatly stacked them before

slipping on his dark coat.

"...It's time to show you why we've decided to send you out."

Just as the Professor was about to step out, his feet came to a stop as he recalled something.

"Ah, right."

He focused his attention on all of us.

"Before I forget, the first years will also be present. They'll be entering the Mirror Crack for

the second time. Don't mind them and let them do their thing. Oh, but not entirely. Your task

will be quite closely related to theirs."

*

The Mirror Crack within the Academy grounds was quite safely guarded. If any problems occurred there were many people on standby, ready to intervene at any moment. If the

situation got out of hand then the Chancellor or Atlas would directly intervene.

In short, it was very safe.

....Or at least, used to be.

Wooom-

My skin prickled slightly as a wave of cold air washed over me.

Despite the mana that was coating my body, I felt inexplicably cold. Each breath was

accompanied by a small vapor that diffused into the air.

"W-Why... Why is it so cold?"

Wearing a heavy jacket, Evelyn massaged her arms.

I was about to reply when I stopped.

"When did you get that jacket?"

"Uh?...Didn't you get told in advance?"

"What? When?"

I looked at Leon who looked away from me.

Ah.

"You're fired."

"You can't fire me."

"No, I can."

"Do it."

||

I really couldn't...

But what if I sold him?

"If it makes you feel better, just using what you learned back in the Crimson Shade will help."

"I know, it's what I'm doing."

But that wasn't the problem.

The problem was the mana consumption.

'Ah, whatever.'

Leon was a lost cause.

"Oh, look."

Right then, Leon raised his hand and pointed in a certain direction.

"It's the young master."

Young master?

Confused, I turned to face the direction where Leon was pointing at and quickly realized.

"Linus?"

"Yeah, he's standing with a small group."

"No, I see."

Linus was standing with a small group of what looked to be elite cadets. They were all

conversing with each other, but that wasn't really what was bothering me. Turning my

attention back to the crack and then them, I frowned.

'Wouldn't it be a little dangerous to send them in?'

I knew the Academy had the situation under control, but given what I had gone through over

the last year, I didn't really feel they were that reliable.

"You're thinking too much."

Leon waved his hand dismissively.

"Don't forget

Mirror Cracki

the Academy has fully tain Even if something

does happen, there are so many powerful people to contain the situation."

"Yes, I know."

But still...

"...And the Mirror Crack shouldn't be what you should be worried about if it's with regard to

your brother."

"Uh?"

What could he-

"Look, he's about to fight someone."

***

"You will sit this one out. You may not be weak but you don't fit the team's current

composition."

"What sort of nonsense are you spouting?"

"I'm the team captain so what I say goes."

"Haa... You just don't like me that's why you want me to sit this one out."

"That's not it. You are not fast. If we encounter a situation where we have to run then you would obviously be a burden to the entire team!" Jacob's deep voice thundered throughout the small area.

Overlooking the scene were a couple of Professors who turned a blind eye to the situation.

This was part of their training. So long as things didn't get physical they wouldn't interfere. "I don't like you, but even if I don't like you, I wouldn't compromise a mission that was assigned to me. My ego has yet to reach such levels, which is something you should think about since your ego seems to be bigger than your own skills."

Listening to Jacob's words, Linus bit his lips. His self-righteous expression was quite an annoying sight for him.

How should I get rid of this guy? Should I do it in the Mirror Crack where nobody can see? No, maybe that's not exactly the best idea.

Holding back on his frustration, something he used to rarely do, Linus took a deep breath and raised his head.

He was just about to speak when he met a pair of hazel eyes in the distance.

|| ||

Linus frowned while Julien walked over in their general direction.

Alongside him was another Professor who had a smile on his face.

"Now, now. There's no need to argue cadets. Everyone will be going. Nobody will be left

out."

He then pointed at Julien.

"In order to ensure your safety, he will be the group guardian for this mission you will be

performing. Listen to whatever he has to say. His words are like that of a Professor. Ah, but..." The Professor turned to look at Julien.

"...Don't interfere too much with their task. Only interfere when it is necessary."

"Understood."

Julien quietly nodded, satisfying the Professor who patted him on the shoulder. "Good. Hang in there. I'll go assign the other second years their group."

The Professor then proceeded to leave, leaving behind the stunned cadets who all turned to

look at Julien.

Feeling everyone's gazes, Julien stared back at everyone before settling his gaze over to

Linus.

"You..."

He pointed, his voice sounding somewhat deep.

"...You'll be the team's captain."