’I guess I’ve been a bit open about my abilities.’

Cillian admitted inwardly as he realized that Aster had never changed that much.

The main character—no, this overpowered student who could destroy his own peers whenever he wanted to was still the same smart and very sharp guy.

Well, there was a slight change, and that’s the fact that their relationship with each other seemed to have turned for the better.

His group and Aster’s group had just gone through a short yet difficult adventure together, so it only made sense that they had grown a teensy bit closer.

’No harm in making connections with them. Just imagining having connections with Willow and Kash, who are both nobles. Hehe.’

Cillian’s mind drifted for a second before Aster brought him back to reality by commenting on the hideous expression he was wearing.

"You should return your face to normal. It’s like I’m talking to an undead."

Aster shook his head while letting out a sigh.

"Look, I know you’re hiding the fact that you’re a Ruiner, so you can rest assured that my group has been warned about leaking this information. At the very least, your secret wouldn’t leak."

’Yeah, I’m doubtful. It’s not like I don’t trust them to leak them, but those White Shepherds who are probably watching me fight the summoner black shepherd already knew that I was a Ruiner.

’But no matter, it’s not like I could hide anything at this point anyway when those black shits appeared in the academy. Besides, maybe I could buy time to hide more of my identity since I’m wearing the corpse face there.’

Cillian understood that it was up to the White Shepherd he had seen earlier today how they would make use of the situation. Since he knew nothing about life outside the academy, there was no way for him to predict their next move

Unless Mouthful Eye started revealing information he could say, Cillian wouldn’t be able to call what he saw earlier as the true strength of the shepherds.

"That helps, thanks."

"No problem."

The two were silent for a while before Cillian suddenly looked at the sky once more.

"The Academy, huh."

Cillian muttered under his breath, but Aster still managed to hear him as he quietly listened to him continue.

"What’s the current situation?"

Aster pondered for a while, as if the next words he was going to say were going to be heavy, and rightfully so. After a moment, he slowly revealed it.

"Less than five percent of the total number of people who had attended this sorcery kingdom are the only ones alive. This already included the instructors or academy staff. We’re rounding bodies on the other side of this place that hasn’t been crushed by the bone walls or been painfully killed by the Black Shepherds."

"I see..."

Cillian quietly listened as he changed his face to normal before asking.

"How about the authorities? When are they even going to come?"

"I don’t know. But they would be coming here shortly."

’Shortly, huh. How come the sun is already bright, and they haven’t come here? Didn’t Darwin tell them that it’s an emergency?’

For some reason, Cillian started thinking that this authority is the same as the corrupt officials on Earth. Well, there are a few similarities.

But what can Cillian do about it? All they have to do for now is wait.

"Cillian, I wanted to thank you for that time when we were surrounded by the undead students. I know you don’t like these cringe-ass talks, but if not for what you did, I might’ve endangered everyone."

Aster then let out a soft sigh.

"That’s why I had decided to train mentally when we’re going to be given a break from the Academy. I know what I’m lacking, and I’m going to see my master to teach me lessons about it."

’Oh? Is it your training arc now?’

Cillian thought inwardly before adding.

’I guess I’ll do the same while also having fun.’

Cillian smiled and gave Aster a nod before he saw him leaving among the unconscious bodies from the attack.

"So many people died."

Cillian muttered while thinking that it was somehow his responsibility that these people had died from the attack.

But was it entirely his fault?

Not really.

It was just different kinds of situations that somehow met with each other, which then turned into an event.

An arc, in a kind of sense.

’This world is much more dangerous than I thought.’

Cillian had started to realize this, not just today, but ever since the time he met Aiden at his club. How could a danger appear right in front of someone without any warning and get them killed?

In fact, even if he had prepared, which is something he did, Cillian still felt a sense of helplessness when his plan didn’t work and discovered how many times he failed just by ’planning’.

But does that mean he’s going to stop having fun?

Definitely, no.

He had felt how thrilling a fight could be, and he understood the consequences of even losing once.

By the end of the fight, Cillian gets to watch the loser’s eyes. He solidified his position as the winner of their bout.

But even a slight mistake could get him killed, and he was bound to make some of them. He’s not a perfect human after all.

That’s why he needed two things.

"I need overwhelming strength."

If overwhelming strength doesn’t work...

"I need to polish my plans even more. I need to make sure that I have a solid plan for solving my problems. To do that, I’ll have to create my own plot armor."

"Plot armor, my ass...! What are you... some kind of main character of a book to even get that?"

Suddenly, Cillian heard a voice from the side, and he couldn’t help but look at Freya, whose green, gem-like eyes slowly began to open

"I guess, am I?"

Even though he found his words absurd, Cillian chuckled at the mere thought before stopping himself from laughing.

Rumble—!

Suddenly, the ground started shaking.

A sudden thought hit Cillian’s head.

"What the?!"

Judging by the earthquake and how intense it was, Cillian knew that it was a Runic Gate manifesting in the real world nearby.

Or was it really the case?

"Cillian! Hey!"

Vin and Phillip started approaching him while Aster’s group began appearing and regrouping with the rest. It was Phillip who reported to him with an excited voice.

"They are here! The people who are about to rescue us are here!"

Engineered vehicles and horses, with soldiers mounting them, began entering the ruined academy.

They approached the group, surrounded them, while eyeing the people who had survived the attack.

The leader of this group stopped his horse as he went down to watch the situation from the ground.

[Death Flag]

’Oy, oy. What is this?’

A Death Flag.

Cillian carefully checked the state of his flag to see if anything had changed, but to his relief, it was still white.

The guy with the Death Flag introduced himself, carrying the authority of a pure-blood noble.

"I’m Lord Viola of the Viola Land, Khalish Viola. We don’t have time to explain, as by the looks of it, a Runic Gate is manifesting."

That confirmation alone was enough for Cillian to make sure a Runic Gate had appeared.

Khalish Viola then glanced behind.

"Son."

Behind the group of soldiers, a man stepped forward, emerging from the crowd.

This guy had the striking appearance of a noble, almost resembling the Lord of Viola himself. With auburn hair, deep grey eyes, and a build that seemed almost suited for a knight.

A character that appeared in the Main Character Goes Brt! Brt! that tormented Aster during his stay at the academy, making his life miserable.

[Death Flag]

A recurring minor villain.

"Fergus, treat everyone well."

Fergus showed a small smile as he looked towards everyone, seeing him before landing his gaze on Aster.

"Yes, Father."

Fergus Viola had returned.