The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned

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Chapter 147: The Cadet Disappearance Case (1)

The new semester had started, but life hadn’t changed much.

Since it was the beginning of the term, the “Combat Training II” course hadn’t officially begun, and most of the cadets hadn’t fully shaken off the afterglow of vacation.

Around this time, the professors tended to be far busier than the cadets.

They had to coordinate the curriculum for the semester through meetings.

“Is he at another meeting today?”

As usual, I had planned to hide out in Professor Lucas’s office during my free time, but I clicked my tongue as I held the firmly closed doorknob.

“Professor Elisha mentioned she’s been really busy lately too… Professors have been hard to catch these days.”

Most of the classes were self-training sessions because it was still the beginning of the semester, making it hard to see any professors.

‘Guess I’ll head to Yuren’s training grounds again.’

I had already trained with Yuren in the self-training session that morning, so it felt a bit awkward to go straight there.

It was like running into a friend you’d said “see you tomorrow” to at a bus stop right after parting ways.

“Hmmm.”

Just as I was pondering what to do with my remaining time…

“Dale! What are you doing here?”

A familiar voice reached my ears.

“Berald?”

“Heh. Surprised you’re not with Yuren or Yurina today. What are you doing here alone?”

“I already trained with Yuren this morning.”

“Oh. No classes this afternoon?”

“As you can see, all the professors have been locked up in meetings.”

“Geez… I wonder what kind of classes they’re preparing….”

“No idea, honestly.”

I’d never seen the professors so engrossed in meetings, not even in my previous life.

“Seems like the curriculum will be pretty different this time around.”

I’d already expected the future would keep diverging from what I knew. A little change in the course content was hardly worth worrying about.

“Anyway, what brings you here?”

“I was just on my way to the cadet cafeteria after the morning session.”

“Oh, I haven’t eaten lunch either. Want to go together?”

“Of course!”

Berald nodded enthusiastically, beaming.

“The annex cafeteria or the main building?”

“Heh, naturally the annex cafeteria, don’t you think?”

“True.”

Even though both Berald and I were financially stable now, we still preferred the quick and simple meals at the annex cafeteria over the more expensive main cafeteria.

“Oh, by the way, what’s up with your dorm? Everything fixed up?”

“Yeah, they repaired it nicely. Actually, it’s even better than before.”

“Heh. So you don’t have to share with Yuren anymore—wait.”

Berald’s eyes widened as if he’d just realized something major.

“W-wait a second, Dale! Did you… Were you actually living with Yurina during break?”

“Well…”

I trailed off, nodding slightly.

“Wow. I thought you were going out with Iris, though.”

“It’s… complicated.”

“Complicated? What’s complicated about it?”

“…….”

How could I explain?

That I’d confessed to both Iris and Yurina and was now waiting for their answers?

“It’s just… a bit complicated.”

“Heh. You’re so lucky with women, aren’t you? Guess the old saying ‘heroes are fated to love’ rings true.”

“Shut up.”

I swatted Berald’s shin as he prattled on, and we headed toward the annex cafeteria.

After picking today’s special from the menu, we collected our food and sat down at a table.

“So, how’s your training been going? Finding it worthwhile?”

“Heh, who do you think I am? I’m a magic genius, after all!”

“Blowing your own horn, huh?”

More like a disaster than a genius, if you asked me.

“I’ve been experimenting with using mana blasts in ways other than just throwing them, you know.”

“Oh? Like what?”

“Heh, I’ll show you when I’ve perfected it.”

Berald grinned confidently, raising his chin a bit. I held back a chuckle at his smug face.

“Oh, right, what about that bandage?”

“Got it wrapped here.”

Berald rolled up his uniform sleeve, showing the bandage wrapped around his forearm.

“I’ll only use it in emergencies, as you said.”

“Good. That’ll help you grow better.”

The power of the "Heaven-Destroying Asura Gauntlets" left behind by Iron Fist had surprised even me, someone who’d seen countless artifacts before.

But because of that, there was also the risk of becoming overly dependent on it.

‘Artifacts should just play a supporting role, after all.’

I used to rely solely on the Blessing of Revival, wielding magical swords and armor like crutches.

‘Back then, Sophia used to scold me for it.’

Remembering those days, I chuckled wryly.

“Oh, by the way, Dale. Have you heard the rumors lately?”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

“About the string of cadet disappearances.”

“What?”

A string of cadet disappearances?

That sounds like a case straight out of a crime novel.

‘If it’s that serious, wouldn’t the whole school be in an uproar…?’

If a string of cadet disappearances was happening, there should have been an emergency meeting on it by now.

“Oh, no, it’s not exactly a disappearance, but… more like a fainting incident?”

“What’s the exact story?”

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“Recently, some cadets have reportedly been passing out suddenly, only to wake up hours later in a completely different place.”

“…Passing out, then waking up hours later in a different place?”

“Exactly.”

Isn’t that something you’d only hear in creepy urban legends?

‘What kind of incident is this?’

This was, naturally, something I’d never heard of in my previous life.

“What about other symptoms? Any injuries?”

“Nope, no injuries at all.”

“So… they just passed out and woke up somewhere else?”

Isn't it like a genuine horror story?

"Ah, I did hear that while there are no visible injuries, the area where the Stigma is marked felt a bit itchy after they regained consciousness."

"Itchy... So, no other unusual symptoms? Like damage to the Stigma?"

"If that were the case, it wouldn't just be a rumor known only to a few."

"True."

For heroes, their Stigma held a value beyond life itself.

If Stigma had been continuously damaged, the academy wouldn’t be this quiet.

"Nobody knows the cause yet, right?"

"That's correct."

Berald nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"It does seem like the work of a person..."

The problem was that they had no clue who would do such a thing or why.

"How many victims are there so far?"

"About twenty, as far as I know. Mostly fourth-year cadets have been affected."

"...Fourth-year cadets, huh."

I narrowed my eyes, nodding slightly.

"This really does smell fishy."

"Haha. I thought the exact same thing when I first heard about it."

"When did it start happening?"

"They say it started during the break."

During the break, huh.

"So the professors have just been doing nothing about it?"

"Well, there's hardly any 'damage' to speak of, is there?"

"That... is true."

The case itself was a complete mystery, but as Berald said, there wasn’t really any 'damage' to speak of.

To some, it might even sound like, "Maybe they were just tired and fell asleep?"

"But if twenty people have been affected, that changes things."

If it were just one or two people, it could be dismissed as a coincidence, but with twenty, someone clearly had an intentional plan.

‘The question is who on earth would do this, and why…’

No matter how hard he tried to rack his brains, no answer came to mind.

‘I’ll have to ask Professor Elisha about it later.’

With that thought, he let out a short sigh.

"Huh? Hey, look over there."

"Isn't that the fourth-year senior from the magic department? The one who's famously fierce..."

"Oh, yeah. I’ve heard of her. What was her nickname... Ah, the Crimson Calamity! They say the fourth-years call her that!"

"Keep your voice down, idiot! What if she hears you?"

A stir spread through the annex cafeteria.

Following the cadets’ gazes toward the entrance of the cafeteria, I saw her.

‘Senior Sophia?’

A small woman with striking red hair walked into the cafeteria.

She scanned the room from the entrance before marching straight to the table where I was sitting.

"There you are."

"...Senior Sophia?"

"I have a favor to ask you."

Senior Sophia spoke in a sharp tone, not even bothering to sit down.

"...What is it?"

I quickly hid my inner turmoil and responded, surprised by her sudden visit.

Sophia looked down at me and spoke in a low voice.

"Have you heard anything about the recent cadet disappearances...?"

"Oh! Could it be, are you Senior Sophia Evergreen?!"

Interrupting Sophia, Berald sprang from his seat.

He gazed at her with sparkling eyes, muttering words of admiration.

"I’ve heard a lot about you from Laios! He said you’re the most skilled mage among the fourth years!"

It seemed that as a fellow magic department member, he was clearly thrilled to meet her.

"Hey, calm down!"

I quickly pressed down on Berald's shoulder, urging him to calm down.

Knowing Sophia’s personality, I was well aware that she despised this kind of unnecessary flattery.

Just when I was feeling as if I were looking at a ticking time bomb, ready to explode—

"So... Laios told you about me?"

Sophia's cheeks flushed slightly as she looked away, avoiding eye contact.

She twirled a strand of her red hair around her finger, her gaze lowered.

"Hmm. I guess I am somewhat talented in magic."

"Somewhat?! I heard you're better than most of the professors!"

"...Really?"

"Haha! As a fellow magic department member, I’m so proud! Oh, by the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm..."

"I know. You're Berald Ryu, right?"

Sophia glanced at Berald with a slight smile, clearing her throat.

A strange vibe hung between them.

‘What's with this?’

Why was the atmosphere suddenly so good?

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