Raid The Academy Chapter 73 : Chapter 73

Chapter 73: The True Protagonist

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I headed straight for the Student Affairs Office.

As soon as I opened the door, one of the staff mbers looked at and muttered.

“…Huh? It’s Gerard.”

That was the start.

“Gerard?”

“What? Gerard, you say?”

The guys in the Student Affairs Office, who had been working, stopped like erkats and raised their heads.

They let out cheers as if they’d been waiting for this mont.

“Kiyaaah! Villain Hunter Gerard makes his grand entrance!”

“Whoa! He’s finally here! Our protagonist!”

“We’ve been waiting for you!”

…Did they all take so kind of drug together?

What’s with this sudden reaction?

“Quick, spill it!”

A bespectacled staff mber, who had approached without noticing, grabbed my arm.

“Huh? Spill what?”

“What else? Obviously, the spectacular and steamy story from the Blue Dragon Hall!”

I get the spectacular part.

But what’s with the steamy bit?

Looking around, I saw the guys in the office flaring their nostrils as they stared at .

‘What the hell. This is creepy.’

The bespectacled staff mber urged again.

“Co on, tell us already!”

“Didn’t you see the Royal Dream?”

“We did. But we want a story as fresh as a fish just pulled from the water.”

“We want it!”

I chuckled to myself.

‘Now I see. They’re all my fans.’

It’s a bit annoying that it’s just a bunch of guys, but I’m a man who takes fan service seriously.

I checked the ti.

I had a free period anyway, and with plenty of ti to spare and nothing else to do, this worked out perfectly.

I grabbed a chair and said,“Okay. Then gather around . Right now.”

“Yes, sir! Form up!”

“Form up!”

Led by the bespectacled staff mber, three staff mbers hurriedly gathered around .

“Hmm. Where should I start? How about I begin with what happened after I t Karina Zain?”

“Nice! That’s perfect!”

“So, I found Sabo and the villains not long after eting Karina at the Blue Dragon Hall. While we were talking, I got a weird feeling, so I stepped outside first, and guess what…”

I mixed so truth with a bit of embellishnt and spun the story.

“And then? What happened next?”

“So, I smashed through the window! And I shouted, ‘Everyone, freeze!’ Just in ti, too, because Karina was one step away from being in real danger.”

“Gasp! No way, was that when she got hurt?”

“No.”

“How’s Karina doing now? Is she okay?”

“Yeah. If anything, she’s too healthy. Anyway, don’t derail the story—focus on .”

When I finished telling the story, the audience’s reaction was oddly lukewarm.

The bespectacled staff mber asked ,

“But why didn’t you talk about that?”

“Talk about what?”

“Why you and Karina were at the Blue Dragon Hall together and what you two were doing there. That’s the most important part.”

“Exactly!”

“Yeah, yeah, I was curious about that too!”

The staff mbers were shaking their heads, practically snorting with excitent.

“…”

Now I understood what these guys really wanted.

This is exactly the problem with a bunch of dudes.

“I can’t tell you that.”

“What!? Why not!?”

“Because I’d need Karina’s permission too? I can’t just go blabbing about soone’s private life when they’re not even here.”

“Ohh…”

The guys looked beyond disappointed—they were practically devastated.

“For the record, it’s not what you’re all thinking. Karina and I aren’t like that.”

“Then why were you at the Blue Dragon Hall?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Ugh, you’re so stingy.”

I smirked.

‘At least there’s no talk about Yuria, so it seems the two-timing rumors have been cleared up.’

That was a relief.

But one thing puzzled : these guys had no idea why Karina and I were at the Blue Dragon Hall.

Yesterday, Karina had clearly confessed her mistake to the Vice-Dean and departnt heads.

She admitted she suspected of being Shadow’s master, which is why we t.

If so, that topic should’ve co up at the council eting, and Baron Tesda would’ve known about it, along with the rest of the faculty.

‘Now that I think about it, Royal Dream only ntioned , not Karina.’

Was it suppressed?

It’s entirely possible.

If that story got out, it would seriously tarnish the Zain Ducal Family’s image.

It was a funny situation—Karina admitted her mistake, but those around her were insisting it wasn’t true.

‘That’s why background matters.’

For , having cleared Karina’s suspicions, it wasn’t my problem anymore.

It might even be cleaner for everyone if it was handled this way.

“Hey? Baron Tesda!”

“You’re back, sir?”

At that mont, Baron Tesda, who had been out, returned.

“Gerard? What brings you here?”

Baron Tesda’s eyes widened the mont he saw .

“Are you feeling okay? You should’ve rested another day.”

“I’m fine. I also had sothing to ask.”

“Alright? Then let’s head inside.”

We moved to Baron Tesda’s office.

As soon as I sat down, I asked about how Karina’s situation was being handled.

And, as expected, it was just as I thought.

Karina’s mistake would be covered up.

That was the conclusion of the council eting among the Vice-Dean and departnt heads.

“I understand. From your perspective, as soone directly affected, it might feel a bit unfair. But we’re worried about straining relations with the Zain family. Especially after the hostage incident where Karina got hurt, the Academy’s in a tough spot with them.”

The Academy, mindful of the noble families.

And schools, mindful of parents.

This place wasn’t so different from reality.

“I feel bad for you.”

Baron Tesda didn’t hide his guilt toward .

“It’s fine. I’m not clueless about how these things work.”

“…”

“By the way, was the Dean at the council eting?”

“No. Dean Bell Toro didn’t attend.”

I was just curious.

Would the outco have been the sa if Dean Bell Toro had been there?

“And what about Shadow?”

“That’s also being kept secret.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Their appearance could cause major unrest in the Frey Empire. You might not understand, but it’s a serious matter. It’s not even confird yet. It’s too early.”

I nodded, muttering to myself.

‘Nice.’

If they’re keeping it secret on their own, that’s a win for .

“But why are you asking about that all of a sudden?”

“Just curious.”

Baron Tesda narrowed his eyes.

“Why are you looking at like that? I was there and heard it all anyway. You’d have to tell eventually.”

“Still, keep your mouth shut. Coordinate with Karina.”

I gave the excuse I’d prepared.

“I’m just gonna say we ran into each other at the Blue Dragon Hall while running an errand. Please tell the staff the sa.”

“Got it. Is that all you wanted to ask?”

“Oh, one more thing.”

I clapped my hands and asked,

“Do you know what Ivan’s been up to lately?”

Baron Tesda blinked.

“Shouldn’t you, who takes classes with him, know better than ?”

He had a point, and I didn’t have a coback.

I scratched my head.

“Lately, I’ve been so caught up with my own stuff that I haven’t paid much attention to the juniors. Haha.”

“Hmm. I don’t know much, but I heard he’s been hanging out with Yuria a lot lately.”

I was shocked and asked,“Yuria?”

“Yeah, you punk.”

“Who said that?”

“Chaser Idna told .”

Chaser Idna, the swordsmanship instructor for the 890th class.

A pretty reliable source.

‘Damn it… The guy destined to save the world is ssing around with romance at the Academy?’

My fists trembled.

At the sa ti, my head started spinning.

Is this my fault too?

Since I’ve been stealing all the spotlight, did Ivan, with nothing else to do, get distracted by romance?

If that’s the case, how should I handle this?

Should I call Yuria right now and tell her to stay away from Ivan?

Tell her that Ivan has a greater mission, so she shouldn’t get in the way?

Or should I just take Yuria for myself?

‘No, wait. Yuria was already mine.’

To be fair, I didn’t have the right to dictate what she did.

A mission?

It’s laughable to bring that up when, in the original story, Ivan manages to balance both love and his mission.

In the original, he catches both rabbits—mission and romance.

The thing is, Frey is fundantally an Academy-thed ga.

And the core of an Academy story is the romantic tension with heroines.

In other words, Ivan falling in love doesn’t an the world will end or anything like that.

‘Damn it.’

Fine, let’s be honest.

I’m just pissed off for no real reason.

I don’t know why.

It just feels bad.

‘How dare he try to steal Yuria, who I’ve been carefully grooming as my right-hand woman.’

Now that I think about it, the issue is the target.

I wouldn’t care if it was Karina Zain, Bain Winter, Rachel, or even Professor Ilai.

But it bothers that it’s Yuria, the one I’ve got my eye on.

If I had to compare it to sothing, it’s like a father watching his daughter get taken by so nobody.

‘It’s annoying.’

I ca to check on Ivan’s recent activities, but all I did was ruin my mood.

.

.

.

.

While Gerard was seething inside,

Baron Tesda was looking at him with a fond smile.

‘This guy’s facing a trial.’

But overcoming that trial would lead to true love.

Pure, unwavering love and noble romance.

And a touch of idealism.

Those were the things that turned a foolish man into a true knight.

Baron Tesda quietly, sincerely cheered for Gerard in his heart.

‘I failed, but you, Gerard, make sure you seize it.’

The foolish sentint of a single man past his pri.

* * *

I didn’t head to the classroom right after leaving the Student Affairs Office.

I sat on a bench, lost in thought.

‘If Yuria ends up with Ivan, what happens to ?’

This was actually a pretty serious issue.

Because it could ss up the plans I’d carefully laid out for the future.

There were several reasons I chose Yuria as my right-hand woman, but they could be boiled down to three main points.

First, she lacks a clear sense of purpose.

Yuria didn’t co to the Academy out of so burning sense of justice, a desire to uphold her beliefs, or a need to take revenge on villains.

She ca because they offered food and shelter.

In other words, she’s soone who could leave the Academy anyti, anywhere, without a second thought.

Second, Yuria’s alignnt between good and evil is unclear.

She knows villains are bad, but that’s about it.

Coming from a rcenary background, her own judgnt takes precedence over good or evil, and if you had to pin her down, she leans closer to chaotic.

Third, talent.

This is the biggest reason.

She shows incredible talent in both swordsmanship and magic, making her a pri candidate to beco a magic swordsman second only to Sigaro Isaac.

Sigaro Isaac.

Who is he?

One of the strongest in the Frey world, as officially recognized by the setting guide.

Of course, whether Yuria’s potential could reach Sigaro Isaac’s level is unknown.

But I have a kind of certification mark that tells her future value.

Naly, [Gaius’s Insight].

Yuria is a guaranteed rising stock, a surefire coin, certified by Gaius himself.

‘If I don’t invest, I’d be an idiot.’

That’s why I’ve been pouring effort into her, even envisioning a future where I recruit her into Shadow instead of the Academy.

There were no obstacles.

If I kept building rapport, Yuria would definitely join Shadow.

To be honest, I’d already prepared her initiation papers.

They’re in a drawer in the Lunatic office.

All she needs to do is sign, and she’s Shadow.

“But damn it. What’s with that guy?”

Ivan was the variable.

I’ve been taking everything from him, and now this guy’s trying to take sothing from .

‘Clueless jerk.’

Or maybe he’s too perceptive?

Either way, I’m feeling a serious sense of crisis.

Aside from his commoner background, Ivan’s a guy who lacks nothing in anyone’s eyes.

And that background doesn’t even matter anymore.

He’s about to soar with incredible feats, and while I’m struggling to survive, he’ll catch up to soon enough.

‘He’s the protagonist, after all.’

Right. The protagonist.

The one at the center of fate.

All that talk about stealing the protagonist title was just a joke.

The protagonist is decided from birth, and that wall is so high and vast that no amount of struggling will let climb it.

“That’s why I chose Yuria.”

Yuria, an irregular who defied her fated death and survived.

I planned to nurture her to one day stand as Ivan’s rival.

“But things are turning out like this.”

Why do I feel this shitty unease, like I’ve cooked a al only to hand it to soone else?

An alpha male.

Not just any alpha male, but the King-Great-God alpha male, worshipped by the entire universe—could Yuria really resist him?

“I need to take drastic asures.”

It’s fine if I steal, but I can’t tolerate being stolen from.

That’s just how life works.

When I do it, it’s romance; when soone else does it, it’s an affair.

“If I get stolen from, I’ll step down as the Thief Guild Master.”