The students remained aboard the ship for several hours, continuing to fend off the monsters from a distance. When reinforcements finally arrived, they replaced the students on the battlefield.
After all, the students were still children.
They lacked the experience and mental endurance to withstand a prolonged war against monsters.
Because of that, Ms. Anna ordered all surviving students to board the Stormwalker.
Once everyone had retreated, the ship departed from the Rault Islands.
A heavy silence settled over the deck.
Nearly fifty students had died during the monster raid.
Every survivor carried injuries—some visible, others buried deep in their hearts.
This incident was far too serious to be brushed aside.
The academy would inevitably face the wrath of the victims' families.
After all, it was the academy itself that had proposed this tour.
As expected, news of the disaster spread across media platforms within hours. Social networks erupted with outrage. Long-time rivals of the academy seized the opportunity, openly criticizing its negligence and demanding accountability.
Questions flooded the internet.
How would the academy take responsibility for so many deaths?
In the end, the academy was forced to compromise, paying enormous compensation to the families of the deceased. While the public outrage dulled slightly, the damage was already done.
The academy's reputation took a severe hit—one that would haunt it for years.
This was the first time in its history that so many students had died under its direct supervision.
Without a doubt, this incident would forever cast a dark shadow over the academy's legacy.
Ms. Anna also received an official notice from the academy.
Rio didn't know its contents, but one thing was certain—
Her previously flawless record had been stained.
In the novel, she wasn't suspended… She continued teaching Fade's class.
Putting those thoughts aside, Rio focused on the present.
It's been days already… Why hasn't she woken up yet?
Lia's POV
When I was five years old, my mother died.
She was killed by a monster—right in front of my eyes.
Back then, my father saved me. With his help, I slowly crawled out of my depression.
But something inside me changed forever.
I began to feel jealous of others.
Whenever I saw children laughing with their families, my chest tightened painfully. My best friend, Kira, was always surrounded by warmth and love.
I envied her.
So much that I couldn't stop myself from snapping at her—throwing curses every time we met.
At some point, I didn't even realize when friendship turned into hatred.
She became my nemesis.
That realization terrified me.
I was becoming cruel.
I asked my father for help, believing he would save me like before.
But instead, he buried himself in work.
Dungeon after dungeon.
Eventually, he stopped coming home for months.
I lost him too.
And just like that, I was alone.
Loneliness hollowed out my childhood.
Then I found an escape.
Swordsmanship.
I poured everything into training—my pain, my anger, my jealousy. Day after day, I grew stronger. The darkness in my heart quieted whenever I held my sword.
Weeks turned into months.
People started calling me a battle maniac.
I didn't care.
My efforts paid off when I received an invitation to Freya Academy.
I was overjoyed.
I thought my life would finally change.
I imagined making friends.
But reality shattered those dreams mercilessly.
The academy was no better than the outside world.
Schemes. Bullying. Power struggles.
Link—the son of an SS-rank awakener—constantly tried to dominate the class. The atmosphere disgusted me.
Because of my gloomy nature, I didn't approach anyone.
Those who approached me fled soon after, fear written on their faces.
Rumors spread.
Battle-crazed woman.
Violent lunatic.
Perhaps it was because I challenged anyone who spoke to me to a duel.
Fighting was the only language I understood.
Correcting the misunderstanding felt pointless, so I stopped trying.
Then things grew worse.
Kira was always surrounded by friends.
Boys flocked to her constantly.
She looked happy.
That happiness ignited something ugly inside me.
I harassed her even more.
The rumors intensified—especially when she started walking everywhere with Fade.
They looked like a couple.
The shy expression on her face whenever she spoke to him made my blood boil.
Bit by bit, my heart darkened.
The emotions I had suppressed with my sword began to surface again.
If things had continued like that, I would have broken completely.
Then—
During the midterms, I met someone strange.
When I was about to be injured by a boss monster, he saved me.
It might have been a coincidence.
But remembering that moment still made my chest feel warm.
Pitch-black hair.
Pitch-black eyes.
Colors that had nearly vanished from this world after dungeon gates appeared.
Curious, I investigated him using my father's guild connections.
What I found was heartbreaking.
An orphan.
A survivor of the Drift City massacre.
Sympathy bloomed within me.
When I asked what he wanted in return for saving my life, he answered simply—
Money.
I was stunned.
Anyone else would've asked for skill books or favors.
Still, I honored his choice and transferred a generous amount.
After that, I observed him quietly.
He was… ordinary.
Except for one thing.
His sword speed was abnormal.
And he trained obsessively.
Even more than me.
Classes. Training room. Gravity chamber.
That was his life.
Despite that, his written exam scores surpassed mine.
Then came the tour.
I ended up sitting next to him.
Because I suppressed my emotions too hard, I ended up rambling nonsense.
Thinking about it now still makes my face burn.
When I woke up in his room again, I was flustered.
Then he joked around.
For some reason… that made me a little sad.
Was I hoping for something?
No—no, that's not it!
Anyway—
Meeting him changed my life.
Just like today.
"Hmm…"
"Oh! You finally woke up! You got me worried, you know!"
"…Where…?"
"Obviously, my room. You fainted while running from monsters. I saved you."
"Oh… thank you…"
Silence followed.
"…Why are you quiet?"
"Nothing. Eat this—you need energy. I'll step out."
He left immediately, almost like he was fleeing.
Confused, I started eating.
Without realizing it, a smile formed on my lips.
Even if he doesn't show it… he's kind.
Outside — Back of the Ship
Rio leaned against the railing, breathing deeply.
What the hell was that!?
Lia… thanked me?
That's not supposed to happen.
According to the novel, Lia never thanked anyone.
Ever.
After calming down, he frowned.
Did I trigger some unknown plot?
…I'll observe for now.
This world is getting more interesting by the minute.
Suddenly—
The ship shook violently.
A familiar presence emerged.
"…That damn octopus is here again!"