The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound

Chapter 128: Academy Admission (3)

“…Huh?”

Figgy stared at Vikir with a blank expression and then asked with a greatly bewildered tone, “Oh, you’re not going to the O.T.?”

Vikir remained firm, replying, “No, I’m not going.”

Figgy, who had only unpacked a few belongings, gestured and fidgeted anxiously towards Vikir.

“Oh no, you have to go! If you don’t attend the O.T., the seniors will notice, and even among your peers, you’ll be labeled as an outsider! That would make it incredibly challenging to gather information or establish connections…”

“Outsider,” a term used to refer to those who are not part of a group and are left out. They face difficulties in situations that require group cooperation, such as last-minute schedule changes, or group projects. Being an outsider also leads to disadvantages when it comes to building connections or gathering information.

Therefore, Figgy’s advice that attending the O.T. was a must made sense in a typical freshman’s case. However, in Vikir’s case, being less conspicuous and not standing out was much more convenient.

Meanwhile, Vikir silently observed Figgy, who had a crestfallen expression. It was clear from Figgy’s gaze that he genuinely worried about Vikir’s school life. He was still so kind-hearted, almost to the point of being gullible.

“With this personality, it might be difficult for him to adapt to school,” Vikir thought.

Figgy was timid but had a talent for information gathering and analysis. If CindiWendy saw him, she would immediately want to recruit him. However, for now, being a bit of an outsider was what Vikir actually hoped for. Being inconspicuous suited him much better.

Vikir had learned that Figgy had been through a tough time in school, especially because of his kind nature, modesty, and information-gathering skills. While these traits were assets in many situations, they had made Figgy a target for ridicule and mistreatment from others.

Moreover, Vikir remembered that Figgy had once been his roommate before the regression, and back then, Figgy had gone out of his way to help Vikir. Figgy had been considerate and had taken care of many things for him. Vikir appreciated his kindness.

“…”

Vikir turned his gaze away from Figgy, deep in thought.

On the other hand, Figgy had no idea what Vikir was thinking and continued to explain the importance of attending the O.T.

“This time, a lot of impressive seniors are coming to the O.T.! Even Saint Dolores, the student council president, will be there! And the fellow freshmen are amazing too! Have you heard of Tudor from the Donquixote family or Bianca, the daughter of the Usher House? But that’s not all! There are triplets from the Baskerville family who are incredibly skilled! They are all considered the next generation of heroes, so we must see them! Oh, and there’s also Sancho, who came from the Northern Mercenary Guild; he rejected their top offer and chose to come here! And SinClaire is here too, she was the top student at the Magic Tower and chose to come to the Colosseo! She’s also the top student in the Colosseo’s Hot Department, so isn’t that impressive? These friends are already considered the next generation of heroes, so we must see them! I can’t believe I’m in the same year as such incredible people…”

In fact, Figgy’s ability to gather and remember all this information was impressive. If he had heard it from senior students, he would have been quick to offer scouting propositions to his club or family, solely based on his information-gathering and analytical skills.

“How about it? Are you starting to feel like going a little? Huh? Huh?”

Figgy looked at Vikir with sparkling eyes, as if seeking praise. However, Vikir still shook his head without saying a word.

“But why? Why won’t you go?”

Figgy, who wanted to go to the orientation with his roommate to support each other, unexpectedly faced a dilemma. In fact, until now, there had been almost no cases of a freshman declaring non-attendance at orientation.

In response to this reasonable and expected question, Vikir simply replied, “I just don’t want to.”

——————

And that was the end of it. Vikir quickly left the room after packing his belongings. His back disappeared down the corridor, where the freshman students were bustling about.

Figgy looked at his departing figure with a blank expression and muttered to himself, “…He’s cool. My roommate is such a cool person! I should learn from his determination!”

Figgy was always positive.

As evening descended, the sunset over the high walls of the academy. The downhill path leading to the lecture hall was already crowded with numerous freshman students.

There were girls dressed up in glittering outfits and boys who looked smart in their attire. However, there was an inexplicable sense of inexperience and youthfulness in the air.

Awkward makeup and overly styled hair still seemed to be carefully observed, making them appear somewhat tentative.

Boys and girls were searching for their groups with a somewhat fluttery atmosphere as if they might fly away at any moment.

Meanwhile, the senior students gently led the freshman students to the orientation venue.

“All students of the Cold Department, please gather over here.”

“The Hot Department, this way under the red flag.”

“Members of the Student Council Executive Committee, please take the freshman students to the orientation venue.”

The sun had set, and the lecture hall was deserted due to it not being the peak season. Seniors and freshmen entered empty classrooms, and the once-empty hallways were soon bustling with activity as rumors and gossip about the new freshman students spread.

“This year’s freshman students seem really outstanding. Their practical test scores are no joke.”

“As expected, Tudor and Bianca, right? We have high expectations for them.”

“In terms of personal ability alone, yes. But don’t forget, there are the Baskerville triplets. I’m more interested in the synergy they’ll create when they get together.”

“But wait, according to those gossip rumors, didn’t ‘that person’ from Baskerville’s gossip mail say he’s enrolling this year?”

The conversation sparked more interest among the freshman students.

“Oh, you mean Vikir? That seemed like a baseless rumor, though.”

“After all, he couldn’t have achieved such accomplishments in his late teens. He must be a fabricated character, right?”

“True, noble families tend to create fabricated stories to boost their family’s reputation. Besides, Baskerville is generally a closed-off place…”

“Among this year’s freshman students, there are more than ten with the name Vikir. They were all commoners.”

“But there is one who stands out, right? The one who ranked first in the written test. His name was also Vikir.”

“Written test? Ah, come on, what’s so impressive about someone who’s good at theory? I find bookworms like that unattractive. The warriors are much cooler!”

The hallway chatter gradually faded away.

All the freshman students had entered the classrooms in the lecture hall. Boys, girls, and a mix of both. In just a short time and with a few nods and greetings, they became friendly with their peers of the same year. Although the friendships were hastily formed, a budding camaraderie had already taken root among them.

“Is everyone here? Let’s call the names of the freshman students from the class of 20.”

The senior students from the Student Council proceeded to take attendance by calling out the names on their lists. Soon, many names were called out.

“Vikir.”

“Yes.”

“Vikir.”

“Yes.”

“Vikir.”

“Yes.”

“Vikir.”

“… … …”

“Vikir?”

Among the common names that had been called several times, there was one absent student. Vikir Van Baskerville. No, now he was simply known as ‘Vikir.’ He did not attend the orientation. Instead, a student named ‘Night Hunter’ had donned a black cloak and a mask that resembled the beak-shaped plague masks used by medieval doctors.

With a swift movement, Vikir, dressed in a black cloak and wearing the plague mask, stepped onto the rooftop of the academy. Once you cross over a wall as high as a formidable fortress, you will arrive at the beautiful city of Venetior, known for its countless waterways and bridges.

Vikir silently blended into the city shrouded in darkness. It was a night when the sophomore students were enjoying drinks, strengthening their bonds with both seniors and peers. During this time, Vikir would visit the mansions of those who held power in the assassination society, the demons, and their collaborators one by one.

Demons. And their collaborators. This was the gathering place for humanity’s traitors, wasn’t it?

“My comrades, please wait a little longer. From now on, I will exact your revenge.”

Vikir recalled the faces of his fellow hunting dogs who had been betrayed and killed, reflecting on the evil connections of his past.

Finally, he followed the faint scent of magic that permeated the entire city.

The Night Hunter had begun his hunt.