Chapter 127: Miracles

The Academy had collapsed.

Numerous cadets were wounded, and the instructors had not been spared either. In fact, it had lost its function as an academy altogether.

Eventually, the Academy was temporarily shut down. Instead of being safely educated within its walls, the cadets were dispatched to the field to gain real combat experience.

This included Ian. 

After receiving the title of marquise, he was summoned separately by the emperor for a specific task.

“As you know, the principal is seriously injured.”

To be precise, it was an injury sustained by her summon. When Clara, who had become a demon, used the Mountain Keeper as a source of nourishment in her transformation, the summon lost most of its power.

It was unprecedented. Ian had been worried she might lose the summon forever. Fortunately, the Mountain Keeper had assured her that he would recover after a few months of rest.

At the same time, however, the principal’s position had become vacant.

“The role of principal isn’t just about managing the Academy. It’s part of a specialized dispatch team stationed at the center of the continent. The fact that the position is vacant means there’s now one less capable person to send to where they’re needed most.”

“…Why are you telling me this?”

“I want you to take the position, Ian Clark.”

It was one of the most important posts on the continent. The principal remained at the central command and was dispatched to key locations in times of crisis.

It wasn’t a role that allowed for private land ownership, but it came with great honor and treatment equivalent to that of a quasi-duchess.

Many objected, saying it was too soon for Catherine to assume the position, yet the emperor was now suggesting someone even younger: Ian.

“I don’t want it.”

“…Yeah, I’m worried too—wait, what did you just say?”

“I said no.”

Ian declined politely but firmly. He didn’t mention the backlash or its difficulty—he simply rejected it.

Even the emperor looked at him in disbelief, clearly not expecting refusal.

“Why?”

“If I take the role, there will be significant backlash. And frankly, I just hate it.”

“I promise no one will dare raise a finger against you.”

“That’s not the point. I hate being confined to the center.”

“Others would kill for the chance to work in the center—you know that!”

Ian looked at the emperor, his tone turning steely as he delivered the real reason for his refusal:

“I won’t be able to kill demons.”

“…You’re still saying that? You’ve already earned so many achievements. You don’t even have to take on the Demon King anymore.”

“Achievements? I have no interest in any of that.”

Fortunately, the emperor was quick to pick up on the bait he had thrown. He remembered what he had said once before. At least, part of it.

“No fame, no title, no money, no fortune—you don’t need any of that, huh?”

All Ian wanted was support in his mission to challenge the Demon King. Nothing else mattered.

Hearing his words, the emperor sighed, finally understanding his sincerity.

“…Were you serious about that?”

“I’m always serious.”

“…Yeah, I see. Hmm.”

Truth be told, the emperor was deeply troubled by Ian’s stance. Facing the Demon King wasn’t easy. If Ian went alone and failed, humanity would lose one of its greatest powers—could they even withstand the demon’s retaliation?

From a rational standpoint, it would have been safer to bind him within the system, to secure him with titles and responsibilities.

But—

“…What do you need?”

In the end, the emperor chose to believe in Ian. To trust what he had already shown the world: his power, his resolve, his fate.

Upon hearing his question, Ian smiled. Then, he began listing what he would need.

“Priority number one…”

***

The first thing Ian did was visit the four protectors of the regions.

Finding them was easy—because there was already one serving under Noah.

Ian went to White Tiger, who recognized him, and asked for his cooperation.

[I’m going to defeat the Demon King. Will you help me?]

“…That again.”

[You’re out of your mind. What have you done!]

White Tiger glanced at the Phoenix, who had taken human form.

To throw away all the power he’d accumulated over the years and then become subordinate to a human—

It was akin to a billionaire who’d lost everything through a pyramid scheme and fraud, then visited a fellow mogul and asked him to do the same.

No sane person would accept that offer.

White Tiger was no different.

[Demons? Do you think we’re hiding because we’re afraid?]

“It’s not like I’m afraid of the Demon King. But… I still chose to be a summon.”

“Shut up and leave. Next time I see you, it won’t end it with words.”

Unfortunately, White Tiger refused to join their side. It was understandable. Relying on the system meant forfeiting all the power one had accumulated and becoming a 1-star summon.

For every summon who retained or even exceeded the power they had in life through recognition and energy, there were others who lost everything.

The Protectors were the latter. They already possessed divine power—there was no reason to give that up and submit to the system.

“Sorry, but…”

“Just because I’m a turtle doesn’t mean I’m a reptile all the way to the head.”

Naturally, Blue Dragon and Black Turtle also declined the offer. 

Ian was disappointed, but not fixated on the outcome.

Recruiting a Protector was like trying to use a cheat in a game. No fool would quit the game just because the cheat didn’t work.

“It’s okay. We can go together.”

“…But.”

“Don’t worry.”

Ian returned first to the area where the Academy once stood. The Academy, destroyed by Clara after she became a demon, was now nothing but wreckage—polluted by demonic energy and cursed seeds.

Because of this contamination, no one stood in their way as they passed the ruins and entered the forest beyond—the forest where the Infinite Dungeon awaited. In front of the dungeon, Ian explained:

“Once we reach the highest level here… we’ll cross the continent.”

“Cross the continent?”

“Yes.”

Stella asked, surprised, but Ian remained firm and resolute.

“So if you want to give up or run away, do it now.”

Taking girls to the demon lands was not difficult. He could have forced them, invoking noble authority to prevent resistance.

But that was never the intent. The battles ahead were ones they had to choose willingly.

“Once we cross the continent, even if you want to die, you can’t come back.”

There would be no return—not until the Demon King was defeated.

Hearing Ian’s words, the girls swallowed hard and looked at him silently.

And then, one by one, they made their choice.

“I’ll go.”

Stella chose the challenge, burning as fiercely as her hair. She would follow Ian across the continent.

“I think it’ll be dangerous to go with you~ If rumors spread that I’m traveling with a man, I might never get married.”

“…I’ll take responsibility.”

“You promise?”

Syrah agreed to go, teasing Ian into an unexpected marriage proposal in the name of traveling together. It was the first time something like that had been so clearly implied.

Finally—

“I…”

Noah closed her eyes in thought, carefully considering Ian’s proposal. Following him to face the Demon King meant risking her life.

It wasn’t an easy choice. Even as a village girl who once knew little of the world, she had always known how terrifying demons were.

To say “yes” now was to face that fear head-on.

“I’ll follow you.”

“I knew it.”

With the three most important people by his side, Ian turned to face the Infinite Dungeon.

It was time to level up.

“Let’s go.”

***

Death in a game wasn’t a major penalty. No matter how many times you died, it didn’t truly matter.

In reality, things were different. Life was singular. Even a minor injury could significantly weaken you.

Because of this, the level Ian and his party could clear in the dungeon was much lower than what was achievable in the game under ideal conditions.

‘Barely…’

Still, a lower-level challenge didn’t mean it was meaningless. Repeating the experience countless times helped Ian accumulate real experience, and every one of his summons reached their max level.

Though he had spoken confidently, in truth, Ian saw this only as the beginning.

“Stuck in an Academy with nothing… What the hell were you doing?”

Korn, who had been summoned, complained bitterly. She disliked how she was treated like a mere servant—disappearing without a word, then reappearing when needed.

To ease her frustration, Ian decided to prove that they hadn’t just been wasting time.

That part was easy.

They had Noah—and the Phoenix, her summoned beast, had recovered nearly all of its original power as an Origin Art summon.

“Good. The weather’s nice.”

Standing beneath the sun, Noah raised her hand and beckoned to the land ahead. The territory once polluted by the demonic energy Clara had scattered was now beginning to return to its original state.

Green life began to sprout anew. The forest, once decimated like it had been hit by a defoliant, grew lush once more.

Seeing this, Korn stared in disbelief, mouth agape.