I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City-Chapter 123: A Quest After a Long Time

The long white beard of the academy head, which made a striking impression, had foreshadowed the changes to the Orion Academy curriculum.

With the warmer weather, the thin academy uniforms arrived alongside the changes.

Now, the cadets were no longer just preparing for monsters that threatened humanity.

The curriculum, compiled using data gathered from powerful nations, began to officially include combat training against malicious humans.

As some cadets had wished, the theoretical portion was reduced and refined, and the practical, hands-on training, involving real combat situations, became more prevalent.

And today, it was Juyeon's day to give focused guidance to the Class 1 cadets.

While the other cadets continued their training at their respective stations, waiting for their turn,

Rohan stood facing Juyeon, holding the academy’s standard-issue sword and pistol.

Whoosh...

Rohan exhaled deeply and relaxed his body, letting it flow like liquid.

The tip of his sword pointed downward,

and beads of sweat formed along his dark bangs.

As the sweat dropped to the floor,

Rohan’s body moved like lightning.

[Three Swords – Lightwing Spear]

Hmph!

In an instant, Rohan’s body snapped upward, using momentum for a thrust.

A flash of flame erupted.

Clang—!

Juyeon deflected Rohan's blade with her wooden sword.

She was impressed.

Rohan’s growth was like bamboo after a heavy rain.

‘That’s a wonderful thrust. It even carries rotational power created by magic.’

And the speed, one of the best Rohan had shown in his swordsmanship.

As Juyeon had seen over the past few lessons, his skill had been changing dramatically as his proficiency increased.

‘If he can minimize his preparatory movements and use this thrust continuously... it will be a great weapon.’

Juyeon could see it.

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

How much effort and practice Rohan had put in, especially in unseen places.

If it were someone of equal skill, it would be difficult to block Rohan’s thrust without injury on the first strike.

Even with slightly better skill, there was only about a 50% chance of cleanly deflecting it.

"The time it takes to settle your stance is still too long. You know, enemies won't wait for you to prepare like your instructor does."

"Ugh!"

Rohan clenched his sword tightly as it bounced back with force, then aimed his pistol in his left hand.

"Focus on compressing your movements. You’ve improved, but it's still not practical for actual combat."

As Juyeon continued to give advice, Rohan pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Bang!

Juyeon looked at the bullet, which contained a strange magic, with curiosity.

This was probably the same thing that had altered Omega on the deserted island.

For a moment, Juyeon considered being hit by it out of curiosity but quickly suppressed the instinct of her warrior’s pride, choosing to let it slide.

Juyeon reminded herself that this was an academy lesson,

and that it was a time to teach Rohan.

‘The trajectory of the shot is flawless. There’s nothing awkward about using both a sword and a gun.’

Determining the direction of the muzzle in an instant couldn’t be explained with words.

It was an area where instinct and experience harmonized.

It seemed Rohan had found the right weapon for his hands.

Juyeon recalled the first duel she had with him, when Rohan had exhausted his magical energy.

Back then, he had also used both a sword and a gun.

‘At that time, he hadn’t infused magic into the bullets. He thought it was impossible.’

Was the period when he only carried a sword a time of wandering?

‘Even if he has the talent to infuse magic into bullets, it’s not easy to wield both a blade and a gun. Many focus entirely on one weapon.’

Juyeon suppressed the praise that almost slipped out.

Rohan needed discipline, not compliments.

Clang! Clang! Bang! Bang! Ping—!

Juyeon continued to deflect Rohan's sword and bullets with her wooden sword, offering advice with each strike.

"Of course, the style Rohan is aiming for with his swordsmanship may not be this. But to use it in actual combat, you need to refine your stance to be more compact."

"Yes..."

"If your swordsmanship conflicts with the instructor's advice, you need to find a compromise. Prioritize the form your sword seeks and use the instructor's advice as a second option."

When Juyeon told him to try again, Rohan prepared his third sword and, after putting his full strength into a thrust, had it easily blocked.

His slightly disrupted stance was corrected, and he was told his magic circulation was not as smooth as it should be.

Beep-beep-beep!

The alarm rang, signaling the end of Rohan’s turn.

"That’s enough. Go back and practice."

"Thank you!"

***

At the end of the final class, when the academy day was over,

Rohan, heading towards the academy’s shower room, stopped in his tracks upon seeing the girl in front of him.

It was Ichinose, unusually without Noah by her side.

"Good work."

"You too, Ichinose."

If there had been no cadets passing by, Rohan would have probably immediately teased her with the nickname "Eungae-no-se" (baby Ichinose).

Hmph...

"Why? Do you need help with something?"

Seeing Ichinose clear her throat as if about to say something, Rohan grinned.

It was especially cute how she tried to appear serious instead of aiming for cuteness.

"Do you remember? I said I’d treat you to a meal..."

"Of course, I remember."

It was a topic that Rohan hadn’t brought up either, since there had been no need to.

"How about dinner tonight? Are you busy...?"

"I’m fine. No plans."

Rohan happily accepted, and Ichinose’s lips and cheeks twitched in a subtle smile.

"I’ll just shower first. I can’t go out like this."

"I’ll shower in the dorm and come out too. I’ve sweat a lot."

"You don’t smell bad, though?"

"Ugh...! Stay away!"

As Rohan playfully approached, Ichinose jumped back in surprise.

"Anyway, let me know when you’re done. I’ll be ready and waiting."

"Got it. See you later."

Ichinose walked away with graceful steps.

Rohan, watching her leave, thought to finish his shower quickly and headed upstairs.

He pulled out his phone, planning to send a message to Shion and Clara to inform them.

Rohan finished his shower quickly. Of course, washing up wasn’t the end of it.

He changed into a clean uniform and made sure his weapons, Radiance and The Mark, were properly equipped.

As a finishing touch, he ordered a large iced Americano from a franchise café in front of the academy and sipped it.

"Mm."

Rohan drank quickly, emptying the coffee in an instant and swirling the straw in the remaining ice.

He considered opening the lid and chewing the ice but was interrupted by a message from Ichinose.

Surprising.

The place Ichinose had chosen to meet wasn’t in the busy district.

When Rohan got out of the taxi at the location she had shared, it was a quiet street, reminiscent of the alley where he had first met Ichinose.

There she is.

Ichinose, dressed neatly in casual clothes, stood quietly, still holding her sword. Impressive.

As Rohan approached, Ichinose, with her eyes closed, shifted her head slightly.

"Am I late?"

"I just arrived too."

"What about Noah?"

"She’s busy today. Apparently, she has to pick the leader among the street cats of the academy city..."

Ichinose trailed off, as if not fully understanding what she had just said.

But Rohan could easily picture it—he had seen Noah before, teaching stray cats at the park.

"That's strange. You two aren’t together today."

"Sometimes that happens. So, do you prefer Noah ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) being with you?"

"Why do you think Eungae-no-se would think that?"

"...!"

Ichinose pouted, then led the way.

Rohan followed beside her, walking in sync.

"Is there a good place around here?"

"Yeah. It's a place only a few people know about."

"Am I one of those people now?"

Ichinose chuckled at Rohan’s comment.

"Of course, you like meat, right?"

"Meat’s great. But I also eat vegetables well. I don’t really have preferences."

"Then you’ll be happy. It’s a steakhouse that only sells a limited amount of steak each day."

"Whoa!"

"The meat’s great, and the portions aren’t small. The sides are fantastic too."

"Already drooling."

Rohan could tell she had chosen the place based on his tastes.

Ichinose wasn’t the type to go for big meals, so he made sure to react enthusiastically to show his appreciation.

"After the meal, you can have dessert here too..."

"...?"

The two stopped walking as a black monument suddenly appeared in their view.

Monolith!

By the time Rohan recognized it, it was already too late.

Boom—!!!

The black monument radiated ominous energy, its inscription glowing with power.

The magic whirled, distorting the space around them.

"Ichinose! Come here!"

"...!"

Rohan grabbed the frozen Ichinose and pulled her tightly into his arms.

They had to stay together and not let themselves get separated.

[Quest has been triggered.]

[The Nest of the Dream Demon]

◇ Quest Description: A Monolith, a symbol of abnormality, has appeared in Academy City. Escape safely from the twisted space with your companions!

◇ Classification: Sudden

◇ Success Reward: 30,000P, full recovery for the party, unlocking the main story.

◇ Failure Penalty: None

Rohan’s eyes widened in shock at the sudden notification.

‘Dream Demon? Succubus!?’

The title was so intense that the rewards didn’t even register in his mind.

And just like that,

the Monolith swallowed them both.