Wind of Change

With Adrias's entrance, a temporary calm settled in the room.

In the chilly silence, the four members of the third-year group tried to maintain their composure as they stared at Adrias, but gradually, under the influence of the inexplicable aura emanating from him, they slowly turned their heads.

'What is this?'

Jamal Hamington, the leader of the four, felt perplexed in the face of the oppressive atmosphere that seemed to press down on his entire body.

It reminded him of the Northern Shieldbearer, Count Patrick Vagras, whom he had met before.

'It can't be. He couldn't possibly be as powerful as him!'

Despite trying to push those thoughts aside, the uneasiness and tension persisted.

At that moment, Vivianne spoke up.

"Adrias, your seat is over here."

With a single sentence from Vivianne, the stifling atmosphere that had filled the room was instantly dispelled.

The third-year students, who had heaved a sigh of relief, remained cautious as they observed Adrias.

"Thank you."

Adrias didn't say much to the four students and simply followed Vivianne to her side.

Once he took his seat next to Vivianne, she casually brushed her hair aside, as if she were showing something.

The moment she did, her earrings, adorned with white gems, sparkled.

Observing her expectant expression, Adrias couldn't help but smile wryly.

"It suits you well."

"Yes, it's a gift from Adrias."

"Senior Adrias, a gift?"

Lucia, with a surprised expression, suddenly intervened between the two.

Just a while ago, the atmosphere had turned sour due to the presence of the four students, but now it seemed to have dissipated completely. Vivianne had requested Adrias to check her earrings, and Adrias had responded as she wished.

"It's unexpected that Adrias has such good taste, right?"

Lucia, after inspecting the earrings, wore a mischievous expression as she looked at Adrias, who had been staring blankly at her. However, Adrias, who had no ulterior motives, looked at her in bewilderment, and eventually, Lucia uttered a word.

"I didn't expect you to be this good-looking up close."

"What are you talking about?"

As the day went on, Lucia seemed to become more lively, and Adrias, who felt increasingly awkward, turned his gaze away and looked at the first-year students.

Louis Artman.

He seemed to be steadily growing without needing much advice. Recently, there had been reports that he had sparred with Vivianne, and Adrias hadn't expected Vivianne to lose, so he pondered whether he should assist Louis' growth.

Chris Yuno.

It seemed that the advice had been well-received, and he had improved considerably recently. However, in order to confirm it accurately, another spar might be necessary.

Serena Erestial.

She was going through the most difficult period among the three. After abandoning the swordsmanship she had practiced for so long and changing her weapon, it was bound to be challenging.

Adrias planned to find a new swordsmanship book for her.

'I'm busy.'

The reason Adrias had decided to participate in this interview was that all the playable characters had gathered. However, he had already informed them in advance that he wouldn't be able to spend much time here.

He didn't plan to stay for long.

Therefore, he had obtained their understanding in advance.

Then, a long-awaited voice filled the room.

"Interview preparations are complete."

The members of the press rose from their seats upon the journalist's words.

As they stepped outside, seats were prepared, and at both ends, the newspaper editor-in-chief, Kram, and Marvin, a visiting student from Balkan Academy, who was in charge of the interview, were seated.

"Wow, it's an honor to have all these distinguished individuals gathered like this. Haha," Marvin said with a hearty laugh as he extended his greetings.

"I'm Marvin, representing Balkan Academy. I hope everything goes well today," he added.

In response to his greeting, the interview participants nodded in agreement.

Once everyone was seated, Kram signaled to the press member with the video recording artifact, and the video recording began.

"As mentioned earlier, this is for archival and journalistic purposes, so please understand. Well then, let's begin the interview," Kram said while holding the prepared script. He directed his first question towards Vivianne.

"Shall we start with Vivian Velocan? Is that okay?"

"Sure," Vivianne nodded, and Marvin continued.

"Until now, most of the Spring Tournaments have been won by graduating students, but this year has seen a significant change. Vivianne Velocan, you're one of the protagonists of this change. From what I've heard, you weren't exceptionally skilled from the beginning. Did your performance improve as a result of this tournament?"

"Adrias."

"Yes?"

"Thanks to Adrias."

Marvin was momentarily puzzled by Vivianne's response and alternated his gaze between Adrias and Vivian. Eventually, he realized that Adrias was the reason for Vivianne's improved skills and applauded.

"Ah! So, Adrias helped you, I see? Probably because Adrias is skilled with a sword..."

"That's right," Vivianne confirmed.

Inwardly, Adrias couldn't help but smile. She was indeed a skilled swordswoman even within the game. However, that fact, unknown to everyone, had caused a tragic incident due to her abilities being revealed.

"Hmm, no matter how skilled a mage is, how much help can they provide..." someone mumbled.

Kram, thinking he had misheard, turned to the source of the sound, which came from Jamal Hamington, a third-year journalism student.

"Could it be?" Kram wore a sly smile.

In reality, it wasn't widely known, but Kram had gathered information about various students over time and knew that Jamal had a secret admiration for Vivianne. Therefore, it was common to hear rumors of Jamal frequently disparaging Dianne Alven, who had defeated Vivianne.

"This should be interesting," Kram thought.

"Vivianne, is it alright if I ask you a question this time?" Marvin, though surprised by Kram's deviation from the script, quietly observed.

"Sure," Vivianne agreed.

"Now, you mentioned that your skills improved thanks to Adrias. Can you tell us specifically what kind of help you received?"

"...It's a secret."

"Oh?!"

Vivianne's intriguing words caught the attention of the press members who were listening along. They exchanged meaningful glances, subtly urging their chief to press on.

"If it's a secret story between the two of them, there's not much we can do," one of them remarked.

"A secret?" Jamal exclaimed.

Kram glanced at Jamal, who seemed caught off guard by his own words, and managed to control his expression. The provocation was then directed at Adrias from Jamal.

"What audacity, Adrias Cromwell! How dare you do something to Vivianne, our senior!"

"That's impolite. What are you doing during the interview?" Dianne said, standing up and addressing Jamal.

But Jamal had already turned his attention back to Adrias, glaring at him confidently. He had long forgotten the intimidating presence he faced earlier.

"You dare to mess with Vivianne, our senior? Today, I'm going to..."

"It's noisy."

Bang!

Suddenly, a burst of light erupted before Jamal's eyes.

"Ahh!"

Jamal felt his vision go white and let out a scream.

Adrias had effortlessly incapacitated Jamal. He then turned his gaze towards Kram.

"Kram Melkins."

"Uh, yes?"

"Do you think I'm a fool?"

"What's this about...?"

"You directly provoked Jamal. Do I have to say it myself?"

As Adrias spoke, he began to emanate an intimidating aura.

Everyone in the vicinity felt suffocated by Adrias' overwhelming presence.

"Do you think I'm joking?"

"No, no. It's not that, Adrias..."

Kram, unable to withstand Adrias' increasingly intense presence, began to sweat and bowed his head.

"Sorry. I won't ask questions like that or joke around in the future."

"I didn't plan to have a long interview anyway. My mood has soured, so I should leave first."

After standing up, Adrias released his powerful aura and exchanged glances with Dianne, Lucia, and the 3rd-year trio. He then turned to Vivianne.

"I'll be going first."

As Adrias left, the remaining individuals in the room swallowed nervously amidst the chilling atmosphere.

Jamal, still struggling with his vision, experienced intense discomfort. Vivianne, cautiously standing up from her seat, silently followed Adrias out of the room.

"Lucia, did you see that just now?"

"Adrias' magic, right?"

"As expected, you noticed."

Though it seemed like a simple spell, the two women referred to as geniuses instantly recognized its incredible control and casting speed.

The activated light magic, which was triggered by a simple gesture while sitting, was nothing short of astounding. What was even more impressive was how Adrias had limited the range of light solely to Jamal's eyes.

If not for his precise control, the entire room would have been enveloped in blinding light. Adrias had harnessed this tremendous power with exquisite precision.

"That was quite a spectacle. It seems like the interview is ruined, though," Lucia commented.

"When did Adrias become so skilled in magic? Sigh, I barely managed to make time for this," Dianne said, wearing an expression of annoyance.

She stood up and addressed Lucia, "Since we have some time left, how about we go to a dessert cafe? We need a break after this."

"Sounds good," Lucia agreed.

With that, Dianne and Lucia left the room, informing the press members of their departure before disappearing.

The remaining individuals maintained silence in the suddenly ruined atmosphere of the interview.

Chris, who had been silently observing the situation, smiled.

"As expected of Senior Adrias. I still have a long way to go."

"Chris? Where are you suddenly going?"

"I have to train. Watching that made me restless."

Even Chris, known for doing things his way, decided to leave. The interview naturally came to an end.

Marvin, who had been watching all of this, looked disappointed and cast a resentful glance at Kram.

"Well, I had quite an experience."

"I'm sorry. I have no words."

Kram had forgotten Adrias's personality. Recently, he had been quite reserved, so he had unknowingly become overly ambitious. He decided to turn the recent events into an article.

.

.

.

.

The shirtless man had fiery red hair that spread out like a lion's mane in all directions. His sweat-drenched body was filled with muscles so monstrous that they seemed fit for a human weapon, with only the slight movement of his arms as he held a sword.

"Huff!"

Kwaaaaaaaang―!

There was no visible movement.

However, as Sinclair Cloche swallowed his breath, the ground beneath him began to sink and crack as if an earthquake were taking place.

"Haha! This is fun."

Sinclair, having used a somewhat amusing technique in a real fight, burst into laughter.

Watching him was Baron Pluck, his secretary and butler, who observed with an expressionless and cold demeanor.

"Th-that's incredible!"

As Sinclair continued his training, someone approached Pluck.

Seigen Pluck calmly observed the breathless subordinate before asking, "Speak."

"Haah, haah. Maximen, Cronell!"

"Maximen Cronell? Speak slowly."

"I-I apologize. Hoo. Maximen Cronell has entered the Empire."

"What did you say?"

Sinclair Cloche, who had been thought to be training in the distance, suddenly appeared as if he had teleported and shouted by their side.

"Maximen Cronel has really arrived!" he exclaimed.

"Indeed! The Emperor has also declared a state of readiness and summoned all the Dukes who remain present."

"Hahaha! Is it really true!"

Sinclair pounded his fist into his palm excitedly, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Do you know why he came?"

"In truth, the reason is a bit... unusual."

"Don't dilly-dally, just tell me."

"He came to visit the Academy."

"The Academy?"

Sinclair, taken aback by the unexpected answer, looked at Seigen as if seeking an explanation.

But Seigen, who was both his steward and secretary, just shrugged his shoulders.

"They say he came to find a student named Adrias Cromwell who is currently enrolled at the Academy, but this isn't confirmed."

"Cromwell, the Count?"

Sinclair pondered for a moment. However, no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't see any connection between Maximen and Adrias.

'No, it can't be. Perhaps the Tower of Modras...'

Could that be the reason?

But was Maximen really coming all this way for just that reason?

Maximen Cronell.

No matter what anyone said, he was officially a wanted criminal in the Empire.

"Well, officially, he's a wanted man. But there's no one who can catch him, so how is he a wanted man?"

The Empire's response was quite predictable. Upon hearing that Maximen had arrived, it seemed they were more inclined to negotiate than to apprehend him.

"First, we should meet with him, shouldn't we?" Seigen, with his cold demeanor, suggested.

Looking at Sinclair, who always made pragmatic decisions, Sinclair nodded.

"Right. First, we need to know his purpose. That aside..."

Lately, he had been paying particular attention to a name that had been cropping up frequently.

Adrias Cromwell.

Even Duke Mohaim, who had been expanding his influence with sound judgment and intelligence, was unknowingly mentioning Adrias' name more often.

'There's something going on.'

Perhaps it was the winds of change.

Sinclair couldn't help but smile as he thought about it.