A Hero's Will

A Hero's Will

-

A few days after the Festival of Soul, I was summoned to Rina's dorm inside of the Academy of Fraize. When I got there, Eira, Vasati, and Rina all were sitting at a table inside Rina's kitchen.

"I'm here and why couldn't we have done this at Phantom Gloom?"

"This is a top-secret conversation that I can't allow the others to know about yet." Eira quickly responded, and after seeing the clarity in her eyes, I was made aware of how serious this situation was.

Moments afterward, I quickly sat down at the last available seat at her table and allowed the conversation to begin.

"Alright… Fill me in."

"Me and Vasati are being sent to Grand Vertus Academy in 2 days. I would like to bring you, Claire, Rina, Saro, and Mira"

Eira's sudden words ignited a spark of surprise in me.

'I never imagined she would want me to come.'

"You want us to come with you?" I asked, pointing to myself in astonishment.

Eira looked confused momentarily before I saw a smirk creep up her lips.

"Ahhhh, so you think you can slack off after you transformed Phantom Gloom, huh?"

Eira's question was followed up by her jokingly prodding me to the side. Going to the Grand Vertus Academy would be extremely risky for me, but I can't allow Eira and Vasati to go by themselves.

"I will go and I'm sure that the rest will also go. This is a great opportunity for Saro and Mira, after all."

Eira smiled and extended her hand to me, and I grabbed it and shook it. Vasati glared at me and pulled Eira's hand away from me.

"Don't touch Eira without my permission, Hero-turd." Vasati stuck out her tongue at me and pulled Eira into her lap.

"Vasati! We can't do this right now!" Eira embarrassingly hid her face and Vasati silently patted her head while smirking at me as if she was gloating.

'Vasati gets jealous so easily. Did she forget that I'm already in a relationship with Claire?' I sighed and Eira had finally regained her composure and turned her face back in my direction to speak.

"I'm sure you know the real reason the King is sending us to Vertus." Eira's smile turned into an evil-looking smirk.

"What are you talking about?" I felt confusion creep into my mind.

'Real reason? Is it already time then?'

"King Azziros is going to wage war on Othal again."

-

2 Years Ago (Demonshire)

"So, you left humanity and want to lend your strength to Demonshire?"

I didn't know exactly how to answer his question. I understand it doesn't make sense for a human to help the demons, but this is the truth.

"She is not lying, Lord Azziros."

The person who spoke up for me was none other than the King's aide, Soarlai.

"No one can lie in your presence, Soarlai, so that I will trust her then. What is your name, Ex-Hero?"

"Haru."

"Well then, Haru, will you watch over Eira de Bethencourt and Vasati le Demonshire?"

The King's sudden question brought me to utter silence and shock.

"I plan on sending those girls over to the Grand Vertus Academy."

King Azziros' face was plastered with a smug grin. At first, I was unsure of what he was planning, but then it clicked.

'He is going to use Eira and Vasati to get close to Othal and surprise attack humanity. A genius plan.'

"Haru, I want you to turn Phantom Gloom into an extension of my military. Expand the one-group party into a multi-group party, gather orphan children from around the country, and create a headquarters for the organization."

"Wait, hold on for one moment. Why do you want me to do this?" I asked, struggling to keep up with his multitude of requests.

"You are the only one who can do this. I sent Eira and Vasati away to improve their abilities."

"I'm already aware of that. I was just surprised you would allow a human to supervise such an important project." While Azziros burst into a loud fit of laughter, all I could do was stand firm despite my nervousness.

"It seems you're underestimating your importance to my army, girl. I want Phantom Gloom to be my ace in this next war. While my army has loads of powerful generals, moving them all over the battlefield is difficult, as not everyone can use transportation-style magic. That's why I want you to look all over the orphanages for every single child who has a high affinity for magic."

My mouth widened after hearing Azziros's idea. 'Does he truly want to use children to win a war?'

"Understood, Lord Azziros. I will make sure it is all finished by the time they return."

Moments after I finished my sentence, I saw a knife flying towards my neck at an incredibly fast speed. Dodging this knife was impossible, so I used one of my most powerful skills.

"Counter."

The knife's direction was instantly reversed, and it was now directed to a cloaked individual who stood in a corner of the room. The figure gracefully caught the knife and vanished from sight instantly.

"Don't worry about her, Haru. She was just checking out your abilities." Azziros chuckled slightly and then continued.

"Was that move just now a Holy Skill?"

Azziros was exactly right, "Counter" is one of the many "Holy Skills" that I can use. A Holy Skill can only be used by Priests and Priestesses of the church, Holy Knights, Saintess, and the current Hero.

However, since I lost the Hero title, I don't understand why can still use Holy Skills.

"It was." I quickly answered without hesitation.

"Interesting… an ex-hero who can still use Holy Skills. That will be very useful to Demonshire."

-

"A war against humanity and I am human. My life couldn't get any harder at this rate." I sighed and covered my face with my palm.

"Azziros will start the war in 2 months. This means we have two months to spy on all the strongest foes that we will face during this war because only the strongest are allowed to enter the Grand Vertus Academy." Rina stood up from the table and outstretched her hand motioning us with her eyes to follow.

Eira and Vasati quickly followed her action, and the three of them looked in my direction for me to join in. 'I don't have any attachments to humanity anymore. All they will do is harm the lives of my friends and loved ones, so even if I'm wrong to make this decision, I will follow my conviction.'

As I outstretched my hand, Eira flashed me a warm smile and Vasati even followed the gesture and Rina opened her mouth to start a sentence that I finished before she could.

"For Phantom Gloom and the destruction of Othal!"