This World Needs a Hero - Chapter 145

Chapter 145

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The heat of midsummer poured down toward the earth.

The scorching air and the lingering humidity were unbearable even for the climate-insensitive doppelganger.

‘It seems like this summer is even hotter.’

The Hero got off at the magic train station.

The sunlight was strong, forcing him to shield his eyes as he looked around.

But not for long.

He shifted his halted steps.

The heat rising from the ground pierced through the soles of his boots, stinging his feet.

As befitting a school founded by the greatest mage in history, the interior of the Rosenstark building was magically designed to maintain pleasant temperatures even in this sweltering heat.

However, it was impossible to extend this comfort to the vast outdoor grounds.

Perhaps that’s why, as the final exams were coming to an end.

Despite the students having time to relax and enjoy themselves, there was no one in the courtyard.

They were probably lounging in the lounge with connectors in hand.

But unfortunately, he had plans for today.

From the station to the library of memories, just about a five-minute walk away, the Hero hurriedly made his way.

…And at that moment, he encountered someone he hadn’t expected to see here.

‘Professor Labin?’

On the other side, Professor Labin was walking towards him.

With an ageless, robust physique and a stern demeanor.

He too seemed to have spotted the Hero, his eyes slightly furrowing.

The Hero also narrowed his eyes.

Of course, for slightly different reasons.

‘In this weather, wearing a suit?’

Labin was dressed in a sophisticated black suit.

It was a refined garment that exuded dignity and solemnity, but it felt overly formal for everyday wear.

It was suitable for important appointments or formal occasions.

However, the Hero knew there were no such grand events or gatherings at Rosenstark today.

Especially since there were no buildings nearby except for the library.

‘Are you on your way to browse your memories?’

Sweat beads dripped down the old man’s wrinkled face, but he only wiped them away with a handkerchief without taking off his coat.

After a very brief nod (which went unnoticed), Professor Labin walked past the Hero.

.

.

.

“A romantic and tragic person.”

“A romantic… what?”

I looked at Rosalyn, who was uttering epithets that didn’t suit Labin at all.

She smiled as she dusted off the dust from the stack of books with a duster.

“Oh, about 30 years ago. Mr. Labin began coming to the library every year to record his memories.”

Mr. Labin Hawk to Rosalyn.

At times like this, he was reminded that she had been an ancient magical being since the beginning of Rosenstark.

“But about ten years ago, he stopped recording new memories altogether and just reminisces, that’s the story.”

“That explanation will do.”

“Oh my, you’re not even going to dig deeper, Ted?”

… There was a hint of suspicion.

A few months ago, Yussi’s step-sister was plotting to seize the position of headmaster.

He asked Nyhill to investigate the professors.

He had received various data, including Labin’s.

Rosalyn’s words were enough to bring back the forgotten contents.

“Hmm.”

Rosalyn seemed to lose interest in cleaning and sat down on the stack of books on the floor.

“By the way, Ted. You’ve already read all the memories, so why are you still here?”

Recently, a few genuine memories had been unlocked with slight progress.

Though disturbing, thankfully they weren’t as horrific as the first one.

‘They were more like what I expected.’

Memories of his days as a student, for example.

Memories with his comrades in the Dawn Knights.

Thanks to recalling those mundane memories, his comprehension had increased slightly.

▼

Ted Redeemer: 63/100

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“Ted? Can’t you hear me?”

“Why am I still here? Didn’t you tell me to come find you anytime if I wanted to discuss future plans?”

“Hmm, do you need advice even with ‘that great magician’ around?”

… It was necessary.

Larze had recently joined the allied forces.

By now, she would have crossed the Great Mountains and reached the outskirts of the Boundary.

It wasn’t the right time for a conversation.

Moreover, discussing future directions with Rosalyn, who won’t go anywhere, was wiser than trying to predict Larze’s actions.

…Anyway, she already knew I wasn’t real.

She wasn’t showing it, though.

Click!

When Rosalyn snapped her fingers, a fancy tea set appeared before them.

She handed him a cup of warm tea, leaning toward him as if to suggest they talk.

“With iced tea.”

“……”

As I sipped the ice tea, I reflected on the past two months.

Since returning to the capital, time had passed surprisingly quickly due to various miscellaneous tasks.

First, Felson.

He had returned to the capital and joined the vanguard of the allied forces.

By now, he would have crossed the Great Mountains with Larze.

It was difficult to receive real-time news in areas with dense demonic energy.

According to Euphemia, everything seemed to be going smoothly.

Meanwhile, Yussi had successfully avoided Merian’s threat for the time being.

Merian, who fell into a trap and suffered heavy losses, had returned to Glendor.

It was also thanks to unexpected help.

“I want to repay the Headmaster’s kindness. Please accept it.”

Pia’s generous donation from Awayken research relieved Yussi’s financial burden.

It was a moment when her decisive action, despite the frequent failures of the Awayken project, shone.

‘It was said that the final clinical trial of Awayken would begin around the start of the vacation.’

Thanks to that, Pia became much busier.

To the extent that it is difficult to concentrate on teaching assistant work like before.

So eventually, I compromised with the ‘auxiliary employment’ that I had previously ruled out as absolutely not allowed.

“…Hey, didn’t you ask about hiring a student to help with my work last time?”

So-called work-study students.

Since Rosenstark’s tuition was already free, they were hired in the form of stipends.

Nyhilll and Evergreen were assigned.

Nyhilll seemed somewhat disheartened since returning to the capital, so I wanted to keep her in a more visible place.

And since Evergreen seemed eager to send money back home, I accepted her.

The work-study program started in the second semester.

I was hoping that Evergreen’s cheerful personality would have a positive influence on Nyhilll.

…So naturally, my thoughts turned to the children.

Since recovering the ‘Wolf Statue’s Treasure’ set by Iris of Laplace as a goal was difficult to proceed with, I focused on progress for about two months.

The firewood side was progressing smoothly.

Since the Forest of Martial Arts, the disciples seemed to keenly feel the need for strength.

Thanks to that, they made efforts to keep up with rigorous lectures and quickly grew stronger.

Their performance in the final exams a few days ago was even more impressive than expected.

Among them, there were particularly noticeable changes in Ban and Luke.

Ban completely shook off his fear of swords.

No, he seemed even braver than the other children.

It must have been a gift from the skirmish with Enoch.

“Hey, now that I’m all healed up, let’s have a match!”

“Sure. Follow me to the training ground.”

“Huh?”

He had improved explosively from his previously timid state, to the point where he could hold his own against Cuculli.

He was no longer the same person who trembled and fainted in front of stuffed demons at the beginning of the semester.

Luke, too, was mastering the new weapon faster than expected.

Considering how difficult it was to handle the oversized greatsword, it was indeed a talent recognized by the Iris of Laplace.

‘His peak must have risen much higher.’

Piken-like cavalry.

The bizarre madness martial arts of Ravias.

In fact, both were close to tricks.

They didn’t help the practitioners reach a level suitable for the title of ‘Hero Candidate,’ but they did help them reach a certain level of proficiency much faster than normal progression.

In that sense, changing weapons and passing on Felson’s martial arts was an excellent choice.

Anyway, as all the tasks were progressing smoothly, the only problem was…

‘Yes.’

Rosalyn glanced at my complexion and spoke.

“It seems that the development of the seasonal cycle is not going well.”

I nodded silently.

That was the beginning of the incident.

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Additional Comment:

– Those who walk their own path

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This comment held special meaning for me.

I am a doppelganger.

I have lived my entire life imitating the abilities of others.

But now I have my own path.

‘Is there originality at the end of replication?’

The thought occurred to me during the ‘season.’

The accumulation and acquisition of experiences in unarmed combat, combat style, and beliefs, eventually culminating in a decisive move.

…In other words, techniques imbued with each individual’s life.

If I also have my own path, and the comment indicates that I have embarked on that path.

‘I might be able to develop my own seasonal cycle.’

It was like a solution that came as a blessing in a drought, especially when it was difficult to make clear progress on the tasks.

I immediately began developing ‘my own seasonal cycle.’

But as expected, it wasn’t easy.

Developing a seasonal cycle wasn’t something that could be done quickly or easily.

It required facing the depths of one’s self and constant reflection and contemplation.

Of course, holders of monstrous talents like Leciel could inherit the seasonal cycles of previous generations through bloodlines and early education, but that wasn’t applicable to me.

It was a moment when the growth trend that had been steep since coming to Rosenstark reached a standstill.

Naturally, I couldn’t help but feel impatient.

But even after hearing about these circumstances, Rosalyn was very calm.

“Time will solve everything.”

I was astonished by her words and retorted.

“…Your advice hasn’t been very useful since last time.”

But Rosalyn didn’t get angry as before.

She just looked at me with her calm white eyes, filled with immense knowledge and inner peace.

Her gaze was one of observing and understanding the situation from a macroscopic perspective, like that of a life form that had lived for a long time.

She repeated her earlier words once again.

“You’ve put in enough effort, so time will solve everything.”

“……”

“There’s an old saying that goes, ‘the more haste, the less speed,’ you know?”

“I wish I had the luxury to feel relieved by such words.”

For a moment, Rosalyn fell silent as if pondering something, then she suddenly spoke out of the blue.

“The festival is coming soon, isn’t it?”

“…That’s right?”

This week marks the end of all final exams for all classes.

Next week’s weekdays will be filled with the festival, and summer vacation will begin right after the festival ends.

“After such a densely packed time, it’s the first break for everyone. If there are any changes, they’ll come then.”

I tilted my head with a skeptical expression.

“Well, we’ll see if it’s really a break.”

The festival is a major event.

Various events and competitions are prepared for the children who have been struggling through a curriculum akin to the military.

But where is the fundamental change?

Even those ‘events and competitions’ are quite intense in their own right.

Just on Monday, the Battle Arena’s intra-school preliminaries are scheduled.

A competition to select representatives by grade divided into combat and mystery divisions.

Students who win in the final round will earn the qualification to participate in the ‘external match’ scheduled for the end of the year.

“So they’ll compete against students from other academies at the capital.”

With huge prizes and artifacts at stake, it was clear that even the extreme disciples would surely participate.

“Since there’s nothing for the professors to do until the intra-school competition, it’ll definitely be a break for Ted too. Once we solve one more headache, that is.”

…Headache.

Someone I had forgotten about came to mind, and I frowned.

Come to think of it, there was one more place I needed to go despite this scorching heat.

Kadena.

The academy’s prison.

One of my students was imprisoned in a correctional facility that one couldn’t even see until one graduated, unless one was a serious troublemaker.

For the crime of unauthorized entry and damage to property in the Library of Memories.

Rosalyn squinted playfully and said, as if teasing me.

“You should go there soon. The visiting hours at Kadena are short.”

I had already been thinking about it.

I got up from my seat.

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