Humanity's Hero Of Despair

"We love you, Estes!" the fanboys and fangirls shout from the crowd.

Everyone from the Tarondar team is celebrating like crazy. Guys are lifting Estes into the air. People are dancing, and there is confetti everywhere. It's a rare event, catching so many people looking happy at one time. It almost makes you wonder if ignorance is bliss.

Estes receives his medal, and all the Keeper Principals from each school congratulate him. Hands shake and heads nod. This is good publicity for Estes. It's also good for us because Estes joined the HRC a couple of weeks ago.

It's a good thing Estes really admires Ignis because it made it so much easier to recruit him. He seems like a very trusted individual as well, and he remains quite mysterious. What also remains mysterious are the other Eradicators from the other Keeper Academies.

As I watch the other students from Ryndoria and Oriventh leave the campus, I can't help but feel bad for them. There's no one there to save them from the Eradicators yet, and I can't save them soon. However, when I have time to, their rescue will be inevitable.

The West Arena soon becomes void of people.

The Glozaria Keeper Cup started quickly and ended just as quickly. It's almost like the event is just a distraction from what's really going on. The amount of brainwashing the Eradicators are doing is next level.

I would even bet you the students mostly forgot about when some students literally died not even a month ago because of the attack on the academy. The HRC will never forgive the Eradicators for all the harm and manipulation they have inflicted on the students.

"Hey Nico, let's meet up at you know where in around fifteen minutes. Does that sound good to you?" Justus asks quietly as he walks up behind me.

"Yeah, will do," I reply.

The "you know where" phrase meaning the Revolutionary Room.

The home where we trained for weeks on end, growing our forces and becoming stronger than ever before. The HRC is the sole chance the students have to call out the Eradicators from the academy and support the HLH organization in seizing control of the Tarondar Royal Palace. It is humanity's only hope from being freed from the greedy overpowered light mages.

As I slowly stroll to the main building, I think about all the people under the illusion that the Eradicators are virtuous Keepers who protect everyone selflessly. It's very sad that so many people are under the illusion of a world that is fabricated by the Eradicators.

The main building is empty as I look around. Looking all around me out of caution, I wait to go down to the basement. After many magical passwords unlock and passageways are walked through, I come to the entrance of the Revolutionary Room. As the doors swing open, I feel a sudden surge of hope and satisfaction in the fact this place has a fire lit under it that will burn the Eradicators to the ground.

"Hey, our leader is here!" one of the first years says, who notices me enter the room. Around sixty people are already in the room training. It's been less than an hour since the GCK ended. This just goes to show how dedicated they are.

First, second, and third years wave at me as I walk around the room, checking up on everyone.

It's been almost a month since the establishment of the HRC when Justus first introduced this room to me. We do not know when the HLH will make their move, so we have been practicing for hours on end every single day when we could.

"Aim your arm a little higher," I say to one of the first years as they practice the Flaro spell.

Fireballs, yeah, I hate them. If you remember my fight against Leena, that is enough explanation already. Other students are practicing with enchanted swords, bows and arrows, and reading up on magical knowledge.

We are almost ready for the fight; I think to myself as I hear the door swing open behind me. Leena surprises me as she teases me by almost setting my clothes on fire behind my back.

"Hey! Watch it!" I tell Leena playfully to back off as I spin around to face her.

"I almost got ya! I just stopped by to help some members with their fire magic. They improved a lot, but some of them are still lacking with skill," she says as we watch one person create a fireball the size of a marble.

At least we still have a lot of strong and motivated people, right?

"Heya!" Matteo shouts as he enters the room, with Neve and Ivy behind him. "Justus told all of us to meet here. Is there something important going on?"

"No idea at all. He hasn't shown up yet," I reply as I wave to all of them.

"Hey guys! I am back and better than ever!" Zephyr blurts out as he walks through the door.

My eyes betray me, or so I think they do.

"Zephyr?! How in the world are you out of the hospital yet?" I ask, genuinely confused.

"Well, as a prize for Estes winning the event, the Keeper Principal told him he could have any wish granted that was within reason and approved by them. Estes told them all he wanted was for my recovery to be prioritized. So boom! There."

"I was all healed and everything."

"I think they used some sort of magical artifact to enhance the healing magic with the aid of their best earth mages to heal me. They for sure keep some things off limits to us," Zephyr says as he looks at his body to double-check it's alright.

"That's crazy…," I reply to him, still in disbelief. The Eradicators hide many things, including their resources. They only give attention to things that make them happy or make them feel powerful. I guess they felt indebted to Estes because he was the main reason we somehow ended up winning.

"I see you guys saw the first surprise," Justus says as he walks into the room with what appears to be my sister. I have to do a double take to make sure my eyes aren't deceiving me. Before I can speak up, Justus beats me to it.

"She is with me because I am sure you all know the reason. I know this may seem like it is coming a bit early. However, we have zero time to waste. The HLH is ready to make their move into the Royal Palace tomorrow, and that means we strike tomorrow as well. Ignis is already on the move, planning things."

The magic and liveliness in the room ceases as everyone listens to Justus intently. Things just became a lot less hopeful for us. My gut isn't sure if all of us are ready to fight the Eradicators head-on yet.

"Also, Ignis has gathered another fifty trusted students. I will fight alongside you all. I know the Eradicators seem overwhelming with power, but they won't expect a revolutionary attack to occur right after they won the Glozaria Keeper Cup. You will also have Maura, the three Shadow Squadron members who have been spying for almost a month here, and me to assist you all," Justus announces as he addresses everyone in the room.

After Justus finishes and my sister explains everything, all of us leave the Revolutionary Room with dread. I highly doubt any of us will sleep tonight. We need it for what is about to come tomorrow.

It's time we break through the cracks in the illusion.