The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 55

The power of black magic is immense. However, its power is as unstable as it is great.

Therefore, it is not recommended for ordinary magicians to learn it, and the cost of pursuing such overwhelming power with mediocre talent is severe.

A lich.

A cursed existence devoured by black magic.

However, a very small number of exceptional magicians can masterfully control the instability of black magic and unleash its overwhelming power.

Moreover, being a Dark Elf, Brestle could handle black magic more perfectly than other races.

In the end, the point is that if handled properly, black magic can be extraordinarily powerful.

But

“Damn it! I was stupid to trust you!”

The Grand Duke of the Great Night, Crescent Night!

After mumbling through a grandiose incantation, the mighty King Wyvern struck a blow and sent it flying immediately!

Amon gripped his sword tightly and shouted.

“Is there no other way to bind that beast!?”

Brestle shouted back in desperation.

“There is none!”

“Damn it!”

“I only trained hard with Crescent Night!”

“You damned…what!?”

In the midst of swearing, Amon jumped as the ferocious King Wyvern rushed towards him with incredible speed.

Amon flipped in midair and swung his sword, avoiding the beast’s charge that grazed the ground.

Crash!

As his sword struck the monster’s back, sparks flew, but it only chipped the surface.

‘Damn it! This thing’s as tough as an Elder Drake!’

If only he had his favored axe, he might have managed to pierce the Wyvern’s scales, though it was harder than the Elder Drake.

But lamenting didn’t change the fact that his axe was still back at the territory.

As soon as he landed, Amon saw the King Wyvern charging straight at Brestle.

“Get out of the way!”

But it was too late.

“Aaaaah!”

Brestle was struck, her body flung backward.

‘Damn it! The vice-principal is…wait, no!’

Shadows writhed around her, encasing her body with Crescent Night as she had barely avoided a direct hit.

However, relief was short-lived. The Wyvern King, now intent on finishing her off, raised its claws to strike again.

‘This time, it’s going for the kill!’

Unlike the previous mercenaries, the Wyvern King had decided to eliminate this threat quickly.

Desperately scanning the ground, Amon searched for a weapon.

‘I need something better! I need at least a battle axe to hurt that thing…’

Unfortunately, mercenaries tend to travel light. Mobility is key for their lifestyle, so the battle axe he grabbed earlier was a rare find.

‘Damn it, there’s nothing decent… huh?’

Amon spotted Maitre lying nearby, unconscious but clutching his sword tightly.

‘The leader of the Silver Sword Mercenaries? No way that’s a cheap weapon!’

He rushed over to Maitre.

‘Just borrowing it for a moment!’

Amon tried to pry the sword from Maitre’s grip, but even unconscious, Maitre held on tight.

‘This guy…’

Gritting his teeth, Amon forcibly wrenched the sword free.

“Just borrowing it! Who said I’m stealing it!?”

With a snap, Maitre’s fingers broke.

Amon flinched at the sound, but there was no time for hesitation. The Wyvern was closing in on Brestle.

Taking a deep breath, Amon gripped the sword and charged.

With a deafening roar, he launched himself like a cannonball at the King Wyvern, twisting his body in midair to deliver a powerful strike.

Smash!

The King Wyvern was hurled across the ground, writhing in pain as Amon’s strike left a deep scar on its flank.

The mighty beast’s scales had been shattered.

‘Unbelievable…’

Even though it wasn’t as tough as an Elder Drake, the King Wyvern was still formidable. No ordinary sword could pierce its defenses.

Yet Amon’s blow had broken through.

‘This sword… it didn’t even crack. Just what kind of weapon is this?’

He didn’t know, but the Silver Sword Mercenaries weren’t named lightly. The blade was mixed with mithril, renowned for its durability.

Though not pure mithril, it was still strong enough to withstand Amon’s full strength.

‘Expensive weapons really are different. No wonder the leader of the Silver Sword Mercenaries uses it!’

He wasn’t entirely wrong.

Amon’s confidence surged as he scanned the surroundings.

‘Where’s the vice-principal? Did she get eaten?’

He quickly spotted Brestle crawling far away.

‘She was just here, but now she’s way over there?’

She must have been flung by the earlier impact.

‘Well, at least that distance buys us some space.’

Smirking, Amon exhaled.

“Now I can fight without worry.”

With a weapon capable of piercing the Wyvern’s defenses, the blood of the “Alley King of Drake’s Domain” boiled within him.

The enraged King Wyvern suddenly looked skyward and let out a thunderous roar.

ROOOOAAARRR!

Amon lifted his sword and roared back.

“Bring it on!”

Then, out of the nearby forest, ordinary Wyverns rose like doves taking flight.

Seeing them, Amon widened his eyes.

‘Are they launching a full-scale attack?’

For a moment, the thought of fleeing crossed his mind, but Amon was a man who turned crisis into opportunity.

‘Perfect! I thought I’d only bag three, but now I can score big!’

With confidence, Amon raised his sword higher.

“Fine! Bring it all on!”

But the unexpected happened.

Flap!

The King Wyvern abruptly turned and soared over the mountain range, and the ordinary Wyverns followed suit, disappearing.

“…?”

Amon, still holding his sword high, was stunned.

“What the…?”

Why were they fleeing?

In bewilderment, Amon stood frozen, confused by the strange turn of events.

Had he been a monster scholar, he would have known:

[Monster Compendium: Complete Edition]

[King Wyvern—Highly aggressive but will relocate to a new habitat if the situation becomes too dangerous.]

Amon would have known this fact!

However, unaware of this, Amon quickly composed himself.

‘…I see! They must be planning a sneak attack from behind!’

Remaining on high alert, Amon prepared for the King Wyvern’s assault.

‘Come at me anytime! That will be the day you meet your end!’

Three hours later…

Kuh kuh kuh kuh!

The King Wyvern was overjoyed, having found a new nesting spot.

‘This is taking too long, King Wyvern…At this rate, I’ll grow old waiting.’

Four hours passed and Amon finally realized that the King Wyvern wouldn’t be returning.

‘Of course. My life never goes smoothly.’

Tears welled up in despair.

‘…Huh?’

Hearing hoofbeats from afar, Amon turned his head.

‘Who’s that? Seems like quite a group is approaching.’

Soon, a few men arrived on the scene.
The middle-aged man at the front surveyed the area, letting out a heavy sigh.

“This is terrible…Was I too late?”

Covering his face with one hand, he muttered bitterly.

“Good people have been lost…How should I face this?”

Seeing the man murmuring sorrowfully, Amon cautiously spoke up.

“Um… who are you?”

“Huh? A-a survivor?!”

The middle-aged man rushed over in surprise.

“Who are you? Are you with the Silver Sword Mercenaries?”

“Huh? No, I’m the client.”

“Client?”

“Yes, I had reasons to accompany them.”

“I see…”

Sighing, the man muttered.

“Well, I’m relieved at least you survived.”

“…What?”

Amon glanced around.

“I think they’re all still alive, though.”

“…What?”

“The King Wyvern only toyed with them, so I doubt anyone is dead.”

“Is that true?!”

The men accompanying the middle-aged man searched the mercenaries and shouted in surprise.

“Count! It’s true! They’re all breathing!”

“O-oh!”

The middle-aged man let out a cry of relief.

‘…A count?’

Could he be Count Deblé, the patron of the Silver Sword Mercenaries?

Amon slowly stood and bowed, but Count Deblé waved it off.

“It’s fine! You must be exhausted—rest!”

Amon sat back down.

As Count Deblé’s men busily tended to the mercenaries…

“Ugh… ugh…”

Maitre, the leader of the Silver Sword Mercenaries, staggered to his feet with a groan.

Seeing this, the count shouted.

“Maitre! Are you alright?”

“C-count Deblé…Why are you here…?”

“You said you’d return in a day, but you were late, so I came quickly!”

“M-my lord…!”

Maitre bit his lip in emotion and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry, my lord. You entrusted me with the King Wyvern subjugation, but I failed to deliver good results. How can I apologize…?”

At this, Count Deblé bellowed.

“Stop! It’s enough that you and your men are alive!”

“M-my lord!”

Tears streaming, Maitre wept in gratitude, while Count Deblé’s eyes reddened.

The retainers sniffled and smiled as well.

Meanwhile, Amon thought:

‘Why are they so emotional by themselves?’

He glared at them with a face like he’d eaten something bitter.

‘I’m the one who suffered, so why are they the ones overwhelmed?’

‘…Ugh, whatever.’

Amon quietly approached Count Deblé.

“Excuse me, Count.”

“Ah, yes, the client, right? What is it?”

“I heard you guaranteed this contract. So, I’d like to ensure everything is handled properly.”

“Hm…Yes, everything must be done properly.”

Nodding, Count Deblé continued.

“The King Wyvern subjugation failed, as did your request. Normally, the mercenary group pays a penalty in such cases.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“However…”

Count Deblé looked at Maitre.

“Do the Silver Sword Mercenaries have the means to pay the penalty?”

Maitre hung his head in silence.
They had invested heavily in this job, leaving them unable to pay.

Seeing this, Count Deblé spoke.

“They don’t seem to have the means.”

“…What?”

Fury flashed across Amon’s face.

‘These scoundrels… Are they trying to cheat me?’

If a high-ranking noble like a count decided to avoid paying, there was little Amon could do.

‘But I won’t tolerate being cheated out of money. Let’s see how far this goes.’

He resolved to use every connection to ruin Count Deblé.

‘I’ll even grovel to Senior Sloth to get the Marquis Pid’s support!’

Just as he burned with anger, Count Deblé said:

“I have no choice. I’ll pay the advance and the penalty myself.”

“…!”

Amon’s jaw dropped, and Maitre’s eyes widened.

“My lord! You mustn’t! How could you…?”

‘Shut up, you fool!’

Count Deblé laughed heartily.

“Since I guaranteed the contract, it’s my responsibility. Besides, I’m just glad you all survived. Lives are more important than money—don’t worry!”

“A-ah… My lord…!”

Maitre sobbed in gratitude, and Count Deblé smiled warmly.

Watching them, Amon felt his heart swell with emotion.

‘Such kindness, transcending rank and employment!’

Moreover, the thought of being paid handsomely warmed his heart further.

“Well, I’ll be going now!”

“Yes, take care!”

Leaving the tearful two behind, Amon walked over to where Brestle lay trembling.

“Vice Headmaster, you heard that, right?”

“….”

“They’re paying both the advance and the penalty!”

Brestle’s trembling increased, and Amon grinned.

“You’re thrilled too, huh?”

“….”

“Let’s head back!”

Supporting Brestle, Amon began walking. Finally, Brestle spoke weakly:

“Ki…”

“Yes?”

“Kiiiii…”

“Take your time. What are you saying?”

Brestle, barely able to move her lips, muttered:

“King Wyvern oil…”

“….”

Amon decided to leave her behind.