The World After the Bad Ending

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Rumors spread fast.

In just half a day after I caused a ruckus at the Magic Arts department, everyone seemed to know about it.

Even among the Martial Arts kids, there was no one who treated me as if I had my senses intact.

I was already infamous in the Martial Arts department.

The kids who didn’t want to sour their relations with the Magic Arts kids took this chance to badmouth me.

It was a bit disappointing that only the Martial Arts kids were talking smack about me before.

Now that they could gossip with the Magic Arts kids, they looked ecstatic.

“Wow, lightning sweet potato! What were you thinking?”

Seron had picked up on the gossip and regarded me with an expression of intrigue.

“Do you have some hormone that can’t stand not being insulted?”

“Right! So I’m currently brainstorming ways to get you to insult me.”

“Don’t worry! Even without doing that, I can always insult you!”

Seron snorted.

He’s consistently the same.

“So what exactly happened?”

Seron rested his chin on his hand and stared at me.

“I know you’re a weird one, but you wouldn’t do something like this for no reason.”

Surprisingly, my reputation with Seron was better than I expected.

“Looking at how you act with Isabel, it doesn’t seem like you have a good reason.”

“Come on, do you think I’m an idiot? I have eyes too, you know?”

“Wasn’t that the case?”

Seron lunged at me dramatically.

But having realized I wouldn’t share the reason, he mumbled in annoyance.

“If you don’t want to say, don’t. I only asked because you went off to receive a confession, and came back like this.”

“Confession? Please.”

Even now, I still felt like punching Dorara right in the face.

Time passed, and soon it was time for us to leave school, so I got up from my seat.

I needed to head back to the dorm and balance training and studying while gradually preparing for the next phase.

“You.”

At that moment, I suddenly bumped into Isabel.

“I heard you stirred up some trouble at the Magic Arts department again.”

Isabel stared at me intently.

Given my notorious entrance, I shrugged in response.

“I just showed those Magic Arts losers what’s what.”

“For Lin’s sake.”

Had she noticed something?

Seeing my confused expression, Isabel sighed heavily.

“Rumors about Lin have been spreading.”

It seemed Isabel had caught wind of Sharine’s rumors.

“I was about to step in.”

Isabel looked at me thoughtfully.

From the looks of it, it seemed that I had unintentionally stepped in right when she was planning to act.

“You stepping in made those rumors disappear.”

“Must’ve been a coincidence.”

Isabel’s gaze felt piercing.

Moreover, I sensed a hint of hesitation emanating from her.

Lately, Isabel had been changing quite a bit through various events.

I waited to hear what she would say next, and then Isabel continued.

“…You know, I’ve been thinking for a while. Did you perhaps insult Lucas?”

The conversation began flowing in an unexpected direction.

My heart sank momentarily.

She didn’t complete her thought, her lips mumbling.

“Never mind, it’s nothing.”

With that, Isabel turned and walked away.

Could it be that after seeing Sharine’s incident, she started to introspect with a more objective viewpoint?

That wasn’t a good sign.

Isabel has changed a lot recently, but that didn’t erase the uneasy feeling I had.

‘I hope she doesn’t dig another hole for herself.’

She was indeed a main heroine that worried me in many ways.

But for now, it was something I had to set aside.

I decided to give Isabel some time and keep a steady watch over her.

After finishing my conversation with Isabel, I began walking towards the dorm again.

Swish—

And before I knew it, I was flailing in the air.

Suspended in mid-air, I slowly turned my head.

Between the buildings.

From a shadowed spot, hair shimmering like a river of stars glinted in the light.

Standing there was a girl with drowsy eyes, staring intently at me.

The problem was the look in her eyes — it wasn’t kind at all.

Here we go.

“Hanon, do you have something to say?”

“I’ve never done anything to be ashamed of in my life.”

“Right, if that’s the case.”

My body began to lift higher into the air.

I felt like I was a balloon.

“I’m sorry. I acted recklessly out of anger.”

I hurried to apologize, and Sharine brought me back to the ground.

I thought I was turning into a star.

As I sighed in relief, Sharine walked out of the alley.

“Why did you do that?”

She asked for the reason.

Sharine is sharp.

She must have suspected my impulsive actions to some extent.

But there was no point in hiding it from her; it would only leave her feeling sour.

That wasn’t consideration.

“As I said earlier, half of it is because I was angry, and half is to prevent my useful ally from getting into a tough situation.”

After laying it out honestly, Sharine stared at me intently.

It was as if she wanted to unearth my true feelings.

But I stood firm.

“Did you really choose to endure the insults in that spirit?”

And maybe my forthrightness only made her angrier, as her brows twitched.

It was my first time seeing Sharine get this upset.

“As you know, I’ve already been reviled in Martial Arts. It’s not like there will be any big issues once more Magic Arts people start hating me.”

“Why wouldn’t that be a problem? Now Hanon, you won’t even be able to speak with the Magic Arts kids.”

Sharine asked how we’d deal with team issues going forward.

Collaboration is essential in the Magung Academy.

If the ranged dealer doesn’t get along with others, you’re toast.

“It’s okay. Sharine, you’re here.”

Sharine blinked in surprise.

“…Who’s going to form a team with you?”

“Wow, disaster! I thought Sharine would be the one to team up with me, and that’s why I did all this.”

“You can’t act at all.”

Did it show?

I beamed with a grin.

“It’s a better gain for me if I can endure insults from all the Magic Arts guys than to secure the trust of the Magic Arts Deputy.”

Without a doubt, I can say there isn’t a single squad that can perform better than Sharine, no matter who I bring from the Magic Arts department.

Sharine pursed her lips.

It seemed like she had many things to say but, in the end, she let out a long sigh.

“I knew you were reckless, but I didn’t think you’d take it this far.”

“I’ll make sure you know next time.”

We will surely meet again soon.

“Honestly, even so, I still don’t get why you’d go so far. It’s a bit nosy.”

Sharine is the type to take care of her path without needing anyone’s help.

Even if she were ostracized in the Magic Arts, she’d only get annoyed by it.

She doesn’t attach too much significance to being ostracized.

For her, my actions posed way too much of a risk.

“But thanks anyway.”

Regardless, Sharine offered her gratitude.

“I wouldn’t want my mom to be insulted like that either.”

Sharine briefly closed her eyes as if recalling the past.

She’s smart.

And her memory is impressive.

She always acts as if she forgets everything in an instant.

Yet her brilliant mind remembers everything clearly.

Even if it’s something painful she wishes she could forget.

She’ll remember every detail without failing.

That’s why she meddled.

With her good memory, she will keep the experience of being ostracized and the rumors surrounding it in her mind for life.

Such a memory is more than enough.

“Hanon, can I ask you one thing?”

Sharine posed a question.

Her face, illuminated by the fading sunset, looked somewhat lonely.

“What is it?”

“Your name.”

Sharine knows through her starlit eyes that I’m hiding my appearance beneath the veil.

“Can’t you tell me your real name?”

Even so, until now, Sharine hadn’t asked for my real name.

Sharine and I were in a gray area, not quite friends but not entirely apart.

Our ties were intertwined through Isabel.

But now.

She asked about my name.

I had no idea what kind of change was happening inside her heart.

But for the first time, she showed curiosity about my name.

“Not possible.”

So I replied curtly.

My identity as Bickamon can’t be revealed yet.

Sharine looked at me with a flabbergasted expression.

She clearly hadn’t expected me to refuse.

“After we graduate from the Academy.”

Instead, I set a condition.

“I’ll tell you then.”

In a world where the bad ending had concluded.

Once that world comes, I wouldn’t have to hide my identity anymore.

Sharine, who had been staring at me, didn’t say anything further, turning away.

“Do as you wish.”

Was she a bit miffed?

The fact that she was showing her feelings like that was probably thanks to us becoming really close.

I smiled gently.

Sharine walking past the sunset didn’t seem as lonely today.

*

Time flowed little by little, and before I knew it, midsummer had arrived.

Everyone was fanning themselves, and the clothes people wore had grown lighter by this time.

The period for the upcoming Magic Tournament was right around the corner.

“Everyone’s sprawling around because it’s summer.”

Professor Veganon, who conducted morning classes today as well, remarked while observing the tired students.

As per her words, the students were indeed exhausted.

Even with the cooling magic in the classroom, it was inevitable given the heat of summer.

“Just hang in there until the tournament. After that, we’ll have a short break.”

After the summer tournament.

Students would get about 10 days off.

What they do during that time is up to each student.

However, her encouragement hardly uplifted the students’ spirits.

Veganon clicked her tongue and set down the book she was holding.

“Originally, I thought it’d be useless to mention this now to avoid loss of concentration, but there will be a barbecue party outdoors today.”

The students’ expressions changed in an instant.

There’s hardly a better time for the students to enjoy eating than now.

Especially since the Martial Arts students, who engage in vigorous activity, could never refuse food.

The kids cheered at the mention of barbecue from every corner.

Since the student council was already busy preparing for the barbecue, I already knew about it.

“So focus on class. Everything you gain will translate into strength and sustenance.”

Professor Veganon stated and resumed the lesson.

The students waited eagerly for the barbecue party.

“Class is over!”

“Barbecue time!”

Finally, as the afternoon session ended, the students erupted in fierce cheers.

They all hurriedly sprinted toward the barbecue party location.

This barbecue party would be divided among the departments, so whether a first-year, second-year, or third-year, a plethora of Martial Arts students gathered.

“I’m going to help out the student council.”

“What? So where am I supposed to eat?”

As I tried to go do my duties, Seron screamed.

Seron was someone who hadn’t mingled with anyone in the Martial Arts class besides me.

He looked a bit pitiful to leave him alone.

“Well, just go help out the student council.”

“Ugh, I don’t want to.”

That sense of pity evaporated.

Just then, a familiar face passed in front of me.

“Ban.”

When I called his name, Ban turned leisurely towards me.

“What’s up?”

“Could you take Seron with you? I need to go to the student council.”

Ban glanced at Seron.

Perhaps because Seron hadn’t mingled with others lately except for me, he hesitated as he poked me in the back.

“What about… um, lightning sweet potato?”

“If you follow Ban, Isabel will also be there. She’ll definitely take you in.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Seron hesitated for a moment.

But finally, deciding it was better than eating alone, he chose to follow Ban.

After bidding farewell to the apprehensive Seron, I headed straight for where the student council was gathered.

The student council of the Martial Arts department consisted of five members.

Two third years, two second years, and one first year.

Though Nikita often occupied the council time, other students regularly clocked in too.

“Hanon.”

As I approached, Hamel, a fellow second-year, greeted me.

We maintained a neutral relationship that wasn’t exactly good or bad.

He was notably the most neutral among Martial Arts students.

So we got along just fine.

“Wow, Hanon-senpai has arrived.”

Next to him was a boy who welcomed me with a bright smile.

With a first-year yellow name tag, there was a blue-haired boy who beamed the moment he saw me.

This cheerful boy was Midra Fenin.

He was the second-best student in first-year Martial Arts.

Although we didn’t have many close interactions, he tended to be extra friendly towards me.

“I heard about what you did at the Magic Arts department. You really put the magic users in their place.”

“Don’t underestimate the Magic Arts kids. They’ll make things difficult when forming teams later on.”

“Got it, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Since he wasn’t particularly significant in the Fire Butterfly squad, I had no idea what was on his mind.

“And the third-year upperclassmen?”

“Over there, helping the instructors.”

Hamel pointed, and two third-year upperclassmen were visible talking with the instructors.

One of them was Nikita, the vice president.

“Nikita-senpai.”

I called out as I approached Nikita, and she turned to me.

Her expression brightened into a smile upon seeing me.

“Hey, junior! You’re here.”

My body froze.

That smile was different from before.

It clearly felt like something had broken within her.

Her eyes no longer contained me.

Instead, there was a sense of intimidation I couldn’t shake off.

Moreover, I felt an inexplicable chill.

I realized.

‘Chronicle of the Disaster.’

She had finally laid her hands on it.