I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains

Chapter 196

'The power of the wind!'

Now that a hint related to the Devil of Wisdom, one of the Three Great Demonz, had been revealed, the awakening of a new power was a very welcome development.

"What kind of power is the power of the wind?"

"It's free, strong, and exists everywhere."

"I guess it ignores things like restraint, is more offensive than cloud or rain, and has excellent mobility?"

Luca, who could now roughly understand Whistle's words, thought that was probably what she meant.

"That's almost right. To use your expression, master, you could say it's a power specializing in the enhancement of physical abilities. But there's an even more important ability."

As Whistle said that, she suddenly disappeared and at the same time appeared on his shoulder.

It looked just like teleportation.

Luca's eyes sparkled.

"Is it possible to teleport to wherever you want?"

"The wind is everywhere, after all."

Whistle disappeared again and appeared atop the bed, fluttering her wings slightly as she spoke.

"For now, you'll only be able to move short distances, but eventually you'll be able to instantaneously travel anywhere on the continent you want."

"Amazing."

"And there's one more thing that will make you happy, master—you can finally use 'Typhoon,' the higher-level technique of 'Downpour'."

Downpour, created by combining the power of clouds, rain, and lightning, had already yielded many results.

However, being able to use Typhoon—a higher-rank technique—was also a very welcome development.

"That sounds interesting. Now that the power of space has stabilized to some extent, maybe I should do some practice."

"There's a big difference in difficulty between using three powers and four. It's true your power of space has become far more stable, but I recommend you don't overdo it."

"Is that so."

Normally, Whistle would offer to help, but today, she actually recommended he not try.

'There's no need to push myself.'

Luca accepted it immediately and nodded. Seeing this, Whistle hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Also, master, I recovered quite a few memories."

"Really? That's a relief."

"I figured out the reason why I call you 'Master', and why I call myself 'this seat' in that particular manner as well."

—Why do you refer to yourself like that?

—How arrogant. You should address me as 'Master', not 'you'.

—Ah! Why did you hit me?

—There's only one reason why I call myself that. I do it because I am great.

—T-Then I'll call myself that too!

—Haha! You? Funny. Fine. When I die, you can call yourself that.

It was an old memory.

Whistle recalled that time and spoke in a somewhat bitter tone.

"It was the residue of memories from a previous life. I think it must have been a rather sorrowful memory."

"I see."

Luca, as always, answered calmly and without emotion.

Perhaps finding Luca's indifference strange, Whistle spoke up cautiously.

"If you're uncomfortable with me referring to myself that way, I won't do it anymore."

"It can make things a bit complicated, but I don't really care. Besides, it's a precious memory for you."

At Luca's nonchalant words, Whistle bowed her head a little.

"Even if you call it a memory, it isn't Whistle's memory—it's the memory of 'Skybird' from the past. That's different from me. I don't think there's a need for me to inherit it."

"Hmmm."

Seemingly, her intelligence had increased with her evolution.

Her tone suggested she'd given thought to identity.

Luca gazed at her for a moment, then shrugged.

"It's actually pretty cute, the way you refer to yourself with that voice."

"C-cute...?"

Whistle was flustered.

Just as Whistle could feel Luca's emotions, Luca could feel Whistle's too.

Luca spoke about the emotions he felt from Whistle.

"I can generally sense how you feel. Seems that you've enjoyed your life with me, but you're a bit uncomfortable that your current life is influenced by your past lives."

"......."

"Don't worry. You are who you are now, shaped by your past. There's no need to try and sever that."

Luca said this as he approached and sat next to Whistle.

"You might feel a bit complicated, but you can lighten up a little. You used to be a creature that didn't think much, remember? That kind of life is fine."

"...... Are you insulting me, master?"

"It's a sort of compliment."

Whistle glared at Luca before shaking her beak.

"I get what you mean, master. I definitely overthought things."

"There might be a big battle soon, so brace yourself. We might even end up fighting the Devil of Wisdom."

"T-The Devil of Wisdom?!"

At the mention of the Devil of Wisdom, Whistle recoiled in shock.

But Luca was as calm as ever.

"Don't worry. We have reliable allies."

"... Alright, master."

"Then time to sleep. There's a class tomorrow."

As Luca spoke, Whistle bade him farewell and flew out through the window.

She perched on the dormitory's rooftop railing and looked down at the academy.

'... Living with master has been the most fun out of all my lives.'

The first life with her original master had been fierce and terrible.

The subsequent lives, where she vaguely remembered weakly handling the power of the sky, with other masters.

Among them, the most enjoyable had been this short life with Luca, not even a year long.

'It was intense, but not terrible, and it was rewarding to help someone grow. Master himself was interesting, too.'

Fighting alongside Luca, watching him have fun with friends, and helping his growth had all been enjoyable.

She hadn't shown it outwardly, but even acting as a carrier pigeon had been fun.

Watching Luca prepare letters, and seeing Pasmo's various reactions when receiving them was entertaining.

'This must be what it's like to truly enjoy life.'

Recalling her first master made her chest ache.

That master's companions died one by one fighting devils, and even her master's body was worn away with time.

She hadn't recovered all her memories, but even the fragments she had recovered tugged at her heart.

'So in the end, it's all the devils' fault.'

Unlike the devils of her memories, the current generation of devils was considerably weaker.

She wasn't sure what had happened, but it felt like an opportunity.

'If I could get rid of all the devils, I...'

With that thought, Whistle closed her eyes.

'But I still don't know what that would mean.'

Night deepened.

* * *

The next day, Luca met with Milia and Isella and told them about what happened the previous day.

And then, the most important topic.

"What? You want us to protect the academy?"

"That's right."

"Wait, why?"

At Luca's words, Milia wore an expression of disbelief.

Luca responded calmly.

"There's something incredibly important in this academy. Herote and Master are here mainly to protect it."

"Something really important...?"

Luca nodded.

"Right. The Demonz are desperately trying to get their hands on it."

"Can't you tell me what it is?"

When Milia asked, Luca paused for a moment.

'What's hidden here is one of the protagonist's three divine relics: the Solar Stone Kabul.'

The protagonist was symbolized by three divine relics.

One was the Divine Sword passed down by Zeritz; another was the sacred armor from the saint; and the last was the Solar Stone Kabul—'the symbol of salvation'—hidden in this academy.

These three were so important that the original protagonist collected them in every loop.

'Without them, you can't defeat the Devil of Life.'

Thinking this, Luca spoke.

"It's a relic of a higher god... That's all I know. Even Lady Eltima didn't tell me the details."

"A relic of a higher god... Lady Eltima..."

Milia, too, was somewhat aware of imperial secrets.

She'd heard rumors of a divine relic hidden in the academy somewhere.

"There were rumors that the only reason the likes of a Grandmaster swordsman and a tier 10 mage were here was to protect something—but I didn't expect it to be true..."

She'd brushed off the rumor as ridiculous, but it turned out to be fact.

After a moment's silence, Milia pouted.

"So what's in it for me?"

"Haven't you been listening? The Marquis Kisen's faction will weaken. That alone should be a considerable benefit for you."

"... That's true, but..."

Milia looked dissatisfied.

"I feel like that doesn't quite balance out the deal."

"It's only two days on the weekend—or maybe three or four including weekdays—that you'd have to stay at the academy. It's not a big loss."

"Hmm... Uh..."

Quick-witted Milia would have calculated it already.

She must know it wasn't a bad deal.

But she still looked displeased.

"Wouldn't it be better to just leave Herote here to guard and go off on our own?"

"... Ha, is that what you think?"

Luca caught on quickly.

She wanted to go on a heart-throbbing adventure with Luca.

The thought of leaving that to Herote made her feel like she was losing out.

"I also... am not too thrilled about it. My sword is for protecting milady, not the academy."

Isella spoke indifferently.

But her eyes were fierce.

'After all that, you're going on a date with another woman right away?'

That was the sort of look she gave him.

Luca pouted.

"After this is over, let's go on a trip together. The four of us."

"A trip, the four of us?"

Ottbo, who'd been listening quietly, beamed with excitement.

Isella, too, seemed pleased, but Milia was still indifferent.

"A trip? I mean... it's whatever, but is that necessary?"

Sensing her real feelings, Luca nodded.

"Don't worry. It won't be just any trip."

"Hm~?"

"I guarantee it'll be... a far more exciting adventure than you expect."

Luca possessed a Treasure Hunt ticket—a reward for completing Isella's likability MAX mission.

If he used it, he could provide the kind of adventure Milia wanted.

'Those two are useful, but bantering with them is fun, too.'

Thinking that, Luca smiled inwardly and looked at Milia.

"Are you satisfied now?"

"Hmm... Well, fine. I'm not really excited about the adventure or anything. But if you insist, it'd be rude not to help."

Milia's lips twitched in feigned indifference, but she was obviously pleased.

Luca shrugged and glanced at Ottbo.

"It's time to show Milia your driving skills."

"Hehe, I can't wait!"

Seeing Ottbo grinning, Luca chuckled and turned away.

"I'll head off first. I've got some things to prepare."

"Prepare?"

Leaving the group looking puzzled, Luca headed back to the dormitory.

* * *

Back in the dormitory, Luca took out the blanket he'd taken from Miros.

Bella had washed it clean, so now the embroidery that had been hidden by dirt was clearly visible.

[Divine Standard Dominion]

–The image of a trumpet-blowing angel is drawn upon this divine banner.

–It possesses the great power to declare the domain of the gods.

–Only one who is chosen can activate the power of this banner.

Just as described, it was a banner with an image of a trumpet-blowing angel:

The Divine Standard Dominion.

'Alright, then.......'

Luca lay back on the bed, covered himself with the blanket, and closed his eyes.

'Let's go see if I can earn the right.'