I Became A Third-Rate Villain In The Hero Academy
chapter-291

"Silver energy?"

At Sara's words, the other Practitioners of Light looked at Theo.

Billy said,

"Yeah, the sword really shines like silver."

Mike added,

"Wow, the sword and hair color match perfectly... I've got to try that next time. It's cool."

There was no sign of the tension one might expect from a battle.

Theo's companions were so astonished that they could only look at each other's faces.

A bit later, Sara, who had come back to her senses, raised her right hand.

"Stop fighting, everyone. Also, from now on, all hostile actions against Theo Lyn Waldeurk are prohibited."

The other Practitioners expressed their confusion.

"Huh? Sara, what's going on? It's unlike you to revoke an order."

"Yeah? Suddenly, after looking at Theo and saying 'silver energy~', you changed your tune."

Sara closed her eyes and then reopened them.

Her gaze was as clear as someone who had never been drunk on champagne.

The signs of her being slightly drunk were gone.

"Anyway, stop. Put your weapons away."

Billy, fidgeting with the spear in his hand, retorted,

"Since we've drawn our weapons, shouldn't we slice something? My [Saint Spear] is crying! It's been rotting away for over a week."

"Attacking Theo Lyn Waldeurk will be considered an attack on me, so behave accordingly."

"Ah... That's disappointing."

Billy, with a flick of his wrist, spun the heavy spear and then sheathed it.

Although he prioritized his desires above all, he did not believe he could win a sincere fight against Sara.

After Billy put away his weapon, the other Practitioners did the same.

After Theo retracted the energy around his sword, he said to Sara,

"Just moments ago, you were so eager to shed blood. What changed your mind?"

"A prophecy I heard a while ago came to mind."

"A prophecy?"

"I'll tell you about it privately."

Step by step.

Sara walked towards Theo.

Theo's companions took a defensive stance in unison, but Sara's steps were unwavering.

Stop.

Sara stood in front of Theo. Theo did not take any defensive stance.

Sara bowed her head.

"I'm really sorry for doubting you."

Theo nodded calmly.

"I accept your apology. But what's this prophecy about?"

"Lend me your ear for a moment."

Theo brought his ear close to Sara's mouth.

Seeing this, Billy and Mike jeered.

"Ooh~ Sara, you trash~ Keeping secrets from us, who've been through thick and thin for years, yet you're telling someone you only met today!"

"It's true what they say, a woman is done for once she's married!"

Sara gave them the middle finger in response.

"F*ck off. You guys blabbering all over the place isn't anything new, is it?"

Billy retorted,

"When have we ever? I don't remember."

"Your memory's always been sh*t, capped at a week. Don't you remember screaming 'I am Billy, the practitioner of light!' while beheading the heretic during our last mission?"

"It was part of the performance. Plus, we had killed every living thing in the vicinity by then."

"There could've been eavesdropping or surveillance magic around. You know how sneaky those heretics are. Haven't I always said to stay alert outside the headquarters? Rob was killed because he was tracked back, remember?"

When Sara mentioned the death of the former team leader, Billy fell silent.

Sara whispered in Theo's ear.

"You are the hero who will save us. I've been looking for you."

"Is that all?"

"Yeah."

The Pope's prophecy was 'A hero with the aura of silver, glowing faintly like the crescent moon, will save the continent,' but Sara interpreted it in her own way.

She was a Practitioner who prioritized her desires over the greater good.

What she wanted most was for the Practitioners of Light to escape from the dark clutches of the Order's leaders.

Theo nodded.

"Understood."

Theo continued speaking to Sara, who was looking up at him with sparkling eyes.

"Where should we eat? I'm hungry from the journey and the standoff with you guys."

"Sorry. I'll show you to the dining area. I'm starving too since I haven't eaten dinner."

Sara walked towards the entrance.

Theo and his companions, along with Adrienne, followed her.

Billy asked Sara,

"Where are you going, Sara? Adrienne knows the dining area well too."

"I'm hungry too, so I'm going to eat."

"Huh? Even when we told you drinking without eating will wreck your body, you always said alcohol was enough to fill you up."

Sara glanced at a silver champagne bottle lying on the floor.

'Goodbye, Trey. Rest in peace. I once thought you were the savior...'

Trey, who had died, also had silver hair like Theo.

Sara murmured, "Not anymore."

Billy was confused.

"Huh? I didn't catch that."

Instead of answering, Sara briefly looked at Theo's face.

Creak─

Sara opened the entrance door with a broad smile.

After eating, Theo and his companions, along with Adrienne and Sara, returned to the headquarters.

They sat around in the lobby on the first floor for a brief strategy meeting.

Sara was rubbing her stomach with a stern face.

Limping Mike asked, "What's up, Sara? Stomach ache?"

"No. Just ate too much."

Mike's eyes widened.

"Huh? Sara, what's going on? You said eating just enough to sustain life was sufficient."

"I've changed my mind. For enhancing physical functions, it's necessary to consume a lot of high-quality nutrients."

"Hmm, that's true but..."

Mike looked at Sara, clearly puzzled.

Sara took a deep breath.

'Ugh, my stomach. I must have eaten too much.'

Sara usually ate less than most women.

But today, she ate an amount comparable to what an adult man would consume.

It was because of Theo.

During the meal, he gave Sara various pieces of advice.

─Sara, your physical strength is outstanding. You're among the best on the continent. Even though your primary weapon is holy spells, it's a waste to neglect such a great physique. You also have a natural talent for swordsmanship.

─The food here is as nutritious as what you'd find in the Hero Department's cafeteria. Eat as much as you can to build your body. It will surely be a great help in the near future.

Therefore, Sara ate about twice her usual amount, which felt more than double since she had long replaced meals with alcohol, reducing the size of her stomach.

'Ugh... I feel so full.'

Sara barely managed to suppress a burp and then spoke up.

"As you all know, our mission this time is to investigate the Great Demon Shrine located in the Magic City. We depart in two days, and the journey there will take almost two days, so we have enough time to plan our strategy."

Britney raised her hand, as Sara had instructed them to do before asking questions during strategy meetings.

The other Practitioners, except for Sara and Adrienne, were always distracted, much like severe ADHD patients, so Sara implemented this rule as a special measure.

Sara said,

"Britney, go ahead and ask."

"You said we have enough time, right? Then, can't we just plan the strategy on the carriage ride to the Magic City? I haven't even trained today."

"Just listen to me, and you'll understand why that's not the case."

"Okay~"

Britney closed her mouth with a natural expression.

Sara continued,

"We know each other's abilities well, but not the abilities of Theo and his companions who have just joined us. We only have a rough idea from the previous battle, but we lack detailed information. So, I want to take some time to show each other our abilities."

Billy and Mike shouted excitedly.

"Oh, yes! Just showing our abilities is boring, so how about we spar?"

"Exactly! True abilities come out in real combat situations!"

They laughed wildly, looking at Piel and Jang Woohee.

"Let's finish the match we couldn't complete earlier!"

"Heeeeeee~!"

Piel and Jang Woohee both looked at Theo at the same time, their eyes asking, "What should we do?"

Theo stood up and positioned himself in front of the two women.

"There's no need for that. Excluding Jang Woohee's information gathering, what you saw earlier is accurate. Both of them need special conditions to truly utilize their abilities. They can't be used for sparring."

Piel and Jang Woohee nodded in agreement.

Piel's bloodline trait, [Gambler], and Jang Woohee's artifact, [Moonflower], with its special effect, cannot be used under normal circumstances.

Theo continued, "What can make the biggest difference is, Sara, your holy spells, and..."

Sara's stern expression softened, and before she knew it, her mouth had curved into a smile.

"...and Siena's spirit magic."

Feeling Theo's gaze, Siena jumped up excitedly.

"Hehe, Theo. You finally recognize me?"

"I've always recognized you. Anyway, Siena, can you show us the power of your spirits now?"

"Umm~ Of course. I can call Swish-swish right away."

"Let's see it then. The power of a high-tier wind spirit."

"Hehe, okay."

Siena muttered something into the air.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on Siena, eager to witness the rare power of a spirit mage.

Soon after, Siena announced cheerfully,

"Ta-da~ Swish-swish is right here! Making its appearance."

"?"

Everyone else showed a question mark with their eyes.

Especially Adrienne and Britney, who expressed their doubts more openly.

"Where is the spirit supposed to be? Shouldn't a high-tier one be visible to the naked eye?"

"Oh my, exactly. It's nowhere to be seen around here."

Siena pointed upwards.

"It's up there~ Swish-swish, now!"

As she spoke, a storm surged through the headquarters.

Furniture like bookshelves and tables flew through the air, crashing into walls and floors.

Windows shattered with a loud clang.

People flattened themselves to the floor to avoid being swept away by the storm.

"This... This is!"

"Kyaaa~ My clothes are getting torn~"

After a while, the storm subsided.

Inside the chaotic headquarters, Adrienne and Britney commented,

"Im... Impressive, I guess. Though, bearable."

"Oh my, I'm annoyed. I thought the same. It wasn't as big a deal as I expected. The storm couldn't even tear my clothes!"

Their clothes were torn in places, but only enough to sporadically reveal skin and undergarments.

Siena laughed in response.

"Ever heard the saying, 'A storm hits twice'?"

Right after she finished speaking, whooooosh!

A storm surged through the headquarters again.