Surprisingly unbothered by the hellscape unfolding before my eyes, I searched for two figures.
The game's protagonist, and the headmaster.
Ah, right—according to the official lore, the protagonist is a battle junkie. The kind who laughs like an idiot while screaming, "My time has come! Mwahahaha!"
Arthur Creed.
Despite acting like a maniac, his sapphire-blue eyes tracked his enemies with precision, golden hair fluttering in the wind. If we weren't under attack—and if his personality wasn't that—girls would probably be lining up for him.
But whatever. He can handle himself. The important one here is the headmaster—and, as expected, she's nowhere to be seen.
Teleportation magic. She's been warped away… probably to the opposite side of the world.
Tch, as expected of useless person when it comes. I quoted inwardly—unable to hide my frustration.
Without the headmaster—which is the one of the strongest person in this world—the students and instructor alone wouldn't be able to deal with the raid 'withou casualties.' That is only possible with her power.
Without the headmaster—the strongest person in this world—the instructors and students won't be able to handle this raid without casualties. Only her power could make that possible.
"Se-senpai! What do we do!?"
A clear voice called from behind me, making my heart skip a beat.
You almost killed me before demons do. Taking a deep breath, I forced my composure back. "Hide."
I scanned the surroundings. Dozens of slender bodies with huge, bat-like wings and a bright white horn crackling with mana.
A single-horned demon. There's no way we can take them on at this level.
"Come with me." I grabbed Irysis's hand and pulled her along. Why are there so many of them here? Damn it.
Using my Sixth Sense—a near-farsight level of perception ability—we slipped away from the demon's eyes through smoke and chaos.
That spot—there! Three seconds… two… one—
Just as I began channeling my blink to hide under the rubble, I felt a tug on my sleeve.
"S-Senpai! That girl—she's in trouble!"
Alicia!? Perfect timing. I'd have no choice but to go along if it was any other person. I almost grinned. "She won't die here even if we don't help," I mumbled under my breath. "Which game kills their heroine in the prologue?"
"Even so…! I'm worried! Senpai, please hide alone—I'll go help her!"
She pulled free of my grip and ran toward Alicia, who was struggling against a single-horned demon.
Why can't you just listen to me!? She's a heroine—your interference will only bring her trouble! What if she trips while casting because of you!?
If you just followed my lead—
A flashback burned through my mind. The last memory before I came here.
A world engulfed in flames… sacrificing the world itself to overturn your fate.
And yet, your face—it wasn't of someone happy to be saved.
Even though, back then, I was satisfied with that because of the major breakthrough.
I'm not some madman who can't understand human emotions. I anything, I've always been proud of my ability to read them.
So that's why…
…it doesn't feel right.
Caught between the game and reality, my sense of morality twisted. I couldn't tell which side was correct anymore.
Screw it. Future me can deal with this.
I ran after Irysis.
———
"Why, if it isn't the all-famous heiresses of Solenne it sure is my lucky day!"
Hovering above, a single-horned demon smirked, a red orb of energy gathered in his palm.
"I have no words for the likes of you!" Alicia slammed her staff—a rod as tall as she was—into the ground.
The demon grinned, extending his hand as red particles trailed over the speeding blasts.
Right then, Irysis finally arrived. "Are you okay!? I've come to hel—bweh!?" She tripped on a pebble and faceplanted heroically.
The demon blinked uninterested. "…What is this woman?" he muttered, forming a crimson-black dagger and flicking it toward her.
"B-Be careful!" Alicia enlarged her magic citcle to cover for Irysis, but the moment the dagger struck, it shattered like glass.
As expected. That's what happens when you try to block a physical attack with a magical barrier. Making it bigger doesn't help, genius.
—and a sharp pain exploded in my arm. The dagger had grazed me.
Fuck, fuck, fuck—it hurts!
The ward must've absorbed most of the impact, but still—what the hell was that strength? If their physical stats are this high, why is their magic still bugged!?
"I-It's you!?" Alicia's eyes widened in shock, recognizing me from earlier that morning.
I'm sorry for showing up again. Please just kill me and get it over with.
"Now's not the time." Maybe it was the pain, but my poker face somehow held firm.
Alicia nodded silently.
"I-I… I'm sorry… it's my fault…" Irysis murmured weakly from behind.
"It's oka—" Alicia started, but I cut her off.
"I know. Just heal me. If you're going to help someone, do it confidently."
All this time, my gaze never left the demon. Not because I was some seasoned warriors, but a habit I formed over playing games.
Irysis nodded, teary-eyed, and cast a healing spell. My wound sealed before my eyes. …It's itchy now… at least this is better than what potions used to be in this world.
Scratching the spot, I asked, "Alright. What can you two do? Be quick."
Of course, I already knew their abilities, but they needed to know each other for minimum cooperation.
"Didn't bring my weapon, but I've got good perception and can teleport to about three meters."
Alicia trying to hide her surprises. Irysis followed after her.
"I uses a staff, I can cast a lot of spells and…, gives buff to anyone around me."
As expected of a spoiled princess. Her dad nurtured her well.
"I can do some close-quarter combat… aside from basic spells I can't do anything…. And uh… I attract misfortune… sorry…"
I ignored that last part. "Alicia, stay behind and buff us. Harden my arms too, and look for a chance to attack. Irysis, you're with me—we'll hit from both sides."
"Ready?"
The two nodded their heads.
"Finished making friends?" The single-horned demon coldly smiled.
"Nope, give us three more minutes." I replied without much expectation.
"No can do. We're pressed on time, you see."
"Alicia, protect yourelf and Irysis." I called out to the two without turning my eyes behind.
Then—the red particle embraced my body whole bringing me into darkness.