SRS 23

He hoped the students wouldn’t actually throw their weapons at the headmaster. The way they gripped their weapons like spears, ready to strike, made him uneasy. The headmaster, however, just laughed, he apparently was used to being on the receiving end of killing intent, then calmly inspected the phoenix’s corpse.

[Oh my. It seems all the heat has been lost. That means we can’t use it as an ingredient anymore. Such a precious ingredient ruined like this… Should I give the new students a group penalty?]

The students’ grips on their weapons tightened. The situation was about to explode. Yohan quickly stepped in to prevent things from going wrong.

“Headmaster… I’m sorry, but we only defended ourselves from the phoenix. It looks like it escaped due to poor management, so wouldn’t it be more fitting to reward us instead of giving penalties?”

Cold sweat ran down his back as he spoke. Even earlier, he felt like facing an omnipotent, exalted being when talking to the headmaster. Not even when he’d stood before the Emperor of the Yufir Continent had he felt this kind of pressure.

Yohan wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He was afraid of how this insane school’s even crazier headmaster would react.

The headmaster chuckled softly.

[Don’t be so nervous, I was only joking about the penalty.]

“Ah…”

Yohan let out a small sigh of disbelief. For a second, he thought he saw veins bulging on the students’ clenched fists, but maybe that was his imagination.

[You all defeated a phoenix as new students, so of course you should be praised. That must’ve been quite a challenge. You’ve done well. I see some of you have reached their limits, how pitiful.]

The headmaster turned toward the fallen students.

“Uh?”

It wasn’t exactly a gaze, since his head was light, it was more like the students were being illuminated. But those bathed in the light looked at their hands in shock.

Yohan was just as surprised. He could feel his depleted divine power filling back up again.

[Since this happened due to the school’s negligence, I’ll return the energy you’ve used. You must’ve been startled, so I’ll ask the professors to excuse you from first period. Rest, and resume activity starting from the second.]

“……”

For Fantasiademia, this was an unusually kind compensation. The students looked bewildered. Contrary to their first impression, the headmaster didn’t seem entirely insane, which only confused them more.

[Oof.]

The headmaster lifted the phoenix’s corpse in his arms and looked back at everyone.

[Now that I think of it, there should also be a reward. It’d be tricky to give one to everyone… Have a vote and choose the three who contributed the most, then send them to my office before first period ends. I’ll grant them rewards worthy of their achievement. Oh, and once first period passes, the offer becomes void, so don’t forget. Well then, see you.]

With a wave of his hand, the headmaster rose into the air again and disappeared with the wind.

“……”

Everything felt hazy. It was almost dreamlike. Watching the last trace of the headmaster fade, Yohan finally came back to his senses and turned to his friends.

He snapped his fingers, and the dazed students shook their heads, coming back to their senses.

“Ugh… that felt weird.”

“Yes. It’s warm but…uncomfortable?”

“Look at my goosebumps.”

The students who had just been ready to revolt now all had identical reactions. Yohan agreed with them and checked his wristwatch. It had been about ten minutes since first period started. Each class lasted two hours, so there were only one hour and fifty minutes left of the time the headmaster gave them.

His friends still seemed too distracted by the headmaster’s appearance to think about voting. He wasn’t thrilled about being the one to bring it up, but time was running out. Closing his eyes like he was throwing a golden apple, Yohan spoke up.

“Who should we pick for the three?”

The group immediately split into disagreement.

“Shouldn’t it be the water ability users? If we’re talking about effort, they worked the hardest.”

“But don’t forget the hunters. They risked their necks fighting up close.”

“And what about the ones who supported us? You think mana and divine power just replenish themselves?”

“E-even the noncombat students did their best. Can’t we pick at least one of them?”

“You saw the knights’ pride. Help us prove our honor.”

“Hey. You weren’t the only ones fighting, you know? We fought too.”

“Can everyone calm down? Do you even remember who was lying on the ground the most before the headmaster healed us? The water users!”

What started as a discussion turned heated, then hostile. The students who had fought together moments ago now argued with loud voices and red faces.

…Though, this was honestly more like the usual scene.

Watching them bicker, Yohan was reminded of the early days after enrollment.

Since they had gathered people from various dimensions with all sorts of abilities, they couldn’t avoid the early conflicts and disputes. During the first week, they split into factions—by dimension, by ability, by faith—and pointed fingers at each other in blame.

Those same students had only calmed down once they realized that in the face of the school’s madness, things like dimensions or factions didn’t matter, and that all of them were simply helpless victims together.

Sharing the same misery made them sympathetic toward each other. They let go of grudges and forged friendships. Even if they argued over trivial things, Fantasiademia wasn’t a place where you could afford to let such things break you.

Now, that fragile peace seemed ready to break again because of the headmaster’s words. Yohan sighed, looking weary, and let them argue for about twenty minutes before deciding everyone had said enough. Then he used divine power.

[Everyone, stop.]

“……!”

The voice struck both their ears and minds, making the students flinch. They turned to Yohan in shock.

“Yohan, was that your voice?”

“Why are you talking like the headmaster?”

“Yohan, did you just give a revelation…?”

Those connected to temples believed Yohan had spoken through divine revelation, while the others, terrified, thought he was imitating the headmaster.

But Yohan had only tried using divine power in a new way, based on something he’d learned in class. He instantly felt his power drain away and staggered. He didn’t even have the energy to correct their misunderstanding.

He steadied himself and said weakly,

“…Let’s take everyone’s opinions together and pick three categories of contribution. Then we’ll choose one person from each category. That seems the fairest way.”

“Hmm…”

“Maybe so.”

“If that’s the most peaceful method, I agree.”

“I’ll follow the majority.”

“Indeed, at this rate, we’ll never reach a conclusion. His suggestion sounds reasonable.”

“No, I still think we should pick three people from one field…”

“Drag that guy out! He’s causing trouble!”

“Wmffmmph!”

The unification of opinions happened through a mix of voluntary and forceful means. In any case, after a small commotion, the students agreed. Yohan talked it through with his friends, and they decided on the three categories.

The water ability users, who had fought the hardest and suffered the most against the phoenix.

The hunters, who had fought up close and taken the brunt of its attacks.

And the supporters, who ran around helping both groups with everything they had.

“I’ll agree with whoever you choose.”

Satisfied once the categories were set, Yohan stepped back to let the others decide. He didn’t have the stamina to keep negotiating.

Once things were narrowed down, the students quickly picked the ones who’d contributed the most.

Among the water users, Seiga was chosen for creating the most water bombs and maintaining the protective barrier.

Among the hunters, Suhyeok, their leader, was selected.

The surprise came from the support group, where Yohan himself was chosen.

“Me?”

Yohan tilted his head, not understanding why his name had been called. He’d worked hard, but he couldn’t say for certain that he’d done the most among the supporters. There had been priests, saints, healers, buffers, and mages all contributing as well.

While he stood there confused, the others nodded calmly.

“Yes. There wasn’t a single objection when we picked you. We all owe you.”

“That’s right. You helped with the phoenix, and also during the final test.”

“And they just gave you the possibility of early graduation and a ban on withdrawal, right? We’ve all been thinking about that.”

“Ah…”

Yohan was moved and looked at his friends. He hadn’t done any of it expecting a reward, yet their thoughtfulness made him grateful. A few students, embarrassed, rubbed their noses and patted his shoulder.

“It’s nothing, Yohan. You deserve it. You can’t even withdraw, after all.”

“Yes, Yohan. Just take the headmaster’s reward and forget that whole withdrawal thing.”

“Right. Since quitting isn’t an option, you should aim for early graduation. Today’s achievement will help with that.”

“You got it? Don’t let that withdrawal ban get you down. We’re cheering for you, Yohan the Withdrawal-Impaired.”

“……”

What started as touching words became less so when dozens of students each took turns offering their “comfort.” Yohan slowly raised his eyebrows.

“…This is supposed to be encouragement, right?”

“Of course!”

“…Right, thanks.”

And that was how Yohan, with a strange mixture of gratitude and unease, ended up as one of the three chosen for the reward.