Chapter 187
A 'Wave' occurred, and the place they were flung to was the rooftop of the academy.
Under the bizarre red sky, standing in the center of the rooftop was the monster in a red cape and mask... 'The Witch After School'.
"You... where did you take her!?"
Eric shouted at the monster they had encountered once again.
"Answer me... Who is she!? Why can't we remember her name!?"
"Kyokyokyokyokyokyokyo..."
In response to Eric's words, The Witch After School only laughed eerily without answering.
As if in place of an answer, magic activated. Several fireballs the size of soccer balls appeared around the red-caped monster.
"Tch... Everyone, it's coming. Ready your weapons!"
Eric called out to his companions and drew his sword.
Vincent did the same, raising his greatsword and stepping forward, while Will and Luy also took up battle stances.
"Kyokyokyo!"
The monster let out a creepy cry and launched the fireballs.
Multiple fireballs arced toward the four main characters.
"Uoooooooohhhhhh!"
"I won't lose! I'll protect this academy!"
Eric and the others faced the incoming fireballs head-on.
They struck them down with swords, blocked them with magical barriers, and kept the flames at bay.
"...Phew, good grief."
The boys fought bravely.
Watching them from a short distance away... Clael, who had been left behind, muttered with a sigh.
"How should I put it... they're really living their youth, aren't they?"
The boys stood up against an unknown enemy.
Their figures were youthful and energetic, as if filled with the vibrant springtime Clael had forgotten.
"Seeing scenes like this... really makes me feel my age."
"But Lord Clael, you're only twenty-four, right? Isn't it a bit early to be feeling old?"
Reina said curiously from below.
It wasn't really a problem... but Reina was still clinging tightly to Clael in the same position as when they were teleported earlier.
"The difference between teens and twenties isn't as small as you think... Well, in my case, it's a bit special."
Perhaps being a reincarnator made him feel the age gap even more.
Adults often say they want to go back and relive their youth... Even though Clael had experienced youth twice, he felt like he hadn't accomplished much.
He hadn't played sports, nor had he fallen in love... Across two lifetimes, he had spent a gray youth.
(Well, youth is like that. When you're a teen, you can't really grasp how precious it is.)
Whether it's youth or being young... you only realize its value after losing it.
Only after it's passed can you understand it was something irreplaceable.
"By the way... Reina, are you not going to join them?"
"No, I think the princes are more than enough."
"Oooooooohhhhh!"
Dodging the magic being fired at them, Eric and the others fought the monster.
Their movements showed no signs of danger, and even a sense of composure could be felt.
"As long as we can heal any injuries, I think it'll be fine. Doesn't look like they need any help."
"Indeed... They've grown quite strong."
They had seen the four main characters fight during the gang incident too... and it seemed they had been growing normally.
Their connection with Reina was still rather weak.
Originally, there should have been events they overcame together with Reina... but what was driving them now?
(Their original potential must be high... But maybe they have some motivation to grow stronger besides Reina?)
"Kyokyokyokyokyokyokyo!"
"Yaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
While Clael was lost in thought, the battle continued.
Dodging the monster's magical attacks, Eric closed the distance.
Just like that, he unleashed a slash imbued with light magic.
"Take this!"
"Kyokyo!"
The sharp, heavy slash struck the monster.
The cape was torn, and the mask on its face cracked with a snap.
"Kyokyo... kyokyokyokyo..."
"You are...!"
Eric gasped at the face that appeared.
The other three, who had been readying weapons and magic for a follow-up attack, also froze in place.
"Kyokyo..."
Beneath the cracked mask... was the face of a female student they had grown familiar with since arriving at Reverse Academy.
It was the face of one of the student council officers—her identity until now unknown.