The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned

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Chapter 173: Omen (2)

A wooded hill not far from the academy.

I arrived at the place I had once visited with Professor Elisha when we ventured into the vast underground ruins beneath the school—the Abyss.

Of course, the area we were investigating this time wasn’t the underground ruins.

Instead, it was the massive forest nearby, which housed the entrance to the ruins.

This forest, classified as a C-rank danger zone due to its frequent appearances of dangerous demonic beasts, was often used as a training ground to provide cadets with real-world combat experience.

“So, to sum up Cadet Dale’s story….”

After listening to everything about Lanez, Professor Elisha stroked her chin thoughtfully and nodded.

“Are you saying that thanks to Cadet Dale’s, shall we say, liberal romantic exploits, we’ve averted a great catastrophe that could have happened in the future?”

“……”

While plenty of details were omitted, sure, that’s not entirely wrong.

Looking at the results alone, it was true that my simultaneous relationships had somehow managed to prevent Lanez from going berserk.

“Hahaha! Well, this is certainly… a resolution that fits Cadet Dale.”

“You call this my kind of resolution?”

What sort of person am I in Professor Elisha’s mind?

“In any case, Cadet Dale has once again altered the future. And this time, it’s the horrifying future where half the continent freezes over.”

“If we’re judging by results… yes.”

“But….”

Professor Elisha trailed off, narrowing her eyes slightly.

“Whether this change will lead to a better outcome… that’s still hard to determine.”

“Well, at least it has to be better than my previous life.”

How many futures could be worse than a disaster that froze half the continent and claimed the lives of millions, if not hundreds of millions?

“Hm. I’m not so sure about that.”

“You’re not?”

Professor Elisha shook her head slightly, her voice lowering.

“If what you’ve told me is true, wasn’t Cadet Lanez in your previous life also a disaster for the demons?”

“Well… yes.”

Because her power, the Blessing of Frost, was so overwhelming, she slaughtered indiscriminately, regardless of whether they were friend or foe.

“In that case, isn’t it also good news for the demons that Cadet Lanez no longer poses a threat to them by siding with humanity?”

“…What?”

Professor Elisha’s words made my eyes widen in surprise.

The idea that Lanez’s change could be a blessing for the demons as well had never crossed my mind.

“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

Indeed, in my past life, Lanez had been one of the key figures who nearly thwarted the demons’ long-desired plan to free the Demon God.

Had I, Yuren, and countless other heroes failed to kill her, the Demon God might never have been released from its seal.

‘Of course, if that had happened, it wouldn’t have been just half the continent—the entire continent would have frozen over.’

The release of the Demon God versus the survival of the Witch.

It was impossible to say which outcome was better or worse.

What was clear, though, was this:

‘If the Demon God had remained sealed, humanity might not have been completely wiped out.’

Sure, 99% of humanity would likely have perished in the blizzards that Lanez unleashed.

But that remaining 1%—they might have found a way to survive, even in such harsh cold.

In other words, killing Lanez in my past life might have directly led to the complete extinction of humanity.

“…….”

The unexpected realization left my mind in a tangled mess.

“There’s no need for Cadet Dale to blame himself.”

Sensing my distress, Professor Elisha gently patted my back as she continued.

“Even if humanity had survived, would it have been much of a life, merely scraping by day to day in a frozen wasteland? Would you even call that living?”

“Well….”

“Surely Cadet Dale, of all people, understands that being alive isn’t everything.”

“…….”

Memories from my past life surfaced unbidden.

When humanity was no more, and I was left alone.

When I wandered endlessly through the desolate, snow-covered plains, screaming in solitude.

For me, life itself had become an inescapable curse.

“…Yes, I know. All too well.”

It wasn’t just about being alive.

How you lived mattered far more.

In that sense, my decision to kill Lanez in my past life couldn’t be called a mistake.

However.

“By the way… it’s curious. Who managed to sway Cadet Lanez to the demons’ side in your past life? Did they not realize she was an uncontrollable force?”

“They must have known.”

Whoever had brought Lanez over to the demons would have been fully aware that she couldn’t control her own power.

‘If they knew, then why did they bring her in?’

The identity of the person who lured Lanez to the demons in my past life remained a mystery.

But.

If they knowingly recruited her despite the risks, understanding she could become a catastrophe even for them….

“…….”

My thoughts spiraled deeper.

The questions multiplied, each one leading to more uncertainty, yet clear answers eluded me.

As I stood there, lost in contemplation—

“Seems like I’ve stirred up unnecessary worries.”

Professor Elisha gently pinched my cheek with a wry smile, snapping me out of my reverie.

“There’s no need to overthink it. Just because you’ve glimpsed the future doesn’t mean you’ll have all the answers.”

“That’s true, but….”

“More importantly, I’m more curious about Cadet Dale currently juggling two relationships.”

“…….”

Her next words made my shoulders jolt.

I had long been aware that Professor Elisha harbored feelings for me beyond that of a mentor.

And admitting to her that I was not only in a relationship, but two relationships at once, was no easy feat.

“Your partners are Cadets Iris and Yurina, correct?”

“…Yes.”

“I see. Interesting.”

Arms crossed, Professor Elisha gazed at me.

She was trying her best to appear nonchalant, but I could easily notice the faint tremor in her eyes.

“Two… I see, two.”

Professor Elisha’s lips curled into a faint smile as if piecing something together.

“I think I can somewhat understand how Cadet Lanez must have felt.”

“…….”

“Heh. Don’t worry too much. I have no intention of putting you in a difficult position, Candidate Dale.”

But still…

Professor Elisha, who usually carried herself confidently, now appeared slightly anxious.

“I… would like to be remembered as well.”

“……”

Why was that?

Seeing her avert her gaze awkwardly made my heart pound.

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Whether she noticed my inner turmoil or not, Professor Elisha covered the scar near her left eye with her hand and spoke in a subdued voice.

“Of course… unlike the other candidates you meet, I’m neither young, nor beautiful, nor particularly charming as a woman, but…”

Still.

“I believe my feelings for you… are second to none.”

“……”

Her words made my already racing heart beat even faster.

Barely managing to suppress my emotions, I spoke up.

“Well, I have to disagree with you there.”

“…Disagree?”

“I think you’re plenty beautiful, Professor Elisha. You’re also charming as a woman. And as for age… well, considering how long I’ve lived, wouldn’t that make me much older than you?”

“……”

Professor Elisha’s eyes trembled slightly.

She struggled to suppress the smile threatening to form on her lips, letting out a small cough instead.

“Candidate Dale, you really have a knack for troubling women.”

“No, I don’t.”

What did I do now?

“Heh, it’s nothing. Anyway, we’ve spent enough time chatting. Let’s resume the investigation.”

With that, Professor Elisha strode ahead, her steps almost bouncing as if she were dancing.

I followed her, swallowing a wry smile.

Step by step, we walked along the forest path, arriving at the location where candidates had reportedly encountered a Ten-Eyed demonic beast.

“Indeed… there are traces of a demonic beast here.”

Professor Elisha, her violet eyes glinting ominously, scanned the surroundings.

“Are they traces of a Ten-Eyed demonic beast?”

“No, that much I can’t say.”

She shook her head slightly and approached the traces.

Then.

“Grrrr…”

A faint, low growl reached our ears.

Our gazes met.

“Professor.”

“It seems… we’ve stepped into its territory.”

Turning toward the sound of the growl, we saw a massive black wolf emerging from the bushes.

Its body, covered in sharp spines like a porcupine, exuded a chilling blue flame with every breath.

And most notably, the number of its eyes…

“It’s an Eight-Eyed demonic beast.”

“As expected, the candidates must have misjudged.”

Even so, an Eight-Eyed demonic beast was no small threat.

For any party lacking exceptional strength, like the renowned Aron Party, it would still be a formidable opponent.

“I’ll handle this.”

“No, I will.”

Professor Elisha stepped in front of me as I moved forward.

I gave her a questioning look, to which she clicked her tongue and shook her head.

“If you get involved, that demonic beast will be reduced to ashes in no time. We need it alive for the investigation.”

She was right.

Professor Elisha was better suited for the task if the goal was to capture it.

Her “Spider Web” ability was more about restraining and capturing than killing.

“GRAAAAH!”

The wolf roared and charged at Professor Elisha.

She spread her arms wide, and from her gloved fingertips, a transparent web shot out, wrapping around the charging demonic beast.

“Grrrk? Grrrrk!”

The wolf twisted violently, and the spines on its body bristled, slicing through the webbing.

With its restraints cut, the wolf let out a triumphant roar and closed the distance in an instant.

“Oh my, this one’s quite formidable for an Eight-Eyed demonic beast.”

Professor Elisha smirked, her eyes gleaming fiercely as the demonic beast loomed before her.

Clenching her fist, she let more of her spider web coil around her arm.

With a decisive step, she struck.

“Bind.”

Uttering the incantation softly, she drove her web-coated fist into the demonic beast’s face.

Wham!

“Gyaaah?!”

The massive wolf staggered back, collapsing with a heavy thud.

Climbing atop the fallen demonic beast, Professor Elisha rained down blows like a hammer.

Smash! Thud! Crack!

Blood sprayed in all directions.

Shattered teeth and torn flesh flew with each impact.

Watching the demonic beast’s face being brutally pummeled, I let out a nervous laugh.

“Uh, Professor? We’re supposed to be capturing it alive, right?”

It didn’t look like it.

“Oh, I got a bit carried away.”

“Grrk… Grrrk…”

The wolf whimpered, blood dripping from its mouth.

Though battered, it was still alive.

Professor Elisha dipped her finger into the demonic beast’s blood, then brought it to her lips.

“Now, let’s figure out where this thing came from…”

Just then.

Rustle, rustle.

The faint sound of movement through the underbrush.

Before I could think, my body reacted.

“Get down!”

I grabbed Professor Elisha, throwing us both to the ground.

Shrrraaaaack!

A wave of crimson aura slashed through where she had stood moments before.

“Graaaah!”

The Eight-Eyed demonic beast, caught in the aura’s sweep, was torn to shreds.

“That’s…”

“……”

Turning toward the source of the attack, we saw five pairs of glowing eyes deep within the shadows of the forest.

“It seems the candidates weren’t mistaken after all.”

Drawing my sword, I clenched my teeth.

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