Chapter 5
490words
Just a week after establishing our "study group," the Academy's mission hall posted new high-value assignments. All followed the same pattern—travel to border villages experiencing "unrest" due to famine and oppression, and "pacify" the situation.
In Academy parlance, "pacify" meant only one thing: slaughter.
These traditional assignments served dual purposes: combat training and emotional hardening—burning away any lingering compassion through blood and fire.
Students crowded the mission board, eyes gleaming like wolves scenting prey.
"Finally, some action!"
"Last time I torched a village solo—the points were insane!"
Swallowing my disgust, I scanned the listings until one name caught my eye.
Mission Location: Green Leaf Village. Objective: Suppress local "resistance uprising" led by elves and humans. Rank: C+.
Green Leaf Village... Kanon had mentioned this in her "reference materials." Remote, resource-poor, but remarkably unified. Most crucially, near an abandoned trade route leading directly to the neutral city of Aruba.
Perfect.
"Professor, our study group will take this assignment." I approached the mission coordinator, indicating Green Leaf Village.
He glanced at me, then at Tsukishima and the others behind me, lips curling. "Really, Sakurai? Though not high-ranked, I hear these 'vermin' are quite stubborn. Sure your little band can handle it?"
"Absolutely," I replied coldly.
A familiar voice cut in.
"What a coincidence, Sakurai." Fujiwara Shizuka sauntered over with his entourage, pointing to a nearby listing. "Professor, we'll take the Black Stone Town mission."
My blood chilled. Black Stone Town bordered Green Leaf Village—less than twenty miles apart. Was he planning to monitor us?
"Best of luck to you all." The professor, clearly enjoying the rivalry, approved both requests.
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Later, we boarded the mana-powered train to the borderlands.
The steel behemoth, driven by massive crystals, raced through the countryside. Despite its speed, the atmosphere inside our carriage hung heavy. My teammates seemed excited about the coming "battle," except for Tsukishima, who stared silently at the passing landscape, her face ashen.
"Are we really going to kill everyone?" she finally whispered.
The carriage fell silent as all eyes turned to us.
"Here it comes—her final test."
Maintaining my cold facade, I met her gaze. "Those are our orders. Don't tell me you're getting cold feet, Tsukishima?"
"Of course not!" she snapped, but her eyes betrayed her uncertainty.
I snorted dismissively, turning away while murmuring just for her ears: "Though if you have a way to 'complete the mission' with minimal 'collateral damage,' I wouldn't object."
I emphasized "complete the mission" and "collateral damage" meaningfully.
Tsukishima's body tensed, her eyes widening in disbelief.
I turned my attention to the window, saying nothing more.
Outside stretched barren wasteland. In the distance, I spotted the dark magical trail of Fujiwara's train, ominous as a storm cloud.
I closed my eyes, mentally reviewing my dual strategies.
Plan A: A flawless, brutal "suppression" for the Academy and Fujiwara to witness.
Plan B: My true objective—
A small revolution called "liberation."
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