Why could Saphira be killed? Brian was supposed to come and save her, right? That was how it was supposed to happen in the game. I was the one who created the game Path of Destiny. It's impossible that I mispredicted one of the important scenes in the game.
"Sister?"
I heard the sound of footsteps from behind. A first-year student was seen coming toward us.
"No, no, no!"
After seeing Sephira's miserable condition, the student hurried over and hugged Sephira's corpse. It seemed that he was Sephira's younger brother we talked about earlier this morning. If I'm not mistaken, his name is Roland.
"Sister! Wake up, Sister! Please…" His voice sounded desperate. "Anyone! Please call a Priest! My sister can still be saved!" Tears began to wet the younger brother's cheeks.
However, hearing Roland's desperate cries, several students who were present there only looked at him with pity. Roland was still in the denial stage of the reality before him.
"Sis Sephira… Didn't you promise you would see me become a true Knight! We promised to become the best together, didn't we!?" Roland's voice sounded like that of someone in despair.
I clenched my fists tightly. This was a very heartbreaking sight.
When I was inside the game, the death of a side character would not make me feel emotional like this. However, this is the real world. The feelings and lives of all the humans here are real. All their hard work, their dreams, and their relationships are all reality.
I never imagined that an event this small could cause someone else such great suffering. Then what about the other major events that will definitely happen later? Thousands of lives will become victims, and the suffering of millions of people to come will be a reality.
This is not a game. This world is not the Path of Destiny that I created in my previous world. This world is my reality now, and I am responsible for all the misfortunes that will happen to them later.
I stepped closer to him and crouched down, looking directly into his eyes.
"Your sister is dead," I said bluntly. "Let her rest in peace."
I pointed at Sephira's eyes, which were still open.
The younger brother's body trembled. It seemed he had realized that his sister could no longer be saved. He then closed Sephira's eyes, accepting her departure.
"What happened here?"
A man and a woman approached us. They were Brian and Ariel. Seeing Sephira's horribly mutilated corpse, Ariel was shocked and covered her mouth with her hand. It seemed that this was the first time she had seen a human corpse.
On the other hand, Brian only showed his stupid, confused face.
Where were you, man? Weren't you the one who was supposed to save her in this event? Weren't you the hero of humanity who always appears in critical moments?
I don't know… Why am I blaming Brian for Sephira's death? Did I mess up the story route in the game by beating Brian up yesterday?
I don't know.
But one thing is certain—I let Sephira be killed for a stupid reason. That is the reality right now.
"Do you know what killed my sister?" Roland asked weakly.
"If I'm not mistaken, a bear-like monster with a horn pounced on her while she was sitting and relaxing," one of the students here answered. "After attacking her, the monster went toward Eldwood Forest."
Hearing this, the younger brother stood up and looked at me.
"Senior, could you take my sister's body to a safe place?" Roland asked. His eyes showed strong determination.
"What are you going to do?"
Don't tell me you're going to chase it. He would definitely be killed if he fought that monster alone. But telling him that now would be useless. His mind was being controlled by emotion because of his sister's death.
"I will hunt that monster and avenge my sister's death!" Roland answered loudly.
"Wait! It will be very dangerous if you fight that monster alone," Brian said as he suddenly approached us. "Let me help you. A wild monster roaming freely in the Academy is extremely dangerous."
Sephira's younger brother simply nodded after hearing Brian's request.
"I'll come too," Ariel said as she walked toward Brian. "With my healing magic, you won't have to worry if you get injured fighting that monster."
"Thank you, Senior."
The three of them then went toward Eldwood Forest. Taking off my academy coat, I covered Sephira's body and carried it to the Academy's infirmary.
But… is it really okay to let the three of them face that monster without waiting for the instructors? Is Brian capable of defeating that monster like he was supposed to in the game?
No. I don't want to make the same mistake again. There is no guarantee Brian can defeat that monster. I have already messed up the route that was supposed to happen in this world.
After handing Sephira's body to the medical staff, I hurried toward my room in the Academy dormitory.
When I arrived there, I opened a chest stored under Raul's bed.
Inside it was a sword given by his father and an anti-magic mask that Raul used to hide his identity when he massacred academy students at the end of Chapter 3 of the game Path of Destiny.
I will not make the same mistake this time.
***
[Ariel PoV]
Brian, Roland—the student who had lost his sister earlier—and I went toward Eldwood Forest after taking our respective weapons.
Earlier was the first time I had ever seen a human corpse. If Brian and I had been there at that time, could we have prevented Roland's sister from being killed?
At that time Brian and I were looking for Raul because Brian wanted to challenge him to another sparring match. Brian said he couldn't accept Raul beating him up in front of the other students like that.
I tried to stop him, but he was very stubborn about it. Brian has always been like that since the first time we met.
He dreams of becoming a hero and a savior for weak people who suffer from monster attacks or oppression by nobles.
That's because when Brian was still a child, his parents died due to a monster attack. When he was ten years old, the only remaining family member he had—his older sister—was killed by a noble after he did something vile to her.
That is why, when he saw Roland's suffering caused by the monster that killed his sister, Brian's heart was moved to immediately help him hunt the monster. Because he knows what it feels like to lose someone he loves due to a monster attack.
I think that is also the reason Brian and Raul always hate each other.
"We've arrived," Brian said as he stopped in front of Eldwood Forest. "Look at the trees over there." Brian pointed at several trees that had fallen inside the forest.
It seemed the monster ran into this forest while rampaging. This would make it easier for us to track it.
After several minutes of following the monster's tracks, we found a bear-like monster with a horn eating the stomach of a deer.
Ugh… I'm still not used to seeing such a terrible sight.
The monster turned toward us, realizing our presence.
—Grrr…
Its face and teeth were covered in blood. Its growl made my body shiver slightly. But it's okay. Everything will be fine because Brian is here.
"Get ready, Roland! This monster is strong!" Brian said while drawing his sword. "Ariel, support us from behind with your magic!"
"I understand, Brian!"
—Groaarr!
The monster ran toward us and attacked Brian with its sharp claws. Fortunately, Brian managed to block it, although he was pushed back several meters.
"I will avenge my sister! I'll chop you to pieces, you bastard!" Roland shouted as he slashed the monster's body.
However, Roland's attack only left a small scratch on the monster's body. It seemed the monster's skin was quite tough.
—Groaarr!
The monster shifted its attention to Roland and began chasing him. However, instead of running away from the monster's rampage, Roland dared to face it directly.
"Temper…"
Roland cast an enhancement spell and blocked the monster's sharp claw attack with his sword. Sparks flew from the collision of the two sharp objects.
"Now, Senior!" Roland shouted to Brian.
"Leave it to me!"
Brian jumped toward the three-meter-tall monster and activated the Temper spell. The monster turned toward Brian, but it was too late—Brian immediately launched his combo attack.
"Dancing Sky Dragon!"
Brian attacked the monster with a seven-strike with his sword, pushing the monster's body backward. After finishing the combo, Brian launched a final strike that sent the monster flying.
"You did it, Senior!" Roland shouted happily.
Brian, you are truly amazing.
"Well… that was one of my best attacks, you know," Brian said while catching his breath. It seemed that attack required quite a lot of stamina.
—Grrr…
The three of us fell silent upon hearing the monster's growl.
The bear was still able to stand after receiving Brian's powerful attack. The monster's eyes turned red, and its horn and claws began to grow longer.
Is this what they call monster evolution?
We were taught that some monsters can evolve into stronger forms when their bodies receive many wounds.
—Grooaaarr!
The monster's roar was louder, like thunder during a storm. It pounded its chest and then rushed again toward Brian and Roland.
The monster targeted Roland and attackinh him with its claws again. Roland hurriedly jumped to the side, but a cut wound appeared on his left leg.
"Divine Magic: Minor Healing!"
I quickly healed Roland's leg with my healing magic. Divine light shone on his leg, and not long after, it returned to normal.
"Thank you, Senior!"
On the other side, Brian was still fighting the monster, trying to dodge the relentless attacks it launched.
"Damn it! This monster has become stronger and faster!" Brian complained.
The monster swung its arm violently at Brian. Seeing this, Brian activated Temper and swing his sword at the monster's arm.
"Gaghhhh!"
Brian was thrown far away until he crashed into a tree. His strength wasn't enough to withstand the monster's attack.
"Brian!" I shouted worriedly.
The bear ran toward Brian again. However, Roland dashed toward the monster from behind to attack it. But suddenly the monster turned around and struck him.
"Aghhhh!"
Roland's body was thrown away. He couldn't dodge because he had been running at full speed to help Brian.
"You damn monster!" Brian immediately got up and attacked the monster again.
I rushed to Roland's body. He was unconscious.
I crouched down to check his wound. A large tear had formed on Roland's chest. Blood poured out, soaking his body. I could clearly see his bones. With such a deep wound, he would die without immediate treatment.
"Divine Magic: Maior Sanatius."
I placed my hand on Roland's chest and activated a powerful healing spell. A light appeared in my hand and spread across Roland's chest. Soon after, the wound began to close.
"Hah… Hah… Hah…"
After using such strong healing magic, my body began to feel exhausted. I turned and saw Brian still fighting the monster.
"Accelerate…!"
Brian activated a speed buff spell. Particles of light shone from his feet.
The monster continued launching relentless attacks at Brian. However, with his speed magic, he could dodge them.
But simply dodging would not kill the monster.
Still, I believe Brian can defeat it. He always creates miracles in situations like this. Just like when he managed to injure an instructor during the entrance exam, I'm sure he will win this fight.
Brian dodged the monster's attack again. His sword began to glow—it seemed he was about to use that signature move that could break an instructor's sword.
After dodging another claw attack, Brian jumped and held his sword with both hands.
"Feel my strongest move! Raging Blade!"
His sword shone brightly as Brian performed a vertical slash toward the monster's head.
—Crack!
Blood flowed from the top of the monster's head down into its mouth.
However, even after receiving Brian's strongest attack directly, the monster did not move at all.
The bear licked its own blood and smiled mockingly at Brian.
"Impossible—Buggghh!"
Brian's voice was cut off as the monster punched him hard, sending him flying toward me.
"No… Brian!"
I rushed forward to check Brian's condition.
Blood came out of his mouth. His ribs seemed to be broken. Brian was unconscious, and I quickly healed him with the remaining mana I had.
—Ggrrr…
My body froze. I turned around and saw the monster walking toward us. Its gaze seemed to say, I will eat you alive.
My body began trembling. I didn't know what to do.
"Brian! Brian! Wake up!" I tried to wake him, but it didn't work.
The monster was getting closer.
What should I do? Run away?
If I run, everyone here will die. The monster will eat both of them. What should I do?
—Grrrr…!
The monster was now right in front of us. I gathered my courage and stood in front of Brian.
From this close, I could clearly feel the terrifying intimidation coming from that horrifying monster.
The monster raised its arm. Its sharp claws were terrifying.
I'm scared… I want to escape this situation, but I cannot abandon the two of them.
I closed my eyes.
Anyone… please help me…
"Temper…"
—Bam!
I heard the sound of something colliding. However, I did not feel any pain from the monster's attack that was supposed to kill me.
I slowly opened my eyes.
In front of me, a mysterious white-haired man wearing a black mask had suddenly appeared.
"Eh, who?"
Ignoring my confusion about what had just happened, the man immediately ran toward the monster. It seemed that I had just been saved by that mysterious man.
The monster attacked the man with its claws.
"Accel…"
I heard the man mutter a word. Suddenly, his running speed became faster, allowing him to easily dodge the monster's attack.
The man then launched several attacks at the monster. Skillfully, he moved and deceived the monster with ease. It was as if the man already knew the monster's movements beforehand.
Who exactly is he…?
—Grooaaarr!
The monster's body grew larger.
Can that monster evolve again? Unbelievable! What kind of monster is that bear actually? There has never been any record of a monster evolving twice.
However, seeing the monster he was fighting evolve once again, the man looked calm and completely undisturbed.
—Groaarrr!
The monster struck the ground around it and then threw chunks of earth toward the mysterious man. However, the man easily avoided all of the thrown debris.
"Sterben…"
Again, he muttered a spell that I did not recognize. His black sword began emitting Runes—magical letters. If I'm not mistaken, only an official Knight can use rune magic on their weapon.
The man dashed toward the monster once again.
—Groarrr!
The monster also ran toward the mysterious man. The bear launched a claw attack at him, but he dodged it easily.
He then stabbed the monster's neck with his sword. The monster's body trembled violently, and blood began pouring out, soaking the monster's neck.
"Release…"
—Boommbbb!
After the man muttered something, suddenly the monster's neck and head exploded. Its massive body then collapsed onto the ground.
The man defeated it… easily.
Who exactly is he?
The man then turned toward me. It was difficult to tell what expression he had behind the black mask.
"Thank you… Who are you?"
Hearing my words of thanks, the mysterious man only looked at me silently. He then turned his head to the side as if realizing something. After that, he jumped up onto a tree, leaving me alone.
He is truly strong… Could he be one of the instructors? But earlier he was wearing an academy uniform. However, it's impossible for an academy student to possess such strength. In fact, he even looked stronger than a third-year student.
I don't know, but one thing is certain… I'm grateful that we all survived that life-and-death situation.
***
[Raul PoV]
After saving Ariel and the others, I hurried back to my dormitory room through the open window of my room. After entering the room, I walked toward a mirror attached to the wall.
"So it's true, Brian is not as strong as he is in the game."
I removed the mask I was wearing.
In the mirror's reflection, my white hair returned to black as it originally was.
"Masquerade … A mask that can hide the identity of its user, so that even with Clairvoyance magic, no one can see the user's true identity."
This mask is an S-class artifact that is quite rare in this world. I don't know how Duke Alvaro obtained this mask. Something like this was never explained in the game at all.
I suppose that if I can return to my original world, I will arrange the game's details so that players can better understand the world of the game Path of Destiny.
After taking off my clothes, I dropped myself onto the bed.
This has been quite a tiring day… I almost exhausted my mana while fighting that monster.
It seems that Raul's mana foundation right now has not yet reached the same level as it did at the end of Chapter Three in the game.
"I must become stronger…"