The Obsessive Regressor of The Academy

52. Return

Grace’s return to the academy was a few days later than the others.

The commission had been resolved a while ago. Her team members had already returned to the academy, and only Grace had delayed her return due to some errands.

It wasn’t a big deal. She had only visited the mansion to pick up some things from her family.

In the process, she had taken down a criminal organization that had nested in her territory, replenishing her purse, and wandering around looking for some opportunities from her memory, which had delayed her more than expected, but still, she did not exceed the academy’s return period.

‘I wonder if Asel handled things well.’

Grace thought as she walked through the bustling academy grounds, the streets less crowded than usual.

She didn’t know exactly how strong Asel’s magical ability was. But she knew that it was not at all low.

She now knew who was responsible for the lightning bolt from clear skies that had struck during her entrance exam. Thanks to them, she’d been quite taken aback at the time.

Including the memories of previous iterations, only one person she knew wielded electric sorcery: Ena. The sight of her single-handedly calling down every conceivable form of lightning to face monsters and demons had left a rather deep impression on Grace.

Even though she’d died before the final battle, it was also true that Grace had gained a certain reprieve thanks to her.

That was why Grace had felt rather relieved when she heard that Acel was a disciple of Gae-byeok. If it was her, she was someone trustworthy.

The fact that she was a woman was a bit concerning, but Ena hadn’t given a fig about men, so there was likely no need to worry much in that department.

In many ways, she was a good person. Skillful, and with a good character. If Acel had learned under her, it seemed there was no need to worry about his skills either.

He’d probably complete his assignments with top marks. Maybe he’d even do well on the midterms and get into the upper class. Since that was also Grace’s goal, she earnestly hoped they’d meet there.

As she thought, she arrived at the academy grounds. Grace tapped the hilt of her sword with her fingertips, deciding to visit her dormitory first. She went into her room, changed her clothes, washed her face briefly, and tossed a ring she’d brought from her family onto the desk.

An artifact that momentarily increased perception time, dividing one second into fleeting moments. It was a relatively high-grade item among the Baidel family’s possessions, but Grace didn’t feel particularly impressed by it. For her, the ring was just a tool to prepare for the upcoming midterms.

She’d gotten permission from her family to take it, and proving her capabilities to them meant nothing to her. She’d simply done what needed to be done.

Not tired enough to need rest from her journey, Grace put on a light shirt and leather pants and immediately left her room.

Before that, she stood in front of the mirror to check her appearance.

A face without anything applied. A virgin-like appearance, unable to even apply makeup. Even so, her face didn’t fade. She put on a smile, left her room, and stood in front of Acel’s door.

“Ahem.”

Then, she cleared her throat once and knocked on his door.

“Acel, it’s me. Got a moment?”

The series of events that had occurred a few weeks ago had remained a significant dark chapter for her as well. Afterwards, she’d gone through about ten blankets with kick-sized holes. It was an unbearably embarrassing and shameful memory.

But separately from that, there were also some positive effects.

Unburdening herself by confessing her regression, and the resolution to no longer desperately cling to the relationships she’d had in the previous iteration.

It wasn’t easy, but Grace had managed it. So, she decided to rebuild her relationship with Acel from the beginning. Starting as friends, just like before her regression, becoming aware of each other, and ultimately imagining a rosy life with even a child.

Today was the first step.

“Acel?”

But there was no answer. Grace tilted her head, calling his name again, but not even the sound of footsteps could be heard. Only then did Grace realize that she couldn’t feel any presence in the room, and she pouted.

‘Hasn’t arrived yet? Or is he just out for a bit?’

Either way, it was equally disappointing. With a face dripping with lingering regret, she left the dormitory and headed towards the academy’s main building. It was then that she realized the academy’s atmosphere was heavy.

It was an unusual occurrence for the always lively academy. Grace tilted her head and eavesdropped on the muttering of a group of sophomores moving together. Her senses, honed to the point of mastery as a swordsman, accurately captured even the smallest sounds.

“I heard this year’s freshmen were supposed to be amazing. If they’re dying and disappearing during the first assignment, doesn’t that mean they’re actually nothing special? Or did they arrogantly take on a difficult request to show off?”

“Even if it’s difficult, it’s still at the academy level. It’s not something they can’t handle. It’s just a lack of ability, I guess. Still, it’s a sad thing. For an academy student to die during a course, isn’t that the first time in history?”

“That’s why there’s talk of a temporary break in admissions. Ugh, damn it. We’re going to be forced to rest because of these guys.”

‘…Died during an assignment? A freshman?’

Grace’s face twisted as she eavesdropped on their conversation.

This hadn’t happened in the previous iteration. There had been the terrorist attack at the entrance ceremony, but even then, no one had died. Just a few injuries. No fatalities.

Of course, much had changed from the previous iteration Grace had experienced. The terrorist attack hadn’t occurred, and other minor incidents hadn’t happened either…so far.

But, in Grace’s experience, if something that happened in the past iteration didn’t happen now, it was sure to return in some other form.

Perhaps it all had erupted at once during the first assignment.

“…”

Grace’s face crumpled. She stood there for a moment, racking her brain desperately.

Just then, one of the male students from her group approached her. He flashed a smile that would have charmed anyone and waved at Grace.

“Ah, Grace! You’re back. When did you arrive? You could have told me.”

“…Why would I need to tell you?”

Grace replied in an icy voice. The man flinched at the barely veiled animosity in her tone.

“I-I just said it. No special meaning.”

“Oh? Then now…”

Grace was about to tell him to get lost, but a sudden thought made her trail off.

She still didn’t like this guy, who had acted so familiar from their first meeting, but he was a decent enough candidate to satisfy her curiosity.

“I heard someone died and went missing during this assignment. Is it true?”

“Ah, that? Apparently, it’s true. Some guy named Gorsel or something, his entire team died except for him, and a magician from Saya’s team went missing. His name was…”

Gorsel was a name even Grace didn’t recognize. Like Asel, he must not have enrolled in the academy in the previous iteration.

Grace etched the name, which gave her an inexplicable sense of foreboding, into her mind and turned to the man.

“What was his name?”

“Let me think… Ah, I remember. Asel. It was definitely something like that.”

The moment she heard those words, Grace’s mind seemed to shut down. Her eyes widened as she stared at the man’s face.

“…What?”

“I heard they went doppelganger hunting and ran into a necromancer, so they fled in a hurry, but only Asel couldn’t escape and was declared missing. Well, only missing in name. He’s as good as dead—”

“Shut up!”

Grace shouted before the man could finish his sentence. The man’s mouth snapped shut at the outburst, imbued with raw magical power. But Grace paid him no mind, covering her face with trembling hands.

‘Asel is missing? Dead? Why?’

Grace had already witnessed Asel’s death once. The image of his face, smiling weakly as he coughed up blood, was still vivid in her mind.

This life would be different. In this new opportunity, she would never let him die.

She had vowed that the moment she became aware of her regression, and she had put in bone-grinding effort to make it happen. Thanks to that, she had even earned the title of the Empire’s youngest Expert, but it wasn’t enough.

The disaster looming ahead was not something that could be averted with mere Expert-level skill. Master, and even beyond, was the level one needed to aspire to. So, she tirelessly sought out fortuitous encounters, and continued her training to grow stronger.

This was the result. A carelessness born of thinking that being within the academy walls meant safety; a carelessness that, separate from Grace’s aptitude, endangered Asel.

Perhaps it wasn’t her fault. No, objectively speaking, that was certainly the case. If fault had to be assigned, the academy was more to blame.

But Grace held herself responsible for Asel’s disappearance, or death. The knowledge she possessed, and her failure to actively prevent it, weighed heavily on her chest.

Whether that was truth or falsehood was irrelevant. She ground her teeth and spoke to the man.

“Saya, where is that b*tch?”

*

Life bought with another’s sacrifice was hardly enjoyable. Nothing tasted like anything, and she would jolt awake, haunted by voices cursing her. She hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in ages, and her body felt drained of all strength.

If she had harbored wicked intentions and forced the sacrifice, would she not feel this guilt?

“…”

There’s a saying that one must become a monster to catch a monster. In that respect, Saya knew that she couldn’t live like a naive saint if she wanted to achieve her goals.

Sometimes ruthlessly, sometimes calculatingly. She had to obsess over money with the heart of a cold-blooded merchant to save her dying family back home. But… knowing that didn’t make it easy to become that way.

There was such a thing as nature. Saya was not born an evil person who could readily exploit others, take their sacrifices for granted, and only care for her own hunger. That’s why she couldn’t be proud of her survival at Asel’s expense.

Quill had shouted at her to be grateful to the man who saved them. To live desperately for revenge, instead of wasting time grieving.

A truly mercenary sentiment. Which was why Saya couldn’t do it.

Warren offered boundless remembrance for the magic world’s rising star lost in saving them. His words held both sorrow and gratitude, but the remembrance was more for the talent he possessed than for Asel, the person.

A truly mage-like sentiment. Which was why Saya couldn’t do it.

So, what should she do?

How should she send him off?

How should she, who had chosen a flawed commission by showing off her own judgement, and driven him into danger, send him off?

She didn’t know. That made her writhe in guilt even more.

She lay in bed, spending the whole day staring at the ceiling. She ate meals perfunctorily, barely tasting them, and handed over her overdue merchant guild tasks to the vice-leader. Quill and Warren, lying in the beds across from her, would occasionally say something, but after a while, she couldn’t even remember what they had talked about.

But she could clearly recall Asel’s face.

Even now. Saya pulled the blanket over her head, remembering Asel.

If she had known it would turn out like this, she wouldn’t have approached him so calculatingly. If she had known it would turn out like this, she would have tried to have more personal conversations.

If she had known…

“…Hngh.”

The more she thought, the greater her guilt grew. Eventually, tears began to well up again from her tear ducts, which she thought had run dry days ago.

That’s when Grace entered the infirmary.

With a bang, the door to the infirmary burst open. The sudden noise made everyone’s gaze turn towards the door. Grace gritted her teeth as she met the gazes of Quill and Warren. But Grace paid no attention to them. Instead, she approached Saya, who was still under the covers, and opened her mouth.

“Yoho.”

“…I am not some cursed fox. If you’re just going to spout nonsense, get out.”

“One of your teammates vanished, and you’re telling me you’re not cursed?”

“…”

“Fine. That’s not what I came to argue about.”

Grace forcefully yanked the blanket off Saya, peering down into her face.

“The place where the doppelganger hunt took place. Where is it?”

“…And if I tell you? What’ll you do?”

“I’ll go get Asel. Or at least find some trace of him.”

“Dream on. You think you can handle that necromancer? We barely managed to survive. And even that was only because the necromancer was being lenient. You can’t save Asel alone.”

“That’s my problem to deal with.”

“Don’t talk garbage. Are you dying to die?”

“In a world without Asel, there’s not much point in living, is there?”

“…You.”

Saya frowned, then pushed herself up, glaring at Grace.

“Anyway, I’m not telling you anything, so get out. I want to avoid another person dying because of me.”

“Are you just going to brush this off? One of your teammates disappeared because of an assignment *you* decided on, and you’re just going to do nothing until you’re recovered?”

“…What difference would it make if I did something? In the end, telling you is just passing on my responsibility, isn’t it? And if you die because of that? Who’s going to take responsibility for the emotions I’ll feel then? If you die, and Asel dies too! You want me to be tormented by guilt all day long until I die too?”

“That’s your problem to deal with.”

Perhaps due to her unstable mental state, a sharp tone burst from Saya’s mouth. Grace grimaced, echoing the sentiment.

“…Huh?”

Warren, who had been silently observing, turned his head at a faint *tap tap* sound of something tapping on the window.

There, a bird with a metallic body tilted its head as if asking for the window to be opened. Warren’s eyes widened as he realized the bird was a messenger bird, permitted only to mages of Wiheim.

“Could it be…!”

He immediately opened the window and let the messenger bird into the room. The messenger bird bowed its head towards Warren, then tried to fly towards Saya, but stopped in its tracks when it realized the tense atmosphere between her and Grace.

Warren spoke to the messenger bird.

“It looks like you have a letter to deliver? Show it to me first.”

[Coo?]

“If it’s for Saya anyway, it’s fine for me to receive it. I went through the same thing as her.”

[…Coo.]

The messenger raven, as if contemplating, tilted its head to one side. Then, straightening itself, it opened the storage compartment on its abdomen. A neatly folded piece of paper tumbled out.

Warren unfolded the paper and began to read immediately.

“…!”

Upon confirming its contents, he stood abruptly and approached Saya and Grace. The two, who had been glaring menacingly at each other, noticed Warren approaching with the paper and turned their heads towards him.

Warren spoke before either of them could.

“News from Assel.”

“…What did you say?”

“What?”

Both reacted simultaneously. Warren immediately spread the paper between them, revealing the message written upon it.

[Saya, I’m alive. I’ve finished my treatment at the cathedral, and I’m rehabilitating while staying here. Don’t worry too much. The Master is keeping me confined, but I think he’ll release me soon. Anyway, I escaped alright, so don’t fret and focus on your recovery. Give my regards to the other two.]

Upon reading the letter, Saya made a small sound, then covered her mouth with both hands.

Grace also released a deep, relieved sigh, clutching her trembling hands. The fury and sorrow that had been boiling just moments before seemed to subside in an instant. Tears pricked at her eyes, and her heart gave a single, heavy thud. All sorts of emotions swirled within her, then slowly calmed.

*Yes, as long as he’s alive, that’s enough.*

Grace thought, lifting her head. At that moment, she met Saya’s gaze, who had lifted her head with a similar thought.

“…”

“…”

The two stared at each other with awkward expressions before turning away.