Don’t panic.
Moen, don’t panic.
This isn’t the time to panic.
Even though I’m currently wearing this shameful outfit and being stared at by hundreds of eyes, I still have the identity of a beautiful girl to rely on.
They don’t know I’m Moen Campbell—for now.
It’s like how wearing underwear on your face makes certain perverted acts feel less risky.
As long as the disguise of being a beautiful girl isn’t stripped away, I am invincible!
“Ah, beauty, we’re here to save you!”
But just as Moen was forcefully reassuring herself, another commotion erupted downstairs.
Aside from the protagonist who had aggressively broken into the dormitory earlier, many other male students now seemed to be fueled by adrenaline. Frenzied, they furiously attacked the muscle-bound men blocking their way.
Some students who had previously escaped even returned, sneaking around the edges and casting spells. Their glances toward Moen were shy, as if they were purposefully trying to display themselves in front of her like awkward teenagers seeking attention.
And at this moment, from the darkness surrounding the dormitory, members of the elite student council entered silently, dressed in striking red uniforms!
Different from the chaos of the general students, they were clearly more disciplined, dividing themselves into teams to provide mutual support. Like sharp nails, they advanced into the chaotic battlefield through pre-determined weak points in the defenses.
The bun-haired beauty stood on a hastily-constructed platform, magic megaphone in hand, and issued commands with rare seriousness.
“All students below year three, retreat to the periphery! I’ll repeat: retreat to the periphery! Now is not the time to show off your courage! Give your seniors space to stage an offensive!”
“Students specializing in martial arts, advance quickly! Don’t be afraid—there are over a hundred medical magic students and believers supporting you from behind!”
“Offensive mages, move to the dormitory across the way, take the high ground, and provide safe ranged support!”
“Student Council Team Three, the west gate of the dormitory was cleared—enter through there immediately!”
“The president has spoken: the enemies are mere pests. Don’t be afraid! If we work together, we can definitely rescue the hostages!”
The student council’s involvement, combined with the twin-bun beauty’s inspiring words, gave an undeniable boost of morale to the still-chaotic student body.
Though for them, an invasion of the academy was unheard of, this was still Santa Maria College—a school where every class was about growing stronger.
Thus, when they recomposed themselves and initiated a more organized attack, how could those burly muscle-men possibly stand firm? Under the relentless storm-like assaults, they could only retreat step by step.
“This is great. At this rate, they’ll get in here quickly and rescue me, right?” Watching the unfolding scene, Moen couldn’t help but shed tears of gratitude.
Brave heroes finally united to rescue the beautiful princess, embarking on their journey to defeat the dark forces.
But what if, after battling countless monsters, overcoming countless obstacles, and actually defeating the Dark Lord to finally stand before the beautiful princess in hopes of receiving their reward…
The princess lifted her skirt and whipped out something bigger than the heroes themselves?
The heroes would probably burn the princess and the Dark Lord together, wouldn’t they?
Moen’s thoughts raced.
He knew that if he continued to sit idly by, once the groups of students arrived, escape would be utterly impossible.
Then, under hundreds of expectant gazes... once the potion’s effect wore off...
He’d absolutely die!
Both physically and socially!
Escape!
I have to escape ahead of time.
But…
Moen glanced at the high priest stationed nearby.
At the very least, someone has to distract this guy’s attention.
“Take this move, Heavenly Fire Greatsword!”
“Beauty, here I come!”
Just then, like a drought-stricken earth suddenly refreshed by rain, a heavenly voice echoed.
The door leading to the rooftop exploded open under the terrifying, fiery whirlwind of sword energy. The muscle-men guarding the door barely had time to react before they were swept away by the roaring blast.
Amid the backdrop of flames and gusting winds stood the destined protagonist, Ariel Bugard, wielding a sword taller than a person, making her dazzling entrance.
Holding an inexplicable toothpick in her mouth, Ariel glanced at Moen, her lips curling into her signature roguish smile.
“Kept you waiting, didn’t I, beauty?”
Ariel flipped her bangs and grinned smugly.
“I wasn’t late, was I?”
“…Crap.”
Moen’s mouth twitched, a shiver running down his spine.
Forget what I just felt—this person arriving "on time" doesn’t seem like a good thing after all.
What’s up with that swaggering attitude like she’s about to “steal my heart”?
Does the original book’s Ariel act this flirtatious, hitting on everyone she meets?
“Ar… Ariel, please keep moving forward! They’re catching up!”
Behind Ariel, Lea gasped for air, desperately pushing at Ariel with a look of panic. Chasing them were a dozen enraged muscle-men, their bloodshot eyes screaming madness.
“Tsk, weird. Didn’t I knock all of them out?”
“It’s useless. They seem to have been corrupted by the Dark God and aren’t behaving like normal humans anymore.”
“In that case, let’s go straight to their leader!”
Ariel spat out her toothpick with a sharp “plth,” hoisted her gigantic sword, and charged directly toward the high priest, who was distinct from the other muscle-men.
“Oh?”
Finally lifting his gaze from the night skyline, the high priest turned, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
“Do I look like someone who could be easily subdued?”
“Who can’t talk tough? Let’s see who’s stronger after the fight!” Ariel shouted, fierce and bold.
Aura surged.
Blade light flared.
Terrifying magical forces intertwined, creating fiery bladed edges without a single chant.
The blades expanded rapidly in the wind, as if carving a giant scar into the night sky.
Ariel leapt high into the air, light as a sparrow.
But as she descended, she brought the weight of a mountain, charged with thunderous force!
“How interesting.”
The high priest’s cold expression remained unchanging as he raised his hand, calling forth a glittering, frost-covered broadsword into his grasp.
He tightened his grip, showing none of the flashy theatrics Ariel employed. With one step forward, however, the entire dormitory seemed to quake.
The broadsword swung upward to meet Ariel’s fiery blade.
—Clang!
After a brief moment of hushed stillness, a thunderous explosion ripped through the air.
Blazing waves of heat roared outward, and the night sky briefly seemed to harbor a miniature sun.
Many students still locked in battles instinctively paused, their eyes drawn toward the clash.
At close range, Moen could feel the terrifying impact of their duel in full force and suddenly found it hard to breathe.
Ariel is this strong?
Are you really telling me she’s only in her second year?
No, no. This isn’t the time to be thinking about that.
This is a heaven-sent opportunity!
In the instant the high priest and Ariel became locked in their clash, Moen swiftly rolled on the ground to grab something he had been eyeing for a while…
That toothpick.
The toothpick twirled deftly between his fingers. Within mere breaths, accompanied by the sound of cold, snapping metal, the chains binding him fell to the ground with a clatter.
Moen could hardly contain his delight.
“It’s done!”
Level 8 Lock-Picking Skills FTW.
Finally free from the shackles, he was ready to soar like a bird and swim like a fish…
Huh?
That’s odd.
Even though he’d climbed down from the railing, why did the surrounding stares… still feel so scorching?
Moen stiffly raised his head.
And then he saw it.
The dozen muscle-men—left aimless after Ariel engaged the high priest and Lea disappeared—were now staring directly at him with expressions of utter seriousness.
