The knights stared in stunned silence at the remains of the annihilated Wyverns. Then, one after another, they hurled their swords and shields aside and let out thunderous roars. They embraced their comrades, howling about miracles and savoring the simple, raw joy of being alive.
I, for my part, was caught up in my own whirlwind of elation.
"I did it! I actually did it! Finally! Hah—hahahahaha!"
I couldn't stop the laughter from bubbling up.
The spell I’d used, Thunder Emperor Summon: Chain Lightning of Divine Punishment, was a direct port from the original game. Its signature was that flashy, screen-clearing effect that scorched every enemy in the combat zone.
This was the first time I had perfectly reproduced the Ancient Magic I’d always admired on a screen. It was impossible not to be ecstatic. Beyond just meeting my goal... I never expected it to be this powerful!
This was the true strength of Ancient Magic. This was the overwhelming power I now held in my hands!
"Incredible! This is absolutely incredible!"
It was perfect. With this, I didn't have to fear some stupid death flags. I hadn't been wrong to dedicate myself to mastering Ancient Magic. A deep sense of certainty took root in my heart. With this power, I could survive.
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Later, I rejoined Galfried and the others with a perfectly straight face, claiming I’d come back because I was "worried about that massive lightning strike." We returned to the mansion together.
The knights were still riding a massive adrenaline high, repeating the same things over and over on the way home.
"Eight Wyverns taken out by lightning alone! It’s a miracle!"
"God hasn't forsaken us!"
"Man, my heart is still pounding!"
Well, it was a dramatic reversal from certain death, so I couldn't blame them for being excited. Seeing them that happy didn't feel half bad, either. Even after we reached the mansion, the incident was all anyone talked about.
Still, time flowed on as usual—two weeks passed, and the day of my enrollment at the Academy finally arrived.
The events of the original game were finally about to begin.
The situation didn't look too bad. I had mastered Ancient Magic and obtained peerless power. I had successfully made Princess Eliana dislike me, so she would likely ignore me once we were at the Academy.
If I just kept my head down at school, I should be able to clear the death flags without any trouble. As long as Hero Leon defeated the Demon King, my natural death was all but guaranteed.
On the day I left, I visited my father’s office.
"Thank you for everything. I’m leaving now for the Arcana Academy."
Since the Academy was a boarding school, I had to move out.
"Umu. Strive to ensure you do not bring shame to the name of House Kronstadt, even at the Academy."
"I will."
"The Blessing of the Thunder God is upon you. Do not be daunted."
"I underst—wait, the Blessing of the Thunder God?"
"Precisely. You’ve heard the story, haven't you? About how we were at death's door during the Wyvern hunt, only for lightning to strike and save us."
"Ah, yes... but is that really a blessing?"
"Of course! There is no way eight bolts of lightning would accidentally strike only the Wyverns! It was undoubtedly a grace bestowed upon us by an existence beyond our understanding."
My father’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me.
"A great tide has turned for House Kronstadt. This is an auspicious sign!"
"Uh, right... I see..."
As the person who knew the truth, I didn't know how to react. Then again, I suppose to anyone else, it really would look like a miracle.
"A grace bestowed by an existence beyond our understanding"—that part wasn't exactly wrong, though. That mysterious woman, Shiunin... just who was she?
"When you are in trouble, offer a prayer to the Thunder God. I, too, shall pray for you every day."
"Thank you very much..."
Things were heading in a bizarre direction. I just hoped a weird religion didn't sprout up out of this; I was starting to worry about the future of my family's territory.
"Well then, I’m off."
After bidding farewell to my father, I headed toward the carriage waiting outside. My servants, Galfried and his knights, and my tutor, Claude, were all there to see me off.
"I appreciate you all coming out."
Claude stepped forward.
"Young Master, you are the most brilliant pupil I have ever had the honor of teaching. To be honest, it pains me to see you go to the Academy, but it cannot be helped. Take care of yourself. Do not neglect your magical studies."
"I won't."
"Please contact me when you return. This Claude has become a man who can no longer be satisfied by any magic but yours. By all means, please grant me a session of your instruction again."
"A-Ah... right..."
I felt a strangely intense aura radiating from Claude. I wondered if there was some profound emotion hidden behind his words.
I said my goodbyes to the rest of the staff one by one. Five years had passed since my personality changed, and the "Albert" who had once been hated by everyone had become someone truly loved. It wasn't a bad feeling.
After final farewells, I climbed into the carriage. As it began to move, the scenery of my home started to flow past the window.
While entering the Academy marked the start of the game that invited my death, there was a part of me looking forward to it. Since the Arcana Academy was the primary setting of the game, many ancient texts—like the Heavenly Emperor's Book—were hidden there. Most were in places where ordinary students weren't allowed to tread.
Acquiring them was my mission.
Mastering more Ancient Magic and increasing the options at my disposal was the right move. I just hoped every book didn't have a weird personality living inside it like Shiunin did. If they did, things were going to get tedious. I hoped Shiunin was just uniquely ill-mannered.
My Academy life was finally beginning.
As a gamer who had cleared every difficulty imaginable, this was the part that made my heart race. I was going to clear this life in the coolest way possible.
My second life was finally entering the main quest.