Chapter 18: Blood on the Snowfield

Kingdom of Chunai…

A group dressed in white church robes pushed open the door of the Adventurers’ Guild…

A thick, overwhelming stench of blood burst out from within…

“Ugh!! Gah!!!!”

The woman who opened the door stared blankly at the scene before her for two seconds, then her stomach heaved and she vomited onto the floor.

The woman in the center, wearing a white and red church robe, frowned at the sight, then raised her hand and signaled the other church members to enter the Adventurers’ Guild and begin searching for clues…

The entire Adventurers’ Guild was drenched in blood…

On the ground and atop the tables lay scattered, mutilated bodies, enough to make anyone tremble with fear.

“Cardinal…”

A woman in a white robe reported to the woman in the white and red church robe:

“It seems everyone present still has a breath left in them—there’s still a chance of survival.”

The woman, called Cardinal, in the white and red church robe, frowned and asked:

“Any clues…”

“None… for now…” The woman in white replied apologetically:

“Some had their fingers cut off, some had their arms chopped off, eyes stabbed out…”

“…Then your perception is still lacking.”

The Cardinal shook her head.

“The ones with eyes stabbed out were all Archers, those with arms severed were Shield Bearers, and those with fingers cut off were the Guild Receptionists who handled paperwork.”

“Everyone had their strongest attribute destroyed…”

“They were left alive so they’d never again hold the positions they excelled at—forced to live on in humiliation…”

“How…truly cruel…” The white-robed woman beside the Cardinal said, her voice trembling.

“Cardinal!! This one seems to want to speak with you!!!”

At that moment, another white-robed woman pointed at an Archer sprawled over a table, her eyes gouged out, barely clinging to life.

The Cardinal rushed over at the call, and gazed at the Archer, then spoke gently:

“Don’t be afraid. We’re from the church. What happened here?”

Hearing the Cardinal’s voice, the Archer immediately sat up from the table.

Her face twisted in terror, veins bulging in her neck, arms straining with desperate strength, as if using the last ounce of life within her, she shouted toward the Cardinal:

“She…she came…”

“She!!!! She…came back!!!”

The Cardinal didn’t understand why the Archer’s reaction was so extreme, and frowned, “Who…”

The woman stuttered, struggling for words, then finally opened her mouth wide:

“Se…”

“Seia!!!!”

“Seia!! Like a terrifying demon, wielding a Serpent Bone Greatsword!!!”

“She slaughtered everyone here!!! Everyone!!!”

“So scary!!! So scary!!!!”

The strong Archer woman cried and screamed like a frightened child, blood-tears streaming from her stabbed eyes like a waterfall.

Hearing the Archer utter that name…

The Cardinal drew in a cold breath.

“Cardinal, should we take them to a hospital for treatment? These wounds may never fully heal, but recovery is still possible.”

The Cardinal shook her head…

“Why let them live?”

“Should we tell everyone that useless Heroes are assassinated by the King?”

“Wha…what!!!” The blind Archer grabbed the Cardinal’s arm. “I’ve worshipped the gods all my life!!! Why!!!”

The Cardinal gazed at the Archer, speaking gently:

“Don’t worry. Your eyes are gone. To live in misery—better to return to the side of the gods.”

“The suffering of life—I will grant you release on behalf of the gods…”

With that, the Cardinal raised the ring on her finger and cast a spell, burning the entire Adventurers’ Guild to ashes.

After finishing, the Cardinal turned to all the white-robed clerics.

“Forget the Archer’s nonsense—you heard nothing.”

“The Adventurers’ Guild was destroyed in a fire, an accident caused by improper use of open flames by the Guild boss—understood?”

With that, the Cardinal turned and left, fear and darkness clouding her eyes…

This was the Guild where that useless Hero, Seia, used to stay…

It seems the Hero-killer was slain by her…

Seia…

Returned for revenge…

That village girl…is still alive…

In the distance, a beautiful woman with black wavy hair and sharp eyes watched the fire consuming the Adventurers’ Guild…

It was Seia.

Once an innocent little girl, she had transformed into a dashing and heroic beauty.

But the murderous glint in her eyes was too strong—no one dared meet her gaze…

When she severed the arm of the Guild Receptionist, Seia had asked about Joey’s whereabouts…

“Joey, big sister has come for you…”

***

“Ugh…why do I feel a chill all over, like someone’s watching me…”

Joey shivered, then leaned his small body a little closer to Aiki.

“I told you, Young Master—the weather’s turning cold. Please dress more warmly…”

Aiki frowned. “You wouldn’t listen when I dressed you this morning…”

“So annoying—don’t nag me like an old lady…”

The boy rolled his eyes at Aiki, then took two steps back.

“And you forget you’re a Vampire—your body’s even colder than the weather…”

“I didn’t expect the academy’s trial grounds to be this cold either…”

Joey looked around…

He saw groups of boys and girls testing their magic and abilities against each other.

Chiyang stood among them, excitedly swinging the giant sword Arlya had crafted at Joey’s request, battling wildly.

Only Aiki and Joey stood apart, watching from under an umbrella.

That’s right…

Joey had infiltrated the Entia Kingdom’s academy with Aiki and Chiyang.

This place, called Morning Sun Academy, was established by the Entia Kingdom specifically to train combat talents.

Graduates here either join the national military or become top-tier Adventurers.

Joey understood now…

So going to school here includes a guaranteed assignment…

But the entrance trial is hardcore…

On a magic-created snowfield, all new students must participate in a free-for-all battle.

You can form teams or fight solo.

Around the field, teachers of various professions supervise the chaos—students who impress a teacher are recruited into that instructor’s class.

“Actually, it’s pretty fair…”

Joey commented as he watched the brawl.

“For example, professions like Sage and Priest don’t have much combat power. But in an unregulated fight, if they team up, supporting or healing allies, teachers can see their potential…”

“I understand what you’re saying…”

Aiki nodded.

“But knowing you, you’d usually show off your power at a time like this…”

“So why are you hiding under an umbrella with me, just watching…”

“Emm…”

Joey frowned, thinking.

“Mainly, I don’t know which profession I should pick…”

“Warrior types are too brute-force—they’d be questioned.”

“But Sage types are too boring…”

“Aiki, why don’t you pick for me…”

“Young Master, let’s not overthink it. Looks like we’ve been targeted…”

Aiki glanced around, frowning as the aggressive students focused on her and Joey.

“Maybe we should just take them out first…”

“Oh, and go easy…”

Joey patted Aiki’s arm.

“You’re at Demon King General level strength—by human standards, that’s Master Adventurer.”

Actually, it’s the same ranking system as the games in Joey’s past life…

Hero, Master, Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze.

From strong to weak…

“Mm, I’ll be careful.” Aiki nodded.

A female student nearby licked her lips, eyeing Joey beside Aiki.

“Ah…the little Young Master next to the servant is so cute…”

“After I defeat the servant, maybe I’ll confess to him…”

Before the word “him” was out, Aiki raised her leg under the umbrella, her elegant foot in high heels kicking the female student’s face.

She sent the girl flying several meters, crashing into a tree.

“Confess? Young Master isn’t at dating age yet…”

Aiki’s gaze swept coldly over the crowd.

“I told you to hide your strength…acting like an idiot.”

The boy sighed, covering his head with his hand.

“Young Master, I really am holding back…”

Aiki wiped the blood from her heel into the dirt.

“It’s daytime and I need the umbrella, so I’ve been attacking with my least dominant leg.”