The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 86

Amon was gazing at the distant mountains, lost in deep thought.

‘Lich.’

The danger of a lich as a singular entity was comparable to a skilled dark mage. However, the true nature of a lich lay in [necromancy].

Thus, it was common knowledge that if a lich appeared, one must not allow it time to use its necromancy.

Without the undead army created through necromancy, a lich was merely ‘a skilled dark mage,’ and the chances of defeating it would increase significantly.

‘In any case, a lich is not a mere monster but a dark mage who was once human.’

A lich was the ultimate fate of a human who pursued greater magic, delving into dark arts and touching ‘forbidden practices.’

‘Evil, danger itself. A lich is an existence that even a considerable army cannot easily defeat.’

Amon, lost in thought with his eyes closed, nodded firmly, holding onto his convictions.

‘A lich like that would not be easily defeated. Moreover, a lich, evil and dangerous as it is, won’t be resolved as absurdly as the last incident!’

Faith in the lich!

This time, surely, he would ‘defeat the lich that occupied Barbaran Village’ and seize wealth and fame in one fell swoop!

“Alright, Ami! Rustianel! Let’s go! Our adventure begins now!”

Behind Amon, Ami and Rustianel, who were collapsed and wriggling like worms, couldn’t even lift their heads properly as they murmured.

“Hooray…”

On a low hill stood an elderly woman, inserting her sword into its sheath as she murmured.

“That was more underwhelming than I expected. I hurried here because they said a lich appeared.”

At her feet, a blackened skeleton disintegrated as if scattering into mist.

The lich that had occupied Barbaran Village had fallen.

A young woman surveying the surroundings from below the hill smiled brightly and said,

“For a knight of your caliber, grandmother, a lich is no big deal, right? Unless it’s an Archlich, this is the natural outcome.”

“Hoho, your flattery has improved, hasn’t it?”

“I’m just stating the truth.”

The young woman, her granddaughter, made Diana Pendorean smile with satisfaction.

One of the Empire’s Four Great Knights, the Grand Swordmaster.

Having heard of the tragedy in Barbaran Village while passing through the area, Diana arrived and defeated the lich.

Her granddaughter, Fiora Pendorean, who was inspecting the surroundings for any lingering threats, suddenly spoke.

“Grandmother, someone is approaching from afar.”

“Oh? Who could it be?”

“Perhaps a survivor who had left the village? Judging by the presence, they don’t seem to be a knight or mage.”

Fiora squinted at the figure approaching from a distance and spoke in a pitying tone.

“It seems like they are indeed a survivor. They’re stumbling towards us weakly.”

“Poor thing. What a great loss they must feel. How unfortunate.”

Diana sighed as she turned her head.

As Fiora had said, a man who appeared young was staggering toward them.

Overcome with sorrow, the man collapsed to his knees and began pounding the ground, sobbing.

Moved by the sight, both Diana and Fiora were on the verge of tears.

“Tsk, such a pitiful young man.”

“Indeed. I don’t know how to console him.”

“Sigh, this won’t do. Consolation may not be enough, but we should at least give him some funds to settle in another village—”

Diana’s voice trailed off.

As she gazed sympathetically at the sobbing man from afar, she suddenly realized he looked very familiar.

‘Wait! That young man is…!’

Diana’s eyes widened in recognition.

Amon pounded the ground, crying.

“This can’t be happening!”

The lich occupying Barbaran Village!

An assignment of [unknown difficulty], one that promised immense rewards and honor upon completion!

Fueled by dreams of success, he had crossed mountains and rivers to reach Barbaran Village, only to be met with a scene of undead corpses strewn across the ground like a rye field.

From afar, a black skeleton beneath the feet of someone standing on a hill was dissipating like mist—proof that the lich had already perished!

‘A lich! A legendary lich! Yet it was defeated so easily?’

He had arrived too late.

Had he known, he would have made Barbaran Village his first destination, and now he was filled with regret as he pounded the ground.

“Oh my, and who might this be?”

“…!”

Startled by a familiar voice, Amon raised his head.

The figure who had been standing on the hill was now right before him.

From a distance, he hadn’t recognized her, but up close, there was no mistaking it.

‘Diana Pendorean.’

The woman who had been desperate to take him as her disciple, only to change her stance upon seeing the Emperor, dismissing him with, ‘Defeat the enemies of the Empire, and only then will I take you as my disciple.’

She had even taken back the sword she had given him, leaving Amon with little affection for her.

“Lady Diana Pendorean. What brings you here?”

Amon’s brusque tone elicited an awkward laugh from Diana.

“I came here in haste upon hearing of the tragedy in this village.”

“I came for the same reason, but it seems I was too late.”

When Amon mentioned coming to defeat the lich, Diana’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘Wait, could he be…?’

Was he trying to fulfill her challenge to defeat ‘the Empire’s enemies’?

Certainly, a lich was worthy of such a title.

‘If he had truly defeated the lich, it would have given me a solid reason to take him as my disciple despite the Emperor’s objections. What a pity.’

As Diana clicked her tongue in regret, Amon narrowed his eyes.

‘Is she mocking me? Why is she clicking her tongue?’

Suppressing his frustration, Amon lowered his head. Meanwhile, Diana clapped her hands, as if struck by an idea.

“Just beyond here is a domain plagued by undead. Have you considered going there?”

“Grandson of Count Drake, right? Truly, it’s an honor to meet you like this.”

TLN: Amon’s grandfather was a Count.

“…Yes, it’s an honor.”

Amon, confused by the sudden shift in the conversation, answered mechanically. His head spun with uncertainty, but he couldn’t quite get a grasp on the situation.

‘What nonsense is this woman spewing now?’

Diana, oblivious to Amon’s inner turmoil, gave a knowing smile.

‘Good, good. Things are proceeding smoothly.’

She turned her gaze to Fiora and said, “Amon here has not only honed his skills but also dedicated himself to teaching the future of our continent. A truly commendable young man. Don’t you think so?”

Fiora, catching on to her grandmother’s intentions, smiled politely. “Of course, Grandmother. His dedication is admirable.”

Amon’s eyes twitched as he listened to this exchange.

‘What is she even talking about? Teaching? Future of the continent? Is this another one of her schemes?’

Despite his doubts, he decided not to confront her directly, given Diana’s formidable reputation. He simply sighed and said, “I am humbled by your kind words.”

Diana clapped her hands together as if she had made an excellent decision. “Wonderful! Then why don’t you two spend some time together? Explore the nearby areas and deepen your rapport.”

“Pardon?” Amon and Fiora exclaimed in unison, their tones layered with disbelief.

Ignoring their protests, Diana continued, “I trust the two of you will get along splendidly. Now, off you go. There’s much to see and discuss.”

Before either of them could respond, Diana turned her attention back to the aftermath of the battle in the village, leaving Amon and Fiora standing awkwardly together.

Amon sighed heavily, realizing he’d been swept into yet another of Diana’s plots. Fiora, on the other hand, simply smiled and said, “Shall we go, Amon?”

With no way to refuse, Amon nodded reluctantly. “Lead the way.”

As they walked away, Diana watched them with a contented expression.

‘This time, I’ll ensure everything goes as planned.’

And with that, she resumed her work, her thoughts already drifting to future schemes and strategies.

Amon thought of Fiora’s polite words.

‘I guess she’s heard a lot of bad things about me.’

Amon’s terrifying sense of victimization, developed from being repeatedly betrayed right before his eyes!

Amon spoke with a bitter smile.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Fiora.”

To Amon’s stiff greeting, Diana quickly added, thinking to herself, ‘Ah, he’s still shy.’

“But Amon, how are things at Amonis Academy these days?”

“The academy’s situation is the same as always. But why do you ask?”

“Hoho, it’s just that…”

Diana placed a hand on Fiora’s shoulder and spoke.

“Recently, this child seems to have a strong desire to become a teacher and educate students. So, since fate has brought us together, couldn’t you hire her as a teacher at Amonis Academy?”

Fiora’s face turned pale at the unexpected request for a job recommendation, which she had not been informed of in the slightest.

‘Grandmother? What are you saying…!’

At that moment, Amon was lost in thought.

‘Oh? Then would this finally make it five teachers?’

The cursed spy, Phais, had been expelled, shattering a dream that had seemed out of reach!

The academy’s full-fledged promotion plan, which could only be implemented with five regular teachers!

A gentle smile appeared on Amon’s lips, and seeing that smile, Diana completely misunderstood.

‘That boy! He’s thrilled at the idea of working with my granddaughter!’

‘Now I can finally face my younger sister and Lord Dragon with pride!’

‘Seeing how happy he looks, I’ll be seeing great-grandchildren soon! Naturally, Amon will officially become part of our family, and taking him on as my disciple will be simple!’

While the two of them were lost in completely different thoughts…

“Grandmother.”

“Hmm? What is it, Fiora?”

“I’ll be heading back now.”

An utterly furious Fiora turned on her heel and walked away, and Diana, shocked by the sight, hurried after her.

“Fi-Fiora!”

“Let me go. I’m going home.”

“W-Wait, just hear me out for a moment!”

“I don’t want to hear it. I really hate you, Grandmother.”

“I really hate you, Grandmother!”

At her granddaughter’s cold voice, something she had never heard before, Diana sank to the ground, stunned. Amon, watching Fiora’s retreating figure, looked up at the sky and sighed.

‘There’s no way things at our academy will ever go smoothly. I’m not even disappointed anymore.’

Amon’s sighs grew deeper by the day.