Chapter 20:

Chapter 20:

The Cadets, including Tania and Abel, were driven out of the Academy in a vehicle that resembled a car, it was spacious enough for ten people, and its speed was much faster than that of a carriage. The interior of the vehicle was tranquil. The atmosphere was somber, and no one spoke. But the silence didn’t last very long.

“I......”

It was in the quiet atmosphere that Daniel mustered up the courage to speak.

“Isn’t it impossible to visit the Wall of Glory in general? I heard it’s an important military facility...”

Tania simply answered Daniel’s question.

“In general, yes. However, cadets of the Del Mordor Academy are an exception. You will be on the front line as Gigant Riders in the future.”

When she finished her words, a more profound silence descended than before. Not surprisingly, the tension in the cadets’ faces intensified; The name ‘Wall of Glory’ carried significant weight. This chapter was first shared on the Ñøv€lß1n platform.

‘The Wall of Glory itself is a battlefield,’

Abel recalled the in-game information. For generations, the cadets of the Special Class have been taken on a field trip to the Wall of Glory at the beginning of the semester as a ‘wake-up call.’

The Wall of Glory is a massive barrier that repels enemies from entering the Empire, and many battles have been fought there.

‘Maybe a battle is going on even today.’

Those who live within its high walls don’t even realize it, but this world is never at peace. That’s why the cadets visit the Wall of Glory at the beginning of the semester. Cadets will realize the weight of being a Gigant Rider by touring there.

Of course, we can’t hurt the talent of the academy who haven’t learned anything yet, so it ends at the level of a field trip; this means that the chances of anything dangerous happening are slim to none.

‘But this time, it’s different.’

Usually, things sometimes turn out differently than expected. In the game, an unexpected crisis arises during a field trip that puts the cadets in great danger. And it’s not just for show, either.

‘There are three bad endings here alone.’

The slightest mishap and the game ends with the death of the main characters. It was only natural for Abel to feel so nervous. But that’s not all there is to the game.

‘With every crisis comes opportunity and reward.’

That’s what the game is all about. If you handled the crisis well, you could get a bigger reward than usual. Abel reviewed the plan, pulling out the bits of information he knew with a complex expression. How long had it been, he wondered, as the horsepower vehicle gradually slowed down before it finally stopped.

“We’ve arrived.”

They had arrived at their destination.

»————- ★ ————-«

Del Modore Academy is thoroughly elitist. First, depending on your ability, there is a noticeable difference in treatment and support. Only forty students are placed in the upper class, where they are taught how to use a gigant properly, and from that upper class, the top eight students are selected and organized for a special class. It is said to be a skill meritocracy.

‘That’s why the special classes have many more opportunities,’ Abel thought as he looked around, ‘Like today’s visit to the Wall of Glory.’

This was a benefit that other cadets could not enjoy. Later, the entire first grade would come on a field trip, but there’s a big difference between 8 and 40 people moving.

“This way!”

The Cadets disembarked from their transportation, and uniformed soldiers welcomed them. At the soldier’s gesture, the cadets nervously walked over. They were now directly in front of the Wall of Glory, but the wall was not visible because another building covered it.

“You can go inside here.” The soldier ushered the cadets in with a firm but caring demeanor.

‘The atmosphere is still nice.’ Abel thought as he walked, taking in his surroundings. He could see people bustling about, but it was pretty decent. It proved that nothing significant had happened yet.

Not long after walking down the gray corridor, he saw a door in the distance. Arriving at the front of the door, the soldier spoke up.

“When you go through that door, be aware of your surroundings. If you look away, you might get into an accident.”

The soldier gave a few more words of caution, then reached for the doorknob. The door slowly opened and... Noise flew through the open doorway and burrowed into their ears without warning.

“Moving stuff in direction N2!”

“They still pose a great threat to humanity.” Standing behind the cadets who could not take their eyes off the window, Tania spoke, “Some say that if the giants had proper intellect, mankind would have already perished.”

“Uh, that... doesn’t it have intelligence?” Lian asked in a slightly frightened voice.

“Yes. They do not move with a clear purpose. They drift across the continent like natural disasters.” Tania responded firmly as if to appease Lian.

Her words were also common knowledge here. Most giants are located in the far east; only a few have escaped and stirred the continent. But it wasn’t true. Only Abel knows the truth.

Giants have proper intellect. They think and act just like humans. The continental countries, including the Empire, thought there would be no case of the gigants rising and invading simultaneously. But that’s also not true.

Three years from now, the giants will launch a massive invasion. Kingdoms close to the East are wiped out instantly, and the empire suffers a fatal blow. That is the main story, and at the same time, it is the scheduled future. Only Abel knows that.

‘I have to be strong.’

It doesn’t mean anything to be strong alone. Each young boy and girl with him now is the hope and beacon of humanity in the distant future. Abel must carry it all in his arms and move with them together. That was the only strategy.

“Whoa.”

Abel let out a long breath and slowly relaxed. It wasn’t the future three years from now that he needed to worry about for now. This is because this is the place that brings the danger of death to full-layers.

‘How long do we have?’

He asked, looking anxiously at the soldier standing by the window. The exact timing is unknown. He had no choice but to stand still. His body tensed up, and ready to run at any moment.

Daniel, standing right next to him, gave him a strange look, but Abel didn’t look at him. The soldier gave them a moment to look outside after Tania had finished speaking before he spoke again.

“Okay, this time we’re going to take this observatory to...”

As Abel listened, his eyes caught something beyond the large glass window. A silver whip-like thing flew toward him. Abel reflexively drew on his magic.

“Overflow. Shadow Step.”

His body immediately jerked backward as if pulled.

Quaaaang~!

The sound stretched like a malfunctioning audio, and he could see one wall slowly bursting open. Time was slowing down. No, in reality, his thoughts had accelerated. Abel grabbed the body of the soldier, who stood dumbfounded in that slow time and launched himself at him.

Wheee!

A whip or something hit the spot where the soldier was standing, and then he was returned to his original position. Most of the cadets ducked back, screaming, and a few tried to move forward but were stopped by Tania. Here, she was the only one carrying what could be called a weapon.

Aaaaaang!

A magic circle hovered above the glass for a moment, then disappeared, shattering it. Abel shouted at the soldier, who didn’t immediately recognize the situation.

“It’s a monster attack!”

The soldier looked at the hole in the wall as if he had just realized it and quickly jumped to his feet.

“Everyone, come this way!”

The soldier shouted and hurriedly ran to one wall. He went right where the deactivated Tito was standing. The soldier ran there and put his hand on a bead-like device attached to the wall.

Woo woo woo woo-!

Soon after, the cockpit of the Tito, which had been placed like an ornament, opened all at once.

“It’s an emergency, everyone. Please board the gigant!”

Hearing those words, Abel smiled wryly.

“Just as planned.”

[To be continued.]