I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

53 – Monolith -1-

“I wanted to buy you a proper meal, but it’s a shame.”

Rohan poured crispy fries onto the wrapping paper.

After squeezing ketchup into a corner, he distributed burgers and sodas to the girls.

Sion, fascinated by the warm burger, fiddled with it. Though he tried not to show any emotional disturbance on his face, his expression was on the verge of breaking over a mere piece of food.

“I-I… this is more than enough…”

“Same here.”

Unfortunately, this was the best they could do. For these three, fast food was the only allowed option.

Time was literally running out. Orion Academy’s lunch break was limited.

All the proper restaurants were already full with office workers and academy students.

It was a tricky situation to find a decent place by foot. Considering the remaining time, this was the best they could do.

“Eat a lot. If it’s not enough, you can have more.”

“Thank you for the meal…!”

“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”

Clara expressed her gratitude to Rohan, bowing her head slightly while seated.

Seeing this, Zion followed suit.

As Rohan rustled and unwrapped the packaging, Zion glanced sideways and mimicked him.

It was a trivial action, but it seemed the proper method mattered to him.

“Eat quickly before it gets cold.”

As Rohan took a big bite, the two girls, who had been watching him, began to nibble cautiously.

“…!”

Zion’s eyes sparkled as she took a bite of the hamburger. The speed at which she ate increased step by step.

Unlike Clara, the elf girl wasn’t silent out of awkwardness.

She was fully focused on savoring the food.

Clara was eating with small, munching bites.

Though the girl glanced at him occasionally, Rohan had grown accustomed to it by now.

‘Were they hungry? Both are eating well.’

Rohan felt satisfied watching the girls. He even found it endearing.

Despite the gazes from passersby outside and from within, the two continued to eat without concern.

“Whew.”

When Zion lowered her gaze from the hamburger to take a sip of her drink,

Rohan seized the moment to resume the conversation that had paused.

“Today must have been quite a surprise for both of you, right? You wouldn’t have expected it.”

“Hmmm…”

“That’s right. But more than that, I was surprised by Clara’s skills.”

The two, Sion and Clara, had finished their brief introduction.

Clara, who had something to hide, tried to calm the heat rising to her face.

“Clara is no ordinary person, right?”

“Yeah.”

Sion nodded in agreement with a refreshing smile.

Then he focused all his attention back on his hamburger. Rohan just chuckled.

It seemed like now was not the time to talk.

The intense concentration Sion showed during lunchtime came to an end.

The three of them stepped out of the shop, exhaling breaths filled with satisfaction. Rohan checked the time and confirmed they had a bit of leeway.

“Well, thank you for the meal!”

“Did you eat well?”

Clara nodded in response to Rohan’s question.

There was a subtle shyness in the girl’s nod. To Rohan, this was the true essence of fine dining.

“Being in a position to receive like this I feel embarrassed.”

“It’s fine. Just saying you ate well is enough.”

Sion, of course, quickly added his thanks, saying he ate well.

Before returning to Orion Academy, Rohan led the two girls back to the dormitory.

There’s still time.

Even if Sion doesn’t know what to do, Clara seems like she’ll stay in the room.

Even if we send her off like this, a quiet place would be good for a farewell.

After a few steps, the place quickly became deserted. It felt like the earlier bustle was an illusion.

Around lunchtime, the dormitory area is really quiet. Clara, you’ll come to the bookstore after resting, right?

Yeah!

Since we’ve eaten, you should get some rest.

Is that… really okay?

Of course. Make yourself comfortable.

It was unique how she asked for permission to lie down on the bed.

Since it was Clara’s words, Rohan nodded without much thought.

A few more steps.

Rohan.

Yes?

As they got closer to the dormitory, Sion fiddled with his goggles and spoke in a voice that didn’t sound very enthusiastic.

Unlike before, his face showed reluctance, giving Rohan a bitter feeling.

I’ll be going back.

Are you very busy?

It’s not urgent. But I want to go back with some leisure.

If only it were the weekend, he could have told him to stay longer comfortably.

Since it would be a problem for Clara and me to rest in the same room.

“Just wait a moment.”

“Hmm?”

Rohan rummaged through his pocket and pulled out two coins, flicking them towards Sion.

The coins traced a parabola and landed softly in the girl’s palm.

“Next time, let’s not get cut off when we call. It drives me crazy.”

“I’ll take it and definitely repay you.”

Words that couldn’t be refused. Sion erased her negative feelings and slightly lifted the corners of her mouth.

And the princess stared ahead.

Behind her, Clara was fidgeting, glancing back and forth between Rohan and herself.

Rohan, who didn’t avoid her gaze, was also visible.

Sion, engraving the inexplicable satisfaction in her memory, asked.

“Aren’t you going to ask why I came today?”

“I told you to come, so why ask that? It’s indirectly telling you to leave.”

Seeing Rohan’s straightforward answer, Sion couldn’t help but chuckle.

Rohan also lifted the corners of his mouth at the smile she showed without hiding it. Can’t you see that our princess’s expression has brightened?

“Indeed, you were that kind of person.”

“Why? Do you have something else to say?”

“No.”

Sion lowered her goggles, as if signaling her intention to leave.

He lifts the black cloth that had been hanging down, covering his mouth and nose.

“Take care.”

Rohan nodded at the greeting.

But it didn’t end there; an unexpected voice came through.

“I-I’ll greet you properly next time…!”

When Clara mustered the courage to greet him, Sion looked surprised for a moment.

In response, he concluded by suggesting they have a more earnest conversation next time.

“Alright then.”

Sion turned his back to the two of them.

He tensed his thighs, ready to push off the ground.

That’s how Rohan and Clara should have let Sion go.

They should have watched his receding figure, hoping he would stay strong until the preparations were complete and the signs appeared.

That’s what should have happened.

“!”

All three of them sensed the ominous magic at the same time.

In an instant, the realization made them freeze in their movements and breaths.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!!!

The loud noise came from right behind them.

Rohan and the girls turned around in silence.

A black tombstone had appeared.

Ominous. Disgusting. Unusual. Wrong. Malicious.

Rohan, who had experienced Abyss City and attentively listened to theoretical classes, knew best what that was.

‘Monolith!?’

The stele emitted magical power and densely recorded unreadable characters.

The letters inscribed on the stone tablet absorbed the magical power, glowing brightly and starting to distort the space.

“Come here.”

Regaining his composure, Rohan took out his smartphone, confirmed that there was no signal, clicked his tongue, and put it back in his pocket.

He grabbed the hands of Clara, who was standing next to him, and Sion, who was about to leave the academy city.

“O, Oppa…!”

“What is this…?”

He pulled them closer. They had to stay together.

He had anticipated that such a time would come someday, and having had similar experiences several times in the past, calmness quickly returned.

“Stay still. If you try to escape when the magical power is fluctuating, your body might be torn apart.”

Unlike usual, Rohan’s lowered voice made the two close their mouths.

“There are two cases when the Monolith appears. The first is when monsters pour out. In that case, assess the situation and deal with it, or if it seems like an impossible opponent, escape with all your might.”

If the size of the magical power made it seem impossible to handle, contact the main character.

Even if left alone, the guards who sensed the energy would come flying.

“And the other case?”

Without taking his eyes off the Monolith, Rohan moved his lips in response to Sion’s question.

“It swallows people and drops them into a dungeon.”

This is information that isn’t even in the textbooks.

It’s a new abnormal phenomenon that has been occurring since the protagonist appeared in Abyss City.

Rumble!!!

The atmosphere trembles. The ground begins to crack from the point of the monolith.

The magic power fluctuates more violently.

“In that case, it’s best to stick together so we don’t fall.”

At those words, Sion, tense, unconsciously grabbed Rohan’s hand tightly.

“Ugh…!”

“It’s okay. It’s okay, just breathe.”

Clara, seemingly in a panic, began to tremble all over.

Rohan, holding Clara in his arms, gently stroked her back to calm her.

Screeeech!!!

The characters inscribed on the monolith emit a brilliant light.

At the same time, a notification window appeared in front of Rohan’s eyes.

[ A quest has occurred. ]

[ The Country that Worships the Sun ]

Quest Details: A monolith, the symbol of anomaly, has appeared in the academy city. Escape safely from the distorted space with your companions!

Type: Sudden

Success Reward: 3,000P, Complete Party Recovery, One-time Luck of Seneca

Penalty for Failure: None