Once Index came back, I began changing my clothes in the middle of the room.
"Change somewhere else, you idiot!" Alleus slapped me across the face, interrupting me from fully pulling up my pants. Although, it was weird that she didn't do anything when I took off my shirt.
Going into the bathroom, I put on the change of clothes and then came out.
The clothes that Index chose were loosely fitted, very maneuverable, and comfortable.
"When's this raid that you speak of going to happen?" Index nodded at my change of clothes.
"It's going to happen this chapter. The events that lead up to it should start sometime during classes."
Stretching from side to side, Index then gave a faint smile.
"Well then, I suppose that I'll be heading with you in the morning."
"Aw geez, then that means that I won't be able to put on my dress anytime soon." Alleus frowned before continuing.
"Oh well, I'll just sleep with it on then."
"Make sure to change into your gear in the morning. We must be prepared as soon as possible."
***
Putting the book on war tactics into my pouch, I sighed.
Nothing had happened yet, and Professor Talus' class was almost over. Because of his high intelligence and the fact that only three people had fought in the raid against the red demons, it could only mean that Talus was the man who captured the leader of the red demons' barely alive body.
Shutting his book closed, Professor Talus then told everyone that class was over, but Incus was to stay and help him with something.
It was time. Glancing over at Alleus and Index, they gave me an understanding look.
"I shall accompany you." Steinen put a fist over his chest.
Raising a hand, Professor Talus shook his head.
"No, no, it'll be fine. It's a task that only Incus can do."
Patting his shoulder, Incus gave him that eerie smile again.
"Just wait for me at the auditorium. It won't take long."
Slumped, Steinen listened to her.
After everyone had left the room, Professor Talus began to lead the way. Maneuvering through halls that made Incus wear a face of confusion. She must not have gone through this path as well.
"Where are we going…?" Incus asked.
Lingering for a moment, Professor Talus answered:
"…You'll see."
We then reached what seemed to be the lowest level of the academy. Pushing over a painting revealed a hidden doorway. Talus gestured for Incus to head in first, which she did after a bit of hesitation.
Entering through, a set of stairs leading downward was revealed by light being illuminated by lanterns.
At the bottom, a dark room was vacant.
"I can't see anything. Can you turn on some light, Professor Talus?"
"Of course."
Snapping his fingers, the room was then lit up. Talus was standing by a lever. Pulling it down, the way out of the room was shut.
Pulling away Alleus, we unsheathed our blades by a corner. Index was standing without a care in the world.
"What's the meaning of this, Professor?" Incus summoned a sword that was giving off a freezing aura—it was the water hero's sword.
Pulling off a sheet of cloth, the leader of the red demons was revealed.
"I just wanted to show off a little experiment of mine… You see, the human body is weak and fragile. Once we reach the peak of our limitations, our ability to grow is no more. But demons… demons, on the other hand, are innately powerful. I've pumped so much mana into this demon, but its body has yet to falter! Fascinating, isn't it? With this, our limitations will be no more. All we have to do… no, all you have to do is stay here for a while until it's over."
Lowering her stance, Incus asked.
"…What do you mean by until it's over?"
Faint sounds and vibrations of bells permeated inside the small room. A raid. It was happening.
"Don't make me do this, Professor. I don't want you to make me into a killer. You've been like a father to me…"
Wait, what? Did that mean that Incus hadn't murdered anyone? But she had ruthlessly killed multiple demons… wait, not demons, but humans? Over a hundred chapters and she had yet to kill a human? Impossible. I supposed the abilities of an outlier truly were magnificent.
Summoning an orb staff, Talus began to shoot out chains of lightning.
"Lightning Chained Rays!"
Looking around the room, I manically began looking for cover. Lightning wasn't a straight shot. It acted like an amoeba, affecting everything around it.
But Index appeared before us and took the blows, shielding us.
"Don't worry, my disciples. I won't let you get injured so soon."
Incus' movements seemed stiff, as the limited space was restricting her movements, unlike Professor Talus, who was happily firing attack after attack.
"Hahaha! I see that you won't listen to me no matter what I say, so die!"
She then summoned multiple icicle swords, forming from the moisture in the air. But because of the limited space of the room, the amount she summoned only amounted to three.
She maneuvered around the room, utilizing side steps and L-steps. With the help of the ice swords, she was able to put pressure on Professor Talus.
Pulling back her sword, she began to spin it and gain inertia, the ice swords following the movements of the main sword.
"T-there's no way."
"What is it?" Alleus shook me by the shoulder.
"Cover yourselves now!"
In the next moment, a large explosion broke the door that had locked us in the small room. Looking at Talus, a large gaping hole was made in his abdomen.
"Damn it, I used too much force. Talus, are you okay—"
Slapping her reaching hand away, Talus filled the large gaping hole with ice.
"I can't die yet. I must fulfill the contract! Once I do, they'll grant me power!"
I see. Talus made a contract with the demons to either kill or hold back Incus while they raided the kingdom. This author really was ruthless, forcing the main character to kill someone they were close with.
"Dance of Angry Thunder! Intense Gale!"
The professor then began to rapidly shoot lightning and wind magic, casting wind to enhance the area of effect of the lightning. This bastard was completely disregarding the fact that he would be caught in the crossfire!
But then the firing of magic stopped.
With tears running down her blood-covered face, Incus whispered:
"You truly were the kindest man I've known…"
She then began to run outside the pathway, escaping the academy.
Because of her intense speed, Index carried us to her.
Reading the chapter being written in the sky, I bared my teeth.
┌─────═━┈┈━═─────┐
Chapter 116: Don't Turn Me Into a Murderer
…
After just killing the man who had always been with her, she cried tears for every moment that the professor had helped her.
Stopping her mourning, she ran out of the academy.
'I'll kill them all. I'll mutilate that demon who tempted him.' She bit her lip deep until it bled.
Incus didn't even bother looking for Steinen because she knew that he would be at the gate, waiting for her.
***
Across the field of the kingdom walls of Jansoara, the marching of demons was led by three Minotaurs. A dragon in human form was flapping his crimson red wings, complemented by the sky turning crimson.
Looking at the kingdom through his elegantly long crimson hair, his pupils glowed the same color.
"Lieutenants…" A gentle voice escaped his lips.
The Minotaurs who led the charge turned their heads.
"Take down their walls. Satiate your hunger with the flesh of humans."
Blowing steam out of their noses, they charged through the walls, effectively making a large gaping hole.
Steinen, who was waiting at the front gate, prepared for combat, but the Minotaurs ignored him and split ways, causing havoc in the kingdom.
Encountering two of the Minotaur lieutenants, Incus had to decide which one to battle. She couldn't be at two places at once, but thankfully a group of adventurers and a few civilians who looked capable were engaging in combat against one of the Minotaurs.
└─────═━┈┈━═─────┘
"Index, head for the Minotaur being attacked by a bunch of people!"
"Alright. You guys handle that. Use this chance to gain some experience. I'll go and move the children out of danger. I'll be back in a bit."
Throwing us towards the direction of the Minotaur, Index split ways. Thankfully, Incus wasn't too far away. Just close enough, but not far enough for us to lose clarity. Incus made a cage of icicle swords rotating around them.
Unsheathing our blades, Alleus and I slashed at the Minotaur's knees. But the joint attack was shallow.
Rolling back, I saw that the Minotaur had a large greatsword on the back of its waist.
Looking at the combatants around us, there were three swordsmen and two ranged fighters. Raising an eyebrow, I was intrigued by a woman in a florist's apron who had weapons hidden under her sleeves and dress.
She was spinning a shepherd's sling, shooting rocks from the ground at the Minotaur's nose.
Not only was she skilled, she was intelligent enough to understand that hitting any creature's nose makes them flinch back.
I must recruit her.