The Parasite Queen.

A monster that once threatened to bring the continent to ruin.

Its appearance resulted in the mid-term evaluation being postponed by two weeks.

The evaluation method was changed to a simple tournament-style duel. Although it was a makeshift solution, it was a straightforward method and did not face much opposition.

Additionally, the Uninhabited Island where the mid-term evaluation took place was deemed a high-risk contaminated area. It was decided that the Disciplinary Committee, the Punitive Squad, and combat personnel would be deployed to completely clean it up.

During this period, a temporary school closure order was issued for the Academy.

“…It's peaceful.”

And during the closure, I was admitted to the infirmary. It was merely mana exhaustion, so a day of rest was all I needed, but…

Given my previous significant injuries, Laurent, the Head of the Disciplinary Committee, and the Health Teacher collectively decided I should undergo a thorough examination to ensure there were no disabilities or aftereffects from this mana exhaustion.

'I'm not sure why they listened to Laurent's opinion instead of mine.'

Anyway, it didn't seem like my condition warranted a thorough examination.

But since I was allowed to train at night, I didn't have much to complain about.

The school was quiet and peaceful…

I sipped my black tea.

-Sip.

Sitting by the window, I enjoyed the leisure of drinking the black tea brewed by the Health Teacher.

As I savored this peaceful moment, a sense of unease began to stir within me.

"Something always happens when it's this peaceful..."

"Hmm, you've got good intuition."

"What did you say?"

-Sip.

I turned to look at the black-haired senior with a bob cut sitting next to me, sipping tea in the same manner.

Since the cultist's recent attack, Elki Senior had become noticeably more mature. I asked her.

"Oh, it's nothing."

Despite her busy schedule, Elki Senior came to visit me in the infirmary. How thoughtful of her to care for a junior like me! Elki Senior, who once seemed so soaked in her nonchalance, had changed remarkably…

Much credit goes to the Head of the Legal Department for this.

And it wasn't just Elki Senior and me enjoying the peace in the infirmary.

There were two other patients besides us.

One was Trinia, who had sustained serious injuries from the Parasite Queen.

The other was Saccharin, complaining about being seriously injured despite appearing fine.

...They say she's mentally exhausted, and even now, she lies in the corner of the infirmary like she's dead. Almost being killed by her summoned creature must have had a significant mental impact.

I'll have to brew her some herbal medicine later.

Anyway.

I looked at Trinia, who had returned from the intensive care unit, and asked, "Trinia, are your injuries okay?"

-Sip.

"I am perfectly fine."

Trinia responded as she also sipped her tea. Then, as if wanting to show how vigorous she still was, she rolled up her sleeve.

After that, a flame flickered from her fingertips.

-Whoosh.

A beautifully burning Full Spectrum light.

"That's…"

"I learned it by watching Laurent use it."

Trinia effortlessly perfected the Full Spectrum.

In one corner of the training ground, a blond cadet was demolishing the area.

Wearing gauntlets on both hands, the girl continued to manipulate the flow of Attraction and Repulsion.

Laurent, the First Action Leader of the Disciplinary Committee.

She was in the process of recreating the technique she used with Gardner, recalling the moment they utilized the Full Spectrum.

Full Spectrum.

It was something she wouldn't be able to restore completely.

But the form of [Taeguk], which handled that violent power so delicately, seemed within her reach to recover.

"Unite the external and internal… and melt it into the essence of Taeguk…"

The theory was still beyond her grasp…

But the sensations from that time remained in her hands. Considering her talent, she should be able to reproduce this feeling as much as she desired.

Laurent repeated the same motion hundreds, if not thousands of times.

Finally.

Thump.

Using Attraction and Repulsion, she created a vortex and observed its flow.

Instead of force, she made the cycle of yin and yang with her will. By uniting the internal and external notions of her intention, she established the flow of Taeguk around her.

After capturing all the flow at her fingertips and releasing it—

Boom!!!

A swirl-like scar marked the wall of the training ground.

Though not of an overwhelmingly destructive size, the intricate skill embedded there was undeniable.

"...Good."

Clench...

Laurent murmured, clenching her fist.

Laurent's special technique, Taeguk.

After creating a rotation of Attraction and Repulsion, she successfully erased the boundary between the internal and external.

In other words, the limitation on the amount of power that could be absorbed and redirected was gone.

Behind the dark warehouse, a large number of students had gathered.

Among them, a girl sat in the highest seat.

She was the ringleader who had gathered everyone in this place.

She opened her mouth to speak.

"Thank you all for attending, members of the Manga Research Club, Bakery Club, Barista Club, Pet Café Club, Cat Club, Game Club, Movie Appreciation Club, Board Game Club, TRPG Club..."

The ringleader recited a seemingly endless list of names.

"...Those of you who were unfairly denied the establishment of your clubs, thank you for gathering here."

The main point was finally revealed by the ringleader.

"Currently, the Disciplinary Committee, which handled internal security at the Academy, has left with only two officers remaining behind."

This was to completely clean up the remaining monsters on the devastated mid-level evaluation grounds.

They called it Operation ‘Disinfection’ or something.

The emergence of the Parasite Queen had turned the battalion upside down...

Clearing out all the monsters left quite a bit of cleanup work to do.

The Disciplinary Committee will be away for about 5 to 7 days.

During this time, the Academy will virtually be in a state of security vacuum.

Normally, the Operations Department would supplement the security forces during this period...

"Due to the previous Cultist attack incident, the Operations Department has refused to provide troops for security maintenance. The Academy is now in a complete security vacuum."

"It's the perfect condition to initiate a grand undertaking."

The head of the Manga Research Club chimed in.

The ringleader, nodding, signaled to a cadet beside her.

The cadet immediately unfolded the paper he was holding.

It was a map that roughly depicted the layout of the Academy.

The ringleader picked up a pointer and indicated a specific point.

"The Disciplinary Committee is expected to return in about five days. By then, we aim to have taken over the Human Resources Department and begin our 'struggle' in earnest."

"...Is this plan really safe?"

One of the club heads raised a hand and asked.

Understanding the question, the ringleader responded with a smile.

"You're referring to that cadet... Gardner, right? Our 'ally' will take care of that cadet for us."

"Ally? Who might that be? I don't think any of our club heads can handle Gardner..."

"Hehe... Don't worry. It's an elite who participated in the recent 'Parasite Queen incident.'"

"...Could it be... that woman?"

“Could they be talking about her?”

“No way... The one who received academic warnings…”

“The one even the Punitive Squad, which values only ability, was wary and refused…”

A buzz spread through the gathered crowd, and one by one, they began to focus their attention on the ringleader.

While some of the attention was mixed with admiration, the other part was filled with pity.

“I can’t even begin to imagine what she gave up for this…”

"Huh?"

The ringleader, not understanding why pity was mixed in their eyes, continued speaking with a completely puzzled expression.

"Anyway, let's gather in front of the Square tomorrow at 10 AM!"

The ringleader shouted energetically, and the rest of the heads joined in with cheers. Their collective cries carried a determination to definitely establish their cause this time.

Someone was eavesdropping on all of this.

Punitive Squad Operator Elki.

She observed everything and placed a hand on her forehead.

'Seriously... What am I supposed to do with these people?'

"What do you think about the upcoming mid-term evaluation, Disciple?"

Trinia asked. The mid-term evaluation—perhaps it was supposed to be in a tournament format.

Likely, the favorites to win would be Trinia and Laurent, who have powered up because of the recent incident.

Trinia's question implied asking who I thought would win if she and Laurent faced off.

I ran several simulations in my head...

'An impenetrable shield versus a spear that pierces through everything.'

That was the dynamic between Laurent and Trinia.

I figured that whoever's in better condition on the day would win.

Upon sharing these thoughts, Trinia spoke.

"If I lose... it will be your responsibility, Disciple."

"...Me?"

"It was you who taught Laurent my techniques, wasn’t it!? She's my rival..."

"That was an unavoidable situation, wasn't it?"

"That's why I'm cooperating to make Laurent my disciple as well."

Hmm... Do I just need to get a signature?

I was thinking I could just ask her for a favor.

"I will definitely defeat Laurent and make her my disciple..."

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