Volume 3 Chapter 175

Volume 3 + Chapter 175: Showdown

Xia Yi followed Hill outside and saw the sky.

The Endless Rainbow Light Magic Array covering the sky above Laurel Academy—among the four directions, three had already been broken. Only the northern array remained, but it no longer had the overwhelming power it once displayed. Now it was like a candle flickering in the wind, its light dim and weak.

The Endless Rainbow Light Magic Array itself worked by extracting the magic power of the leyline beneath Laurel Academy, while the four directional arrays served as weapons to release that power outward, dealing fatal blows to the enemy.

Now, with three of the outlets destroyed, there was no longer any ability to strike back against the enemy. What that meant, Xia Yi and Hill knew all too well.

Laurel Academy had already been surrounded by the Legion of Calamity. All around were waves of mutated magical beasts and disaster beasts. If they surged forth from the remaining three directions, it would mean a complete fall. Rivers of blood would inevitably flow.

Everyone here would die.

“Why did it turn out like this?!”

Hill’s face was full of disbelief.

“This is really bad.”

A true disaster had descended.

Without relying on the Endless Rainbow Light Magic Array, if it came down to the strength of the humans in Laurel Academy alone…

Xia Yi didn’t believe they could oppose the Legion of Calamity.

“Answer me, why has this happened!!” Hill demanded through the communicator.

“This, I…”

“Give the communicator to Biden, let me speak with him!!”

Hill was clearly angry.

The communicator went silent for a moment, then Biden’s voice came through.

“Teacher Hill, it’s me.”

Biden’s voice sounded different from before, as though he had aged decades. It was weak, like someone already half a step into the grave.

“There are traitors inside Laurel Academy. They destroyed three of the four directional arrays. We are leading the remaining people toward the northern array.”

“Can the northern array drive back the monsters of Calamity?” Hill asked.

“……”

Biden was silent, then after a moment—

“We need your help, Teacher Hill. We cannot sit and wait for death.”

He didn’t state it directly.

But Hill understood what that silence meant.

It was… despair.

Since others were beside Biden, he wouldn’t say it out loud. If he did, the situation would worsen further. He was hiding it from everyone.

“What… what can we still do now?” Hill restrained her emotions.

“Teacher Hill, you’re at the infirmary, aren’t you?”

“I’m not.”

“You’ve come back? Then you must return immediately to the infirmary. Guide everyone left there to move at once toward the northern array. Every life saved is one more. If they remain outside, the monsters will kill them all.”

Biden’s tone was heavy. He had clearly taken a severe blow.

But it was no wonder. The Endless Rainbow Light Magic Array he had placed such confidence in ultimately failed to protect everyone.

This was the dereliction of duty of a human Grand Magister—his final years in ruin.

“I have a next step in my plan. But for now, do this first. No matter what, we humans cannot give up resisting Calamity, or we’ll die even more miserably.” Biden coughed a few times. “My condition isn’t good right now. Disaster beasts are closing in again. I must hurry to respond. You should act as well.”

“Alright.”

Hill agreed.

Then, the communication ended.

“Let’s go,” Hill said to Xia Yi.

Xia Yi nodded, followed beside her, and they ran toward the infirmary.

……

Because the situation was urgent, there was no time to waste. The two soon reached their destination.

The area around the infirmary had already been made into a refuge. Many wounded and civilians were gathered there, uneasy after noticing the anomaly with Laurel Academy just moments ago.

When Hill arrived, they immediately crowded around her.

“Teacher Hill, what happened? Why has the protective magic array above us dimmed?”

“Yeah! What’s going on? We’re not in danger, are we?”

“Of course not! Laurel Academy is so strong, and the Sword Saint is here with us. In front of a hero, monsters are nothing at all. Stop saying nonsense!!”

Listening to their voices, Hill’s expression grew strained.

She didn’t want to lie to everyone. But if she spoke the truth now, what would happen…

It would absolutely be uncontrollable chaos. The threat of death would strip the civilians here of all reason. They had never undergone combat training, and their mental fortitude couldn’t compare to Laurel Academy’s students. In such a crisis, if they knew certain death awaited, even following orders would become impossible.

She could only grit her teeth, refusing to let her emotions show. “Don’t worry, everyone! We’ll be fine. We’ll protect you all. It’s true the situation has changed somewhat, but Laurel Academy is working hard. That’s why we must relocate everyone to a safer place. Those who can move, get moving! Those who can’t, help each other. Together we’ll reach safety.”

“Alright!”

Everyone began to move, especially the teachers and students of Laurel Academy who could still act. Not yet knowing the truth, they believed survival was possible, and did their best to help others.

This tormented Hill’s heart. But she told herself—she could not reveal the truth. Absolutely not…

At this moment, Xia Yi stood to the side, watching Hill, her feelings also complicated.

What should she do next?

Fight?

Impossible. While suppressing the dragon’s curse, her abilities as a dragon were greatly weakened. Only by releasing her dragon form could she fight.

But she could absolutely never transform into a dragon in front of others. That would expose her true identity.

She knew better than anyone how humans regarded dragons.

Her very return to the human world was for Xia Lulu’s mission.

The other option… should she use her true dragon body? That way, they wouldn’t recognize her…

No.

Her true body was only that of a dragon hatchling. It wouldn’t add much combat strength. Even if she used a Dragon King’s pressure, leaving aside whether she could suppress so many monsters at once, even if she did, ordinary humans couldn’t withstand it either.

It seemed… there was no solution.

Xia Yi kept watching her student.

But in the current situation, there was still one choice left.

She made her decision. She rushed forward, grabbed Hill’s hand, and pulled her along before anyone could react.

“Xia Yi, what are you doing?!” Hill widened her eyes.

“Teacher Hill, I’ll take you away!”

“What?”

“I can take you out of Laurel Academy, to a safe place,” Xia Yi said seriously. “Please believe me. I can do it. Those monsters are no match for me.”

“…You mean, take only me and run away?”

“Yes, Teacher Hill, you and I can still—”

“No!!”

Hill wrenched her hand free.

Xia Yi grew frantic. She didn’t want to waste time explaining. She just couldn’t let her student be harmed.

“Teacher Hill, I’ll explain later. I really can get you out safely. You’ll be fine!”

“……”

Hill closed her eyes, in deep pain.

“Come, follow me. Trust me…” Xia Yi reached out her hand again.

But Hill stepped back. This time, deliberately avoiding her.

Xia Yi froze, her hand stiff in midair.

But her student’s next words left her utterly panic-stricken.

“Teacher Wright, you weren’t like this before. You would never abandon innocent people.”

“You… what did you say?”

Xia Yi’s heart nearly stopped in fright. She quickly averted her gaze, lowered her head, and forced down her guilt.

“Teacher Hill, why suddenly bring up the Human Sword Saint…”

“Stop pretending, Xia Yi. I’ve known all along,” Hill looked straight at her teacher. “You are my most admired teacher, the true Human Sword Saint—Wright Schubert.”

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[Author’s Note: A new month has begun! Swiss Roll really wants some sweet monthly votes as encouragement for writing, okay~]