The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 186

After the incident with Assistant Instructor Karan, there were no further troubles with the other instructors.

When I greeted them, they all responded politely.

It seemed I had finally blended in among the assistants.

Karan, however, would immediately pretend to be distracted and flee whenever our eyes met.

It didn’t look like we’d be facing each other again anytime soon.

As for Aisha, we had a conversation about the morning training sessions and the fact that I had hidden my true identity all this time.

After hearing everything, she nodded more easily than I expected.

"Senior and I are eternal training partners. No matter what form you take, that won’t change."

Aisha said this with a dazzling smile.

Her brilliance was blinding.

And so, I was able to resume my morning training sessions with Aisha.

When I joined the training in Vikarmun’s form, Seron was visibly flustered, but training was training.

Eventually, after enough rolling around, she no longer had the time to worry about me.

Lately, Seron had grown noticeably stronger.

She had always trained relentlessly, growing at an astonishing rate.

But the moment Aisha and I added the right kind of training to her routine, her growth accelerated even further.

I’ve always noticed this when it comes to physical training—everyone hits a wall in any field.

No matter how hard you struggle, you don’t realize it until you’re right on the verge of breaking through.

But the moment you overcome that wall, you achieve growth unlike anything before.

Seron was in that phase of breaking through her wall.

That’s why she was improving so rapidly.

‘Seems like she’s secretly polishing a new technique too.’

Given Seron’s personality, she’d probably unveil it soon.

I’d look forward to it.

And so, I settled into a peaceful life at the academy.

December 25th.

At least, until the day celebrating the birth of the Goddess’s Daughter—the Holy Birth Festival.

In the past, it was the day honoring the warrior who sealed the Evil God beneath the Demon Palace.

A day of profound significance, marking her birth and the Goddess’s blessing at the year’s end.

‘This must be a reflection of the Christmas event from the game.’

It was a glimpse into the origins of the Dungeon Replay game’s setting.

But then, a problem arose.

Namely, the existence of Isabel, who had awakened the Wings of the Goddess.

A globally monumental day.

Isabel, who bore the same Wings of the Goddess as the day’s central figure, became a worldwide sensation.

Perhaps because of this,

prominent figures from across the world announced their visits to Jerion Academy.

Their purpose? To celebrate the Holy Birth Festival alongside Isabel, the bearer of the Wings of the Goddess.

For Jerion Academy, it was a bolt from the blue.

With dignitaries arriving from various nations, frantic preparations were underway.

And among those involved was me—Professor Vaganon’s assistant.

At Jerion Academy, Professor Vaganon was Isabel’s guardian.

Thus, he had to screen and manage the flood of requests from notable figures seeking an audience with her.

Even for Vaganon, the workload was too much to handle alone.

As his assistant, I had no choice but to help.

Thanks to that, Vaganon and I were buried in paperwork, preparing for the guests.

Fortunately, my past experience with the student council meant I wasn’t completely out of my depth.

"...I never thought much of assistants before, but this time, I might reconsider."

"Glad to be of service?"

"Yeah. I’ll buy you a drink next time."

"I’ll pass."

If I drank with Vaganon, I’d never make it home.

For the record, I was using the assistant-exclusive dormitory provided by Jerion Academy.

Not that it stopped me from sneaking out to Iris’s room every night, though.

‘Now that she knows I’m not Hanon, I thought she wouldn’t call for me anymore, but…’

For some reason, Iris summoned me every single day.

Something about needing me to sleep.

Iris had guaranteed my identity and helped me.

I couldn’t refuse her requests, so I humored her.

Besides, regulating her sleep was a crucial task for me too.

"So, who are you spending the Holy Birth Festival with?"

The Holy Birth Festival was also a day for lovers.

A time during the holiday for couples to be alone together.

Naturally, many spent the day with their significant others.

Vaganon, smirking, brought it up for that very reason.

I had no idea why a grown man would act like this.

"I’ll be by Isabel’s side."

"Oh? Not Seron or Sharin?"

"It’s not like that. It’s only right to stay by Isabel’s side while she receives important guests."

The fame of Isabel’s Wings of the Goddess was partly my doing.

Though she was destined to awaken them eventually, I was the one who triggered it.

That came with responsibility.

"Having someone around to crack jokes might help her stress less."

"Hmm."

Vaganon didn’t press further on that point.

Even he could see how much of a burden this was for Isabel.

"Just be careful not to let any nonsense start."

"Nonsense?"

"Are there only one or two women around you?"

Vaganon said this with a dry look.

I had no rebuttal.

But given the state of the world, even the Holy Birth Festival wasn’t something to enjoy lightly.

‘At least Cheonhye Gong hasn’t said anything yet.’

If he decided to visit Jerion Academy, I’d have another problem to deal with.

Amid these complicated feelings, Jerion Academy transformed into a Holy Birth Festival atmosphere.

Festive decorations were set up everywhere.

All of it was procured and arranged by the hardworking assistants.

Back when I played Dungeon Replay, the festival atmosphere would change in an instant.

But in reality, it was the result of the assistants’ efforts.

As the festival approached, a peculiar mood spread among the students.

Some were subtly hoping to kindle romance during this time.

Of course, those far removed from such opportunities could only swallow their tears.

‘Jerion Academy also holds a student party for the Holy Birth Festival.’

December 24th.

A party held right before the transition into the Holy Birth Festival.

The tradition was for men to invite women to attend together.

Unsurprisingly, many couples formed during this event.

It could be considered the last event for students before heading to the Winter Demon Palace.

If I were still Hanon, I might have enjoyed it, but now I was Vikarmun again.

As an assistant, it had nothing to do with me.

"Good work today. You can leave now."

"At least you’re not making me work on Eve’s Night."

"Don’t act like you’ve done me some huge favor. You were just lazing around before this."

Fair enough.

After bidding farewell to Vaganon, I left the professor’s office.

Today was December 24th.

Evening had already fallen by the time we finished.

The sheer volume of paperwork with Vaganon had kept me busy until now.

Outside the window, I could see students and assistants bustling about, preparing for the party.

The preparations themselves seemed like a fun event for the students—everyone’s faces were bright.

They must be excited for the party about to begin.

I watched them as I walked away.

The party prep wasn’t my responsibility.

"U-Um, Assistant Vikarmun, would you like to attend the Holy Birth Festival party with me?"

And then, I realized I had once again underestimated Vikarmun’s appeal.

Who would’ve thought I’d get invitations even as an assistant?

As I walked down the hallway, I was repeatedly approached by female students asking me to the party.

Traditionally, men were the ones to extend invitations, but the noble ladies of the empire were bolder than expected.

I politely declined each offer and made my escape.

Now I understood why Vikarmun had thrived as a host.

"Must be nice being so popular, huh?"

Then, a familiar voice reached me.

I turned toward it and saw Seron standing there.

My eyes widened at the sight of her.

"Seron, you—"

Her usual hairstyle was different—her bangs neatly styled.

And her outfit was far more elegant than usual.

"What’s this? Your forehead’s on life support."

"You wanna fight on Eve’s Night?"

Seron pouted and raised a fist.

But then she exhaled and glanced at me.

"Prince Sweet Potato, I came to get you."

"Me?"

I blinked.

Where exactly was she planning to take me?

Then I remembered the invitations from earlier.

"Seron, about the party—"

"I know. You’re an assistant, so you can’t go. That’s why I talked to the others and set up a secret one."

Secret?

I stared blankly.

Undeterred, Seron stepped closer, hooked her arm through mine, and pulled me along.

"No more talking. Just follow me."

As if entranced, I let her lead me.

She took me to an empty classroom.

Seron pushed the door open.

Inside, the room was lavishly decorated for the Holy Birth Festival.

A large cake and various dishes were arranged on pushed-together desks.

And gathered there were all the familiar faces I knew.

"You’re here."

Hania, wearing an apron, greeted me while setting out a plate of chicken.

"Hubby, I looost."

Next to her, Sharin pouted, forming scissors with her fingers.

Apparently, they’d played rock-paper-scissors to decide who would fetch me.

"You’ve worked hard until Eve’s Night."

Eve, placing down a drink, praised my efforts.

"Stop loitering and come in. We got special permission for this."

At Iris’s urging, I snapped out of my daze and stepped inside.

"What is all this?"

Still disbelieving, I asked, and Isabel smiled warmly.

"We figured someone like you would ignore the Holy Birth Festival and just let it pass. So, we gathered the people who know you and prepared a small party."

Isabel saw right through me.

She was correct—I hadn’t planned to pay the festival much mind.

"You work every single day. Just for today, take a break with us."

So that’s what this was.

For some reason, my chest swelled with emotion.

This was joy.

Even if other feelings faded, this one remained unmistakably.

"...I see."

Following their lead, I smiled.

They had all gone out of their way to prepare this party just for me.

Of course, I couldn’t help but be happy.

It also meant the path I’d walked hadn’t been in vain.

"Not that this could ever repay everything you’ve done for us."

"But we should still enjoy what time we have with Prince Sweet Potato."

"Hubby, I’m hungry. Let’s eaaat."

At their urging, I nodded, regaining my composure.

But there was one thing I had to say clearly.

"Thank you, everyone."

As I expressed my gratitude, they all smiled together.

For today at least, the scene was heartwarming.

"If you’re grateful, then spend the party with me as your wiiife."

At least, until Sharin declared war.