The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 193

The Winter Demon Palace had opened earlier than expected.

This wasn’t the first time—the Autumn Demon Palace had also opened prematurely before.

Jerion Academy had anticipated this to some extent.

So, despite the early opening, there was no particular chaos.

‘So it erupts while Iris is away after all.’

The absence of Iris, the Martial Arts Department’s strongest combatant.

Her empty seat was deeply regrettable.

But with the Emperor in critical condition, there was no way Iris could return.

Her absence would have to be filled somehow.

“The Demon Palace opened early again.”

“It seems the schedule has been pushed forward this time, too.”

The murmur of Martial Arts students reached my ears.

As they said, changes in the Demon Palace’s opening weren’t common.

This was already the second time it had happened ahead of schedule after the Autumn Demon Palace.

In other words, it hinted that the Demon Palace itself might open earlier than before from now on.

This wasn’t ideal for the Academy.

They’d have to drastically adjust the established curriculum to accommodate the accelerated schedule.

But complaining wasn’t an option.

The Academy was built to respond immediately when the Demon Palace opened.

They had an obligation to fulfill their role.

“Move to the Demon Palace entrance immediately. Everyone, be ready within ten minutes.”

Professor Begannon addressed the students.

Having not touched a single drop of alcohol since January, she looked impeccably sharp.

She must have deliberately abstained in preparation for the Winter Demon Palace.

Prioritizing the Demon Palace and her students was just like her.

Since they’d already experienced the Autumn Demon Palace opening early, the Academy had been preparing since late December.

Even I, as Professor Begannon’s exclusive assistant, was well aware of this.

“Bickman, I’m entrusting you and the Vice Professor with overseeing the students.”

“Understood, Professor.”

Begannon left the faculty office swiftly to join the other department professors.

“Alright, everyone, move quickly.”

The second-year Vice Professor took the lead, guiding the students forward.

The students followed without hesitation.

It was already nearing the end of their second year.

By now, entering the Demon Palace was second nature to them.

So even without Begannon, they fell into formation smoothly.

While the Vice Professor led, I took the rear.

My role was to ensure the students maintained order from behind.

Because of this, familiar faces naturally drifted toward me.

Separated from the main group, our conversation wouldn’t reach them.

“So, the Demon Palace schedule really has been moved up again.”

Hania muttered while inspecting her sword.

True to the daughter of a knight commander, she remained composed no matter the situation.

But Iris’ absence seemed to have dampened her usual energy.

She was practically an Iris enthusiast, so it couldn’t be helped.

“More importantly, how are they handling Iris’ absence?”

The Demon Palace assault teams had been pre-assigned.

Losing one member inevitably affected team dynamics.

Especially since Iris was one of the top combatants.

Her spot wasn’t something just anyone could fill.

“We recruited someone from the first-year Martial Arts department.”

I was the one who formed the assault teams.

So I’d already filled the vacancy in advance.

“A first-year?”

Hania arched a brow slightly.

From her perspective, no first-year could possibly replace Iris.

At best, someone like Aisha, the top-ranked first-year in Martial Arts, came to mind.

But there was one more person.

Someone even I still couldn’t fully grasp—a figure shrouded in mystery.

“Their skills are solid, though.”

“If Assistant Bickman says so, I’ll trust they’re capable.”

Hania placed too much faith in me.

Was this the privilege of an ex-girlfriend?

I could only be grateful.

Just then, I caught sight of Isabelle’s back.

She had been lost in thought the entire walk.

Her worries were obvious.

She must still be agonizing over her fight with Sharyn.

The Demon Palace’s environment shifts unpredictably.

Personal conflicts among teammates would only hinder the mission.

And this time, we’d been ordered to break through as quickly as possible due to abnormal symptoms detected inside.

Team coordination was more crucial than ever.

Even Isabelle wouldn’t want to drag personal feelings into this.

She was clearly weighing how to reconcile with Sharyn.

“Isabelle.”

“Ah, yeah.”

Startled, she turned her head when I called her name.

“You’re worrying about making up with Sharyn, right?”

She averted her eyes slightly.

A direct hit.

Seeing right through her, I watched as she swallowed a bitter smile.

“Sorry. I’ve made you worry about our fight too.”

“I’m partly to blame. My vague attitude caused this mess.”

“Exactly. Assistant Bickman is at fault here.”

Hania chimed in smoothly, slipping into the conversation.

At least it helped ease Isabelle’s guilt a little.

“I don’t want to excuse myself by saying I lost my emotions, but I have been seriously thinking about our relationship lately.”

It wasn’t something resolved overnight.

That’s why I was considering it even more carefully—

To one day give them all an answer they could understand.

“So the bad one here is me. You two fighting over it isn’t your fault.”

Possessiveness and jealousy were natural human emotions.

I didn’t want them to feel guilty or resentful because of it.

Isabelle stared at me for a moment before exhaling deeply.

“Why do you keep volunteering to be the villain?”

“Haven’t been cursed at much lately. My ears aren’t even itching.”

“Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you actually like being hated.”

Maybe because she’d seen me deliberately invite scorn before.

She looked genuinely concerned.

But beneath that, there was sincere care in her worry.

“You do this because you don’t love yourself.

You think it’s fine as long as everyone else is okay, even if you suffer.”

“Absolutely.”

Hania instantly agreed.

“Yeah. Prince Sweet Potato, that’s a bad habit.”

“True.”

Even Seron and Eve, who had been silent, voiced their approval.

“I don’t want to blame you. What I want to say to you is thank you, not accusations.”

Isabelle clenched her fists quietly as she spoke.

“So with Sharyn too...”

A brief silence lingered between her words.

So I decided to lift some of her burden.

“Isabelle, I won’t force you to reconcile with Sharyn.”

This was their own issue to resolve.

‘Sharyn isn’t the type to get angry over nothing.’

I was the cause of this fight.

So I’d reflected on it thoroughly.

One thing was certain—even Sharyn wouldn’t clash with Isabelle over something trivial.

She might sulk for a while, but they’d have made up eventually.

‘There’s something else beneath this.’

Sharyn must have some deeper dissatisfaction festering.

That’s why I wouldn’t force reconciliation.

“If you truly can’t make up, just say the word. We’ll rearrange the teams.”

At least then, they’d have time to sort out their grievances.

“No matter which team you end up in, you’ll still shine.”

“......”

Isabelle fell silent for a while.

Then her gaze drifted to my collar.

She noticed the bandages underneath my clothes—Veil’s concealment.

I adjusted my collar quickly, but it was too late.

“You…”

Her face tightened like she wanted to say a lot.

But she didn’t press further.

Today was January 2nd.

Bickman’s birthday.

I had turned twenty.

The Demon Palace barred entry to anyone aged twenty or older.

Without Veil’s bandages, I couldn’t enter.

“Why did it have to be your birthday of all days...”

Isabelle bit her lip before exhaling sharply.

Forced to enter the Demon Palace on the day he should be celebrating.

Even Isabelle didn’t seem keen on lecturing him about it.

“……Once we’re out, take those off and we’ll throw a birthday party together.”

“Make it grand.”

When I smiled faintly, Isabelle hesitated before nodding.

Jerion Academy had already been informed that I was borrowing some mysterious power.

Since Begannon backed me, the Academy didn’t question it too much.

Most mystical forces in this world were beyond human understanding anyway.

They’d take any extra combat strength they could get.

Even the Headmaster had approved my entry.

“……It’s fine. Maybe it’s time I settle things with Lynn too. It was bound to happen someday.”

She seemed to have made up her mind.

Had I inadvertently pushed her toward it?

But the resolve in her eyes told me she’d handle it well.

“And I need to talk with Seron too.”

Seron blinked, surprised to be suddenly mentioned.

But she soon hardened her expression.

“If this is about claiming ownership of Prince Sweet Potato, I won’t back down, even against Belle.”

Her eyes showed determination long forged.

Seeing this, Isabelle smiled faintly.

“Same here. That’s why we need to talk seriously.”

“Hmm.”

Seron didn’t refuse outright.

Meanwhile, Hania sidled up beside me.

“Must be nice being so popular, ex-boyfriend.”

“My ex is thousands of times more popular than me.”

“Does that include you, Assistant Bickman?”

“Who knows.”

We shared a brief chuckle.

By now, bantering with Hania like this felt natural.

“Hey, why are you two glued together again?”

Seron whirled around, glaring at where Hania and I stood.

Isabelle also watched us with an odd glint in her eyes.

Without missing a beat, Hania expertly linked arms with me.

Isabelle and Seron’s brows instantly twitched into upside-down V’s.

“Ex-girlfriend privileges.”

Comfortable with this kind of skinship because she was an ex.

Given Iris’ absence, she must’ve felt like teasing those left behind.

The real kicker?

Hania had zero interest in me now.

“Tsk.”

Eve’s sharp glare burned into me.

Her eyes increasingly looked at me like I was trash.

Sadly, I had no rebuttal.

So I’d learned to accept that gaze impassively.

I deserved it, after all.