The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 31

Nia Cynthia was assassinated and killed.

This is mentioned in Act 3, Scene 4 of the Blazing Butterfly episode.

Act 3, Scene 4 is a break episode where various characters get involved, and lighthearted incidents happen with the heroines.

And here’s where the problem arises.

There is no information anywhere in the game about how Nia was killed.

It makes sense.

The fact that Nia was assassinated and the reason for it is what’s important.

Exactly how he was killed isn’t relevant at all.

In other words,

‘I don’t know how Nia was assassinated.’

If someone simply sent an assassin, I could consider poison.

But Nia is skilled enough to be an active member of the Imperial Royal Guard.

Imagining him being overpowered by an assassin is hard to picture.

He would know the risks of his position and always be prepared, likely keeping protective magic active on himself.

If he were to be assassinated…

What method could possibly have killed him?

It’s been two weeks since Nia arrived at the academy. I’m still clueless about his assassination.

I can’t prevent it without knowing the method. What am I supposed to do when I know nothing?

Besides, Nia holds the position of an Associate Professor in Magic Studies.

As someone from the Combat Arts department, I rarely see his face.

‘So why then…’

Why did Iris tell me that Nia would be assassinated?

‘What does she trust me with?’

The only time Iris and I have spoken was that time in the infirmary.

Iris is positioned as the final boss.

For now, I’m far too inadequate to get involved with her.

‘If she mentioned it considering Hanon’s circumstances…’

That doesn’t make sense, either.

Hanon is aligned with the first prince.

If Iris knew this, mentioning it would risk exposing a weakness of the third princess faction.

For Iris, that would be a risky move.

‘Then, is it because of my actions so far that she decided to tell me?’

The more I think, the less it makes sense.

I’m tempted to go straight to Iris and ask her directly.

But Iris is not someone you can easily approach.

And there’s no guarantee she’d even answer.

‘Iris must have calculated that I could prevent the assassination.’

But I have no idea what gave her that impression.

Could there be something I overlooked in my actions at the academy that relates to Nia’s assassination?

‘If only she’d give me a hint about when the assassination would happen.’

The vague information only makes it more frustrating.

Wham!

At that moment, a wooden sword struck my chin.

As I quickly pulled back, the boy in front of me yawned widely.

“If you zone out like that, you’ll get hit.”

It was Van, the lazy genius.

Van was my sparring partner today.

Today’s training was free sparring.

You had to accept anyone who challenged you to a match.

That was the rule for this class.

So, I challenged Van.

Van’s sharp swordsmanship is worth experiencing repeatedly, even if it means taking a few hits.

That’s why I requested a match with Van.

“Sorry, I had something on my mind, so I couldn’t focus.”

“Hmm, you’re usually serious about training. Must be something big going on.”

Van, thankfully, understood my situation.

He’s a generous guy in many ways.

“Come to think of it, Van, I heard you’ve been training with Isabel lately.”

I adjusted my stance and thrust my hand edge towards him.

Van skillfully blocked it with his wooden sword.

“Yeah, she personally asked me.”

“How’s it going? Seeing some progress?”

“Isabel was already skilled. She had a few bad habits, but she’s corrected most of them recently.”

It sounded like Isabel was getting stronger.

“And her determination is different now.”

Van looked at me, as if to say he knew who was responsible for this change.

“I’ve been thinking lately.”

Once again, my hand edge clashed with Van’s wooden sword.

“Maybe you said those things to Isabel on purpose.”

“I only said it because I didn’t like what she was doing.”

“Even so, you were unusually harsh on her.”

Why do geniuses always seem so perceptive?

It seemed Van, observing from a step removed, had come to this conclusion.

“Were you and Isabel already acquainted or something?”

Van couldn’t see any reason why I would bear a grudge against Isabel without any connection.

“Not at all.”

There is a connection, though—a long history built through the game.

But I can’t exactly explain that.

“I see.”

Van and I distanced ourselves from each other.

Since the fight with the Forest Keeper, I had grown more accustomed to using my body.

Every day, I was more surprised by Vikarmern’s innate talent.

If I had focused on physical skills from the start instead of magic, perhaps Vikarmern would have reached great heights.

This also showed just how used to physical skills I’d become.

Now, I’ve long surpassed my peak.

I don’t even know how far I can grow.

‘If I’m going to carry the story forward in place of Lucas, I need to become stronger.’

I’ll have to keep working hard.

“Isabel is going to become very strong.”

And the other key figures in the storyline will as well.

“In a way, Isabel’s talent was overshadowed because of Lucas, no offense to her. Now, it’s finally starting to bloom.”

Even Van recognized Isabel’s vast potential.

After all, she’s one of the main heroines in the Blazing Butterfly arc.

I hope she continues to grow steadily without any issues.

“You’d better be prepared, too, so you don’t get overtaken.”

Isabel lives with the sole purpose of beating me and demanding an apology for my insult to Lucas.

That’s why I absolutely can’t afford to lose to her.

No matter what, I have to defeat her and burn away the rage that fuels her.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Van and I finished our sparring session.

Many others lined up to spar with Van afterward.

He’d recently begun to seriously wield the sword again.

For a student at Zeryon Academy, where becoming stronger is the most important goal, there’s no better opponent than Van.

That’s why everyone is seizing the chance to request a sparring match with him.

Among them was Isabel, too.

Lately, she hasn’t so much as glanced at me, instead choosing to spar with Van.

“Don’t they look good together?”

“Maybe spring is coming back for Isabel too.”

From a distance, I could hear some girls whispering.

It seemed, as Sharin mentioned, that Van and Isabel had been spending a lot of time together recently.

‘Spring, huh.’

If Isabel ends up liking Van, maybe things will improve a little.

As long as she finds a reason to live, for whatever reason, that’s good enough for me.

“Hey, Princess Sweet Potato! Let’s go. I’ll finally show you who’s on top today!”

Right at that moment, Seron challenged me.

My head was already full of complicated thoughts.

Maybe sparring with Seron will help clear them.

* * *

After scolding Seron until she cried, I headed home feeling refreshed.

Seeing Seron storming off while swearing revenge felt oddly satisfying.

For the sake of my mental health, I might consider making Seron cry at least once a day.

It sounds like a solid plan.

With a familiar stride, I made my way to the student council room.

When I opened the door with a clatter, I saw two familiar faces.

“Oh, you’re here, junior.”

The vice president, Nikita, greeted me with a bright smile.

In front of her was another familiar face.

And that face scowled the moment he saw me.

Nia Cynthia.

He was Nikita’s older brother.

Seems he’s a bit strict.

“Professor Nia Cynthia, are you joining the student council now, too?”

I asked casually, since he’s been visiting the council room almost daily.

“I’m just here to see Nikita.”

Saying he’s here to see his younger sister with such confidence… he really dotes on her.

I walked over to Nikita and took today’s tasks from her.

Nikita, by now, handed them to me naturally, having grown used to it.

Nia glared at me with intensity.

He seemed annoyed by how Nikita and I worked together seamlessly, without a word exchanged.

“If you stare at me like that, you’ll burn a hole through my face.”

“A hole might not be such a bad idea.”

It appeared he still didn’t approve of me.

“By the way, Professor, have you recently felt like someone’s watching you or sensed any threats?”

Testing the waters about the assassination, I asked casually, and Nia tilted his head.

“Being watched is common enough, and if recent threats count, I’ve received love letters and dolls made of hair.”

That was more than I needed to hear.

Love can be terrifying.

Do noblemen really go through such things?

“And there’s always one person who feels like a constant threat.”

Nia looked at me with a bright smile.

Was the assassin me all along?

“Brother, why are you so hard on my junior every time you see him?”

Then Nikita chided Nia.

She couldn’t stand how he nitpicked at every word I said.

“N-Nikita?”

Nia’s lips moved wordlessly, as if stunned by Nikita standing up for me instead of him.

“My junior has been helping me with my work regularly. He’s busy with his own training, yet he’s making the time to come here.”

Her words were a subtle suggestion for Nia to stop acting so possessive.

But Nia couldn’t mask his shock.

With a trembling expression, he turned to look at me.

“T-that guy definitely has ulterior motives toward you!”

Nia said, almost begrudgingly.

Nikita blinked her large eyes and looked at me.

As we made eye contact, I raised my thumb confidently.

“Yes, I absolutely do have them.”

“See?!”

Nia shouted, face red with frustration, while Nikita let out a long sigh.

“My junior may say things like that, but he doesn’t mean it.”

“Besides, he’s not even my type. Maybe I’d consider it if he were a bit older.”

Another rejection—the fourth, in fact.

“Consider it?”

But Nia seemed fixated on the word, mumbling as if dazed.

I politely bowed to him.

“Sir, please give me your sister.”

“Shut up!”

He scolded me.

Nia stood up, clearly unwilling to leave Nikita and me alone.

Yet his face showed that he couldn’t bear to stay in the room a moment longer.

“I… I should be going.”

He staggered out, looking deeply shaken.

As we watched him leave, Nikita sighed briefly.

“He used to be so composed, but he’s been acting strange lately.”

“Doesn’t it just show how much he cares about you, Nikita?”

“True. Though my reputation in the family wasn’t the best, he always supported me in doing what I wanted.”

Originally, Nikita was raised solely to serve as a pawn in an arranged marriage.

But Nia, who was the heir of the duchy, always looked out for her.

In fact, Nia even confronted the elders of the duchy directly, threatening to give up his inheritance if they didn’t allow his sister to pursue her own path.

That’s how much Nia cared for Nikita.

Nikita smiled softly as she recalled these memories.

“Maybe it’s because of what our mother told him before she passed.”

Their mother passed away shortly after Nikita was born.

And before she passed, she asked Nia to take good care of Nikita.

Nia promised to honor her wish for his entire life, devoting himself to Nikita’s well-being.

“He’s a good older brother.”

“Yes, although sometimes he goes a bit overboard.”

Nikita replied, her hands moving again as she worked.

Just as Nia treasured Nikita, it was clear how much she cared for him in return.

Seeing this, I couldn’t help but think of the painful image of Nikita’s decline following Nia’s death.

Would I be able to stay silent in the face of it?

I didn’t know.