Episode 13 — The Request
It happened just one day before Nada decided he would defeat the gargoyle.
A lone student stood before the headmaster’s office door, its surface engraved with intricate patterns. He had been summoned by the headmaster.
The student was a handsome blond young man.
His name was Reaon.
He was wearing his school uniform—perhaps he had just finished attending classes. Navy trousers and a white blazer. On his chest was the butterfly emblem of Larva Academy.
“Excuse me—”
Reaon knocked four times. When a hoarse voice from within told him, “Enter,” he stepped into the room.
The interior was modest.
Right at the entrance stood two sets of sofas and a low glass table. Further inside sat a leather chair behind a desk crafted from fine, high-grade wood.
An elderly man sat there.
The wrinkles carved into his face were so deep they seemed to reflect the passage of ages, and the arms resting on the desk—elbows propped—were covered in countless scars. His head was white, balding in places, but his body was still large and firm like that of a young man.
Beside this old man lay a single sword.
From scabbard to hilt, the weapon was a deep blue.
It was the magic sword known as Tufao—practically the partner of the headmaster, Nova, a hero of the previous century.
Reaon knew only its name and its reputation.
“Good to see you. Reaon, have a seat.”
“Yes—”
Following Nova’s words, Reaon sat down on the sofa.
“Would you like some coffee?”
Nova rose from his chair, walked to a nearby coffee pot, and called back to him.
“Then… just one cup.”
“Sugar and milk?”
“Yes, please.”
Nova poured a cup for Reaon himself and set it before him, placing the containers of sugar and milk alongside it.
After Reaon took a sip—having adjusted the taste with sugar and milk—Nova drank from his own cup.
“Lately, I’ve become quite taken with coffee, you see. Having someone brew it for me is nice, but making it myself like this has its own depth of flavor.”
“I see—”
“Haha, is an old man’s idle chatter boring you?”
Nova stroked his white beard as he spoke.
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
Flustered, Reaon took another sip of his coffee.
“It’s all right. I’ve grown old, and my tongue has gotten a bit too loose. Now then… let me explain why I called you here today.”
Nova leaned forward, resting both elbows on his knees.
“Please do.”
“Tell me… are you aware that a new monster has recently been discovered in Podie?”
Nova spoke slowly.
“Which monster do you mean? If it’s a new species, they’re discovered fairly regularly.”
Most monsters found inside dungeons are of already-known species, but that’s only in the shallow layers. The deeper one goes, the more insufficient the total exploration becomes, and it’s common to encounter monsters with new shapes or monsters that look the same but possess different traits.
Also, when internal shifts occur within the dungeon, the appearance of new monsters is not unusual.
Adventurers are obligated to report such findings, but because monster traits can’t always be clearly defined, such reports often run into difficulties.
“Even in normal times, you’ve at least heard of gargoyles with red eyes, haven’t you?”
“Yes. If I recall… There were rumors that four parties had been defeated by it in a short span of time.”
“Correct. That gargoyle.”
Gargoyles are monsters that occasionally appear in the mid-layers of the academy’s dungeon.
Their defining trait is that their original form is that of a stone statue.
Their appearances vary widely—from fish-like gargoyles to demonic ones with goat horns.
Their strength also differs massively between individuals, making them one of the hardest monsters to categorize by power.
“Is there something wrong with that monster?”
A dungeon is never a safe place.
It’s not unusual for a strong monster to wander into upper floors, like what’s happening now.
According to what Reaon had heard, the gargoyle appeared on layers unusually shallow for its strength, but having a powerful stray monster show up every few months was nothing strange. Nothing is worth overthinking. Someone strong would eventually defeat it; the weak could escape properly, while only those with strength challenged it.
In Reaon’s mind: if he encountered it, he’d defeat it. If not, then no need to think about it.
“Hmm. From my perspective, the students’ interest in that monster is… becoming a bit dangerous.”
Nova lowered his gaze.
“Dangerous how?”
“That gargoyle apparently isn’t like the usual ‘strays.’”
“Not like them…?”
Reaon hadn’t heard anything beyond basic information—its form, how it fought, that sort of thing.
“It seems that one stays in a single location.”
“Is that something to be concerned about?”
Stray monsters usually wander, but there are rare individuals that behave irregularly.
Reaon accepted that explanation easily.
“No, in fact, to me that part is a relief. If a dangerous monster is wandering, students have a harder time entering the dungeon.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
Nova let out a slow breath before speaking, his words heavy.
“…Recently, it seems some students think that a gargoyle is a ‘Guardian.’”
“A Guardian?”
“Just as it sounds. They believe the reason that the gargoyle remains in one place is to protect something deeper inside. Some are recklessly assuming that ‘something’ must be a treasure or a hidden artifact. And because of that, challengers keep coming one after another.”
“I see.”
Reaon nodded, mulling over the headmaster’s words.
“Of course, because of that, there are parties that have decided to suspend dungeon exploration for a while or have already fallen apart. At this rate, that number will only grow. And if it does, the academy’s supply of Calvaon will drop as well. This is a grave problem, Reaon.”
“So, what do you want me to do?”
“—Eliminate it.”
The headmaster spoke with narrowed eyes.
“With Aghiya?”
For the first time in a while, Reaon felt his blood stir. His hand clenched into a tight fist.
“Yes. With Aghiya, the current top-ranking party of the academy. Defeat it—before the uproar spreads any further. Before harm spreads among the students. Save the academy. And, well… this may sound like a small thing to offer in return, but once you defeat it—I’ll grant you whatever you desire.”
The headmaster smiled faintly, almost ominously.
“Understood.”
Reaon agreed without hesitation.
“Thank you. I am truly grateful for your willingness.”
The headmaster extended his hand; Reaon matched the gesture.
Nova gripped the student’s hand firmly with both of his.
“I’m counting on you.”
“No, this is for the academy’s sake. Then, if you’ll excuse me, there are preparations to make.”
Reaon got up hurriedly and headed for the door.
“If there’s anything you need, let me know.”
“Understood.”
Saying that, Reaon left the headmaster’s office.
Inside his heart, he held an immense ambition.
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