Episode 18: An Attack Is a Required Event
There’s an old saying: “Watch your mouth.”
It means if you speak carelessly, you’ll bring misfortune upon yourself—so be careful.
Our ancestors went through it all already and are kindly advising us not to repeat their mistakes.
In that sense, Abel felt just a little wronged.
It’s not like he said anything out loud. He only thought it.
He didn’t even finish the thought before catching himself.
And yet, the moment that thought crossed his mind, one side of the academy suddenly exploded and the building began to collapse.
If this really was his fault, he’d feel more than a little unfairly blamed.
At first, he thought Flam or Portus had caused some kind of accident again.
But the next announcement from the academy’s broadcast system crushed Abel’s hopeful assumption:
[Emergency situation detected. All staff prepare for combat. As of now, all ability users are granted unrestricted use of their powers.
You may take preemptive action after confirming the identity of unknown individuals.]
It’s happening. The academy’s under attack.
Well, of course—what kind of superpower academy doesn’t get attacked at some point?
Finally! A chance!
Abel clenched his fist and triumphantly raised it toward the sky—
CRASH!
—
He forgot he was in a greenhouse.
He forgot that his hand was dangerously close to the ceiling glass.
And just like that, the glass shattered the moment he raised his hand.
Fortunately, no one cared that Abel had just wrecked the greenhouse ceiling.
With the academy-wide emergency broadcast going off, no one had the time or energy to worry about broken glass.
“Hey, arsonist. Are you sure you didn’t mess something up before coming here?”
“You’re one to talk, water freak.”
“Both of you, knock it off. We all know this isn’t normal. Lady Seria, I think we should move somewhere safe.”
Correction: the two were bickering again, and one was busy worrying over Seria.
No matter what happened to the academy, they were fully focused on their own affairs.
Abel figured they’d be fine on their own.
He wasn’t worried about Seria—she had some serious heavyweights by her side.
In that case, wouldn’t the best option for him be to take this opportunity to gain some recognition, perform well in battle, and get a taste of what it’s like to face future enemies?
“Abel-nim! Come with us!”
“Huh? Me too, Miss Seria?”
But I’d rather enjoy this event than run off to some safe zone…
Abel was about to carefully explain his position, but Caligo beat him to it.
“Lady Seria is right, Abel. I understand how you feel, but we lack experience. In contrast, anyone capable of launching an attack on this place is likely to be highly trained.”
“…”
“If we get caught in the middle of things and end up as hostages, there’s no greater disaster. What do you two think?”
—Though directed at Abel, this was also aimed at Flam and Portus standing behind him.
Caligo was essentially saying: “Yes, you’re talented. But don’t go rushing into things and causing trouble for the academy or the Empire. Just stay put in a safe place.”
“…I don’t agree with your comment about lack of experience.”
“Hey, water freak.”
“But Your Highness—I mean, Caligo-nim—is right. Rather than act recklessly and get swept into the enemy’s plan, it’s better to stay put.”
Coming from someone who’s been at the center of major incidents since enrollment, those words carried a strange sense of irony.
It really made you wonder:
Were these two agreeing with Caligo because they truly believed it… or because it was Seria who said it?
“Anyway, let’s go quickly, Abel!”
And just like that, Abel was dragged along without achieving any of what he’d hoped for.
Still, it did come with one benefit—
He now had time to ponder one lingering question he’d been avoiding.
Why did such chaos erupt the moment three prominent young men and one slightly offbeat girl joined an unpopular club like the gardening club?
BOOM!
BANG!
As he watched the four figures moving ahead of him, Abel stroked his chin thoughtfully.
No matter how he looked at it, this whole situation reeked of narrative inevitability.
He had the strong feeling that, wherever he went, he’d inevitably cross paths with these chaos-inducing characters again.
***
Abilities are a gift bestowed by the gods. At the same time, they are a mark of divine duty.
Only those who possess them are granted the right to continue living on this earth under divine blessing.
Those without are failed creations, destined to sacrifice themselves for the blessed.
The world calls such claims the ravings of ability supremacists.
They scorn them, saying those lucky enough to awaken abilities are spouting absurd nonsense.
Yet, Julien has never once questioned or doubted his ideology.
Ordinary humans place endless expectations and burdens on those with abilities.
They do nothing themselves, yet when an ability weakens or falters in control, they dare to judge, labeling it a success or failure.
Julien couldn’t stand to watch this. He couldn’t even comprehend it.
Take the Continental Academy, for instance—created by non-ability users, claiming to be for ability users’ benefit, but in reality, isn’t it just a prison to control and restrict them?
‘Failed humans are oppressing us, the ability users blessed by the gods. How long must we fall for their schemes?’
He spread this message to other ability users: they couldn’t live like this forever.
Why should they be used as weapons for non-ability users? Why should they restrict their abilities to live among them?
It’s the weak who must adapt to the strong. They should conform to the natural order, not us.
Why should the gods’ greatest creations be bound by rules set by failures?
“What are you lunatics blabbering about? If you use your abilities recklessly, do you think your non-ability user families will be safe?”
“All your fancy words just mean you want to become the new privileged class. If abilities are truly a divine gift, as you claim, is it right to use them for such vile purposes?”
Julien had anticipated negative reactions. Resistance was expected.
But facing it directly, the supremacists, including Julien, felt an even greater fire ignite within them.
They had assumed fellow ability users would naturally take their side. Even if they didn’t fully agree, they expected at least neutrality.
But no—they were wrong. These ability users had been brainwashed by non-ability users. Despite being proud ability users, they shackled themselves with chains and bars!
“This won’t do.”
No, this couldn’t continue. If things went on like this, all ability users would end up like them.
Those unchosen failures had managed to collar ability users. And worse, some ability users, convinced it was natural, were pushing others to follow suit.
At first, Julien thought non-ability users were the enemy. But he was mistaken. The real enemy was within.
The first to be eliminated were the foolish ability users who couldn’t see the future and chased short-term gains and approval.
“To do that, we must first strike at the brainwashing institution that turns ability users into puppets of non-ability users—the Continental Academy.”
“A mere blow won’t suffice. We need to inflict catastrophic damage, enough to shut it down for at least half a year.”
“Of course, that’s the ideal, but is it even possible?”
The Continental Academy isn’t just some training ground for novice students.
It’s a place teeming with handpicked prodigies. They may lack experience, but in every other aspect, they’re on par with seasoned ability users.
And it’s not just students. The surrounding area is fortified with regular troops and knights, and within the academy are faculty members with vast experience that students lack.
True, the soldiers and knights are non-ability users, and the faculty, while experienced, are past their prime—but they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
Attacking the Continental Academy means taking on regular troops and numerous ability users simultaneously.
This isn’t a war; it’s a covert operation. To succeed, they’d need to prepare an assault on a scale that could only barely guarantee success.
“We’ve already run simulations multiple times.”
“Exactly. And we have plenty of allies inside who’ve been in contact with us. Attacking from the outside alone would be impossible, but if we cause chaos from within as well, it’s more than feasible.”
Indeed. Were they the only ability users with grievances?
Many yearn to become greater. Countless others crave more power and authority.
All it takes is a spark. Whispering about the rights they deserve as ability users is enough.
“Even so, dealing a meaningful blow to the Continental Academy…”
“That’s exactly why I have to go.”
Julien’s confident words prompted nods from his comrades.
At first glance, he might seem like a man with excessive faith in himself. But considering his ability, his confidence was neither exaggerated nor misplaced.
If they could neutralize the non-ability user knights and soldiers, no matter how formidable an ability user might be, they’d be powerless before Julien.
“No matter how strong an ability user is, the moment they step into my vicinity, they’re no different from the failed non-ability users.”