Chapter 76 -A Secret
"Jodan Headbrawler did not turn into a corrupted one on his own. He was deliberately poisoned using an experimental dark mana catalyst—and the person responsible is operating from a hidden archive inside the evaluation dungeon."
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed instantly, the warm atmosphere in the room completely vanishing as a heavy, cold pressure settled over the office.
"Explain everything, Vael,"
Sebastian commanded softly, leaning forward over his desk.
"Do not leave out a single detail."
Vael pulled out his mobile device, activating the screen to display the high-resolution photos he had taken inside the secret room.
"Two nights ago, while conducting solo training on the first floor, I discovered a hidden administrative archway behind a stalagmite cluster..."
Vael laid out every single piece of information step by step—the silver clearance key, the ancient spatial archive, the fresh ink entries detailing Batch C-12, the concealment barrier hiding the room from guards, and his physical confirmation from earlier that morning.
As Vael spoke, the expressions on both Sebastian and Ulfar grew increasingly dark, the air in the headmaster’s office freezing under the silent rage of two highest-tier mages realizing a traitor was lurking in their home.
*****
(Vael’s POV)
"..."
The headmaster’s office became completely silent. There were no other noises being heard except the ticking clock in the room.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
And each tick it did... The heavier the atmosphere became.
It was good that it wasn’t hostile to me so I can move normally, but just feeling it nevertheless makes me feel goosebumps.
The absolute pressure emanating from two was enough to make the air itself feel dense and thick like water.
Headmaster Sebastian sat motionless behind his mahogany desk, his eyes fixed on the digital photos displayed on my phone. His usual gentle, carefree smile had completely vanished, replaced by an expression of pure, icy gravity.
Beside me, Professor Ulfar had his arms crossed tightly across his chest, his jaw clenched so hard that the veins along his neck were bulging.
Then finally, after what felt like an eternity, Headmaster Sebastian leaned back in his chair and let out a long, quiet breath.
"Ulfar. Vael."
Headmaster Sebastian spoke up, his voice dangerously calm.
"Everything that was discussed in this room today stays strictly between the three of us. You must keep everything about this situation a secret for now."
He paused, turning his sharp blue gaze directly onto me.
"Vael, I need you to listen to me very carefully."
Headmaster Sebastian told me specifically.
"You have uncovered something extraordinarily dangerous. If the person—or group—behind these experiments realizes that a freshman has discovered their hideout and documented their records, they will stop at nothing to eliminate you. This information can endanger your life."
"I understand, Headmaster."
I nodded, keeping my voice firm and steady.
"I won’t let anything happen to him."
Professor Ulfar then chimed in, his booming voice low and resolute as he stepped slightly closer to my side.
"I will be keeping an eye on him to make sure he stays protected, especially during class hours and training sessions."
"Please do, Ulfar."
Headmaster Sebastian said, offering a light nod of approval.
"Assign discreet protection around his dormitory block as well, but do it without raising suspicion among the other students."
The headmaster then placed his hands flat on the desk, standing up slowly.
"I will be handling this matter personally and make sure to catch the traitor as soon as possible."
Headmaster Sebastian declared, his eyes flashing with a sharp, lethal light.
"However, we cannot act recklessly. We cannot simply send a strike team to raid the secret archive Vael discovered. If we rush in now, the masterminds will notice the breach, destroy their remaining evidence, and cut off their tail."
"They would abandon the room instantly."
Professor Ulfar agreed, narrowing his eyes.
"And if we make it obvious that the faculty is investigating internal leaks, the perpetrator will simply blend back into the crowd and hide themselves even more."
He added.
"Precisely."
Headmaster Sebastian sighed, looking out the grand glass window behind his desk toward the sprawling academy grounds.
"And also because... there is a high probability that there is more than one traitor involved in this scheme. Operating a spatial concealment barrier of that caliber inside the dungeon requires multiple clearance codes and internal assistance."
He turned back toward us, offering me a small, approving nod.
"You have done exceptionally well today, Vael. Leave the investigation in our hands for now. Return to your classes, act as if nothing has happened, and focus on your daily studies."
"Understood, Headmaster."
I replied, bowing my head politely before turning around to leave the office.
Professor Ulfar walked me out into the hallway, giving my shoulder a heavy, reassuring pat.
"You did the right thing coming to us, Vael."
Professor Ulfar said quietly.
"Don’t stress yourself out too much. Stick with Zion and your party during the day, and let us handle the rest."
"Thanks, Professor. I will."
I told him with a faint nod.
... ... ...
After parting ways with Professor Ulfar, I walked down the administrative staircase and stepped back out into the bright morning sunlight.
The crisp morning air felt refreshing against my face, helping wash away some of the heavy exhaustion lingering in my mind from staying up all night.
’At least the headmaster and professor are fully aware now.’
I thought to myself as I made my way toward the main lecture building.
Having the two strong figures from the game working behind the scenes to hunt down the traitor took a massive weight off my shoulders. I didn’t have to carry the burden of the investigation alone anymore.
My main job right now was simple: stay alert, play the role of an unsuspecting freshman, and keep growing stronger.
TAP- TAP- TAP-
I arrived at our classroom building just as the first morning bell began to chime across the courtyard.
"Hey, Vael! Over here!"
As soon as I stepped through the double doors, Zion’s loud, energetic voice echoed down the hallway. He was standing near our classroom entrance, waving his hand high in the air to grab my attention.
"Morning, Zion."
I greeted, walking over to him.
"Man, where were you this morning?"
Zion asked, tilting his head with a curious grin as we walked into the classroom together.
"I knocked on your dorm door earlier, but you were already gone. Don’t tell me you went to the gym without me?"
"No, I just had some early administrative business to take care of with the staff."
I lied smoothly, keeping my tone completely natural as I sat down in my usual seat near the back window.
"Ah, administrative stuff... Sounds boring."
Zion chuckled, sliding into the desk right beside mine.
"Anyway, are we still on for our dungeon run after class today? Cordelia and Crystal said they cleared their afternoon schedules for it."
"Of course."
I replied with a small smile, resting my chin on my hand as I looked out the window.
"We promised we’d explore the second floor properly today, didn’t we?"
"Awesome! I can’t wait to test out that new sword technique I practiced yesterday."
Zion grinned, pumping his fist in the air excitedly.
"Just make sure you don’t overextend like you did yesterday."
I told him.
"I literally had to bail you out of three different Kobolds ambushes because you rushed ahead without checking the corners."
"Haha... That was just a minor slip-up. I had it totally under control."
Zion laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head.
Though it was real that he could’ve handled them even without my help... Kobolds are nothing against him, after all.
I smiled as I remembered our time yesterday at the dungeon.
Even with a dangerous traitor lurking somewhere in the shadows of the academy, moments like those reminded me of why I was working so hard to change the original story.
SHHHK—TAP.
"Good morning."
Professor Ulfar walked into the classroom a few minutes later, holding a stack of lecture documents under his arm. His expression was stern and strict as usual, completely hiding the grave conversation we had shared in the headmaster’s office just an hour ago.
He swept his sharp eyes across the room, catching my gaze for a split second and giving me an almost imperceptible nod before turning toward the chalkboard.
"Alright, settle down, everyone."
Professor Ulfar’s strict voice rang out, silencing the chatter instantly.
"Open your lesson for today to Chapter four. We will be covering advanced mana circuit suppression and defensive barrier structures."
I opened my notebook, picked up my pen, and began writing down the lecture notes.
... ... ...
The day proceeded smoothly, just like any other ordinary day at the academy.
We sat through theory lectures in the morning, grabbed a quick lunch together at our usual restaurant table, and attended practical application drills in the afternoon.
Whenever I walked through the crowded hallways, I kept my senses sharp, subtly scanning the faces of the senior students and faculty members passing by.
’Whoever you are...’
I thought to myself, staring out at the sun setting over the distant practical training grounds.
’Enjoy your quiet days while you can.’
With Headmaster Sebastian and Professor Ulfar quietly setting their trap, and our party growing stronger with every single dungeon run, the traitor’s time in the shadows was rapidly running out.