Chapter 14 — Beneath the Surface
POV: Eastern Border — Ancient Ruins
The ruins lay buried beneath centuries of neglect.
Broken stone pillars jutted from the earth like the ribs of a long-dead beast, their surfaces carved with symbols no longer used by mankind. Cracked pathways led toward a circular structure at the center—what remained of an ancient portal, dormant and shattered, yet unmistakably powerful.
Magic crystals had been embedded into the ground surrounding it.
Dozens of them.
They pulsed faintly, crimson and violet light bleeding into the air, forming a distorted lattice of mana that bent the space around the ruins ever so slightly.
Two figures stood near the edge of the formation.
One was cloaked, their form obscured by shadow and layered enchantments. The other knelt respectfully, head lowered.
"Are the preparations complete?" the cloaked figure asked.
"Yes, sir," the kneeling man replied without hesitation. "All preparations have been finalized."
He gestured toward the crystal array.
"By noon, the magic crystals will have sufficient mana. The temporary portal will stabilize long enough to allow Sir Kaelzoth to cross the barrier."
The cloaked figure let out a low chuckle.
"Humans," he said mockingly. "Their greed truly has no end."
He turned slightly, surveying the ruins.
"Promise them a fragment of land. A title. Authority over others—and they will hand you anything you ask for."
Soft laughter echoed from the shadows nearby.
Other figures lingered just beyond the torchlight—observers, conspirators, accomplices.
"Ensure everything is flawless," the cloaked figure continued, his voice hardening. "There is no room for error."
He looked back toward the kneeling man.
"This operation is part of a mission entrusted to us by our lord. I will not tolerate incompetence."
The man straightened immediately and struck his chest in salute.
"Understood. I will inspect the array once more."
He rose and hurried away, barking orders to unseen subordinates.
Left alone, the cloaked figure stepped closer to the ruined portal.
He placed a hand against the cracked stone, feeling the mana stirring beneath it.
"So close," he murmured.
Then, softly—almost reverently—
"Glory to the demon race."
The crystals pulsed brighter.
And somewhere beyond the barrier, something answered.
---
POV: Hayato / Claire / Olivia
For a moment, no one spoke.
Hayato and David stood facing one another in the middle of the street, neither moving, neither smiling.
Claire and Olivia hovered nearby, tension lingering from earlier events, unsure whether they were witnessing a reunion—or the beginning of an argument.
Charlotte, on the other hand, looked like she'd just stumbled upon buried treasure.
Her eyes flicked between the two men, practically vibrating with excitement.
After several long seconds, David exhaled heavily.
"…I figured you'd show up today," he said. "But why are you here?"
Hayato answered without hesitation.
"Cecil called me."
David froze for half a second.
Then he sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"That woman," he muttered. "What was she thinking?"
He lowered his hand and studied Hayato more closely.
"I saw what happened in the market," he continued. "Did you really have to handle it that way?"
Hayato met his gaze evenly.
"I didn't do anything wrong," he said. "And I don't care enough to worry about the consequences."
David stared at him.
Then let out another tired breath.
"…Of course you don't."
The irritation faded from his expression, replaced by resignation. He shifted topics smoothly.
"Did you finish the last assignment?" he asked. "The one near the eastern border—around the old ruins?"
"Yes," Hayato replied. "I sent the full report to Lisa already."
David nodded. "Thanks, I'll review it later. Anything unusual?"
"Not really," Hayato said. "A few demons lingering near the ruins. I dealt with them."
Claire blinked.
"A few… demons?"
Hayato continued calmly.
"There was also a dungeon, causing repeated monster outbreaks in the forest nearby. I cleared it. It's dormant now—hibernation state. The guild should have enough time to establish a post there."
David let out a quiet breath.
"…Good work."
The word carried weight.
Around them, the silence had changed.
Claire and Olivia exchanged glances, both clearly struggling to process what they were hearing.
Charlotte finally leaned forward, unable to restrain herself any longer.
"WAIT," she blurted out. "Guild-Master—do you actually know this guy?!"
David glanced at her.
"Yes," he said. "He's one of our core exploration members. Handles ruins, unstable dungeons, and special assignments directly from Lisa or me."
Claire's eyes widened.
Olivia's posture stiffened.
Charlotte froze.
Then—
Her eyes sparkled like fireworks.
"That's—THAT'S AMAZING!" she exclaimed, spinning toward Hayato. "If the Guild Master gives you direct assignments, you must be insanely strong! What's your rank? Can I see your guild card?!"
"But my rank is SSS."
The world stopped.
"…S—S—SSS…?" Charlotte whispered.
Claire felt her breath catch.
Olivia went completely still.
An SSS-class adventurer.
One rank below Calamity.
The peak of humanity.
And they'd been walking beside him.
Charlotte visibly shuddered.
Inside her mind, her thoughts spiraled.
An SSS-rank… casually tossing a royal to the ground…
This is insane.
This is absolute gold.
Then another thought struck her—and her enthusiasm faltered just slightly, and her face paled.
...I was stalking—Ahem, observing—an SSS-rank adventurer earlier.
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
That was dangerously close…
David cleared his throat.
"Where are you headed now?" he asked Hayato.
"The Academy," Hayato replied. "Cecil asked to see me."
David considered that for a moment.
"…I was going there too," he said. "The delegates from allied kingdoms just reached the western gate. Guardian families are already at the VIP residence near the Arena."
He sighed.
"I was planning to accompany Cecil to the Arena—and make sure she doesn't cause an international incident."
Hayato nodded once.
David turned to Charlotte.
"You should head to the Arena," he said. "Guests have started to arrive now, so you should start the broadcast."
Charlotte snapped to attention, eyes shining.
"Yes, sir!"
She jogged a step closer to Hayato, excitement bubbling over.
"It was really nice meeting you," she said quickly. "Please—let me interview you later when you have time, okay?"
Before anyone could respond, she darted off toward the Arena.
David watched her go, then sighed again.
Then, He turned to Claire and Olivia.
"You two should head there as well; the seats will be gone soon," he said. "I will take him to the Academy."
They hesitated.
"…Thank you," Claire said quietly to Hayato.
"Yes," Olivia added, bowing slightly.
Hayato inclined his head.
They turned and made their way toward the Arena, still visibly shaken.
David waited until they were gone.
Then looked back at Hayato.
"Let's go," he said. "The sooner we see her, the sooner we can get this over with."
Hayato nodded.
They headed toward the Academy — side by side — in silence.
---
POV: Imperial Academy — Main Gate
The white stone gates of the Imperial Academy stood open.
Mana wards shimmered faintly along the archway, invisible to most eyes, but unmistakable to those who knew what to look for. Students and visitors passed through in orderly lines, their excitement restrained by the presence of guards stationed on either side.
David approached first.
The guards straightened immediately.
"Guild Master David," one of them said, offering a respectful bow. "Welcome. May I ask the purpose of your visit?"
David returned the nod casually."I'm here to speak with Cecil. Official business."
The guard hesitated only briefly before his eyes shifted to the figure standing beside David.
Masked. Quiet. Still.
"…And him?" the guard asked carefully.
David glanced at Hayato."He's a guest," he said simply. "Mine—and hers."
That was enough.
The guard nodded without another question and stepped aside."You may proceed."
Hayato followed David through the gates.
For a moment, he slowed.
The Academy grounds stretched before them—wide paths of polished stone, tall spires catching the sunlight, students moving between buildings in neat clusters. Mana flowed here differently. Regulated. Controlled.
Unchanged.
"…Still looks the same," David said after a while. "They keep rebuilding, but the foundation never changes."
Hayato gave a quiet nod.
They walked in silence, passing familiar halls and courtyards. A few students glanced their way—some recognizing David, others simply sensing something they couldn't quite place.
At the main building's reception hall, a woman in formal Academy attire greeted them.
"Guild Master David," she said politely. "Headmaster Cecil is expecting you. She is in her office."
David inclined his head."Thank you."
Hayato acknowledged her with a small nod as well.
They continued deeper into the Academy, the halls growing quieter the closer they came to the administrative wing.
David stopped in front of a tall wooden door reinforced with layered enchantments.
He knocked once.
"Come in," Cecil's voice called from inside.
---
The door opened.
Cecil Ashborn stood behind her desk, one hand resting casually on a stack of documents. Jane sat nearby, reviewing a report.
Cecil's eyes moved first to David.
Then—
To Hayato.
For half a second, nothing changed.
Then her lips curved upward.
"…Oh?" she said lightly. "You actually came."
Hayato stepped inside and stopped a short distance from the desk."You called."
Jane looked up sharply.
Her eyes widened just a fraction.
"…Hayato," she said, almost under her breath.
He turned his head slightly."Jane."
She studied him longer than necessary.
"…You're taller," she said at last.
Hayato gave a noncommittal nod."Time passed."
Jane let out a small breath she hadn't realized she was holding."…You look healthy."
"I am," he replied.
Cecil circled the desk slowly, hands clasped behind her back.
Slowly, Cecil lifted her gaze, a bright smile spreading across her face as she turned fully toward him.
"Honestly," she said cheerfully, "you disappear for years, stroll back into the city without warning, throw a prince onto the pavement, and won't even hug your poor grandmother."
She stepped out from behind the desk and opened her arms wide.
"Come here."
.... silence
"Come on. You used to cling to me all the time."
"That never happened," Hayato said calmly.
Jane coughed.
David turned away. "Lies. Blatant lies."
Hayato moved and walked past her.
Sat down on the chair.
Did not acknowledge the hug.
.....silence.
Cecil clicked her tongue."You've changed, Hayato-chan."
He said nothing.
Then—
Her tone changed.
She returned to her desk and rested both hands on its surface.
"Jokes aside," she said quietly, "we have a problem."
Hayato remained silent, listening.
David shifted his weight and crossed his arms. Jane straightened slightly, already sensing where this was going.
Cecil turned a document toward them—maps layered with markings, notes scribbled in red and blue ink.
"We've received multiple reports from the northern border," she continued."Small-scale demon activity. Probing attacks. No commitment."
David nodded."Same conclusion from the Guild. Scouts confirm casualties were minimal—but that's exactly what's troubling."
Hayato's eyes flicked over the map.
"No Archdemons," he said."No Demon Generals."
Cecil looked at him sharply."Exactly."
Jane frowned."That's not how demons fight."
"They don't waste soldiers," David added."And they don't retreat cleanly."
Hayato spoke again, calm but firm.
"I encountered something similar near the eastern border," he said."Ruins. Old ones. Demons were lingering around, not advancing. Just watching."
That made Cecil still.
"…Ruins," she repeated slowly.
Cecil exhaled, fingers pressing against the desk.
"Two borders showing abnormal restraint," she said."No high-ranking demons.""No decisive pushes."
She looked up.
"And today," she continued, voice lowering, "we have foreign guests, Guardian families, nobles, guild leaders—half the continent's power—gathered in one place."
Jane's grip tightened.
"It's the perfect distraction," Jane said softly."And the perfect stage."
Cecil nodded.
"If something happens," she said, "it won't be a full invasion. It'll be chaos. Panic. A strike where response is slowest."
Her gaze settled fully on Hayato now.
"That's why I want you with me in the arena."
Hayato frowned.
"I don't belong there."
"I know," Cecil replied immediately.
"I don't want attention," he continued."And I don't want to be involved with—"
"I know," she repeated, more gently this time.
She leaned back slightly.
"I'm not asking you to forgive anyone," Cecil said."Not the nobles. Not the royal family."
Hayato didn't look away.
"I know what was taken from you six years ago," she went on."And I know you haven't forgotten."
Her voice softened—not weak, but honest.
"And I won't ask you to."
Jane's chest tightened at that.
"But today," Cecil said, "the stakes are too high."
She gestured toward the window—toward the Academy, the Arena, the city beyond.
"There will be plenty of powerhouses present," she said."They can clash with demons if needed."
Her eyes narrowed.
"But they can't protect the students, the civilians, and the guests—all at once."
David exhaled slowly.
"We can handle a battlefield," he said."What we can't handle is something slipping through."
Silence settled.
Hayato looked down.
For a moment, it seemed like he might refuse.
Then—
He sighed.
"…Fine," he said quietly.
Cecil's shoulders relaxed—just a fraction.
"I'll help," Hayato continued. "But only for today."
Jane felt a small smile tug at her lips.
You really haven't changed, she thought.
Still kind. Still stubborn.
David let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"With him there," he thought, "I can finally stop worrying about worst-case scenarios."
Cecil smiled—genuinely this time.
"Thank you," she said.
Then she straightened and clapped her hands once.
"Alright," she declared. "Let's head to the arena."
Her eyes gleamed faintly.
"I still have unfinished business with the King and a certain brat,"
Jane sighed.
David groaned.
Hayato said nothing.
He stood, adjusted his coat, and prepared to follow.
David shook his head and muttered as they moved toward the door,
"Just—don't go overboard."
Cecil smiled sweetly.
"No promises."