I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling.
There was a lot to do. If I didn't organize things properly, I might miss something important. The coming days were only going to get busier.
You might be wondering why Professor Kael said that students who didn't volunteer for the Third-Year Event would have their movement within the academy restricted after two weeks—or be required to leave the academy for that duration.
At first glance, it might seem like a method to encourage participation.
But that isn't true.
Those who volunteer will be working from morning till night, assigned tasks continuously. In a sense, their movements will be even more restricted than those who don't volunteer.
So why implement such a rule?
The answer is simple.
As I mentioned earlier, spectators from all over the world will be arriving. And that makes the academy a perfect target—for terrorism, or any large-scale criminal activity meant to create chaos.
Even though the students here belong to the academy, their families may not be so innocent. Some could be affiliated with cults or dangerous organizations. It's also possible that a student might be manipulated unknowingly… or even participate willingly in such plans.
To prevent such scenarios, the academy restricts the movement of those who do not volunteer, ensuring tighter security during this critical period.
Now, you might ask—what if someone with bad intentions simply volunteers?
They can.
But every student who volunteers will have a spell placed on them by the Principal himself, ensuring that no malicious action can be taken.
Of course, many high-profile students study here. Not all of them would be comfortable having a spell placed on them.
The academy has already accounted for that.
After students register as volunteers, they will be informed about the spell. Only after that will their consent be confirmed again. Those who change their minds are free to withdraw.
Simple. Efficient.
Now, the real question—
Will the main cast volunteer?
Come on… how could they not?
Of course they will.
And if the main cast is volunteering, then something is bound to happen during those two weeks.
You guessed right.
A small "incident" did occur.
It lasted ten chapters… and in this world, roughly two weeks.
Now, you might be wondering—
Will I volunteer?
If you assumed that I would, simply because the main cast is participating… then you're wrong.
I won't.
I have something else to take care of—something that requires me to leave the academy for around ten days.
And this two-week break?
Perfect timing.
Why do I need to leave?
I'll tell you.
What's the hurry?
…
The next day, I sat in class, bored out of my mind.
As I had mentioned before, I already knew one hundred percent of the first-year syllabus and about eighty percent of the second-year material. Everything being taught felt repetitive.
Today was the last day of classes before the two-week break.
We had already been informed which areas would be restricted starting tomorrow, and students could submit their names for volunteering after classes ended.
Classes were shorter today—only until lunch.
Finally, they ended.
As I stood up, I noticed the main cast gathering together. I can listene from a distance thanks to Omniscient, but I decided to walk over instead to actively be a part of conversation.
"It looks like you're having a serious discussion," I said casually. "Mind letting me in on it?"
Alaric glanced at me.
"It's not a secret."
Seraphine nodded, a small giggle escaping her lips.
"We're just discussing who's going to volunteer."
"I see," I replied. "Have you decided?"
Sylwen answered calmly,
"Yes. All of us will be volunteering."
Roderick looked at me.
"What about you?"
I replied
"No. I won't be volunteering."
Alaric frowned slightly.
"That's surprising. I thought you would."
I chuckled.
"I've got something to take care of. I'll be leaving the academy."
Althaea tilted her head.
"That makes sense. When are you leaving?"
I held my chin as if thinking though I had everything already planned
"Today."
Liora blinked.
"That soon?"
I shrugged lightly.
"That depends on the work. And according to that… it's not soon at all."
Most of them nodded in understanding.
The Hero was also there, though she didn't say anything to me. She didn't seem particularly interested. Liora, too, didn't engage much—we weren't close enough for that.
Not that it bothered me.
Observing the main cast had simply become a habit at this point.
After a bit more small talk, I left.
I headed to the cafeteria first.
As I ate, I listened to the chatter around me.
Some first-year and second-year students were discussing whether to volunteer. Others were excitedly planning vacations for the upcoming break which wasn't exactly a break but I guess everyone gets tired of working so hard everyday that this looks like a break.
A few third-year students were present too—but they were mostly eating as if their lives depended on it.
In a way, it did.
Every minute spent eating was a minute not spent training. And less training could directly affect their performance in the event—which, in turn, could shape their future.
Of course, some were doing the opposite—eating slowly, conserving energy, giving their bodies time to recover because they have come to eat after training and using this time to give their body a much needed rest.
As for me…
I was eating slowly for a different reason.
Listening.
It had become something of a hobby.
Creepy? Maybe.
But I couldn't help it.
Because of Omniscient, I could hear everything. Even without trying, conversations flowed into my ears. Over time, I had simply grown used to it… and eventually, I started enjoying it.
After all, someone, somewhere, was always talking about something interesting.
Even conversations outside the cafeteria reached me.
So every day, I found something worth listening to.
After finishing my meal, I headed toward my dorm.
It was still afternoon.
No reason to wait.
If I was leaving, I might as well do it today. Of course I had this planned already as I said before.
With that thought, I reached my room.
…
You're probably wondering what exactly I'm planning to do.
I'll tell you when time comes.
No need to be so impatient.
First, I packed a few essentials.
Then, I made my way to the mountain behind the academy.
Teleporting to a suitable height, I scanned the area below until I found what I was looking for.
Then, I teleported again.
This time, directly to him.
Aero.
For a brief moment, he was startled by my sudden appearance. But that quickly turned into overwhelming excitement.
I didn't even need Nature Force or Sixth Sense to understand how happy he was. It was obvious from the way he reacted.
I patted him for a long time.
To be honest… I was happy to see him too.
We were basically family to each other so it made sense.
After that, I teleported onto his back.
Without hesitation, Aero took flight, heading in the direction I indicated.
For those wondering why Aero was here—
I had called him.
A week ago, I had already decided what I was going to do.
Our destination?
The nearest city with an Information Guild branch.
And from that alone, you might have realized—
The Information Guild doesn't operate everywhere.
Think about it.
What would an Information Guild branch do in a small village?
Villagers neither have the money nor the need for such services.
The guild establishes branches only in locations where, at the very least, they can avoid losses—covering expenses like rent and employee salaries.
You might wonder why they would accept zero profit.
The answer is simple.
Information.
Even if a branch doesn't generate profit directly, the information gathered there can be valuable elsewhere. That alone makes it worth maintaining.
After all for information guild, information is more important than money.
Now, the academy city is massive.
So why isn't there an Information Guild branch here?
It's not about profit.
It's about control.
This city hosts heirs of royal families, dukes, and other influential figures. If an Information Guild operated here, it would gain access to an enormous amount of sensitive information. If it was about small information it was one thing. But information gathered here is in a way information gathered from whole world as students gather here from whole world.
Naturally, the academy would never allow that.
Protecting the privacy of its students is a top priority.
And enforcing that protection isn't difficult—not when the academy houses a Powerhouse, several Pseudo-Powerhouses, numerous SS-Rank individuals, and countless other powerful figures.
On top of that, many external Powerhouses frequently visit the academy—for meetings with the Principal or other matters.
In such an environment…
There is simply no room for an Information Guild to operate.
They may exist in royal capitals of other kingdoms.
But here?
Impossible.
And that is why…
I'm heading to the closest place where they operate because I need information from them.