I Became the Academy’s War Hero

Chapter 180 : Successor (1)

Chapter 180: Successor (1)

The essence of MAGA was a character-raising simulation game.

Choose good characters, raise them well, reach the ending—that was all there was to it.

However, through the nearly thousand achievements and various modes, I came to understand the underlying principles of this world.

And among them, the most important were undoubtedly the Guardian Gods and the Successors.

The primary objective of those who mainly appeared in Apocalypse Mode was the protection of humanity, and in most cases, humanity’s natural enemies—represented by Monster Beasts—appeared as the main antagonists.

The collective term for all Guardian Gods was Paladion.

And because all of them possessed Divinity, they were also called Divine Entities.

However, if categorized properly, they could be divided into three groups.

First, the Guardian Gods.

All beings classified as gods within the story belonged here.

Those who received Authority and power from them were called Successors of Divine Descent.

Second, the Guardians.

Though not worshiped as gods, most legendary heroes recorded throughout history belonged here.

Likewise, those who inherited their power were called Successors of Guardian Descent.

Third, the Divine Beasts.

These were cases involving power inherited from legendary spirit beasts or elemental entities.

Such individuals were called Divine Beast Successors, or Successors of Divine Beast Descent.

Once someone became the successor of one of the three factions, it was generally impossible to receive power from the other two.

Additionally, mages who based their abilities on magic were usually chosen by Guardian Gods, while martial artists who based themselves on martial arts were typically selected by Guardians.

Naturally, faith in the corresponding being was mandatory.

Which meant that individuals lacking faith could never become Successors no matter how talented they were.

The only remaining option in such cases was to be chosen by a Divine Beast.

Though still counted among the Paladion, Divine Beasts did not select people based on faith.

The method Divine Beasts used to choose someone worthy of inheriting their power was—

Simply put, sparring.

Defeat them in a one-on-one battle and prove your disposition and capability.

Frederick likely became the Azure Dragon’s successor through precisely that method.

“…That was over twenty-five years ago. Even if you went there now, there’d be nothing left to gain.”

So he was admitting it after all.

Looking at Frederick, whose eyes seemed to reflect upon the past, I spoke:

“Just tell me the location. I’ll make the judgment myself.”

“And… you likely wouldn’t be compatible with Divine Beasts anyway. Back then, I was obsessed with martial arts, and the Azure Dragon acknowledged my reverence toward strength itself.”

“Ah, this isn’t for me.”

“Hm?”

“I can’t become a Successor anyway.”

Once I was deified by Future Sight and obtained a Divine Name, becoming a Successor became impossible.

Moreover, Clina White—the pinnacle of evil spirits—currently resided within my Mana Heart.

Though she herself might not be hostile, evil spirits were still considered one of humanity’s natural enemies.

There was no way the Guardian Gods would look favorably upon that.

And—

“The Azure Dragon may be like that, but the standards of the other Divine Beasts are probably different.”

The Four Divine Beasts, the guardians of the cardinal directions, fundamentally valued willpower and perseverance above all else.

The Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird tended to place greater emphasis upon physical strength—

While the White Tiger and Black Tortoise valued mental fortitude more highly.

Still, they didn’t operate according to rigid laws, so the only real option was to speak with them directly.

“……Fuu.”

Seeing my stubborn attitude, Frederick sighed and waved his hand as though surrendering.

“There’s a Four Divine Beast altar on the northern wall of Ademail Gorge. You should remember it. It’s one of the Imperial Army’s training grounds.”

“…I had no idea there was an altar there.”

“You wouldn’t. I discovered it by pure coincidence after getting separated from my squad and wandering around.”

I could roughly picture the situation now.

I still didn’t have time to focus on this yet, but eventually I’d need to organize an expedition.

Partly to increase their specs—

But also to acquire relics that would prove useful in future battles.

“Thank you for the information, Director.”

Well then—

As I rose from my seat, Frederick suddenly asked:

“…How much time is left?”

“…That’s a vague question.”

“The catastrophe.”

“…….”

“I should’ve realized it the moment a man who looked absolutely unwilling to return suddenly began working as an instructor.”

Scratching his forehead, Frederick continued:

“Since early March until now, you’ve gone through an awful lot in a very short amount of time. I thought you’d finally catch your breath after the Joint War, but instead you accelerated even further. Eventually you even inflicted devastating damage upon Bernhardt.”

“…I wasn’t the one who inflicted devastating damage upon Bernhardt.”

“But you certainly influenced it. Didn’t you?”

“That’s….”

“The next target will be the Imperial Family, won’t it? Naturally Princess Edel will play the primary role, but there’s no chance you won’t involve yourself in it. Am I wrong?”

“If there’s something you want to say, then just say it.”

“I already asked. How long until the arrival of the world-ending catastrophe?”

“…….”

“You, the reformer of the system, already knew, didn’t you? That the current Imperial system could never withstand the coming catastrophe. That’s why you’ve been relentlessly pushing reform as though chased by something.”

“The faster reforms happen, the better. That way people can adapt more quickly once catastrophe arrives. That’s all there is to it.”

“Even taking that into account, don’t you think you’re rushing too much?”

What exactly was he trying to say?

Tilting my head, I asked back:

“…Whether I’m rushing or not has nothing to do with you, Director. If you think you suffered damages because of this incident, then I’ll compensate you sooner or later—”

“I’m worried about you, Carter.”

“…Excuse me?”

Now what kind of development was this?

As I stared blankly, Frederick rubbed his forehead and said:

“You were like this before too, but now the symptoms seem even worse.”

“What symptoms?”

“Obsession. Compulsion.”

“…….”

“The obsession that you alone must do it. The obsession that only you can accomplish it. The obsession that you can solve everything by yourself.”

“…….”

“If you keep pushing yourself like that, one day you’ll definitely regret it.”

“You…”

I almost snapped back—

What the hell do you know?

But seeing his face, completely devoid of hostility or mockery, I kept my mouth shut.

“Please, just learn to let go a little, Carter. There are already countless people around you willing to help.”

---

Discussion topics, operational plans, contingency measures for possible variables—

I spent the entire day organizing everything carefully within my mind before finally returning to my private room late at night.

After washing with lukewarm water and straightening my posture, I gradually regained my composure.

Only after lying neatly upon the bed was I finally able to properly reflect upon Frederick’s words.

“Obsession… huh.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Both before and after transmigration, I had no intention of denying that Eugene Carter was an obsessive person.

At times it manifested as arrogance and overconfidence—

At others, as fear of loss.

The incurable curse had been the same.

Some people might have endured such a curse and continued living firmly.

But Eugene Carter could not.

A genius reformer of the system.

An overwhelming record that proved it.

This body obsessively rejected the collapse of such a self-image.

Whenever reality closed in, he drowned himself in alcohol and drugs to forget it.

If the original Eugene Carter’s obsession centered around being “the perfect self”—

Then the current Eugene Carter’s obsession centered around “the perfect ending.”

The reason I developed this obsession was fear.

To clear the final achievement.

To witness the hidden ending.

To see the conclusion of this world—

I had burned away far too much over the years.

And if I still failed to see the ending…

If I failed to achieve my goal…

If that became my life…

Honestly, I knew I wouldn’t be able to endure it.

That was why I tried to prepare even more thoroughly.

Combining countless experiences and information with my innate improvisational abilities, I sought to confront catastrophe.

And until now, things had gone smoothly.

There were twists and turns.

There had been sacrifices.

But we were undoubtedly approaching the ending.

And yet—

The reason I couldn’t immediately refute Frederick’s words was because—

I had clearly realized that I myself was wearing down in the process.

I knew that saving them meant saving the world.

And that saving the world would ultimately save me as well.

So I kept telling myself to continue struggling forward as long as I still breathed.

But—

Would I truly be satisfied with an ending reached entirely alone?

“…….”

How much time had passed?

― Do you remember what I said at the end of your clash with Karen Rosefield?

At Clina’s sudden appearance, I sent my consciousness inward and replied.

‘……You called me foolish.’

― Do you understand now why I said that back then?

‘…Not really.’

― Because even in that moment, you trusted only yourself.

‘…….’

― The belief that the Rubia Magnus you trusted, the Fransia Bride you trusted, the Michel Bernhardt you trusted, the Edel Ribenia you trusted, the Karen Rosefield you trusted—would never deviate from your expectations or faith. Do you understand now?

‘……That hits painfully close to the mark.’

― And to be fair, every single one of them has indeed lived up to your faith until now. But surely even you understand that can’t continue forever.

At times, people betray expectations.

At times, they disappoint others.

At times, allies once trusted without question become enemies.

Regrettable though it may be—

That was simply human nature.

― And every single time that happens, you’ll blame yourself for all of it. My faith in her wasn’t strong enough. I misjudged her. If only I’d been more careful. If only I’d done better. If only I’d prepared for even that. I failed. It’s my fault. Obsessively, you’ll continue directing all arrows toward yourself alone. Because that’s what’s easiest and most familiar to you.

Suddenly, I remembered something from long ago.

After losing both my parents at a young age and spending years in an orphanage, I eventually arrived at a simple conclusion.

Every man for himself.

Humans live alone and die alone.

Therefore, expecting things from others was foolish.

The only thing worth trusting was oneself.

To someone like me who lived by that philosophy, this world truly had been salvation.

Within my endlessly monotonous life, the lives shown by the people of this world had been overwhelmingly dramatic.

And the fact that I, nothing more than a player, could influence those lives—

That too had been overwhelmingly dramatic.

Before I knew it, my life had become one dedicated to the people of this world.

Time passed.

Countless people rose and fell here, and innumerable endings bloomed.

Eventually, only the final ending remained.

And I spent six additional years solely trying to see it.

Perhaps—

No matter what I did, maybe the final ending simply couldn’t be reached.

That realization crashed down upon me as though denying the entirety of my ten years of life.

That was why I grew angrier than anyone.

And in the end, why I gave up.

Whether it was individuals, organizations, or the world itself—

Depending on anything other than oneself had indeed been foolish.

…Or so I believed.

And then an opportunity appeared before me.

Perhaps the final opportunity.

I took each step using the method I knew best.

And eventually, I reached this point.

But the reason that was possible—

Was not because I trusted myself.

It was because they—

Because this world—

Had trusted me.

That fact, so ordinary and obvious to others—

I only now finally realized it.

― Well, don’t blame yourself too much.

Stretching her hand toward empty air, Clina smiled gently.

― They say beginning is half the journey, but aren’t you only just now truly beginning?

‘…….’

― Isn’t it exciting? To have achieved this much before even truly starting?

“…Yeah.”

It really… was.

Covering my eyes, I smiled faintly.

The old knot that had long remained lodged within my heart suddenly surfaced and shattered into pieces.

Since I had carried it for so long, I felt somewhat empty—

But more than that, I felt relieved.

Closing my eyes, I silently expressed gratitude for everything that had happened until now.

And I made a vow.

From now on—

Truly—

I would fight together with everyone.