[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero":3,"chapter-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-124":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Became the Academy’s War Hero",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1531781,1990,"Chapter 124 : Clash (1)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-124",124,"\u003Cp>Chapter 124: Clash (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing every preparation I could, I headed alone to the terrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plaza visible just below, the turrets standing beside it, and the vast plain stretching far into the distance — it was an overwhelming sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood there for quite some time, staring blankly at the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I finally glanced at my wristwatch, it was already well past 3 a.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I let out a series of sighs, a resonance stirred from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― You don’t look well, my friend. Are you tired?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not particularly….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my thoughts toward Clina, who had appeared at just the right moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Thanks for earlier, Clina.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― Think nothing of it. We share a common enemy — it’s only natural to join forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, silence again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Clina did not press me, only watched quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That quiet patience — that kind of consideration — somehow drew out my own thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoughts that I would never share with anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Many will die. A lot of them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― …Indeed. The history of life is the history of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The history of death, huh….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― How unexpected. I thought you’d grown used to such sights long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Perhaps.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Apocalypse Mode — the one I had played longer than any other mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the battlefields I faced in-game and those in reality were utterly different,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the countless memories of Eugene Carter within me balanced that dissonance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d fought in more wars than I could count — cutting down both humans and beasts without mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had saved countless lives, but witnessed even more deaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it would be the same from here on out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, it would only grow worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And every choice in it would be mine alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unintended, yet a sight I had longed to face more than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A future I had resolved to endure — just to save five people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All those scenes I once brushed off, thinking, ‘It’s just a game,’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>would now unfold before me as reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This battle, too, would be but a mild taste of the carnage to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I had no intention of averting my gaze or succumbing to despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether by chance or fate, I had been cast into this place — given one final opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t afford to waste that chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why I intended to carve it deeply into my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the realities I would soon face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I would seize them — without fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be the true ending, the one that would bring my ten-year journey to its close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was reaffirming that resolve when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, a dark cloud loomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mass of black mist thick with hostility and murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second main event — following the Imperial Summit — was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BEEEEEP―!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The alarm blared throughout the entire tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The resting members hurriedly moved to their designated positions under the orders of Senior Novices and Agents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustav burst out of his room and sprinted toward the command control room on the 12th floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, five observers and several intermediate Agents were already gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tower Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How far have they come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re crossing the Fluker Plain! They’ll reach the main gate in about thirty minutes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relay the order once more — no preemptive bombardment until they enter turret range. We can’t afford to waste a single shot. Where’s Meriel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No news yet, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then she’s likely still on the 21st floor. You — go fetch her, now. And you — check the Barion Orbs in the turrets again. If the command chain breaks, we’re finished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As two Agents rushed out, Gustav turned to the most senior observer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you see the Executor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Not yet! As you said, we expect him to appear with the main force!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Report any changes immediately — no hesitation, understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, every Barion Orb within the tower began to ring out simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustav folded his arms, staring at the map projected ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plain was dotted with countless black marks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, their side had far fewer — so sparse that the difference was almost painful to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I wonder if we can really pull this off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he swallowed his worry, the door to the control room opened once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies for being late, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Agent Meriel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat beaded across her forehead, dripping down her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her obvious fatigue, Gustav tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something happen on the 21st floor? You look terrible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then get to the plaza. You’ve got about twenty-five minutes left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood. The Soul Transmission Magic should be cast fifteen minutes prior, correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meriel gave a short nod and left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes burned with a mix of determination and fighting spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pruhk, pruruk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neighhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horses in the relay station’s stable neighed restlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They, too, must have sensed the crisis in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Novice Graham, who had volunteered as stable keeper, used Sleep Magic to put the horses one by one into slumber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the interior fell quiet, he slipped back toward the turret through a narrow passage between the main gate walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, over a hundred layers of barriers had been stacked in front of the gate — the outer walls far thicker than those near the entrance, just as planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the walkway across the plaza was in total ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marble fragments scattered everywhere gathered toward the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interception turrets and automatic defense turrets began flickering rapidly, fueled by mana stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At each turret entrance stood a battle mage, each with a sturdy, well-built frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the large gate leading into the tower, Meriel and the finest elites of Mallet stood waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come if you dare, you lunatic fanatics!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dellowell elite advanced, closing the distance to the enemy with a deafening clamor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank, clank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud, thud, thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A select few First-Rank Believers, entrusted with command, raised their hands high at the right moment and shouted toward the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our objectives are to seize the Barion Orbs, eliminate Tower Master Gustav, and slay the War Hero Eugene Carter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not even death can stop us! Paradise awaits!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Martyrs, march with me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the signal, the believers roared and began their charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their heavy footsteps, once rhythmic, became a thunderous quake that shook the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Past the city, past the forest road, past the plain—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they finally reached their destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their weapons gleamed with light as they stormed into the enemy’s frontlines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that exact moment, as if on cue, countless spells rained down from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flag fluttering at the believers’ center burst into flames under the flaming spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madness began to engulf the land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the outbreak of war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill them! Kill them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rip them apart!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crush them and burn them all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The believers charged toward the main gate in groups of six, filled with fervor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier didn’t even flinch against ordinary weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let alone those worn-out spears and swords—they wouldn’t even leave a scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The radiant light coating those dull blades was enough to turn them into fearsome weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack! Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As those with blunt weapons struck the barrier madly, axes and spears followed close behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The relentless storm of spear thrusts targeted every tiny crack without mercy, and soon, even the sturdy shield began to fracture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once a single gap appeared, the rest crumbled swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly a hundred layers of barriers shattered like thin boards snapping apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as countless explosions tore through their armor and flesh, the believers pressed forward, breaking down the wall before them without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than thirty minutes later, the main gate was breached—and the bombardment stopped all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now! Advance! Advance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waaah― Waaah―\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some believers, exhilarated by their faster-than-expected breach of the outer entrance, flung their cloaks wide and charged into the plaza.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interception turrets on both sides roared to life, unleashing fire all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every believer who charged in was blasted backward by the turret fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshhh―\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faces of those hit directly by the flame shells swelled red and blistered—only to heal completely moments later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the First-Rank Believers swiftly changed tactics and shouted new orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teams 3 through 12, split and neutralize the interception turrets!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rest, hold formation and keep pushing forward! Move!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As two hundred troops from ten squads spread out to both flanks, bombardments once again rained over the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining fifteen squads—three hundred in total—divided across the wide plaza into dozens of smaller teams, advancing steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Explosions erupted from all sides; the powerful impacts battered their bodies through armor, yet their march never ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they crossed about half the plaza, the tower’s entrance came into view from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of the mages standing guard there only heightened their murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Filling their legs with strength, they sprinted forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was when ash-gray giants began to block their way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the colossal figures, each easily over four meters tall, even the believers’ frenzied charge came to a halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Golems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see… if they’ve fallen this far, then we need not hesitate either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of golems emerging all around totaled twenty-seven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surveying them, First-Rank Believer Andrea drew his cone-shaped spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll open the path. Cover me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He twisted his body and took a charging stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A divine aura gathered clearly at the tip of his spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kicked off the ground, lunging at the golem ahead; the air split behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shrrrk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The immense impact sent one golem staggering backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other believers immediately rushed in, aiming for its lower joints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their weapons never struck home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two other golems had already moved in, blocking their path from both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Saint Andrea!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Struck by a heavy kick, Andrea was hurled dozens of meters away—but rolled and recovered swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine! Focus on the enemies before you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his head and glared ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two golems, as if perfectly synchronized, were driving the believers back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…What a rare sight.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it even possible for golems to coordinate like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golems operated through a core, and that core was crafted by extracting a soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soul ripped mercilessly from its body would never be friendly to its caster, and so the more one forced a golem’s movements, the simpler its behavior became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans or beasts might coordinate—but golems? This level of cooperation was unheard of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, the sight looked even more unnatural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t go too far ahead! Fall back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our rear’s blocked!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re inside the turret range! Get out, now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! BOOOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About a dozen believers attempting to push forward were surrounded by four golems and struck directly by the turrets’ bombardment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they had neutralized their targets, the golems immediately dispersed back to their positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Witnessing that seamless coordination, Andrea shouted urgently, sensing danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regroup! Pull back toward the main gate and—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp, resolute voice cut through his command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank, clank!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, someone closed in, striking precisely at the joints of his armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The face before him was all too familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eugene Carter…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where do you think you’re going? None of you are leaving here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent gust swept through as Eugene sent Andrea flying to the opposite side, a grin curling his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no exit for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1918,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.613Z",1,"novelbin.me","56e3040d6ff9615ce1b16d7c63032611a9f30766d8f672f0c1ec402f56577caf","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-125","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-123",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]