An Angel Lives in the Academy
Chapter 165: The Angel Who Raids a Dungeon (3)

There’s a special rule at the Central Superhuman Academy. If you collect three recommendation letters from professors, you can receive one legendary artifact owned by the academy.

“The treasure vault is opening.”

“Again?”

The Central Superhuman Academy professors were known for being incredibly strict in their student evaluations. And for someone to receive three recommendation letters from those professors?

“Who is it? Are there others who received a recommendation letter besides Leffrey?”

“I don’t think so. Could it be the student council president?”

However, the treasure vault that was opening now…

…wasn’t because of three recommendation letters.

‘This is the Headmaster’s privilege…!’

It was opening because of Headmaster Iriel’s privilege, the true owner of this academy.

Four students stood before the massive door, listening to the rumbling sound as it opened.

“If the Headmaster is willing to open the treasure vault, this must be a truly dangerous dungeon.”

“That's right, it's a very dangerous dungeon. We have to use every method available. And one of those methods is artifacts.”

One was a boy, beautiful as an angel, and the other three were girls beautiful enough to match such a boy.

“Ooh, I smell money.”

“…High-density mana.”

The pink-haired girl's tail swished as her eyes sparkled. Her ears twitched as if hearing the sound of treasure.

“So, we just take whatever we want?”

“No, one item per person.”

Iriel had made it clear.

Please take only one each, she said.

These items are some of the most precious artifacts in this world, so they shouldn't be carelessly leaked to the outside.

‘Did you hear that? One artifact, just one each.’

Leffrey remembered Iriel’s trembling hand. And the golden key to the treasure vault held in that hand.

‘If these fall into the demon army’s hands, it’ll be a disaster…’

Of course, he had no intention of letting them fall into the demon army’s hands.

However, he also had no intention of only taking one treasure at such an opportunity.

‘Treasure Goblin. No, Treasure Angel Leffrey…!’

Like Hongwol, Leffrey's eyes sparkled as he muttered casually.

“However, for the sake of this world…”

“For the sake of this world?”

“I'll have to hold back tears and break school rules.”

Leffrey wasn't holding back any tears at all.

Soya sighed as she looked at Leffrey.

“Haah, I can’t believe it.”

“Don’t worry. The professors won't say anything.”

The elegant, black-haired girl muttered those words, looking at Leffrey, as they entered the dusty treasure vault.

“These items are meant to be used. And now is the time to use them.”

“You’re right.”

“I agree.”

Even Yumari, who’s usually expressionless, seemed somewhat excited.

‘As expected, capitalism is the best.’

There's no one who dislikes expensive items. Leffrey, nodding in agreement with that truth, said.

“Then let’s do this.”

So Leffrey and the heroes decided to do the following.

First, they would each go their separate ways and choose an artifact. Then, they would decide together which artifacts to take outside.

“Sounds good.”

“Not bad.”

As he watched the girls scatter, Leffrey recalled what Iriel had said.

“You said to only take one each? No way, you’re being stingy with treasures in a situation like this?”

Leffrey had been annoyed by her words ‘just one.’ But Iriel shook her head, saying that wasn't what she meant.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what?”

“The artifacts stored in the treasure vault are all top-tier items in this world. They range from at least S-rank to EX-rank.”

Iriel slowly continued.

“You know too, that the higher the rank of an item, the more difficult it is to handle, right?”

Leffrey couldn't refute those words.

His Sanctus, which he used often, was a complex item that he had to fully focus on every time he used it.

If it weren’t for the blessing that is Leffriel's body, Leffrey might have self-destructed without even being able to handle Sanctus.

‘If C-rank is like walking, B-rank is like riding a bicycle, and A-rank is like driving a car with gears…’

And the difficulty of handling items increased exponentially from A-rank and above.

“Stronger items don’t necessarily mean ‘better’. The best items are the ones that you can handle well.”

Back in the cold treasure vault, Leffrey muttered as he exhaled a visible breath.

“But Headmaster, do you know this?”

Leffrey smiled.

“My heroes are geniuses.”

* * *

It was a dark place.

Inside the chilly treasure vault,

The sound of someone rummaging could be heard.

Rustle rustle—Crash bang—Wh-who’s there! Who’s where? Hongwol, you’re not messing with me, are you? Hey, I'm not even there- Then who is it?!

Screams were heard again-

An hour later, one boy and three girls gathered in front of the door.

“Woah.”

“Wow.”

The other three let out exclamations of admiration upon seeing Hongwol appear with her body covered in gold ornaments.

“Tsk tsk, what’s this. You all didn't bring much, did you?”

“Wol.”

“What, boy? Want me to share some?”

Her tail swished. Her expression showed she saw no problem at all.

“Why do we even need that stuff when we're going to fight!”

“It’s a reward for fighting! I’m getting it in advance!”

“That's too much! And where are your weapons?”

At that, Hongwol stretched out her waist and placed her palms on the ground.

“I’m strong on my own. I don’t need artifacts.”

“I knew you’d say that. Quickly put them back.”

“Tch.”

After sending Hongwol back, Leffrey looked at the other two girls.

“Then should we start with Soya?”

“Sure, sounds good.”

Soya proudly laid out a grimoire bound in dark leather, a staff made of ebony, and a witch's hat embroidered with silver.

They all looked very magical and cool, but they weren't items that would make a name for themselves in the future.

In other words, they weren’t very strong.

“Haah…”

“What?”

“What criteria did you use to choose these?”

As Leffrey glared at her, Soya quickly averted her gaze.

“A black mage’s diverse criteria…”

“Diverse criteria?”

“The kind of feeling that would fulfill the darkness of darkness…”

Pout pout- Soya muttered with a dissatisfied tone,

“Leffrey! What do you know about black magic?”

“I don’t know much. But I do know these items will just have high ranks without much use.”

Since they’re stored in the treasure vault, they were bound to be powerful items. But their rank would have been determined not only by their power, but also by their difficulty.

Items that are difficult to handle.

‘That means they’re just cursed items that’ll weaken your combat power.’

Leffrey had to think about maximum efficiency. Or choose really, really strong items, even if they were difficult to handle.

“As expected, me choosing was the right answer.”

Leffrey confiscated the items Soya had picked and…

“Ah! But I carefully picked these out!”

…Instead, he handed Soya new items.

A pink magic wand with a blue gem, a cute magical girl outfit with frills, and lastly, white shoes with small wings.

‘The ultimate magic items. The Magical Girl Awakening Set.’

It was an S-rank mage item set, but they boasted power that even surpassed some EX-rank items.

“W-what is this? It's completely childish clothing!”

Soya looked as if she was rejecting reality. But Leffrey’s thought was firm.

“Try it on.”

“N-no way. This is not black mage-like at all…”

“Just listen for a moment. Your thoughts will change a bit.”

“…What kind of effects does it have for you to say that?”

But when Leffrey listed off the effects of the Magical Girl Awakening Set, she asked again in disbelief.

“Is that really true? These childish-looking items have those functions?”

“Of course!”

The effects of the set, as Leffrey had explained, were as follows:

1. You can make the items invisible or visible when desired (Of course, he didn’t tell her that she had to shout a certain phrase to activate it.)

2. You can use ancient ultimate magic. Incredibly powerful. (Of course, he didn’t tell her that she had to shout a certain phrase to activate it either.)

3. Unbelievable defense. (Defense strong enough that the skirt will never flip up)

4. When equipped with the full item set, an ancient divine beast is summoned to support you (Cute. But sometimes it begs you to make a contract and become a magical girl)

5. Gain magic power through methods other than potions and meditation (Hope and courage. Both of which Soya lacked.)

There were many things he didn't explain.

Prick prick- Leffrey felt a bit guilty.

‘I-I didn’t lie. What Soya lacks is defense. That item set has insanely good defense if nothing else. Plus it has other amazing additional effects.’

Leffrey subtly,

…glanced at Soya.

‘And honestly, I think it would really suit her.’

So it couldn't be helped. If he wanted to make Soya, who hates looking like a kid, wear that item set, he had no choice but to use this method.

“It really has all those functions?”

“Have you only been deceived your whole life? Just try it on.”

“Tsk, I really hate this childish style.”

With the words that she might as well try it on since it can hide its appearance, Soya gathered up the items and headed to a secluded spot.

Seeing that, Leffrey could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

‘Magical Girl Awakening. It was the strongest mage item set, but no one could use it because of its equip conditions.’

The equip conditions were simple.

First, it could only be equipped by someone who had reached the level of a Grand Mage.

And very few had met this condition.

Magic levels 1 - 3 were considered beginner, 4 - 6, are experts, and 7 - 9, are mage scholars. And among mage scholars, only those who established their own school of magic were called grand mages…

‘Soya-style Black Magic.’

Soya had already created her own unique black magic style. In other words, Soya was a Grand Mage.

So Soya met the first condition.

And then, the second condition.

Second, it could only be equipped by someone who is befitting of a magical girl.

‘…There wasn’t a single Grand Mage who fit the image of a magical girl. Most were men, and all of them were old geezers. Soya was the only one who fit, but by then, she was already dead because of the schemes of the magic world.’

Thus, despite possessing the strongest defense, the ‘Iron Skirt’, and the most powerful offensive ability, the ‘Magical Girl’s Ultimate Move’, the Magical Girl Awakening set had become an item that no one could use.

But now it was different.

“Leffrey, h-how do I look?”

A gray-haired girl with flushed cheeks appeared, fidgeted as she revealed herself. A pink magic wand, a cute magical girl outfit with lots of pink frills, and white shoes with small wings.

She looked so incredibly cute.

“You're so cute! Our Soya is super cute! The best! Ugh, my heart! I think I'm going to die!”

“Don't, don’t overdo it.”

Soya covered her face with her small hands in embarrassment. Only Soya knew what kind of expression she was making.

“Leffrey.”

The next voice belonged to…

“I’ve chosen a few artifacts that seem suitable for me.”

…it was from Yumari, the one who gave Leffrey the most headaches but also one of his most precious heroes.

“Oh? Then let me see.”

Leffrey, who had been looking fondly at Soya's appearance, turned his head to look at Mari. And the moment he saw her appearance.

The boy’s expression changed drastically.

“Wait a minute.”

Leffrey muttered with a pale face.

“Th-those items…”