Misfit At Magic Academy: They Wanted a Godly Summon, Got Me Instead
Chapter 38: The First Turning Point

Chapter 38: The First Turning Point

A few hours earlier, at the Academy.

The sun was setting, drenching the Hanging Gardens of the Academy in a blood-red hue.

Ash slammed her locker shut and froze. A soft, clear voice called from behind her:

"Hey."

She turned. Aimer stood before her — arms crossed, posture perfect, gaze cold.

"Oh! It’s you, Athey’s dear friend. How’s life treating the winner today?"

Aimer narrowed her eyes.

"What even is ’Athey’?"

"A cute nickname. We both know how special our mutual friend is," Ash tilted her head slightly, eyes locked on Aimer’s. "So I thought... something from the heart."

A brief silence.

"By the way. You two... are you like a thing?"

Aimer exhaled and crossed her arms tighter.

"What do you want from Atheron?"

"Straight to the point," Ash smirked. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Don’t play dumb. You smile too much when no one asks, and you’re always nearby when he’s alone."

Ash paused. Then, slowly, her face curved into a lazy, almost tender smile.

"Oooh. I didn’t know I was seen like that. What’s the root of your worry? Jealous of your boy?"

A heavy silence settled over them.

"Don’t flatter yourself. I haven’t sunk that low to be jealous of his... friends. I don’t know what act you’re putting on for him, but I’ll say this — I’m watching you."

Ash gave her a blank, smiling look.

"I don’t understand. Then tell me, Aimer. If you see so clearly — why is he still talking to me and not to you?

Just kidding.

Why would I go that far? Athey isn’t the type to let bad people close."

Aimer grew tense. Doubt flickered in her eyes. She stepped closer.

"Listen carefully. I won’t let you ruin his life. If you’re planning something twisted — I’ll find out. I know what you really are."

"Such drama. Dear Aimer... you don’t even know what you’re talking about."

"Stop pretending. Cross the line, and the Council will know. No exceptions."

She turned and walked away. Ash watched her go — long, heavy gaze.

My girl knew something was wrong with that beast. But she couldn’t tell no one what was eating at her.

Elsewhere in the building, Dean Hellmaine entered the one and only office on the fourth floor. It floated at the heart of the building. Only the faculty council could access it, through a long corridor.

Knock-knock.

The door opened silently. The office was empty. Only a massive crystal hung over a round table.

The strange crystal bathed the room in a violet glow.

"Dean Hellmaine. What an unexpected encounter. Your first time coming here alone," echoed the voices of a hundred women, none resembling the other.

Sitting down, Dean chuckled:

"You say that like you’ve been waiting for it."

"What troubles you? If it’s about the Academy’s safety, all is well."

"Safety? I’m not concerned with such things. In a building so magical, the idea of safety is laughable."

"Why is that?" the crystal gleamed suddenly. "In all three hundred years of its existence, not once have we declared an invasion or major crime."

"Huh. Those days may be coming to an end. Almighty Crystal, all-knowing magical entity that holds this nation in its palms. Other countries are stunned every time we answer that we have no living ruler."

The crystal replied in a strict yet emotionless tone:

"A world where humans rule nations will inevitably collapse. Human rulers are emotional, driven by personal ideals, often forgetting their citizens. In the new world, such flaws must be corrected for the greater good."

Dean snorted.

"So, sooner or later, you’ll conquer the rest? I didn’t think even you had ambitions."

"Conquest is justified only when a nation’s prospects crumble due to foolish leadership. For now, through Ashgrad’s strength, our neighbors respect and cooperate with us.

How else would you explain a perfect world for our citizens? We have no wars."

"Well, well. A collective organism chasing utopia. Where did you even come from?"

The crystal answered:

"That question is not the reason you’re here. What is it, young archmage?"

Dean smirked.

"Why does the Academy need a dragonslayer? Do you want to test him, or take control?"

"Almighty Crystal has no personal interest in specific students. Each is treated with understanding and responsibility."

"Come now. Three incidents with unknown entities. The Original Sins — said to have existed only during the era of dragons. So I assume..."

He leaned his cheek into his palm and continued:

"...our new enemies only woke up because their catalyst returned?"

"Old tales of dragonslayers are drunkards’ stories turned popular theory. No one knows why the Original Sins existed or why they’re back. As a summon, Atheron il Ataraxia was always fated to return."

"You think me a fool if you say you have no agenda for my student.

It was your doing that wiped out the dragonslayers. The arrival of those creatures also links to his nature.

Now for the main question. Why did you allow a second high spirit — one who wields the forbidden element of Darkness — to be admitted to the Academy? The one that revives dead souls? Does it interest you that much?"

The crystal didn’t respond.

Their entire conversation stayed within that room. Not a single sound escaped.

———

VWOOSH!

Riven and I soared through endless space, drawn into a tunnel-like essence — like a wormhole. The portal landed us in an unfamiliar corridor, spiraling downward with endless stairs.

We collapsed on the steps and looked around. No windows. Only torches lit our way.

"This is the tower I told you about," Riven whispered. "I think we’re in the city’s center. Many levels. The stairs might feel infinite."

Something was off. A structure this massive must have a purpose.

Closing my eyes, I sensed the wind humming through the walls. My ears popped slightly. Vibrations above and below — footsteps.

No, this isn’t a tower.

It’s a citadel.

And we’re in the city’s throat — surrounded by this world’s strongest beings.

"Careful!.. There are many guards."

"Yeah, I noticed, kid. Stick close."

I crouched and began descending the spiral stairs quietly. The walls were lined with large bricks. My eyes couldn’t tell whether we were going down... or up.

"How tall is this tower?"

"I-I don’t know... I only visited once. But I sensed danger. Honestly, I’m shaking now too... But with you here, I’m holding on..."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Riven trying not to make a sound, hugging his shoulders tightly.

But compared to last time, something about this teleport felt... wrong. I stayed alert.

"Riven, why didn’t we appear near one of those creatures this time?"

"I-I don’t know... That also felt strange."

Damn. This staircase is making me dizzy. I can’t lose consciousness now.

"Last time, where did the portal drop you?"

"I landed in a room with wooden panels. Hid behind a thin wall and saw people fencing in front of others. One of them... looked bigger than the rest."

"Like a giant?"

"No... imagine a Saddler, but three meters tall."

Nice image. Terrifying.

"But somehow, they noticed me. I hadn’t made a sound... I ran, and found myself in this stairwell."

Suddenly, we heard footsteps — approaching fast.

Guards? Two... no, three!

I looked around. No doors.

I gestured to Riven to follow me.

Five steps... Ten... Fifteen...

Where do we hide?!

Suddenly, I spotted a wooden door. I yanked it open and pulled Riven inside. We crouched near the entrance.

SLAM.

We hid in a small attic-like room.

Footsteps stopped right outside.

"Greetings, Sir Oldrich!"

Then, they moved on. Their armor plates clinking with leather boots.

Close call...

I stood and surveyed the room. Its light came from a bulb on the ceiling. Odd choice...

There was a desk. Papers, empty scrolls, and ink.

I unrolled a scroll and began sketching the citadel’s layout.

"The stairwell is massive. Beyond the walls — pure sky. We’re high up. Just how tall is this place? Think, Riven."

"L-last time I was on the lower floors. There were open walls... The nature outside looked like ours."

So the lower floors have large chambers. Which means the upper ones — barracks.

"No chandeliers, just old lamps. No crystals — torches. Brick-lined walls... Either we’re in another country, or another realm.

Something has to be at the very top. Let’s go."

"Y-you’re really climbing to the top? What if it’s a hundred meters more?"

"No choice. I need to know what we’re dealing with."

Damn... If only I had a window view, I’d know where we are.

KNOCK.

We froze.

The door creaked open slowly, scraping into our ears.

No way out.

Riven looked ready to faint from the sheer pressure.

BANG!!

A force slammed us to the ground. We couldn’t move. What is this terrifying presence?..

A three-meter-tall man entered, wearing a green robe. Long black hair. A shark-like grin stretching to his ears.

His very presence showed us the power gap. We didn’t stand a chance.

Riven dropped to his knees. The pressure pinned him.

Our ears rang in terror.

"It’s... him," Riven croaked.

We were in a room with a beast in human skin.

"Well, well, well," came his piercing voice. "What lost souls wandered into this world?"