The Wrong Hero Has Been Summoned
Chapter 30: Hunt 1

Chapter 30: Hunt 1

"WHAT!?" The girls exclaimed in unison, their eyes wide with shock.

He continued eating, seemingly unbothered by their reaction. "Yeah, I saw them. There was a demon girl and what looked like their leader. They were watching the match from the stands."

Luna grabbed his arm, her face a mix of concern and anger. "And you didn’t think to tell us this earlier?"

"I was unconscious for three days, remember?" He took another bite of food. "Besides, I only caught a glimpse of them before I passed out."

Vess leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Do you think they’re still here? In the city?"

He shrugged. "Probably not. They probably got what they wanted – information about me I guess."

"But why would demons care about that?" Selene asked, pushing her plate aside.

"It nothing." He said, he didn’t trust her enough to tell her about being connected to a goddess.

Luna’s expression darkened. "This isn’t good. If demons are interested in you, it means trouble."

"When is it not trouble with him?" Vess muttered, earning a glare from Luna.

He finished his meal and leaned back in his chair. "Anyway, we’ve got bigger things to worry about now. The Academy awaits."

"You’re just going to ignore the demon issue?" Luna asked, incredulous.

"What do you want me to do? Chase after them? I don’t even know where they went." He stood up. "For now, let’s focus on what we can control. We need to prepare for the Academy."

The girls exchanged looks but didn’t argue further. They knew how stubborn he could be.

"Fine," Luna conceded.

As they discussed their next steps, the dining hall door opened again. This time, it was a young woman with short black hair and piercing green eyes. She wore the official uniform of the Academy – a dark blue jacket with silver trim and the Academy emblem on the chest.

She walked directly to their table, her posture rigid and professional.

"Luther?" she asked, looking at him.

He nodded. "That’s me."

"I’m Instructor Ivy from the Academy. I’ve been sent to escort you and your companions back to the Academy grounds." Her voice was crisp and formal. "The headmaster wishes to speak with you personally."

He raised an eyebrow. "That fast? I just woke up from a coma you know? And in the letter it says we are expected in 10 days."

"Plans have changed," she replied. "Recent events have accelerated the schedule. We leave in one hour. Please gather your belongings."

Before he could ask more questions, she turned and walked away, pausing only to add, "Meet me at the gate when you’re ready."

The girls looked at him, waiting for his reaction.

"Well," he said after a moment, "I guess we’re leaving today."

Luna smiled excitedly. "The Academy... for real? I can’t believe this is happening, so fast too."

"Something’s off," he muttered, mostly to himself. "Why the rush?"

Selene stood up. "Does it matter? This is what we wanted, right? A chance to enter the Academy."

"I guess," he said, still not convinced. "Let’s go pack."

They left the dining hall and returned to their rooms to gather their few belongings. As he packed, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The Academy’s sudden interest in him, the demons’ attack, and now this rushed departure – it all seemed connected somehow.

A knock on the door drew him out of his thoughts. He opened the door and it was Lord Haver and the girls. He just stared at them without saying anything.

"Well, are you going to allow us in?"

"I don’t know, why would I do that?"

"So that’s a no then? Very well." He turned to leave but Luther suddenly moved away from the door, allowing them to enter.

"What are you doing here, I didn’t win the tournament so our deal is off right?" He sat down on his bed and for some reason, the girls were watching him, way more than usual.

"Right. However, I think we can still benefit from each other, we both know that if not for your injury, you could have won the whole thing. There were no strong competitors this year." He took out a paper from his cote. "I have made a contract that will be very good for you and-"

"Oh, about that" he cut him off, feeling a big sorry about what he was about to say, "I came to you asking for help to enter the academy but it turns out, the academy has invited me themselves."

The girls looked back at their master and Haver looked at Luther very closely, "can I see that invite?"

"Uh, ok?"

He handed it to him and no even a second passed, he gave it back. "that’s fake. The academy does not hand out invites and you are in section B, which makes even less sense. If people from the academy come here, its only to watch, they never send out invitations. If there is someone they truly want, they send a noble, not some paper."

His eyes widened. "What do you mean it’s fake?"

"Exactly what I said." He took the letter and examined it more closely. "This seal isn’t quite right. And as I said, the Academy doesn’t operate this way."

Luther crossed his arms, thinking about the woman who called herself Instructor Ivy. "She was wearing an Academy uniform."

"Anyone can wear a uniform," he said dismissively. "Did she show you any official identification? Any proof she’s actually from the Academy?"

He thought back to their brief interaction and realized she hadn’t provided any credentials. "No, she didn’t."

"Then it’s a trap," Haver concluded, his voice firm.

He stood up and began pacing the room. "But why? Who would go through all this trouble?"

"I don’t know but who it is, they sure must want you." He said, still holding the contract he wanted to offer.

"Want me huh..." he thought back to the demon girl, he saw her back in section D and now she is here again, only this time he knew what she really was. "I get it now, so that’s their plan." He walked to his bag and took out his sword.

The girls jumped back instinctively. ’crap, I am leaking mana because of this sword.’ He quickly controlled it. "Anyways," he looked at the girls who were watching him with that admiration look again. "I will come look for you, we can discuss about that contract further." He ran out of the room and out of the inn.

’So these demons are going through so much just to catch me?’ He thought, jumping from building to building, ’I think its time we officially meet. This should be fun.’

Back at the inn, the girls were looking for him, wondering where he went and Lord Haver was nowhere to be seen too.