“Uh… Professor Dennis?”
“Yes, Licht? Is something the matter?”
This made no sense. There was no way someone as skilled as Dennis, the pinnacle of water magic and a protector of his students, could have left anyone behind in a remote forest.
“…My teammates haven’t arrived, Professor.”
“What are you talking about, Licht?”
“Excuse me?”
“I teleported everyone. There shouldn’t be anyone missing.”
What?
“Couldn’t there have been some kind of mistake, Professor Dennis?”
It wasn’t possible.
When I mentioned Kainel, Ariel, and Mardol’s names, Dennis shook his head, claiming he didn’t recognize them.
A chill crawled up my spine.
The way he looked at me—like I was imagining things—spoke volumes.
“Even after checking the roster, those names don’t exist, Licht.”
“…Professor, do you at least remember who I worked with on the group assignment?”
“Didn’t you work alone?”
It had to be that bastard.
This kind of phenomenon, where everyone around me suddenly believed fabricated truths, could only mean one thing:
A mad magician wearing a mask.
A Demon Lord who deceived the world with the Authority of Lies.
“Wait a moment… That doesn’t make sense. Group assignment, remember?”
Dennis’s expression shifted as confusion took hold. As someone who had always resisted the Demon Lord’s influence—often with the aid of alcohol—he struggled to make sense of the situation.
The Demon Lord of Truth, Magic Hat, had begun to act.
‘…Damn it.’
I bit my lower lip. How had this gone so wrong? Magic Hat was a character who debuted in the sequel—I hadn’t expected him to make such a bold move here.
“Professor, there’s no time to waste. Send me back to the forest immediately.”
“…Send you back? It’s too dangerous. What if this is a trap? If Magic Hat’s Authority is in play, it might be safer to leave things as they are.”
Even Dennis had likely realized this was the work of a Demon Lord. Though his expression remained calm to avoid alarming the academy, I could see his hands tremble slightly.
“Just do it! Quickly!”
“…Are you sure about this?”
His face had gone pale. The unease he felt was undoubtedly due to the lingering effects of encountering the Demon Lord of Omniscience in the past.
‘If he leaves the academy, another Demon Lord might attack.’
Dennis knew that his departure could leave the academy vulnerable.
“I’ll do whatever it takes—graduate school, anything. Just send me back, now!”
Dennis was strong and crucial to the academy’s safety. But right now, I was the only one capable of stopping Magic Hat.
‘In the forced event from , Dennis died powerlessly. So did Drake.’
It had been my Global First Kill in that game—a battle I had overcome alone. Maybe that’s why the developers had placed me in Licht’s body.
My body trembled with fear.
But no, I couldn’t let despair consume me. This was the past.
I could change the future.
I clenched my fists, my black helmet rattling as I lifted my head. I had to save the Nameless Saintess, as well as Kainel, Ariel, and Mardol.
“No backing out now, Licht.”
Seeing the resolve in my expression, Dennis sighed and nodded, summoning another dimensional magic circle. If graduate school was the price, so be it.
I needed to prevent the man who killed our Saintess from reaching the Hero’s companions.
“…Come back alive, Licht.”
With that, I bid farewell, the memories of the original story flashing through my mind. Dennis seemed to hope that the Demon Lord wasn’t involved, but there was no doubt in my mind.
This kind of insanity could only be caused by Magic Hat.
***
Meanwhile, deep in the forest where the academy’s teleportation spell hadn’t reached, three individuals remained.
“Huh…? Kai, why are we still here?”
“I’m not sure, Ariel. Maybe the professor made a mistake?”
“…Something feels off.”
The three stood alone in eerie silence, their surroundings unsettlingly quiet. Then came the faint sound of rustling grass and a woman’s voice.
“Well, well. Gentlemen… and a glass knight? How delightful to meet you!”
“White hair…? Wait, hold on.”
“…Who are you? Did Professor Dennis send you?”
A woman in a black magician’s hat appeared before the party, her arms spread wide as though addressing an audience.
“…Magic Hat.”
The moment Mardol saw her, he drew his sword and began casting glass magic. Their golden eyes locked in a silent clash of wills.
“…Do we know each other? I don’t recall meeting someone like you before.”
“Shut up.”
“Oh, I have so many enemies, it’s hard to keep track! Perhaps you’re one of them?”
Magic Hat laughed lightly, seeming unfazed by Mardol’s hostility. Floating cards appeared around her as she prepared for battle.
“Mardol?! Who is this? Why are you acting like this?!”
“…Ariel. Prepare to fight.”
“Kai…?”
Though the Holy Sword of Light at Kainel’s waist hadn’t vibrated, even he could sense the dangerous aura emanating from the woman.
‘Could she be the white-haired woman Licht mentioned?’
Her presence was both menacing and unnerving, as though drenched in invisible blood. Even with a serene smile, the malice radiating from her was palpable.
For the first time, the Hero of Light realized that the Holy Sword’s special abilities were useless against a mad opponent.
“Oh, how amusing. Still green, aren’t you?”
The Demon Lord of Truth seemed intrigued by Kainel. With an easy smirk, her golden eyes narrowed playfully.
“You must be the one who dispelled Head’s Authority. Fascinating!”
“Kai, who is this? What are they?!”
Despite her playful tone, Ariel’s voice trembled as she readied her magic circle, glancing at the hero beside her.
“She’s… probably a Demon Lord.”
“What? No way! Kai, are you serious? I’ve never heard of a Demon Lord like her!”
Ariel’s red eyes wavered with fear, and even Kainel’s grip on his sword faltered slightly.
“Be careful… Kainel, Ariel.”
Even the glass knight in heavy armor was unsure if his attacks would work.
The moment before either side could strike—
“Should I kill you all? No, I should spare you! Yes, that would be better!”
Magic Hat’s white hair billowed as her face flushed slightly.
“After all, I mustn’t kill anyone… Otherwise, my beloved wouldn’t understand how much I adore him!”
Her expression was one of a lovesick lunatic.
As no one present could comprehend her cryptic words, the magician, lost in her delusion, flicked her hand, sending a flurry of cards flying.