I Level Up With In-app Purchases

I Level Up With In-app Purchases – 52

EP.52 The Frontlines with Grim Rumors (5)

“Did you hear about it?”

“The battlefield? Everyone’s in an uproar about it. Have you heard any new updates?”

Buzz, buzz

Whisper, whisper

The academy was noisy from the early morning.

Monster Wave.

Although they had succeeded in preventing the monsters from attacking the city, it wasn’t something to be optimistic about.

Wherever monsters existed, contamination was bound to follow, and the places they invaded would be rotting rapidly.

Humanity had already crossed the critical threshold of 40%, and people were trembling in fear of losing many things again, just like in the past.

The best way to alleviate the public’s fear was for the awakened ones to kill all the monsters and purify the contamination.

Therefore, the nation had actually dispatched a large-scale army to fight against the Monster Wave.

“They say the dispatched army was completely wiped out. That’s why there’s a manpower shortage and everything’s in chaos.”

“No way, that’s not true. From what I heard, they didn’t get wiped out; they retreated. The rumors got exaggerated because of the retreat.”

“Yeah, saying they were wiped out is an exaggeration. It doesn’t make sense. No matter how severe the Monster Wave is, there are so many enlisted nobles.”

Nobles took pride in being the saviors of humanity.

They were also confident in their abilities.

Weren’t they raised as ‘weapons’ to fight monsters from a young age?

But to say they couldn’t defeat the monsters and were wiped out?

It would be an enormous disgrace and an unbelievable truth.

“Oh, so they weren’t wiped out? That’s a relief.”

“But why did they retreat? There’s never been a case where they retreated because they couldn’t defeat the monsters. They’ve always maintained the frontlines so well….”

Students who were about to graduate from the academy and enlist were even more sensitive to the situation.

Soon, it wouldn’t be someone else’s problem.

That’s why most of the conversations among students upon arriving at the academy these days revolved around the state of the battlefield.

“Are you stupid? Don’t you know? It’s much harder to deal with a Monster Wave than to just kill monsters.”

“Why??? Killing monsters is the same thing. I thought it would be easier with reinforcements.”

“How can it be the same? It’s when monsters swarm in huge numbers.”

Facing a monster horde and a Monster Wave are entirely different scenarios.

There’s a clear difference between dealing with a couple of monsters and dealing with dozens, let alone hundreds that could overturn the battlefield.

‘Isn’t it absurd to even ask that question?’

Fortunately, the student making such a foolish comment wasn’t from Class A.

Theory classes were attended by both Class A and Class B students, as the number of students was small.

The teacher, who entered the class shortly after, seemed to have decided to change the lesson plan to address the Monster Wave, a hot topic among students.

Naturally, the lesson was about the Monster Wave.

Why do Monster Waves occur?

Why is it so difficult to stop a Monster Wave?

What are the consequences if a Monster Wave isn’t stopped?

As the lesson progressed, the students’ expressions grew increasingly serious.

The more they learned about the Monster Wave, the more they understood why the military had been unable to stop it thus far.

Students who had just come from the theory class about the Monster Wave couldn’t hide their gloomy faces as they entered the practical class.

At least the Class A students, who already had some knowledge about the Monster Wave, managed to keep their expressions in check.

“Why do you all look so down?”

Rebecca, being exceptionally perceptive, noticed the drooping atmosphere, which was unexpected.

“Do you know anything about the Monster Wave, teacher?”

“About the Monster Wave? Of course, I know about it.”

Rebecca’s face hardened at a student’s question.

“When I was very young, a Monster Wave occurred. At that time, I had to abandon my hometown and flee to survive.”

“Gasp! I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s an old story. Everyone seems to be worried about the recent Monster Wave?”

“Well, we’re about to enlist soon.”

It was uncertain whether the Monster Wave would be resolved by then.

“Can you predict when the Monster Wave will be contained?”

“That’s impossible to say. It depends on the scale.”

“I heard that if the military fails to stop the Monster Wave and one place gets breached, it would be disastrous.”

“That’s right. The Monster Wave must be stopped. If it isn’t, humanity will quickly lose most of the land it can survive on.”

We learned that the reason humanity had lost so much land to contamination was precisely because of the Monster Wave.

I raised my hand and asked Rebecca, “Shouldn’t the students have been taught more about the dangers of the Monster Wave? Why isn’t it part of the curriculum?”

It was mentioned, but only briefly, as a concept to be aware of.

“Monster Waves don’t occur easily, and it’s considered one of humanity’s darkest histories, so it’s often hushed up. And honestly, didn’t you find it terrifying as soon as you heard about it?”

“…….”

No student could deny that.

The best course of action was not to show it openly.

“Monster Waves can instill excessive fear in young students. That’s why it’s not specifically mentioned in classes. Knowing about it in advance wouldn’t provide any useful information anyway.”

Excessive information would only bring unnecessary fear and anxiety.

It was better to ignore it than to instill unnecessary emotions.

“Whether you know about it or not, the only way to deal with a Monster Wave is to fight against it. Although there are signs, recognizing them is almost like hoping for a miracle.”

Should we instill fear by making them aware, or let them fight without knowing?

I blurted out my thoughts without having time to consider them.

“It’s absurd.”

“…It’s something unavoidable for the sake of humanity.”

The atmosphere turned somber.

Though everyone felt uneasy, Rebecca decided not to let the mood ruin the entire day’s lesson.

“Everyone, get a grip. Are you going to just sit there in fear? What you need to do now is not be scared, but focus on today’s lesson.”

She was right.

What good would it do to tremble in fear of the Monster Wave?

“Your one hour of effort can shape decades of the future.”

To survive, we had to become stronger.

That was an unshakable truth since entering the academy.

“Now, let’s resume the lesson. Does anyone have any objections?”

“No, ma’am!”

“Please continue the lesson!”

Everyone was filled with determination.

The more terrifying the Monster Wave, the harder we had to work in our lessons.

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***

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“Fran, what did they say in the faculty office? Why did they call you all of a sudden?”

After being introduced to Fran by the old man, I maintained a moderate friendship with her.

If asked if we were close friends, I’d awkwardly smile, but if asked if we were friends, I could say yes.

So, I had enough rapport to ask Fran why she was suddenly called to the faculty office.

“Um… It seems they’re really short-handed.”

“Short-handed?”

“Yes, the military has issued a conscription request.”

“Gasp!!”

Fran spoke so nonchalantly that it was hard to grasp immediately, but her words were shocking.

“C-conscription?! Did you just say conscription?!”

I stood up abruptly and shouted.

Thanks to that, all the classmates turned to look at us.

Normally, I would have apologized and moved on, but there was no time for that now.

She was being drafted into the military!

“You still have a year left! So, what did you say?”

“They said they needed me, so what could I do? I said I’d go. It’s a forced conscription, so I can’t refuse anyway.”

“No matter what….”

She still had a year left….

I felt dizzy.

I knew the situation on the frontlines against the Monster Wave wasn’t good, but I never thought they’d take students.

“It’s probably because I’m in the healing category. So, don’t worry too much. Others won’t be conscripted so suddenly.”

Fran understood well that she was a special case.

Healers were always in short supply.

But that wasn’t why I was so shocked.

“Hey! Do you think I’m worried about myself? It’s too much to suddenly send you to the battlefield! You’re still a minor!”

“What?”

“Conscription?”

“Shine! Conscription? What do you mean?”

“Not me, Fran is being conscripted. She’s a healer, so it’s a forced conscription, and she can’t refuse.”

“!!!”

Even though Fran was practically an outcast among them, no one could smirk and say it was a good thing that she was being conscripted.

Moreover, no one had directly bullied her because she was a healer.

“Is it true? Is the military really calling you?”

Fran, feeling burdened by the intense stares, answered calmly despite her confusion.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“It seems I need to pack my things and move immediately.”

“Is the situation that bad?”

“It’s too much. Taking her away so suddenly….”

The students, who had thought they had at least a year left, felt their hearts sink.

The first time was always the hardest, but the second time would be easier.

Conscripting a healer was almost proof that the rest of the students could also be conscripted.

“Weak! Tsk!”

At that moment, someone clicked their tongue among the teary-eyed, worried students.

“Ah… Ariane.”

The students, who had just been called weak, turned their gazes toward the student who clicked their tongue.

They wanted to protest immediately, but they couldn’t.

The person who made the comment was Ariane, who was adored by all the students.

No one could glare or show discomfort just because Ariane had said something unpleasant.

Her appearance alone was enough to disarm the students’ resolve.