The Academy’s Time Stop Player

-Lain.

In a dim room.

There, Lain sat in the center of the room, quietly listening to a voice that was coming through.

She opened her eyes, which had been gently closed, and responded to the voice.

"What is it, Leanon?"

-Do you feel the energy swirling around your body?

She felt the energy coursing through her body.

A more tumultuous magic than before was seeping into and swirling within her.

In the midst of this questioning, Leanon answered.

-The human king who sealed me in the past has become unsettled.

As he spoke, a giant eye appeared in front of Lain.

He continued speaking as if mocking.

-That has weakened the seal's power.

"Is that so..."

However, Lain's voice lacked strength as she responded.

Her eyes dull, she merely lowered her head without reacting to her newfound, stronger power.

Lain then asked Leanon a question.

"Can I defeat 'him' now, Leanon?"

Lain asked.

However, Leanon did not answer her question, only denying it.

After a moment, Leanon spoke calmly.

-Lain, you have already lost. Even in spirit.

"......"

-Next time, you might even die.

At those words, Lain's body flinched.

She stared blankly at the floor for a moment, then slowly raised her head to look at Leanon.

Leanon looked at her with pity and continued.

-Lain, do not forget your true purpose.

"No, I haven't forgotten."

-Then act. I will lend you strength for that time.

"Leanon."

She looked at Leanon and asked.

"Why are you lending me your strength?"

-........

"What am I to you?"

At her words, Leanon looked down at Lain with sunken eyes.

After maintaining silence for a while, he slowly opened his mouth.

-Lain, do not forget.

"......."

-In this world, you are the only dragon who has accepted my power.

Leanon continued calmly, as if to reassure Lain.

-So, be at ease. I will protect the last of my kind.

"......"

-Use the power as much as you like. I will aid you in it.

"Okay. Understood."

With those words, Lain stood up.

She walked out of the room and looked at her colleagues resting in the living room.

"Ah, Captain!"

"Are you feeling alright?"

Everyone who remained in the place began to look at Lain with concern.

Lain felt grateful inside and called out their names.

"Hakuse, Millie, Hal, Elly!"

"Huh?"

"Why, what's up?"

Upon Lain's call, everyone started to look at her.

Lain looked around at them and boldly announced her next plan.

"We're going to attack the National Treasury."

Meanwhile, in a room within the American Heroes Association.

There, a silver lance bathed in a somewhat sacred light, the mythical artifact Mirtain, spoke to Liam.

-Were you happy when you abandoned me, Liam?

Hearing the blunt words of Mirtain, Liam approached her with a wry smile.

He picked her up from the box where she lay. "I had no choice. I couldn't bring you to the Academy."

-Liam, don't lie to me. I know the last emotion you felt before we parted.

At that, Liam smiled bitterly.

He knew it too.

Back then, he wanted to become stronger on his own, not relying on Mirtain's power.

But that was then, and now is different.

She might speak like that, but she probably knows his current feelings.

-But that emotion has disappeared... No, wait. What is that trash?

Mirtain suddenly spoke in a flustered tone.

Liam knew what she was referring to and casually replied.

"It's a spear I've been using at the Academy."

-You've been using that piece of trash instead of me?

"I can't fight empty-handed."

-Throw it away immediately. I don't even want it near me. It stinks.

Her tone was like that of a mature woman, but her words were childlike.

'I remember how troublesome she used to be.'

Even after a long time, she was still a nuisance.

As if reading Liam's mind, Mirtain began to chatter.

-Again with the irreverent thoughts.

"Just stop reading my mind."

-How can I not read it when you have such thoughts? Anyway, the timing is perfect.

"What do you mean?"

Liam asked casually.

Mirtain responded to his question.

-Go back to your home country immediately.

"What? Why?"

-Our king has been born.

Liam looked puzzled at her words.

Mirtain, seeing his expression, continued in a tone of disdain.

-Stop making such a stupid face.

"No. But what king?"

-The king of us, the artifacts. We must go to witness his majesty.

"Ah, no, it's not possible. Not now."

-Why not?

Liam explained his predicament.

After hearing his situation, Mirtain pondered for a moment with a "Hmm..." and then continued.

-I see, there are some that target me.

"Yeah, that's why I can't move from here for a while."

-Understood. I will help you kill them. Then you must do me a favor.

"Ha.... I'll ask the president."

-Make sure you keep your promise, Liam. If you don't, I will curse you.

"Ah. Okay, okay."

Already feeling tired of Mirtain's stubbornness, Liam was about to return to his quarters when an agent stopped him.

"Could you wait a moment?"

"Yes?"

"The president is on his way here."

At that, Liam made a tired expression.

Already exhausted from the sudden trip to America and lack of sleep, the news of meeting the president made him feel even more tired and tense.

-You've become lazy, Liam. You weren't like this in the past...

'Did I use to be like that?'

'It seems likely...'

'Did I pick up something from Hajoon?'

While he was thinking this.

Bang-

The door to the room opened.

Liam looked towards the door, and there stood Andre Heut, the president of the association, smiling warmly.

"It's been a while, Liam."

"Ah. Yes-···"

"Um... are you alright? You look quite tired."

"Yes, I'm fine."

In the reception room of the Heroes Association.

The two of them were sitting on the sofa, facing each other, engaged in conversation.

President Andre handed Liam a coffee and began to speak.

"First of all, thanks for coming despite being busy with your studies."

"No, it's nothing. I had to come."

"Thank you. You must have heard why you're here."

Liam nodded in response.

He had already heard from the association's agents that Villante's dragon speaker Lain had escaped and that Joa had foreseen that Lain was targeting this artifact.

"You look tired, so I'll make it brief."

"Schedule?"

"Yes, Joa couldn't foresee exactly when Lain would attack."

Liam nodded in understanding.

Surely, the situation was a bit troublesome, but his life would definitely become a bit inconvenient. He'd probably be accompanied by the association's agents or heroes at all times.

President Andre continued, confirming Liam's thoughts.

"For this week, Andre will be guarding, and next week, it will be Joa's turn. You'll be staying in a detached house prepared by our association. Is there anything else you need?"

"Can I go out? This one keeps whining."

Liam pointed at Mirtain as he said this.

At the same time, Mirtain began to tremble and sparks of electricity started to flow.

"Ow! Ouch."

"Don't worry too much. We'll ensure you have some freedom."

"Good to hear."

"Let's go then. I'll show you to the house."

Liam nodded and stood up with Andre.

Soon after, an agent opened the gate, and Liam entered it with Andre.

Three weeks had passed.

During that time, Liam had been experiencing a rather boring peace.

"Um, when will they come?"

In a detached house with a fairly large garden.

Liam was swinging Mirtain in the garden, moving his body.

Joa, sitting nearby on a chair and watching Liam's training, responded to his question.

"I couldn't accurately determine that. The future I foresaw didn't have anything to pinpoint the time."

"But now that I have Mirtain, wouldn't the future have changed?"

Joa nodded in agreement to his words.

"Yes, that makes the future even more unpredictable."

"Hmm, then can't you see my future to find out?"

At that, Joa slowly shook her head.

She looked at Liam with a serious expression and continued.

"Yes, if I were to see your future, Liam, I might be able to determine when Lain will attack. But I've decided not to see other people's futures anymore."

"Why?"

"Um... this is a secret, but... I recently saw a future where I could've died."

At her words, Liam opened his mouth in shock and looked at Joa.

However, Joa just smiled lightly as if it was a thing of the past.

"Hehe, but I'm fine now. I've dealt with it."

"Really? You can change a predestined death?"

"I thought it was impossible, but it was possible. But since then, I decided not to see others' futures by my own will. The futures I see could become certain."

"Ah, I see."

Feeling like it wasn't right to ask any more, Liam quietly swung the spear he was holding again.

Joa continued speaking to Liam.

"The Irregular, he saved me."

"Hajoon did?"

"Yes, I envy you, Liam. You have a good friend."

At her words, Liam slightly lifted the corners of his mouth in a smile.

He was proud of Hajoon, his classmate.

Ding-

That's when it happened.

Joa's phone rang.

Joa took out her phone and answered it, her expression turning serious.

"Liam."

"Yes?"

"You might need to get ready."

"Has Villante-?"

"I just received a report that the National Treasury has been attacked."

Liam wiped his sweat and stood Mirtain upright.

His demeanor carried a sense of ease.

With the mythical artifact Mirtain in his hand, there was no need to fear them.

"We need to prepare."

"They probably haven't pinpointed this location yet. There are agents guarding the house. We should have enough time to prepare."

With that, Joa slowly stood up, holding her mace in her hand.

"We'll start a 24-hour guard now."

"Yes."

Liam nodded in agreement.

But contrary to their expectations, the situation suddenly escalated.

Crack-

"Wait?!"

"No way........"

In the garden where Liam and Joa were standing.

A huge rift appeared in the air, cracking open.

An intimidating force of magic emanated from the rift as the gate's opener shot out like a bullet, charging towards Liam.

Bang!! Boom----!

"Liam!"

"Kuh!"

In that brief moment, Liam lifted Mirtain to respond.

Grinding his teeth, Liam looked at the girl who reached out to him.

Lain of Villante.

Her dragon eyes flashing, she warned Liam.

"Surrender Mirtain quietly."