The week continued like that.

Each night, at the same time, I'd go to the entrance of the Academy where I would be brought to the cave where...

"Ukh."

I suppressed a groan and wrapped my arm. Blood was leaking, staining the cloth in red.

".....How long do I have to do this for?"

I looked around me. It was dark, but I could see the dozen or so corpses littered on the ground. A putrid smell lingered in the air, forcing me to wince at times.

Despite the many hours I had spent in this place, I could still not get used to the smell.

It was that strong.

"Huu."

Taking a deep breath, I suppressed the pain and stood up. Looking at my watch, I sighed and extended my hand.

Thin, almost untraceable threads spread out from my forearm, circling each finger before moving out the area around me. Hiding around the crevices, and rocks scattered throughout.

It was hard to see in the darkness, but I was getting used to it.

"Ten..."

I started to count down.

"Nine... Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four..."

For every ten minutes that passed a new set of monsters would appear.

"Three..."

This was the fifth horde of the day.

"Two..."

And, the last horde of the day.

"One."

Hieeeek! Hieeeek!

A sight that I had started to grow accustomed to. Over several dozen figures appeared at the back of the cave. Their figures blended nicely with the darkness, making it hard to distinguish what they were.

That... However, was of no importance.

I sightly raised my right hand.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Light and rushed steps.

'Small...'

The sound gave away the size of the creatures. Judging from the frequency and weight of them, they didn't seem to be very large in size.

"...."

I waited.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound neared.

They were only a few meters away from me. Their speed was starting to pick up. Even still, I did nothing. I waited quietly for them to come closer.

Clank. Clank.

Chains wrapped around my left hand as I brought it forward.

The dim, purple glow surrounding my left arm offered a fleeting preview of the path ahead. There loomed a colossal jaw adorned with countless rows of teeth curving inward.

"Ah... Fuck."

Clank!

As soon as my eyes landed on the creature, sparks crackled through the air, illuminating its form for me to get a better look.

Hieeeeek!

It snapped at the chains with ferocity, prompting me to instinctively retreat several paces.

Before I could even process the arrival of the first creature, another materialized, adding to the otherwise precarious situation.

"Ukh...!"

I just barely managed to shift my hand to get it to bite at the chains.

Clank!

I was once again pushed back several meters.

When I managed to stabilize myself, I used the few seconds I had to myself to get a proper look at the creatures.

As expected.

"A rat..."

Fucking rats.

Hie! Hieeek

Their steps hurried and I knew that I was about to be surrounded. It wasn't as though I didn't want this to happen. In fact, I was waiting for it as I clenched my right hand.

Puchi!

Blood splurted everywhere as the beasts shrieked in pain and the threads that I had laid out burst out.

"Haaa... Haaa..."

I was immediately left out of breath the moment I called for the threads. However, I knew that I couldn't stop.

Not yet.

"Kh..."

I extended my left hand, causing the chains to scatter as I pushed away the two rats clinging to them.

Hie! Hieeek

Their red eyes glared fiercely at me as they crouched on all fours, their fur bristling in warning.

Amidst the chaos, the other rodents either lay lifeless or struggled to regain their footing.

Grazed by the threads, the creatures, already weakened by the curse of [Hands of Malady] intertwined with the threads, seemed to falter every time they tried to stand up.

"Tsk..."

Looking at my left hand and seeing the faint blood marks on it, I clicked my tongue.

"....Still a lot of work to do."

Stepping forward, I raised my right hand and called the chains forth as they hung on my grip.

Sensing the impending danger, the two rodents lunged toward me with ferocity.

Too bad I was faster.

Clank

With a swift swing, I landed a solid blow on both of the rodents, staggering them momentarily.

Without hesitation, I followed up with another strike as I smoothly transitioned the chains to my left hand, maintaining my fluid motion with careful flow and step.

Hieeeekk!

What came after the strike was one resounding shriek as afamiliar silence ensued shortly after as I took heavy breaths.

"Haaaa... Haaa..."

Thud.

I fell on my knees and held onto my chest. My vision was blurry, and I could hardly focus.

Despite that, I didn't let my guard down and continued to look around at the monsters that were on the ground.

None of them were moving and were either in pieces or lying motionless.

Even so, I continued to stare at them.

"...."

The silence felt stifling and I swallowed.

'They're all dead, right...?'

They sure looked like they were.

Hiek!

But the reality was different from my thoughts. Out of nowhere, as if they had been injected with some weird drug, one of the rodents abruptly stood up and lunged at me with all their might.

"...."

I was prepared for such an occasion.

With a casual swipe of my hand, the rodent separated in two.

Thud.

"Haaaa..."

Only then did I sigh in relief and relax.

"....I've already learned my lesson once."

I recalled the first day of my training. I remembered just how much I had suffered. These little fuckers... They were crafty.

Extremely so.

Had it not been for the fact that Delilah was present, I feared I would've spent at least a few weeks in the infirmary.

Drip...! Drip!

Turning my head, I stared at my left arm which was bleeding from two points.

"I thought I did good covering..."

In the end, one of the monsters still managed to get a bite on me.

It was a bit disappointing, but compared to the first time when I had suffered bites everywhere, I was doing considerably better.

"Huuu."

Slowly, I caught up with my breath.

I was finally done for the day. I felt tired and every part of my body hurt.

Leaning back on the hard ground, I blankly stared at the ceiling of the cave. It was dark, but I could faintly see it.

Drip. Drip.

Softly cascading from the overhanging rocks, water dripped in gentle touches, its calm rhythm punctuated by the distant rumble of the waterfall echoing in the background.

I closed my eyes and let the sounds enter my mind.

A picture formed and I basked in the sound.

Just then, I let my mind sink in deeply into itself. For just a brief moment..

I felt at peace.

***

The next day.

The preparations for the festival were in full swing. With only a week and a few days left, the campus was extremely busy.

"Here you go. Make sure you practice this script. I've revised it to better fit you. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me."

"....."

I took the script without saying anything.

Revised it to better fit me?

What sort of...

"You may already have an idea of who Azarias is or was in the script. The concept will remain the same. He's a psychopath who thirsts for the death of his victims, however, there's a twist."

The woman, who went by the name of Olga...? Wasn't quite sure, but I addressed her as 'writer', and started to explain the plot and general idea behind the character that she had written.

The more she started to explain, the more I was convinced.

'....I can't do this.'

It was already a miracle that I was capable of performing the first part of the script, but as I scrolled through the script, I had a hard time visualizing the emotions and expressions of the character.

He was...

A total psychopath. Someone who killed for the sake of killing.

He thirsted for the thrill that came with the death of his victims.

'How am I supposed to play this?'

As I scrolled through the script, attempting to envision myself embodying the character, I encountered a persistent barrier hindering my ability to fully immerse myself in the scene.

Despite repeated attempts to visualize the scenario, I found myself unable to authentically inhabit the character's persona or effectively convey the emotions and actions as written in the script.

"Can you do it...?"

Overhearing the writer's words, I pursed my lips.

Could I do it?

The simple answer was, no. I couldn't do it.

However...

Was I going to do it?

That answer was obvious.

"Yes."

For the credits, I had to do it.

"Great. I can't wait to see your performance."

***

Inside of the Leoni Hall.

Things were hectic. With the festival date drawing nearer, the cadets and staff were busy handling all the important props and equipment up the stage.

Given that today the cadets who were going to become extras in the play were going to be announced, there was an obvious air of excitement.

".....Yes, I'm done."

One such cadet who was looking forward to the selection was none other than Aoife.

She had applied a week ago when the auditions were on. Her role was that of an extra who was supposed to die at the start of the story.

Her killer was supposedly a wannabe psychopath.

It wasn't an important role, but to get extra credits she was willing to take on the role.

Her plan to become a Guide had failed, and since she couldn't do that, this was the next best thing.

'I have to get this role.'

"Are you also waiting to hear your results, Aoife?"

"Hm?"

Aoife turned her head. A tall man with soft blonde hair and brow eyes appeared in her sight. He wore a soft smile as he addressed her.

Judging from his uniform, he seemed to also be a cadet. A senior, probably.

"Ah, yes."

Aoife casually nodded her head without displaying much interest.

No, she had no interest. The only thing that was in her mind was the selection.

'I'll get the role, right...?'

She recalled the expressions that judges had at her performance.

it was generally quite positive. At least, that was what she thought.

"Haha, that's nice. I'm also hoping to get a role. I want to be Azarias. It's quite an interesting role. I think I'll be able to play it quite perfectly."

Besides her, the senior started to yap about himself and the role he selected.

"In fact, I'm quite confident in getting the ro-"

"If you would excuse me..."

Without looking, Aoife started to distance herself from him. Along the way, she came up with a random excuse.

"Someone is calling for me."

Aoife left right after that, leaving the senior hanging.

She had no time for meaningless talk that was just going to end up with her finding out he was approaching her with ulterior motives.

Been there, done that.

***

As Aoife left, the senior's gaze lingered on her retreating figure, his expression gradually contorting with an emotion difficult to discern.

His left eye twitched slightly, as a certain madness threatened to spill.

"Oh, no. "

He just barely held himself back as he scratched the side of his neck.

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

"....Not yet. Not yet."

He quietly mumbled as he stared at the incoming member of the collective. Presumingly the person that would announce the result of the roles.

Massaging his face, a warm smile gradually returned to his face.

It wasn't yet time.

He had to remain patient. He was bound to get the role. The same was true for her.

Two contrasting roles, that marked the end of the start of their characters. Such were their roles.

....The stage was being set up.

For he would perform the greatest act at the greatest change.

An act to blow the minds of the audience.

One that would forever be remembered by all.