I looked at the strict professor with a serious expression.

"I apologize for not being able to disclose details, as it's a top-secret mission. However, I can assure you it's not something that would tarnish the dignity of a Hero Department student."

Then, I bowed my head deeply.

My over-immersed teammates also bowed their heads.

"I see. If even you, usually so arrogant, have to bow your head like this, it must be crucial. Tell me when you can talk about it next time. Take care of yourself."

The strict professor gave a satisfied smile and stepped aside.

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for your concern."

I needed to hurry.

"Let's get moving again."

"As expected of our captain. You beat such a stubborn professor with just a few words."

"..."

"Hehe, Theo. That was so cool."

And so, our team arrived at the faculty dormitory.

In one of the rooms on the 5th floor of the faculty dormitory, where professors and instructors lived, a man who appeared to be in his early 30s was fiddling with a fist-sized red crystal.

The man was none other than Francis, the culprit behind the magic dungeon incident.

Francis was an instructor at Elinia Academy, the continent's top educational institution, but his role was limited to assisting with practical evaluations rather than giving lectures.

Although he held a respectable position, he was discontent.

'Hehe, I can't believe they assigned me such a sweet task.'

Francis was a hero by profession, but he lacked any sense of duty or justice. His actions were driven purely by self-interest.

That's why he joined 'Turning White', a villainous group that claims to restore the corrupted continent back to a blank state.

'Once I complete this mission successfully, this artifact will be entirely mine.'

To be honest, Francis had no interest in their cause. That didn't matter to him.

All that mattered was the reward.

'Joining the organization was indeed a wise choice. They gave me such a powerful artifact for a mission of this difficulty. I wonder what I'll get if I succeed in a more challenging mission...'

Francis gently caressed the fist-sized crystal.

While its texture didn't feel any different from a regular crystal, it was no ordinary object.

This high-tier magic artifact called [Amplification Orb], as the name suggests, amplifies the power when using magic with it.

From what he could tell, it seemed to more than double the potency of his magic.

'With this power, I can do anything.'

Francis was a low-ranking hero, placed within the bottom 10% of active heroes. In a way, he was a failed hero.

But with the [Amplification Orb], even mid-ranking heroes would be no match for him. The artifact's effectiveness had already been proven.

A week ago, an investigation team visited the academy, but nothing happened.

Francis had cast forgetfulness and confusion magic on them, affecting not just one person but the entire team.

Of course, even with the help of the [Amplification Orb], he had used up all his mana.

Even after several days, only about half of his mana had recovered.

'It doesn't matter. All I have to do is wait.'

His mana would fully recover by tomorrow.

That's when the real operation would begin.

Starting tomorrow, Francis planned to secretly bring his comrades from Turning White into the academy.

Since the academy's own defense has noticeably strengthened since the magic dungeon incident, he can't bring in many people at once

'By Friday, all my comrades will have arrived.'

By then, his job would be nearly complete. His comrades would take care of the rest once they were inside the academy.

He didn't know their objective and didn't care. All he needed was his reward.

The Hero Department might be in great danger.

'What does that have to do with me?'

Whether students die or the academy is destroyed, what does it matter?

'Rather, they should thank me. A hero should overcome any challenge, right?'

With those thoughts in mind, Francis continued to stroke the crystal.

"Hmm."

He felt as if someone was watching him.

Francis gripped the hand axe he had set next to his bed and opened the window.

"What is it?"

But there was nothing there.

"Must be my imagination."

Francis scratched the back of his head.

As he was on an undercover mission, he was feeling quite on edge.

"I should get some sleep."

As Francis put down the hand axe and lay down on his bed...

Bang bang!

A loud noise came from beyond the door.

'Sounds from the hallway. Judging by the footsteps, there are five of them. They're getting closer.'

Although he was a low-ranking hero, Francis was still a professional. His hand swiftly grabbed the hand axe once more.

At that moment,

Crash!

"It's time to pay the price, you bastard!"

The door that had been locked was shattered, and five orcs appeared.

Instead of panicking, Francis immediately charged at Tarkan who was in the front.

"What price? You stupid green pig."

The narrow doorway prevented more than two orcs from entering at once.

Francis swung his axe.

"Argh, ack!"

The axe lodged into Tarkan's trapezius. However, there wasn't much blood.

'Wasn't that a critical hit?'

Francis's eyes widened slightly. Tarkan had reacted to the axe aimed at his head.

Argh, aargh!

Tarkan flexed his trapezius where the axe was lodged.

Thud.

The axe was immediately dislodged from the trapezius.

"Only primitive orcs with nothing but muscles can do that."

Francis sent a look of admiration at Tarkan.

'These orc bastards must be a diversion. The entire area is likely filled with enemies. So, what should I do?'

Instead of retrieving the embedded axe, Francis quickly dashed towards the window.

'If I go into the hallway, I'll likely be trapped above and below. There might be enemies outside the window too... but it's better than the hallway.'

Francis threw himself out the window.

Crash!

He had no weapon, but it didn't matter.

The goal was not to kill the enemy, but to safely escape.

Francis was confident in his running.

Plus, he still had half his mana and could use magic.

If any enemy stuck to him, he could cast a simple debuff spell to shake them off.

As he fell from the fifth floor to the first floor.

'Only three of them?'

Francis spotted the enemies.

Three people were near where he was about to land.

'Students from the Hero Department.'

All three had familiar faces.

There's only one reason they would be here at this time.

They were enemies.

'...They're really underestimating me. Not even Neike or Piel, just these weaklings.'

As Francis chuckled in mid-air, preparing to land, Theo spoke.

"Let's go, Noctar."

Alright, let's move.

Theo and Noctar, weapons in hand, charged straight at Francis.

'How annoying.'

Francis immediately cast debuff spells on the two of them.

He only used a little mana, but thanks to the [Amplification Orb], the power was considerable.

However.

"What?"

Francis witnessed a bizarre scene.

Thwack!

Noctar had punched himself in the side of the head.

Theo, on the other hand, appeared unaffected by the spell.

But Francis's bewilderment quickly disappeared.

Unlike that blockheaded orc and that human leech, he is an active hero.

He doesn't panic in urgent situations.

Instead of fighting them, Francis ran in the opposite direction.

Of course, he could have dealt with those two brats in just 30 seconds, but the orcs that had rushed to the upper floor would soon be here.

'As expected, he's planning to run.'

Theo closely observed Francis's legs.

'I didn't expect him to be this composed, but it doesn't matter.'

[Observer's Eye] foresaw Francis's movements.

His leg muscles swelled as if he were about to run.

"Catch him, Siena."

"Yess~."

Siena, who was at the main gate of the staff dormitory, quickly appeared.

"I caught him. Did I do well?"

"Kuh, ugh."

Francis felt something invisible wrapping around his body.

It was clear that the elf girl had done something.

Immediately, Francis cast a debuff spell on Siena.

"Kyaa?!"

Siena let out a cute sound.

Slowly, the energy that had been binding Francis disappeared.

However, he wasn't in perfect condition.

Theo and Noctar, who had quickly rushed over, started stabbing and clubbing at his body.

Though the practice weapons weren't sharp, they were enough to break bones.

"Kuh, ugh."

Francis is quick at assessing situations.

That's why he was certain.

He was screwed.

Thud, thud

His body wouldn't move properly, especially his legs, which refused to respond.

To use magic nullification, Theo placed a hand on Siena's shoulder.

"Hu, hueng... I'm scared. Don't leave me... Theo."

Theo embraced the staggering and dizzy Siena, then looked down at Francis.

"Francis, suspect in the magic dungeon incident, I'm arresting you."

"Even if there are suspicions, does a mere student have the right to arrest an instructor? Besides, I've already been investigated by the investigation team."

Francis spoke confidently.

"You'll find out when you wake up."

Thud!

Tarkan, who had sprinted over, struck Francis on the head.

Following that, the orcs began roughly beating Francis with their muscular arms and legs.

"Damn, beat the crap out of this guy!"

"Hey, don't hit his face. It'll leave a mark, it could cause problems later."

"Grr, grr..."

That was Francis's last memory.

***

Last Bonus! Thank you, Zzxz, Zzxx and Avarco!

Enjoy the chappy!