The True Protagonist Arrives

Don’t panic.

Ewan, don’t panic.

Now is not the time to panic.

Even though I’m being stared at by hundreds of people in this humiliating outfit, I still have the disguise of a beautiful girl. They don’t know that I’m Ewan Campbell yet. Just like how it’s easier to do perverted things when you’re wearing panties on your head, as long as my beautiful girl disguise isn’t exposed, I am invincible!

“Ah! Don’t worry, miss! We’re coming to save you!”

But just as Ewan was trying to comfort himself with this flawless logic, another commotion erupted from below.

Aside from a certain Mary Sue who had already charged into the dormitory building, many other students (male of course) also seemed to have been on a sugar high, frantically attacking the muscular men blocking their way. Even some of the students who had already fled had returned, secretly casting spells from the sidelines, their gazes occasionally darting toward Ewan with the shy, show-offy expression of a teenage boy trying to impress a girl.

And at that moment, from the darkness outside the dormitory building, the elites of the student council, dressed in their conspicuous red uniforms, silently entered the fray.

Unlike the chaotic ordinary students, they were clearly much better trained. They divided into different squads, supporting each other and, from a pre-determined weak point in the defense, they pierced through the chaotic battlefield like a nail.

The beautiful girl with her hair in buns stood on a hastily erected platform, holding a magical megaphone, and with a rare, serious expression, she began to issue commands.

“All students below the third year, retreat to the perimeter! I repeat, retreat to the perimeter! Now is not the time for you to be a hero! Make way for your seniors to attack!”

“All martial arts-major students, push to the front! Don’t be afraid! You have the support of hundreds of healing mages and clerics behind you!”

“Attack mages, go to the opposite dormitory building! Take the high ground and provide range support from safety!”

“Student council, third squad! The west gate of the dormitory has been cleared! Enter from there, quickly!”

“The President has spoken! Our opponents are nothing but disgusting bugs! Don’t be afraid! If we unite, we can definitely rescue the hostage!”

The arrival of the student council and the words of the beautiful, bun-haired girl were undoubtedly a shot in the arm for the still-chaotic students. Although an invasion of the academy was an unprecedented event for them, this was Saint Marika Academy. Every class here was about getting stronger. So when they regrouped and organized an orderly attack, how could those mighty muscular men possibly resist? They could only retreat, step by step, under the storm-like assault.

“This is great. At this rate, they’ll be up here soon to rescue me,” Ewan thought, tears of gratitude welling up in his eyes.

To save the beautiful princess, the heroes have finally united to embark on a journey to defeat the Demon King. But when they have defeated countless monsters, overcome numerous hardships, and even defeated the Demon King himself, and they stand before the beautiful princess, eager to receive her reward… the princess lifts her skirt and pulls out a… treasure that is even bigger than the heroes’…

—The heroes would probably tie the princess and the Demon King together and burn them at the stake.

Ewan’s mind raced. He knew that if he just sat here and waited for the main force to arrive, he would definitely not be able to escape. And then, under the expectant gazes of countless people… once the effect of the potion wore off…

He would definitely die!

Both physically and socially!

Run!

He had to escape before then.

But…

Ewan glanced at the High Priest who had been standing beside him all this time.

He needed someone to at least distract this guy.

“Eat this! Heavenly Fire Greatsword!”

“Don’t worry, miss, I’m here!”

At that moment, like a welcome rain in a long drought, a heavenly voice rang out.

The door to the rooftop was blasted open by a terrifying sword aura, imbued with flames and wind. The muscular men guarding it didn’t even have time to react before they were sent flying by the whistling shockwave.

Against a backdrop of fire and wind, our true, heaven-sent protagonist, Ariel Bourgard, made her grand entrance, carrying a ruler-shaped greatsword that was bigger than she was.

With a toothpick, which she had gotten from who-knows-where, hanging from her mouth, she looked at Ewan, and her lips curled into her signature, rebellious smirk.

“Keep you waiting huh, beautiful?” Ariel flicked back her bangs and said with a cool smile. “I’m not late, am I?”

“Crap.”

Ewan’s mouth twitched, and he couldn’t help but shiver.

I take back my earlier relief. Even if she’s on time, this doesn’t seem to be a good thing.

What’s with this “I’m here to win your heart” pose?

Was the Ariel in the original novel this much of a playboy… playgirl, hitting on everyone she saw?

“A-Ariel! Keep moving! They’re catching up!”

Behind Ariel, a panting Lilia, without even a moment to rest, frantically pushed her forward. Because behind them, a dozen enraged, red-eyed muscular men were charging at them.

“Tsk. Strange. I thought I knocked them all out.”

“It’s no use! They seem to have been corrupted by an Evil God! You can’t treat them like normal people!”

“In that case, I’ll just take out the boss!”

Ariel spat out the toothpick and, brandishing her greatsword, charged directly at the High Priest, who was clearly different from the other muscular men.

“Oh?”

The High Priest, who had been gazing out at the night, finally turned his head, a mocking smile on his face. “Do I look like someone who can be so easily taken out?”

“Anyone can talk big. Let’s see if you’re all talk or not.”

Ariel let out a sharp cry.

Battle aura erupted from her body.

Her sword gleamed.

A terrifying magical power intertwined with it, and without any incantation, it formed a blade of fire.

The blade of fire grew in the wind, like a huge, burning scar across the night sky.

Ariel leaped high into the air, as light as a swallow.

But when she came down, she was like a mountain, descending with the force of a thunderbolt.

“Hoh. Interesting.”

The High Priest’s expression was still cold. He reached out, and a glinting greatsword appeared in his hand. He gripped it, and though there was none of Ariel’s flashy display, when he took a step forward, the entire dormitory building seemed to tremble.

His greatsword swung up, meeting Ariel’s flaming blade.

—CLANG!

After a brief moment of deafening silence, a thunderous roar erupted.

A wave of searing heat shot out, and for a moment, it was as if a small sun had risen in the night sky.

Many of the students who were still fighting subconsciously stopped and looked up.

Ewan, who was feeling the terrifying aftershock of their clash at close range, couldn’t help but feel a sense of suffocation.

Ariel is already this strong?

You’re telling me she’s a second-year?

No, no, now is not the time for that.

This is a god-sent opportunity!

In the instant the High Priest and Ariel were locked in a stalemate, Ewan deftly rolled on the ground and snatched the thing he had been keeping an eye on…

That very toothpick.

The toothpick danced between his fingers, and in just a few breaths, with a soft click, the cold shackles fell to the ground. Ewan couldn’t help but grin in delight.

“Alright!”

Lockpicking LV8 is the best.

Now I’m finally free! The sky’s the limit, the sea is my…

Hm?

Strange.

Even though I’m off the railing, why do I still feel so many… burning stares?

Ewan’s face stiffened, and he looked up.

And then he saw them.

The dozen or so muscular men who, because Ariel was now fighting the High Priest and Lilia had hidden herself somewhere, had completely lost their target, were now staring intently at him.