Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Shadows in the Night Chapter 44: Shadows in the Night After the attempted abduction of Aisha last night, I wasted no time reporting the incident to Amelia von Braveheart once classes ended.

Amelia listened intently as I recounted what had happened.

We pieced together a troubling pattern: six students had vanished over six months, with one disappearing each month.

The intervals between the incidents were precise, suggesting deliberate planning.

However, the motive and the fate of the victims remained shrouded in mystery, leaving us with nothing but questions and mounting tension.

Amelia clenched her fists in frustration.

“This can’t go on,” she said, her voice steely.

“We’ll patrol every night for the rest of the month.

We need to stop this and catch whoever is behind it.” I nodded, sharing her resolve.

“I also suspect Instructor Morgan.

His presence… it doesn’t feel right.

I’ll focus on him while we patrol.” “And Aisha?” Amelia asked.

I hesitated but replied firmly, “I’m convinced she’s innocent.

There’s no sign of Dark Magic around her.” Thus, our plan for nightly patrols began.

For the next week, Amelia and I continued our nightly patrols around the academy grounds.

To any onlookers, we must have seemed like two friends enjoying the cool evening air, but in truth, we were hyper-alert, our senses tuned to the slightest disturbance.

We scoured every corner of the gardens, circled the dormitories, and navigated the winding paths of the academy buildings.

Yet, night after night, there was no sign of anything amiss.

The shadows remained undisturbed, as if mocking our efforts.

During the day, I pursued my investigation of Instructor Morgan.

Despite my initial suspicions, his activities were maddeningly ordinary.

He spent his days teaching swordsmanship to academy students, a subject he clearly excelled in.

His movements at night were equally unremarkable-he typically stayed in his quarters, and on rare occasions, he stepped out to have drinks with Professor Alden.

The two seemed to share a bond, perhaps forged through years of shared experiences at the academy.

I watched from a distance, but their conversations appeared casual and mundane.

“Hey, Envi, wake up!

Stop lazing around and keep me company while I stand guard!” I scolded Envi, sitting under the shadow of an oak tree just outside Morgan’s residence.

“Curse you!

I was having a great nap!” Envi snapped back, his tone irritated.

“What’s your problem?

Do you want to pick a fight with me?!” “You’re the one who’s slacking!

I’d love to sleep too, but this is our mission.

At least keep me company!” “Ugh, fine, you needy brat!” Rolling my eyes, I shifted my position against the rough bark of the tree.

“Tell me, don’t you think there’s something suspicious about Instructor Morgan’s behavior?” “Unless you consider his swordsmanship and aura being suspiciously sharp, there’s nothing.

He’s clean.” Envi’s voice was calm, almost dismissive.

I let out a heavy sigh, leaning further back.

The tension I’d been carrying since starting this stakeout began to ease, replaced by creeping doubt.

Was I overthinking everything?

Morgan’s life seemed as straightforward as they came.

Early morning training, routine academy duties, and an unyielding dedication to honing his craft.

Not exactly the profile of someone hiding dark secrets.

“Maybe he’s just really good at covering his tracks,” I muttered, trying to convince myself my instincts weren’t entirely wrong.

“Or maybe you’re just barking up the wrong tree!” Envi retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“That’s a possibility too, you know.

Ever considered that you’re just…

stupid?” “Stupid?!” I shot him a glare, though I knew he couldn’t physically see me.

“Excuse me, who’s the one always relying on me to figure things out?

If I’m stupid, what does that make you?” “Smarter than you by comparison,” Envi quipped without missing a beat.

“Oh, really?

If you’re so smart, why don’t you help me figure out this mission, huh?” “Because watching you struggle is far more entertaining,” he said smugly.

I clenched my fists, tempted to smack something-preferably Envi, if he had a physical form.

Instead, I took a deep breath, counting to ten in my head.

Fighting with him wasn’t going to get us anywhere, even if he deserved every ounce of my frustration.

Though I hated to admit it, Envi was probably right.

My obsessive scrutiny of Morgan had yielded no clues, and with each passing day, the urgency to uncover the truth about the disappearances grew heavier.

Still, I couldn’t entirely shake my suspicion.

For now, though, I had to accept the lack of evidence and shift my focus back to our nightly patrols with Amelia.

The lack of progress was frustrating.

Each uneventful night chipped away at our patience.

Fourteen days remained in the month, meaning we had to keep up this grueling schedule.

…

Meanwhile, my friends were starting to notice my odd behavior.

Lyra and Freya grew suspicious of my nightly absences and started questioning Marius, one of my roommates.

“He’s been coming back late every night,” Marius told them.

Their curiosity only deepened.

“Late nights with Amelia von Braveheart?” Freya speculated, her tone half-teasing.

“He’s probably on a date.” Determined to get to the bottom of it, Lyra and Freya confronted Milly, my sister.

But Milly, who had been spending her evenings with a nervous Aisha, could only shrug.

“I haven’t seen much of my brother lately.” With no clear answers, Lyra and Freya decided to follow me after classes.

The following evening, Amelia and I were patrolling near the academy’s eastern wing when Lyra and Freya appeared from the shadows, catching us in the act.

“What are you two doing out here?” Lyra asked, narrowing her eyes.

Before I could answer, Freya crossed her arms.

“Don’t tell me you’re sneaking off to do… weird things.” Amelia’s face turned a shade darker.

“Excuse me?!” “It’s not what you think!” I exclaimed, waving my hands defensively.

“We’re investigating-” Before I could finish, a sudden magical surge filled the air.

A glowing circle formed behind Lyra and Freya.

“No!” I shouted.

The pattern was unmistakable-it was the same teleportation spell used to abduct Aisha.

Shadows rose from the circle, forming dark, humanoid figures that lunged toward Lyra and Freya.

Amelia reacted instantly, casting [Divine Magic: Sacred Bind] to fend off the attackers.

Freya managed to break free and retreat, but Lyra wasn’t as fortunate.

The shadows ensnared her, dragging her toward the teleportation circle.

“Lyra!” I yelled, dashing forward.

Grabbing her hand, I pulled with all my strength, but the circle’s pull was too strong.

Half of her body had already disappeared into the magic.

“Don’t let go!” I shouted.

But the shadows surged, and before I could react, the circle engulfed us both.

We landed in darkness, the air damp and suffocating.

I called out, “Lyra!

Are you okay?” Her trembling voice answered, “Naoki… where are you?” Reaching out, I found her hand and pulled her close.

She hugged me tightly, her body shaking with fear.

“We’re alive,” I said softly.

“I’ll protect you.

Don’t worry.” As our eyes adjusted, faint torchlight began to illuminate the space around us.

The flickering light revealed an ominous hall-a sacrificial chamber.

Rows of students lay slumped on the ground, their bodies frail and drained.

Their clothes were tattered, their faces pale, but they were alive.

“Don’t scream,” I whispered, covering Lyra’s mouth as she gasped.

“We need to stay quiet.” Suddenly, a door creaked open, and shadows poured into the chamber.

A figure cloaked in a black robe entered, holding a sinister crystal that pulsed with malevolent energy.

Though their face was hidden, I knew this was the mastermind behind the abductions.

The figure laughed, their voice cold and mocking.

“What a delightful surprise.

Two unplanned offerings.” The shadows surged toward us.

Lyra reacted swiftly, casting [High Support Magic: Sanctuary], creating a glowing barrier that shielded us and the victims.

The protective dome repelled the shadow creatures, but the robed figure sneered.

“Such futile resistance,” they said, completing an incantation.

“Let me show you despair.

[Summon: Dark Knight of Abyss].” The shadows condensed into a large summoning circle.

From its center, a massive armored knight emerged, wielding a colossal sword.

Its crimson eyes burned with hatred.

I tried to see the monster’s status.

—- Name: Dark Knight of Abyss Level: 60 —- My heart sank.

The gap in strength was staggering.

I wasn’t fully equipped for a fight of this scale-I only had my katana.

“Naoki, what do we do?” Lyra whispered, her voice trembling.

“Stay in the barrier and protect the others,” I said firmly.

“I’ll handle this.” “No!” she protested.

“You can’t fight that thing alone!” “I’ll be fine.” I placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Just trust me.” Reluctantly, she nodded and cast [Support Magic: Fortress and Knight] along with [Support Magic: Booster], enhancing my defense and attack.

Her magic enveloped me with a warm, empowering glow.

I drew my katana and charged at the knight.

“Let’s see what you’ve got!” My first strike, [Kazekiri], aimed to exploit its armor’s gaps, but the knight deflected it with ease.

It retaliated with a powerful swing of its massive blade.

I barely blocked it with [Yanagi Uke], the force pushing me back.

The knight pressed its advantage, attacking with surprising speed for its size.

I dodged and countered where I could, but its strength was overwhelming.

To make matters worse, the robed figure cast a binding spell, immobilizing my feet with shadow tendrils.

The knight’s blade came crashing down.

I raised my katana to block, but the impact sent me flying into a wall.

Pain shot through my body as debris rained down.

Lyra screamed from within the barrier, “Naoki!” Envi’s voice echoed in my head.

“Nice job, genius.

Want to stop playing around now?” I coughed, a small laugh escaping me.

“You’re right.

I was testing it.

Canis was tougher than this.” Standing up, I unleashed the power I’d been holding back.

“Time to get serious.” Dark Magic surged through me, enveloping my katana in shadowy energy.

I activated [Dark Magic: Shadow Katana] Also, i activated my trait [Shadow Conqueror] that’s increasing 50% of my AGI when in the darkness.  Gasps filled the room as students and Lyra watched.

Even the robed figure seemed taken aback.

“Now,” I said, pointing my blade at the knight, “it’s my turn.” …

…

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS NAVIRUNAVIII Your gift is the motivation for my creation.

Give me more motivation!

Creation is hard, cheer me up!