Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

On top of the city walls, the Apostle of Magic, Nevera, felt awkward in the silence that filled the dungeon city.

The dungeon city was usually buzzing with activity.

Adventurers seeking a fortune, merchants trying to swindle them, clueless fools who heard rumors and came over, wizards gathering research materials, and countless others made this the noisiest city in the Mage Empire.

But today was different. With everyone fleeing upon hearing the news of the resurrection of the Evil God of Fire, only those who were prepared to face it with their lives remained in the dungeon city.

“Report from the Imperial Knights! We’ve come into contact with heretics worshiping the Evil God of Fire outside the city! We’re entering battle!”

“Looks like the time has come.”

The Apostle of Jushin said that the appearance of heretics around the city was a sign that the Evil God was about to be resurrected.

They mentioned that it would happen exactly one hour after the heretics appeared.

“Elion, can you keep track of the time?”

“I’ve told you several times that spatial magic users aren’t clocks.”

“I’m just curious if what the Apostle of Jushin said was true.”

“What did they say?”

“They said an hour after the heretics were found, the Evil God would resurrect.”

“That’s a bit interesting. So, we just have to time it from now, right?”

“Yeah.”

Chosen by the God of Magic, the Apostle Elion drew a magic circle in the void upon hearing about Lucy.

“This could turn into a fun story. I might even get some spotlight.”

“We’re supposed to be fighting for our lives soon, and you’re thinking like that?”

“Who knows if we’ll live or die? The more I argue, the longer my name and the name of the God I serve will last.”

Hearing Elion’s words, the other apostles rushed over to Nevera as if they realized something and asked for roles in this interesting story.

They wanted at least one part in this.

Nevera, feeling annoyed at their desperate appearance, furrowed her brows even more.

“Everyone. You don’t have to worry. I’m recording everything. So please step back.”

But before she could get angry, Prete, with a smile, intervened.

Feeling trust in Prete’s assurance that it would be a great story, the apostles returned to their places.

“Thank you, Prete.”

“No, it’s my role to do this. I must do my best to achieve the harmony that Lady Allen spoke of.”

“Harmony, huh.”

Nevera recalled the recent meeting and smiled wryly.

At the apostles’ meeting, Lucy proposed a way for everyone to coexist.

To summarize her words in one line, it was harmony.

After the Age of Myth ended, it was time for those who had scattered to come together again.

The path that seemed like a loss for everyone was the only way forward.

Of course, Lucy Allen didn’t express it so elegantly, but that was the gist of it.

Naturally, the apostles rebelled against Lucy’s proposal.

The years they had been at odds were far too long.

The grudges built between them were far too many.

Even just being at that table, many were suppressing their hatred towards each other, so how could they become one?

“Why are these good-for-nothing sloppy people making such a fuss? If pride is that important, why don’t you just disappear with the god you serve? So what? You’re all just worthless scraps anyway, whether you’re here or gone?”

It was Lucy’s bluntness that shredded the apostles’ resentment.

Most apostles gathered there were struggling to maintain their religions.

Lack of funds, decrease in followers, erosion by other dominant religions, and countless other problems weighed them down.

In such a situation, when multiple major religions, including the Church of Jushin, declared they would compromise, it was impossible not to prick up their ears.

Naturally, there were apostles who responded with “So what?” about this situation.

No matter how harsh reality was, they claimed they couldn’t throw away their pride.

But even those apostles changed their minds after hearing Lucy’s follow-up.

They learned that their followers could die.

If the destruction of their religion meant their own disappearance, those apostles would willingly choose their pride.

But the Apostle of Jushin said it was not such a thing.

She informed them that being forgotten was akin to death for the gods.

No matter how unpleasant their personality might be, they were still the gods’ apostles.

They were chosen by the gods, dedicating their lives to them.

There didn’t exist a soul who could turn away from the death of their god.

“At that time, the warning from the Apostle of Jushin seemed the best course of action, but now I think it might have been a bit excessive. Everyone is fidgeting.”

While it was good that all the apostles promised cooperation, side effects clearly existed.

The apostles who had heard Lucy’s warning became filled with fear.

Thanks to that, the apostles desperately tried to make themselves and their gods known.

They were determined to raise their presence even a bit within the plan laid out by the Apostle of Jushin.

“It’s fortunate that the Apostle of Jushin performed many miracles, giving faith to the apostles. If his authority had been lacking, it would have been chaos.”

“Let’s think a bit differently. The apostle believed he could create miracles, which is why he revealed the truth to the apostles.”

Nevera thought they were exaggerating but shrugged, recalling the various miracles Lucy had performed.

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Nevera! New report! The Apostle of Jushin has completed the first dungeon strategy!”

“…Wait. What? Already?”

“Yes! After a short break, he’ll immediately begin strategizing the next dungeon!”

“No, no. Hold on. It hasn’t even been an hour since he started strategizing! Can a sealed dungeon be cleared this quickly!?”

The apostle himself had said it would take at least half a day—what on earth happened!?

“And there’s additional news to relay to you, Nevera!”

“What is it?”

“Since the first dungeon strategy is complete, the speed of the Evil God of Fire’s resurrection will accelerate! It’s been twenty minutes since the heretics appeared…”

“You should have mentioned that first! You idiot!”

Cursing, Nevera turned her head towards the other apostles and, not only used amplification magic but also strained her throat to yell.

“Everyone!!! Form up!!! The Evil God of Fire is descending!!!”

The various apostles, shocked by the sudden shout, skillfully began preparing for battle.

The Apostle of Jushin really had a good eye.

When he declared he would personally choose despite not seeing the apostles fight properly, it was a bit uncertain, but seeing them respond like this, it became clear that his judgment was sound.

The people present were chosen champions by Jushin himself.

As Nevera smiled contently while confirming the magic circle, the ground suddenly shook.

It was a tremor so strong it was hard even to stand. Just as the apostle had said.

This meant that smoke would soon rise from the volcano, and a sinister voice would emerge from inside.

– Finally! Finally, this day has come!

The day to burn everything on the earth! At the sound echoing from the top of the distant volcano, Nevera let out a snicker.

“Elion, how many minutes have passed?”

“Exactly twenty minutes.”

“Damn, that’s precise. Can’t you be a little less accurate?”

Lava began to flow down the slopes from the edge of the volcano.

Nevera, seeing lava for the first time, was reminded of a landslide as she watched it flow.

The disaster, gaining mass and speed as it came down, was a crimson maw that would sweep everything away.

“Get ready!!! You’re prepared, right?!!!”

““Yes!!!””

“We’ll follow the plan! Activate Earth Magic! Now!!!”

As Nevera commanded, spells covered the ground in turn.

The first spell was Earth Magic.

With the power of the apostle who watches over the ground combined with the support of several earth-type wizards, a massive barrier was created halfway up the mountain, slowing the speed of the lava.

Next was Wind Magic.

A fierce wind made of magic gathered the volcanic ash trying to cover the ground into one spot and sent it back to the volcano.

The third spell was Rain Magic.

Rain poured down, precisely surrounding the volcano’s center, evaporating in the lava’s heat while gradually lowering its temperature.

“By the power of Hibarka, the God of Ice, I declare to the earth. O you, remember the cold that filled the world. Recall the era when even the candle of life was encased in ice. Freeze before the fear of that day!”

Finally, as Nevera activated one of her trump cards, the ground’s temperature rapidly dropped, eventually solidifying the wave of lava.

Thus, the crimson predator that sought to swallow the earth was subdued even before it fully descended the mountain. Just as planned by the Apostle of Jushin.

– Dare. Dare! A mere human dares to resist fire again! Accept the flame! Be reduced to ash in the warmth! That shall be your blessing!

“Prete, I’m not sure if I remember correctly, but is that terrible sound also within the prediction range?”

“Surprisingly enough, yes. The Evil God will descend from the top of the volcano now.”

As Nevera confirmed cracks forming in the hardened lava, she forced a smile and raised her magic power.

“Let’s go. To win as the Apostle of Jushin planned.”

“That’s quite a convincing line coming from you, Nevera. I liked it.”
– O world! Welcome the flame!

The clouds parted in the sky, revealing the second sun.

The Evil God of Fire had descended to the ground.

And the many apostles of the gods pointed their weapons towards the Evil God of Fire.

Their perfectly synchronized figures were many yet also one.

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