Chapter 273: An Unexpected Accident

Chapter 273

An Unexpected Accident

“What’s with that woman? She’s really going too far.”

“I agree. She’s just Nara, yet she’s meddling in everything to the point that it’s causing chaos.”

“Honestly, when we formed a group, I had a bad feeling about her. Ever since that last aid camp, all she does is cause problems. The entire camp looked down on us because of her.”

“Exactly. Now she’s causing trouble again. Luckily, Professor Medik has given us the first 2 days to handle major issues. For everything else, if we can endure, we’ll wait until the stratagems are set up.”

“It’s no wonder Duchess Ellie ended her friendship with her. Nara’s thoughts are foolish, and she acts like an idiot. I can’t believe she made it through the first year.”

“Sigh, whatever...There’s nothing we can do now. Let her keep pandering to the villagers. If anything happens after this, I won’t even glance her way.” Many students complained about the situation, eventually splitting into two camps. However, Nara had the villagers on her side, which exerted considerable pressure. Initially, Professor Medik didn’t intend to intervene in these decisions, but he couldn’t stand by idly. Thus, he proposed a compromise, asking both sides to step back. In the end, everyone agreed.

The village chief pointed out crucial locations of large piles of stone where they needed help in destroying. The first location was already mentioned; it seemed the stones had piled up so much that they were blocking the wind from entering the village. Thus, the students decided to go and destroy the stones the next day.

Currently popular among the villagers, Nara was talking with everyone. Many villagers thanked her as if she were a savior, even though she hadn’t actually done anything yet. Nonetheless, none of the students were jealous, just irritated by her confident demeanor.

Ellie paid even less attention. She focused on setting up her own tent and enjoying a good rest with a delicious meal inside. Some of the other students gathered in groups to chat like the group before, while others built their tents and went to rest. While everyone was busy with their evening activities, Ellie accelerated the release of her spores around the area. She needed to inspect everything thoroughly to prepare for what was to come.

After assessing the nearby situation in the village, she couldn’t help but sigh. It seemed the issue of destroying the stones wouldn’t be as easy as she had thought...

The next morning, all the students were ready. Some of the surviving male villagers from the war followed them, armed with weapons resembling pickaxes. However, the villagers were united in opposing the other students and only paid attention to Nara. They acted as if the students would care about this display. Unfortunately, Nara alone acted high and mighty after receiving such attention.

“Everyone, thank you so much for helping carry the equipment. From here on, let Nara handle the work,” she casted her endless charm upon the villagers. They had no immunity to such cuteness, so it was no wonder they were swayed by her endearing demeanor.

“Thank you so much, Miss Nara, for your dedication to us. If it weren’t for you...we’d be in trouble.”

“Indeed, it was because Miss Nara stood by us last night that these stones are being dealt with.”

“Miss Nara mentioned she only has 10 days to complete the mission before returning to the institute. Doesn’t that mean we need to hurry and destroy the stone? Setting up those stratagems is just nonsense. I don’t understand what the other students are thinking.”

“Exactly. Our problems are right in front of them, but they choose to do easier tasks. Miss Nara said setting up the stratagems is a simple task that one person can finish, yet those students act like it’s a big deal.”

“Heh, heh, heh, they probably just took on the mission half-heartedly and intend to finish it the same way. How much do they really intend to help us? Aren’t they all rich kids? They didn’t act like this when they used us as the front line in battles. Now they should help us back, but instead, they send irresponsible children.”

The more the villagers talked, the more their dissatisfaction grew. Nara secretly smiled with satisfaction, feeling that these villagers were easily deceived. Nevertheless, when the time was right...she quickly waved her hands and shook her head earnestly.

“E-Everyone, please don’t blame Nara’s friends. They just don’t understand how much everyone is suffering. I-In the past...they’ve been well taken care of by their families. Only Nara comes from a rural area and truly understands your hardships. So... Nara will try to show them how much everyone needs help.” She shook her head sorrowfully.

“Look at that. Even now...Miss Nara is still defending them.”

“Didn’t she say the others are used to being protected? Then, during this visit to our village, we should teach them how hard it is without many servants around.”

“Exactly! I’m going back to the village. The women intended to cook for everyone, but to teach them the difficulties, we shouldn’t take care of them like this.”

“Good idea, go tell everyone.”

“E-Everyone, please don’t do that. I’m begging you.”

“Oh, Miss Nara, don’t be so kind. We’re not harming your friends. We just want them to understand the struggles of ordinary people who have to take care of themselves. It’s nothing serious.” The male villager nodded at his companions while consoling Nara not to worry too much.

Of course, Nara wasn’t troubled at all; she was even delighted by the villagers’ antics. She acted this way to make the villagers believe she pitied even those friends who ignored her.

Upon reaching the area of the stone heap, the constant sound of the wind made the atmosphere quite eerie. Looking at the massive pile of stones before them, the students felt that this was not a recent landslide but rather something that had accumulated over decades.

Despite understanding this, they couldn’t say anything. The villagers insisted that they wanted these stones destroyed first, and the students had no choice but to comply.

Some spots could be handled with magic power, but there were areas where random spells couldn’t be used. Otherwise, they might hit the cliff and cause more stones to fall, creating further danger.

The male villagers, upon arrival, quietly began their work with their pickaxes. However, everyone knew this was a ruse to get the magicians to help with tasks they couldn’t manage themselves.

Previously, they had only managed to deal with stones that had rolled far from the cliff. How could they handle those stuck to the cliffside? Getting too close would cause them to fall and create hazards. It was no surprise they pressured the students to solve a problem that had persisted for decades.

Nara moved in to help the villagers but didn’t dare to get too close. The sound of the wind alone frightened her, so getting closer was out of the question. Only some students cautiously used their magic power to break the stones into smaller pieces. In truth, Ellie could have used her Purple Mushroom to deal with it in one go, but the known power of the Purple Mushroom was to track, not to decompose. So, she had to use the equipment she brought.

The black rake was quite useful, as it could pull things out of range. Ellie adapted it to move things toward her instead. The rake’s operation allowed many students to avoid the dangerous areas near the cliff. However, no matter how well-prepared they were, nature always challenged those who dared.

Whoosh!! Whiz!! Fwoosh!!!

Crack. Crumble. Boom!!!

As everyone worked amidst the constant howling wind, a strange noise suddenly arose. A dark shadow slowly falling down left them stunned. Who would have thought a boulder larger than a house would fall while they were working?!!

“Run!” Professor Medik shouted. At that moment, the roots of the plants in his bond moved, but they couldn’t bear the weight equivalent of such a massive structure. The students snapped out of their daze at his voice and quickly moved. They managed to get out of the impact zone, but amidst the chaotic escape, a piece of rock broke off from the larger boulder fell unnoticed.

However, its target wasn’t the students but a male villager standing some distance away, within the boulder’s extensive range.

"Watch out!!"

"Ahhh!!" Nara screamed, but instead of rushing to help, she ran away in fear, leaving the young man standing there with mouth agape.

"Tch!" Although Ellie didn’t want to get involved with these foolish villagers, she couldn’t let an idiot die such a senseless death.

Earlier, she had overheard their plans to teach the students a lesson, which made Ellie a bit prejudiced against them. It wasn’t surprising that she didn’t step in to help initially. However, their mistakes didn’t warrant death. For someone they had just met, it was understandable that they might make decisions without full understanding.

Ellie called upon her high speed level five Spirit Rake, which swiftly swept the unfortunate young man out of the green square she had set up. Of course, he’d end up with some scratches when the rake did this, but...this would serve as a minor punishment from her.

Boom!!!

The villager, saved from death in a fraction of a second, was still in shock. His friends rushed over to check on him. After confirming he was safe, they looked for his rescuer. It turned out that the magical black rake floated back to a small female student, who, rather than seeking praise for saving them, was busy helping her professor combat the falling stones without pause.

Ellie shattered the boulder into small pieces to make it easier for Professor Medik to handle. Before long, everyone was safe, and the large boulder was reduced to manageable pieces. While the near-death situation frightened everyone, it also sparked anger.

Aria was the first to stride over to Nara, who was still feigning concern for those in danger, unaware that she was now a target. When Aria reached her, she unexpectedly grabbed Nara and lifted her off the ground.

"Did you see that?! Your decisions almost got everyone killed!! Now, how do you plan to take responsibility, Miss Goody Two-Shoes?!!"

Aria spoke furiously, and Nara’s confused expression only fueled her anger.

"L-Lady Aria, why are you blaming me? I didn’t know the wind would blow so hard and the rocks would fall. Are you saying these natural events are my fault? I don’t think that’s fair..."

Slap!!

Aria didn’t even let Nara finish her sentence. Unable to contain her anger, she slapped Nara across the face so hard that Nara couldn’t hide fury in her eyes. Though Nara was skilled at playing the victim, being physically attacked like this made it impossible to hide her true self."If you still don’t understand, I’ll slap you again, and keep slapping you until you do!" Aria clenched her fists tightly. In truth, she wanted to beat Nara more severely. If it weren’t for Nara’s selfishness and constant need to outdo others, everyone wouldn’t have had to risk their lives like this!