Broken Possessors of Infinite Regression Academy

The memory of being betrayed by my own kind for absurd reasons, such as the potential threat to their power, and having to turn away and flee as I watched them fall into a trap and die right before my eyes.

I have not forgotten that memory and never will. I’m sure the Chairman feels the same way.

“…Because of what happened, when I heard that the Explosion Dragon Mahbat had appeared and was seeking revenge against the Sword Saint, I went to confront him. But now, looking back, I wonder if his appearance itself was a trap set by the Succubus to keep me away from the Academy.”

It wasn’t a possibility; it was definitely a trap. In fact, it was mentioned that the damage wouldn’t have been so severe if the Chairman had been present during the incident.

“So, was it that Mahbat who injured you so badly?”

“Initially, yes, but there’s something strange about it. He left, expressing his disappointment that he couldn’t eat me, but then suddenly returned and attacked me. Somehow, in that brief moment, he had become even stronger than before. It was difficult just to escape; I was driven to the brink of death.”

As soon as I heard that he had become much stronger in just a short time, something clicked in my mind.

“Did you feel a slightly denser aura of evil from him than you usually sense from demons, or perhaps a black aura that you’ve never seen before?”

“……How did you know? Yes, that’s right. Now that I think about it, the breath he exhaled also seemed noticeably murkier.”

The Chairman nodded, his face filled with surprise.

‘As I thought.’ Just as Elysier had mentioned dealing with beings tainted by the black aura in the demon world, the Violent Dragon had undoubtedly been corrupted by that ‘Demon God’ as well.

I don’t know when he fell into that state, but it must have been during the time he was away, as he returned suddenly and attacked. However, I can’t be sure.

“Because of me, the Academy suffered great damage, and you also went through tremendous hardship. I am truly sorry.”

Erestika lowered her head dejectedly.

“It’s not your fault, Chairman.”

I swallowed the words, ‘I would have done the same.’ If it had been me, and I heard that those who had trapped us in the past were revealing themself, I would have dropped everything and rushed to exact retribution too.

“So, I ask of you, please answer me honestly.”

Sensing the emotion in my words, the Chairman hesitated and stammered in response.

“……Why are you asking this? Are you planning to reprimand me? If so, I will humbly…”

“If I offer to help you with your revenge, would you accept it?”

“Are you serious?”

The vertical pupil widened in surprise.

“I am being sincere because your intention is what matters most. Everyone has different views on revenge. You may think that revenge must be carried out solely by yourself.”

Since he was tainted by the Demon God, he was an enemy I would eventually have to face and defeat. With the Chairman’s desire for revenge against him, I had no reason to refuse.

The Chairman anxiously pondered for a moment, but then calmed his excitement and shook his head.

“No… There’s no need to go that far. I appreciate the sentiment. I know you’re strong, but you saw the state I was in when I arrived here. I don’t want to put my student in harm’s way because of my personal matters.”

“I understand, which is why I’m offering.”

“How did you take my words? Didn’t I tell you that you are my student, attending my Academy? I would never put my personal revenge above my student’s life and push you into danger! Never!”

The Chairman raised her voice.

I thought that perhaps the reason she cared so much for her students was because she saw her own daughter in them. To a dragon, the age difference of a few human years would be insignificant.

“It’s not a personal matter. It involves me as well.”

However, this was no longer just Erestika’s problem.

Given his connection to the Demon God, I would inevitably have to face him someday. And ever since I started to see parallels between the Chairman and my past, it became impossible to separate the two.

“……What do you mean, Mira?”

“Our relationship. I’m saying it’s no longer just your personal matter.”

I couldn’t reveal the existence of the Demon God, and my past was definitely off-limits. So, I had to be vague and let him draw her conclusions. She would come up with a suitable reason, and that would be that.

With those final words, I turned and left the room. Brynhild, who had been caught in the middle, followed me out, unsure of what to do. Aria seemed inclined to stay and take care of the Chairman.

“Mira! Wait! What do you mean? What’s your relationship with the Chairman?”

Brynhild hurried after me, asking questions.

“It’s a student-chairman relationship. Isn’t that obvious?”

“You made it sound like it’s not! You’re making people misunderstand! Are you really going after that guy? The one who almost killed the Chairman? Even her, as a dragon, can’t possibly–”

“I’m not going in recklessly.”

Of course, I didn’t plan to rush in without a plan. I needed to gather information first. We also had Priscilla and Elysier.

“……You’re acting strange, Mira.”

Brynhild’s eyes flickered with worry as she spoke.

“Ever since then, you’ve had no composure. Was the Chairman’s story that shocking? It’s a sad tale, but you seem to have taken it… differently.”

“……”

So, it showed that much. I touched my face lightly. My smile felt stiff, and no matter how hard I tried to force a smile and say I was fine, it didn’t work. My fingers trembled slightly as they touched my cheeks.

I had to admit it. It would be harder to keep it a secret at this rate.

“I can’t let you go alone. I’m coming with you.”

“Brynhild, are you sure?”

Brynhild, who had been watching me with concern, spoke with determination.

“I’m anxious about letting you go by yourself. Didn’t you say it yourself, Mira? Not everyone needs to be protected. I made that vow, but if I can’t even protect the people close to me, what kind of hero would I be? I’m coming with you, so don’t try to stop me.”

Her face reflected unwavering resolve. It seemed futile to try and persuade her otherwise. From my perspective, having the Holy Sword with us reduced the likelihood of me having to unsheathe the Holy Spear, so it was a welcome development.

I nodded in agreement. Brynhild asked me not to try to sneak off on my own and then left to pack her belongings. Left alone, I touched my face again.

It was still stiff.

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Upon hearing my story, the three of them were shocked by the Chairman’s past, surprised by Mahbat’s corruption by the Demon God, and then incredulous at my declaration to go after him.

“So, let me get this straight. Because you’re seeing parallels between your past and the Chairman’s, you want to go and capture that guy alone?”

“I won’t be alone. I’ll be going with a dragon. And since we’ll have to fight him eventually, it’s better to deal with him now. Who knows, he might get even stronger later.”

“That’s true. But the reason you’re rushing into this is because you’re seeing parallels with the Chairman’s past, right? Am I wrong?”

“……”

There was no denying it. It was the truth. At my silence, Rosalia sighed and gestured for me to come closer.

“Come here for a moment.”

“Why?”

“Just do it, no questions asked.”

I approached her, and she stood up from the sofa and suddenly pulled me into an embrace. My head was buried between her breasts. While not as overwhelming as the Chairman’s, they were still considerably soft.

Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the Chairman’s size was just too overwhelming.

“What are you doing?”

“What are you doing?”

From either side, Priscilla and Laura’s displeased voices reached us. One voice carried a hint of anger, while the other conveyed bewilderment.

“I’m comforting him, obviously. If you don’t know what’s going on, just keep quiet.”

“Comforting him?”

“Can’t you see that he’s clearly not in a good mental state? If we leave him like this, he might not be able to accomplish what he set out to do. Or worse, he might get hurt or not come back at all. What would we do then?”

“I know Mira is unstable, but why did you choose that method?”

“Isn’t it obvious? My breasts are the biggest here. The two of you combined can’t compare to me, right?”

Priscilla and Laura fell silent. Rosaria proudly stroked my head.

Of course, she was confident now, but she didn’t realize that in front of the Chairman, she would be in a similar situation. Even the three of them combined wouldn’t match the Chairman’s size.

“Mira, the pain you endured in the first world is something I can’t presume to judge. But I can see that you’re very unsettled right now.”

“……”

“So, sometimes, it’s okay to rely on us too. I know we’re incredibly weak compared to you, but we’re not just useful in that one way. I can comfort you like this, or like Priscilla did the other night, we can sleep together and comfort you.”

“……Did she?”

“She did.”

“I wonder what happened between you and Mira while I lost my memory. Did you two… cross the line?”

We didn’t cross that line. Even when Priscilla slept next to me wearing only her underwear, she just gently stroked me.

“What are you two doing? Come and join us!”

“……Are you asking us to do the same?”

“Who else is here besides you two? Are you going to leave me alone? Fine by me, though. I like it.”

Priscilla quickly joined us, and I felt her warm presence in the previously empty space. Laura seemed to be the last one. I didn’t know how much time had passed, but I genuinely felt calmer.

Now that my mind was clear, I realized that ever since I started seeing parallels between the Chairman and my past, I had indeed been acting rashly.

“……How long are we going to stay like this?”

I asked, as no one seemed inclined to let go even though I felt much calmer.

“Should we let go now that you’re feeling better?”

“I’ve been fine since a while ago. Weren’t you going to make the call, Rosalia?”

“What are you talking about? How am I supposed to know if you’re okay?”

“……”

“……”

An awkward silence filled the room. The pleasant atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Everyone slowly disentangled themselves. I lifted my head from Rosalia’s chest, which felt warm, even though it was only through her clothes.

“I feel much calmer now. Thank you all.”

As I said this with a smile, Rosalia, Laura, and Priscilla stared at me with blank expressions.

“Why?”

“No… Wow… I didn’t know you could make that kind of face… You’re crazy, for real…”

“What kind of face?”

“Never mind. If you don’t know, it’s better that way. It’s fine as long as we keep it between us.”

Rosaria rambled, while Laura muttered something continuously, and Priscilla offered her head for me to stroke, her expression slack. I reflexively stroked her head but wondered what was going on.

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“Do you think he’ll really come here?”

“He will. We let one of the scouts go earlier, remember? Since this is his territory, he won’t miss the chance to kill a hero in his domain.”

Brynhild and I stood in the middle of a desolate wasteland. We had staged a plan with Elysier to pretend to encounter the scout by accident and intentionally let one of them escape, ensuring that the news reached Mahbat.

To an outsider, it would appear that the scout reported back, and Mahbat came to kill the hero. In reality, Elysier had forced his hand.

“Got it. But how are we going to capture him? He’s a dragon. Are you just going to bring him down by shooting him out of the sky?”

“How else?”

I quietly loosened my shoulders.

“We’ll bring him down.”