Broken Possessors of Infinite Regression Academy

The old woman, who introduced herself as a grand mage, lightly tapped the floor with her staff. The dungeon’s interior began to change, centering on the spot where the staff had struck. The stone walls and floor transformed into walls with a vintage feel and carpets, and the Dullahan, who had been standing there emitting black mist, disappeared.

Five single-seater sofas surrounded a table that rose from the floor. There were two on one side and three on the other. Although we were four people, I wondered why there were five sofas, but I took it as a sign to sit wherever we wanted and dismissed the thought. The number of sofas was not the important thing right now.

“As I got older, even standing has become a bother. Don’t hesitate, have a seat,” the old woman said as she leisurely moved to sit on the side with two sofas. Brynhild and Aria naturally sat on the opposite side, and I sat in the empty spot between them. Seeing my expression, the old woman chuckled warmly.

“You still look doubtful. That’s a good attitude. It will help you live long on the battlefield. As long as that doubt isn’t directed only at those around you.”

The staff touched the floor again, and all kinds of desserts appeared on the table, along with steaming milk tea as a bonus.

“Put your worries aside. I swear on the name of Valera the Grand Mage that this is not a trap. I just want to have a little conversation. Let’s talk while we eat.”

Brynhild and Aria, enticed by the scent of jam and various fruit creams, quietly reached out their hands. As the cream disappeared between their lips, their eyes widened. Seeing their reaction, Valera smiled contentedly and took one for herself.

“Do you have any idea why I came down here?”

“No,” I replied.

“Of course not. The reason I appeared before you is that this dungeon was not meant for you to reach the end.”

“What?” Brynhild and Aria, who had been eating desserts ravenously due to the nine-hour forced march, looked incredulous. I also felt deflated.

“Of course, no matter how talented the academy gathers the best from across the nation, and even if you are the most exceptional three among them, how could mere academy students possibly defeat a commander of the Demon King’s army? Even if it was a weakened version, it would be impossible. The original purpose was to show you the fearsome power of the Demon King’s army commander.”

I silently swallowed the memory of having fought two commanders in the past and effectively won. The Chairman must have kept her silence on that matter. Brynhild, seeing me remain quiet, stammered out a response.

“But we made it here…”

“That wasn’t entirely due to your abilities, was it? Most of it was due to someone else’s efforts, wasn’t it?”

Brynhild fell silent, seemingly hit where it hurt. She had no rebuttal. If it had been anyone else, they would have been ejected from the dungeon within an hour, let alone reaching the core.

“We’ve been watching you from the moment you entered this dungeon. We needed to observe how the dungeon we created would operate. And we were all very surprised. You were breaking through a dungeon we assumed couldn’t be conquered. Even Jane had practiced what to say when you failed and returned.”

Her deep, dark eyes, which didn’t match her age, turned towards me.

“All of this deviation from the plan was due to one person.”

“Is that so?”

It wasn’t just their plan that went awry; mine did too. If I had known it was designed to be unbeatable from the start, I would have failed at a reasonable level. I came down here for nothing. No wonder Brynhild and Aria struggled so much against a single commander.

“Aren’t you surprised?”

“I’m not sure what reaction you’re expecting from me.”

“Heh, you’re very calm. Hard to believe you’re only 18.”

When I fell silent, Valera smiled faintly.

“Don’t look so serious. I didn’t come here to scold or interrogate you. I came to praise you. All three of you did splendidly. The next hero, of course, and Aria, was it? You show talent beyond your years. Just that one of you is exceptionally outstanding. Be confident.”

‘Praise, huh?’ Despite her words, I wondered if it was truly praise. Everyone I’ve dealt with so far had mixed praise with suspicion. The Sword Saint and the Chairman were no different.

“My disciple was right to be tempted. Recently, he mentioned he found a man he wanted. I thought it was just an academy student.”

At the mention of the crown prince, my expression involuntarily darkened. Did he even tell his master about that? Seeing my reaction, the grand mage narrowed her eyes, intrigued.

“You don’t seem pleased. Are you not interested in power or favor?”

“I might appreciate ordinary trust, but I’m not interested in that kind of favor from a man.”

“Hmm?”

Valera looked puzzled for a moment before giving me a meaningful look.

“Oh… So that’s how it is. My disciple was so sincere, but you didn’t respond because it wasn’t apparent yet. Strange indeed. Why would that greedy one risk misunderstanding for this?”

“What do you mean by ‘not apparent’? What do you mean by misunderstanding?”

“It’s nothing. Forget I said anything. If my disciple didn’t mention it, there must be another reason. If you’re curious, you can ask my disciple directly. If you push hard enough, he’ll honestly answer you.”

“To push the crown prince? I don’t have a death wish.”

“Hoho, did you forget I’m his master? That won’t happen, so don’t worry. If he tries to harm you or your family, tell me. I’ll give him a good scolding. But don’t worry too much. I’ll also tell him not to take too long.”

Her words were becoming more cryptic. I nodded reluctantly.

Valera continued to ask various questions, especially impressed by Aria’s magical knowledge, even going as far as to insist she join his tower after graduation. Brynhild received a fair amount of praise too, told that she was already strong enough and should not become obsessed with power since she had just recently taken up the holy sword.

“Thank you for listening to an old woman’s story.”

By the end of the conversation, both of them seemed much more confident. Valera pointed to a dimensional gate she created on the spot.

“Take the rest with you. Why are you all so skinny?” Valera added an unexpected gift. It was a bundle of desserts twice the size of their heads. Aria struggled to carry it with both hands, and Brunhild, taking it from her, bowed deeply.

“Thank you… Grandmother Mage?”

“Hehehe, yes. Off you go now. ‘Grandmother,’ huh? It’s been a while since I heard that word.” Brunhild and Aria left, looking distressed at having eaten too much. Just as I was about to follow them, Valera stopped me.

“Child,” she called out, her voice suddenly serious and cautious.

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After talking with Mira, Valera, left alone, struck the floor with her staff again. The silhouette of a person appeared on the single-seater sofa beside Valera.

“You heard everything, didn’t you, you impudent disciple?”

It was Princess Laura. The reason Valera had arranged the sofas in sets of two and three was revealed. One seat was already occupied. It would have been troublesome if that had been discovered.

“That student is beyond what the academy can handle. You admit it yourself, don’t you? I don’t know why he’s hiding his abilities, but if he abandons the path he’s on, it might be too much for you to handle.”

“…”

“I don’t understand why you’re delaying revealing the truth. If you don’t, you might never get close to him even after revealing your true feelings. The sense of betrayal from being deceived for so long doesn’t fade easily.”

“I am aware of that. Please be quiet. I have my own plans in mind.”

Valera clicked her tongue at Laura’s response.

“Tsk. You’re speaking quite rudely to someone who’s lived longer than your grandfather. Did you know that I was also your grandfather’s teacher?” She lightly tapped the floor with her staff again. Valera’s body began to change. Her hunched back straightened, her wrinkled skin regained elasticity, and her shabby robe turned new.

Her height increased, her chest swelled, and her body regained its feminine curves and fullness. The only thing that didn’t change was her eyes. Now looking like a young student, Valera stretched.

“Ah… This original form feels so much better.”

“Remember your age, Valera. Shouldn’t your original form be that of an old person?”

“Are you trying to pick a fight with me, you insolent disciple?” Valera’s eyes momentarily sharpened, but she quickly regained her composure. She couldn’t bicker with someone who was essentially her great-granddaughter.

“You started it.”

“When did I do that?”

“I clearly remember you advising that to pursue a man you need to act strongly. Denying it now is a very bad habit.”

“Wasn’t it true? Outside, you have to be an unwavering ruler, so inside, you need a man you can trust and rely on. Who said that? The 13-year-old Laura? Or was it the 10- or 11-year-old Laura?”

“…”

Seeing Laura’s face twist in embarrassment, Valera smiled gleefully. She had been Laura’s mentor since her days of innocence, untainted by power struggles. She had plenty of memories Laura now considered dark and embarrassing.

Unable to deny her words, even falsely, Laura remained silent, her expression deeply troubled. Valera smiled again, enjoying the sight.

No matter how much the outside world saw her as the first in line for the throne and a ruthless and merciless Crown Prince William Ercarencia Cresenne von Euperantis Bellium, to Valera, she was still just the princess, Laura.