A Tarnished Hero

Chapter 38: Academy of Magic

It's been a week since he's returned to the Lands Between, and all Izuku could say was Limgrave definitely did change after he had wiped Godrick off the face of the earth.

After they had camped for the night the day Izuku had finished his ritual, the two set off back into the main continent via the tunnel they had passed through the day before, still cleared of any living being, most specifically, demi-humans.

From there, they made their way back to Liurnia – Izuku wanting to enter the academy and take the second Great Rune – and this time, instead of rushing like they did when they were on their way to the Church of Dragon Communion, they took their sweet time, enjoying the sights, watching the scenery.

And of course, they couldn't forget looting and plundering all who dared fight them, ranging from bandits that dressed as Godrick's soldiers, to literal Godrick's soldiers that were somehow still roaming the plains. Not that it made it any easier for them, seeing as most of the denizens that resided in Limgrave had a hate boner for them.

They couldn't cross borders either, with Raya Lucaria soldiers ensuring that they couldn't pass through the only remaining path into the lake, and soldiers from Caelid, that Izuku still didn't know the name of. Effectively, they were trapped in an endless loop of reviving, taking their gear back from the bandits that managed to kill them, and then dying to the bandits they had killed. Only this time, they would be left gearless because of Izuku and Katsuki taking them for themselves.

Actually, scratch that. Izuku would just sell the gear for extra runes to some nomadic merchants, and no doubt, they would gladly sell them back to the soldiers in need of equipment. As for why they wouldn't rob them instead, the Nomadic Merchants connections are a scary thing to have as an enemy.

Day after day, Katsuki got used to the attacking bandits/soldiers. Oh, for sure he was still uncomfortable with killing, but the knowledge that those he killed would come back anyway made him a bit relieved. Dozens had already fallen to his explosions, causing Izuku to be somewhat peeved because the gear he got from those he downed were most likely dented or crumbling from the impacts.

The haggling with the Nomadic Merchants they encountered was a sight to behold.

There was also the issue of how they were going back to Liurnia. They didn't want to take the same route, and Izuku, in his infinite wisdom, decided to cut a path through one of the most dangerous areas he had ever come across during his travels.

Stormveil Castle.

At first, Katsuki didn't want to go through the "big-ass castle". But after a bit of persuading from Izuku about how most of the dangers had already passed, the ash blond was more acceptable with the thought.

Plus, a big-ass castle is a big-ass castle. What kind of male teen wouldn't want to go through one of them in his lifetime?

The moment they stepped into the castle, Katsuki was about to head through the front gate, before Izuku managed to yank him by the scruff and pull him away from a skewery death. Giant bolts lodged itself into the concrete, all of which looked terribly abused from the constant barrage from above whenever an intruder came along.

A bit of a shock that they were still operational, seeing as how bandits roamed about wearing the armor of their brethren.

Taking the path that Gostoc had told him would be a better alternative than the front gate, both Izuku and Katsuki sneaked in. Which failed the moment eagles tried to bite their heads off. The noise alerted those inside, and then the melee started.

It was fun sending some of the soldiers hurtling towards their deaths by tossing them off the cliff, but that meant less loot. Izuku may be strong, but gravity will forever be his mortal enemy. At least, until he was strong enough to fall at terminal velocity and land with nary a scratch.