My Second Chance in Life in Another World-Chapter 60: A PLAN SET IN MOTION

After I shared my plan with Crestia and Cirris, we immediately set out to execute our respective roles. The plan relied on using Cirris as bait to draw Alad into one of his usual bullying episodes, but this time, in front of someone with enough authority to make the incident impossible to ignore. It wasn’t a straightforward approach, but it was our best shot at exposing Alad.

My role was crucial: I needed to persuade a higher-ranking individual to witness the bullying firsthand. Without their presence, the plan would fall apart. With this in mind, I made my way to the fifth-year students’ dormitory and waited in the shadows, my thoughts racing.

It wasn’t long before I spotted a figure sprinting toward me—a girl with short, brown hair tied swaying as she run towards me, her uniform slightly disheveled from running. It was Miss Fia, a well-respected senior known for her strong sense of justice.

"You don’t need to run that fast, Miss Fia," I said, stepping out of the shadows as she skidded to a halt in front of me, slightly out of breath.

"But the girl you sent to call me said it was urgent," she replied, pressing a hand to her chest as she tried to steady her breathing. "I hurried over without thinking."

I offered her a small smile, giving her a moment to catch her breath. She was clearly the type to take every request seriously—a trait that only reinforced my decision to involve her in this plan.

"Miss Fia, thank you for coming so quickly," I began once she seemed more composed. "I have a favor to ask."

She tilted her head slightly, her curious gaze meeting mine. "Hmm? What is it?"

I hesitated for a moment, choosing my words carefully. "You mentioned before that I could come to you if I ever needed help," I said, watching her expression for any sign of doubt. "So, naturally, you were the first person I thought of."

"That’s right!" she replied brightly, her earlier weariness forgotten. "If you need help, just tell me your problem, and I’ll do whatever I can to assist you."

Her enthusiasm was reassuring, but I knew my request would be a lot to ask of her. Taking a deep breath, I finally explained, "Miss Fia, could you be a witness to an incident of bullying?"

"Bullying?" she repeated, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. Her tone shifted, a note of seriousness creeping in.

"Yes," I confirmed, my voice steady. "A fifth-year student is bullying a first-year student. It’s been going on for a while, but it’s difficult to address without credible witnesses. That’s why I need your help."

Her expression darkened, her previous cheer giving way to a sharp, disapproving frown. "Tell me who it is," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.

"It’s Alad," I revealed, watching her reaction closely.

"Alad?" she repeated, her brow furrowing deeply. "The swordsman?"

"Yes," I said with a nod. "That’s why I’m asking you to witness this firsthand. And, if possible, I’d like you to intervene and report the incident to the principal. Alad’s influence makes it hard to act against him without someone of your standing."

Miss Fia’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes narrowing. "I see," she said after a moment. "You’re asking me to use my rank to help bring him to justice."

I nodded again, meeting her gaze head-on. "You’re the one I turned to because I trust your sense of justice. I hate to leverage your authority like this, but...can you do this for me? I’ll owe you one."

Her expression softened slightly, and she placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You don’t need to worry about owing me anything. I detest bullying—I can’t stand it. I’ll put a stop to it."

A wave of relief washed over me at her words. "Thank you so much," I said earnestly. "I also plan to ask Mr. Leonardo for his assistance. As someone with even stronger ties to the principal, his involvement could solidify our case. If he agrees, would you be willing to work with him?"

"Leonardo?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Of course. Collaborating with him will make it easier to get through to the principal."

"That’s great to hear," I said, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "Please head behind the fourth-year students’ dorm before sunset. That’s where everything will unfold."

Miss Fia nodded, her expression resolute. "Understood. Thank you for letting me know about this case. I’ll do everything in my power to help."

"Thank you for agreeing to my request," I said, bowing slightly to show my gratitude.

With that, I turned and walked away, my next destination already clear in my mind.

As I made my way down the cobblestone path, I couldn’t help but feel a small flicker of hope. Miss Fia’s agreement was a major step forward, and if I could secure Mr. Leonardo’s cooperation, the plan would be foolproof.

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered at the edges of my thoughts. Alad was dangerous—not just because of his physical strength, but because of his cunning personality. If he caught wind of what we were planning, things could spiral out of control quickly.

But there was no turning back now. Crestia and Cirris were counting on me, and I wasn’t about to let them down.

When I arrived at the training field, the rhythmic clang of steel against steel filled the air. The setting sun cast long shadows over the grounds, and Mr. Leonardo stood at the center, his figure illuminated by the golden light. He was practicing his swordsmanship with unyielding focus, each swing deliberate and powerful. His blade cut through the air with a sharp whoosh, beads of sweat glistening on his brow.

For a moment, I hesitated to interrupt him. Mr. Leonardo was one of the top ranked swordsmen in the school and was known for his relentless dedication to his craft. But I didn’t have the luxury of waiting. I took a deep breath and called out to him.

"Mr. Leonardo," I said, raising my voice to be heard over the sound of his blade.

He stopped mid-swing, turning toward me with a look of mild surprise. "Will? What brings you here?"

"I need your assistance with something," I said, keeping my tone serious.

His brows furrowed slightly, and he glanced at the sword in his hand. "Huh? Sorry, but I’m busy right now. Can’t you see?" He resumed his practice, his tone dismissive.

My lips twitched into a faint smile. I had anticipated this response. "Is that so? What a shame," I replied casually, turning my gaze toward the horizon.

He paused again, his curiosity piqued. "Why? What’s the matter?"

"Well," I said, feigning indifference, "you’ll be working with Miss Fia, but it seems like you’re busy. I suppose I’ll have to find someone else to help me."

I turned to leave, taking a step away. It was a calculated move, and sure enough, it had the desired effect.

"Wait!" Mr. Leonardo called out, his voice tinged with urgency. "Why didn’t you mention that earlier?" He lowered his sword and walked toward me, shaking his head. "Of course, I’ll help you. We’re friends, after all, and friends always support each other."

I raised an eyebrow, my expression teasing. "Is that so? But I thought you were busy."

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I can swing a sword anytime, but helping you takes precedence," he said, as though he hadn’t just declined my request moments ago.

"Good to hear," I said, crossing my arms. "Let me get straight to the point. I want you to observe and intervene in Alad’s bullying."

His expression shifted, a mix of confusion and concern crossing his face. "Alad? Bullying? Hold on," he said, holding up a hand as if to pause the conversation. "Are you saying that Alad is bullying someone?"

"Yes," I confirmed, nodding. "And his target is a first-year student named Cirris. Alad has been tormenting him repeatedly. Cirris can’t stand up to him, so he came to me for help."

Mr. Leonardo’s brows knit together, his jaw tightening. "Is that so? I can’t believe Alad would stoop to bullying," he said, his voice low and thoughtful.

"Believe it," I said firmly. "And I want you to report this to the principal so that Alad faces consequences. It’s the only way to ensure this behavior stops for good."

He was quiet for a moment, his gaze distant as he processed the information. Then, he straightened his posture, his expression hardening with resolve. "So that’s your true objective," he said, meeting my eyes.

"That’s right," I replied.

He exhaled deeply, sheathing his sword with a practiced motion. "I’d prefer not to exploit my authority, but when it involves a student’s well-being, I’ll do what’s necessary. You have my word."

"Thank you," I said sincerely, a weight lifting from my shoulders.

"No need to thank me," he said, his tone warm. "In fact, let me thank you for bringing this issue to my attention. I wouldn’t have known otherwise."

"Please go behind the fourth-year students’ dorm before sunset," I instructed. "That’s where everything will unfold."

"Understood," he said with a nod.

As I turned to leave, I hesitated, glancing back at him. A sly smile crept onto my face. "Oh, by the way," I added, "Miss Fia mentioned that she can’t stand bullying. If you manage to stop this, she might hold you in high regard."

His eyes widened slightly, and a faint blush colored his cheeks. "Really? Well, I’ll make sure to handle this properly, then," he said, quickly masking his embarrassment with a confident grin.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I walked away, leaving him to continue his sword practice.

With my part of the plan complete, I headed toward the cafeteria to wait for Crestia.

As I walked through the quiet corridors, my mind drifted to the next steps. Crestia’s role was just as important as mine, if not more so. Her task was to stay with Cirris until I returned, providing him with the support he desperately needed. The two of them were supposed to remain in the dorms until an hour before sunset, at which point we’d regroup and put the plan into action.

But I couldn’t help but feel a pang of doubt. Both Crestia and Cirris were terrified of Alad, and for good reason. He wasn’t just a bully—he was a skilled swordsman with a reputation for intimidation. If he decided to act before the plan was in motion, would they be able to handle it?

I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. There was no use dwelling on worst-case scenarios. Crestia was smart and resourceful, and Cirris, while timid, had a quiet resilience about him. They could manage for a few hours.

Reaching the cafeteria, I found a quiet corner to sit and wait. The hum of conversation and clinking of dishes filled the space, a stark contrast to the tension simmering beneath the surface of our plan.

As the minutes ticked by, I allowed myself a moment to reflect. This wasn’t just about stopping Alad—it was about setting an example. Bullying wasn’t something that could be tolerated, no matter who the perpetrator was. By involving both Miss Fia and Mr. Leonardo, I hoped to send a clear message: no one was above accountability.

And yet, a small voice in the back of my mind whispered doubts. Would this really work? Would Alad face the consequences of his actions, or would he find a way to evade punishment?

I clenched my fists, resolving to see this through to the end. No matter the outcome, we had to try. For Cirris. For every student who had suffered in silence.

The plan was in motion, and there was no turning back now.

After an hour of waiting in the bustling cafeteria, frustration began to gnaw at me. I sat in the corner, my arms crossed and my foot tapping impatiently against the tiled floor. The low murmur of students chatting and the clinking of utensils against plates blended into white noise.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. The hands moved with an almost taunting slowness. Crestia and Cirris should have been here by now.

"Why are they taking so long?" I mumbled under my breath, my voice barely audible over the ambient noise. A sense of unease prickled at the back of my mind.

Standing up abruptly, I pushed my chair back with a screech and left the cafeteria. My footsteps echoed down the hallway as I made my way toward the dorms. The thought that something might have gone wrong with our plan loomed large in my mind.

When I reached Crestia’s dorm, I hesitated for a moment before raising my hand to knock. The faint sounds of movement inside were barely audible through the heavy wooden door. I knocked several times, each one louder than the last. Finally, the door creaked open, revealing Chris, her long blonde hair slightly disheveled as though she’d been lying down moments earlier.

"Will? You actually came," she said, her voice laced with both surprise and relief.

Her tone caught me off guard. "Huh? Were you expecting me?" I asked, narrowing my eyes slightly.

"Yes," she replied, nodding. "A senior named Werk came here and asked me to give this to you when you arrived."

She held out a folded piece of paper, its edges slightly crumpled. Even before taking it, a sinking feeling settled in my stomach.

"Thank you, Chris," I said, reaching for the letter.

As I turned to leave, she called out, her voice stopping me mid-step.

"Don’t forget, Will. You promised to witness my new spell tomorrow," she reminded me.

For a brief moment, her words pulled me away from the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. I turned back, offering her a small smile. "Yes, I promise," I said firmly before stepping away.

Once I was out of sight, I unfolded the letter, my hands trembling slightly. The handwriting was messy but legible, the words scrawled hastily across the page.

’If you want to see Crestia and Cirris again, come behind the fifth-year students’ dorm alone. If you bring anyone with you, something worse will happen to them. Come as soon as you finish reading this.’

My heart sank as I read the words, their weight settling heavily on my chest. My grip tightened around the letter, crumpling it slightly at the edges.

"That scoundrel," I muttered, my voice low and venomous.

I didn’t need to guess who was behind this. Alad had somehow managed to get to them, despite all the precautions we had taken. But how? I had explicitly told Crestia and Cirris to stay in their dorms until it was time to act. What had gone wrong?

As I broke into a sprint, the cool evening air bit at my skin, but I barely noticed. My mind raced even faster than my feet, replaying every detail of the plan, searching for the moment it might have unraveled.

Had Alad followed them? Had someone betrayed their location? Or had they simply let fear get the better of them and made a mistake?

The corridors blurred past me as I made my way toward the fifth-year students’ dorm. The sun was sinking lower on the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched across the stone pathways. The faint chatter of students in the distance faded into the background, replaced by the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears.

I clutched the letter tightly, its words burned into my mind. The thought of Crestia and Cirris in danger filled me with a mix of anger and guilt. This was my responsibility. I had been the one to involve them, to ask for their trust. If anything happened to them because of me...

No. I couldn’t let that happen.

The dorm came into view, its imposing structure looming against the fiery hues of the sunset. The area behind it was shrouded in shadow, a stark contrast to the warm light bathing the rest of the campus.

As I approached, I slowed my pace, my eyes scanning the area for any sign of movement. My heart was racing now, each beat thundering in my chest. I couldn’t afford to make any rash decisions. Alad was dangerous, and if he had backup, charging in recklessly would only make things worse.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. My mind raced through possible scenarios, weighing my options. I couldn’t rely on anyone else for help—not with the letter’s warning hanging over my head. This was something I had to handle on my own.

The shadows behind the dorm seemed to stretch endlessly, swallowing the faint light of dusk. I stepped forward cautiously, my footsteps barely making a sound against the stone path.

As I neared the corner of the building, I clenched my fists, steeling myself for whatever awaited me. The memory of Crestia’s determined face and Cirris’s quiet plea for help flashed through my mind, fueling my resolve.

"Alad," I thought bitterly, my jaw tightening. "If you’ve hurt them, you’ll regret it."

With one final step, I rounded the corner, ready to face whatever lay ahead.