doitstory Chapter 335 335: Temporary Leave Pass
Chapter 335 335: Temporary Leave Pass
"Professor Alice Draken?"
The name slipped out before I could stop myself.
Professor Alice Draken paused mid-step and looked back at me, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly, as if weighing my presence in a single glance.
"A search party has already been formed for Professor Lena," she said calmly. "There's no need for Rin to push himself like this."
Maybe she was right.
I wasn't even completely sure this was the same incident I was thinking of.
But the problem was time.
Several hours had already passed since the notification announcing the start of the main quest. If this really was that episode, then every minute mattered. In the original story, things escalated fast—far faster than people expected.
And if this incident was unfolding the same way…
Then the worst possible outcome was already drawing closer.
If anything, we needed more people searching for Professor Lena, not fewer. I had no idea how far the situation had progressed, or what kind of danger she might already be in.
More than that, there was an uncomfortable feeling twisting in my chest.
A certainty.
If I wasn't there, she would meet the same end she did in the original story.
My friend—the one who wrote this world—really hated it when things became too lighthearted.
Whenever the story softened, he had a habit of dragging it straight back into darkness, no matter how cruel it felt.
"I have to go because of… circumstances," I said after a moment, choosing my words carefully. "And honestly, searches like this are better with more people."
Professor Draken studied my face for a long second.
"Really?" she said. "Even so, I'm still a professor. I can't just overlook three honor students skipping class."
"…What?"
I turned around.
Standing behind me were Ryan and Leo.
They must have followed me out without making a sound.
Ryan had his usual relaxed smile, hands in his pockets like this was nothing more than a stroll between lectures. Leo, on the other hand, stood straight as a blade, his golden eyes sharp and unreadable.
"Rin," Ryan said casually, tilting his head. "You do know where we're going, right?"
Leo crossed his arms.
"You look like you're in a hurry," he added coolly. "So lead the way. Opportunities to stand before me like this are rare."
…Wow.
For a second, I was genuinely speechless.
Normally, I would've thought they were being dramatic—especially Leo—but the fact that they followed me without asking anything about the situation made something click.
They trusted me.
No hesitation. No doubt.
That was probably why they were protagonists.
"Are you two seriously going?" Professor Alice Draken asked, rubbing her temple, her tone hovering somewhere between disbelief and a headache waiting to happen.
Ryan shrugged, completely unfazed. "If Rin's moving, there's a reason."
Leo gave a single nod, sharp and decisive. "And if a professor is missing, this is no longer a trivial matter."
I swallowed.
Ah.
So cool.
No wonder people fell for them so easily.
Professor Draken stared at the three of us for a long moment, then let out a slow sigh. "Oh, good. I like that attitude. Very youthful. Reckless, but youthful."
She folded her arms. "But you all do realize you'll get penalty points if you leave like this, right?"
Ryan answered immediately. "I'm the top student. A few penalty points won't hurt."
Leo followed without hesitation. "I'm not exactly in a position to worry about points either."
"…Wow," Professor Draken muttered. "This is a problem. There are way too many students I like in this freshman class."
She reached into her coat and pulled out a slip of paper, pressing it into my hands.
Temporary Leave Pass.
"A professor should at least do this much for her honor students," she said lightly. "It's enough of a reward if Rin becomes my lab assistant later."
Ryan and Leo nodded in perfect sync.
They were so cool just moments ago.
So why were these traitors selling me out so casually?
"I don't want to," I said flatly.
"As someone wisely said," Professor Draken continued, completely ignoring me, "it's better to have more people searching. Just don't push yourself too hard. If you run into a dangerous villain, you run away."
"No," I repeated. "I said I don't want to."
"I don't think Professor Lena would want you—especially you, Rin—to get hurt because of her."
Huh?
She was really just ignoring me now, wasn't she?
"Anyway," I said, tightening my grip on the leave pass, "I'm not becoming a lab assistant. But… thanks for this."
Professor Draken laughed. "Haha. Your mouth says no, but your hands are being very honest. At this rate, you're definitely becoming my assistant."
Lab assistant.
What a horrible thing to say.
I stuffed the leave pass into my pocket before she could take it back, then turned on my heel.
"If I survive this," I muttered, "we'll renegotiate that part."
Professor Draken laughed again, sharp and amused. "You're already negotiating your future like you're confident you'll come back. Good. I like that."
Ryan leaned closer, lowering his voice. "You say that like you're not planning to survive."
"…I am," I said. "I just don't like jinxing things."
Leo's gaze had already shifted down the corridor leading out of the academy grounds. His posture changed—subtle, but I noticed. Less student. More combatant.
"Which direction?" he asked.
That question hit harder than it should have.
Because this was the moment.
In the original story, this was where the timeline forked. Where the search party took the longer route. Where Professor Lena was found—but not in time.
I closed my eyes briefly, steadying my breath.
I opened my eyes.
"There's a shortcut," I said.
Both of them looked at me at once.
Ryan's smile faded—not completely, but enough to show he was listening for real now. Leo's eyes sharpened, the way they did when something finally clicked into place.
"A shortcut?" Ryan repeated. "That sounds suspiciously like danger."
"It is," I replied without hesitation.
Leo didn't even blink. "That's where she is."
It wasn't a question.
I nodded.
Well...Then let's go