The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character

Ryen was an overpowered protagonist—there was no doubt about that. But he was also a growth-type protagonist.

If he were in perfect condition, he might have been able to handle a single powered-up monster. But right now? After taking damage while blocking the explosion?

It was uncertain.

And knowing Ryen, he wouldn't just focus on fighting. He'd try to protect the other students, spreading himself too thin, which would only put him on the defensive.

Meanwhile, the instructor wasn't exactly losing against the orc… but he wasn't dominating the fight either.

Why?

Was he holding back? No—judging by his expression, he was serious. So then, was the monster just that strong?

The students were panicking, scrambling to escape, but their way out was blocked. A shimmering barrier—similar to the one that had trapped the professors—sealed off every exit.

Oh.

So we were really doomed, huh?

And then—

"Perfect."

A calm, confident voice cut through the chaos.

Leo Taylor stepped forward, his grip tightening around the spear in his hands.

Without hesitation, he lunged, his weapon piercing through the air, aiming straight for the orc that had been pushing Ryen back.

The orc, sensing the incoming attack, let out a guttural roar and raised its massive cleaver to block. But Leo was faster.

The tip of his spear found a gap in the orc's thick hide, sinking deep into its shoulder. The beast howled in pain, staggering backward, its grip on its weapon faltering for a brief moment.

Ryen, who had been struggling to hold his ground, wasted no time. He adjusted his stance, tightening his grip on his sword before slashing upward with explosive force. The orc barely managed to block, but the impact sent it skidding back, leaving deep claw marks on the floor.

For the first time since the attack began, the tide of battle shifted.

Watching the scene unfold from a distance, I couldn't help but be stunned.

Why?

Because this wasn't like Leo Taylor at all.

In the novel [World's Greatest Hero], Leo was the second protagonist—a selfish, arrogant bastard who saw everyone as nothing more than stepping stones on his path to becoming the greatest hero.

Despite that, the readers never really disliked him. In fact, many of them even wished he were the main protagonist instead. With his strikingly handsome appearance, prestigious family background, and that cold, unapproachable aura, he had everything that made a compelling lead.

…At least, that was true in the early parts of the novel.

Later on, things changed. His unconventional character development took him in a different direction, making him far more polarizing.

But the important thing right now was that, based on his established personality, he shouldn't have interfered in this fight.

In the original storyline, Leo had outright refused to step in, dismissing the orc as unworthy of his attention. Instead, he mocked the protagonist, saying that dealing with such lower-class monsters suited someone like him.

Even after the attack was resolved, Leo's role in the early plot was to stir up conflict with the protagonist's group—criticizing them for not stepping up despite having the power to do so.

But now?

Now, he was going against the original plot.

Instead of standing back and sneering, he was actually engaging the mutated orc that had been overwhelming the protagonist.

Why?

"A mutated monster… not a bad first hunt for me at the academy."

Ah.

So that was it.

He just wanted to show off.

Leo's love for making a grand display of his power hadn't changed in the slightest.

I had acted on impulse earlier, but now, the effects of my actions were becoming clear.

The plot had already changed.

…And it had changed a lot more than I expected.

Leo's spear twisted, forcing the orc further back. The beast snarled, shaking its injured arm before gripping its cleaver tighter, its bloodshot eyes locked onto Leo.

Ryen exhaled sharply, glancing at Leo with a wary expression. He didn't seem thrilled about the intervention, but he wasn't about to refuse the help. Not when he was already struggling.

The orc, despite its wound, roared and lunged forward, swinging its cleaver in a wide arc. The sheer force behind it was enough to carve through the stone floor, sending debris flying.

Leo, however, didn't flinch. He sidestepped effortlessly, his spear flicking upward in a fluid motion, striking the orc's wrist. The monster growled but maintained its grip, adjusting its stance.

For a brief moment, the two stood in a deadlock.

Then Leo smirked.

"What's wrong?" His voice was laced with amusement. "That all you've got?"

ROAAAAAAR—!!!!

The orc roared again, this time with fury, and charged at Leo, swinging recklessly.

And just like that, Leo got what he wanted—attention.

He was baiting the orc, drawing it away from Ryen, taking control of the fight like it was his stage.

Ryen clicked his tongue but didn't chase after them. Instead, his gaze swept over the area, likely assessing the situation.

Meanwhile, Leo was almost done playing with his toy.

It was time to end this.

The massive orc, still in a frenzied state, roared and swung its enormous right arm with terrifying speed. The sheer force behind the attack was enough to tear through solid stone.

Any normal cadet wouldn't even be able to see it coming—let alone dodge.

But Leo was far from normal.

He had already seen through the orc's attack.

Swoosh—!

The air whistled as the orc's strike tore through it.

But Leo? He simply ducked. Effortlessly slipping under the massive arm, he drove his spear—longer than his own height—straight into the orc's skull.

The monster twitched once, then collapsed lifelessly.

Leo stepped onto its corpse, looking down at the defeated beast with an air of disappointment.

"Hmph. I thought it might be mid-rank, but it was nothing special."

His voice was casual, almost bored, as if he had just swatted away an annoying insect.

The onlookers, however, were stunned.

A monster of this caliber was something only professional hunters or seasoned adventurers could take down. For a cadet to defeat it so effortlessly was beyond comprehension.

But Leo wasn't just any cadet.

He was a Master, born with the talent of a Weapon Master—one of the two protagonists of this story.

And right now, he had just proven why.