Many students don't even think about it, but in reality, the category of university staff includes numerous workers beyond professors and teaching assistants.
For instance, security guards are responsible for campus security and safety, or administrative assistants manage all administrative work.
Just like the cleaning staff who clean the dining hall during meals often go unnoticed, there are people who appear and disappear from peripheral vision unless you consciously acknowledge them.
Gardeners are the same way. That's why Elizabeta had placed Ivan in the position of gardener.
It wasn't a conspicuous position like professor or teaching assistant, but rather an obscure post that wouldn't seem out of place anywhere, and simultaneously a position with no defined duties. After all, a gardener is only needed if there's a garden, and St. Yansk University had no garden.
"Hmm."
This was only natural. Why would a university built in the middle of the capital waste land on gardens or flower beds?
Therefore, even if the princess created the position, no one would question it.
If he were truly an important figure, or if Elizabeta were planning some behind-the-scenes operation within the university, she would have placed her agent in a more significant position.
The Crown Prince's faction probably assumed that one of Elizabeta's subordinates had simply slipped an acquaintance into employment.
This was merely a minor legal gray area of the "parachuting in connections to collect pension" practice prevalent throughout the kingdom. (It wasn't illegal. In the House of Nobles, this level of corruption was actually considered clean by comparison.)
"So this is where it was."
Thus, the gardener of St. Yansk University had plenty of time.
Enough time to engage in ample leisure activities.
At this moment, the leisure activity of St. Yansk University's gardener was bomb disposal.
'I've considered the patrol routes of security guards, the movement patterns of people on campus, and the line of sight from each building.'
These people are "professionals."
Ivan narrowed his eyes as he removed the third explosive. It was a crude homemade magical bomb, but that made it impossible to identify the culprits.
The reasons Ivan had identified and searched for the explosives were as follows:
One, attacks during academy entrance ceremonies are "common sense."
One, at this moment when bombers are hovering in the sky and the counterintelligence command is on high alert, any organization capable of attacking the academy must be "professionals."
With that in mind, by reverse-engineering the perpetrator's movements, he could pinpoint where bombs would be placed.
Places invisible to security guards.
Simultaneously, shadowy areas not exposed to potential civilians.
And blind spots that couldn't be seen from windows of each building.
If you search the intersection of these conditions, you'll find bombs. At this point, it's no different from harvesting potatoes.
Roughly identify the location, casually walk over, and simply pick it up.
"Now it's just a matter of figuring out who's behind this."
This is where the problem lies.
There were too many suspects.
Demon race, the least likely possibility, but suspicious precisely because of that.
They had sufficient motive to terrorize St. Yansk University. But at the same time, if they weren't fools, they wouldn't attempt something like this again right after their previous failure.
Elves, rather suspicious. But their motive was vague.
They still have their warship hovering above St. Yansk University, making it easiest for them to commit such acts.
However, elves would gain too little from tarnishing Krasilov's reputation through such actions.
The Crown Prince's faction. Presumably the most likely culprit.
They have both the means and motive to attack St. Yansk University. But it would have been difficult today. The counterintelligence command, having directly faced Elizabeta's wrath, was guarding the area with burning vigilance.
So, there were too many suspects.
It meant that a secretive organization had planted a highly competent operative within the academy.
'A typical academy genre story.'
At this point, Ivan actually felt relieved.
Yes. An academy entrance ceremony should include attacks and secret operatives planted within the academy—that's what makes it an academy genre story.
He had been worried because this year's freshmen didn't include anyone wielding a sword, introducing themselves as a celestial horse, a cowboy shooting pump-action shotguns with a leaf in their mouth, or a young female tanker with a strange propensity for cursing.
Ivan shook his head with a bitter smile and headed toward the next expected explosive location.
And then, he heard strange words.
Very faintly.
-What's that? Santa Claus?
Ivan's eyes sharpened. He bent down without showing any sign of awareness.
There was a perfectly sized pebble.
As naturally as if tying his shoelace, he grabbed the pebble and threw it in the direction of the voice.
-Clang!
The sound of something deflecting it, and simultaneously Ivan's body shot out like lightning. Straight toward the source of the sound.
Tap, tap-tap! The sound of quick footsteps came, and Ivan eventually had to stop.
The person had disappeared without a trace. Into the crowds outside St. Yansk University, waiting for the entrance ceremony to end.
"Santa Claus, huh."
Ivan gave a hollow laugh and turned around. Returning the way he came, he soon found the pebble, cleanly split in half.
He methodically broke down and reassembled the information.
-Swordsmanship.
-Young male, or female. If male, at least pre-pubescent age.
-The voice was too faint to identify; would need to hear it a couple more times to gauge.
-Height, couldn't confirm.
-Quick movements. Rapid reflexes. This is probably line-of-fire detection.
-An ability difficult to acquire at student level, but highly likely to be a student.
He changed direction and started walking. This time toward the campus.
Toward the most dangerous place at St. Yansk University. Toward the main hall where Elizabeta would be attending the entrance ceremony.
And toward the field control room of the counterintelligence command that would certainly be nearby.
"Santa... Claus."
In this world, there is no folk legend of Santa Claus.
Naturally, there's no Christmas either. There exists no righteous red-clad elderly thief who puts candy and toys in stockings.
That was why he reacted so sensitively to that seemingly insignificant mutter.
So.
"A transmigrator."
Did this person also write a [5,700-character critical review of gratitude]? Or is it some product of coincidence? Hit by a truck? Let's assume it's not the outdated style of diving into the Han River. Of course, they could also be the original author. That happens often too.
By what trigger, in what way did they fall into this world?
But one thing he could be certain of:
They know this game is an academy genre. There's no other reason a transmigrator would specifically enroll in or get employed at a university.
Then, this person...
Knows the [original work].
Knows what will unfold next.
Knows the ending.
"Hey, stop right there! This is a restricted area!"
"Call Dmitri."
"What? I don't know where you heard that from..."
-Crack!
Ivan twisted the arm of the uniformed soldier blocking his way. The soldier immediately reacted by drawing a pistol from his sleeve, but Ivan disassembled it in one fluid motion, leaving only the grip.
The soldier whose arm was caught stared blankly at the pistol grip remaining in his hand.
The next moment, click, click. Gun barrels emerged instantly.
Five. Good training condition. Good disguises too.
The five soldiers surrounding him were each dressed differently. Like ordinary citizens you might see anywhere.
After scanning the surrounding soldiers, Ivan took a deep breath and exhaled shortly.
Anger rippled through him. Impatience was crackling away at his patience.
"Call Dmitri."
"Do you know the Major? Instead of causing a disturbance here, in a quiet place..."
"Ivan."
"...Pardon?"
"My name is Ivan Petrovich. Former Annihilation Squad. Is anyone here from that unit?"
"I was from the last cohort, senior. Excuse me, but may I confirm your face...?"
The soldier pinned down by Ivan cautiously raised his head. Slowly putting down the pistol grip he had been holding, spreading his hands wide.
He examined Ivan's face with a bewildered expression for a long time, then raised one hand to gently cover below Ivan's nose.
"Good heavens. Is it really... 'Little' Ivan...?"
Sweat dripped from the soldier's face as he examined Ivan's eyes, bridge of nose, and forehead.
He hastily gestured to disperse the surrounding soldiers. He bowed his head respectfully.
"Major Petrovich. It's an honor to meet you."
"Your name?"
"Osip Sorenov. You probably don't know me. I'm from the 3rd Strike Team, and I've only seen you once from a distance."
"Now I remember. Osip."
Ivan released the soldier's arm and stepped back. Osip dusted off his knees a couple of times, stood up, and politely extended his hand. Ivan took it and they shook hands.
"Do not mourn those who departed first."
"For I stand in the same ranks as they do."
"We heard you died, Major. I clearly saw your nameplate at the national cemetery..."
"I, too, didn't think there would be survivors from the 3rd Strike Team."
"I survived in place of the finest men of this era."
"We all did."
The final mission received by all strike teams of the Annihilation Squad was "the assassination of the Seven Dragon Generals."
Therefore, including Ivan's strike team, which was the only one to return alive... if there were any other survivors.
They would just be remnants who owed their lives to the finest men.
Ivan patted Osip's shoulder a couple of times and spoke again.
"Call Dmitri. And tell him I need the complete roster of all undergraduate students... no, all students and all faculty members. Attendees at the entrance ceremony, VIPs, their families, acquaintances, relatives. Tell him I need a list of everyone who can access St. Yansk University right now."
"Yes, Major. Hey, tell Major Cherkatov! Tell him it's an emergency situation!"
The agents who had been looking confused, unable to keep up with the situation, hastily left.
Looking at the main hall where the entrance ceremony was in full swing, Ivan slowly caught his breath.
A transmigrator.
Korean, perhaps? No, it doesn't matter. It means they're from Earth.
A compatriot from home. Sadly so.
Yes. It left a bitter feeling. Both Kim Seon-woo and Ivan.
Because he would have to kill them.
He needed information about the ending,
He needed to eliminate variables leading to the ending,
And most importantly.
"I am not just an NPC."
Ivan closed his eyes.
I am not just an NPC. My memories, my experiences, my career are not just a prologue. I am not just an NPC.
My life is not merely a passing background story. I, I am.
I must survive and return.
So I have more reasons to kill you than to let you live.
Before I hear that I, "Ivan Petrovich," exist in your damn "original work."
Before it's too late. Without fail.
"Huff, huff... huff... What was that madman...! An aggro monster? No, damn it, I never heard about anything like that! Damn it, damn it, where did things go wrong!"
While wiping cold sweat and catching my breath, I suddenly heard a familiar voice.
It was "Father."
"You've arrived. Where were you and what were you doing... Never mind. Pathetic."
"Father..."
"Sit down. Such a commotion just to go to the bathroom, you're still so inadequate."
This damn "delinquent youngest child."
Isn't a "delinquent" supposed to receive pampering right after transmigration in traditional fantasy?
I should have splendidly thwarted this "academy attack" and started turning the atmosphere around, but suddenly the quest was canceled!
["D-Rank Quest" Prevent Academy Attack -Canceled-]
[The academy is under attack by an unidentified group! Prevent the attack on the main hall and faculty facilities during the entrance ceremony!]
[Objective: Remove campus explosives 3/3 (Removed)]
[Optional Objective: Eliminate intruders -Canceled-]
[Optional Objective: Protect new students 0/322 -Canceled-]
[Reward: -Canceled-]
"Damn it."
I lost an important early quest. Isn't an academy attack supposed to be the debut stage for the protagonist?
It was a perfect opportunity to make a strong impression on the heroines and future companions, and gain the respect of the instructors...!
I was shocked when the quest was suddenly canceled just for me, and when I ran to check, I encountered a strange person resembling Santa Claus!
And what's this now?
["???-Rank Quest" The Gardener of St. Yansk University.]
[You have caught his eye. Good luck.]
[Objective: Eliminate Ivan Petrovich, the gardener of St. Yansk University]
[Optional Objective: Persuade Ivan Petrovich]
[Optional Objective: Conceal information]
[Additional Objective: Survive]
[Failure Penalty: Death]