Laurel POV

Sitting at my desk, I scanned through the endless pile of reports in front of me. The academy had been tense for weeks now. Everyone could feel it...the rising fear, the way the students glanced over their shoulders as if expecting a demon to appear any second. It was getting harder to keep them focused. The classes had become more intense, and more focused on combat and defense than ever before. It wasn't just theory anymore; it was survival.

We didn't say it outright, but the truth was there in every drill, every sparring match. Demons could attack at any moment, and we had to be ready. I sighed, rubbed my forehead, and reviewed the latest feedback from the instructors. Some of the students were struggling, not just academically but emotionally. They knew what was coming, and that knowledge weighed heavy on them. 

The atmosphere in the academy had shifted. Classes that once focused on magic and strategy now had a military edge to them. The students weren't stupid; they noticed the change. A few tried to rebel, arguing that we were turning them into soldiers instead of scholars. But the truth was, they could leave at any time. No one was forcing them to stay, yet none of them did. This place was the safest they could be. The rest of the world was far more dangerous, and they knew that running away wouldn't solve anything. Cowardice wouldn't protect them from the demons.

Still, it didn't stop them from complaining.

I sighed again, flipping another page when suddenly, BAM!

The door to my office exploded inward, the sound echoing through the room like thunder. My papers scattered everywhere as the door slammed against the wall, hanging by its hinges.

"What the-!" I stood up, furious, my heart pounding in my chest.

And there, standing in the doorway, was Boreas. Of course, it was him.

"Laurel...the demons are aiming for this island next."

"...Did you have to kick my door down?!"

"Yes, you had a barrier and also ordered security to not let me in."

"Oh...that order is still going on, huh."

"Why?"

"Remember when you visited 2 weeks ago during your break because you were bored?"

"Oh, that, anyway, do something, cancel the school year or...whatever..."

"Why are you here?  Shouldn't you be at-"

"Someone managed to infiltrate our security, so we decided to cancel the meeting, and I rushed here."

Usually, I would be hesitant to hear such a stupid story like talking with the demon lord himself through a dream, but it came from one of the world's 3 heroes, and I practically had no choice. The guy looked like he finally got some sleep, I've been getting reports on him being the busiest out of the lot, maybe less busy than Chris Ren, but at least the man had his granddaughter to fill in and help him get at least 6 hours of sleep.

And the fact that the demon lord is planning on coming for us next...that's not good at all, but at least I had a plan in place. If the demons attacked us here, we'd be sitting ducks, cut off from reinforcements, surrounded by nothing but water. It was only a matter of time before they figured that out, and I wasn't about to wait until they did. No matter how prideful we are of our defenses...I'm not risking it against the demon lord. No. We had to move.

The mainland was safer and more secure. We could relocate the students, the staff, and our defenses there. The original academy building was still standing, and while it wasn't as fortified as the island, it had something more important, proximity. Proximity to the Empire. Attacking us there would mean attacking the Empire itself, and even the demons weren't foolish enough to provoke that kind of war without a second thought. They might be ruthless, but they weren't stupid.

On the mainland, we'd have backup, more resources, and more options. The security measures we'd installed here could be transferred over. It would take time, but it was worth it. If we were going to make a last stand, we might as well do it somewhere where we had a fighting chance. Besides, staying here wouldn't protect us. It would just give the demons an easier target to aim for. Better to have everyone on the mainland, where the Empire could protect us and vice versa, than stuck here on this lonely island, waiting for an attack that would come sooner or later.

Boreas POV

"...A hero...chosen by a goddess...forced to install a door...of an office that's about to be abandoned..."

"Well, you're about done anyway." Laurel replied, "The procedures should start tomorrow as our academy will move to the original campus."

"Isn't there not enough space?"

"We'll be using other nearby facilities to help, our youth programs are mostly canceled anyway, the other academies can take care of that...rest on that couch when you finish, I'll join you, we can both get some rest."

"Hey, I know I complain a lot, but there are people out there who's working harder than I am...I'm fine."

"Hmmm...I just wanted us to spend a bit of time together since we can't anymore, but since you don't want to..."

"You can't pull that on me, I got one cold clingy nymph, a horny empress, and a tsundere dragon, if you want to spend time together, just be straightforward."

"Fine, I want to spend time with you."

"I'll call Mari then, she's here since she can't be too far from me, she can help with the moving."

"Can't you like be more bold with me?" Laurel asked as she sat next to me, "I know I have a horrific dating past, but it doesn't mean that you can't do anything...just don't go around too fast."

"Why are you being bold all of a sudden? Did the prospect of the world's end awaken you to want to-"

"You finish that sentence and I'll kick you."

"...It would depend on where you're kicking me."

"The twins would be your only children."

'If you're joining my harem, they are going to be your children too."

"...oh shit."

Sitting in Laurel's office, I finally allowed myself to relax, even if just for a moment. The tension that had been coiled inside me for weeks began to unwind as I leaned back into the couch, my arm lazily draped around her shoulders. She didn't say much, just nestled closer to me, her head resting against my chest. But I couldn't stay like this for long.

Things needed to get moving. The Blood Ravens weren't going to wait forever, and I still had unfinished business with them. I sighed softly, knowing I had to go soon, but for now, I just held Laurel a little tighter, stealing whatever calm I could before it all started again. The storm was coming, but for now, I'd rest. Just for a little while longer.