Episode 115. Wait, is this…
I was able to catch the thief and hear the owner of the bundle express his gratitude. I may not have received a reward, but I was able to receive some of the candy he was selling.
“are you okay?”
“huh…”
Mary and I sat in the park Benz in Silvertown sucking on lollipops.
Originally, Mary would jump for joy if it was sweet. Moreover, since the candy is shaped like a bee, you have to suck it while being even more dazzled.
But now, he was just fluttering his lips weakly like a dying mosquito.
The sight of him not even showing any sign of savoring it was no different from pretending to suck it.
Just a moment ago, I almost got hit by a thief’s knife. The moment it was about to touch my neck, I was warped and narrowly avoided a major accident.
It may have been shocking, as it was a sight that was just before a fatal injury. But what Mary felt was not the fear of having her throat nearly cut just a moment ago.
“I saw something. When I saw the blade flying towards my neck… something formed in my mind.”
It was a memory of a blade she had never seen before being swung towards her neck. Even though it was a scene she had never experienced before, Mary felt that it was somehow familiar.
Mary replayed the scene one more time and ended up dropping the candy.
“Friend… I’m a little scared.”
Mary, who always hugs me with a smile and energy, this time hugs me with a gloomy expression and trembling body.
I could sense how she was feeling, so I accepted her as she was.
The image of a man and woman embracing on a park bench is a bit delicate, but it is a sensitive issue that deserves to be kept in check.
Because that memory will be a major turning point in Mary’s life.
“uh?”
Mary suddenly looked at the candy I was holding in my mouth. Then her face darkened again.
I looked at the candy again, wondering what the problem was. It was just a strawberry-flavored candy, red like a rose… I busily opened it and swallowed it.
Because the blade in her memory would have been red.
* * * * *
Doomsday leads a group of bandits and black magic groups active throughout the continent.
Despite such brutal behavior, their hideout always looked like a luxurious garden.
Six apostles were sitting in a garden shelter that had been decorated to recreate a paradise that suited them. Originally called the Seven Constellations, they were reduced to six due to Enviel’s disappearance.
“How are Epsilon and Zeta doing these days? Are you sure they are preparing something new in reflection of that disastrous failure?”
The apostle with the number 3 written on his robe spoke. The answer he received was 5.
“It’s going smoothly. Even though there are some flaws, you all know that he has quite good skills. He is also a person who is admired within the royal family, so it’s surprising that things aren’t going smoothly.”
In the first place, the Mosria plan would not have even been implemented if it weren’t for them. Since they can make up for the failure with another plan, expectations are actually high.
“And did the saint’s inclusion go well?”
This time, everyone’s attention turned to number 3. Number 3 began to speak as if he had been waiting.
“Saint Nevia of Melody. She appears to be as generous as a vast sea of trees, but I was the first to notice the abyss-like darkness hidden within.”
Doomsday is always hiding his identity. In the case of the high-ranking Seven-Stars, he always disguises himself as a nobleman. It is possible to see the face of the saint wandering around Kreuz.
“She’s already been in the works for a long time. She’ll soon show great performance in Alighieri together with the Imperial Knight Commander.”
Jason Bikel, commander of the Imperial 1st Corps, was also on this side.
But it wasn’t given for free, because there was a big reward after Alighieri’s destruction.
“I wonder if it will succeed.”
“You say that, but you have already prepared a reward for them.”
The one I was going to give to Jason was a silver shield with a subtle blue border. The one I was going to give to the saint was a sword with a golden sheen.
Number 4 spoke, looking at the relics placed in the center of the table.
“I miss it. I can still see things from 30 years ago. In particular, that shield was used by the previous head of the Viold family, who was known as the hero of the southern part of the empire. I thought it was lost in the battle with the black dragon, but it’s still intact.”
Although I haven’t seen it myself, that’s what I’ve read in books and records.
“And that sword… The more I look at it, the more heartbreaking it becomes. The master who wielded that sword for the sake of humans died at the hands of humans.”
Number 4 said as he took the sword in his hand. Then, as he pulled the sword out of its scabbard, a red-tinted blade was revealed.
The holy sword ‘Rosaria’ used by the saintess of the previous generation. Its blade, which looks like a combination of blood and roses, is said to have decapitated the Demon King Beelzebub.
“If you had survived until now… our tribe would still be alive today…”
Number 4 took off his hood and revealed his face, as if recalling a bad past.
“After all, humans are vermin that should not be left alive.”
The face of a man who looks to be in his 60s. He has such pale skin that it makes you wonder how he maintains it.
However, his ears were unusually pointed. He belonged to a human-like race commonly called elves.
“You don’t plan on walking around outside like that, do you?”
“That’s true. It’s disgusting to wear a human mask, but… haven’t you been able to endure it until now?”
The elf’s characteristic white skin changed to a dark flesh color, and his pointed ears transformed into those of a commoner. As he lived disguised as a noble, the disguise was natural.
“Are you here?”
At that moment, someone wearing a black veil came to the shelter. Everyone seemed to have known he was coming.
“Do you understand what your mission is?”
“Reconnaissance of Alighieri. Assassinate immediately anyone suspected of interference.”
“You know a lot.”
The voice hidden behind the veil was that of a young girl. However, the passive tone of voice was devoid of any emotion.
And the reconnaissance of Alighieri means that it is connected with the undercover admission. Number 4, who is in command, tells her about this.
“Listen carefully, Aisha. I’ll tell you this again and again, but you are not human. The reason I’m repeating this is to prevent you from developing feelings for them. You should never like them. Your missing eye is proof of that.”
The eyes were revealed in the darkness behind the veil. One was green and the other was red, indicating that they were odd eyes.
She, called Aisha, touched her red-glowing eyes.
“Then, finish preparing, Wings of Wrath.”
“To headquarters.”
Something was draped over Aisha’s back as she accepted the order. Wings larger than her body spread from her back. With a fluttering beat of her wings, she flew up, leaving behind only fluttering black feathers.
“I don’t know how many people they’re infiltrating into Alighieri.”
Number 2, who was watching her fly away, said. I think the princess and the knight commander alone would be enough to infiltrate, but that is only a minority opinion.
The number 4 leading the way explained it.
“No one knows about Aisha’s existence. She could be used to secretly support those who infiltrated from the front without being interfered with. If you think about how the Mosria Plan failed, you’ll get an idea.”
The majority opinion is that the plan so far has failed because of unexpected interference. Then, we also need to infiltrate an unexpected entity. Then, we will be able to find out who the mysterious interference is.
But before that, there was something to consider.
“But you must not forget. Aisha is a special spirit that we have worked hard to modify.
Aisha’s original role was as the best gatekeeper of the Seven Links. She was the one who struck down any sword aimed at them.
“Of course, since you were born from a living creature, you can pass through Alighieri’s barrier. But what if emotions bloom there?”
He responded indifferently to the words aimed at him four times.
“That won’t happen. That child is a being who should resent humans.”
And he put his hood back on, his face darkened.
“That makes sense… She is my daughter who was murdered by humans 30 years ago.”
* * * * *
The academy’s opening ceremony will begin tomorrow morning. To prepare for this, Radon and his friends have already taken the train to Alighieri Town.
Her husband, Lotas, went out for work, leaving Scylla and Amy alone in the house. But they weren’t the only ones in the house.
“You understand? We have to take it easy this time.”
Scylla is talking to herself in the air. However, if you have enough sensitivity, you can see the wind spirit flying in front of Scylla.
“Don’t blow it off like last time.”
『… .』
All the furniture in the house floated into the air as the spirit silently stirred. In the meantime, Scylla began to sweep away all the dust that had gathered underneath.
Amy also helped her mother sweep the floor. The spirit simply increased the strength of the remaining wind, and even the dust began to be blown away by the wind.
“Ah… Ah-ah!”
Because of that, the dust was swirling around the house, causing sneezes. Even Scylla couldn’t hold back the sneezes, so Amy had a hard time holding them back.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
Amy reflexively morphed into a muscular mass and started to squirm, and as she grew bigger, she bumped into a piece of furniture and it became a mess.
“Ouch…”
“Are you okay?”
Skilla worries about her daughter before the broken furniture. She puts off scolding her and checks for any injuries first.
“It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt at all thanks to the magic that Mom and Dad taught me.”
“I warned you not to use it carelessly.”
“Hehehe. Sorry.”
The furniture that fell over was two drawers. The clothes and books inside were all strewn across the living room.
It was an awkward situation where the dust had to be cleaned up first. As he was cleaning them up one by one, something caught Scylla’s attention.
“This is…”
A painting that was stuck in a book that had been scattered around. The painting, which was taken with a salt magic tool, seemed to be quite old.
The moment he saw what it was, Skilla was filled with admiration, missing it so much.
“This is still there.”
“What is that?”
Amy came over and examined the picture. There was a picture of Scylla as a child, and behind her was a child walking beside her, holding her shoulder.
“This picture was taken when your mom was as young as you are.”
“Wow. You don’t look like me at all. You look like a total idiot.”
“Ahem… You lied, didn’t you?”
“But who is this child?”
Skilla flinched at her daughter’s question. The background of the photo was a forest, and the child standing behind had pointed ears.
“Aisha. She was once my mother’s childhood friend.”
There is nothing happier than memories of the past. But the memories that Scylla felt were more sad than happy.
Because we can’t meet anymore.
* * * * *
“Hello! My Alighieri Academia!”
Mary, who got off the magic train, shouted vigorously. Watching her from the side, I felt the same, yet relieved. The fear I had felt last time disappeared, and Mary returned to her usual self.
“Aren’t you excited to see how much it will change?”
“Is there anything that needs to be changed? It’s already going well without much change.”
The conversation between the lively Jenny and the bland Ruska continued. I thought they wouldn’t get along well because they were so different from each other, but surprisingly, they weren’t on bad terms. There’s no concern that they’ll turn into bloody rivals, as they’re portrayed in the actual story. As of yet…
“How are Professor Radian and Professor Stella?”
“Why, Professor Stella, all of a sudden?”
“Well… it was the first thing that came to mind.”
The reason why it came to mind even though I wasn’t a full-time professor was because of the influence of the Mosria dictionary. That’s because the ones who commanded the students at that time were Radian and Stella. It was not without its impressive aspects.
Jenny speaks softly as they walk to the academy.
“Maybe things will work out for you two…”
“what?”
I was surprised by those words and turned my head absentmindedly.
“Who gets along well with who?”
“Professor Radian and Professor Stella. They used to hang out together a lot before the vacation. So maybe…”
“Poohahaha!”
When I burst out laughing, the kids looked at me with disapproving eyes.
“Radon, what’s so funny that you’re laughing so hard?”
“That doesn’t make sense! Professor Stella has a partner? Do you think that’s possible?”
“There’s no way it’s impossible! Where can you find someone as capable as you, Professor?”
Anyway, Jenny is simple. She is just a young girl who has never encountered anything outside of the home and has never even seen the ‘love’ side of love. She has only imagined it. Her innocence alone is not enough to discuss love.
“You may not know this, but Professor Stella has been rejected more than 10 times on blind dates. Do you really think that someone like that, who hasn’t even analyzed the reasons for those failures, will find a partner?”
This is a backstory that is not revealed in the main story. Above all, I can guarantee this from the perspective of having watched the ending several times. Even though I am not an expert on love, there is a reason why I am making such a bold statement.
“No matter what man I meet, it will never happen. Okay?”
Even in the fandom, Professor Stella is the character that represents the old maid.
For her to have a lover is as absurd as saying that tomato is ketchup in English.
“Then do you want to bet?”
“bet?”
“The losing side is doing the favor. What do you think?”
Our Jenny is so brave. Is this the kind of situation where they say, “A puppy doesn’t know how to fear a tiger?”
I don’t intend to ask you for too much, though.
“If I win, Jenny, you get 10 days’ worth of steak.”
“Isn’t it too light?”
“If you don’t like it, then don’t say anything.”
“What are you talking about! Then if I win, Radon will grow his hair out like that. Got it?”
“head?”
“Don’t you remember when I went on an external mission?”
Could that be it? That horrible memory of being mistaken for a woman because of my weird hairstyle.
Jenny smiled as if she was really looking forward to it. I was thinking about canceling it, but… there was no need to worry.
“Okay. Let’s give it a try.”
Because there’s no way Jenny will win. No matter which route you take, you won’t get a match for Professor Stella. You have to fight for what you have.
“Which side are you going to bet on?”
“I’m this way.”
“Me too, this way!”
Mary and Ruska both side with Jenny. Are these really women uniting?
“Why?”
“Love is always a hurricane!”
Mary’s reason is simple, so let’s pass. What about Ruska?
“I just… wanted it to come true.”
Ruska blushed and explained the reason. Could it be because of a relationship that never existed before? However, it was Ruska who was regaining her girlishness.
– Welcome Radon Crowler, Jenny Chainsilver, Mary Rudciel, and Ruska Mad-Eye. Beep.
As we finally arrive at the main gate of the academy, an artificial golem stops us to question us.
Since that incident, golems seem to have been used mainly in places like this.
“Nice to meet you, guys!”
At that moment, I saw a man and a woman walking from afar. I wondered who it was, and it turned out to be Professor Radian and Stella walking towards me.
“Professor Radian! It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“Then, nothing happened.”
When Jenny asked, Professor Radian greeted her politely. I felt a strange sense of discomfort at the sight.
Why does the strict Professor Radian look like such an angel?
“Hello, are you hurt or something?”
Professor Stella stood next to him, creating an unusual atmosphere.
“But why are you two always hanging out together?”
And why are they both wearing rings of the same design?
Wait, is this…
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster
