Episode 195. Day 1 of the Festival (3)
The place I was guided to by Lyman was deep underground in the Purgatory volcano.
Usually, there are commemorative elements such as national parks or museums within volcanoes.
If you go down underground, you can see caves with murals of old records and the tombstones of great people who contributed to the establishment of the academy.
But what people are most interested in is what they can’t see.
These are the remains of the thousand-year-old tiger sleeping underground in Alighieri.
None of the previous principals had ever seen the remains.
It seems that the security was put in place very thoroughly just before the Millennium Lake fell asleep, making it impossible for anyone to touch it.
The reason can be easily understood just by thinking about the recent Gumiho incident.
“As you know, this is a place that only I can enter. It’s because it’s the secret space where my master trained me when I was young.”
Since Lyman had already been there several times, he could come and go as he pleased.
If he disappears, this space will also be forgotten by the world.
But it was actually better that way.
“Don’t you feel something when you come in here? A powerful magical power coming from the Master’s corpse.”
“….”
I felt a sense of magic as I looked at the remains of a fox as huge as a herd.
Especially since I had the ‘Ma-an’, I could see how great the magical power it possessed was.
This is where we understand why that gentleman, Envyel, wanted to use the power of the Purgatory Volcano.
Even more so when you consider that the original owner of Ma-an was that nobleman.
“Come to think of it, there’s a lot of lava around here, but it doesn’t feel hot at all?”
“It’s all thanks to the blessings from the Master’s remains. In the first place, this space itself was created by the Master.”
It is said that if you meet the Millennium Tiger, your wish will come true, but this may not be entirely a lie.
It would be strange if no one coveted it.
“Even though it’s in this dormant state, it still has enough power to destroy a country. If it falls into someone else’s hands, it’s obvious what will happen.”
To prevent this, the Millennium Tiger split his power and distributed it to his children and followers.
That’s how the nine-tailed beast and the demon tribe like Ruska were born.
“They’re probably after more than just the archives. They’re likely going to destroy Alighieri entirely and take both the archives and the Master’s remains.”
From Lyman’s perspective, this could not be anything other than the worst insult to the deceased.
It is amazing that he is able to endure without getting angry at the sight of his mother’s legacy and his teacher’s remains being simultaneously desecrated.
Of course, if you go straight to the bad ending, everything will go down the drain.
“I definitely need you to stop it. You have abilities that I don’t.”
That was the reason why Lyman insisted on giving 30% of his strength.
You get your hands on a piece of the world’s most powerful power. There is no greater opportunity than this.
Of course, there is a risk that the fighting power of Lyman, the highest power, will be greatly reduced.
Even if it means risking it, you need my help, and it doesn’t mean I’ll have it permanently.
“Of course, even if you do get it, don’t get cocky. It’s not permanent. Besides, it will take some time for it to manifest right after you get it.”
Even if you receive it, you can only use it for one day. Furthermore, once the period expires, the power reverts to its original owner.
Even the ritual would be quite painful. It would take a lot of effort to accept it, since it was Lyman’s power, not anyone else’s.
And it takes a few days after becoming conscious for the power to manifest.
“Can this really… get you and I to the ending we want?”
Lyman suddenly asks me a question.
In fact, I was the first one to suggest that I should take 30% of the power.
“The ending you want is for you to die and everyone else to survive.”
“yes.”
“But the future I saw won’t be easy. Even if you die.”
Lyman sacrifices himself to defeat the final boss.
Although the ending is quite touching in the main story, I feel uneasy every time I clear the level.
Sure enough, everyone survives except for the guy. The villains meet their end and good triumphs over evil.
There was always one thing missing in those endings.
“They’ll start putting pressure on us by playing politics in the middle of the magic banquet. Eventually, the entire Alighieri will become a public enemy.”
The source of that political activity is NBL.
Now the guy died by my hand, but in the main story, he doesn’t die until Chapter 5.
Of course, he dies there too. However, before that, he finds out Lyman’s true identity and spreads the truth.
The situation gets worse due to the forged evidence prepared by other Chilseongwan guys.
– In fact, the real drinkers are not us, but Alighieri.
-There really was a ‘devil’ among the students admitted to Alighieri.
-Elder Envyel simply used the power of the volcano to stop the demon.
-The fact is that the nine-tailed fox appeared because of that demon.
-Alighieri, who blamed everything on the elders, is a true traitor.
They were all just ridiculous sophistry.
Moreover, considering that there will be testimony from Angela, the gumiho herself, there is no way it will work.
Although evidence such as salted photographs and Alighieri’s black magic research materials are presented, it is easy to see that they are all false statements.
However, Enviel had already finished brainwashing his followers.
Even after seeing such absurd data, they still drive out Alighieri.
-They were right, and Elder Enviel’s intentions were true.
-Let’s avenge the elder who died unjustly.
-By doing this, let us make it known to the world that we and the elders are righteous.
It was the very definition of a brazen promise, worse than that of a child.
The number of enemies keeps increasing… Even the main characters, including Jenny, who was a classmate of the devil (Lyman), become targets.
In this mad scene, even the principal loses his life, and Lyman’s anger is aroused.
“Of course, now that Enviel is dead, the scale will be weaker. Since he’s gone, the followers won’t be brainwashed either… But that doesn’t mean we can rest easy.”
These guys were also raised by Enviel. They may be at the level of Heidern, but it is likely that they have lost their taste in a similar way.
So, if someone higher up instigates Enviel’s will or something, he can come over right away.
At this point, there are almost no cults left. The glory of the Order of the Holy Cross has simply faded away.
“And those followers are right above here.”
I said, pointing upward.
This is the basement of Alighieri, and there will be a huge crowd due to the festival.
Among the invited groups, there will be many groups that were secretly established by NBL.
“They’re hiding everywhere. Even people who pass by us without paying attention should be suspicious. When those guys unite and gather, it’ll be a sight to behold.
There will be almost no clusters.
It’s chilling to think that people so mad can gather in droves.
“Then you asked me this favor because you have the power to brainwash those guys?”
I have that ability, but I can’t do it on my own.
It was good even temporarily, so overwhelming power was needed.
That’s why I asked this guy, the main character, with confidence.
“Who else can you trust besides me?”
Lyman smiled at those words.
Then, the magic circle spread across the floor began to glow… and at the same time, the eyes of the Thousand Year Tiger’s remains lit up.
“Turn around like that and look into the Master’s eyes.”
The ceremony has finally begun.
As I turned around as he said, Lyman grabbed my shoulder.
Lyman wasn’t so simple-minded as to grant such a request to just anyone.
Although he talked a lot and caused a lot of trouble, he did not want the academy his mother created to be destroyed.
It may be because it is my mother’s legacy, but there are many other meanings mixed in there as well.
“If it were the old me, I wouldn’t have granted you this request… I would have probably cut you down.”
“….”
“But I decided to trust humans for once. It was all thanks to this academy.”
The academy that my mother built was once on the verge of ruin.
300 years ago, due to the Demon King’s false accusation.
While I was despairing over the people who had been deceived there… surprisingly, the Academy was being revived.
It was rebuilt by people who had been saved by the mother through her good deeds.
“I hate to admit it, but… faith is truly amazing.”
At that sight, ‘faith’ began to dawn in Lyman’s heart, who had previously distrusted humans.
It was still suppressing Lyman’s anger.
[Erosion rate reduction: -40%]
[+4000 Credits]
“uh?”
The erosion rate suddenly begins to decrease.
[Erosion rate reduction: -30%]
[+3000 Credits]
[Erosion rate reduction: -20%]
[+2000 Credits]
It decreased again in succession.
If it’s in the tens, it means the other person was quite shocked.
I haven’t even lied yet, and now is the time when club activities are impossible.
And yet the lie came true…
It looks like someone is reading the novel I wrote.
[Erosion rate reduction: -50%]
[+5000 Credits]
How shocking must something be to cause such a reaction?
It was just a shame that I couldn’t hear their impressions at the moment.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, in a bookstore in Alighieri Town.
It was an event that would normally be hosted by the library club, but it was surprising that the organizer was the newspaper club.
They were displaying newspapers issued by the university and putting out Nobel records requested by the literary society for viewing.
But then one thing that felt uneasy arose.
“Is this okay?”
“What’s going on?”
“Look at this bookstore design. It’s obvious that kids would like it.”
Trisha looked at the colorfully changed interior of the bookstore with mixed feelings.
I had heard about it in advance from Crona, a member of the student council, but when I actually saw it, it was, well…
It looked cute, but I just didn’t get a good feeling from it.
“Hmm… This is truly a strange place. Is this really a bookstore?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Then people wearing magic hats came and looked around the bookstore.
They looked at it as if it was interesting, but it didn’t stimulate their taste.
Just because it brought back nostalgic memories.
“It looks quite similar to the toys that were popular when we were kids. When I step inside, I feel like I’ve gone back in time.”
“thank you.”
Adults may seek out places that seem childish just because of the memories.
I could tell that Crona hadn’t just changed his appearance haphazardly.
That was the moment Trisha wanted to express her gratitude.
“Are any of these books written by Elder Enviel?”
“Elder Enviel?”
Trisha’s head spun quickly as she heard those words.
Judging from the fact that he’s wearing a magic hat, he’s probably from some school, but that place might be more dangerous than we think.
As long as you don’t curse Elder Enviel.
“Unfortunately, no. Our academy prohibits its importation.”
“Tch.”
The wizards clicked their tongues in disappointment at Trisha’s words.
As expected, speaking as humbly as possible was the right answer.
I heard that Enviel has an image of an angel who gathers orphans and raises them.
These people also seem to have been taught by him.
“I was going to introduce you to my children.”
“If you don’t have it, there’s nothing you can do.”
They also appeared to be a school of teaching children.
He seemed sensitive to things about children because of his painful memories of having once been an orphan.
Is that why you came to this place that brings back such memories?
That was when I thought so.
The children are coming in, making a noise.
Behind them, Mary, who seemed like a good girl to hang out with, was walking along, directing the children.
“Hey kids! Want to go read a storybook with your sister?”
“yes!”
Even though Mary was treated as a little girl, she was relatively large compared to the other children.
Thanks to that, I never had to deal with kids my age.
Trisha, as well as the wizards, were delighted at the sight of the children rushing in.
Because everyone has those kinds of childhood memories.
That’s why I cherished children’s dreams.
“Oh, this sounds fun?”
At that moment, a record appeared in the children’s eyes.
-It’s totally fun. Probably.
I suddenly became curious because this phrase was written.
Eventually, the kids who knew nothing about it started using the records right away.
There wasn’t really any doubt.
The children simply moved instinctively to satisfy their interests.
‘Come to think of it, wasn’t that what Radon wrote?’
Trisha took a look just to confirm.
As a result… I didn’t really feel anything.
Rather, it was able to stay there because the content was fun and interesting.
“Kids! You need to read books and grow up quickly!”
Mary shouted to the children outside.
There is a superstition among adults that losing books will make you grow up faster… but today it has come true.
And the number of children who decided to become ‘ninjas’ as their future dream has increased significantly.
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster
