Episode 32. Please Take Care of This Child Instead of Me
“I’m so sorry.”
Ruska kneels and presses her forehead to the ground.
She bowed her head and apologized to Jenny and me.
Her appearance, which was usually not formal, made her look like a flawless atonement.
As expected, people’s opinions differ depending on how they usually dress.
Could that be the unmarried Ruska? Jenny thought with a surprised expression.
‘Even so, it’s just an apology for the sake of saving face.’
I lacked the sincerity of my sins compared to the plaster cast I had done to Lyman.
After all, that is just an apology to those above you.
It may be unusual considering her cynical appearance, but conversely, it means that she is not just anti-social.
Her twisted personality was not innate but was born from external factors.
If not, there is no way she would have dressed up like that or behaved so expressionlessly in front of the department head.
It’s better than the reckless travel.
It’s a foreshadowing that there is room for reform.
“Dear Dean, I am satisfied now.”
“I see. Now get up and try again.”
As Jenny spoke, Cage decided that no more apologies were necessary.
The result of the suspension was decided based on Ruska’s treatment.
Banned from attending school for approximately 10 days.
Despite the fact that it was a disadvantage to her grades, Ruska simply replied bluntly, “Okay.”
“And Cadet Ruska.”
“What else?”
Cage left her behind because he had one last thing to say.
“I’m really sorry about earlier.”
“… … .”
“I never dreamed it would be so important.”
Cage deeply regretted calling the muffler trash a moment ago.
Who would have thought that something so messy would be the last thing my mother left behind?
I should have stopped a long time ago when Professor Radian tried to dissuade me.
But there was nothing major wrong with Cage.
I just didn’t know it was that valuable, because there’s nothing wrong with the legality of this unique building in the points he made.
An ironic situation has developed where they are the ones who broke the law, but this side is apologizing.
“But if it’s that precious, why don’t you just keep it in the dorm? What if something like this happens again?”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“… … .”
Jenny stared intently at the muffler she was wearing.
The fact that it was something related to her mother strangely caught Jenny’s attention.
Just like the sapphire necklace I’m wearing.
“Is there anything you’d like to ask last?”
A question that always comes up at the end of a speech popped up.
If this is a question, the default answer is usually “I don’t know”… … but I didn’t do that.
The moment when Jenny and Ruska were about to say ‘no’ at the same time… …
“there is!”
I alone expressed a different meaning. All eyes naturally turned to me.
If this had been an after-school speech, it would have been met with all kinds of contempt.
I had to hurry up and finish up and go play, but he must have shot me a sharp look, asking, “What are you doing now?”
“What do you want to ask, Cadet Radon?”
I’ve been waiting just for this moment.
I was worried that Ruska would quickly leave the reception room.
A chance to ask the Dean questions freely. And there was a need for a time when Ruska would remain in the reception room.
This is to indirectly reveal that I am not a shadow soldier.
For that to happen, the cage needed to be in place.
“I am curious as to whether the scholarship will be awarded based on the results of this midterm evaluation.”
“scholarship?”
I tried hard to ignore the question I already knew.
Then Cage burst into laughter and said,
“Hehehe. You still haven’t figured that out?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t pay attention and ended up needing it later.”
It’s still the first semester of the first year.
There is still a prejudice that freshmen don’t know much.
Thanks to that, Cage spoke generously.
“Basically, scholarships are determined based on the results of the final evaluation. If we look at the upper limit of who can be a recipient, your current abilities seem a bit lacking. Do you have any need for money?”
“Yes.”
I spoke as clearly as possible, so that it would reach Ruska’s ears clearly.
“My family ended up moving to a poor, isolated place. Since no one around here knew my family, it was as if my family didn’t exist at all.”
“… … !”
At that moment, Ruska’s eyes sparkled and she focused on what I was saying.
One of the conditions for becoming a Shadow Trooper is to have a disguised identity.
I thought she might have misunderstood and doubted my family background, and I was right.
“It’s a shame. But you could definitely qualify for a scholarship. If you can use that fishing rod you happened to get your hands on well.”
“Is that true?”
Suddenly Ruska shouted.
It might be rude to interrupt the department head while he’s talking, but I had to do it to relieve my curiosity.
“Are you saying that the reason Radon’s skills suddenly improved… is because of a talent that was developed by chance?”
“That’s true. It’s already been confirmed through ‘True Mail’.”
“… … .”
Ruska was dumbfounded.
True mail. That lie detector was enough to prove the truth.
Is it really a coincidence that the once timid Radon Crowler suddenly became so good?
Ruska’s expectations, which she had thought could only be explained by the Shadow Troops, were shattered.
‘Then did I get it wrong…?’
All of my attempts to approach Radon were in vain.
It was like asking for a practice partner, and attacking during a real test.
Kkaduk- Ruska gritted her teeth impulsively as her shame exploded.
Ograd’s hands felt like they were going to tear the leather of the sofa.
“Then there are no more questions?”
“doesn’t exist.”
As the three of them spoke in unison, Cage’s declaration of termination could be heard.
It was the moment when Professor Radian was about to lead the three he was interviewing out.
“Right! Cadet Radon, follow me.”
“yes?”
What is going to happen to me this time? Not only Radian but also the others were confused.
I don’t know what it was, but I followed behind him.
There was no backlash as I didn’t feel any particular bad intentions.
The place we arrived at was Keiji Revola’s personal study on the third floor. This time, we didn’t sit on the sofa or anything.
Cage opened a large drawer and took out one of his treasured fishing rods, saying:
“I have something I want to tell you.”
Cage approaches me holding a fishing rod.
The fishing rod is one of his most treasured possessions.
I wouldn’t give away my precious collection so carelessly, considering it to be my life.
“Here, take it.”
“yes……?”
I was very embarrassed by the sight of him holding out his fishing rod so shyly.
Just like the owner of an underwater hamburger restaurant who treats money like his child, Cage’s love for his fishing rod must be thick.
I couldn’t get used to having something so precious handed over to me so carelessly.
Is this a dream or reality?
“Isn’t this… … something precious?”
“Yes, it is as precious as my life. As precious as my internal organs!”
Professor Cage’s eyes suddenly started to turn red. He looked extremely sad when he was about to hand it over.
“But the reason I’m handing it over to you is because I’m considering your growth. I’ve thought about it carefully, considering your practical and combat tests, and the example from when you were a lycanthrope. I can’t stand to see your swordsmanship with that fishing rod rot.”
Is it a fishing rod collection or an investment in sprouts?
This was the result of these two beliefs clashing.
The fishing rod he handed me wasn’t one of the three I had swung before. It was different, and much more refined.
“Ugh… … I’ll leave this child… … to you.”
“… … .”
“It would be much better for this child to grow up with you rather than be tied up in the clutches of this old man.”
Cage sighs. It’s quite a sight.
If it’s a fishing rod, it looks like the country will sell it too.
“So, you grow up with this child.”
“Ah, yes… … .”
This is the first time I’ve seen something this grandiose just for receiving a fishing rod. If someone saw it, they’d think it was a melodrama about parting with a child.
I held back my expression and grabbed the fishing rod. No matter how high-end it was, it was just something to catch fish.
huh?
What is this?
* * * * *
It is common knowledge that the aesthetics of learning are given priority in the academy.
However, it was not the case that there was no distinction between noble and base social status.
Commoner cadets stay in a dormitory called the 3-star dormitory, while higher-ranking nobles stay in a dormitory called the 2-star dormitory.
The more money you donate to the university, the more appropriate treatment you will receive.
Then, there was no need to think long about what kind of beings would be the users of the long-awaited 1st star palace.
Totema Redhall Papyrus, commonly known as Prince Totema, was lying face down on an elaborately carved table, holding his head.
For someone in power who uses rooms decorated with various ornaments and jewels, he looks very gloomy.
“Your Majesty, I have news.”
“what’s the matter.”
It was a sound that suddenly came from somewhere I couldn’t even tell where.
Prince Totema wasn’t surprised at all even though he was dead and someone spoke to him.
The voice was like a shadow breathing… …a shadow troop.
“I heard that Ruska Mad-Eye, who has been hanging around us recently, has been suspended from school.”
“Is that so… … ?”
“I was a bit worried because she seemed so suspicious, but I think it’s a good thing.”
“Yeah. That’s good… … .”
The reaction seemed very unwelcome, despite saying that it went well.
He asked the still gloomy Prince Totema.
“Is it because of grades?”
“I’m screwed. I’m screwed!”
He pounded his desk in frustration. No matter how poor his grades were on the midterm exams he had taken, there weren’t many cases where he was as frustrated as Prince Totema.
But the reason he was so pessimistic was simple. As a prince, he had to produce results that matched his heavy status. No, he should have.
“What should I do now? If this gets known, I might be expelled by Abamama. Then I’ll be dragged to the hellish training ground without anyone knowing!”
The prince is thrown into the hellish training grounds where meat shields are trained.
It’s a joke that can be joked around like a joke, but the current king could easily do it.
Totema, who wanted to avoid that much, couldn’t gather his wits.
“Then at least the final evaluation… … .”
“It’s no use! The result will be the same anyway. You probably weren’t satisfied with me being in class B.”
It is not easy for a student who is at the bottom to improve his/her grades from the beginning. Just as it is realistically impossible to go from 1 point to 100 points in an instant.
As the prince’s pessimism deepened, the soldiers became very worried. For the first prince of the military, Totema’s foolishness and spinelessness were beyond imagination.
However, it is not that he was full of talent.
He has nothing but the title of prince to boast about.
Since I was aware of it myself, the mental pain was immense.
Even though the Shadow Troops approached quietly and gave guidance, no progress was made.
Catching 10 virtual monsters in the actual test was average.
But the overbearing king would never accept this.
Totema, who was under such severe mental pressure, was in a state where he could explode at any moment.
‘What should I do now?’
-… … .
‘As expected, there’s no answer.’
He could sense beings that were not visible to the naked eye. They were separate from the Shadow Troops.
Even though he could not see or hear them, Totema could feel them.
In the world, that existence is called a spirit or a spirit.
But strangely enough, no matter how much I practiced increasing my sensitivity to see them, I always ended up at a standstill.
It was a time when I was on the verge of becoming depressed.
“How about looking for Yoho?”
“what?”
Suddenly another voice cuts in. He too is a member of the Shadow Troops and a spirit mage.
There is an anecdote that says that if you drink Yoho’s blood, your talents will increase.
But how do you find a giant that even the Knights have a hard time dealing with?
“I’m not in the mood to joke right now… … !”
“I apologize for the misunderstanding, but this is not a joke. I have heard a great message from the spirits I have contracted with.”
“Tell me.”
“There is a small mountain 1km east of the academy. It is said that my spirits have secretly sensed the magical power of the divine beast, Yoho, there.”
It was nonsense. The place I just mentioned was also within the barrier surrounding the academy, so how could a being equal to a dragon invade? What if it was a baby?
“I don’t know what will happen now that the reaction has disappeared, but for now, there is no other way. Even if it is a pup, the blood will still be effective.”
“… … .”
There is no other way. He has good bloodlines but has never actually achieved good results.
I’m sick of hearing people say that even though I’m a royal, I have no talent.
“Tell me again. Where is that place?”
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster
