Episode 36. Visit to the damn high-ranking official (2)
There were pure white dots in the night sky over the Academy.
If you lie down on the floor with your back against it, you can feel that the morning sky is bright in a different way.
I had a simple thought that the brighter the sky, the brighter the details would be.
The view from the Alighieri Academy was always beautiful.
But unlike the ideal, the ground was covered in darkness. The cold and gloomy atmosphere was an environment conducive to crime, which could strike at any time and any place.
Even the interior of the bachelor’s school, always filled with bright and cheerful Yu Jeong-ran, could not escape that atmosphere.
The professor’s building is empty of people except for the guards on duty.
Buildings that house professors’ personal research labs and lecture halls.
And the Dantia Hall, where the head of the general information center worked, was located on top of the hill, forming a single building.
The Dantia Hall, where the commander of the academy works, is located at the highest point. It is as if he is watching over the entire academy from above.
Elder Enviel was there viewing the Academy’s panorama and Alighieri Town.
“How have you been?”
He spoke without turning his head at all, because he could easily sense the presence approaching him from behind.
“I hope you are doing well. Why did you come all of a sudden? There was no further comment in the letter.”
“There was no mention of not coming either. Right?”
“Tsk.”
A girl who had been hiding in the shadows stepped onto the moonlit ground, revealing her glossy black hair.
With her ponytail tied up awkwardly and her face furrowed. Ruska Mad-Eye, who always had a cynical attitude, walked in, clicking her tongue.
“Then you must have read all the letters.”
“It was basically about finding a divine being hiding in this school. My guess is that he’s hiding in the mountains nearby.”
“Good point. It has a tendency to be attracted to beings with whom it has a connection. Although it was released due to my carelessness, it seems my prediction was right since it reached this destination.”
When Ruska asked what he expected, Enviel simply replied, “Fate.”
“Even though you ran away from me, this land is still pulling the divine being towards you.”
“There’s something like that in this school?”
Instead of answering, Enviel pointed with his hand beyond the village.
“Do you see that volcano?”
A towering volcano on the southern outskirts of Alighieri town. A huge geographic feature called Mount Purgatory, it was a popular tourist attraction.
When you step on the land up close, you can feel the heat that stimulates your desire to hike.
But when viewed from a distance, it gives the impression that something is about to explode.
So people whose curiosity is piqued continue to flock here.
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Do you know about the existence of the ‘Millennium Fox’? It’s the legend of the fox that fought on the side of humans when they were at a disadvantage in the war against the Demon God 300 years ago.”
Anyone who has even a little bit of experience with history cannot help but know this.
A legendary fox that crossed over from the eastern sea and saved the people of the continent.
“After the fight, the Thousand Year Tiger, whose orders were up, divided his remaining power into several parts. He distributed them to his children and the humans who followed him.”
The solid fighting ability is given to the followers, and the sacred power that purifies all things is given to the children.
The power of the fox, which was only heard of in legends, was thus dispersed.
“After fulfilling his orders, the Thousand-Year-Old Tiger asked the Great Sage, Dantia. He asked that he be sealed deep within this land.”
The Purgatory volcano was created by that tectonic shift.
In fact, it can be seen as a tomb the size of a mountain.
“Then the remains of that thousand-year-old tiger are still buried under these feet?”
“Um… … I guess so.”
Ruska tilted her head at Enviel’s response, who couldn’t give a definitive answer.
Since they were buried underground for a long time, it may be unknown whether the remains still exist.
“So, in short, you’re saying that the divine being may have smelled the scent of the Millennium Lake and come here?”
“That could be true. That god is a descendant of the Millennium Tiger, after all. Or… … .”
“or not?”
Enviel smiled and muttered softly.
“He might have sensed the energy of his family and came running. Immature Shinsoo tends to unconsciously sense those of the same bloodline as him.”
“Family? Are you talking about the remains of the Millennium Tiger?”
Up until that point, I couldn’t hear Enviel’s answer.
The thing I was most curious about existed separately from the beginning.
“Um… … Anyway, you go find that little bastard and secure him. Then you’ll be able to properly appease your target, Prince Totema.”
“I have a rough idea of what to do, but can’t I find out what it looks like? It’s possible that it’s disguised itself as a human.”
Knowing that makes it easier to find.
Enviel knew this would happen and prepared. He used a conjuration magic to recognize the divine beast and gave it to Ruska.
“It’s a girl.”
“Yes, a human child. Half of it, I mean.”
“… … .”
His words made Ruska feel suspicious. But it didn’t matter who the other person was.
He’s always ready to sweep away whatever’s in front of him like a whirlwind.
Now that I feel sorry for you, I can’t stop.
‘What is this picture?’
But the more I looked at the picture, the more it felt strangely familiar.
It’s like seeing my mother again, who had probably passed away.
“Is there something wrong with the picture?”
“It’s nothing. It must be my imagination.”
I tried to shake off that strange feeling and ignore it.
Anyway, continuing to enjoy the feast you long for will only be of no use.
“Anyway, if I use this kid well, I can bring down the Papyrus Kingdom, right?”
“I’ll ask you to do this until I finish researching the Purgatory Volcano. Let’s get along well with those who share the same goal.”
“As you wish.”
A gentle breeze blew. The tree branches rustled and the grass on the ground flew around.
The wind blowing under the night sky made the body temperature dreary and added to the eerieness.
And when the wind died down on its own, Ruska also disappeared from that place.
“Family… … Hehe.”
As she disappeared, Enviel grinned devilishly and muttered.
* * * * *
“Ugh… … I really hate that person. That elder or something who suddenly appeared.”
Newspaper editor Trisha Marelin lay down at her desk and vomited.
It’s only been two weeks since the midterm exams, but we’ve been notified that the final exams will be held in 30 days.
It was originally scheduled to take place 50 days later, but was brought forward due to Elder Enviel staying at the academy.
I expected this to happen.
The person who recommended shortening the academic schedule was Envyel, saying that there was something urgent to research in this town.
Since it was a formal affair, I don’t feel much resistance.
However, it is a very painful situation for the cadets.
“What kind of research are you doing that you’re staying in Alighieri Town for over 30 days?! How can you be so relaxed as a person of higher rank?”
“They say that ancient mana has been detected in the Purgatory Volcano. If we utilize it well, we can easily save a city.”
At that scale, someone like an elder should step forward.
Procedurally, there is no problem at all.
“Why now of all times! I can’t be free now because I have to be careful!”
Despite the explanation, Trisha’s complaints did not subside at all.
Because the mere presence of an elder being roaming around the academy is a disaster for the cadets.
“What does this mean? Every time I go out, I have to follow all sorts of rules. Do you know how annoying this is?”
You can’t walk around looking in the mirror, you can’t lie down in the square or sit in your Benz and eat.
And school uniforms must also be worn according to regulations.
The moment you reduce it by even 1mm, you immediately get penalized.
“Considering the teacher’s personality, it would be more than enough to ban it. That’s what’s right in the first place according to the school law.”
The so-called FM period, where you have to live strictly according to the rules, lasts for over 30 days.
It was a huge challenge for the cadets who had been lazy about following the rules.
“If we follow the original regulations, drinking and bringing in obscene novels would be prohibited.”
“Huh… …! Then the Burning Friday party will be canceled for a while!”
“I guess so.”
Trisha screamed, “No!” at the shocking fact.
The beer that tickles your tongue is under control, the dirty novels that cleanse your mind are under control.
It’s clear that from her perspective, her hands and feet are tied.
But you might think that all of those are prohibited for minors to possess, but this is a place where you are treated as an adult starting at age 16.
In that respect, I can see that the values are different from where I lived.
“Radon, how are you feeling? With the exam period getting shorter, there’s so much to do and even your free time is being restricted… … .”
“Well, it’s a bit annoying. It’s like I can’t do what I want to do.”
I could understand Trisha’s feelings of loss.
Imagine a Tustar stationed in a military camp for 30 days. The soldiers there will naturally start to wonder what sins they committed in their past lives.
“And you know what makes me even more upset? If we write even one bad word about that elder in our article, it will be shut down immediately.”
As expected, media control exists all over the world.
Humans do not change no matter where they go.
“Then, on the contrary, I guess I should write a good article. Even though it is flattery, wouldn’t it look good since it is praising someone?”
“Can you write? I’m so angry that when I try to write, my hands won’t move.”
“But I have to try it. I have to keep the club alive somehow.”
-Fake News Lv2
I tapped on the notebook without hesitation. I was angry, but I couldn’t help it.
The article I wrote was full of glowing praise for Envy.
-He is an elder with an appearance that would make even young, handsome men in their 20s cry… …
-A magician so elegant that the moonlight can coil itself… …
-What a magnificent elder… …
-A wizard with sensual muscles… …
and.
Should I just erase it and write it again?
* * * * *
It was the first time I had written such a strange memoir directed at the underworld.
I don’t really want it, but since you’ve praised me so much, I think giving you a store would be enough.
There is no lie more petty than flattery.
Soon we’ll be able to touch up some stat points along with the decrease in erosion rate.
“delicious?”
“Yeah. It’s really delicious!”
The next day, right after school, I came to the lake with my packed lunch. There I met Angela and we were having a picnic, eating rice balls.
It’s annoying, but I can’t help it. If I don’t, there’s a high chance that he’ll come to my room again and make a fuss.
“No more?”
“This is the end.”
“Ugh.”
Angela looked regretful as the food was almost gone.
The beast’s ears on its head were drooping, so I wanted to check it out.
“Why on earth is this so delicious?”
“I don’t know. I only took a bite, but when I came to my senses, I was still swallowing it. It was so delicious that I couldn’t resist.”
Angela is excited and wagging her tail. Everyone’s taste may vary.
To me, it’s just a home-cooked meal, but to her, it might seem like a feast.
However, no matter how delicious it is, you have to know how to do it in moderation.
Angela is now a preschooler, having lost her memory. No matter how much she wears the mask, there’s no guarantee that she won’t accidentally drop it.
‘If you come down again and show your face, then it will be really difficult. Sooner or later, your face and identity will be revealed in detail because of Prince Totema.’
By now the prince should be talking to Enviel. The Shadow Troopers have detected the presence of the Divine Beast.
Enviel tempts the prince by showing him a picture of the face of a god.
If you are a prince, you can be sure that you will have great talents through the blood of a divine being.
The prince, who was desperate, hired several cadets to track down Angela.
But those students ask for cooperation from their friends around them.
Then, as he demands cooperation again, Angela’s face will spread like waves.
Some may not be interested, but many are thirsty for free talent.
To get it, the junior cadets will be busy and moving.
Of course, those who were taking care of Angela did not stay still either.
The story follows Angela’s struggle to protect herself from cadets blinded by grades and the shadow troops under the prince’s command.
In the process, there will be a famous scene where a temporary alliance is formed between Ruska and Jenny.
“See you next time~”
“Goodbye.”
As I greeted him kindly, he ran quickly beyond the forest.
Soon, it completely disappeared, as if it had become one with the forest.
It seemed as if the spirits were protecting her.
I slowly stood up, sweeping my chest.
Considering the impending disaster, her job as a food shuttle won’t be long.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to treat the soon-to-be pitiful child to a meal of delicacies. It would be less of a guilt-tripping thing to do that way.
Kuung!─
A tremendous vibration shook the forest and caused small ripples in the lake.
There would be no monster within the barrier that could cause such a shock, so I wondered if it was the aftereffects of someone undergoing rough training.
Splash!─
Suddenly, something flew at me and fell into the lake.
Judging by the loud noise, I thought someone had fallen, and I was wrong.
Even though it was someone I knew.
“Ruska… … ?”
Why did this guy suddenly fly in?
Moreover, the wounds were too severe. Judging from the wounds here and there, it seemed like he had been attacked by multiple people.
And a creepy murderous aura was transmitted from the direction she flew from.
I became sensitive to the shadow that seemed to stretch out, so I ended up taking Ruska with me and hiding her.
‘Why are those guys here!’
Hiding between the bushes, I could see the culprits who had done this to her.
Black fog, or shadows, slowly approached the lake.
It soon appeared in human form, but it floated in the air without legs, making it hard to believe it was really a person.
They appeared strangely, their faces covered with black masks. And the sight of them walking around with their black cloaks pulled over their heads was like that of evil spirits themselves.
Shadow Troops.
That’s the name given to them.
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster
