Episode 43. If it’s bad, it’s bad
It is common knowledge in the empire that the Kingdom of Papyrus is cruel.
There is a view that as long as a king with a personality worthy of that notoriety reigns, the prince will also be harshly disciplined and have a similar personality.
It is an environment without blood or tears.
That view may seem obvious, but… …the prince was more gentle than expected.
Prince Totema, who did not inherit his father’s cruel nature, was a truly unconventional being.
It’s almost like a lamb being born from a tiger’s stomach.
But that is a fact known only to a very small number of people within the royal family. The fact that Prince Totema is so good is not widely known throughout the empire.
The royal family motto is that one must always be brave and ruthless like an animal.
In order to protect that as much as possible, only distorted information about the prince was circulated.
Everyone was looking at him with fearful eyes. That fact alone put a lot of pressure on Totema.
There was no way that people would look kindly on a baby born from the stomach of an animal that had tasted blood.
As indirect contempt and neglect continued, Totema’s interpersonal relationships became unmanageable.
Totema is a person who is born with the desire to live happily while doing ordinary things.
To him, the crown of a military state was like a crown of thorns.
Not only did his family’s disposition not match, he also had no fighting talent.
Despite entering the academy, he did not show any notable talent.
It must not be known that the so-called royal family of Papyrus possesses such insignificant power.
So some professors… … and even the vice principal came forward and did not let Totema’s grades be leaked.
Thanks to that, the urgent fire was put out, but the professors frowned whenever they saw the totema because of that.
Totema, who was branded as such a pitiful person, had nothing to boast about except his good character.
He was so faithful that he would sometimes use his royal authority to help cadets who were in difficult situations, even without any money.
He also did not spare his gratitude towards the shadow troops that protected him.
I always remembered their numbers and names.
They have sensory devices attached to them so that they can check at any time if there is a problem with their condition.
The Shadow Troops didn’t seem to feel his gratitude.
However, Totema has always emphasized that even if a person is an artificial human, life is life.
I wanted to make it so that one day they would come to value their own lives.
That’s what happened… …
“They’re all dead?”
Prince Totema, sitting at his desk, looked at the magical tool in the form of a metal sculpture and was overcome with sadness.
The magic tool was in the form of a piece of glass, with six heart shapes reflected within it.
If it is beating normally, there is nothing wrong, and if it turns purple, it indicates poisoning.
And if a heart is split, it means death… … All six hearts were split.
“Why… … Why… … !”
They were so pitiful. Even in situations where they didn’t really need to die, they committed suicide just to keep their mouths shut. Even if they were artificial life forms, they were so pitiful.
He was overcome with grief and guilt over the fact that they had all died because of him.
‘I’m sorry.’
‘sorry.’
‘Because of a guy like me… … .’
… … The prince, who only repeated the same words, was babbling away at nothing.
As if there was someone around him, he started talking to the invisible being.
What should I do now? Why can’t I see you guys when I’m nearby?
Knock knock─
There was a sound of glass shattering.
An eagle was tapping its beak on the arched window.
At first I was so surprised that I almost fell over, but there was a parchment caught on the eagle’s leg.
After confirming that it was a letter from a Westerner, he received the letter with relief. As soon as he confirmed it, his eyes opened wide.
There was a drawing there that had been taken with a salt magic tool.
The divine being they had been searching for so long, a white-haired girl, appeared, tied up and sitting in a dark place.
The letter said:
“From now on, do as I say. Then I will give you a little of this woman’s blood.”
* * * * *
Several days passed after that fight. Before we knew it, there was only a week left until the final exams.
In the meantime, incidents that could turn the academic world upside down would occur, and I was busy writing articles about them.
『The achievements of Prince Totema, who was thought to be proud and brave, were all revealed to be false!』
“The fact that you’ve been getting excellent grades so far is also a lie? How are you going to explain this?”
『The true identity of the Totema Prince, who has been deceiving the entire academy, is revealed one by one. Surprisingly, it has been confirmed that the prince himself revealed it voluntarily.』
I had no time to think about whether to attend classes during the day, write for the newspaper after school, or prepare for exams after that.
Since it is exam period, there is an opportunity to refrain from club activities.
But once a huge incident occurred, I couldn’t just sit still.
It was so bad that Trisha even apologized for forcibly drafting her members.
“Ah… … I’m going to get dizzy.”
When it was lunchtime, I sat at a table in the square and ate my packed lunch.
The rice ball with a good mix of ham and tuna went down well.
Of course, it wasn’t enough to relieve fatigue.
But what can you do? Totema revealing his true state is an essential event in the main story.
By now, it has probably spread throughout the empire and caused complete chaos.
The Kingdom of Papyrus must have been turned upside down. The King himself will soon be visiting the Academy.
He will arrive at the final exam time and observe the prince’s final exam.
To find out what my child believed and why he revealed top secrets.
“It looks like Ruska’s side is also going back without a hitch.”
She disappeared from the Academy after kidnapping Angela.
Not only does he skip classes, he also doesn’t show up at the dormitory.
Although she was virtually missing, there were few people searching for her.
“What did Ruska do?”
“… … !”
A thin voice, like the rustling of leaves, was heard.
When I looked back, Jenny was looking down at me with her eyes downcast.
The face that was as bright as a flower had changed into something scary.
“Don’t mention that guy’s name in front of me.”
“I didn’t know you were behind me. But lately, you haven’t been eating at the cafeteria and just bringing your own lunch.”
“I’m having a hard time controlling my facial expressions these days.”
It was hard to see her bright side after being hit by Ruska.
For Jenny, who always attracts people around her, facial expression management was important.
It was quite a shock, even if it wasn’t to the level of when the pendant was shattered.
“What about the other kids besides you?”
“Crona called in his own investigation team stationed outside the academy to find out. Mary also tried to search with all her magical sensitivity at first, but… … .”
“… … I saw it, but?”
“As time passed, it returned to its original form.”
Once Mary got serious, she suddenly became a clear person.
But in the end, it’s only temporary.
As time passed, the road tasted like the battery had run out.
Other friends are not in a position to talk to each other at the moment.
Even Lyman, who always treated Jenny like a disciple, is now completely exhausted.
The cause is that I inadvertently used power that should not have been used by my clone body.
In reality, there is a gap in the story where the main character does not move.
Of course, Lyman isn’t the only playable character, so the perspective is limited to that guy.
So, I was the only one who could solve Jenny’s problem.
Since I also belong to her friend category, it was natural that we would run into each other.
There’s nothing wrong with joining in, since it also helps check on her psychological state.
-No longer a game character, but a person who exists before your eyes.
“I hope you are safe.”
“huh.”
It had been about a week since that day, so it was natural to be concerned about what had become of Angela.
Jenny’s biggest worry is guilt.
He probably thinks it’s his own fault for having Angela taken away from him.
“You know, radon.”
“… … .”
“Am I really strong? I thought I was strong because I could control my powers, but why can’t I protect myself?”
Even though they weren’t family, Jenny was Angela’s protector.
It is voluntary, not something that someone has mandated you to do.
Since that has failed, there is nothing to say even if your faith is broken.
“I don’t have much strength in my arms these days. I can’t even swing my sword very well.”
“That’s not like you at all.”
“I know. But it’s already been a week like this. I feel so pathetic.”
It felt like the slump was twice as bad as the main story.
It is true that the resentment towards Ruska is greater than in the main story.
The reason for this may be that he attacked me, his friend, during the practical exam.
It is true that the loss is great, not only because you joined hands with such an enemy, but also because you were hit in the back of the head.
It’s probably not something that can be easily overcome with the training you normally do.
“Why am I like this, even though I was taught by Lyman and even helped by you? Like that guy said, I’m just like a greenhouse plant.”
“… … .”
I guess Ruska still remembers the provocative words he used during the practical exam.
That was also a line that wasn’t in the main story.
“I need to get the results I deserve for the help I received… … I’m afraid something similar will happen again.”
It was the shabby voice of a dying man.
Jenny’s feelings were clearly revealed by her increasingly lowered voice and downward gaze as she spoke.
What did I do when the smoke bomb exploded and Angela was kidnapped?
I got off the mountain smiling happily because everything went smoothly.
‘Why did you do that, you idiot?’
When I look at Jenny now and think back on the situation, I feel depressed.
It felt like a crack was forming in my conscience.
I expected Jenny to become like this, but turning a blind eye to it is no different from just standing by and watching.
Even if you don’t get involved to prevent variables, you can’t continue to be a bystander.
As I said before, I am the only one who can relieve my regrets.
“You know, Jenny.”
“uh?”
So I recommended.
“Would you like to go out to the town this weekend?”
“Uh, what?”
“If you keep doing this, you won’t make any progress. Even though it’s exam time, you can relax on the weekends. Let’s go to the places you’ve been wanting to go but have been holding back.”
“… … .”
Of course, Jenny glared at the unfamiliar suggestion.
The face that had been gloomy until just now was regaining its vitality as if a flower had bloomed again.
It was like a little girl who had just heard the answer she had been desperately waiting for.
* * * * *
“Are you serious? No matter what, it’s too far-fetched!”
Professor Radian’s loud shouting was very famous among the first-year students.
The way he yelled at people was a perfect fit for a military instructor who was also a strict teacher guiding children.
No matter how loud the noise was, it was never intended to belittle the cadets.
But now, more than ever, he was displaying contempt and anger.
Even if that person is an elder of the Magic League.
“That is an act that harms the tourist attraction of Mount Purgatory! Could you please reconsider?”
Elder Enviel immediately called himself and the assistant professor and asked them to do something ridiculous.
They are calling for the entrance to Purgatory Volcano to be demolished this weekend.
The foot of the mountain leading to the volcano is a place of outstanding natural tourism. The empire even recognized its beauty and designated it as a protected area.
“Don’t worry about that. The imperial government has given us permission to study volcanic energy. And instead of destroying everything, we’re only going to slightly dig up the entrance to the mountain.”
Elder Enviel dismisses it as a minor repair job.
However, the other side’s opposition showed no sign of cooling down.
“Of all the parks, why the mountain entrance? If we do, the solar energy supplied by the volcano will be cut off, and the village’s functions may be paralyzed.”
A woman standing next to Radian vomited at Enviel.
Brown hair braided down to the waist and blue eyes.
Although she looked a little immature, Adela Merhena graduated at the top of her class from Alighieri and became an assistant instructor in the combat department.
I wanted to give strength to Professor Radian, whom I respect.
I had hopes that even the most high-ranking officials would reconsider if their logic was sound.
But the reality was not so easy.
“Are you talking back now? You don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“……yes?”
Adela’s eyes widened and her whole body stiffened.
Radian also showed an equally surprised reaction.
The killing intent shown by Enviel is fading away.
And the threat didn’t end with just survival.
“I heard that the lycanthropes invaded a while back. I wonder who that fool on duty was back then? Isn’t that right?”
-Assistant Professor Adela.
Adela’s face darkened as she realized that it meant her.
But it’s still too early to finish.
“Your incompetence almost caused great damage, yet you are so confident. Didn’t you learn anything from that mistake?”
“Please stop.”
“A person who doesn’t even have that kind of education is working as an assistant. If Principal Keiten finds out about this, he’ll be shocked and dizzy.”
“Hey, listen up!!”
Radian finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and screamed.
Because I couldn’t stay still because of Adela’s expressionless face.
I don’t know about anything else, but I couldn’t just sit still after seeing my disciple being looked down on.
I felt like I needed to pluck out all the corn stuck in my mouth to feel better.
“There’s no point in protesting anyway. It’s already been decided.”
“… … .”
Not only is the rank one, but next to Elder Enviel is Vice Principal Heidern.
Like the relationship between Radian and Adela, Heidern and Enviel had a priest-student relationship.
Without a doubt, faculty and staff who disobey their teacher’s words will not be left alone.
“Oh, I’ve been rude so far. I’ll give you this as an apology.”
Enviel made a gesture of lowering his head and made a vague apology.
And he put some kind of amulet on Adela’s shoulder.
“It’s a talisman that absorbs your main power. It should help prevent curses. That’s all for now.”
So Enviel leisurely left the room.
As soon as his presence completely disappeared, Adela grabbed the amulet.
I can’t show my anger in front of Radian… …but I expressed my anger by completely crumpling the talisman.
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster
