LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 11
11th Chapter. Young and Perky…
In the Unique Hall of Professors, where the professors held their duties.
After passing through the first-floor corridor, there exists a wide reception room with a round table.
Typically, it’s a place set up for urgent meetings, and I was being escorted there.
Not by my own volition, but under Professor Radian’s guidance.
“Are you not worried about why you’re being taken to the Unique Hall?”
It felt like a roundabout way of saying “You’ve brought this upon yourself.”
In fact, from the professors’ perspective watching the exam, it was only natural to find it suspicious. My sudden growth seemed little more than cheating during the test.
“It seems the fallout from my big showdown with Jenny is what’s causing all this.”
“And also…”
“Because I’m the so-called problem child known as a scammer.”
“You speak surprisingly smoothly.”
Radian wore a face that seemed to question if this was really how I’ve always been.
I was a bit surprised but quickly corrected my demeanor to a more reserved one.
“Indeed, you become honest when cornered in a crisis, don’t you? Lies won’t get you anywhere in the place you’re about to enter.”
“I’m well aware of that, intelligent Professor Radian.”
[Degradation Rate Decrease: -2%]
[+200 Credits]
“Hmph. Flattery won’t take you far.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m just grateful you’re taking care of a cute student like me.”
[Degradation Rate Decrease: -3%]
“Hmm… You’re more entertaining than I thought.”
With an amused expression, Radian stood at the entrance of the Unique Hall’s reception room. As he opened the door, a clean, expansive space was revealed.
No matter how it may be the Empire’s top Magic Academy, the structure is extremely simple.
There’s a Principal beneath whom is a Vice-Principal, under them are the Department Heads, and below them are the professors.
Among them, one Department Head and one Vice-Principal, along with the remaining professors, were sitting in a circle.
Even without the Principal present, the fact that this many people had gathered for me alone was concerning.
‘As expected, Professor Stella is not here…’
That makes sense. Her main job is not to instruct students but to treat them. By now, she would likely have returned to her post in the infirmary.
“Welcome, Radon Crawler. We are the professors who observed your performance during the exam.”
“Pleased to meet you. I am Radon Crawler.”
When Cerix Regigola, professor of the Magic Department, spoke, I greeted him politely.
Students are always expected to show respect when entering the Unique Hall and their personal space.
Regardless of any laws governing this, it’s a fundamental courtesy.
“Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? Can you spare a moment?”
“Of course. I also want to wrap this up as quickly as possible.”
“Then I’ll be direct. You exhibited unusual growth during this exam. We are considering a class change for you.”
Enzo Ismir, the professor in charge of the Alchemy Department, spoke.
Though he wasn’t from the Combat Department, he had stored knowledge across various fields throughout the process of becoming a professor.
The same goes for the other professors.
Students who exhibit rapid improvement compared to before can receive offers for class changes. The professors’ eyes should be able to discern that suitability.
“So, about that strength you showed during the practical exam. Could you demonstrate it in front of us?”
Such requests from the professors are simple. It’s like asking to solve a problem right before their eyes to confirm whether it was cheating during the exam.
Of course, it wasn’t a difficult request. The fishing rod I had used during the exam was still being kept safe, making it easy.
[Fantasy Sword Technique – Casting Level 2]
I quickly took out the fishing rod and swung it. An overwhelming gust of wind surged forth, originating from what could not be merely considered a stick. The professors, observing this, expressed their admiration.
“Hoho… quite the unique sword technique. It’s hard to gauge as it’s not my department, but what do you think, Professor Radian? As a professor of the Combat Department.”
Enzo subtly pointed to Radian.
Even without belonging to that department, it was evident that for a Class C student, the power was impressive.
“From what I can see, it appears to be a swordsmanship style that only manifests its power when wielding a specific weapon. The first time I saw this kid holding a fishing rod, I was taken aback, but after witnessing the battle with Jenny, I’m convinced.”
Radian, who had traversed many battlefields, could not afford to be ignorant about survival techniques he had learned.
However, swordsmanship using a fishing rod was also new to Radian.
“By the way, where did you learn this swordsmanship? Can you share that with us?”
Radian’s question flowed naturally like water.
Honestly, I was curious myself. How could I articulate an answer that would be comprehensible to them…
“I don’t quite know myself. Recently, I started swinging a fishing rod, and I just picked it up from there.”
[Degradation Rate Decrease: -1%]
[+100 Credits]
It wasn’t a lie, but it certainly wasn’t the whole truth.
I simply couldn’t mention that I gained the skill while breaking Jenny’s ribs!
“You’re not lying, are you? We might be dealing with some trickery beyond our grasp here.”
Cerix, having posed that statement, presented a palm-sized metallic plate before me.
It was a magical device known as a “True Mail,” commonly likened to a lie detector.
“Can we use such a valuable thing so casually? You don’t even know how much use we can get out of it,” I said.
“Isn’t that what it’s for? We don’t have time, let’s get started quickly.”
Being a precious magical device, it had its limitations on usage.
Radian pointed that out, but Cerix brushed it off due to the urgency.
“If you tell the truth, a circle will appear above your head, and if it’s a lie, an X will. Now, I’ll ask.”
“…….”
“Is it true that your duel with Jenny was fought on your own strength?”
“That’s true.”
– O
“Then how did you acquire that swordsmanship?”
“I picked it up while fishing.”
– O
“Hmm….”
Most of the professors fell silent. It was as if they wondered if the True Mail had malfunctioned, as the answer was simply unbelievable.
Swinging a sword is easy, but creating that technique is no simple feat.
And to think one could gain such skill simply by wielding a fishing rod? That was a ludicrous claim.
It was in that moment of discomfort that something needled at my neck.
“How about we all lighten our thoughts a bit?”
A man seated a bit further away spoke up. With a sly yet warm face covered in a bushy beard, he was Cage Revela, the head of the Combat Department.
Among them, he seemed to have the friendliest face.
“First off, there’s nothing wrong with the True Mail. Sure, the results might appear odd, but it stands to reason that a person can change based on what they’re wielding.”
While saying this, Cage appeared quite at ease. He twirled the pen he held, performing tricks.
“There are cases where someone who has never trained can show masterful dexterity just by picking up a knife to cook, or by merely holding a pen, draw beautifully…”
As Cage drew an imaginary line in the air with the pen, something strange happened.
“Just swinging a stick around can make it seem like a sword dancing in the air. Just like this.”
“Eh?”
With a swish—the fishing rod that I held snapped in half and rolled on the floor. It was as if he had sliced through reality itself with just the pen.
“Just as I once did, this Radon student might be the same. Perhaps he’s a talent we ought to encourage instead.”
Although I wasn’t completely convinced just yet, it became evident that Radon’s words were not a lie.
Moreover, they weren’t so free with their precious time as to invest it all into a solitary student.
“Oh, and Radon student. That fishing rod you used, it isn’t something precious to you, is it?”
“Not really…”
“Well then, I’ll make sure to compensate you generously soon. You can visit my office just once.”
“Thank you very much.”
Despite being in his forties, Cage felt like a reliable older brother.
If I wasn’t careful, I might find myself dazzled by his friendly demeanor.
“But that doesn’t mean we can promote Radon student to Class A.”
A voice that doused the atmosphere with cold water emerged. He appeared to be at least ten years older than Cage, and his name was Heidern. He was the Vice-Principal of this academy.
He was the archetypal strict figure that made players feel frustrated in the game and would eventually become a villain.
“Radon student knows the reason well enough, doesn’t he?”
If skills sufficed, one could change classes at any time. Even if they were problematic, that was of no matter.
That’s how peculiar characters like Travel or Mary also fit into Class A.
There was no reason I couldn’t rise to that level.
But my abilities were still not solidly recognized.
“Radon student is still immature. It would be fair to say the duel with Jenny was little more than a fluke.”
“A fluke? Vice-Principal, I’ve been watching the exams, but I didn’t see any cowardly behavior from him.”
Cage, who had been so cheeky before, defended me for the first time. Upon witnessing this, Heidern looked at Cage as if he were pitiful.
“Cage, the Combat Department Head. How can you go around boasting about being from the Combat Department after that?”
“What do you mean by that…?”
Heidern’s few earnest words made the lights flicker. The strange phenomenon imbued a weight to the atmosphere that emanated from his anger.
“You just heard, didn’t you? The fishing rod that student wields is akin to using a real weapon. It means he’s bringing a legitimate weapon into an exam, not a practice item!”
“……”
“As the head of the Combat Department, you couldn’t even discern something as simple as that? If the Principal were present, he would surely be disappointed.”
Having pointed out a legitimate issue, Heidern managed to stymie Cage’s rebuttal. In the end, Cage could only click his tongue, remaining quietly resigned.
Heidern appeared rather sharp, but I kept reminding myself he was a brick wall character.
Even though he looked that way on the outside, he was exceedingly weak inside.
“But right now, he applies very well.”
If I switched to Class A, I’d be closer to Jenny and Lyman. No matter how appealing the benefits were, climbing up to that level right now was like crawling into a tiger’s den.
There were many I shouldn’t entangle with just yet.
If I got caught up in their affairs, I might find myself frozen once again.
“So… does that mean I can’t move up?”
“Of course! Combating a Class A student essentially means cheating! If I had my way, I’d want to fail you outright, but your growth has been so evident that I’ll settle for just a score reduction.”
That meant… I would remain in Class C. As long as it wasn’t Class A, I had it made.
“And you will reflect on this matter!”
Heidern shot at me with an intimidating glare. Meanwhile, I flashed a relieved expression as if I had shed a bad omen.
“Thank you so much! Young and perky Vice-Principal!”
“What? Y-young and perky?”
Heidern was taken aback by my sudden compliment.
“Ah-hum…!”
It was the first time in ages I had complimented someone’s looks. I nearly got bashful out of happiness, but it showed in me clearing my throat.
[Degradation Rate Decrease: -10%]
[‘Scammer’ skill level has reached its maximum.]
[Acquired 1 Stat Point.]
[+1000 Credits]
‘Young, my foot.’
Though I felt grateful this time, you old fogey.
*
A girl was gazing at her reflection in a mirror within a room.
Strangely, the mirror did not reflect her appearance nor that of the room. Instead, it displayed some other screen entirely.
What she was watching was the recorded video of the practical exam. By attaching the magic stone tablet borrowed from the library to the mirror, she was able to view the content.
The screen showed scenes of a girl with flowing blue hair clashing with a boy wielding a fishing rod.
The boy succeeded in breaking the girl’s wooden sword but ultimately suffered a disadvantage, falling to her hidden card.
Silver Age.
The ability of the blue-haired girl that could turn the forest into an Ice Age was remarkable.
Yet, her gaze was fixated on the frozen figure of the fishing rod boy.
“Radon Crawler.”
Looking at the boy in the mirror, the girl pondered her thoughts.
As she tucked her unruly pink hair behind her ear and revealed her beautiful features.
“Could it be that this boy…?”
Mary Ryudshiel, a first-year student in the Magic Department, known as the lady of the Master White Tower and the “Madwoman,” observed Radon’s frozen form intently.
Surviving as an Academy Scammer.