LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 31
31. This Belongs to My Mother…
Lyman Begilius.
The protagonist of Devil Road Academia and the quintessential munchkin hero.
Apart from the groundbreaking execution and graphics that transcended time, what set this protagonist apart was that he was already a completed being.
He crushes enemies in one blow without the need for gradual growth. And he quietly watches the growth of other main characters.
Now, it’s just a common munchkin trope.
However, back in the days when a royal plot was pursued, it was bound to appear revolutionary.
So why is Lyman already a completed being from the start of the game?
It’s entirely because of immortality.
His physical age is 20 years, but according to the registry, he’s over 300 years old.
He is a being who has lived a long time in a body that no longer grows.
And still, he is human. He has human blood flowing through him and was born from a human womb.
Though half of his blood is of a different origin.
Having lived for so long, Lyman has vast knowledge.
Memorizing a secret code from a special squad that no one else knows is as easy as pie.
“What did you just say?”
“I’m asking. What’s the angle of the sandstorm?”
“The angle of the sandstorm?” -> “The sandstorm will soon expand throughout the continent.” -> “At that point, the angle will become meaningless and soon turn into a shadow.” -> “The storm that has turned into a shadow…” -> “The dusk will descend as it darkens.”
Undoubtedly, this is the first line of the secret code for the Papias Kingdom’s Shadow Brigade, set to appear as enemies in this chapter.
Reciting a code known only to them nonchalantly.
But here’s the problem.
“Why are you asking me that?”
What connection do I have with the Papias Kingdom?
I imagine that due to its sinister nature, Lyman would be quite cautious too.
The fact that Lyman brought up a secret code to me likely means… he suspects me of being part of the Shadow Brigade.
The Shadow Brigade is a royal direct unit. They entered under cover when the prince enrolled.
They are individuals with enough skill to easily be part of Class A.
However, they live while pretending to be incompetent students to hide their true identity.
The so-called hidden power losers.
Perhaps I also fit this description.
I was living as a mediocre scammer until I suddenly showed tremendous growth.
At the very least, I could be included as a suspect.
“That seems plausible.”
With that, the response I needed to give was clear.
“Sandstorm? What sort of wind could possibly blow on such a sunny day?”
“…?”
[Erosion Rate Decrease: -7%]
[+700 Credits]
Lyman’s eyebrows twitched, seemingly delighted by my prediction.
“I’ll ask again. What happens if the angle of the sandstorm inflates?”
His intent to clarify was evident, but my answer remained the same.
“So what is that?”
“……”
“Don’t just understand it yourself; let me in on it too, okay?”
[Erosion Rate Decrease: -9%]
[+900 Credits]
“Seriously, you don’t know?”
“I said I don’t know.”
[Erosion Rate Decrease: -6%]
Lyman was left speechless. Only then did he seem to realize he had bitten off more than he could chew and let out a deep sigh.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“Then I’ll really take my leave.”
“Oh, one last thing.”
Why is he bothering me again? I wanted to raise my voice a bit, but I had to hold back.
However, what Lyman wanted to say was a sort of warning.
“Soon, an incredible person will visit the Academy.”
“……?”
“You’ll find out who it is later, so be careful around that person. There’s no guarantee that I’ll help you like today if something goes wrong.”
It sounded as if he was saying not to expect his help. Then he jumped off the rooftop and landed gracefully in the grass.
It’s literally true. Lyman doesn’t exist in the Academy until the second half of chapter two. Instead, his clone steps in as a substitute.
Meaning he’s so strong that a kind of nerf has to be applied.
*
The Papias Kingdom is a small nation stationed in the continental outskirts. It is a thoroughly militarized state formed by numerous guilds and mercenary groups that once roamed the area.
A case where an organization developed into a national entity.
While it might lag behind the Empire in terms of economy or politics, its military strength is robust enough not to lose out.
A group that has thrived solely on the benefits earned from battle. Therefore, participating in the wars happening all over the continent isn’t a rare occurrence for them.
Such a life instilled in them a mindset where swords and blood take precedence over manners or character.
Subjugation and hunting, strength and prestige, only those determine their hierarchy.
The weaker you are, the fewer benefits you can enjoy, a custom that has persisted.
Their economic interests are undoubtedly tied to war.
With politics decided by power alone, even market economy relies on strength to maintain it.
However, that was not surprising.
For them, peace might mean unemployment, but even without war, it’s not an era that can’t revive the economy.
The world is filled with monsters and demons that threaten humanity.
Even now, countless regions are requesting them to eliminate these threats.
The previous king of Papias maintained a war economy by protecting the realm. But the current king, who experienced the Great War 30 years ago, holds opposing views.
“Talema End Hall Papias.” The current king has been addicted to the taste of not just monsters’ blood, but also human blood through war.
Abducting children and forcing conscription is a given.
On the pretext of being invaders, he also commits massacres against neighboring ethnicities, indulging in actions he previously might not have considered.
He shows no mercy if a battle is lost, and those who are humiliated are branded as traitors.
The reason is somewhat absurd: they’ve invigorated the enemy.
Many have been discarded and felt disillusioned in this manner.
One such person is the mother of Luska Mad Eye.
Luska’s wrath over her mother’s unjust death is beyond measure.
As she approaches Prince Totema, she is slowly sharpening her revenge blade.
But the Shadow Brigade guarding the prince poses an obstacle.
Each one of them is a powerful individual. Therefore, it would be her current goal to deal with them first.
“Radon Crawler. It might be best to reveal your true self soon. The true form hidden in shadows.”
The words Luska spoke before shooting her arrow suddenly came to mind. She clearly seems to be mistaking me for a member of the Shadow Brigade.
“This is definitely a hassle.”
For revenge, she’s the type to be willing to sell her own soul.
She will not leave me alone as a suspect.
That time when she asked me to be her practice opponent… she was undoubtedly suspecting me.
She is someone who took grave risks during the exam as well.
There’s a possibility she could be plotting something even worse.
Just as I thought I needed to clear up the misunderstanding… my student ID vibrated.
– Radon Crawler, Jenny Chain Silver, Luska Mad Eye, the first-year students are to report immediately to the reception room of Unique Hall. [Cage Revola]
Suddenly, the head of the Cage Department was summoning me and the others.
“Is this because of the ruckus we caused during the exam?”
Hold on, thinking it over, this is an opportunity.
Maybe right there, I can clear up the misunderstanding Luska has about me.
*
Entering the reception room on the first floor of Unique Hall, maintaining noble decorum.
In this place filled with high-ranking academic figures, everyone had to abide by the laws of etiquette.
Jenny and I arrived first, guided by Radian, and sat on the sofa waiting for the department head.
Knock, knock, knock—
“This is Luska Mad Eye. I’m really sorry for being late.”
Luska’s voice, heard simultaneously with her knock.
Considering her personality, I thought she’d kick the door open.
But she smoothly opened the door and entered, bowing her head in greeting.
All thanks to the rules of Unique Hall.
As a result, we were able to see Luska in a polite demeanor, and her appearance was quite different from usual.
Her ponytail, which had previously been haphazardly tied back, was now neatly tied with a bow ribbon.
Her attire, which she normally wore with buttons undone, was now neatly fitted, and she wore black stockings, presenting a tidy appearance.
Who would think that she hails from the outskirts? It would be easy to mistake her for a noble.
“Wow…”
Jenny gasped at Luska’s unexpected transformation.
She would be quite surprised now. But after Chapter 2, this will be the everyday look of Luska.
It’s a kind of rehabilitation effect.
Of course, she still wore her precious old scarf.
“Move aside.”
Though she looked neat, her eyes were still sharp.
She pushed us aside with her waist and squeezed in on the narrow sofa.
“Don’t shove me…!”
“Then lose some weight.”
“What, what did you say!!”
At that moment, Jenny felt like exploding with annoyance.
“Has everyone arrived?”
Finally, the culprit behind the summons appeared.
Cage Revola, the head of the Combat Department, sat down on the opposite sofa after greeting Radian.
The discomfort of the seating lasted only briefly… we three collectively held our breath.
“I’ve been watching you all clash during the exam. Do you have any explanations for that?”
“I don’t.”
The three of us responded simultaneously. Then Cage’s questioning continued.
“It’s true that if you get hurt, you’re automatically disqualified, but you all know that intentional clashes are prohibited during the practical exam, right?”
“……”
Cage glared at Luska with a fierce expression. It was her who broke the rules first, not Jenny or me.
She’s the reason this meeting even happened.
“The practical exam cannot forcibly expel you from the void space like it can during a practical exam. Considering that, this incident cannot just be overlooked.”
Even with magical devices, they are by no means all-purpose.
Instead, strict regulations are enforced to control outbursts.
Yet breaking those rules suggests a lack of desire for an easy academic life.
“If it weren’t for Lyman being there then, Jenny and Radon would likely be in the hospital by now. Do you have anything to say about that? Luska Mad Eye?”
Even though she heard Radian’s reproach, Luska held her head high.
“I have nothing to say.”
Luska spoke as if she couldn’t care less. Cage, unfazed, continued.
“This is quite troubling. In the past, I would have interrogated the responsible professors first, but…”
“I’m very sorry about that.”
“No, we can’t just pin everything on Radian here. It’s clear for everyone to see. Radon and Jenny are in a situation where they shouldn’t receive any punishment. But don’t you find it strange that they were called as well? Luska.”
“……”
“Because these two need to be properly apologized to. Not just crocodile tears, but formally.”
It’s certain that Luska will face suspension.
She knows it very well, and her nonchalance shows she has no regrets.
Even if she’s expelled from the Academy… it won’t tarnish her desire for revenge.
Whether they expel her or not, it seems that attitude is etched on Luska’s face.
“And your appearance is unstable too. What’s up with that trashy scarf?”
“……!”
Cage frowned as he shot that remark.
At that instant, Radian gasped and opened his mouth wide.
And Luska, who had previously shown no change in expression, now had veins popping in her eyes.
Her face showed an expression of extreme anger, restrained through superhuman patience.
“I don’t know where you picked that up, but you need to throw it away immediately.”
“Um… Department Head? I… that’s…”
“Why are you suddenly saying that? Professor Radian.”
Only after Radian intervened did Cage stop abruptly.
It’s not like he said anything incorrect, so why is Radian suddenly intervening?
“That’s… my mother’s…”
“What?”
Luska barely managed to hold back her tears as she spoke through gritted teeth.
Her eyes were red, and an uncomfortable air surrounded her expression.
“My late mother… made this by hand!”
“Oh…”
The atmosphere turned awkwardly tense.
Surviving as an Academy Scammer.