Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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32 Chapter. Please take care of this child instead of me.

“I’m really sorry.”

Luska knelt down and pressed her forehead to the ground.

She bowed her head in front of me and Jenny, apologizing earnestly.

Her usual disheveled appearance made it seem like a flawless act of repentance.

Indeed, a person’s appearance can greatly influence others’ opinions.

Could that unrefined Luska be the same person? Jenny thought so, her expression one of surprise.

‘After all, it’s just a show for the sake of appearances.’

Compared to the earnest apology I had offered Lyman, it was lacking in genuine feeling.

This was merely a formal apology before esteemed individuals.

It was unusual for someone with her cynical demeanor, but translated the other way, it meant she wasn’t entirely antisocial.

Her skewed personality wasn’t inherent but rather shaped by external factors.

If that weren’t the case, she wouldn’t have so neatly dressed or maintained a stoic demeanor before the department head.

Better than the recklessness of Travel.

There was still room for reform.

“Department Head, I’m satisfied now.”

“I see. Then you can get up now.”

Upon Jenny’s words, Cage deemed that further apologies were unnecessary.

The outcome of suspension was settled for Luska.

A ban from school for about ten days.

Even though it would negatively impact her grades, Luska responded bluntly with, “Understood.”

“And Luska student.”

“What else is there?”

Cage left her till last for one final statement.

“I really am sorry about earlier.”

“……”

“I never dreamed it was such an important item.”

Cage deeply regretted calling the muffler trash moments ago.

Who could have known something so filthy was the last memento left by her mother?

He should have stopped when Professor Radian admonished him.

However, Cage had done nothing terribly wrong.

It was just that he hadn’t known it was precious; his criticisms were not factually incorrect according to the laws of this Unique Hall.

The irony was that the one who broke the law was over there, while the one apologizing was from this side.

“But if it’s so precious, shouldn’t it be kept in the dorm? What if something like this happens again?”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“……”

Jenny gazed quietly at the muffler she was wearing.

The fact that it was related to her mother strangely captured Jenny’s interest.

Just like her own sapphire necklace.

“Is there nothing you want to ask?”

The question that always ended speeches popped out.

Typically, one would default to replying no to such inquiries… but I was different.

Just as Jenny and Luska were about to say “no” in unison…

“I have something!”

I expressed a completely different meaning. All eyes naturally turned to me.

If this were an after-school speech, I would have received all kinds of disdain.

They would have shot me sharp looks, thinking, “We want to finish this quickly and have some fun; what’s up with him?”

“What do you want to ask, Radon student?”

I had solely been waiting for this moment.

I was anxious that Luska might exit the reception room swiftly.

An opportunity to ask questions autonomously from the dean, and I needed her to stay in the reception room.

This was to indirectly assert that I wasn’t part of the Shadow Brigade.

To accomplish this, Cage needed to be present.

“Is the grant awarded based on results from this mid-evaluation?”

“Scholarship?”

I brought up a question I already knew, pretending not to know.

Cage then burst into a hearty laugh.

“Haha! Could it be that you still don’t grasp that?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t pay attention and it turned out I needed it later.”

After all, it’s still the first semester of the first year.

New students have many things they don’t know, leading to a stereotype.

Thanks to that, Cage kindly explained.

“Basically, scholarships are determined according to results of the final evaluations. If we look at your current abilities, you’re a bit lacking in terms of being a candidate. Is there anywhere you need money for?”

“Yes.”

I spoke clearly so Luska could hear.

“My family has moved to a sparsely populated area of poverty. Unfortunately, there is no one around who knows my family, and we have come to be seen as a nonexistent household.”

“……!”

At that moment, Luska’s eyes widened. She suddenly focused on what I was saying.

One of the conditions for the Shadow Brigade was to have a concealed identity.

I thought she must have doubted my family status, and indeed she did.

“That’s quite unfortunate. However, you might still be eligible for a scholarship. If you can utilize that conveniently obtained fishing rod swordsmanship well.”

“Is that true?”

Suddenly, Luska shouted.

Interrupting the department head might have been rude, but I had to take the risk to alleviate my bursting curiosity.

“Are you saying that the reason Radon’s skills improved suddenly was due to talents that randomly manifested?”

“That’s the truth. It has already been confirmed through ‘True Mail.'”

“……”

Luska was left speechless.

True Mail. That lie detector was sufficient for proof.

Could the formerly pathetic Radon Crawler’s sudden skill improvement truly be a coincidence?

If not a member of the Shadow Brigade, there was no other explanation… Luska’s assumptions were shattered.

‘Then I was wrong…’

All actions taken to approach Radon had only been counterproductive.

Asking to practice, attacking during the practical test.

Creak—Luska’s embarrassed feelings erupted as she impulsively bit down.

Her crumpled hands seemed ready to tear the leather of the sofa.

“So, there are no further questions?”

“None.”

As the three of us spoke in dissonance, we could hear Cage’s announcement to conclude.

Professor Radian was just about to guide the three of us out.

“Oh! Radon student, follow me.”

“Yes?”

What could he want with me now? Both Radian and the others were confused too.

I didn’t know what was going on, but I followed behind him.

I sensed no ill intent, so I offered no resistance.

We arrived at Cage Revola’s personal research room located on the third floor. This time, we didn’t sit on the sofa.

Cage opened a wide drawer and pulled out one of his cherished fishing rods, speaking.

“I have something to pass on to you.”

Cage approached me, holding the fishing rod.

The rod was something he treasured like a precious jewel.

He wouldn’t relinquish such a valued collection lightly.

“Here, take it.”

“Eh…?”

I was quite taken aback by the way he was handing me the fishing rod with such gentleness.

It was like a hamburger shop owner cherishing money as if it were a child; Cage’s love for fishing rods ran deep.

It felt surreal that he was offering such something precious to me.

Is this a dream or reality?

“This… isn’t this precious?”

“Yes, as valuable as my very life. Equally important as my vital organs!”

Cage’s eyes suddenly reddened. As if he was about to cry when he intended to hand it over.

“Yet, the reason I’m giving it to you is for your growth. Considering your performances in the practical and field tests, along with the example from when you faced the Lycanthrope. I can’t just watch that talented seed waste away.”

Was this fishing rod collecting, or an investment for a budding talent?

It was a result borne out of the collision of these two beliefs.

The fishing rod he handed me was different from the three I had swung before. While it wasn’t the same, it was far more refined.

“Ugh… I’ll entrust this child to you.”

“……”

“Rather than being tied to this old man’s hands, it would be better for this child to grow alongside you.”

Cage sighed deeply. It was quite a sight.

If it were fishing rods, I might as well have been sold off as well.

“So, I want you to grow together with this child.”

“Ah, yes…”

Receiving just a fishing rod seemed so grand. Anyone would think it was a melodrama of parting with a child.

I forced myself to mask my reluctant expression as I grasped the fishing rod. After all, no matter how luxurious it was, it was ultimately just a tool to haul in fish.

[Artifact slot has been activated.]

Huh?

[The artifact 'Leviathan' recognizes you as its master.]

What’s this now?

*

In the Academy, everyone knows that the aesthetics of learning take precedence.

However, it’s not entirely devoid of social hierarchy.

Commoner students live in the 3rd Star Hall dormitory, whereas higher-ranking nobles use the 2nd Star Hall dormitory.

The more one contributes financially to the academy, the more appropriately one is treated.

So, what of the esteemed users of the 1st Star Hall? There was no need to ponder that for too long.

Totema Redhole Papias, known simply as Prince Totema, was crumpled over a delicately crafted desk, clutching his head.

For a powerful individual utilizing a room adorned with decorations and jewels, he sat in a remarkably gloomy state.

“Your Highness, I have news.”

“What is it?”

The sudden voice was untraceable.

Despite someone whispering in the shadows, Prince Totema displayed no surprise whatsoever.

That voice was like a breath of shadow… from the Shadow Brigade.

“Recently, the Luska Mad Eye who has been loitering around us has been suspended.”

“Oh, is that so…?”

“She always seemed rather suspicious, so it’s good news, I suppose.”

“Yeah. Good news…”

His reaction didn’t seem quite satisfied for someone proclaiming good news.

The still-dejected Prince Totema was asked,

“Is it… due to your grades?”

“I’m doomed! Doomed!”

He pounded on the desk in frustration. No matter how poor one’s grades were, few would be as despondent as Prince Totema after the mid-evaluation.

Yet, the reason for his extreme pessimism was simple. As the first prince of the military country, he had to produce commensurate results. No, he must have done so.

“What am I going to do now? If this gets out, I might just end up expelled by Father. Then I’ll be hauled off to that hellish training ground without a soul knowing!”

To throw the prince into the hellish training ground where meat shields were trained.

It was a thought that could easily spark laughter, but the current king would definitely do it.

Totema could not afford to let that happen as he struggled to regain his composure.

“Then, if only I can do well on the final exam….”

“That’s useless! The results will be the same anyway. I doubt Father would be satisfied even if I were in Class B.”

Scores from the very bottom wouldn’t easily rise. It was just as impossible to go from 1 point to 100 in an instant.

As Prince Totema’s bleakness grew deeper, the Shadow Brigade member felt greatly worried. It was beyond imagination for the first prince of a military nation to be this clueless and indecisive.

And he certainly wasn’t overflowing with talent.

With not a single thing to boast about except his title as a prince.

Realizing this himself, the mental anguish was far from minor.

Even though the Shadow Brigade had indirectly approached and guided him, nothing made any progress.

Capturing ten virtual monsters during the practical examination was merely average.

Nonetheless, the harsh king would not accept this.

Amidst that dreadful psychological pressure, Totema was in a state where he’d explode at any moment.

‘What am I supposed to do now?’

-…….

‘Still no answer.’

He could sense beings that could not be visually recognized. Different from the Shadow Brigade.

Even though he couldn’t see or hear them, Totema could feel them.

In the world, they’re called spirits or summoned spirits.

However, strangely enough, despite training to enhance his sensitivity to see them, he remained stuck in place.

It was then that he was on the verge of spiraling into depression.

“Why not look for a Yoho?”

“What?”

A different voice suddenly interjected. It was also a member of the Shadow Brigade and a Spirit Sorcerer.

It was said that drinking the blood of a Yoho could help elevate one’s abilities.

But how could one find such a formidable being that could challenge even knights?

“Now’s not the time for jokes…!”

“I apologize if I caused any misunderstanding, but this is no joke. I received an important message from the spirits I’ve contracted with.”

“Go on.”

“There’s a small mountain 1 km east of the academy. My spirits have quietly sensed the power of the divine beast Yoho there.”

That was nonsense. The place he had just mentioned was undoubtedly within the barriers encircling the academy, how could a being equal to a dragon have intruded? Unless it was a cub.

“I don’t know what its reaction is now since it’s gone, but it’s our only option. Even if it’s just a cub, the blood’s efficacy remains the same.”

“……”

There was no further way left. Despite having excellent genetics, he had never once achieved good results.

As a member of royalty, hearing statements about being devoid of talent had grown tiresome.

“Say that again. Where is this place?”

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.