Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

36. Damn High-Ranking Official’s Visit (2)

The night sky over the Academy was dotted with bright white spots.

If you lay on the ground and looked up, you could feel that it was bright in a different way than the morning sky.

The brighter the sky, the brighter the affection it seemed to promise.

The scenery of Aligieri Academy was always beautiful.

However, contrary to that ideal, the ground was shrouded in darkness. The chilly and eerie atmosphere was indeed a breeding ground for crimes that could strike at any moment.

Even the interior of the Academy, always filled with bright yolks, couldn’t escape that aura.

Except for the patrolling guard on duty, the Professors’ Building was devoid of any presence.

Buildings that housed professors’ personal research labs and lecture halls.

And atop the hill was Dantia Hall, where the Principal of the Comprehensive Information Department conducted his affairs.

Dantia Hall, where the leader of the Academy worked, was situated at the highest point, overseeing the entire Academy from above.

Elder Enviel was enjoying the view of the Academy and Aligieri Town from there.

“How have you been?”

He spoke without turning his head at all. He easily sensed the presence sneaking up from behind.

“Well, I was fine, but why the sudden visit? Your letter didn’t mention anything else.”

“Neither did it say that I wouldn’t come. Isn’t that right?”

“Tsk.”

A girl hiding in the shadows stepped out onto the moonlit ground, revealing her lustrous black hair.

With her casually tied ponytail and sharp features, Luska Mad Eye approached, clicking her tongue.

“Then you must have read the letter.”

“It was about finding the Divine Beast that has sneaked into this Academy. My guess is it’s hiding somewhere in the nearby mountains.”

“You guessed right. It has a nature of being attracted to beings of a certain connection. Though it got loose due to my negligence, it seems my prediction was correct given that it has reached this destination.”

Although Luska asked what the prediction was, Enviel only replied, “Fate.”

“Even if it escaped next to me, this land is still drawing it in.”

“Is there really such a thing in this school?”

Instead of answering, Enviel pointed beyond the town with his hand.

“Can you see that volcano?”

The towering volcano in the southern outskirts of Aligieri Town. The massive structure known as Purgatory Mountain attracted tourists.

When you stepped on that land up close, you’d feel the heat, invigorating your desire to hike.

However, from a distance, it gave off the sense that something could explode at any moment.

So people, driven by curiosity, kept flocking to it.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Do you know about the ‘Thousand-Year Fox’? The legendary fox that stood with humans during the war with the Demon God 300 years ago, despite being in a disadvantaged position.”

Anyone who has dabbled in even a bit of history would recognize it.

The fox that crossed over from the eastern sea and saved the inhabitants of the continent.

“After the battle, the Thousand-Year Fox, having exhausted its life, divided its remaining power. It shared this with its offspring and the humans who followed it.”

The solid combative abilities went to the followers, while the sanctifying power went to its children.

The power of the legendary fox, which sounded like mere folklore, was thus dispersed.

“Thus, the Thousand-Year Fox, having lost its life, requested the Great Sage Dantia to seal itself deep within this land.”

What was born out of the tectonic shifts was the Purgatory Volcano.

You could almost consider it a tomb the size of a mountain.

“So, the bones of that Thousand-Year Fox are probably buried right beneath us?”

“Um… perhaps.”

Luska tilted her head at Enviel’s inconclusive answer.

Given how long it had been buried, its bones might still exist, but who could tell for sure?

“In summary, it means that the Divine Beast may have come here, attracted by the scent of the Thousand-Year Fox?”

“That could be the case. That Divine Beast is also a descendant of the Thousand-Year Fox. Or perhaps…”

“Or perhaps?”

Enviel smiled and whispered softly.

“It might have felt the presence of its family and come running. An immature Divine Beast instinctively senses its own kind.”

“Family? You mean the bones of the Thousand-Year Fox?”

I didn’t need to hear Enviel’s answer to understand anymore.

What I was really curious about was a different matter.

“Um… Anyway, you go find that little Divine Beast and secure it. Then you can charm your target, Prince Totema.”

“I get the general idea, but can’t you give me some information about its appearance? It could have transformed into a human after all.”

Knowing this would make the search easier.

Thinking ahead, Enviel had prepared a drawing identified through the Thought Recording spell showing the Divine Beast.

“That’s a girl.”

“Yeah, a human child. Half of one, at least.”

“…….”

Luska’s mind was flooded with dubious thoughts at his statement. But it didn’t really matter what it was.

As long as she was ready to sweep away whatever lay before her, she was good to go.

By now, it was too late to back out just because she felt sympathy.

“What is this drawing?”

But the more she looked at it, the more it felt strangely familiar.

Like seeing her mother, who had surely passed away.

“Is there something wrong with the drawing?”

“Nothing at all. It must be just my imagination.”

She tried to shrug off the strange feeling, dismissing it as unimportant.

After all, dwelling on that nostalgic scent would only bring more pain.

“Anyway, if I use this girl well, I can bring down the Papias Kingdom, right?”

“I’ll only ask that until I’ve researched the Purgatory Volcano. Let’s do well as we both share the same goal.”

“Sounds good.”

A gentle breeze blew through, and the branches rustled as grass scattered across the ground.

The wind, under the night sky, sent chills down my spine, enhancing the foreboding atmosphere.

And as the wind suddenly ceased, Luska vanished from that spot.

“Family, huh… Hehe.”

With her disappearance, Enviel chuckled wickedly to himself.

*

“Ugh, I’m really mad. That Elder or whatever just showing up out of nowhere.”

Trisha Marelin, head of the Newspaper Department, lay sprawled over her desk, venting her frustration.

It had barely been two weeks since the mid-evaluation ended. Now, we were being told there would be finals in just 30 days.

It was originally supposed to be 50 days later, but because Elder Enviel was staying at the Academy, the schedule was rushed.

I expected this would happen.

The one suggesting the compression of the Academy’s schedule was Enviel himself. He had something urgent to research in this town.

Since it was official, complaints were minimal.

However, from the students’ perspective, it was a real headache.

“What the hell is he going to research that requires him to stay in Aligieri Town for over 30 days! Isn’t he a big shot? Doesn’t he have better things to do?”

“They say ancient mana was detected at Purgatory Volcano. If we utilize that well, we could totally save a city.”

Considering the scale of that kind of research, it was definitely the job of someone like an Elder.

There wasn’t really an issue procedurally.

“Then why now! It’s making it so we can’t even relax!”

Even after the explanation, Trisha’s grumbling didn’t let up.

The presence of a high-ranking individual roaming the Academy was a calamity for the students.

“What does that mean? Does it mean we’ll have to follow every ridiculous rule just to walk around? Do you know how annoying that is?”

We can’t even walk around looking in mirrors, lie down in the square, or eat on benches.

And the school uniforms must be worn according to regulations.

The moment you reduce anything by even 1mm, you get a demerit.

“Considering the vice-principal’s personality, it’s probably going to be prohibited for sure. That’s just how rules work.”

We have to live meticulously adhering to regulations… it’s going to last for more than 30 days, this so-called FM period.

For students who have previously taken those rules lightly, it was a huge struggle.

“Technically, under the original rules, drinking and bringing in risqué novels are also prohibited.”

“Ugh…! If that happens, then the Burning Friday party will be put on hold for a while!”

“Well, of course.”

Trisha gasped in shock at that revelation.

Having her favorite beer stifled, or her preferred spicy novels held back, was essentially binding her hands and feet.

But aren’t those all prohibited for minors? One might think, but here, you are considered an adult at 16 years of age.

You could really see how the values differed from where I used to live.

“Radon, how do you feel? Because of the exams being pushed up, we’ve got more things to do and our free time is getting controlled…”

“Yeah, it feels awful. I can’t do what I want anymore.”

I could empathize with Trisha’s dejected feelings.

Imagine a military unit stationed for 30 days at your base. Those soldiers must be wondering what sin they committed in their past lives.

“And you know what’s more frustrating? The moment our article mentions anything negative about that Elder, it’s going to be buried.”

Indeed, media control exists regardless of the world.

People just never change.

“Then conversely, if you write a good article, it could make things look good. Even if it’s flattery, wouldn’t praising him be viewed positively?”

“Can you do that? I’m too pissed off to move my hand if I tried to write something.”

“Still, you should try. We have to figure out a way to keep the club alive after all.”

-Fake News Lv2

Without hesitation, I began tapping my notes. Frustrated though I was, there was nothing to be done.

My article was stuffed full of dazzling praises for Enviel.

-“Elder with a beauty that would make even a young flower boy of the 20s cry…”

-“A wizard whose elegance is such that even the moonlight twists around him…”

-“An imposing Elder that moves the heart…”

-“A wizard with sensual muscles…”

Wow.

Should I just delete it and start over?

*

It was the first time I had written such a bizarre article of praise to the shadowy figure.

I wasn’t expecting anything, but having praised him, it might not be too much to ask for a shop soon.

There’s no lie as petty as sweet talking.

Soon, alongside a decrease in stagnation rates, I should be able to touch my stat points a little.

“Is it delicious?”

“Yup! It’s super tasty!”

The next day, as soon as classes ended, I headed to the lake with my lunchbox. There, I found Angela and we were having a picnic while eating rice balls.

It was annoying but necessary. If I didn’t do this, she’d likely come bouncing into my room again.

“Do you have more?”

“This is all there is.”

“Aww.”

Once the food ran out, Angela looked disappointed.

Her beast ears drooped. So I had to wonder.

“Why is this even delicious?”

“I don’t really know. I took one bite, and before I knew it, I couldn’t stop eating. It was too tasty to resist.”

Angela wiggled her tail, clearly thrilled. Taste is subjective after all.

To me, it was just home-cooked food, but to her, it could look like a feast.

But no matter how delicious it was, one must know their limits.

Currently, Angela, having lost her memory, was virtually like a preschooler. There was no guarantee she wouldn’t accidentally drop something, even wearing a mask.

‘If she shows up again, it’s genuinely going to be a hassle. Soon, because of Prince Totema, my face and identity will be entirely revealed.’

By now, the prince must be talking to Enviel. The Shadow Brigade member had reported the Divine Beast’s presence.

Enviel would likely show the prince the drawing of the Divine Beast as he tempted him.

If it played right, the prince could gain colossal talents through the blood of the Divine Beast.

Blinded by greed, the prince would hire some students with money to chase Angela down.

But those students would ask for help from their friends.

Thus, word of Angela’s face would ripple out like waves.

Some would not care, but many would be thirsty for the free talent.

To gain that, lowerclassmen would spring into action, bustling about.

Naturally, those who were looking after Angela wouldn’t just sit back either.

A storyline would unfold where they fight to protect Angela from talent-crazy students and the Shadow Brigade, ordered by the prince.

In that process, an epic scene would arise where a temporary alliance between Luska and Jenny takes shape.

“Well then, see you next time~”

“Take care!”

As I kindly bade her farewell, she dashed off into the forest.

Before long, she completely blended into the woods, almost as if being hidden by spirits.

I sighed with relief and slowly stood up.

Thinking of the impending chaos, I knew my role as her food shuttle wouldn’t last much longer.

It wouldn’t hurt to treat this pitiful girl to a good meal while I still could. It would make my conscience feel less prickly.

Kaboom!—

An incredible tremor swirled through the woods, sending little ripples across the lake.

There couldn’t possibly be any monsters capable of causing such a shock within the barrier, so I speculated it might be someone using rough training nearby.

Splash!—

Suddenly, something shot swiftly out of nowhere and crashed into the lake.

Given the loud noise, it seemed reasonable to think a person had fallen, and sure enough, that was the case.

What was more, it was someone I recognized.

“Luska…?”

Why the heck did she come flying in all of a sudden?

Moreover, her injuries looked severe. She appeared to have multiple lacerations, clearly indicating she had been attacked by many.

And from the direction she flew in, a chilling presence crept over me.

Sensitive to that shadowy aura, I instinctively hid Luska and myself.

‘Why are those guys here?!’

Hiding between the bushes, I bore witness to the culprits who had done this to her.

Figures formed of black fog or shadow creeped towards the lake.

Soon, they revealed their human-like shapes, but they floated in the air as if not truly human.

They bizarrely appeared, their faces concealed by black masks, strutting about in black cloaks like true apparitions.

The Shadow Brigade.

That was the name given to them.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.