Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: You're Giving Me This?
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After plotting out this utterly diabolical scam operation, I was lying on the sofa as usual, reading a novel.
…
‘…Ahem.’
For some reason, my conscience was pricking at me.
It was because Lily was so purely delighted about the fact that she’d be teaching me black magic.
“Ehehehe…”
She’d stop her research midway and let out these creepy witch cackles all by herself.
Then, realizing it late, she’d jolt in surprise, clap a hand over her mouth, and sneak peeks at me to check my reaction.
‘…I feel a little bad.’
She was showing such obvious joy that even I, the scammer, felt guilty.
In truth, it wasn’t me she’d be teaching—it was Ciel, of all people.
Sure, I wanted to learn directly from her if I could…
But what could I do about this damn trait of mine that made diligent stuff impossible?
It absolutely wasn’t because learning and teaching felt like a hassle!
‘…At least I’ll react enthusiastically.’
I needed to express proper gratitude, as if I were learning it myself.
And since I felt bad, I’d treat Lily and Ciel a bit better from now on.
Just in case it got found out midway, I should prepare excuses and countermeasures in advance.
It’s not a crime if you don’t get caught…!
Crazy.
Why was I suddenly coming up with such great ideas and becoming so meticulous?
It felt even more pronounced ever since entering this game world.
‘Like me back in school, scrambling for excuses to skip cram school.’
When people get lazy, their brains somehow start working overtime.
The problem was using that sharpened mind to get even lazier.
Was this a good thing or a bad thing, really?
Lately, I’d been pondering it more and more.
***
At that moment.
Stella Academy’s faculty conference room.
Several professors were seated there.
Not just from the Magic Department, but representatives from all seven combat departments in the academy: Swordsmanship, Holy Studies, Assassination, and more.
“Well then, I think we’ve mostly wrapped things up.”
The reason these busy professors—usually occupied with research and lesson prep—had gathered was singular.
“A-Rank mid-tier down to B- and C-Rank placements are done… Now, only one thing left.”
The first official rank for the practical duel tournament.
That’s what they were here to decide.
The meeting had started early morning and dragged on for hours, now reaching its final stage.
Yet the professors’ eyes gleamed sharper than at the start, without a hint of fatigue.
Because.
“…Now it’s the turn of the top-tier cadets.”
This was the truly crucial part.
Stella Academy, where the continent’s flying talents gathered.
But this year’s class was especially exceptional, worthy of the title ‘Golden Generation.’
And the reason lay with the top-tier cadets.
“So, which cadets have caught your eyes?”
Professor Kate, chairing the meeting, spoke up.
The Swordsmanship professor boasted first.
“Do I even need to say? Crown Prince Leonhardt has already transcended cadet level. Swordsmanship, magic, tactical understanding, demeanor—perfect in every way. No debate: number one.”
“No objections. Saintess Justina is the same. Her holy power surpasses top mages, her martial prowess outstrips elite knights and fighters. She deserves second place.”
“Cadet Karen Stark was astounding too. That talent, that combat sense… Hoho, like beholding a young Sword Saint. Especially in swordsmanship, he matches or even exceeds the Crown Prince. More than worthy of third.”
“…And Ciel Ifrit from the Magic Tower. To be honest, I still can’t gauge that child’s limits. She overwhelmed every opponent again this time. Fourth is a given. Pure skill-wise, I’d rank her higher, but that playful combat attitude is…”
As expected, the discussion started with the Golden Generation’s core four.
They’d dominated ranks 1-4 in the entrance exam with overwhelming scores, and now locked in S-Rank top spots without dispute in the placement exam.
However.
By the original story’s flow, they should’ve moved on to debating S-Rank fifth place candidates.
Askal from Martial Arts, fifth in the entrance exam.
He’d made a huge impact in this practical duel too.
Yet the professors fell silent instead of bringing him up.
They all knew.
There was one cadet who’d left an even bigger impact than Askal.
“…Ahem.”
“…Hohoho.”
But no one broached it readily.
Because.
The impact he’d shown was… a bit weird.
“…So, what exactly is that Magic Department cadet up to?”
The Assassination professor finally broke the silence.
Professor Kate raised her hand, projecting an illusory hologram in the room’s center.
Jeron Airgia appeared, standing in the arena.
His messy white hair and unfocused violet eyes.
He stood there blankly, as if utterly disinterested in the world.
It was the start of his first duel, against Victor.
KABOOM!
A deep purple defensive spell withstood Victor’s fierce assault without budging.
Then, after Victor retreated, Jeron spread five fingers in the air—and the arena floor cracked miserably.
As the scene ended, professors sighed in unison.
“…Hah, still unbelievable on rewatch. No first-year should output that power.”
“Haven’t seen the arena walls like that in ages.”
“Wonder where a skilled cadet like that popped from.”
Some professors marveled at his prowess.
“But that combat attitude is dangerous. To my fighter’s eyes, he’s full of openings, honestly.”
“I agree. Isn’t it too complacent? Even a seasoned assassin would…”
Martial Arts and Assassination professors seemed skeptical.
“But he blocked the attack in the end. That’s confidence in his skill, right?”
“Process matters as much as results. And overconfidence turns to arrogance. Though this cadet seems more slothful than arrogant…”
“For now, let’s see the rest of his duels.”
Professor Kate switched scenes.
Next, Jeron dispatching his remaining five opponents in quick succession.
Overwhelming sights of slashing foes combat-unfit the instant battles began.
Finally, his duel with Saintess Justina.
An outrageous defense blocking her spear.
“Guess it’d be trouble if I killed the Saintess, huh?”
Followed by Jeron’s bombshell remark and his surrender.
With the illusion fading, the room sank into heavier silence.
Soon, Professor Sierra shattered it with laughter.
“Kyahaha! White-hair! Gotta give him points for romance. That combo like an enhanced signature spell, that new defense…! Haa, I can’t stand it. I wanna give this kid S-Rank?”
Her face and voice brimming with excitement.
The Holy Studies professor shook his head.
“I see it differently. Excuses aside, a loss is a loss. Surrendering without fighting to the end is deeply regrettable for a Stella cadet. Can’t give S-Rank.”
“Nonsense! That’s exactly what makes it romantic, what makes it Jeron! Argh, so frustrating! Must be that boring, romance-less Holy major—zero grasp of magic.”
“…Refrain from insulting other departments, Professor Sierra!”
“Did I say wrong? Just facts.”
Murmurs rose.
Other professors voiced opinions on Jeron, but they clashed.
Magic Department professors rated him highly; others were negative.
Common critiques: his lazy attitude, lack of drive, and crucially, surrendering midway without fighting full-out.
Veterans who knew even the strong could lose to the weak through carelessness couldn’t overlook it.
Yet his raw combat power rivaled S-Rank, undeniably.
Opinions clashed, heating the meeting.
Then.
Professor Kate cleared her throat quietly.
“Ahem.”
Instantly, all professors hushed.
Her authority was near-vice principal level.
“I’ve heard everyone’s views. Jeron’s attitude has issues, but no one disputes his talent and skill match S-Rank.”
She adjusted her glasses.
“As a Magic Department professor observing him, his attitude problems are in the improvement process.”
She declared calmly but firmly.
A faint pride tinged her expression.
Professor Kate truly believed so.
Jeron had kept his promise, approaching the duels diligently… well, diligently enough.
A stark change from deliberately tanking at enrollment.
Thus.
“Of course, with one loss—and a surrender at that—S-Rank is tough. But he showed impressive moments in the final duel. How about this decision?”
Finally, Professor Kate proposed Jeron’s rank.
Snap-
She flicked her finger, floating numbers in the air.
“This ranking.”
Professors nodded.
“Hmm… That seems perfectly fair.”
“Agreed.”
“A bit disappointing, but alright enough.”
With majority consent, Jeron’s rank was set.
***
Monday morning.
The classroom buzzed with energy from the start.
The first official ranks were out.
……
“Ah. So noisy.”
I feigned disinterest and exhaustion, caring nothing for it.
[Thorough Indifference]
[Slothful behavior!]
[Sloth +5!]
Purely for show, of course.
Deep down, I was dying to know the results.
“Jeron! Amazing!”
Then Yuria rushed over, thrilled, sharing the results.
[A-Rank - 5th: Jeron Airgia]
[A-Rank - 6th: Artel Rosenthal]
[B-Rank - 7th: Yuria Isolde]
A-Rank 5th.
‘What…?’
I was stunned.
In a good way.
A-Rank 5th was the highest score possible in the original game’s placement exam.
Normally required sweeping all foes effortlessly.
Yet I’d taken one loss—a surrender, no less—and still got it.
Impossible in the game.
‘Meeting the Saintess actually helped?!’
What I thought pure misfortune wasn’t.
Facing such a lofty opponent elevated my value too.
Plus, the WWE impression of ‘matching the Saintess.’
‘More than satisfactory.’
Thrilling result.
Artel nearly tied me at A-Rank 6th.
Yuria hit B-Rank upper ranks, a massive jump from her mid-tier entrance score.
All far higher than original.
‘Butterfly effect, but a positive one.’
Even more positive than expected.
My growth was natural, but…
Why were Yuria and Artel growing so fast too?
I hadn’t seriously helped them much yet.
As such questions swirled.
Ding!
The quest completion window finally popped up.
[Main Quest Completed.]
[Result: 6 Wins, 1 Loss (A-Rank)]
[Calculating rewards…]
Soon, final rewards appeared.
[Stat Points +10!]
‘Whoa!’
A huge stat point haul.
Equivalent to ten level-ups!
Perfect, since I desperately needed mana lately.
But.
Below it, an unexpected extra reward.
[Your duels were exceedingly slothful, granting a random Legendary-grade skill as bonus!]
‘Whoa, what’s this?’
Random Legendary skill? Jackpot.
Eager, I checked the reward.
But upon seeing it.
‘…No, you’re giving me this?’
I could only freak out.