Chapter 87: Festival: Contract (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87: Festival: Contract (2)
"Hmm, it's not as impressive as I thought."
A pinkish, teardrop-shaped crystal. I rolled it around in my hand.
I didn't know much about accessories, but even at a glance, the craftsmanship looked cheap. At best, it was mediocre.
"Excuse me..."
The woman knelt, her hair hanging down. Just a moment ago, she had revealed her name was Choi Seol-ah.
"Could you... please give it back?"
Choi Seol-ah spoke in a barely audible, crawling voice. Her tone was dripping with forced humility, and a hint of despicableness clung to the corners of her forced smile.
This bitch.
When I narrowed my eyes, she let out a sharp gasp and bit her lip. Her fists, resting on her knees, trembled violently—either from resentment or fear, likely one of the two.
I sighed and looked back at the gem.
I spun it between my thumb and index finger, holding it up to the streetlight to inspect its color. It looked almost identical to translucent amber.
I thought the Mark of the Thrall would look a bit different.
The Mark of the Thrall was a crystal created when a villain formed a contract with a Corps Commander-class demon. They used it to prove which Corps Commander they served under. In villain society, it was used much like an employee ID card.
But that's just the information known to the public.
Its true purpose was for the Corps Commander to control their villains. This pebble-like gem contained the life force of the contracted party.
Upon forming a contract, two crystals were created, held by the Corps Commander and the contractor respectively. The employer, the Corps Commander, held the transmitting mark, while the slave, the villain, held the receiving mark.
By keeping their slaves' hearts in their pockets, the Corps Commanders could order them around at any time. It was an intuitive and highly effective leash.
Now, some might wonder why I took this crystal, which was nothing more than a receiver.
Agor was already dead and gone, so the mark could no longer function, and to someone like me who lacked magic power, it seemed utterly useless.
Besides, even if it contained life force, it belonged to the villain standing right in front of me, making it seem worthless.
But.
...At least as a former player, I can use it for something else.
I let out a faint smile and pocketed the mark. Choi Seol-ah's eyes darted around frantically. Her reaction confirmed that I had made the right choice.
"Hey."
"Yes~?"
When I spoke, Choi Seol-ah peeked up, intentionally mixing a cute tone into her voice.
I stared blankly at Choi Seol-ah. Her cloudy, glistening pupils were proof that she had no humanity left. Her eyes might look gentle, but she was completely hollow inside.
...Still, thanks to her, I learned some things I had no idea about.
The story I had just heard from Choi Seol-ah.
Apparently, among the villains, Leon had taken the fall for subjugating Agor instead of me. I was secretly surprised at first.
The reason was the villains' information network. The Sword Emperor must have strictly ordered everyone to keep quiet, yet the news had already leaked to them.
It seemed villains had already taken deep root throughout the Academy.
According to Choi Seol-ah, villains periodically change their appearance, but their fake identities remain consistent.
Since there are hundreds of Academy staff members, people wouldn't notice a slight change in appearance. But there was always a way.
I should ask Ryozo to print out a list of all the Academy members.
My plan to weed out the villains was simple. Memorize all those hundreds of faces and cross-reference them with the actual people.
It would require some legwork, but I had my club members. If I explained it well, they would surely lend a hand.
They wouldn't like the idea of villains lurking inside the Academy either, so they had no reason to refuse. And if they still didn't want to, well...
They can just become the club president themselves.
Finishing my thoughts, I spoke in a low voice.
"So, why are you guys targeting Leon instead of me?"
"...I don't really... know about that part."
Choi Seol-ah replied in a faint voice. When I pressed my Sashimi against her neck, she gasped in terror, even though the blade was still in its sheath.
"I-I'm telling the truth! There's this guy among the villains called 'The Professor,' and almost everything comes out of that bastard's head. A low-level grunt like me really doesn't k-know!"
"What kind of guy is this Professor?"
"...Well."
Hesitating to speak, Choi Seol-ah let out a groan. I pushed the blade a bit closer to her neck. Only then did she confess in a tearful voice.
"Except for the fact that he's a subordinate of Lord Kuarne—no, that demon bastard—I really don't know anything else!"
...The 2nd Corps Commander, Kuarne.
With Lycan sealed, he was the majin currently called the commander-in-chief of the Demon King's Army.
If he was that demon's thrall, he was bound to be a troublesome opponent.
To think such a guy is in the Academy.
Choi Seol-ah tried to scurry backward on her knees, but after getting caught red-handed, she returned to her original spot. She chuckled sheepishly and added:
"Unlike other villains who know each other in secret even while hiding their identities, absolutely no villain knows who that bastard really is. That's why his reputation among villains is terrible. He cosplays as a professor and acts all high and mighty."
Choi Seol-ah badmouthed him passionately. Gesticulating wildly with her hands and feet as she talked, she seemed desperately eager to live.
...Seeing a decent-looking, beautiful woman act so subserviently to a teenager felt incredibly bizarre.
She's definitely not the trustworthy type.
I suddenly narrowed my eyes and sharpened my senses. I focused all my attention on a single point: Choi Seol-ah.
Having just awakened my sixth sense, my perception was sharper than ever. It might sound strange, but it felt as if I could see right through her. It was an ability that would probably make me feel miserable if I used it too often. Anyway.
What I feel is...
A faint trace, like the mere dregs of magic power. Her magic power must have been leaking away ever since Agor died. Perhaps because she had relied entirely on magic until now, her physical abilities were nothing special either.
No matter how I looked at her, she wasn't a threat. But leaving her be felt like it would leave a bad taste in my mouth.
I rubbed my temples, lost in thought. What would be the cleanest way to handle her? After pondering for a long time, I finally raised my head.
Choi Seol-ah flinched as our eyes met. She swallowed hard and put on a deceitful smile. I stared at her with a dry gaze before speaking quietly.
"Choi Seol-ah."
"Y-yes!"
"From now on, you're going to be a villain."
Choi Seol-ah's eyes widened, clearly not understanding what I meant.
"...Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"You don't get it?"
"U-uh. Well... I feel like I understand, but it's a bit vague? I was originally a villain... No, since my master is dead now, am I not a villain? Anyway, what exactly do you mean...?"
Choi Seol-ah broke out in a cold sweat as she carefully chose her words.
Of course she doesn't know.
She had to. Because it was a line from a movie I liked in my past life.
Sending the fox that escaped the tiger's den back into the den. It was the basics of political intrigue learned from movies.
* * *
Having spared her life, Choi Seol-ah fled the scene as if escaping.
Before leaving, she bent at the waist, bowing repeatedly like a folding phone. I knew she wasn't being sincere, but I let it slide.
Honestly, if I looked at her any longer, the things she had done would flash through my mind, and my sword would probably fly out first. I barely managed to stop my hand from magnetically gripping the hilt.
As I've emphasized time and again, I believe talking things out is always the best approach.
Physical force comes next. I believe it's only right to try talking first, and if that doesn't work, then you resort to a different kind of conversation.
Today's slash was unavoidable, though.
Choi Seol-ah's personality was like a bat—constantly shifting sides. She was disqualified from being an ally or helper, but she wouldn't be bad as an informant. After much deliberation, my decision leaned toward utilizing her.
I'll have to put her to work properly.
As long as I used the carrot and the stick effectively, I was confident I could squeeze her dry. I had already taken her Mark of the Thrall, and if she became a problem, it wouldn't be too late to deal with her then.
I organized my thoughts. Soon, final exams would be here, followed immediately by summer vacation.
I wasn't a meticulous planner, but one still had to draw up a rough blueprint. Preparation is key for everything; once it happens, it's too late.
I didn't know what this "Professor" was plotting, but the outline of the mastermind was slowly starting to take shape.
The Auditore family, who would oust the Council of Elders, was already on the move, and I had planted Choi Seol-ah on the villains' side. I just had to wait for the gears to align. In the meantime, I planned to steadily build up my own strength.
Mining magic stones, training with the Sword Emperor, and gathering information.
On top of that, various events. There was a mountain of things to do. Even if I couldn't prepare perfectly, I had to do as much as possible.
At that moment, my phone buzzed in my pocket, and the screen lit up.
♬
[Ryozo: Where are you?]
"Ah, right."
I had been away for too long due to an unexpected turn of events. I tapped the screen with my index finger.
[Me: Just in the bathroom]
As soon as I sent it, the ringtone played: Rollin~♬.
[Ryozo: Are you making it in there? Why are you taking so long? ㅡ.ㅡ]
My index finger hovered for a moment. That wasn't exactly the kind of vocabulary choice you'd expect from a well-bred young lady.
Well, she's always been like this.
...But don't people technically make it before they poop anyway? I chuckled dryly and replied.
[Me: On my way now]
[Ryozo: Get me a Melona on your way back]
[Me: I'm buying Babico]
[Ryozo: Ew, old man]
I sent the text and dusted off my pants.
At the same time.
A booming firework sound reached my ears.
Naturally, my gaze followed the sound.
Boom, bang—!
Once again, a streak of light shot up into my vision and scattered.
Soon after, colorful sparks burst brilliantly across the dark sky. I stared blankly at the scene as fragments of light scattered like a fountain.
"I'm glad I didn't go back to the dormitory."
I tilted my head far back. Fireworks continued to embroider the black canvas.
Animals like birds and elephants, as well as phrases in various languages, were written in the sky. I felt overwhelmed by their immense scale and splendor.
The scale is absolutely incredible.
Those fireworks held great significance in the Academy's festival. They symbolized sending the cadets' blessings to the ancestors who had become stars. It was a long-standing tradition that had never been broken since the founding of the Academy.
"Maybe I should have asked the club members to come with me."
I scratched my head. Although being alone had brought an unexpected harvest, I felt like I had missed out on something more important.
I quickly started walking. If I hurried, I could join them before the fireworks display ended.
Patter!
My footsteps heading down were light.
Bang—!
Bright colors burst once more behind my back.
The afterglow illuminated the night landscape, signaling the end of the festival.
* * *
Time flew by like an arrow, as if it had been waiting.
As if the festival of the past days had been a dream.
And so, after the youth's event ended, what welcomed us was...
"Ah—exams again, already."
Weapon scratched his temple vigorously with a pencil eraser. His brow was furrowed in irritation.
Next to him, Ryozo was slumped over like seaweed.
Bzzzz—
Chloe tracked a fruit fly with her eyes. Her pupils moved rapidly.
"Damn it, why is there so much material on the exam syllabus again? Isn't this a complete violation of student human rights? President, what do you think?"
Weapon slammed his palm down on three textbooks the size of encyclopedias. The mountain of books shook. For reference, those were the scope of the upcoming written final exams. I nodded in agreement.
"I mean, do we only take a written final exam? We have a practical exam too. Ha, I'm seriously going crazy—"
"Oh, shut up!"
The voice that cut off his seemingly endless grumbling was Ryozo's. She glared at Weapon with fiercely narrowed eyes.
"How long do I have to listen to you whine? Just shut your trap and study. Why are you babbling and keeping me from sleeping, huh?!"
"Hey! Am I the only one taking the exam? You're taking it too, Ryozo. How are we supposed to memorize this insane amount of material? Just reading it all takes—"
"I already memorized it all, though?"
"...What?"
Weapon flinched at Ryozo's blunt reply. Ryozo tilted her head as if to say, 'Yeah, got a problem?' Just as Weapon's face turned red as a beet and his lips parted to speak—
Bzzzz— Slap—!
A sharp sound of flesh meeting flesh. Chloe's stinging palm slapped Weapon across the cheek.
"......?"
"U-uh."
Weapon's head spun to the side. He cupped his left cheek with a dazed expression. Seeing his eyes well up with tears, she must have a really heavy hand.
"I-I'm so sorry! A fly landed on your cheek, Weapon, and I just...! I'm really, really sorry!"
Chloe quickly apologized with a look of deep regret. Weapon, still dazed, only parted his lips silently, while Ryozo wore a smirk at the sight.
At that moment.
Ding-dong! You have a text message.
Mail desu! Rollin~♬
Our phone notifications rang simultaneously.
Excluding the dazed Weapon, we all checked our phones.
* * *
[First Semester Practical Final Exam Announcement, 2034]
Please be advised that due to certain circumstances, the content of the practical final exam has been changed as follows.
* * *