Chapter 80
Chapter 80
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Academy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Our expedition proceeded quietly.
The goal of this expedition was to uncover the demon hiding in human society.
Making a big fuss about our departure would only backfire.
And so, without any fanfare, we boarded the carriage.
"How could something like this happen..."
"Indeed."
The place we were heading to now was the Empire's public institution for educating children—an institution commonly known as the Academy.
If it had existed long ago, I, Ariana, and Ruin would all be attending it by now. But this world's Academy was established around the time I was striving to become a Holy Knight.
In other words, it was newly founded.
Yet its effects were already tremendous, making it the demons' top priority target among human institutions—one they absolutely had to eliminate.
"Demons infiltrating an educational institution... Is this really allowed to happen?"
Ariana looked deeply saddened at the thought of demons sneaking into the Academy, built for the sake of so many people.
She had been the happiest when the Academy was first established, after all.
"Saintess, please don't worry too much. That's exactly why we're going—to find that hidden demon. Once we root them out, the Academy's security will be strengthened, and no demons will ever dare approach again."
"Is... Is that so?"
"Yes, of course."
To be honest, as someone who had possessed this body and seen countless Academy stories where the place gets attacked, I had my concerns. But in this game, after catching the culprit, there was definitely a line about how "the Academy remained an excellent educational institution for centuries afterward." So it should be fine.
"The Academy... Even with a demon infiltrated, it surely hasn't wielded much influence thanks to the strong, kind students and the powerful, exemplary professors! Right?!"
"Uh... Yeah..."
"Is?"
"Ah, yes, yes. Surely that's the case."
I can't exactly tell her this...
How could I explain the Academy's current state to Ariana?
No way could the Saintess hear straight-up that racial discrimination, classism, bullying, extortion, fraud, and gambling were rampant inside.
Somehow hiding the harsh truth from Ariana, we pressed on smoothly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ -We have arrived at the Academy! Having passed the time in the carriage while keeping my mind alert, I finally heard the announcement of our arrival.
Ariana, who had been praying, opened her eyes.
She quickly finished her prayer and descended from the carriage with my escort.
Only one person awaited us—a rotund middle-aged man whose weight might well challenge two hundred pounds. He stepped forward and bowed to us.
"Welcome! Saintess and her party. Spirion Academy extends a warm welcome to you all!"
"May the goddess's blessings reach the Academy as well. I'm Saintess Ariana. It's a pleasure."
Ariana returned his greeting.
The man then raised his head and approached Ariana a bit closer.
"I am Virian Corrite, vice principal of this Academy. By order of the principal, I will be guiding you today."
"Pleased to meet you."
With that, the rest of our group went their separate ways, while Ariana and I followed the vice principal into the Academy grounds.
Even just entering the premises—not even the buildings yet—revealed top-tier training facilities everywhere.
Facilities for honing magic or archery precision, and others for students practicing close-quarters weapons.
Lakes and vibrant trees were artfully placed throughout, creating a visually pleasing atmosphere.
It was a landscape perfect for a romantic youth.
"Wow..."
Unlike the opulent, mystical vibes of the imperial palace or Illunite, this romantically beautiful setting left Ariana in awe.
The vice principal, beaming with pride, boasted confidently.
"Our Academy strives at all times to create the perfect environment for our students. As a result, their combat abilities grow more than threefold! Even the lowest-ranking student emerges with skills enough to captain a guard unit in society! Hahaha!"
His booming laughter set his double chin jiggling wildly.
Ariana smiled, seemingly reassured by his words.
"That's a relief... So many children have been saved..."
"Saintess..."
Watching her tugged at my heartstrings too.
At that moment.
💥 AAARGH! 💥 "Huh?"
"...?"
A cry of pain echoed from somewhere.
I turned to the vice principal, who was now sweating profusely.
"...Is."
"Yes."
"!! W-Wai—"
The vice principal tried desperately to stop us, but I swiftly led Ariana toward the source of the sound.
"What speed...!"
I ignored his shouts from behind and kept moving.
The noise came from behind one of the buildings.
"Is."
"Yes, Saintess."
Unsure what was happening, Ariana gave me a look urging readiness. I drew my shotel and shield as instructed.
Of course, I knew exactly what was going on back there.
Still, to avoid tipping her off, I approached cautiously in full guard stance.
Ensuring Ariana stayed safely behind me in the optimal position, we rounded the corner!
"Hurry up and cough up two gold. You fucking dirtied my shoes because of you!"
"B-But I really don't have any money... And your shoes got that way on their own during sparring earlier—"
"Fuckin' hell!"
A redheaded male student was menacing a brown-haired, shaggy mop-top student slumped against the wall.
Having already decided to throw punches, the redhead clenched his fist.
Thwack.
"Agh? Who the hell are you?"
I grabbed his wrist instantly.
His eyes filled with rage as he glared at me.
"Armor? What the...?"
Perhaps thrown off by my incongruous white armor in the Academy, he hesitated briefly.
But only for a moment.
"...Tch, fucking enforcers. Whatever."
Flames erupted in his free hand—the one not gripped by me.
"Die!"
He swung his fiery fist at me.
No need for the shield—I slammed him into the wall using the arm holding his wrist.
Bam!
"Gahk...!"
Blood burst from his nose as the redhead collapsed unconscious.
I extended a hand to the brown-haired student.
"Are you alright?"
"Ah..."
He stared blankly at my hand.
Then smack!—he slapped it away.
"D-Don't butt in where you're not wanted...! Leo's gonna retaliate...! I'm done for! Waaaaah!"
He bolted off after his outburst.
I figured it'd go like this, but it still sucks.
Even knowing it from the player's perspective, experiencing it firsthand felt worse.
Helping someone only to get chewed out.
But this incident would serve as the trigger...
"...What. Is. This."
"Huff, huff... Oh dear! Saintess, I can explain everything!"
"...Vice Principal, I want a full, unsparing explanation of this situation."
"Of course—"
"Full. Unsparing."
"Y-Yes..."
...for Ariana to learn the ugly truth about the Academy.
The vice principal's massive back, as he led the Saintess, looked for all the world like Noe from that song—shot dead mid-dance.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Our Academy wasn't like this at first. All the students, though awkward, bonded regardless of status. They even understood each other's cultures to some extent and got along. True to the Academy's ideals, it was a harmonious place where everyone helped one another—that was the Academy's true face."
We sat on the sofa in the vice principal's office, listening intently to his tale.
Expensive leather too, of course. Classic Academy budget looter.
"But then, at some point—no, precisely after the 'witch' arrived—everything changed."
"The 'witch'?"
"Yes. A witch—the offspring of a mage who consorted with demons."
"Then..."
Ariana turned to me gravely.
Her eyes screamed, Isn't the evidence too obvious?
But I signaled her to hold off and observe more.
"The witch hid her identity, claimed top spot in magic theory, and it was the young lady of the Western Duke's house who exposed her vile nature. Thanks to that, our faculty learned of the witch too... But the problem was the seed of distrust she planted afterward."
The vice principal gazed wistfully into the distance.
"That seed grew uncontrollably, completely upending the Academy from within."
He bowed his head to Ariana.
"Please, capture the demon lurking in our Academy! If you drive out the witch too, our morale will soar, and we can reclaim the Academy's former glory!"