Chapter 364 – Jezel’s Manipulation
So far, Jezel had found numerous reasons to harbor hatred towards the Foundation. She had even seriously pondered methods for revenge. And the moment Jonnas Wahyhiemhai, the man who would be the catalyst for her plans, was appointed as a professor at the academy, Jezel instinctively knew it was time to act.
‘If I can’t stop Jonnas Wahyhiemhai’s teaching activities here, then Oknodie’s academy life will surely fall under the Foundation’s control.’
The rest was obvious.
Oknodie’s visible reliance on the butler. All her interests would eventually shift from her friends back to the Foundation. And slowly, she would start to discard all relationships that were weaker than that with the Foundation.
‘Don’t be ridiculous. Before you take Oknodie from us, I will take Oknodie from you first.’
What schemes did Jezel need to employ to drive Jonnas Wahyhiemhai out of the academy? She already knew the answer.
“First, I need to reduce the number of students taking the Mana Refinement Technique Basics lecture as much as possible.”
“Do you think that will actually reduce the number? Besides, everyone has experienced the effects of that precious technique firsthand. No fool would miss an opportunity for growth, big or small.”
“Son Ohchun is right. Even I, as a chef, have felt my stamina improve just from standing in front of the wok. If you’re in a high combat job, you’d want to attend even more.”
Son Ohchun and Isabel’s viewpoints were indeed valid. Students sought lectures that benefited them. While they’d avoid harmful lectures even if told to attend, they wouldn’t ignore advantageous ones if advised against attending.
“Rumors. We need to spread rumors.”
“What kind of rumors?”
“For example… that the Foundation’s Mana Refinement Technique contains Dark Mana, causing students to unknowingly become dependent on it.”
Isabel jolted in surprise. So did Son Ohchun, who was equally alarmed.
“Jezel… I’ve thought about it occasionally, but it’s a relief you’re on our side. You’re actually considering spreading such terrifying rumors.”
“I agree. If that guy were at Rock Mountain, the beastfolk would have been wiped out long ago.”
If forced to choose between the Foundation and the Dark Trading Company, it was clear which side they would lean toward. The other lowerclassmen, unlike Son Ohchun and Isabel, reacted as expected.
“Did you hear? If you attend the Foundation professor’s lecture, Dark Mana will appear without you even realizing it.”
“That’s insane. Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Of course, it’s dangerous. You’d be forced into a situation where Dark Mana controls more people. It’s way riskier than Camela’s pet contracts.”
“It’s not like the disappearance of the Foundation professor would significantly harm us anyway.”
“From the start, that lecture doesn’t help weaklings much, does it?”
From the first week of the Health Measurement, the clear effectiveness differences corresponding to stamina stats were evident! While it could be a valuable experience for the lowerclassmen, the lecture didn’t really provide them substantial help. Nonetheless, some students still wanted to attend, but mob mentality wouldn’t allow it.
“Are you guys wasting your time attending the Foundation professor’s lecture? The credits you’re using up might come back to blast you to smithereens someday!”
Under Jezel’s leadership, a cunning wave of treasonous gaslighting spread, creating a fearful atmosphere that even students who wanted to attend the lectures couldn’t muster the courage to step in.
“Huh? What do listening to lectures have to do with treason? So if I attend the Imperial professor’s lecture, I’ll become an imperialist, and if I attend a border lecture, I’ll become a borderist? Come on.”
“Rosgini… that’s not entirely wrong. In reality, imperialists and borderists choose their lectures based on the professors’ backgrounds and affiliations.”
“Ugh. Stop talking nonsense, Sandkooker. Magicians follow the bright minds. It’s foolish to narrow your knowledge due to such absurd prejudices and slanders.”
Of course, a small group of determined students refused to waver in their intention to attend the lectures. Jezel felt the need to spread an even more insidious rumor.
“Did you hear, Rosgini? Starting next week, the professor’s assignments are going to flood in like crazy.”
“What? Oh, no way. I finally found a lecture I wanted to take, and now I can’t handle it all.”
Magicians with weak stamina were struggling just to complete their assignments, and they felt they couldn’t dauntlessly commit to attending Professor Jonnas’s lectures again, leading to a cancellation of their second-week enrollment. Not just Rosgini and Sandkooker, but practically every lowerclassman — and even some upperclassmen — ended up abandoning the lectures at this point. The remaining few students were a small, elite group possessing immense perseverance and skill.
Black Knight Mob. Apprentice Forest Guardian Dorothy. Speedy Swordsman Rockbell. Berserker Hestia. Eastern Swordsman Sing. Second Princess Masugaki. Warrior Ishtar.
Jezel decided to directly approach those among them she could persuade.
“Mob. It’s been a while since we’ve faced each other like this.”
“Miss Jezel. I owe you for the information about the Hooked Ghost before. Thank you for the help, we could use that information to rescue Oknodie.”
“I’m glad I could help. It’s a bit early, but may I request repayment for that favor?”
“I, uh, still have some leeway in my points…”
“Don’t worry. I’m not asking for repayment in points. It won’t cost you any money or time. In fact, it’s something that’ll save you both.”
Jezel spoke firmly.
“Please withdraw from Jonnas Wahyhiemhai’s Mana Refinement Technique Basics lecture dispatched by the Wahyhiemhai Foundation.”
“Is that absolutely necessary?”
“This is the repayment condition I propose. If you refuse, I will demand payment for information using your points, and be prepared for forced point borrowing for any deficiencies.”
“…Wasn’t that professor Oknodie’s butler? Why are you, someone close to that child, obstructing a class taught by an Oknodie resident?”
Mob, adamant that he wouldn’t back down without a reasonable explanation. Seeing his determination, Jezel felt a hint of courage from him, as he appeared ready to sever ties with the Dark Trading Company if necessary.
It’s easy to ride the wave of power, but challenging to stand against it. Jezel was weak against those who accomplished difficult tasks. Those who lived in darkness might speak of shunning and hating light, but within their hearts, they often yearn for it.
“I must sever our connection with the Foundation for Oknodie’s sake. If you attended, you’d know how brutal the training can be — to the point of breaking bones and enduring unbearable pain.”
Honestly, anyone would frown upon witnessing that.
Jezel genuinely believed this. However, the person who had directly experienced Oknodie’s training had a slightly different opinion.
“Occasionally, bones might break during training. Isn’t it a bit overdramatic?”
“Huh?”
“Jumping into the Burning Ring, dunking my head in a washbasin to boost cardio endurance, and swimming up from the riverbed while donning heavy armor — honestly, do you think it’s so strange for bones to break?”
“Wait, what…?”
As Jezel was about to retort with disbelief, she realized that Mob was merely referencing his training course, which Oknodie likely underwent from the Foundation. For Mob, who would have received similar training, this was nothing out of the ordinary!
The comparison had been misguided from the start.
“…If you really believe that, then continue attending. Just remember that you will have to repay the Dark Trading Company with points.”
Now, he would surely quit just to avoid wasting money. Contrary to her expectations, Mob immediately transferred points via his magic watch right there.
“Where did a lowerclassman get so much point money!?”
“The professors appreciate students who struggle through their lectures. Especially the professors from the Knight Department are generous with bonuses.”
He was being recognized for his enthusiasm, attending physically demanding lectures in heavy armor!
Unintentionally following the growth route of Strength-Minded Divine Marine, he received this unexpected benefit. In the end, Jezel completely lost her grip on Mob.
‘It’s fine. Just a single Mob won’t matter.’
Mob was a hardworking and capable student for a lowerclassman, but there were still plenty of students following the Dark Trading Company and even more second-year seniors remaining.
She just had to convince the likes of Forest Guardian Dorothy or Speedy Swordsman Rockbell, or Berserker Hestia.
“No way!”
“If Dorothy wants to attend, then I’ll go too.”
“Since the Foundation is dangerous, we should stick closer to Oknodie.”
Contrary to Jezel’s intentions, the upperclassmen were firm in their resolve. However, while she had lost control over Mob, she still had leverage over these students.
“I can use the Dark Trading Company’s information network to check on the news from Dorothy’s hometown forest. Would that be a fair negotiation?”
“Really!? I’m worried about my pet puppy I left behind in the forest; can you check on it?”
“A pet? That’s not a difficult task.”
As Dorothy joined her, her childhood friend Rockbell, who followed her around like a puppy, also surrendered.
“I’ll bring some new foods that Oknodie hasn’t tasted yet to Hestia. If I do that, you should be able to spend some private moments with Oknodie.”
“Can’t I be with her during class too? We’re also in the same club.”
“Just know that you won’t be spending time alone during class or club activities.”
Not needing the Mana Refinement Technique, since she was already being educated in the Mana Flow Technique, Hestia also agreed to forfeit.
“If you want to die, I’ll grant your request.”
“…”
The negotiation with Sing began with failure, but the number of students attending the lectures had significantly dropped. Mob, Sing, Masugaki, Ishtar, Oknodie.
Only five students remained in the lecture. Rumors circulated that only three people were daring to attend the lectures of the previous Hero Party, the Destroyer, who was a member of the Warrior Party. However, the stature of the Destroyer was on an entirely different level than Jonnas.
This lecture began at 2 PM on Saturdays.
It wasn’t easy to attend a lecture at a time when students were supposed to relax.
‘To keep continuing that grueling course, we’ll need a substantial number of students. Unlike Professor Destroyer, Professor Jonnas might have become a target for the political strife among the Imperial professors.’
If he couldn’t maintain sufficient student numbers, Professor Jonnas’s class might be naturally closed due to those political disputes.
“Jezel! I’ve heard all about your recent antics.”
The problem was that Oknodie had come looking after hearing rumors. But this child always exceeded expectations, and today was no exception. Even though she had prepared more than ten excuses to isolate her from the Foundation, none of them could be applied to the situation that unfolded.
“Well done!”
“…Huh?”
“Thanks to you, I was getting fed up with too much good stuff and now we can enjoy it all ourselves, right?”
“…I also decided to give up on that lecture.”
“Whoa. You’re showing exemplary behavior so others will give up too!”
As people were prevented from attending, she was more pleased. Behind her relief at not being hated, a much larger sense of unease arose.
This was an expression of trust.
A solid belief that, regardless of student numbers, Jonnas’s teaching position would not be undermined. Embedded in her trust regarding her own actions was a deep faith in Jonnas.
Had she betrayed such pure trust?
Jezel felt an unsettling sense of shame.
