---

121. Am I on Your Side? (1)

After the tumultuous training of Jason ended, we arrived at Radian’s private research lab.

Radian brought us here as if he had something secretive to discuss.

Considering he arranged for us to converse in a place with no one around, I figured it must be a serious matter.

His lab’s somber atmosphere only contributed to that notion.

“Huh? So, Professor Stella and… you two are dating…?”

“Yeah, we’ve decided to date.”

But the one who set up this atmosphere blurted out something completely opposite.

Initially, it was Kent who had a serious expression while being summoned here. It looked as if he had built a fortress of iron walls on his face.

It was his way of preparing himself to collect his thoughts after hearing something shocking.

“I-I didn’t know something like that was happening….”

Yet, his carefully constructed fortress crumbled with just a light stimulus. The shock was unexpected and in a different direction than anticipated.

“Is it that surprising?”

“It’s absolutely surprising! Someone like the professor dating… It feels like a lion confessing to a mere rabbit!”

“Then does that mean Professor Stella is just a mere rabbit?”

“Uh, well….”

Overexcited, Kent made a slip of the tongue.

In his frenzy, he forgot that Stella was not someone to be looked down upon with such a ‘mere’ term.

“I’m really sorry. I’ll accept any penalties or community service.”

“It’s fine. It’s only natural for someone as diligent as you to be shocked.”

As Radian said, it indeed was shocking news.

Yet, I secretly felt disappointed, thinking it wasn’t enough news to sway the department or the class.

“Please don’t tell me you called us here just for that?”

Jenny puffed her lips, as if displeased. My and Luska’s reactions were similar.

It was as if Radian had read our feelings and replied with sarcasm, “Actually, you all already know because of the ring. You know what kind of relationship I have with her.”

Right now, it wasn’t on his finger. The reason being, I had spilled ink on it, causing the gold plating to get dirty.

I felt terribly sorry. Surely, I’d have to make it up soon, right?

“So I hope you can keep it a secret.”

Radian said it plainly, and that was indeed the reason we were called here.

In Kent’s case, he was a highly trusted class leader, so he was summoned along with us.

Then, Luska, with an odd question, spoke up, “But isn’t it too late to keep a secret? We’ve seen you wearing it since the opening ceremony.”

“Don’t worry. No one has seen it. Because it was adjusted for that day. So, the first people to see it are you guys.”

…And also the last ones to see it, added Radian.

In other words, apart from us, no one knows that the two are dating.

It truly was a miracle among miracles. So, does that mean even Adela, the teaching assistant, doesn’t know?

“But when did you two become a couple?”

Kent inquired, with my curiosity mirrored in his eyes. I was just as curious about that.

How did the eternally single Professor Stella manage to cultivate a relationship with such a prominent man?

“Strangely enough, I started hanging around with Professor Stella a lot. Even during the Mosria incident.”

At that time, honestly, it was a series of coincidences. I hadn’t known there were only two professors left in the department.

But no one anticipated that those coincidences would keep adding up.

“After that, my relationship with her improved quite a bit. Using this as an excuse, I accompanied her to distribute official documents to external organizations. Due to research materials on sacred magic, we stopped by the Magic Federation or shared training materials with the Swordsmanship Society. Because the routes coincided well.”

We needed to capture attention through intriguing materials for the large organizations. It was to maintain anticipation for the upcoming magical banquet this year.

It might seem like a simple errand, but it wasn’t easy at all. The terrain that those organizations were established on had paths that couldn’t be traversed by carriages or trains.

Thus, the two had to cross perilous paths like swinging bridges, repel attacking thieves and monsters, and spend the night in a sealed space to avoid the capricious weather.

Just the two of them, a man and a woman…

“Indeed, life is full of surprises. Who could’ve imagined I’d get my lips taken by surprise back then?”

It had been a long winter break. Having a man and a woman in the same room, it was obvious what kind of chemical reactions would occur.

Though not guaranteed, the probability of it leading to a romantic relationship increases exponentially.

“Ooooh! That’s truly a match made in heaven!”

Kent couldn’t contain his excitement and made a fuss. He expressed his congratulations in his own unique way.

“Just being in the same space led to such developments…?”

I could see Luska casting a quick glance my way. It seemed she was wondering if that applied to her as well.

However, she was mistaken.

“Luska, what kind of thoughts are you having?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Jenny, with a bright smile on her face, blocked Luska’s gaze. Luska shot her a look as if to say “Move aside,” but Jenny shot back the same.

In the simple exchange of glances, the tension felt like a fierce SF battlefield filled with laser bombardments.

What are they doing in front of the professor?

“Spring is just around the corner. I can’t help but feel excited thinking about the blooming cherry blossoms soon.”

A person who would’ve had to go into a coffin in the main story was now dreaming of walking the streets filled with swirling cherry petals with their lover.

Even if I created the situation, it felt like Radian’s strict image was crumbling.

Is he truly turning into a pure-hearted man? Though not necessarily bad.

“If only that fellow wasn’t around, it would have been perfect.”

“That fellow?”

“Your new instructor.”

He was also aware of Jason Baikel’s existence. It would indeed be odd if he weren’t.

“Do you know Instructor Jason?”

“I once served in the royal family. Moreover, he was my junior.”

“So about that guy….”

“Are you asking me to tell you?”

Radian cut off Kent’s question sternly.

His earlier romantic attitude had completely changed in 180 degrees. It seemed he wasn’t just becoming a pure-hearted man after all.

“As you all sensed, that guy is not a good one. And… I can’t say any more than that.”

“Does that mean he’s more dangerous than we think?”

Students might feel a threat, but revealing Jason’s cruelty or his history would indeed be perilous.

“Don’t dig too deep, Kent. The Royal Knights are not just a department that protects citizens.”

Those who dedicate themselves for the Empire or those related by blood would have heard of it.

Black Squad. They claim to be a knight order, but everything is shrouded in mystery. Any leakage of information related to them would mean certain death.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”

“Well, anyway, I never thought he’d be assigned as your instructor. There’s no denying he’s skilled….”

Radian sunk into deep thought. Questions about Jason would linger in his mind.

He still wouldn’t know about the Doomsday lurking behind Jason’s swift promotion, which was just supposed to be a mere disciplinary action.

*

Radian and Stella’s relationship was sealed as a secret known only to us.

All sorts of questions were postponed for later. Digging deeper into the Black Squad and everything else would only bring exhaustion.

And now, there was something else we needed to discuss.

“Candidate No. 2, Angela Whitegreen. I can’t believe she’s actually running.”

Throughout the academy, screens were set up to briefly announce notifications.

Some appeared as translucent projections, but what we were looking at was a sizable mirror.

It was also announcing another candidate for student council president alongside one of us.

“Why did Angela decide to run? No matter how much a saint she is, her experience is just novice level.”

In response to Jenny’s reasonable question, Luska shared what she’d heard directly from Angela.

“It’s because of Candidate No. 1. She felt she had to prevent that woman from being elected, forcing herself to run.”

Candidate No. 1, Nebia Chromag. Angela couldn’t just sit back after realizing the dark intentions behind her.

Although the academy had once faced danger from the nine-tailed fox, this time she took a stand to protect against harm.

“So then, you’ll be voting for Angela, right?”

Luska asked with hopeful eyes, as if expecting us to support Angela.

However, one can’t always lean entirely on connections.

“Sadly, I’ve decided to vote for Crona. Angela is precious, but… Crona and I are friends from childhood.”

The positions of both sides were made clear. Just like in the research lab earlier, this time, sparks began to fly for other reasons.

Right, this time it was a reasonably logical reason.

“Radon, who will you vote for?”

“You’ll definitely pick a good candidate, right?”

The girls suddenly aimed their gazes at me.

It sounded like they were telling me to do as I pleased, but as soon as our eyes met, I could sense their hidden feelings.

Picking either Angela or Crona would win one of them over, but naturally, the other would feel betrayed.

“I also have someone in mind.”

“Who is it?”

“A secret.”

“Don’t do that, just let us know.”

As I started to move, Jenny followed closely and laughed. Watching her simple demeanor, Luska began walking slowly with a smile.

The mirror we stood in front of continued displaying the candidates.

Candidate No. 1. Nebia Chromag.

Candidate No. 2. Angela Greenwhite.

Candidate No. 3. Crona Delaware.

The display seemed to have little chance of change. Yet, the notifications were always updated by the archive.

Candidate No. 4. Mirona Divine Kirien.

As a new candidate was added, a white dot began to appear on the branches of the tree beside me.

Spring, filled with the scent of the garden, was just around the corner.

*

Recently, I seemed to have gotten good at lying.

I tended to shoot straight, but that wouldn’t always cut it.

Moreover, overdoing it could lead to disastrous outcomes. Just imagining if the other party were someone of high rank sent chills down my spine.

-Liar’s Erosion Rate: 88%

What’s more, even if I reduced the erosion rate, it just kept creeping back up.

I was supposed to write a newspaper article right away, but the club’s activation was next week.

Therefore, I needed to cause some kind of commotion now.

The sun was setting. After parting with Jenny and Luska, I continued walking down the professors’ building.

Then I entered the Unique Hall and climbed the stairs.

Knock knock—

The door I knocked on was quite wide.

Well, it had to be. After all, it belonged to someone who had taken an entire floor of the staff’s research building for their unnecessarily extravagant space.

“Who is it?”

“I’m Radon Crawler, second-year Combat Department. May I come in?”

As I spoke, there was a moment of silence.

It seemed like they were hesitating, wondering what a student was doing here at this hour.

“Come in.”

The decision took about 10 seconds. As the door opened, a lavish space was revealed.

It seemed almost too spacious and clean to be a professor’s private lab. The decor gave off an impression of being a royal office.

Seated in the middle, Jason Baikel was staring at me while sipping his tea.

“Come sit.”

I walked over to the chair opposite him and took a seat. He was perched on a wide, comfortable chair, which revealed his arrogant demeanor.

He must think it’s okay to act this way in front of a subordinate.

“Originally, I was planning to send you away. During the first class, I told everyone to rush at me, and you were the only one who didn’t.”

“….”

“At first, I racked my brain trying to remember who it was, and finally put it together when I checked the roster. Here you are before me.”

It turned out to be me. At that time, I was completely forgotten while timing my entrance.

“So, what brings a coward like you to my research lab?”

Coward… I had nothing to say to that. But even if I had to, I would’ve been treated the same.

Jason is that kind of person.

“I have one thing to convey.”

“What is it?”

“Before that… I recommend you clear this room of anyone else present.”

Jason’s eyebrows twitched.

For a mere pest to be trying to disrupt his space, it would naturally infuriate him.

But now, I held back my rage.

I thought it was highly likely that this student was the reason why Saint Nebia had fallen from grace.

“Is there any reason to keep it a secret like this?”

Of course, there is.

I smiled and infused mana into my left hand.

It was supposed to be the right hand, but using the left held significance.

I recalled the memories absorbed from Enviel. I mimicked how he once expressed his hidden intentions.

I molded the mana in my hand like clay, creating string-like forms. The strands began to stretch and move freely through the air, linking them in shapes like letters.

“Is that…!”

Jason’s expression, which had looked down on me, twitched. After seeing the mana display, and since he was a traitor linked to Doomsday, he had no reason not to be shocked.

“I have inherited his will.”

[Erosion Rate Decrease: -50%]

[+5000 Credits]

And I could finally see the erosion rate decreasing significantly.

“I am on your side, instructor.”

Surviving as the Academy Scammer.

 

---