Chapter 122





122nd Chapter. Am I an Ally? (2)

Jason Baikel. Originally from a small noble family in the northern part of the continent.

He has good talent, but there’s a sad backstory of having a father lying on his deathbed.

However, just for a moment, Jason ruthlessly killed that father.

Why?

Because he was no help.

Because he seemed to be a hindrance to what he wanted to do in the future.

Above all… he looked like a pest.

That guy sees everything in the world compared to bugs. He considers himself a human while everyone else is just insects that can be killed or toyed with. That’s his worldview.

When we usually catch bugs, we do it with a scowl, but he does it with a smile.

No matter what ‘type’ that bug is, he refuses to get his hands dirty with blood.

Thus, what he wanted to do was murder.

Moreover, he wasn’t just all talk; he was quite skilled at a young age.

`What a waste of talent.`

In the end, he was caught for parricide, but he was granted a chance to survive.

That chance was to join the Black Squad.

As a cleansing unit made up of skilled criminals, it suited Jason perfectly.

Murder, slaughter, and legally satisfying his desires: he was grateful to the royal family for that.

Except for his superior, Radian Versern.

“Do you understand what kind of being I am?”

He inscribed flowing mana in the air like a signature written with a pen.

Jason’s eyes widened as he realized that this unique trick using mana was similar to Enviel’s skill.

“You mean you’re… his successor?”

Jason was shocked to discover I was related to Enviel. To him, Enviel was a somewhat thankful figure.

Starting from joining the Black Squad, he had avoided a death sentence for legal violations thanks to Enviel’s help.

Jason, who couldn’t say a word, was released thanks to Enviel’s backing. After all, a crazed person was beneficial to their plans.

Then how did Enviel recognize that madness?

The answer was simple.

————————

<Jason Baikel>

Race: Human

Job: Swordsman

Aura Class: 6 Stars

Mana: 135/135

Strength: 91

Disposition: Sadistic/Personal Superiority

Feelings Towards User: Great Doubt

[Special Notes]

– Antisocial personality disorder

————————

Originally, it was Enviel’s unique skill ‘Mana Eye’. Through it, he confirmed why that guy had secretly helped Jason.

First of all, he doesn’t see people as people but as bugs. The ‘antisocial personality disorder’ was portrayed in that manner in the story.

“I can’t believe it. A coward like you is the successor of that person…”

“Then what more do I need to show you to earn your belief?”

The mana signature I just displayed was a trick that could only be explained if I were indeed his successor. With this, I had established that I was also a person involved with Doomsday.

Of course, he would be in deep agony right now. He probably didn’t expect someone with the same ties as him to suddenly pop up among the cadets.

‘Surely the code of Doomsday is something only that person can use. But to suddenly appear like this?’

Radon Crawler. There was almost no information regarding him.

The only things were the rumors of his family destroying themselves because of karma or having seen the faces of the family members at the Chain Silver party.

Above all, considering what happened back then, this cadet seemed to have a very close relationship with Saint Angela.

“Then what were you doing here? Also, why does Saint Angela, who was a test subject for Elder Enviel, treat you so well?”

Since I showed the sign, there was no need to tear apart his identity. Instead, I had to deduce through purpose.

In the past, I would have drawn my sword right away, but I had been expanding my wisdom since being appointed to the position of captain.

“It’s true that I became friends with Saint Angela. But did you think I approached her for some good reason?”

“….”

I said with a meaningful smile through ‘acting’. It was a statement that would surely get through to him.

Jason, who had been silent, slowly began to speak as expected.

“Then you…?”

“I’ve been devoted to her since before she became a saint. It was the solemn command of Elder Enviel, the great 7th League’s Number One and ‘Alpha’.”

“….”

[Deterioration Rate Drop: -4%]

[+400 Credits]

At this point, there was no room for doubt that he knew the real name within Elder Enviel’s organization.

However, according to what he said, it could only be seen that the mission had already failed.

It’s easy to understand when considering the Nine-Tailed Fox incident.

“Then what were you doing during the Nine-Tailed Fox incident? I’ve heard about it, but I’ve never witnessed the scene myself. Also, do you know where Elder Enviel disappeared to?”

Many questions came at once, but I decided to calmly answer them one by one, mixing in some lies.

“At that time, I was secretly helping that person, but due to the sudden interference of an unidentified demon, I completely failed. I don’t even know if I was caught by that monster… and I couldn’t find any trace of Elder Enviel either.”

[Deterioration Rate Drop: -2%]

[+200 Credits]

“Was it that demon I saw in the data?”

Since he was the captain, he must have seen data concerning the Aligieri incident at least.

The whole incident ended due to the sudden appearance of an unidentified demon. No one knows yet that the protagonist, Lyman, was the cause.

“In the end, it was a beautifully failed plan. Since I cooperated so secretly, no evidence that could pin me down was found. Thanks to that, I haven’t been expelled from the academy until now.”

[Deterioration Rate Drop: -2%]

[+200 Credits]

“Then… does your family know that you are the successor of that person?”

That was a question I needed to think about.

If so, it would mean our whole family becomes accomplices, and if not, it might mean I don’t care about the safety of my family.

I’m not the kind of villain who would betray my own family.

“Do you know how my family ended up in ruin?”

“Hmm… I’ve only heard that they fell due to a terrible plot.”

“Yes, as a result, they were robbed by the Layered family. Those guys figured out our family’s scheme.”

“What? So your family….”

[Deterioration Rate Drop: -7%]

[+700 Credits]

In essence, that was what I was implying. Since I’m Enviel’s successor… mentioning our family’s scheme would only bring thoughts of support for Doomsday.

And I said while looking at the white sword hanging on the wall.

“I know exactly who gave me that sword.”

“….”

“It was a gift from the Layered family, wasn’t it?”

The name Layered had never left my mind.

I was sure I had heard it passingly somewhere. Then I could remember when that guy had drawn the sword previously.

There was a mark of crossed needles on the pommel, which was our family’s mark in my memory.

In other words, it originally belonged to the Crawler family. But why does Jason have it?

He claims he received it from some noble during a royal meeting… Does that noble hand out swords marked with the Crawler crest? Then the puzzle starts fitting together.

“Those Layered guys not only interrupted our noble plan but also misused our hard-won holy sword like this. They are utterly untrustworthy.”

[Deterioration Rate Drop: -3%]

[+300 Credits]

Of course, Jason would have an interest in the noble who gave him such a good gift like the holy sword.

Thus, the two might share some sort of relationship. What’s more, a certain Markray had enrolled as well.

“Does that mean the Layered people could aim for my back someday?”

That’s why I needed to sever the relationship between them.

“You really think some Layered scum could be trusted, let alone used for any help?”

“….”

“On the other hand, I have already formed a bond with Saint Angela, as well as the children of Chain Silver. There’s no need to debate who is superior.”

That was certainly true.

At the Chain Silver party, the Layered family had shown behavior far below expectations. I still vividly remember how they were shamed by the saint.

In contrast, Radon seemed to enjoy tremendous trust from Saint Angela. Looking at it now, the idea of taming him was no joke.

“How about joining me moving forward? I don’t expect any rewards.”

It seemed I had finally found a proper ally.

The pest that once appeared appeared as Radon Crawler transformed into an upright person in an instant.

——————

Feelings Towards User: Favorable (Medium)

——————

That change was also evident through ‘Mana Eye’.

“But I’m curious. How did you manage to charm Saint Angela?”

“Do you remember the party? The reason she supported our family.”

It was something trivial enough to be forgotten but was caused by certain food.

“Rice balls?”

“You might not believe it, but she can’t live without my rice balls. It was the first food she ever tasted.”

“You don’t need something like a Blood Parasite?”

“Blood Parasite? I don’t see any need to waste something that valuable on taming a mere fox.”

I said humorously as I cleared my throat. Jason couldn’t retort much as he was aware that Blood Parasites were difficult to come by.

“Would you like to try my rice balls, instructor? I guarantee the taste.”

“I don’t need that. Are you going to take responsibility if I eat such lowly food and get tooth decay?”

“….”

This time I was left speechless.

It’s ridiculous that he, who used to eat anything during the Black Squad days, now talks like this.

It’s questionable how the empire’s leaders could have their sanity intact by putting such a guy in the captaincy.

“Then what’s your purpose moving forward?”

“Like you, my goal is to place Saint Nebia on the Student Council, then gradually siphon off the Archive. Having failed the plan I built during my first year, I need to do it right this time.”

[Deterioration Rate Drop: -3%]

[+300 Credits]

I merely kept Nebia alive for my own insurance. To do that, I needed to prevent Jason from treating her like a sacrificial pawn.

Thus, I must gradually raise Jason’s favorability.

“Is there anything that you have been troubled about since taking office?”

“Troubled about…”

I happened to know what he was obsessed with at the academy.

“For instance… a person who has caught your interest?”

“….”

The original Jason had a strange obsession with Professor Stella. He fell in love with her at first sight.

However, the infatuation held by a psycho is something you’d turn your back on. His fixation towards Stella morphed into a madness that urged him to kill her.

His intention was to turn her corpse into a doll to be together forever… let’s avoid discussing that.

“There is.”

“Really?”

“I won’t tell you who. But rest assured it won’t disrupt the plan.”

“If you share who it is, I could possibly help you.”

Jason’s eyes lit up with interest.

“Really?”

He took the bait like a fish to a hook.

He doesn’t even know the meaning of love.

On top of that, he doesn’t grasp the very concept of ‘morality’, so in these matters, he’s outrageously simple-minded.

“Professor Stella Vermillion in the infirmary… I’ve met that angelic kindness only once, but it never leaves my mind!”

“Then I’ll need to delve into the fields that Professor Stella likes.”

Jason asked anxiously what those fields were.

I pulled out two magical devices that looked like books, grinning.

[You and My Tico]

[King of the Changing Room]

On the table lay two noble records. When Jason asked what they were, I answered with a comical face.

“These are healing materials that you must read, instructor.”

[Deterioration Rate Drop: -4%]

[+400 Credits]

Stella may or may not like them… but they’re indeed healing materials.

Although they are somewhat deadly.

Surviving as the Academy Scammer.