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Chapter 123: Am I an Ally? (3)

Receiving a Nobel Record, Jason displayed a rather pleased expression.

If one were to see his face at that moment, it could easily be mistaken for a romantic soul of pure love.

However, considering his actions in the main story, it was clear that this was merely a twisted desire.

He had no understanding of morality, so how could he possibly grasp the concept of love? He treated everything except himself as mere objects.

`Such a guy would be powerless against a crow.`

Like I once did for Mary, I deceived him into thinking that the Nobel Record was something prestigious and gifted it to him.

I claimed it was in line with Professor Stella’s tastes.

I wasn’t sure if he would actually like it, but it would probably fit the general preferences of most women.

I urged him to read it thoroughly tonight, so I was looking forward to our night together.

`But, no way… he isn’t going to develop a strange taste like Mary, right?`

Not likely.

Mary was at least somewhat human, but Jason… honestly, I had no idea how that would turn out.

Above all, Jason could not achieve this love, regardless of his inclinations. Unlike the main story where Trisha might end up alone, he now had a new partner here.

In other words, Jason was harboring an unrequited love for a woman who was already taken.

To be honest, I was shocked that he paired up with Professor Radian, but that aside, it certainly created an interesting situation.

Thinking about Jason’s antics, it was oddly nice he was that cheap.

`But what was that last thing he said?`

I lay on my bed, thinking. It was because I’d heard him say something strange during our conversation.

– “It seems the 7th League has infiltrated the academy with one more member. They seem to have placed him to prevent continuous failures, but… I don’t know who it is.”

This meant another person related to Doomsday had enrolled.

I could hardly keep an eye on Jason already, and if another one barged in, things were going to get troublesome.

Besides, I had no clue who it could be, making it even more of a headache than with the Shadow Brigade.

‘Was there anyone among the 7th League who could be disguised as a student?’

Even if there was, it’d just be a trump card that I couldn’t throw away casually.

For example, there was “Aisha of the Wings of Fury,” the mid-boss from Chapter 5.

But classifying her as a mid-boss was an understatement; she was a monster that would be difficult to handle even if all playable characters, excluding Lyman, rushed her at once.

I didn’t think Doomsday would use such a powerful weapon just like that.

“But why is my ear itching so much….”

The wriggling sensation in my ear was disrupting my drowsiness. It felt like someone was talking about me, making it hard to keep my eyes shut.

With my eyes closed, since I was already in a state of oblivion, I could faintly see the darkened room. From the bed across the divide, I could hear the sounds of someone mumbling in their sleep.

It sunk in that a single room was far preferable… as my eyes started to shut without my will.

*

The reasons for sleepless nights differ for everyone.

Whether it’s excitement preventing sleep, worries that won’t let them rest, or heavy dilemmas that are ever the enemy of a peaceful night, they always interfere with one’s slumber.

When the most crucial matters arise or when one must find a solution, their minds become active until they have a plan of action.

Especially if that happens in bed, come morning, they’d be dragging themselves to school or work in a panda-like state.

“I should’ve just not thought about it in the first place.”

Nebia Chromag’s mind was clear. No, it was so bright that it felt like it could burn.

The bed in the 1st Star Hall Dormitory, famed for its luxury, was so warm and cozy that it was impossible to feel sleepy.

“It’s all that Radon Crawler’s fault.”

Everything had gone weird ever since he entered her thoughts.

It felt as if she had lost her way. Just a moment of interest in his existence had warped her vision, causing her to lose the very path home.

“If I hadn’t met that guy… I could have enjoyed a steady life.”

Chosen by God and granted power, she was called a Saint. But deep inside, she wasn’t saintly at all.

In fact, when she was first chosen, she was filled with doubts. Why would light be bestowed upon a girl rotting in the slums?

It was hard not to question the sanity of the God who had chosen a person like her as a saint.

“Giving power and authority to a distorted human. I thought that at first… but now, I couldn’t care less.”

─She obtained power.

─She obtained status.

─There were those who revered her.

─She could escape the filth of the slums.

─She could get away from her trash of a mother.

Was there really a need to contemplate so deeply when all of this could be achieved at once?

She had grasped a ladder leading up to those places she had always looked up to, and no one could just stand there like a fool.

Though it might not be heaven, it certainly wouldn’t be hell either.

There, she could learn sacred magic and regular magic.

Moreover, she had unearthed a hidden talent called ‘Gahee,’ something she might have never known she had throughout her life.

She could acquire anything she wished. Once she had her sights set on something, she would never let it slip through her fingers.

Some would gossip, saying her inner thoughts were dangerously twisted.

Some would boldly proclaim they would help her attain her desires.

Backstabbing was cowardly. Nebia certainly leaned towards the latter’s words.

She merely ran towards the sweet aroma calling her. As a result… she fell into the abyss.

“If I had just stayed still then….”

Even before enrolling, she had already heard Jason’s plans. With the condition that he’d help her obtain everything she desired, Nebia had agreed to cooperate.

The Holy Sword Rozaria, formerly used by the past Saints. If she could grab hold of that, she could push the vixen aside and be admired as the real Saint.

However, after meeting Radon Crawler, that ideology began to shift. His words remained clear in her mind, and she started to obsess over him.

This wouldn’t do. Eventually, she declared to Jason when they met again.

To be taken out of the plan.

`In fact, it doesn’t matter whether I get the Holy Sword or not. I’m quite at peace right now.`

But that plan had to remain confidential. Since she knew everything, Jason wouldn’t overlook it.

That was when she was careless enough to get injected with a Blood Parasite.

“If I had known this would happen… if I had only known….”

The parasite that had infiltrated her body was intertwined with her blood vessels.

This Blood Parasite could suck the moisture from an elephant, killing it in mere seconds.

Moreover, the Blood Parasite only responded to its master’s will.

Just a simple gesture from Jason could lead to Nebia’s death in an instant.

This came about from a moment’s carelessness.

‘If only I hadn’t let all the guard freshmen drop away under the pretense of a secret…!’

At that time, Nebia had inadvertently drunk the rose tea presented by Jason. He had already foreseen her hesitation and soaked the Blood Parasites in the tea.

Even with the most exceptional sacred magic summoned, it wouldn’t be easy to cure this.

Sacred magic was effective against poisons and parasites, but removing a parasite that steals one’s body is no trivial matter.

Finding a solution would take a long time. Yet, amidst all that, could Jason truly remain oblivious?

Plus, his subordinates were already infiltrated among the Clerics, watching her closely.

‘Should I tell my fellow clerics immediately? If I request salvation… I could drag that damn human to hell. But…’

It would be risky for herself too.

If she disclosed this matter to the Pope, he could use his authority to search Jason.

If that happened, it would expose her involvement with Doomsday… and she would also be found guilty of participating.

Furious at that revelation, Jason wouldn’t remain idle either.

The chances of him taking action against her were incredibly high.

‘I’m scared… I’m so scared.’

Death loomed over her.

Tears unwittingly welled up in her eyes.

The only way to free herself from him was that route. Then, although her life would be in danger, she could at least be hailed as a selfless Saint for revealing all the facts.

But she was merely a façade of a Saint. Nebia lacked the breadth of spirit to devote herself to others.

Feeling ordinary joy, anger, and sorrow, she was nothing more than a mere human who succumbed to the terror of death.

‘But… still…’

She didn’t want to accept it. She would never acknowledge that she was naturally unfit for greatness.

She thoroughly denied the notion that she was unworthy of being a Saint.

─God wouldn’t have chosen her for no reason.

─If that were the case, then the light bestowed upon her would be meaningless.

─She had hidden talents.

─Her choice was surely destiny.

The only thing a broken weakling could do was indulge in delusions justified through rationale. Even knowing it was like a drug, she couldn’t stop.

And she flatly denied that the position of the Saint was a bed of thorns.

If she didn’t, it would render escaping the slums meaningless.

Having escaped from hell only to find herself in another hell? Surely that couldn’t be true.

‘It shouldn’t be. It can’t be. Absolutely….’

Regret flooded over her.

Tears streamed down, soaking her praying hands.

She didn’t feel ready to fall into a comfortable slumber.

Thoughts flowed uninterrupted through her mind, analyzing where it had all gone wrong.

If she lost the election for student council president, she would undoubtedly be deemed utterly useless and be killed.

It was like begging for someone to help her as she wept only in the darkness.

*

Today, the pests swarmed even more than usual.

It was enough to make me snicker at the sight of them jumping around, as if our inner animals had found freedom just because it was the weekend.

“Disgusting.”

Jason commented as he gazed out the window. White petals fell before the transparent glass.

At times pink, sometimes white, it was cherry blossom season, with flowers blooming fully.

“Spring comes, and it’s always like this….”

They hadn’t fully blossomed yet, but still, there were many staff and students out for a stroll.

It was particularly strange to see couples wandering about.

Rustle!-

Jason pulled the curtain to cover the window with unnecessary force, turning his flushed face back to speak.

“They should all be gathered now.”

In the spot where he spoke softly, four students stood.

Each of them had different appearances.

The male student on the far right had navy blue hair, and with the dark circles under his eyes and pale skin, he could easily be mistaken for a ghost.

Next to him, the female student with magenta hair had no focus in her eyes, while the black-haired male student next to her had scars etched across his face.

And at the far left was a male student covered in tattoos resembling magic circles on his hands and arms.

“How’s the status?”

Upon Jason’s question, they replied like obedient subordinates.

“Lenka Usran, all is… fine.”

“Hulk Mangelo, is there something you want me to tear apart? Just say the word.”

“Lavenda Brench, I can do anything now. Hehe!”

“Slave Replicant, likewise.”

Their tones varied wildly, and despite putting their hands in their pockets or showing delinquent behavior in front of their instructor, there was nothing they could say to refute that blatant display.

However, instead, Jason smiled at that sight.

They were his faithful subordinates who had joined as freshmen.

“Did you like the new power you received? Any side effects?”

At that question, they all nodded in agreement, though their tones diverged further.

“If you have that power, you could be placed in the top tier during the group allocation test. That schedule is next week, so make sure to train properly….”

“Instructor! Instructor! I have a question!”

The unfocused female student interrupted, raising her hand and speaking.

Though it was rude behavior, Jason didn’t reprimand her, likely already aware of her character.

“What is it?”

“I heard you injected the Blood Parasite into that green-haired Saint, but why her? There’s a princess right next to her.”

The girl spoke that irrelevant question so casually that it could’ve provoked annoyance, yet Jason explained without any dissatisfaction.

“Princess Mirona isn’t suitable for seduction. She’s too pure and righteous, so there’s a high possibility she won’t cooperate with our plans.”

In fact, Princess Mirona would be more fitting as a saint, given her superior character and skills that Nebia could never match.

Thus, it was easier to handle Nebia than Mirona.

“Nebia is merely someone with a good façade. She’s weak enough that she could easily fall for our traps.”

“Ah~”

“And I’d like to introduce a friend.”

As soon as Jason finished that statement, another student elegantly walked in.

The brown-haired male student was a freshman known as Markray Layert.

However, unlike before, his pupils had turned blood-red.

“This new transfer will be joining you from now on. Do cooperate well going forward.”

“….”

The four looked as if they were just trying to get along, waving their hands.

It was an insincere greeting devoid of genuine sentiment or even a voice.

But Markray didn’t express any sentiment in his introduction either.

“Khihihihi!”

He just laughed in a disturbing manner as if he were possessed.

“Well, you’ve been modified nicely.”

Jason looked at him with a satisfied smile.

A grin filled with ominous undertones, akin to a writhing parasite.

 

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