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126. Princess, Please Have Mercy… (3)

Everything in sight seemed utterly insignificant.

In an environment that viewed the world negatively, Nebia Chromag spent her childhood.

Eventually, after being reborn as a Saint, her pessimism transformed into arrogance. The moment it twisted from hatred into greed.

Yes, she believed herself to be the chosen one.

…Or so she thought.

Moreover, those not chosen by the light all seemed like worthless scum, from commoners to royalty alike.

But that illusion shattered overnight.

“Did you see the Princess? She’s completely insane.”

“I wondered what was happening for a moment. Even taking down a Level 4 Golem is obscenely difficult.”

“We can’t even take down a Level 4 among ten of us.”

“That kind of monster went down like it was nothing?”

“There should be a recorded video in the Archive of the Information Hall. Check it out.”

“Plus, she obliterated up to Level 5 in a single blow. Didn’t you see? It’s like taking down ten Level 4s.”

“More than that… Is it even possible to decimate the testing ground itself?”

Nebia’s limits were at most Level 4.

Even so, she was more than qualified to be in Class A… yet she failed to attract attention.

Due to the meteoric rise of the Princess, Nebia was overshadowed.

“Isn’t that the same person who made that bombshell announcement in the square?”

“At first, I thought she was just an idiot, but it turns out she’s a monster!”

“Shh, be careful! No matter how she looks, she’s still the Princess!”

“And word has it she single-handedly took down an ogre in an eastern village of the Empire.”

“Right! If she’s that devoted, she might just make a great president.”

Not a single mention of Nebia herself reached her ears.

Setting aside power struggles, losing all support would render everything meaningless.

The presidential election was directly tied to her life. If she didn’t get elected, she would lose her life at Jason’s hands.

“To top it off, I’m also keeping an eye on that annoying fox girl…”

Another wall had risen. A wall far greater than any she had faced so far.

Exhausted from troubled thoughts, Nebia wandered through the forest.

It was dusk. As darkness fell, she arrived at a lake that shimmered beautifully under the moonlight.

“Why did I come here?”

Originally, she planned to vent her anger in some useless place. That’s why she had entered the forest, but somehow ended up here.

This was a place she arrived at without realizing it. There must be a reason for her unconscious arrival.

Angela had once said that her life began to change in this very spot.

Perhaps Nebia had come here wishing to change herself as well.

Just as she was lost in those thoughts—

Splash!—

Suddenly, the lake’s surface erupted.

Her heart skipped a beat, wondering if it was a monster, but what emerged was a girl.

“Ahahaha!! Fish! You’re mine!~”

It was a familiar face. A genius in the Academy’s Magic Department, known to everyone: Mary Ryudshiel.

“I’m going to enjoy this! Yum..!”

Mary dove into the water, tearing into a fish she had caught.

Nebia watched, spellbound, as if peering into an enclosure at the zoo.

“Huh?”

“…!”

Their eyes met. Mary was staring right at her, an intense gaze like a wary beast before finally leaping out of the water.

Not on the ground, but using the lake’s surface as a springboard, Mary sprang towards Nebia.

“Ahahaha! Come here, comrade!”

“What, what are you doing?!”

Nebia felt displeased by the sudden assault of the soaking wet girl and turned to the side to dodge.

Thud—

Mary landed face-first on the ground but still got up laughing.

“This is fun! Should I do it again?”

What on earth is this person?

I could tell back when I saw her before, but is she really human?

Still, she was the most famous girl in the Magic Department at Aligieri.

But there’s a saying that disadvantages can devour advantages.

It became clear she was famous not for her magical talent, but for this kind of madness.

“Comrade! Long time no see!”

“Who’s calling me comrade?! Are you even sane? Jumping into the water on a cold evening like this?”

Nebia hurriedly switched to her saintly tone, but her irritation snuck out involuntarily.

Yet, the oblivious Mary didn’t care to pick at such details.

“Hmm… so…”

“….”

“It’s fun! Do you want to try it too?”

“I’m not doing that!”

“Don’t worry! There’s no one around, so we won’t bother anyone.”

“True, there really is no one here.”

No one is around. So this is an opportunity to talk about that Blood Parasite. But if I do, I won’t survive.

Once someone recognizes my existence, the Blood Parasite would take the host’s life right then and there.

“It was a useless ordeal.”

“Huh? You’re leaving already?”

“I just walked here for no reason at all. Really, none of you are any help…!”

She had hoped for something when she came to the lake but ended up with this uselessly eccentric senior.

With a plethora of complex issues closing in on her, she tried to bite her lip and leave.

“Should I help you then?”

“Huh?”

“I don’t know what help you need, but we should help each other when it’s tough. Isn’t that right, comrade?”

“How am I your comrade! Really, there isn’t a single reliable person here.”

Even now, she couldn’t speak with such lowly scum.

What she can trust is…

“Are you thinking you can only trust yourself?”

“…Huh?”

She halted and turned back.

Mary was still smiling, continuing her speech.

“It must be tough living at school alone. Especially with the elections.”

“When did I say I was alone? I have plenty of people around me.”

“But those aren’t friends; they’re hired help.”

“….”

A strange chill ran down Nebia’s spine. Though her face was smiling, it felt like an insult directed at her.

“If there’s enough value to be paid for, they can easily multiply like a mountain. But what happens if someone appears with even greater worth than them?”

Naturally, they would be taken away. But ever since she gained her status as a Saint, she had never thought of that.

“Just as suffering without a lesson is meaningless, a relationship without trust is like a sandcastle against waves. Haven’t you ever seen your sandcastle crumble?”

“….“

It had crumbled long ago. The castle that had been built up was now as useless as one eroded by the Blood Parasites.

“That’s not true. I’m not as carefree as you are, so I’ll just…”

But she couldn’t say it. Helplessly hiding her secrets, Nebia tried to leave.

“If you need help, come find me anytime! Comrade!”

Though the voice sounded foolish yet oddly enticing… she tried hard to ignore it.

*

I was furious inside.

‘Damn Jason…’

He ordered us to train until 4 AM, and unsurprisingly, he called us to Libel Hall for supervision.

The moment anyone says they’re sleepy, the training time just gets extended.

It was the same kind of crazy situation as in the main story, so I accepted it, but my body ached painfully.

‘He deserves to be torn to shreds.’

Moreover, he claimed that any cadet who lost in joint training would face this kind of grueling training every day.

Thinking back, even the hellish late-night study sessions during school weren’t nearly as bad as this; it showed just how horrible Jason’s personality was.

“I thought he’d let it slide since we’ve known each other for a while…”

Now, Jason saw me as a connection. I thought he might treat me kindly because of it, but he was equal with everyone.

It was all to prevent any disturbances that might arise from me missing out.

What a ridiculous guy. He simply enjoys seeing others suffer subtly.

And that included me. The next day, despite it being time to regain energy, I still felt exhausted.

“If Professor Radian hadn’t come at that time, I would’ve gone insane.”

In the large gymnasium underground, Jenny next to me spoke with a haggard expression.

“If Kent hadn’t sneakily called the professor, we would’ve been stuck suffering until 4 AM.”

Luska, with a face looking just as ragged, chimed in.

Even for her, who placed great importance on training, it seemed too excessive.

“Logically speaking, keeping us awake until 4 AM makes no sense. What if we can’t train properly the next day due to lack of sleep?”

“That’s right! Radon has a good point!”

“I need to thank Professor Radian one more time later.”

As Luska had said, I too felt grateful towards Radian.

If he hadn’t intervened, we would truly have been toys for that psycho until 4 AM.

“Alright, everyone, quiet down!”

The one I was cursing above the podium barked. Most of the noisy cadets fell silent.

The structure of the underground gym was different from the above-ground gym. It was more akin to an arena than a gym.

Because of this, it was perfectly suitable for 1v1 joint training with the freshmen.

“From now on, we will begin 1v1 training with the freshmen!”

Before starting the training, Jason began explaining important points.

Then, it immediately began, with each one stepping forward.

One freshman and one second-year cadet entered the arena, greeted each other, and the match commenced.

“That kid’s pretty good, huh?”

“Hmm….”

While Jenny and Luska watched intently…

‘Please, please…! God, Buddha!’

I prayed mentioning any and all deities. My duel partner had been announced since yesterday.

I was engulfed by the thought that this particular opponent could easily kill me if I wasn’t careful.

It made me lose track of how long had passed—could have been minutes or seconds.

“Radon, why’re you looking so down?”

“Isn’t it almost your turn already? Are you okay like that?”

“Huh?”

What are you guys saying? Isn’t it true that it’s almost my turn?

Why is time passing so quickly? No matter how deep in thought I might be, isn’t this an excessive speed?

And across from me, in the center of the first-year rift, stood Princess Mirona, who was slightly apart from the other students.

Just as in the main story, the red-haired girl sat as demurely as possible.

‘Just looking at her, it seems I could beat her with just a flick of my finger.’

But it evokes overwhelming dread. Because I know exactly what kind of destructive antics she’s capable of.

Just at this moment, I recall the joint training event scene. The extra student who became a bloody mess after dueling Mirona.

‘Right now, I’m about to end up like that extra.’

Knowing the desperate future ahead makes it hard not to fear.

Of course, that extra wasn’t even in Class A, so I might have a slim chance of survival.

No, I can’t guarantee that either. Even if Mirona isn’t serious, she’s still far superior to Jenny or Luska.

The only ones stronger than Mirona are Lyman, and the only one who could possibly match her is Mary at her full strength.

“Next up, Radon Crawler, and Princess Mirona.”

Jason called us from the center of the arena.

“Radon! Good luck!”

“Don’t get hurt and lose for nothing.”

I truly want to do just that.

I’m genuinely worried I might get hurt and die.

And as I passed by, I unexpectedly made eye contact with Lyman…

“Do well.”

Lyman clasped his hands together and bowed his head, as if praying for my success.

This is driving me insane. Standing in the arena facing Mirona, who stood opposite me.

She trembled as she grasped her wooden sword and said.

“Um, nice to meet you….”

“Likewise… I look forward to working with you.”

[Erasure Rate Decreased: -4%]

[+400 Credits]

…is a load of nonsense. I’m the one about to be beaten by that sword.

Then, as Jason stepped back, he alternated glances between us.

“Then, begin!”

The match started, sounding like an announcement of execution.

As Mirona tightened her grip on the sword she held, the cowardly demeanor she showed earlier vanished entirely.

Wham!—

Suddenly, her eyes sharpened, and she lunged at me like a spring.

Born as a monster possessing a mysterious talent, her speed in swinging that sword was no joke.

-Danger Detection Lv6

-Magic Sense Lv3

Only after using all my detection skills was I able to barely dodge.

I bent backward like in a matrix, evading her horizontal swing. A gust of wind followed.

The force from a slender girl’s wooden sword was unbelievable. As I tried to block the subsequent blow…

『Don’t block!』

Suddenly, Muto manifested and struck my shoulder with its tail, making me duck.

It was a fleeting moment. The sword that barely missed me whipped past and smashed through the fence set up behind us.

『I just dodged death.』

‘This is driving me mad!’

The surrounding fencing enclosing the arena was tougher than ordinary metal to ensure the impact of battles wouldn’t escape.

And yet she shattered it in a single strike…

『Don’t let your guard down!』

Continuing the flurry of sword swings, Mirona transformed the moment she grabbed the sword.

Although her kindness didn’t vanish, she couldn’t restrain that instinct.

As a result, she often failed to control her strength.

『Dodge and look for openings.』

Waiting for a gap as directed by Muto.

When she swung downward with both hands, I evaded and stomped on her blade just before it touched the ground.

“…!!”

For the first time in the match, Mirona lost her grip on her sword. Just as the moment of her panic arrived, I aimed for her throat using my sword.

But grip—my hand gripping the wooden sword was suddenly caught by hers.

How is this even possible? She reacted in the very moment it was about to touch her throat and caught my hand to block it.

Her calm and swift judgment in that crisis contrasted sharply with her earlier demeanor.

『Quick! Break free!』

‘Damn, I can’t pull away!’

『Oh no!』

Muto manifested again, trying to shove her away with its tail.

With all its swiftness and agility, Muto swung its tail, but the Princess dodged by kicking off the ground.

Still, it successfully regained distance. In that moment, I picked up the weapon she had dropped and swung it alongside my own.

With Muto’s assistance, it was like a dance of three against one.

The opponent had no weapon. Normally, one would surrender, but Mirona did not.

Thus, the match continued, revealing that they weren’t simply carrying on for show.

Swish!—

Zoom! Zoom!—

She was evidently unleashing various skills, including ‘Dodge’ and maintaining a two-sword style.

Yet Mirona dodged every single one as if she read my thoughts.

Glimmers of hope flashed, but she brushed them all away, leaving only despair.

In her eyes, everything appeared to move like a turtle.

At that moment, Mirona found an opening and struck a swift blow to my wrist.

“Ugh!”

The instant pain caused me to drop the sword I’d been holding in one hand.

Then, she followed up with an elbow strike to my chest.

Thud!—

Then, like Muay Thai, she kneed me right between the eyes.

“Gah…!”

I felt as if my head had been swung by a sledgehammer, leaving me dazed.

However, Mirona ruthlessly seized that chance, grabbing my sleeve. Then she threw me away as if executing a judo throw.

Whoosh!—

I soared through the air like a shooting arrow.

No matter how I looked at it, this was not the strength of a princess raised in a greenhouse.

I flew directly to where Jason stood, rolling to a stop.

Not only did I lose my weapon, but Jason was now looking down at me as I lay at his feet.

‘This is insane…!’

Trying hard to ignore his gaze, I stood back up.

Mirona, having reclaimed her sword, cast a fierce gaze at me.

In haste, I shot a bolt of lightning, but even that was evaded as Mirona charged me.

‘Is this it?’

As I approached, the aura radiating from Mirona’s wooden sword began to flicker. Fleeing now would be impossible.

In this slowed-down time, I searched for a solution.

Is this how it ends? Am I going to be bleeding out like that extra?

Am I about to collapse before Jason’s mocking eyes?

‘The more I think, the angrier I get!’

And instinctively, I had an epiphany.

[Trans Card]

Originally a magical device, I had fully grasped its characteristics and adapted it into my own magic.

What materialized in my hand was a card-shaped mass of magical energy.

I aimed it at Princess Mirona, whose sword was about to strike directly at me.

‘It’s all or nothing!’

Unaware of anything, Mirona charged forward and swung her sword down.

Boom!—

The sound was leagues louder than before.

Anyone struck would surely be a bloody mess, given the force behind it.

But the one who was targeted… was unharmed.

“Uh…?”

Mirona’s eyes widened in shock.

Her own wooden sword had smashed into the head of Instructor Jason instead.

“Wha…?”

Upon closer inspection, Mirona found herself standing where the cadet had been.

And the cadet was standing where she had been.

While that cadet was safe, it seemed the instructor was less so.

“Ar—are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Jason chuckled while bleeding from his head.

Seeing this, I felt relieved, but… Jason collapsed, bleeding profusely.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.

 

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