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160. Is She a Bodhisattva or a Fool?

As spring breezes began to fade away, the student council president election, which had to be held again, concluded smoothly.

The election, which was almost completely derailed due to Instructor Jason’s rebellion, needed to be reestablished. Much had been ruined since he took up his position at the Academy.

A clear example of this was Saint Nebia’s candidacy. If the saint on their side became the student council president, it would be possible to seize control of the Academy with the power of the sect.

In this place, Nebia had been revealed to be exploited due to being infested by the Blood Parasite. Considering her past inclination to cooperate willingly, it could have been a disastrous situation.

Thanks to the fact that it was revealed she had cooperated reluctantly with them, she avoided severe punishment.

Most importantly, she chose to forgo her own election. Given her former image, which reeked of vanity and ambition, this was a shocking change.

However, it was true that she willingly cooperated before being turned into a puppet by them. Because this fact was brought to light, a punishment was expected.

The girl appointed as the new student council president was discussing this matter.

“You will be living in the 1st Star Hall and the 3rd Star Hall from now on.”

In the student council office located on the top floor of the Academy, Princess Mirona was summoning Nebia to decide her treatment.

It was the result of compiling the opinions of students gathered through the Archive and the opinions from the academic side.

“Even though she relied on them, because she confessed belatedly, she was able to avoid expulsion. Considering they were holding the saint’s life, it’s quite significant.”

With just one wrong word, she could have ended up dead at Jason’s gesture. In such a situation, just having the courage to blow the whistle was utterly inadequate.

It was nearly a declaration of mutual destruction. Even if it was impulsive and driven by humiliation, the fact that she was willing to sacrifice herself remained.

“That’s why there was ample room for consideration. If it were me, I would have been too scared to even move my mouth properly.”

“You don’t have to be so complimentary. It sounds rather deceptive instead.”

Honest praise from someone who had lived within ‘negativity’ was incredibly embarrassing for Nebia. As a result, a sharp comment slipped out, causing Mirona to hunch her shoulders in discomfort.

“…!”

The sudden feeling of pressure came from the sturdy student standing beside Mirona.

The gray-haired student stood guard next to her. His nameplate read Lyman Begilius, and seeing that name made me think, perhaps.

“If it’s Lyman, he’s an outstanding monster among the second years. Has he already become a student council officer?”

Seeing him standing there so openly indicates he is at least an aide. He had just suppressed the puffed-up attitude with a mere glance.

He was far more chilling than the knights who would rudely draw their swords at a moment’s notice.

“So, the punishment I’m to receive is merely a room change, right?”

“Yes, and you will be treated more like an ordinary student than a saint until graduation. The sect also had no disagreements regarding that matter.”

If one were to ally with ‘darkness,’ even a saint would be deemed an unbeliever and punished. That was one of the teachings of the Holy Cross Sect.

Having once plunged into deep darkness, the sect was sensitive about that aspect. In essence, simply sparing her was a considerable act of mercy.

“Then the number of clerics guarding me will also decrease.”

“There’s no need to be discouraged by that. When breaks or important events come, you can wear the saint’s robe again.”

In any case, she was the living symbol of the sect. Unless completely expelled, it was only natural for her status to shine.

However, unless it was a big and important matter, the duties of a saint would likely be handled solely by Angela. Thanks to the punishment, Nebia could enjoy her freedom instead.

It was curious that they could now smile at each other rather than growl as they once did. Because of that, Angela also canceled her candidacy.

She had aimed to become president to monitor Nebia, but once that goal lost significance, the position became unnecessary.

“Can I leave now that my affairs are finished?”

I had been called here regarding the details of my punishment. Just as I was about to rise from my seat,

“Wait a moment. Before that… what will Saint Nebia do from now on?”

“What do you mean?”

Though she spoke as if questioning what was being asked, Nebia was trembling in her shoulders. She had not thought about how she would proceed with her academic life.

Mirona exchanged a glance with Lyman for a brief moment before saying.

“Fortunately, the student council has been newly established, so there are many positions available. So, um…”

“…”

“Would you be interested in joining us as our secretary?”

Mirona spoke with a smile blooming like a flower, a sight that seemed capable of melting even the harshest of winter chills.

However, it was Nebia’s voice that wavered. It felt as if she did not want to miss the opportunity to leave.

It was a desire for a friend, not merely an object, to not depart.

“Why are you so fixated on me?”

“I once got in serious trouble. It was when I was handing out cookies at the village park.”

Upon hearing this, Nebia’s eyes widened.

At some point, she had been drawn into Nebia’s words.

“There were parasites found in the cookies I distributed for image building, and I was politically attacked by the Royal Guard. But then, a girl took a risk to help me.”

The girl who jumped out and kicked the Slave’s jaw was as quick as a rabbit. That impressive image stuck in Mirona’s mind.

As Mirona spoke gently about that incident, Nebia took a deep breath.

“I don’t know who she is, but she was someone I can’t forget. Even if her outfit was embarrassingly severe.”

“(Yikes)”

Embarrassing outfit? Serious to the point of being over-the-top?

Nebia endured the feeling of her world crumbling with superhuman patience. She would have to confront Professor Stella soon about that outfit recommendation.

“What that girl said back then still echoes in my head.”

Mirona had been innocently naive. When the Royal Guard was trying to stir things up, she thought simply apologizing could solve everything. She did not want to escalate the situation.

However, there was a sound that penetrated her ears.

– Not some fool.

Naturally, it made sense for it to linger in her mind. It was not an ordinary rude remark.

But that was merely the perspective of onlookers. Initially unfamiliar to Mirona, it gradually stopped feeling rude.

“Though it was just one word… it precisely dismissed who I was back then. I’m even grateful for it.”

“….”

“It’s easy for anyone to become a high-ranking person nowadays. Even someone like me can wield immense power.”

It was a cruel scenario that someone unqualified could sit in such a position. Mirona realized this from that girl.

Thus, she felt the need for change.

“However, abandoning goodwill would actually lead to a wrong path. Therefore, we need someone who can moderate that. Someone as cold as ice, you know?”

Because Nebia was willing to sacrifice herself while harboring ambition, she was well-suited for that role.

Quite complicated emotions surged within Nebia’s chest. Her face turned beet red, and she clenched her green hair while trembling.

“That would be… me.”

“Yes, but… are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?”

“No! Not at all….”

It was bound to be embarrassing.

There was no way not to feel awkward.

It was like witnessing someone read their diary in front of a lot of people, and Nebia shrank into herself.

In the meantime, Lyman seemed to sense this and coughed casually.

“Anyway, you’re saying… you need me.”

But it felt good. Because he completely understood and was acting upon the meaning she had conveyed then.

Embarrassed yet proud, her heart swelled.

“I’ll think about it. If that’s truly what you want…”

Though her words were vague, inside, she was entirely on board. Nebia herself just didn’t realize it.

From Mirona’s standpoint, having her join would be appreciated. Due to a recent incident, help was always welcome.

“Oh, speaking of which, I haven’t heard which room I’ll be assigned to in the 3rd Star Hall… When will the results come out?”

Upon hearing this, Mirona replied that it wasn’t ready yet. Rumor had it that in the 3rd Star Hall, there were instances of boys and girls sharing rooms.

Of course, nothing strange happened that might trigger one’s imagination, but just that piece of information would elevate the mood.

Especially as thoughts of ‘that guy’ grew stronger.

“Is there any chance I could choose the room I’ll be in the 3rd Star Hall?”

A sense of excitement sparkled in Nebia’s words and face. It felt filled with an obsession for someone.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think that can happen. Regardless of how much you want it, deciding is not within our purview.”

“I see…”

Nebia’s voice trailed off, and she wore a look of deep disappointment. It was a response that didn’t meet expectations, causing her shoulders to droop.

So which room would she end up in?

Hopefully, her roommate would be someone nice…

*

“Junior! By the way, I have some good news!”

“What is it?”

“A new roommate just moved into our room!”

Clap, clap! –

The newspaper department head, Trisha, was clapping as if about to burst from excitement. I could only muster a sullen expression, wondering why it was such a big deal.

Of course, if one were the venerable resident of the room, it would be understandable to be happy. It was like getting a new punching bag.

“After this mission ends, I wonder how I should pamper them? I’m looking forward to it.”

“Ugh…”

I didn’t know who the new roommate was, but I silently paid my respects to them in my heart.

But according to rumors, it was said that Saint Nebia was demoted to the 3rd Star Hall… Surely not…?

“Senior, do you know who that roommate is?”

When I asked if it was someone I knew, Trisha blushed and said with a smile.

“It’s a secret~”

“….”

She was acting like a little kid trying to hide something precious just for herself. How could such a child become the head of a club? And why had she applied for the same mission as me?

Clunk-

As the seat shifted, my butt also jolted. The carriage carrying the students who applied for the ‘Train Derailment Investigation’ mission was moving.

Their motivation was the high scores as a reward.

The mid-evaluations were approaching, and after that was the Magical Banquet, so there was little time to prepare. The extra points for evaluations were what quenched the thirst of those students.

A sparrow wouldn’t just pass by the gristmill. Participating in the mission meant gaining extra points that they couldn’t afford to ignore.

Of course, they didn’t select just anyone. They carefully selected students with good results and skills from applicants.

Students deemed unsuitable were entirely filtered out.

Of the 50 total applicants, only 5 were chosen. We, the selected five, were currently riding in the carriage.

Out of those five, astonishingly, I recognized all their faces.

Trisha Marellin, yapping away at the front.

Alongside her was Riplain Halo, adding fuel to the fire.

Baimon Dreadnote, sleeping while leaning against the corner.

And…

“….”

Mary Ryudshiel, quietly leaning her head out of the window and gazing outside.

I couldn’t help but marvel at this combination. I was once again paired with the crazy Mary.

However, Mary seemed different today. In this lively conversational atmosphere, Mary… was just quietly staring out the window.

Sure, if she wasn’t feeling well, that could happen, but Mary usually bounced back to her manic self even when scolded by a professor.

It was clear this was unusual. Perhaps it was related to her applying for this mission.

Most importantly, she might be worried about some anomaly occurring within her body.

Everyone had their own motivations for participating in the mission.

Except for me and Mary, the other three had ultimately applied for grades.

“Radon Crawler. Did you hear? Our Art Department has taken charge of the painting exhibition for the Magical Banquet.”

“Oh… congratulations.”

“We couldn’t afford to slack off on the mid-evaluations, so we signed up for this.”

Despite my blatantly lifeless answer, he replied steadfastly.

Our newspaper department was apparently in charge of writing a script for some play, and Trisha was excited about it. She had applied for the same reason as Riplain.

“Should we try to brainstorm some good script ideas during this mission?”

“But is that okay? We’re just newspaper article writers, not playwrights.”

“It’s fine! A novel I wrote previously won the grand prize at a competition. The theater side has had their eyes on it, so I can’t let it slip through.”

‘So trust me on this!’ was what Trisha wanted to convey, trying to reassure me.

When did she write that novel? It must’ve been so good that everyone ended up burdened with annoying work since it won the grand prize.

Having to prepare for that left Trisha with no room to get ready for the mid-evaluations. Thus, she signed up for the mission.

“Let’s do well together! Trisha!”

“For the festival!”

With that, Trisha and Riplain shook hands as if about to make a toast.

Once again, Riplain’s hair didn’t shine…

“But why is Riplain’s hair like that?”

“Oh, this?”

Did he finally get a girlfriend? His once radiant bald head was now adorned with black patches sprouting everywhere.

Freed from baldness, he said.

“I have some deep reasons for this. I manipulated the pores with magic.”

“I see.”

I felt a twinge of regret. It meant I could never see that brilliance again.

“Mary Ryudshiel? You’ll get a jaw cramp sticking your face out like that.”

“Yes…”

Mary merely brushed aside Riplain’s advice. Suddenly, a huge noise erupted.

“You’re short, yet you manage to rest your jaw on the window.”

Swoosh! –

As soon as the statement was made, Mary swung her arm packed with mana.

That magic, called ‘Aero Blade’… swept away all the black forest sprouting from Riplain’s head.

“Don’t annoy me.”

I felt a chill from the cold words Mary uttered.

Her reaction, which seemed uncharacteristic, was shocking, but seeing Riplain’s head turned back into a celestial baldness was even more shocking.

Riplain’s once lush hair had transformed back to a solar-like holiness. But his spirit remained equally sacred.

“Hahaha! That feels refreshing! After all, I can just revive the pores later.”

Is that a bodhisattva or a fool?

Get a bit angry, you crazy human.

Survive as an Academy Scammer.

 

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