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178th Chapter. Honey~

As the sun began to set and the afternoon darkened, the scene of the train derailment was slowly wrapping up.

The prisoners confessed that the root of the incident was their intentional rebellion.

Following that, the case was completely resolved with Spike’s proof, disguised as Luthis.

The knights who suspected that Luthis had been swapped examined him using various magical devices.

However, all of his attributes had been transferred to me.

-Genetic Transmutation Lv3

I had first used the transmutation skill to transform into Luthis, and then Spike absorbed all that information.

Not only Luthis’s fingerprints and genes but also all the memories stored in my head.

Since Spike was directly under the Spirit King of Life, he could extract something from a ‘human’ life.

It was so powerful that I almost lost all my memories, but I managed to suppress it well enough to only take Luthis’s memories.

It was a noteworthy achievement of my previous job and helped in various ways.

“But Spike, are you really okay? Living while pretending to be human is one thing, but maintaining that body must be quite difficult.”

“True. Even appearing like this consumes a fair amount of mana. But there’s no need to worry. I can recover discreetly in an area without observation.”

Spiritual beings can manifest without a contractor.

Typically, they borrow their contractor’s mana and sensitivity to do so, but if they reach a higher level, they can consume their own mana to manifest directly.

If equipped with a disguise ability, it becomes possible to hide in human society.

“And this isn’t just a simple order from Lord Shaikar to assist you. It’s also because of this.”

He showed the white scabbard sword that Shaikar wore at his waist.

It was undeniably the Holy Sword Rozaria, once wielded by Shaikar’s daughter, Saint Maria.

“We need to find out why the sword that Lady Maria used is now being carried by the Empire’s captain of knights. It’s suspicious that after all the searching, we haven’t discovered anything.”

“Isn’t it fine to just return it since we’ve found it? It’s practically a keepsake of the saint.”

“Lord Shaikar didn’t intend to do that at first, but suddenly changed his mind. He probably felt it suspicious that the Empire possesses this. I share the same sentiment.”

It’s an opportunity to gather information about the scoundrels who stole the saint’s keepsake. Depending on the outcome, a decision will be made on whether to eliminate them all.

There had been numerous suspicious points recently, but there was no way to investigate them. However, Spike successfully found a way to disguise himself.

“This is all thanks to you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have obtained a body that hardly gets discovered. Thank you very much.”

“Such expressions are better directed towards this fellow. This all comes down to his abilities.”

I summoned Aisha as I spoke.

The summoned Aisha manifested with less power than before, making her suitable to perch on my shoulder like a parrot.

Since my affinity with her had increased after my job change, my control over her was much more adept than before.

“Hahaha. Who would have thought I’d receive thanks from a spirit? But oddly enough… I can feel a faint life reaction from that spirit. No, rather, I should say there’s merely a trace left behind.”

That’s right. Aisha was originally a person, not a spiritual being. Since she was once alive, it seems Spike can perceive the traces of life that existed.

That trace is like sensing the residual scent left by life.

“Normally, it’s impossible for a dead person to become a spirit and move again, but I heard that elves, with their high spiritual sensitivity, are suitable to become the deceased.”

“Elf?”

“Is that spirit, perhaps, an elf in life?”

At that question, I immediately nodded.

Are the trivial factors only brought up when one can afford to forget them, like now?

“It seems like she practiced quite a bit when alive. To become such a powerful spirit must mean something.”

As I evaluated Aisha, the knights called Spike.

“Captain! The preparations for transport are nearly complete.”

Numerous carriages were waiting alongside the tracks. They were finishing up checks on the iron bars meant to confine the prisoners.

It was then that my eyes met Heidern’s. The silent signal in his gaze made my body move instinctively toward him.

“Vice-Principal.”

“Are you still calling me Vice-Principal?”

“Ah… it’s hard to change such a habit.”

“Well, it’s fine. This is probably the last time we’ll face each other.”

Once we are dragged into the prison, I don’t know what will happen next. Given that consideration, the title held little meaning.

At that moment, Mary approached me and looked at Heidern.

“Vice-Principal, will we not see you again?”

“That’s right.”

“….”

Heidern was the only faculty member who had personally looked after Mary since her enrollment. Her question carried a hint of sorrow because of that.

“Do we have to bid farewell to the beautiful Vice-Principal now?”

“Hmm…”

But setting aside her sadness, Mary’s remarks didn’t fit the current situation at all.

Nevertheless, Heidern accepted it with a smile. No, should I say he wore a content expression from the praises?

“Am I really that good-looking?”

“Yes! Radon said you are a pretty boy!”

Oh right. That embarrassing remark I made a while ago came to mind.

When Heidern got caught up in trouble with Mosria, I had said something like that in front of Mary.

Normally, I would apologize…

“That’s right! A pretty boy worth a thousand words!”

[Degradation Rate Decrease: -2%]

[+200 Credits]

“Wow! A pretty boy!”

“A pretty boy!”

[Degradation Rate Decrease: -3%]

[+300 Credits]

Even to reduce the degradation rate, I had to tell a few white lies.

At that moment, the prisoners began to enter the iron bars one by one.

To signify it was time to part, Heidern made one last statement.

“I’m truly sorry. I not only harmed you once but also owe you in the end.”

“….”

“Still, there’s no need for regret. Everything happening to me is my own doing. Who knows if I get released back into the world, I might repeat the same mistakes.”

Those words definitely didn’t sound like a joke.

His obsession with my stepfather, Enviel, hadn’t faded away, so the instinct might unconsciously emerge.

Even now, he could not exist among the gossip surrounding Enviel. That much he had fallen apart.

“Even if I’ve lost all my power, I’d rather disappear than remain. So take care.”

Eventually, it was Heidern’s turn, and he was stuffed into the iron bars. The number 456 on his prison uniform gleamed in the direct sunlight onto the iron pillar.

“Damn it! Why is that bastard still alive?! Radon Crawler!!”

Meanwhile, the next one to be dragged in looked at me and threw a tantrum.

Seeing him was almost enough to make me chuckle.

Travell Viole. I expected he would harbor a grudge against me, but seeing it for real gave me a sense of wanting to pop some popcorn.

“You tricked me with that badge! I won’t let this go!”

“Hmm… how did I deceive you again?”

“What did you say?”

“By the way, what was your name again?”

“You bastard!!”

[Degradation Rate Decrease: -25%]

[+2500 Credits]

As usual, he’s boiling with anger, and trivial lies greatly reduce my degradation rate.

And this guy only knows how to provoke people.

“It’s ironic that your parents, having a scamming son like you, must be crying in the sky by now.”

“….”

That’s crossing the line.

Though he might not be on Luthis’s level, his arrogant and rude attitude was desperate for some etiquette education.

But in the current situation, if I threw a punch, I might end up shackled and locked up just like him.

“Our parents are still healthy.”

I maintained my coldness.

There was no need to incorporate manners into messing with him.

“How can they be healthy after losing their home?”

“That’s indeed possible. They’re residing in the famous Silver Town.”

“What?”

In that instant, Travell wore a look of disbelief. If Silver Town was mentioned, that would be the loathsome territory of the Chain Silver Family.

“Duke Gerard welcomed our family. I helped Jenny in controlling the Silver Age.”

“So, that means….”

“What I didn’t help you back then was a stroke of genius.”

“….”

Travell was left speechless, stunned to the core. He must have wished for the Radon Crawler who betrayed him to fall into the abyss.

But if that were true, instead of falling, his family is actually quite happy.

Even in that garbage of a Silver Town.

“Well then, enjoy the rest of your life. In prison.”

“You bastard…!”

Already flustered enough, discover that he had been abandoned and sided with the Chain Silver Family made Travell’s face grow hot with anger.

He’d want to strangle that Radon character immediately, but his hands were restrained and inside the iron bars.

‘Of course, he is destined to be used as a sacrificial offering for the RE-Union experiment.’

Recalling his dire fate, I made a relieved return to the carriage.

With the prisoners successfully restrained, the mission felt more or less accomplished.

“See you again next time.”

I saw Tariel and his mercenaries bidding farewell to our students who were boarding the carriage.

Mary and I also poked our faces out the window and waved.

Clatter clatter—

With the sound of the carriage jangling, their figures gradually receded.

Before us awaited the bonus for our successfully completed mission.

Trisha and Riplain spoke to me, unfolding their imagination.

“Hehe. Now I can write the play script for the Magical Banquet with my heart in it. It’s all thanks to you that the Spirit King negotiated safely, Radon.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Our Art Department can produce a great piece without worrying about grades. It’s all thanks to you, so I’ll let you see the exhibition first.”

“I’ll gratefully accept your goodwill.”

Since I had completed the mission, there was no need to worry about evaluations.

In the first place, resolving the academic shortcomings caused by festival preparations was the objective for the mission participants.

Baimon next to me likely felt the same way.

Though his presence was minimal.

“Aren’t you curious about me?”

“No.”

“….”

When I cut him off, Baimon showed signs of disappointment with his downcast gaze.

He’ll probably focus his efforts on producing golems made through alchemy during the festival. That must be why he applied for the mission.

At that moment, Mary, sitting beside me, hugged my side. It looked like her usual expression of affection, but in that instant, a whisper exchanged between us.

“I wonder if everyone remembers my true self?”

“Since you fell asleep in that state, they probably perceive it as an illusion.”

That was the reason the others weren’t taking Mary seriously.

Despite seeing her as the Demon King, they couldn’t determine if that was a dream or reality.

“And this time, I owe a debt to a friend. A friend who accepted the changed version of me… I feel like I can no longer accept being ordinary.”

“What do you mean by that?”

When has she ever accepted being ordinary?

Just as I was about to scoff dismissively,

“From now on, you’re not my friend anymore!”

“What?”

That single line hit me with a primary shock.

It sounded like a declaration of severance, but… it was merely the foundation for a secondary shock.

“From now on, I will call you darling!”

“…?”

“Right, honey?”

In that moment, I felt my body stiffen, and darkness enveloped my vision.

Honey? Darling? Is she really saying that to me?

As I slowly turned my head, Mary wore a bright smile, but it only made me more afraid.

“Oh my…”

“This is unbelievable!”

“….”

Other carriage passengers also reacted quite peculiarly.

I desperately signaled Mary with my eyes and expression to stop, but… who is she?

She’s Mary.

“Yes! All the heads of the magical towers from the Empire will be visiting the academy during the upcoming Magical Banquet. Then I’ll formally introduce you to my mom and dad. How about that? Isn’t it exciting?”

“….”

“Hey? Honey. Why aren’t you answering?”

There was no way I could respond.

My consciousness was suspended.

I thought she might have grown a bit through this incident… damn it.

Living as an Academy Scammer.

 

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