185 Chapter. Teacher Radon!(3)

It was just the beginning of sunset. Stars were already beginning to twinkle in the sky of Aligieri.

Even though the sunlight of the day still lingered and the ground had not yet darkened, white dots sparkled.

The charm of Aligieri was not limited to its prestigious academy and towering volcanic terrain. The constellations that appeared during the day were also one of the people’s interests.

“The sky is still the same.”

Lyman gazed out the window at the sky. It was a rarely seen beautiful sight, yet Lyman wore a bored expression.

Usually, one would have some fondness even after getting used to it, but Lyman felt none of that.

He simply clicked his tongue, feeling a mix of complicated emotions.

“Thank you for your hard work today.”

Princess Mirona, sitting beside Lyman, said. Some members of the student council sat around the wide table.

They were the ones who had quickly risen for various duties since this morning. While student councils typically enjoy a weekend break, this was an exceptionally important season for everyone.

“No need to mention it. Rather, it’s an honor for us that you called us, Princess.”

Crona Delaware, seated to the left, said with a proud smile.

Although she had lost in the student council president election, as a noble lady from a prominent family, she possessed some financial management skills, so she served as the financial officer in the student council.

“Still, Princess, considering you’re the youngest and have received less education, you are quite skilled.”

“Even though my rank is low, I had a few subordinates who followed me. Thanks to their help, I was able to receive some education here and there.”

She was saying that she could pick things up by watching. No matter how much of a bottom-tier she was, as a princess, she had to have the basics.

“Well, if that’s the case, you must be able to act as a princess.”

“Thank you.”

Mirona princess accepted Nebia’s words as praise and smiled.

‘Having received some education, why did you scream so much in public?’

However, Lyman found it ridiculous as he recalled the incident that happened during the school commute at the square.

With the magical banquet just around the corner, there was little time left until a large-scale event that would capture the attention of all citizens of the Empire.

Nothing could tarnish Aligieri’s reputation more than neglecting to manage such an important event.

Not just the student council, but other participating students were the same. They too did not take breaks even on weekends to prepare for the event.

“Crona, has the catering issue for the cooking club been resolved?”

“Of course. I also handled the art department’s budget cleanly.”

The student council manages the participating departments in the magical banquet and secures support from external agencies.

Most contracts and agreements had already been taken care of by the faculty, but students were keenly aware of the campus environment.

It was not uncommon for the student council to take direct action to visit those agencies for facility arrangements.

“But I heard there was an issue on the princess’s side. What happened exactly?”

“Actually, I went to meet the representative of the Beastman Tribe residing in Aligieri. There were many opinions that didn’t align with the dignity of our academy while discussing with them.”

The Beastman Tribe had originally inhabited the wild. The reason there were few living among the crowds could be attributed to discrimination against them.

In that sense, the representative requested that they be granted their freedom. Up to that point, there was no real issue.

However, the less socially adept Beastmen were naturally quite barbaric. It was obvious what would happen if they swarmed during the festival.

The representative, however, insisted that due to their past discrimination, they deserved some compensation…and shook Mirona’s heart.

She almost fell for those words, if not for the companion beside her.

“At that moment, Saint Nebia stepped in and resolved the situation. Although her words and actions were a bit extreme.”

“I wasn’t the one who acted violently first, it was over there. They intended to poison our academy using that past, and I couldn’t just stand by.”

Although not part of the student council, there was Saint Angela, who could also be considered a Beastman.

Perhaps if she believed in her, she would have intimidated the representative. Not expecting anything, he quickly retracted his opinion.

As was in Nebia’s nature, she was skilled at intimidating people.

“I was quite surprised by that fox-like appearance of yours. Maybe a witch would be more fitting than a saint.”

“I was a woman like that before I became a saint. It’s not strange.”

As soon as Nebia finished speaking, Lyman opened his mouth.

“But Princess, you’re no joke either. The incident in the hot spring… whoops!!”

Lyman was abruptly cut off as Mirona grabbed his mouth with a furious expression.

“Can we please forget about that incident?”

“Ugh! Uhhhhh!(This isn’t a princess, it’s a witch! A princess bleeding from seeing a man naked!)”

“Please don’t let it out!”

“Uhhhhh!!!(Hey! Don’t pull so hard!)”

Lyman started to feel pain in his mouth. Mirona’s pulling strength was incredible, enough to make one forget she was a delicate girl.

The rumor that she could send off a monster with just a gesture didn’t seem far-fetched at all.

“What do you mean by bath? What is that?”

Crona asked, and as Mirona came to her senses, she quickly released her grip and spoke busily.

“It’s just a trivial matter, so there’s no need to worry! But what were we talking about?”

“….”

It was evident that she was trying to quickly change the subject. However, being in a position that could cause offense, no one asked further.

As she wished, Nebia matched the shift in topic.

“Oh! Princess, are you interested in this?”

“What’s that?”

Nebia spoke as she presented a manuscript on the table, explaining that it was from Radon Crawler, a member of the newspaper department.

“Radon Crawler… that student from back then.”

Mirona also remembered the name. She had scolded him during the freshman training session.

She had completely forgotten that she needed to apologize for that incident. Picking up on her feelings, Nebia smiled.

“And he’s currently in a state of being extremely busy writing this manuscript for the newspaper department. It got to the point where I felt bad for Radon Crawler, hence why I’m lending a hand.”

“Is that so…?”

Mirona’s lips trembled. Nebia instinctively sensed the guilt in her voice.

Casually tossing her green hair back, Nebia added,

“By the way, it’s okay to write relay-style as well. That just shows how desperate the need for help is.”

“Then can I give it a try?”

Mirona extended her hand and asked. Internally, she chuckled at having taken the bait.

But there was an obstacle.

“Saint Nebia, why does that matter? Isn’t it strictly under the newspaper department’s jurisdiction? There’s no need to involve the student council.”

“Total waste of time. Plus, will writing that even earn us any meals?”

As expected, Crona and Lyman resisted. However, to Nebia, their voices had a hint of hesitation mixed in.

“Yes, it might be a bothersome task. But nothing is more enjoyable than modifying someone else’s story the way you want it.”

“What does that mean?”

“This isn’t just simple writing. It’s a means to release desires and stress as well.”

“How?”

“By the way, does Senior Crona have someone she admires?”

“Not particularly… I don’t think so.”

That was a lie. Even if she said that, the hesitation in her voice couldn’t be hidden.

“Then let’s say, hypothetically, a person whom you have feelings for appears. If you’re spending day by day longing for that person, what if you express that stress through ‘writing’?”

“….”

Upon hearing that, Crona’s eyes widened as she fell into thought. It meant she could relieve her imagination of the person she desired.

How wonderful would it be to express that feeling in writing and show it to everyone without direct expression?

“I’ll do it.”

“What?”

“I definitely have to do it!”

Lyman was taken aback by her sudden change in attitude.

Did she eat something wrong? At this rate, he felt like he would be the only one left out.

“So, what will you do, Senior Lyman?”

They turned to gaze at him, but Lyman wouldn’t be so easily intimidated.

Yet, without realizing it, his hand began to move. What the hell is this damn manuscript about.

“If this flops, it’s not my fault.”

Lyman shook the manuscript he held.

Behind him, a shooting star beautifully fell.

*

The next Sunday. I had planned to assist Jenny with her training again, but a variable occurred.

Some students who spotted me and Jenny in the training ground called out to us.

“Radon, please! Can you help our Occult Club during the festival? You’ll be generously compensated!”

“What kind of event are you preparing that you need to involve me?”

“Well, you see…”

The head of the Occult Club, Lamur Glest, began to explain.

As the name implied, they were a club related to spells. In other words, an Occult Club.

At first glance, it was clear they were studying spirits, but they apparently felt no ‘Spirit Power’ themselves.

『It’s just a bunch of imitators.』

`Since they are students, that could be expected.`

Lamur’s request was this.

They planned to prepare something very eerie for the festival, fitting for an Occult Club. It was none other than a haunted house. Quite fitting for an occult club’s plan.

“So, I was wondering… can I borrow your spirits for a moment?”

“No way.”

“….”

The moment I flatly refused, the members of the Occult Club drooped their shoulders. It was obvious why. Letting these kids run wild might lead to who knows what kind of trouble.

“These kids won’t listen to anything unless I say it. Is it too much to expect that from an Occult Club?”

“I’m sorry….”

It was clear that they didn’t understand. After all, they treated it as merely a hobby, not a major field of study.

“Please go back now.”

“Got it….”

As I watched the Occult Club leave empty-handed, I tried to focus on what Jenny and I were doing.

However, Jenny glanced in the direction they had left and said,

“But Radon, does tricking someone always have to be done verbally?”

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be. You can convey it in writing, or surprise them… there are various methods.”

“Right! Let’s surprise them!”

Jenny exclaimed as if she had just figured out the answer.

“Wait a moment.”

Then, she hid behind a tree and didn’t emerge for thirty seconds. It was such a large tree that it could hide two people, so Jenny’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

Just as I was about to step forward to see what she was doing…

Thud-

Jenny stepped out from behind the tree. I looked to see what she had prepared, but nothing seemed to have changed.

“What were you doing over there?”

“….”

“Jenny?”

Without answering, Jenny simply walked toward me. Even when she drew nearer, she remained silent.

`Should I peek with my ‘Mana Vision’?` I thought, but then dismissed it. We weren’t at such a distrustful point.

But…

Zzzzz!-

“Huh?”

Jenny touched my shoulder and suddenly froze.

I jumped back in surprise.

“What’s going on?”

Soon, Jenny transformed into a piece of ice sculpture. Just as I was wondering what in the world was going on, I was about to activate ‘Mana Vision.’

“Ta-da! Surprised, huh?”

At that moment, Jenny popped out from behind the tree, giving me a second scare.

The Jenny who had walked toward me earlier was a fake, and it dawned on me that I had been completely fooled.

I fell to the ground in defeat and muttered,

“When did you learn this?”

A technique to create an ice clone of oneself. A skill that the original Jenny did not possess.

“Since the moment I started enjoying your lies.”

She said with a smile at my curiosity.

For the first time, I had fallen for her trick.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer