Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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76. I’ve Come to End This XX

It was a first semester filled with incidents and accidents.

There was even a delay in finals due to the appearance of Lycanthropes and the Nine-Tailed Fox Incident instigated by Enviel.

In the former case, it was clearly an oversight on the part of the academic staff. Luckily, the latter involved Elder Enviel, giving us a bit of an excuse.

[Don’t blame others for what you failed to accomplish] vs [It was unavoidable since the other party was the highest elder of the alliance], these two opinions were locked in a tense standoff.

Then the royal family stepped in to support the latter view, and the controversy quieted down.

The royal family had also relied heavily on Enviel. To criticize Aligieri, they’d first have to take a hit themselves.

However, the true victims weren’t the Academy nor the royal family, but rather the entire population of the Empire. The shock of having a great archmage betray them was not limited to the upper class.

The news spread quickly to the homes of the Academy students. Cases of students’ end-of-term evaluation scores plummeting were numerous, but with such a terrible incident occurring and the exams themselves thrown into disarray, their efforts were taken into consideration.

Thanks to this, very few students returned home during the break to face their parents’ nagging, and they could enjoy the most peaceful and candid vacation.

In fact, it was more like a warm hug to be back safely.

While it was ambiguous to lay blame on the Academy for the incident, exaggerated rumors tend to take on a life of their own.

Eventually, suspicions even arose that the whole incident was a plot to assassinate Elder Enviel from Aligieri.

While the students relaxed during their break, the Academy staff was exhausted from fighting off that rumor day and night.

“Adele, how’s the ‘Statement of Damage to Purgatory Mountain Park’ that you requested from the White Magic Tower last time?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I spent days and nights writing it, but it went through without a hitch. Isn’t it quite unfair though? No matter how much they value nature on their end, they wasted our time that should’ve been used sharpening swords on a mere piece of paper.”

“We had no choice. We were the ones who damaged the scenery back then; we have to take responsibility.”

“Even so, I thought I might die over this break. At this rate, I feel like I’d collapse at just a baby’s finger poke.”

Seeing the professor droop further, Radian shot a fierce glance.

“Stop whining! How can you teach the valiant Combat Department students like this?”

“Ugh…”

From all over the Empire, groups demanded to know the truth and results regarding Aligieri.

Afterward, with Elder Enviel disappearing from sight, all kinds of suspicions arose, forcing the faculty to draft endless documents.

Additionally, there were class project proposals for the next semester, identity checks for incoming freshmen next year, and requests for swordsmanship manuals from the swordsmanship society’s warriors located in the northern snowfields of the continent.

Originally, the manuals taught to the students were from the militaristic Papias Kingdom.

However, due to the King Talema suffering a severe injury in this incident, he was stripped of his throne.

With the King gone, Papias plunged into anarchy, making it impossible for them to provide any support to the Academy.

“At least if it weren’t for Papias Kingdom falling apart, things wouldn’t be this tough.”

“I could care less either way. I’ve never liked their methods from the beginning.”

“But whatever happened to King Talema? I heard he became completely incapacitated.”

“Serves him right! The misdeeds he’s done until now have all been revealed, and there’s no room for sympathy!”

After that day, they say King Talema was pursued by his own Papias Army.

A ruler being hunted down by the very army he commanded… it paints a picture of a toothless tiger being chased by hyenas.

And the identity of the mysterious demon that caused Talema’s downfall was also under investigation.

“I don’t know who that demon that suddenly appeared is, but I feel as if the heavens smiled upon us.”

“Thanks to that divine assistance, we barely made it to the Cravasse Snowfield, almost tumbling off the edge or getting frostbite. Besides, it felt more unjust that we journeyed there on our own.”

They risked adventures across the snowy cliffs to get the manuals from that group.

Other professors from the Combat Department were too tied up with the archive’s artificial intelligence experiments to join in.

In the end, Radian, Adele, and one student formed a party of three.

“Don’t forget, they are a group that sharpens their martial arts skills too. You’re still a rookie and might not be used to it yet, but to them, that extreme cold is just a tickle. Just look at how easily they refused to hand over what we requested.”

“Ah… Of course, I remember. What did they say back then…”

Adele crumpled her face with her hand and mimicked some old man’s voice.

‘We’ll evaluate the level of your students before deciding if we will provide the manuals!’

She recalled the swordsmanship society’s lord’s face and a few of his words.

That old man was stubborn about wanting to assess the students’ worth rather than relying on a professor’s authority.

However, thanks to the student who joined the expedition, they captured the lord’s favor.

The students proved their worth by defeating all the apprentices of the swordsmanship society, showcasing their aptitude.

“What would have happened if Lyman hadn’t been there at that time?”

Adele cast a twinkling gaze toward somewhere.

They weren’t the only ones in the lab. Lyman was sitting behind her, helping with the practical exam reports.

“…?”

Lyman, noticing her gaze, momentarily looked up then immediately bowed his head to focus on his own work.

Though his reaction was rather indifferent, Adele couldn’t hide her joy.

“Professor Radian, do you see this? This is the future of the Aligieri Academy’s Combat Department! There won’t be any student throughout history who willingly helps a professor like this during the whole vacation!”

Bang!—

“Ouch!”

“Don’t act up.”

As Radian gave Adele a flick on the forehead, a groan escaped from her mouth as she rambled nonsensically.

Despite his dry expression, it was a delightful sight for Lyman.

With the vacation usually being boring, helping Radian with his tasks filled the time with joy.

“Oh right! Eat this while you’re at it. It’s a limited edition cake they had at the café.”

“Thank you.”

Whirring—

Adele set down the plate with the cake and fork on Lyman’s desk. At that moment, two mosquitoes circled around.

As they buzzed around the precious cake, one of them attempted to sit on the strawberry topping.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Thud!—

Adele contorted her face and threw the fork, planting it firmly into the wall.

Though it seemed absurd to go to such lengths over a couple of flies, anyone witnessing the fork stuck in the wall would surely be astonished. Two mosquitoes were stuck at the end of the fork like arrows.

Though she may seem like just an assistant professor, her skills would surprise anyone.

“I’m sorry. I’ll get you a new one.”

“Okay.”

Just as Adele dashed off to retrieve the fork, someone else had already beat her to it.

-Here’s the fork you requested. Beep.

“….”

A golem standing in the lab rushed over and handed a fork to Lyman.

But Lyman responded with an expression that hinted, ‘I never actually asked for it…’

“What do you think of these things, Professor?”

Considering it was rare for Lyman to speak, Radian was momentarily surprised, and he had been watching the golems with interest.

“I don’t particularly like them. Speaking as someone representing the Combat Department whose goal is physical training, I think it’d be better if they all just disappeared.”

“They sound like they’d be quite upset to hear that.”

“Hmph! How could a golem understand human speech? Moreover, even if we slandered them, they could never retaliate.”

At that moment, the golem suddenly looked at Radian. As if asking what he was staring at, Radian met it back with a wild-eyed gaze born from battle experience.

To an onlooker, it would seem like a trivial exchange, but even now, the golem was subconsciously recording the interaction.

Though it may be knowledgeable about emotions, it was merely deciphering its perception of humanity. It would simply leave behind an algorithm that considers Radian an ‘enemy’ due to the hostile scrutiny.

*

Generally, students who remain at the Academy during vacation are thought to be either homeless or poor, but it’s not that simple.

Staying behind during the break allows them to assist professors while also getting seen and making connections, benefiting their future.

However, most of them would probably regret this choice. The workload was no joke as it not only included the aftermath of the first-semester chaos, but also the golem development.

They likely stumbled into that disaster unaware, becoming entangled in fatigue.

Except for this girl here.

“Food is prepared, so just help yourself. You better clean up afterwards.”

“Sure.”

“And if I come back to a dirty room, we’ll both be dead.”

“I got it. Not that I plan on making a mess anyway.”

Luska threw a string of warnings before heading outside.

It had already been two weeks since they became roommates. That smug face looking down on Messy made her seem a little intimidating, yet I didn’t regret sharing a room at all.

We’ve never fought about a dirty room nor had any conflicts over meal plans, as neither of us had a desire to decorate extravagantly or enjoy partying with drinks.

Luska simply preferred to eat quietly and live peacefully, so as long as I didn’t mess things up, she wouldn’t be angry.

I also didn’t particularly crave anything in particular, so it seemed we were compatible.

In that regard, it felt subtle, but… I stopped my unnecessary thoughts and cleaned up the dishes I had finished.

“Should I finally take off?”

After finishing my meal and tidying up the dishes, I also headed out.

Normally I would grab some fishing gear and head to the lakeside, but today I had some special business elsewhere.

As I stepped out of the dorm, I turned towards the west where the forest was located. There was an old, unused warehouse in the woods, and I entered it to activate ‘Ma’an.’

A vast corridor appeared, hidden behind rotten barrels.

Not physically perforating anything, I placed my hand on the wall and slowly channeled my mana through it.

This corridor was built by summoned attendants dispatched by the Empire to develop artificial intelligence.

Only those involved in relevant tasks could pass through.

What on earth do I have to do to get through?

-Welcome.

But a robotic voice suddenly came from the wall, and as it vanished, a new path opened.

Didn’t they say only those related to their work could pass through?

Considering they were disciples of Enviel, there’s no complex thinking required.

‘And I just devoured your master.’

As I stepped onto the corridor, I walked in that direction.

Considering the angle, it would likely connect to the Unique Hall and Dantia Hall located in the professors’ building.

Continuing down this path, I’d soon arrive at the area that would be the focal point of this chapter.

After about a 20-minute walk, I finally reached my destination.

In a circular space reminiscent of a coliseum, green butterflies and birds were fluttering about.

Those weren’t even spirits or spirits but were gathering into a floating sphere in the air.

The essence of that sphere, resembling a sun painted in green, was the central hub of artificial intelligence.

Commonly known as ‘Mosria.’

-Human… Intruder… Intruder detected. Eliminating intruder. Intruder found… removing…

Countless butterflies abruptly transformed into moths and charged at me.

As they rushed towards me, I released mana from my hands.

But the effectiveness was poor. This wouldn’t even be enough to block them… but I wasn’t planning to defend, to begin with.

The moths that touched my mana suddenly halted their attacks. They bowed their heads to the ground as Mosria spoke.

-Welcome… Elder Enviel.

The final boss of this chapter, Mosria.

At some point, it would shed the influence of humans and become a calamity-like existence.

From there, it would render Heidern into a shell of his former self and seal the Academy in the Void Space away from external support.

‘Unlike other chapters that emphasize character growth, this chapter is different.’

Additionally, a character’s death would provide a tremendous shock.

Following that event, Lyman would slowly lose his mind, igniting the fuse to the continent’s destruction ending. Ironically, that deceased character was the professor Lyman had gotten close to during the break.

‘And to spend chapter 4 comfortably, that professor is essential.’

Therefore, I have come… to edit Chapter 3.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.