Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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101 Chapter. Heidern (2)

My fishing rod, packed with my full power, struck true. Heidern, hit directly with no defenses, could no longer rise.

Mana sometimes protects its owner. The higher it is, the more it can cling to life even with fatal injuries.

The Combat Department even wraps itself in invisible armor of mana for protection.

In short, Heidern’s condition, being able to breathe despite taking my full power with his sealed body, shows just how extraordinary he is.

`This guy really is like a cockroach.`

But the fact that he passed out remained unchanged.

Just a moment ago, when I hit him, I felt several bones breaking, sending a sharp sensation up my shoulder. It would probably take at least 24 hours for him to regain consciousness.

Of course, I wasn’t in normal condition either.

“Cough!”

A simple cough turned into a flow of blood. The cause of the hemorrhage was none other than poison.

The poisonous mist from Poison Cloud dissipated as the caster collapsed, but the effects remained.

[Status Ailment Occurred – Poisoned by High-Grade Magic `Poison Cloud`.]

[Time Limit 5 minutes. (05:04)]

Poison magic varies in power and type, similar to other attributes.

However, what’s got me in this dire state isn’t even middle-tier magic—it’s a high-tier spell.

Common poisons might be cured with a sip of antidote, but poison born of high-tier magic barely allows for hope of recovery even with an antidote.

`I’m really on the verge of death. If not for this.`

Tears of the Fallen.

I retrieved the top-grade sacred relic received from Cardinal Belion in Kreuz. I popped the transparent cork-like lid and swallowed a drop.

[High-Grade Magic `Poison Cloud` is neutralized.]

My sickened stomach felt cured and my sluggish body became lighter. The effect of this holy water, born from the arduous research of deities, shone through.

Even the scars from the encounter with the spirit had completely soothed.

`They really planned to kill me.`

From the rays emitted earlier from the flower to the Poison Cloud, all of it.

I thought that since he was merely a student, he might underestimate me, but he unleashed some pretty powerful skills.

It felt as if he perceived me as a special entity.

『You had an interesting thought when I knocked you out earlier, right? What was it… ‘That’s the fishing rod that killed your master!’?』

‘Stop butting in unnecessarily.’

『Who cares? After all, you’re too juvenile. How about when you wake up you say this? ‘My pet snake devoured your master.’』

Wham!—

『Caw!』

‘Is it crazy?’

I smacked Muto’s head with Leviathan for his clueless comment.

With a scream that didn’t suit him, Muto rolled on the floor. Snakes have no limbs, so he couldn’t cover where it hurt.

『But I’ve been feeling restless lately. Ever since we formed a contract, my true nature is suppressed. I want to let this accumulated tension out; I feel like I want to scream right now.』

This little snake was still just a little snake. I was a fool for relaxing just because he seemed a bit milder after the contract.

There’s a very high possibility that a grand sorcerer like Heidern could notice this guy.

It was fortunate that we fought amidst the chaos. If this guy had started running his mouth, Heidern would have exploded with anger, pouring all his power into the confrontation.

Then both me and this guy would be heading for a bad ending together.

`You’re feeling twitchy and can’t help it?`

『Did you just realize that? That’s why I call you vomit.』

`Still, there’s a way.`

Muto tilted his head in confusion.

With an irritated look, I dropped the Tears of the Fallen on Muto’s head.

『Ouch! What the hell are you doing, you vomit… Ouch!』

Muto fussed as if scalded by hot water. Then, losing his stamina, he collapsed entirely.

『Ouch ouch ouch… What’s happening now?』

`That’s the price for misbehaving earlier.`

『You’ll forever be vomit, you brat…』

Without a mind for reflection, Muto slipped back into my shadow.

Considering the nature of his species, it was to be expected.

—————

[Secret Mission: An Impenetrable Wall]

The mission is complete, so you can enjoy the following benefits.

[New Magical Device – `Trans Card` production activated!]

—————

Speaking of which, I had completely forgotten.

How does it pop up to surprise people every time presence fades?

—————

[Magical Device Manufacturing List]

ㄴTrap Card (Normal)

ㄴTrans Card (Rare)

—————

I had expected a different type to come out, but another card magical device made me skeptical.

However, seeing its performance, my dissatisfaction diminished.

—————

ㄴTrans Card (Rare)

Place two cards in different locations. Any target touching one card is transported to the location of the other card. Alternatively, it can be attached to oneself to swap positions with a target.

It’s a card specialized for spatial mobility, but there’s a distance requirement.

[Required Material: 1 Space-Time Substance]

[Required Credits: 500,000]

—————

Compared to the trap card, which is a one-time use, this was a permanent magical device.

But the required credits were exorbitant because it was rare.

A magical device that forcibly changes positions. If used well, it could enhance my tricks.

The problem lies with the required material; Space-Time Substances aren’t common and are hard to obtain.

However, you could potentially acquire them by defeating certain bosses during gameplay.

There’s likely another one in this world somewhere, but the opportunity to obtain it in-game would only come once.

And that boss is…

“This is pure jackpot!”

Right here.

Mosria is an artificially born spirit. Due to distortions of time and space inflicted throughout the research building during its creation, it has absorbed much of that influence.

Part of its body even bears spatial properties.

I approached the room where it lay, leaving Heidern behind. Numerous green moths swirled around me as if welcoming my presence.

– Further access is prohibited. Human.

“….”

At the end of the connected corridor, there was a wide chamber. Holding my breath, I gazed at the gigantic moth hovering in the center.

The massive wings bore countless eyes, serving as a reminder of one of the reasons this game didn’t receive a rating for everyone.

Its appearance stood in stark contrast to the previous green sphere floating in the air, leaving me confused about whether this was indeed a spirit.

“Long time no see.”

– Reveal your identity, human. If not, I will immediately execute you.

The moths drifting in the air began to cluster and form various weapons. Indeed, it recognizes through mana or codes rather than human faces.

“Epsilon, Chromakey.”

-….

“And this mana. Have you forgotten?”

The password unleashed a unique mana that only Elder Enviel can emit. Just one release left me breathless.

It was clear that mimicking a grand sorcerer’s mana couldn’t be sustained. However, that single instance was enough for the creature to drop its hostility.

– Welcome. Elder Enviel… g…

Upon recognizing its master, Mosria halted its attack and suddenly stammered. It couldn’t revolted against its master, but it was definitely sensing something amiss.

Because….

– Are you truly Elder Enviel?

“Forgot? We met like this last time.”

– But why did you attack Heidern?

“….”

It wasn’t a complete fool. If I was battling Heidern, it must have watched from beginning to end.

Having me emerge as its master after taking down Heidern would certainly raise suspicions.

– According to my creator’s orders, upon sensing human wickedness, I’m to destroy this academy immediately. That is the will of my creators, and that will originated from your brain, Elder Enviel. But…

“And why do you suddenly pop up to interfere?”

And it was a fool too. This creature doesn’t recognize people by their faces.

It merely found the mana nullification from the Yellow Stamp and the Golem army threatening.

“You, don’t you think it’s strange? Why I would take the Yellow Stamp that’s practically your avatar? Plus, why did I modify your commands back then?”

I said with a smirk.

At that, Mosria began to tremble its wings.

– If it weren’t for that command… every plan would have been perfect. That’s why summoning the Golem was futile, forcing me to rely on verbal abuse for mental breakdown.

Its voice quivered. It was starting to catch on.

– Had it not been for the Yellow Stamp… I could have nullified your mana and commanded Heidern to wipe you out. Why did you take it all, Elder Enviel!

“Do I look like Elder Enviel to your eyes?”

-…!

A tremor shook the eyes embedded in its wings collectively.

Since it was born as a spirit, it can feel emotions. And the emotion it’s feeling now would be its first and final highest form of stimulation.

[Erosion Rate Decreased: -190%]

[+19,000 Credits]

– But surely, with your mana…

“That was just a mimicry.”

– Then the codes…

“That’s just something I happen to know.”

Suddenly, a quake shook the space. The temperature soared, painting the whole area red as if a volcano erupted.

And Mosria too began to turn from turquoise to red. Rage consumed its being.

– So you were only mimicking Elder Enviel!

“You got fooled; you were the fool.”

– Huuuuumaan!!

“And you know what? Your master tasted incredibly good.”

– Grrrraaaaaah!!

With a roar of rage, the quaking intensified. The drifting moths turned crimson and swirled violently.

It felt like a vortex of blood, but unfortunately, it couldn’t inflict any harm on me.

– Damn it… crazy… Huuuuumaan!

Human, human—so loud.

Its speech grew erratic, like a robot whose circuits had shorted out due to anger.

But like a chapter boss, it wouldn’t go down easily.

– I will annihilate everything. I will bury this entire Void Space in exchange for my life! You will never escape!

The tremors grew stronger. It felt like we had stepped inside a bomb.

– I’ll self-destruct and blow you and this academy to smithereens! It’s impossible for you to overpower an artificial spirit like me physically! You have no chances…

“What’s that hideously shaped thing I’m suddenly hearing?”

“It looks awful.”

Just then, someone appeared and started to cut down its appearance.

It was Jenny and Crona, who should have been wandering above.

“Radon! Are you alright? Any injuries?”

“I can’t believe there’s a place like this in Void Space.”

Then followed Professor Radian and Professor Stella.

The moment they spotted me, they checked my condition first. Why did they seem so in sync?

“Buddy!~ There you are. I’m so sad!”

Next, Mary appeared and immediately clung to me. Then Luska appeared, pulling Mary away while saying:

“What is this idiot doing? Can’t you see the situation is serious?”

“But my heart is serious too! These tin cans keep babbling nonsense… aaah!”

With those words implied, I slapped Mary on the head. Only then did the tiny girl quiet down.

– Annihilate! Human! Human!!

Radian looked at Mosria in disbelief.

“That crazy creature can’t be Mosria?”

“Absolutely. It’s just like when it was first born.”

Baimon answered from behind him.

Everyone was gearing up for a fight, but now that Baimon was here, there was no need to.

“While I incapacitate it, buy me some time.”

“Understood!”

Baimon jumped into the air right after speaking.

He appeared to be floating through wind magic, but it was thanks to the propulsion device attached to his alchemically made shoes.

“Everyone protect Baimon!”

Everyone complied with Radian’s command, but I just stood still.

I shouldn’t be this way, but… I couldn’t help but laugh.

Considering their determination, the opponent’s attacks were utterly nonexistent.

At most, it just screamed loudly.

Ten minutes dragged on like that.

Once Mosria was completely incapacitated, I felt embarrassed instead due to my fortified resolve.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.