Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

---

107th Episode. Today, I’m XX Chef

As I wandered around the mansion, I took a look at how the party would unfold.

Since this part wasn’t thoroughly described in the main story, it was necessary to observe it even just a little.

Using my identity as Jenny’s friend, I could roam the mansion within the allowed range.

This was the very place where the ceremony for the blessing of the saint was to be held. Jenny, along with her friends and the nobles, would all receive the blessings of the two saints.

Not only the head of the family, Gerard, but even some members of the royal family would participate in the grand ceremony.

A saint born after thirty long years in the history of the Divine Empire. And there were not just one, but two.

Everyone would want to receive their blessings or form a cordial relationship through acquaintance; that was the main goal of attending this ceremony disguised as a party.

‘Surely, they won’t demand rice balls again on the way here, right?’

With Angela coming to Silver Town as a saint, it was a given.

Now, her stock here had become nothing other than my rice balls.

I worried that all the kitchen dishes would be replaced with rice balls because of that.

Of course, since she’s been educated in etiquette as a saint, that probably wouldn’t happen.

“Welcome! My son!”

While I was wandering around the mansion chatting with friends, I found my family’s home.

I grasped the structure of the party hall. With Jenny’s invitation now in my hands, I shouldn’t get lost and cause trouble.

“Did you enjoy exploring the party hall? The statue and fountain you saw in the backyard are my father and mother’s work. I had it flowing chocolate milk as if it were water.”

“I was wondering who made them; it turns out it was you two. I quite liked it.”

There actually was a chocolate-flavored fountain. I took a curious sip, only to be stopped by the head maid, Cantena.

“By the way, you’ve moved to quite a nice place.”

A house built about 30m away from Chain Silver Mansion. The decent size and beautiful interior were perfect for a parent and child to live comfortably.

The neat organization and the arrangement of the furniture showed the traces of our family’s preferences.

The newly settled house, even I had to admit, was very pleasing.

“It’s stylish and pretty. This must also involve the Duke’s influence, right?”

“Oh, that’s right. It was the Duke’s word that made this house come into being. Isn’t it impressive?”

Just like mountains disappear at a command from a military commander, the mouth of a powerholder makes anything happen as if by magic.

I recalled the time when Travel offered to help me buy a house with money. Not holding onto that guy’s hand seemed to apply as a divine intervention.

“The cleaning is done well too.”

“Right! It used to be an extremely dirty and gloomy place, and every time I slept, I’d end up filthy. Once, the air was so polluted that I nearly choked to death alone. Hahaha!”

“….”

Here we go again.

Just listening to them, it sounded like there were no praises for the house. It felt like someone ordering takeout and then giving a one-star rating while writing a malicious review.

But I didn’t need to mention that that was a lie.

“Did our son eat?”

“They served food over there, so I ate. The chef’s skills are proven, so the taste and quantity were just right.”

“Looks like my teachings paid off.”

My mother blurted out a nonsensical boast about her cooking.

If that reached the actual chef’s ears, they’d show up with a kitchen knife. If that were true, they’d probably throw the kitchen knife on the floor and challenge us to prove it.

In short, that would be an embarrassing situation.

Of course, this only applies as long as it’s taken seriously.

“How was I today? I was super cool, right?”

“Yeah, really cool.”

[Soil Erosion Rate Decreased: -2%]

[+200 Credits]

“After summer vacation, while you were away, I became super close with people. Was their name Ray? They were really impressed by my transformation.”

Could it be that they were captivated by my muscular transformation? Jenny’s little sister, indeed.

Even if she’s a girl, if something catches her eye, she wouldn’t easily forget it. I wonder what will happen if both of them enroll in Aligieri, holding hands and going “Lulu-lala”.

“Oh, right, Radon. Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news first?”

Sitting at the dining table, my father’s expression turned serious as he bluntly asked. It seemed to carry an aura implying not to be too happy just because we had a new house.

“Let’s hear the good news first.”

No matter what I heard first, the result was either joy or sorrow. Then, a line appeared at the corners of my father and mother’s mouths.

“Be happy. We are now able to attend the party.”

“It’s not just you; our whole family is going. Originally, it was a working day, but we can rest on that day.”

“Work?”

“Ah, I forgot to mention. The head of Chain Silver granted us positions in the town’s newspaper agency. Honestly, there’s no more suitable place to tell a lie. Of course, within reasonable limits.”

They too were stepping into the media agency, just like me. They might call it parachuting, but considering their high profiles, everyone would shout “Okay!” and hire them.

“And do you know who authorized our attendance at the party?”

Gerard? Jenny? Neither.

“It was the two saints. Strangely enough, they sent a letter saying they’d always welcome us.”

Angela aside, what about Nebia? She’d think that too if she didn’t know the circumstances.

My father, Rotas, had unintentionally helped the young Nebia once, so she might look favorably upon him.

It seems our father doesn’t realize that he helped a girl who would later become a saint.

“And according to Saint Angela…”

“Radon, she’d like you to work in the kitchen at the party.”

Huh…?

With a stunned expression, I tilted my head, wondering what that meant.

“For some reason, she said she wanted to eat the rice balls you made repeatedly. If not, she wrote that she’d cause a ruckus. What on earth happened?”

“It’s a long story. Should I tell you?”

This time, my parents tilted their heads in curiosity. But if the story got too long, it would interrupt the serious things I needed to say.

“Let’s just do it later. We have plenty of time during vacation.”

It seems Angela is set on making me her personal food shuttle.

But, I brought this upon myself too… More than that, thanks to the rice balls, I can see her favoring me.

Considering that grace, taking on this kind of burden feels like a very cheap price to pay.

“That was the good news.”

Whether it was actually good news or not, at least it wasn’t bad news, so that wasn’t wrong.

“Then, what about the bad news?”

I cut right to the chase and asked. At that, the smiles of both my parents faded slightly.

“It seems those guys are coming to the party.”

“Those guys?”

Since the subject was missing, I asked again.

“As you know, we are effectively exiled. Then surely some who swallowed that place must exist.”

“Ah…”

“The Layered Family. They are a branch of our Crawler family.”

I had heard about them during summer vacation.

Those who felt inferior to my father and were keeping an eye on the position of our family’s main line. Finally, they achieved that ambition and were spreading rumors about the Crawler family.

…That’s how they were introduced to me.

“They too have been invited to the party. While I wasn’t around, they shifted the family under direct oversight of the royal family, becoming active. Thanks to that, they were granted the right to receive blessings from the saints.”

“They probably know we owe Duke Gerard a favor. They must have eagerly picked up rumors, longing to erase their presence.”

The Layered Family spreading ridiculous rumors to completely bury the Crawlers.

What would happen if I crossed paths with them was clear. However, I had no idea who they were.

“What were the names of the members? I can’t quite remember.”

“Well, you were young at the time, so you probably forgot everything. We’ll remind you.”

While they were extra characters not appearing in the main story, I was now able to learn their names from my parents.

“And I want to emphasize once more that since they have now integrated under the royal family’s direct control, they are quite influential. If possible, try to avoid conflicts.”

“So, are we supposed to just take it?”

“If it’s someone so troublesome that even the royal family would have difficulty dealing with, the outcome might be different.”

Hearing that, I subtly shifted my gaze to the party invitation lying on the dining table.

Seeing the mark on that invitation, it suggested the issuing side was the sect. It seemed that if it were high-ranking, it could be issued by anyone within the empire, not just Chain Silver.

A high-ranking member of the sect… I smiled as I recalled who it could be.

*

The Holy Cross Tower in the capital city of Kreuz. In an open room on the upper levels, Nebia was gazing coldly at the winter scenery of Sunoin Kreuz through a closed window.

The breeze, slightly entering through a crack, brushed her green hair. Despite the cold air, Nebia remained unfazed and was lost in thought.

Years had passed since she was liberated from her miserable mother by being chosen as a saint. A miracle that gave her both physical power and political influence from that persecuted life.

Her reason for believing in God was extremely simple. It wasn’t because of strong faith but rather the affection that resolved her material desires.

Until just a while ago, she was born from a filthy family and cursed God. She wasn’t a saintly character, especially since she was quick to switch when circumstances improved.

But she had the ability to discern right from wrong.

‘Tomorrow, I will meet you all, Crawlers.’

A grand ceremony held by the Chain Silver family. The schedule set for tomorrow was to impart divine power through blessings to the nobles.

Nebia had picked up the news that the Rotas Crawler and his family, who had once helped her, resided there.

She wanted to definitely bring them to her side.

To be honest, she hadn’t had such thoughts from the beginning. All she had felt was a burning inferiority complex towards Angela Greenwhite… and suddenly, he appeared before her.

The son of Rotas, Radon Crawler.

However, the words he spoke to her during their first meeting were somewhat shocking.

– Please try to avoid approaching me as much as possible.

Ever since becoming a saint, this was the first time she’d felt cornered. This was the first time her material temptations had failed.

Before the power equivalent to royalty, no one could stand against it. Everyone was blinded, believing they would cozy up to a saint through connections.

Except for that man.

“If I give up just like this…”

…It feels like I’m entering the game already losing.

Everyone forgot one fact, hidden beneath the veil of the saint: Nebia was still a young girl just entering puberty. Once she became fixated on something, she could become irrationally stubborn.

Right now, he stands with Angela Whitegreen, but eventually… she would make him ask her for help. She would make it so he couldn’t live without her.

“I will make you only look at me, Radon Crawler.”

The sound of the wind from the window echoed. As if she had become one with the coldness, she remained unaffected by the chilly atmosphere.

Her smile, born from a distorted desire, radiated a sense of foreboding.

If you see someone you’re interested in, obsess over them endlessly… that was the advice from a certain newspaper department student from Aligieri.

Turning back means losing. No matter how coincidental the interest may be, never overlook it.

If you turn your back even once, you will repeat the same mistake for a lifetime.

That was the first lesson of life; a method for dealing with the opposite sex that wasn’t even mentioned in etiquette education.

*

Various carriages or long magical trains were transporting numerous nobles into Silver Town.

Renowned figures from the empire were lining up to pass through the front gate of the Chain Silver mansion.

While lines of nobles continued, the peasant residents felt little pressure.

They didn’t need to do anything for them, and from the residents’ standpoint, they were insignificant beings whose existence didn’t deserve their attention.

If an incident were to occur, worrying wouldn’t be necessary. No matter how renowned their houses were, there was someone far superior governing this town.

Except for the sect’s carriages and the royal family’s carts.

Receiving invitations to that grand event meant one had connections with those related.

My family, whom I received an invitation directly from the saint, was close to that category.

The strict security check at the entrance seemed slightly tight, but after showing my badge indicating an invitation, I clearly understood how differently I was treated.

The servants of the mansion were specially trained for today, considering themselves retainers of those bearing badges from today onward.

Since I also bore a badge, I naturally belonged to those in a position of service.

Originally, I wasn’t meant to be a chef wearing a cooking uniform.

‘I can’t believe I’m doing this for just one rice ball.’

As expected from the finest family in the empire, the kitchen was incredibly splendid and spacious. I felt like if I became an employee there, I’d be so intimidated I’d get kicked out immediately…

“I am truly sorry! I’ve committed a grave sin!”

The man bowing to me now was the head chef responsible for that kitchen. Holding a considerable position in charge of one area of the mansion, he treated me with utmost respect for a mere drop of water on my head.

This unnatural situation stemmed from the badge I was wearing.

“Excuse me, but I really don’t plan to stay here long, so please lift your head. Okay?”

“I will follow your order!”

A different kind of pressure began to wash over me.

He committed a grave sin? How severely must they have been trained to act like this as if they were brainwashed?

Since this was such a major event, it was, in a way, a bad procedure.

‘Even if it’s somewhat ridiculous, it’s better than receiving scornful glares.’

Just as I thought that, splattered oil from a pot performing a fire show next to me landed on my clothes.

Just a tiny bit, but the faces of the kitchen staff turned pale…

“I’ll take responsibility.”

The head chef said in a drained tone as he aimed a knife at his own finger.

“What’s wrong with this guy!”

I hurriedly calmed the head chef who was about to take responsibility in such a manner.

Today, I was reminded of the terror of nobility.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.