Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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109th Chapter. Interesting, keep going.

The grand ceremony was just around the corner.

Once the baptism begins, everything comes to a halt. The meal being savored, the singing echoing, and even the conversations momentarily silenced.

Above all, the space that had been a party venue instantly transforms into a sanctuary dedicated to the divine.

At that precise moment, the Chain Silver House Head ascends the high platform rising from the stairs.

His sudden appearance draws the crowd’s attention to the platform. Gerard Chain Silver stands beneath the bright chandelier, flanked by two girls in priestly robes.

Their mere presence brings an immediate hush over the hall.

“I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to those who have responded to our invitation. I am the Lord of this village and the head of the Chain Silver Family, Gerard Chain Silver.”

The representative of the venue steps forth, capturing the gathered guests’ attention single-handedly.

Chain Silver knights encircle the left, and paladins of the sect surround the right, enhancing the air of vigilance in the banquet hall.

“Thirty years ago, during the Demon Beast War, we had to tread a thorny path. With the resurrection of the absolute evil known as the Demon King, countless lives were lost, and innocent people bled. Many among you surely bear some scars from that time.”

“The chaos of war forced us to wield swords instead of farming tools and staffs instead of pens just to survive. Even in the esteemed Academy Aligieri, they intended to abuse all students to turn them into soldiers.”

Back then, the importance of learning was valued above status. The only difference was that the learning meant practicing bloodstained slaughter rather than realizing the essence of life.

The student who deeply embodied this ideology later became King Papias.

“Fearing the collapse of the Empire, we hastily acted, which ultimately led to our downfall. That… became the reason we lost the one and only Saint.”

Monsters went berserk, and the sudden invasion of demon beasts turned the era into one where many could barely live.

The one who briefly allowed us to overcome the despair that it might be our turn next was the Saint born at that time.

With her flowing red hair, the blessing she emanated was the sole light.

“I watched alongside my comrades during the turmoil. People clung to that purity which cleansed their tainted hearts without discernment. They were like moths drawn to a flame.”

“Yet, the Saint displayed no concern. She was fully aware of the situation, and believing only she could heal the corrupt hearts, she did not shy away from self-sacrifice.”

It was that kindness that allowed her to cherish those around her. However, most were focused on waging war to monopolize the Saint’s blessing.

Many even sold their own children just to catch a glimpse of her… the reaction upon hearing this from the victims was all too predictable.

“Because of her unparalleled kindness… she could be equally angry. Those blinded by the Saint’s power, capable of dispelling the plague sown by the demon beasts, began to reveal their true natures.”

“Ultimately, the Saint turned her back on people for a while. She briefly left the sect to clear her muddled thoughts. Yes, it was just an `instant.` But those who misinterpreted it thought… the Saint had abandoned them.”

There was no shortage of high-ranking followers within the sect who pressured her to overexert herself.

Her absence eventually led to her being branded the Saint of distrust, chased by the people.

Rumors spread that she had sided with the Demon King, driven by madness. Suggestions of hunting her down and stuffing her appeared.

“Bad news travels quickly. Ironically, while the Saint smiled for the sake of the people… she was ultimately killed at their hands. This incident led the various races cooperating with us to withdraw.”

And… it was also the reason why even `Brother` left our side.

…Gerard contemplated, adding this to his internal monologue.

Having witnessed that scene firsthand, his genuine emotions resonated in the chamber.

On a rainy day, hugging the cold Saint’s body, it was painful to see `Brother’s` black hair losing its color.

The wound was so fresh it still haunted his dreams.

“We must never forget the tragedy of that day. Since then, perhaps due to the gods disillusioned with humanity, thirty years have passed without the Saint’s reappearance. This is our last chance. A nation that forgets its history has no future!”

With that final cry, applause erupted throughout the hall.

Thanks to Gerard’s sincere speech, the atmosphere of the venue was already under his control. Even those who weren’t moved would find themselves clapping unknowingly.

“Now, let us proceed with the baptism.”

With those words, Gerard stepped down from the platform.

Finally, a transformation occurred in the hall where the much-anticipated ritual was about to begin.

Tables laden with food and chairs vanished rapidly due to the retainer’s swift motions. And on the previously bare wall behind the platform, the symbol of the Holy Cross Sect was engraved.

The party space transformed into a place of worship in an instant. Apart from the absence of seats and the knights on watch, it felt very much like a church.

“Ah… I’m glad it was right on time.”

“Radon! Why were you so late?”

“I had a bit of an incident.”

Just before the ceremony was about to start, I managed to enter the venue just in time.

As Jenny quietly chastised me, I stammered out an explanation that would take too long.

Luska and Mary wore worried expressions about my tardiness.

“I ran into some unfamiliar guy outside who started trouble, so I just had a little confrontation.”

“Were you causing a scene?”

“Of course not. I just set up a meeting for after the baptism. There’s a limit to crawling, you know.”

“Meeting after? What do you mean…”

“Jenny, can I borrow the training ground a little later?”

Jenny let out a subtle mocking laugh without saying a word. I knew full well how often sibling disputes arose during events like this. I’ve seen it many times over the years.

It was all the more absurd since it happened to be one of her friends.

“Who’s your opponent?”

“Markray Layert. He’s from the branch family that was once part of ours.”

“Layert? That makes him your relative.”

“Yeah… but they’re not the kind to help us when our family is in dire straits; they actually kicked us out and usurped all our positions. I could tell right when he saw me that he intended harm.”

It was him who approached me first, clearly not liking me.

If it had been the real Radon, I might have felt irritated, but knowing nothing about him, I asked who he was.

Then he got all fired up, pulled out a staff, and started making threats. The sight of him shouting like he wanted to die was so ridiculous it made me more embarrassed.

When the retainer’s calls signaled the start of the ceremony, he sheathed his staff, and the last words he uttered were…

“Be grateful you’re just garbage.”

“Isn’t that just absurd? Grateful? Hah!”

“….”

Having heard that, I couldn’t let it slide. Acting provocatively, I challenged him to a duel, which he accepted with a grin.

His simplistic reasoning likely stemmed from the perception that our family was just leeching off the Chain Silver family.

Beyond that, he appeared to see us as weaklings with nothing to boast about, thus inflated with arrogance.

Yet, he must have known I was a student from the Combat Department at Aligieri. He might not have known my class, but he surely recognized I was a mere student who hadn’t even enrolled yet, so he must’ve known there was a gap.

That’s probably why he pulled such a stunt.

[Status abnormality detected – You have been poisoned by the advanced magic `Paralysis Poison`. (*Effects to manifest in 30 minutes)]

Just before I grabbed him, someone brushed past me. If it hadn’t been an alert, I would have simply overlooked it.

I noticed I wasn’t feeling any symptoms and then understood upon reading the `30 minutes` in parentheses.

`The person I brushed past earlier must be one of Layert’s retainers. If I hadn’t noticed this fact and challenged him, I might have found myself at a disadvantage.`

Unless you’re a combat-oriented race like Luska, it would be hard to muster your strength in a poisoned state.

Of course, paralysis poison could be neutralized with a single drop of raindrops infused with magic. Just one drop would do.

‘Radon Crawler, do you dare ignore me?

Markray Layert, who managed to return to the banquet hall, was also scolded by his parents for being late.

The more I thought, the angrier I became. Back in childhood, before those guys were excommunicated, we had to endure comparisons between our families.

Not only that, but whenever gatherings like blood lineage ceremonies occurred, he always received greater attention. However, after hearing my parents, I grew convinced that they the whole time looked down upon and insulted us.

Markray had grown up hearing such remarks from a young age. They claimed that his failures were all the Crawler’s fault as they tormented him. Even the loyal retainers acted like one big in-crowd, and that single thought became ingrained in his mind.

`All of this is the Crawler’s fault.`

This was my chance to embarrass Radon. Though I was about to enroll soon, defeating him would raise my name among the spectators, and news would spread that he lost to a junior who hadn’t even enrolled yet.

Of course, I expected his skills would have vastly improved given a yearly gap, but I had already set the stage. It was poison that could incapacitate even a knight, so there was no way a mere student like him would be able to move properly.

“Mother, Father, please look forward to it once the ceremony concludes. I’ve prepared the perfect scenario to present to you.”

“We’re in the same boat as well.”

“You should be looking forward to it too, Markray.”

The ceremony commenced, with invited guests ascending one by one to kneel before the two Saints. They would receive the baptism from the Beastman Saint, who wielded strength and form, and the green-haired Saint, who dealt with incantations and spells, for five minutes.

However, before it began, the Saints had some words to say.

“Though we were born in different times and places…”

“We are sisters who have inherited the light descended from the heavens.”

“Should one side’s light be transferred to the side that survives…”

“We will never forsake each other…”

– We will not let go of that hand.

As they concluded in unison, the intertwined hands of the two Saints burst forth with light in the shape of a cross. This ability, which inscribed itself across the entire floor, purified every air particle, proving they had received power from the divine.

`Outstanding. My sister…!`

Among them, Luska secretly shed tears of emotion.

“Before we begin, if you still harbor unwholesome thoughts, we recommend you refrain from coming forward.”

“The blessing could summon misfortune for those with tainted souls.”

“And this power is granted only to those of noble heart and mind. Only those who respect time and place may receive this blessing.”

“If you have anything to say regarding this, we will gladly listen.”

Nobody doubts their own flaws… yet someone’s hand raised among the attendees.

Though perhaps unaware of their imperfections, they were experts at pointing out others’.

“Speak freely.”

“As I just mentioned, baptism is an event given only to those of noble heart. However, if there happens to be someone without such a characteristic in attendance, what would you two do?”

Atheus Layert’s assertive question made both the Saints and the crowd tilt their heads.

“For example… should there be someone who, abusing their rank, sneaked into the kitchen and ruined the party’s menu hiding among us, what would you do?”

“….”

“These individuals are utterly shameless in their attendance, having already lost all honor and dignity. It seems they covet the Saints’ blessings so much that they remain here despite other nobles glaring at them.”

Strange-looking rice balls had been placed on the party menu. It was like putting cheap hardware amidst jewelry.

No noble would have ordered such a thing to be made.

“Furthermore, the previous event was a kind of test of the attendees’ dignity. Therefore, the individuals I just mentioned have already failed that test. Right there; the Crawler family.”

Glares focused on Radon and others who bore the Crawler surname.

Then, with a triumphant smile on his face, Atheus delivered the final blow.

“I believe that family, which irresponsibly created junk dishes here without anyone’s permission, has no right to receive blessings.”

No one dared to scold him, even appearing to agree. Even the two Saints wore expressions of surprise.

Though young, they had undergone thorough adult education at the sect. Knowing they weren’t foolish enough to render a misguided judgment, an ominous air wafted around them.

“What kind of junk dish are you talking about?”

“That… strange-looking rice ball.”

“Rice ball… hohoh.”

The white-haired Saint with beast ears burst into laughter. In that empty-hearted laugh, undeniable fury could be felt.

It was unmistakable anger directed toward those who refuse to maintain their dignity.

“What is your name?”

“I am Atheus Layert from the Layert family.”

“Layert… hahaha.”

Her previously erupting laughter slowly quieted, and the atmosphere turned chilly. The Saint’s gaze locked onto this side. Not one glimmer of Crawler, but only Layert.

Soon, a light flickering from her body bore no sense of benevolence.

“You are quite an amusing person.”

As the Saint softly spoke, nine tails extending from her body… fanned out like a peacock’s feathers.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.