Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

116th Episode. Penalty Game (1)

Radian Versern, who always wears a stoic expression within the academy. He was destined to die in Chapter 3, but thanks to my intervention, he has survived until now.

Radian must stay alive as much as possible. Otherwise, the atmosphere would be grim and he wouldn’t be able to reach out his arms.

But who would have guessed that his survival would lead to such unexpected turmoil?

The fact that he has become a couple with Professor Stella has set off alarms within my skills, including “perception.”

What stands out the most is the suddenly close distance between them.

Of course, just because professors are hanging out together doesn’t mean they are in a romantic relationship.

But I can’t take my eyes off the shiny object on their hands.

“But why are you two hanging out together?”

“Oh… there’s something going on.”

When Jenny asked curiously, Radian hesitated before replying, yet he seemed very cheerful.

The others seemed oblivious, but I could tell. He felt completely devoid of energy, unlike his usual self.

The others tilted their heads at his answer, but I was at a complete loss—he looked like a different person!

Above all, I was the only one to notice that they were wearing the same ring!

‘Think, think… focus! Focus!’

My mind raced as if I were checking my very own brain, collecting all the knowledge I could muster.

My enormous survival instincts activated, pushing my potential to its limits. At that moment, everything felt like it was moving slowly, and I found myself in a world where only I stood.

[Skill proficiency is rising.]

Perhaps I activated some senses to their extremes because a spear appeared in my mind, but I had to shake it off.

Time is still moving on. It’s just a matter of time before they notice too.

Even if my perception slowed down, my movements wouldn’t speed up in correlation. If I couldn’t resolve this within the time given, it would mean wearing that damn disguise again.

‘Looks like you’re in quite a fix, huh?’

‘Silence!’

Suddenly, Muto popped his head in to chat. From that goofy look, it didn’t seem like he was here to help.

Indeed, it appeared Muto was sharing senses with me, standing within the same realm.

‘Honestly, I wouldn’t mind seeing that disguise of yours just one more time.’

‘You damn snake…’

He only showed up to tease me. Damn spirit brat! It was then that I realized the downside of being a spirit magician that Cardinal Belion mentioned.

‘Wait, come to think of it…’

As time ran out and they were about to figure things out, I suddenly recalled something I hadn’t thought of. A countermeasure sprang up in my mind.

‘That’s it!’

After strategizing, I couldn’t help but admire my cleverness, just in time to return to reality as their eyes began to glance toward the rings.

‘Muto, you’re going to suffer a bit for making me angry.’

‘What? What… Aaaaargh!’

As my senses returned to normal, I immediately poked Muto’s eyes. The irritation caused dark smoke to pour from his mouth.

They couldn’t see the eye-poking scene due to their lack of spirit sensitivity, but only after the smoke appeared did they catch sight of Muto.

“Eek! What’s this!”

“Hey Radon! Why did the spirit suddenly appear!”

Everyone was shocked and angry at the sudden turn of events. But they didn’t need to worry. I had an explanation lined up for this mess.

“Sorry, sorry! Sometimes the spirit just goes rogue and goes wild. That’s just how it is with spirits—they love to mess with their contractor’s mind.”

‘What nonsense! You did this on purpose… Uggghhh!’

[Consumption rate decreased: -3%]

[+300 Credits]

Before he could even finish his words, I twisted Muto’s neck. It wasn’t just to silence him.

It was to make him spew out that black liquid next.

“Hey Muto! Hang in there. I’ll calm you down soon.”

‘Aaaah!~’

As I dumped drops of mana rain on his head, he screamed and vomited forth dark blood.

I made sure to aim Muto’s mouth right at the two professors.

Like a water gun, the blood shot out and splattered their hands.

“Th-this brat!”

“What are you doing! You’ve made a mess!”

Of course, the two were fuming, but I could brush it off as an accident.

“I’m truly sorry! It wasn’t intentional… I’ll buy you each a new set.”

[Consumption rate decreased: -6%]

[+600 Credits]

“It’s fine. Just wash it out. It’ll be alright even if it’s not new.”

Stella, even though it wasn’t new, got annoyed at getting dirty.

“I don’t want to get mad over something like this. But please be careful. With important guests enrolling this year and the magical banquet coming up, there will be many visitors. You need to resolve this quickly.”

“Understood.”

Because Radian had a stern yet saintly demeanor, just a few words were enough to settle the issue.

Radian and Stella moved off to resolve the mess of their dirty clothes, and we bid them farewell with “See you later.”

“Anyway, let’s get going. I need to finish arranging the dorm before tomorrow’s opening ceremony.”

I urged as I attempted to leave. For now, their hands were dirty, so everyone probably didn’t see the rings. And Muto’s blood would wash off easily enough.

Surely the ring plating wouldn’t come off due to water, right? Even if it did, I could just buy another—I’ve got plenty of credits saved.

“Hold on a second, Radon.”

Jenny grabbed my shoulder from behind as I tried to walk ahead.

When I turned around, the three of them were standing still, not moving.

“What’s up all of a sudden?”

I wondered if they still had something to say, but I suddenly realized they were all standing there with odd expressions.

“Don’t play dumb.”

Jenny said with a chilling smile.

“Did you think we didn’t see it?”

Huh? See what?

“Don’t try to gloss over it.”

This time, Luska grabbed my shoulder as well, halting me in my tracks.

“You spilled ink on purpose, didn’t you?”

I was taken aback by that heavy statement.

“What’s up with you all…?”

Honestly, I could instinctively tell. I was completely exposed.

What had just happened with poking Muto’s eyes was now utterly useless!

Damn!

“Friend~ Friend!~”

Now, Mary pulled on my arm.

“Don’t mess around. We all saw you wearing those couple rings with the professors earlier.”

The three of them glared at me with vacant eyes.

I understood what that meant, but there was no way out.

And I realized once again. They weren’t just plain playable characters.

It wasn’t just me growing stronger. It seemed they had also grown and acquired senses that wouldn’t allow them to be left behind.

In short…

‘I’m done for.’

At this moment, Muto, who could have mocked me, was stretched out flat on the floor. No way I could wriggle out of this predicament.

“Radon, you haven’t forgotten about our promise, have you?”

It was my complete defeat. The three of them looked at me like predators eyeing their prey. Since things had become like this… it was all or nothing!

I maintained a calm face…

“When did I ever?”

Thwack!-

…As I said that, I felt a dull sensation followed by everything going dark.

[Consumption rate decreased: -60%]

[+6000 Credits]

[Experience exceeded a certain amount! Gained 1 Stat Point.]

[A variety of skills’ levels rise as a bonus effect.]

I thought I had a notification pop up, but I couldn’t check anything fully.

*

“It’s finally the new semester. Excited, aren’t you, Lyman Begilius?”

“Not really.”

“Hmph… still as blunt as ever.”

There were students who stayed at the academy instead of heading home during the break. The student council was a good example, particularly those who purposely stayed behind to prepare for the new school year.

Among them was Kent Egist, who had nothing better to do than to accompany Lyman Begilius.

“There were quite a few changes while you were gone—especially with the assistant principal.”

In the wake of Heidern’s dismissal, several candidates were being discussed to take that position.

Magic Department Head Talena Kristen.

Alchemy Department Head Repheli Nicol.

Combat Department Head Cage Revola.

It was generally perceived that the assistant principal would be chosen from among these three, but there were also opinions suggesting someone from outside.

However, that option was rejected in hopes that the same incident wouldn’t occur again like how Heidern had come into that position.

In the end, they settled on one of the three, and after this semester, the new assistant principal would be Repheli Nicol, the former head of the Alchemy Department.

“Of all people, it had to be that one.”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“Leave aside everything else, but that one tends to be too hyperactive! The already chaotic Friday nights will become even more raucous!”

“Then wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“Good my foot! I can’t believe he’s a top-tier Aligieri student, looking so unkempt like that.”

Due to his strict upbringing, Kent frowned upon drinking parties. The thought of the soon-to-follow messy cleanup was already stomach-churning for him.

“If that’s the case, then I wish they would resurrect the soldier training from thirty years ago…”

“Don’t speak so carelessly.”

For the first time, Lyman’s voice held weight.

Long ago, during a massive war due to demon expansion, humanity had once forced children to wield weapons instead of books because manual labor was in short supply.

The education they accepted from Aligieri was the soldier training—where cadets were viewed not as dreamers but as tools for war.

“I get it. I’ll be more careful with my words.”

Kent, also aware of that history, acknowledged his slip-up.

“Hey, it’s Kent and Lyman? How have you been during the break?”

Just then, they ran into three female students. Jenny, Luska, and Mary, who had returned earlier than others.

“Hey! Great to see you all!”

Kent firmly shook hands with them. When holding Mary’s hand, he had to lower his head.

“Was there anything out of the ordinary here?”

“Well, nothing really problematic. By the way, Repheli is the new assistant principal now, so don’t forget to call him assistant principal when you meet him.”

“Got it.”

“But you guys… what’s that?”

Something lying at their feet caught Kent’s attention. Lyman’s eyes widened when he saw it.

One of their familiar classmates was being dragged along by them, having been caught by the ankles.

“Oh, this?”

Suddenly, their gazes lost focus.

“He’s a fake criminal. He’s about to face some serious punishment.”

“Punishment, huh…”

Kent asked with a disapproving look, while Luska and Mary grinned.

“It’s fine. He’s still breathing.”

“Hahahaha! Our eternal doll is being born!”

Kent felt like he was looking at a black magician obsessed with modification surgery.

Radon Crawler. What had he done this time to end up like that?

Many thoughts flitted by, but I decided to stay out of their issues.

“Just don’t break him too much. Although he may look like this, I actually respect him.”

“Well, see you next time.”

As I began to turn away to go my own way… suddenly, Lyman tensed up, stopping in his tracks.

He felt the presence of Enviel, who had mysteriously disappeared, nearby. The source of that presence was, without a doubt, the dragging Radon Crawler.

‘Wait, was that just my imagination?’

Could he be…? The thought crossed my mind, but I felt nothing. Maybe I was just being paranoid, so I ignored it and continued on.

“Why’d you stop all of a sudden?”

“Nothing important.”

As Lyman casually answered Kent’s question, they arrived at the Libel Hall of the professors’ building. Inside, the recently arrived freshmen had gathered.

They were those without any assigned roles yet. The entrance ceremony was set for the day after tomorrow, and these were simply students who had gotten there early out of anticipation.

“Looks like quite a few have already arrived.”

“Well, then let’s start to…”

As Kent readied to step up to the podium, he suddenly froze.

“What’s wrong?”

Kent knew he could sense the energy behind a person’s expression.

Whether it was developed instinctively or honed by growing up seeing the faces of dirty adults, Kent could feel the inner energy simply by looking at the freshmen.

‘There are some trash mixed in.’

Almost let that slip out of my mouth. But speaking carelessly in a crowd like this would be a grave mistake, and I was trying to calm myself.

“Are you the cadets who are moving up to the second year?”

A man in a uniform approached with confident strides. He wore a pure white sword at his side and addressed the two.

“I am Jason Baikel from the royal family. You must have heard of me.”

“Uh, nice to meet you.”

Kent stammered as he greeted him. He felt a dark energy from Jason that couldn’t be compared to what he sensed from the freshmen.

“Nice to meet you… Huh!”

In contrast, Lyman smirked as he looked upon him.

“Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just reminded me of someone else for a moment…”

“I am now your instructor, teaching alongside Professor Radian. You will gain nothing good showing me such an expression, you know?”

“My apologies.”

While Lyman was still apologizing, he couldn’t erase the smile from his face. The reason he was smiling wasn’t Jason, though… It was because he had gotten a good look at the sword he was wearing.

“By the way, that sword really suits you.”

“Oh? That comment merits a compliment. This sword, rumored to be centuries old, is quite fitting for my waist!”

“Centuries old… Hehe…!”

“…”

Kent looked strangely at Lyman, who was having a hard time holding back his laughter.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer