Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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117th Chapter. Penalty Game (2)

I had been struck on the back of my head and lost consciousness.

The culprit was none other than them. The weight of the strike could hardly be attributed to teenage girls entering their late teens.

My mind was hazy, but it felt almost like I had been hit with a sledgehammer. Among the three, who else could possibly possess such monstrous strength apart from her?

“Have you reflected on your actions?”

“I have reflected.”

I was kneeling meekly in front of Luska, who was crossing her arms and questioning me.

After returning to the dormitory together, we finished tidying up. I had sneezed a bit while dusting and airing the room, but there was no chance of that happening again while sitting now.

“Can I ask what you did wrong?”

“Is there really a need to state the obvious?”

“Answer me.”

Luska’s tone had shifted to a more serious one. It felt like I was confessing to a saint, a barrage of questions in a confessional.

The sunlight streaming through the open window illuminated Luska, making her look reminiscent of a saint.

If that sunlight were a full moon instead, this interrogation wouldn’t have ended as quietly.

“I lied. Is that enough?”

“….”

Silently glaring down at me, she eventually sighed and sat down.

“Fine. There’s no point in getting a headache over every single detail.”

“I thought you’d dig deeper, but this is unexpected.”

“Honestly, I think it wouldn’t change anything even if I did.”

Luska rested her chin on her palm and added.

“Living with your family during break made it crystal clear. Compared to those people, you’re just a drop in the ocean.”

Our Crawler family is famous for our honesty, or rather our ability to lie through our teeth.

Having lived amidst that, Luska must have endured a crushing burden.

She couldn’t possibly understand the curse of the liar.

“I haven’t seen many liars in my life, but… I doubt anyone besides your family could match that.”

Of course, I knew that all too well. There was a time I felt crushed just from taking my mother’s words about her looks at face value.

It took me days to realize that all those slurs were lies.

“I thought it was just you, but learning that your family is the same? I couldn’t imagine it. So I’ve been thinking…”

“….”

“Could it be that your family is under a bad curse or something?”

At first, I considered it a personal flaw of Radon. But once I realized the entire family was like that, I couldn’t just label it a personal problem anymore.

“I believe there’s no other reason for a family to collectively dive into a sea of lies.”

I responded with my expression rather than words. Seeing my wide eyes, Luska’s lips curled up, indicating she figured it out.

“Be honest. What’s that curse about?”

It’s not a curse, but it was nice that she noticed. However, I could never voice it out loud.

“If I could, I would’ve said it long ago. It’s a ■■■■■’s ■■■.”

As you can see… when I attempt to say it, it gets muted like this. Luska couldn’t comprehend it and tilted her head in confusion.

“Anyway, there was a reason you became a scammer. So I won’t push you too hard.”

Luska said, her face flushing and head lowered. maybe she felt embarrassed for being angry until now; she looked quite awkward.

So just as I was about to say something…

“But that’s separate from losing the bet. You know that, right?”

“Huh?”

Luska’s eyes suddenly turned sharp.

The once warm atmosphere turned cold.

“You thought we wouldn’t notice the professors wearing matching rings and sticking together?”

Just moments ago, Jenny and Mary were the same, and Luska too… they all seemed eager to toy with me.

It was like the expression of a girl about to unwrap a Barbie doll received as a birthday gift.

What do I have that needs embellishment?

And those two suddenly became a couple, causing a ruckus.

I never imagined Professor Radian, who I had barely managed to save, would betray me like that.

“But I’m not planning to make you dress as a girl yet. Not for now. Hehe…”

It meant she would postpone it, but I couldn’t feel reassured at all.

That looked like the face of a predator who planned to savor their meal after preparing it perfectly.

Luska’s smile felt terrifying.

She matched surprisingly well with Jenny’s personality.

*

The opening ceremony process was lighter than expected, starting and finishing early.

It was an event for students who had already adapted to the academic setting, so there was no need for confusion.

However, the opening ceremony was merely warm-up. The true all-out war would take place at today’s entrance ceremony.

In fact, the entrance ceremony wasn’t much different from the opening ceremony. It would probably just end lightly after the principal’s speech and students’ declarations.

However, the difficulty depended heavily on the status of the new students.

For the noble offspring, it wasn’t a big deal. But for two saints and the low-ranking yet imperial-blooded princess, things were different.

Right now, the three were riding in a carriage, stepping onto the academy’s grounds. The two saints in their school uniforms got out of the carriage that glimmered with brilliance.

In front of them, as if to greet them, the principal and faculty members had gathered.

`This is quite burdensome.`

Angela, who made eye contact with Principal Keiten Jodiatz, felt quite nervous inside. It was only natural to fidget in front of a war hero from 30 years ago.

Even though she had been chosen as a saint and her status had risen significantly, her conscience made it hard to hold her head high.

“Nice to meet you… Principal Keiten… sir…”

“Why are you hesitating, Saint? Lift your head.”

“But back then…”

Above all, there was one crucial element that pricked her conscience. If they brought up the Nine-Tailed Fox incident, anyone questioning would fall silent.

“Ah, if it’s about that, it’s already in the past, isn’t it?”

“I truly am sorry. The only reason I stepped onto this land is because of the sect’s will, and I’m deeply sorry for that.”

“But you had your reasons, didn’t you? Please lift your head. Our Aligieri has already cast aside the old customs of nagging about such things.”

Naturally, the education of saints included historical education.

As vast as the continent was, various cultures and customs had emerged in each region, including many ancient evils.

In the past, people waited for someone to commit a severe sin. This was primarily to gain accolades by capturing said sinner.

Just looking at this, one can see how absurd such customs were. It was no different from the foolishness of fabricating villains when there weren’t any.

Moreover, such personal retribution sometimes affected the sinner’s descendants. If even a drop of that blood mixed, they could hardly show their face in the Empire. Not even children were spared mercy.

Angela too feared she might become just as they had in the past for making a mistake in the academy. To that, Keiten replied.

“Countless regions have already corrected that bad habit. Although there may be some harsh gazes, no one will dare to touch you, Saint.”

“Thank you very much, Principal.”

“And I would also like to greet Saint Nebia.”

Bowing slightly, Keiten greeted the green-haired saint standing beside Angela.

She hadn’t responded immediately, glaring at Angela before giving a delayed greeting.

“I am Nebia Chromag. I would appreciate it if you called me casually.”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing. I hope you have a fruitful learning experience here.”

The greetings were quickly over. Nebia, who felt the conversation had been lackluster, shot a glance at Angela. Her irritation surged since all attention had been monopolized by Angela, and furthermore, her interest was evaporating like bubbles due to the next new student.

“Principal Keiten Jodiatz, I pay my respects to your highness.”

“Vice Principal Rephelly Nickel, likewise, I offer my greetings.”

“Talena Kristen from the Magic Department.”

“Cage Revola from the Combat Department.”

“And Andrew Rayfield from the Alchemy Department.”

The faculty members knelt before the red-haired princess protected by knights.

Such respect was natural in front of the highest authority. She is the youngest child of the Emperor, known for being the least known among his children. It was essential to be as polite as possible due to the uncertainty of her temperament.

“Ah, hello! I am Mirona Kirien Divine, the Third Princess of the Divine Royal Family! Nice to meet you!”

“….”

The faculty members looked as if they were caught off guard by an unexpected event. Until now, every imperial child admitted to the academy had displayed an air of confidence.

But perhaps because she was the youngest… Princess Mirona appeared much more timid than Saint Angela she had just met.

Is she really a member of the royal family? She seemed more like a transfer student from a strange place rather than a princess.

“Um… is there a problem…?”

“No, I wish you a fruitful learning experience from now on.”

Though slightly flustered, the faculty members regained their composure and became polite again. In the distance, someone was watching the exchange.

“….”

Leaning against a tree, Lyman watched the scene unfold. His gaze was captured by Princess Mirona. He seemed to have something to say but remained silent, looking somewhat complicated.

As he watched the princess, he soon wore a bitter expression and then vanished with the wind.

“Huh?”

Sensing something, Mirona turned her eyes toward the tree, but all there was were branches swaying in the gentle breeze.

*

Even after the entrance ceremony ended, the academy’s important events weren’t over. The third-year student council president, who had served until last year, was graduating this time.

In other words, the student council presidential election event was about to begin.

‘A fierce battle of nerves will unfold.’

Despite the chilly weather, the heat was already rising, causing me to feel warm.

Second and third-year students were choosing who to elect after watching the entrance ceremony, putting themselves into factions.

According to the main script, the candidates mentioned were as follows:

Candidate 1: Nebia Chromag.

Candidate 2: Angela Whitegreen.

Candidate 3: Crona Delaware.

All of them wield impressive power akin to the sky.

Although Crona could be seen as the lower tier, she nonetheless aimed to effectively reform the academy’s regulations.

She had her own reasons for participating, but those on top overshadowed those below. Sooner or later, they would bow down before overwhelming recognition.

‘But it’s actually fortunate to kneel down obediently.’

As mentioned earlier, the competition would be exceedingly fierce. They amassed incredible momentum, raising towers higher, but a loss would spell collapse in an instant.

Luckily, Crona collapsed from a lower point, but the problem was that the towers of the other candidates stood too high.

‘Everyone will be hell-bent on toppling one another.’

If one doesn’t vote for their desired candidate, threats and political scheming ensue. The reason they acted so aggressively is due to unseen puppet strings being pulled by the candidates from behind. That candidate is none other than Nebia Chromag.

‘A witch masquerading as a saint.’

Currently, I was walking along the forest path, retracing the chapter. After the entrance ceremony, characters would focus on their respective goals.

I was also heading to the lakeside to test something while fishing. It’s been quite a while since I fished.

Moreover, being in Class A meant no one would be suspicious of whatever I did. Just when I was pleasantly reaching the fishing spot.

Boom!—

“What, what’s that?”

I was startled by the sudden noise coming from the lakeside. It should have still been a peaceful day, and there wasn’t any reason an incident should occur.

I wondered if someone was training again as I peered through the trees at the scene.

Silver and green, dazzling flashes clashed with each other. Although my vision blurred, it was clear someone was engaged in a magical duel. No, it felt more like sacred magic than just magic. Currently, there were only two students in this academy wielding such fearsome sacred magic.

Angela and Nebia. The two saints revealed themselves as the light receded. The green-haired saint wore an expression full of irritation, while the saint with beast ears gazed at her as if she were pathetic.

`What’s going on here?`

What are the candidates for the upcoming election doing fighting here? I was stunned just as the light collided once more.

Though there was no murderous intent felt, it appeared to be a sort of competitive fight. Still, they were caught in a fierce exchange without any sign of backing down.

For reasons unknown, I was mindlessly watching the unplanned fight. As the colliding lights sparked, a splash of sparks and flames emerged, spreading deep into the forest.

[Due to the influence of mysterious power, erosion rate decreases.]

[30%]

[29%]

[28%]

[27%]

“Huh?”

I glared at a suddenly appearing sign with wide eyes.

Surviving as the Academy Scammer