Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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Chapter 119: Squabbles (1)

The start of the semester was fast approaching. Tensions and expectations mixed with complicated emotions swept through the Academy.

However, it wasn’t just the students feeling this way; the faculty shared similar sentiments. For long-time staff, the excitement might be palpable, but for the newly appointed ones, it was quite the opposite.

And the new students were struggling to adapt to the unfamiliar environment of the Academy.

In this situation where both sides found themselves in similar predicaments, there was only one person who felt neither excitement nor fear.

“It’s been a while, Captain Radian. I hope you’ve been well.”

Fifteen minutes before class, Jason Baikel met with an old senior outside the gymnasium, where the combat department class was to take place.

“Well… it’s an uncomfortable word coming from you, Jason.”

The one whom even the foremost officer of the Royal Knights called “Captain” was Radian Bersern. They had once been comrades in the same squad.

Naturally, Radian held a higher rank. It was a difference between a captain and a soldier, meaning Jason could not have dared to challenge him back in those days.

“From always rebelling against me to now wearing that captain title, it seems the higher-ups have lost their senses.”

“Isn’t that how the world works? Those kinds of people prefer the kind of justice that suits their own taste rather than the weight of fairness. Even though I may have been overshadowed, I’ve made quite a name for myself too. Captain… no, I used to call you Captain.”

They were not mere knights protecting royal bureaucrats. Instead, they belonged to a unit specialized in offensive operations, known as the “Black Squad.”

They were grim reapers that eliminated threats during major rebellions, civil strife, or attacks from demon hordes.

Another name for them was “suicide squad,” due to consisting of very capable individuals combined with those deemed expendable.

They threw the lives of those who were considered worthless into places where even a few lives would be insufficient. That was the squad Radian and Jason had once belonged to.

“But to be honest, the reason you were expelled from the unit… didn’t you provide it yourself? What were you thinking wrapping your arms around that little demon when there are people like me eyeing your position?”

Hearing the term “little demon,” Radian’s eyes narrowed.

Eight years ago, they had received a mission to retrieve an important magical device from a certain tribe.

The tribespeople were just ordinary villagers who had not engaged in any rebellion. Hence, Radian commanded them only to sneak away with the magical device… but the subordinates acted like fools.

They mindlessly slaughtered the village, driven mad with bloodlust, except for Radian.

As they killed, they shouted: “We are justice!”

“Do you remember this scar?”

Suddenly, Jason unbuttoned his uniform, revealing his skin-colored upper body, where a permanent scar stood vividly.

“I couldn’t possibly forget you because of this.”

The one who inflicted that scar was none other than Radian himself. It was during the massacre of the villagers that Radian had struck with his sword to stop the madness.

Only a handful of the squad survived, and Jason was one of them.

“If it had been an inch deeper, I would have said goodbye to this world. But things are a bit different now.”

“What are you trying to say?”

At his inquiry, Jason glanced down at the first floor of the gymnasium. From his vantage point on the second floor, he could see the scene below.

Among the second-year students he would be teaching, there were pests—along with a certain female teacher standing at the podium.

After a careful look, he felt an eerie familiarity.

“Who is that girl…?”

“…..”

“Ah… ahh… ha ha ha ha!”

The more he realized who it was, the wider his mouth opened, and when he finally recognized, he burst into laughter.

Jason spoke with a grin that reached his ears.

“I knew she looked familiar… is that the little demon girl from eight years ago now grown up? Ah ha ha ha ha!”

“…!!”

“…cough!”

Just as Jason attempted to laugh mischievously again, a heavy, iron-like hand gripped his throat.

Jason was lifted into the air, and he saw Radian’s face beneath him, twisted into a mocking grimace.

“Try anything funny with Adela, and I’ll snap your neck regardless of rank!”

The grip was so strong that it would take time to break free. Indeed, Radian hadn’t changed at all. He was still on a different level from the mediocre pests.

When he finally released his grip, Jason fell to the floor, landing hard on his backside, and had to look up at Radian.

“I don’t know how you made it here, but don’t forget this is a place of learning.”

Radian left that statement and disappeared gracefully. Yet, Jason mocked him inwardly.

Given that he had been guilty enough to belong to the Black Squad, finding him now in a position to teach kids was quite comical.

“Well, let’s see who really has no sense of direction here, Captain.”

*

Today was a day filled with uneasiness for me. It might be due to the first day of the semester, but the real issue was something else.

Today marked my first class with that crazy Jason.

“Hey everyone, it’s been a long time. Doesn’t look like any of you have changed at all.”

Teaching Assistant Adela stood on the podium, surveying our faces. Her expression was innocent, fitting for someone from the combat department.

However, her skill and character had earned her a place there.

In fact, she was immensely popular, and many students shouted out loudly in response to her questions.

“Unfortunately, Professor Radian will be absent for a while due to external duties. But we have a new professor replacing him. You all should be excited because he’s none other than the captain of the Royal Knights!”

Finally, it was time. A well-dressed man with distinct features stepped onto the podium, capturing the students’ gazes.

The female students were no exception, and even Jenny cast him a significant look.

“Nice to meet you, cadets. I’m Jason Baikel and I will be your instructor from today. Since I’m leaving my captain’s position for your sake, I hold high expectations. Let’s work well together going forward.”

Applause erupted, welcoming the new faculty member.

Every student except for a few gave vigorous applause. Jenny clapped loudly, full of anticipation, while Luska’s enthusiasm seemed average.

Among them, the ones who weren’t giving their full effort were Lyman, Kent, and myself.

“Now, let’s start the training right away.”

With a loud shout, Jason leaped down from the podium.

It was a scene I had seen many times in the main story. I could instinctively predict what he was about to do.

As Jason approached the students, they instinctively parted like startled goldfish.

He stood proudly in the center of the gymnasium and declared,

“Come at me with everything you have!”

His voice echoed strongly throughout the gym. The students, unable to process the sudden announcement, stood frozen, looking around.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and attack!”

“Are you… really okay with this?”

At one student’s question, Jason’s lips curled in a smile.

“Of course! You can even use real weapons.”

“….”

“I still don’t have a grasp of your overall strengths. So, isn’t this a good chance to figure it out?”

With a gesture as if to say ‘come at me,’ Jason’s playful movement pricked someone’s pride.

“Yaaah!”

One student, filled with courage, charged forward, sword in hand.

It seemed very much the same as in the story.

Clearly, he was disguising his assessment of the students under the guise of training.

But the truth was…

Thud!—

“Gah!”

The student who had rushed in screamed as he collapsed and slammed into the wall.

Thanks to his bravery, others who were just about to charge lost their will in an instant.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you attacking?”

“Uh?”

Jason wore a very arrogant and rough expression. Adela, sensing something was off, experienced a moment of shock, but it was already too late.

Suddenly, fear overwhelmed the students. On high alert, they began to charge without any strategy.

Swords, axes, pikes, daggers, an array of weapons surrounded him, yet Jason remained unfazed.

He swung, lunged, and struck, deflecting every attack as if it were water flowing around him.

Students launching reckless attacks nearly ended up striking their own allies, stopping just in time.

Everyone was frozen in fear by Jason’s aura. This chaos made the activation of their defensive spells a hindrance to their visibility.

Even some students who could use aura launched attacks. Their fierce strikes were harmlessly caught in Jason’s bare hands.

Before they could catch a breath, those who had attacked found themselves knocked down by his long-range strikes and powerful kicks.

Then, a duo started a combined attack. Using their builds and weapon ranges to exploit timing, their technique should have been able to challenge even Class A students. Yet, Jason appeared to predict every move and dodged them all.

He didn’t make any grand movements, nor did he need to raise his sword to parry. Instead, he slipped through, deflecting their weapons with his hands, finishing off by smashing their faces together.

The duo fell to the ground, bleeding from their noses.

Next came arrows and aura-infused slashes. Finally, it seemed a long-range attack might stand a chance.

“That’s just a trinket.”

Yet Jason continued to smile, lifting his hand. With a casual swing of his hand, he released a shockwave of red aura that scattered the arrows like falling leaves.

When he hit those snipers, they screamed, stunned by what had just happened.

“Where are you looking?”

Was he some kind of ghost? In a single step, he moved in front of a student aiming a slash and knocked them out with a chop.

The fallen students were either coughing up blood or sporting evident bruises. There was a shocking fact amongst them.

“Aberla Storius, Ezekiel Manus, Karon Malborn, weren’t you the top of Class A in this combat department? You put in some effort, yet why are you already out cold?”

They tried to rise but found themselves unable to move. All from a single hit.

“Is this truly the best the combat department can offer?”

“We’re still far from it!”

At that moment, a massive mace fell from above, resembling the sun, landing right over his head. But he simply raised both arms to block it and casually spoke.

“Oh? Are you perhaps one of those student council members I saw last time?”

“Kent Egist, reintroducing myself.”

Amid the combat exchanges, the two greeted each other. Kent’s mace continued its relentless assault.

Since his defeat by Radon Crawler, Kent had devoted himself to rigorous training over the break. Consequently, the duration he could keep the mace was now significantly increased.

Moreover, the man he was facing, Jason, was no ordinary opponent. His skills were exceptional, and he exuded an aura that screamed, ‘stay away from me.’

His instincts urged him to take him down right then and there. Though it might be disrespectful to his instructor, there was only this moment to have a legitimate chance to attack.

“It’s not bad… but…”

“Ugh!”

Crack!—

Finally, Jason drew a white blade from his waist. With a mere flick, he shattered Kent’s blazing mace.

“You’re… pulling your sword… without drawing it?!”

“Is this really the time to be impressed?”

Then with a single hand, he grabbed Kent’s collar and executed an effortlessly devastating throw.

Kent fell to the ground, coughing up blood. However, that wasn’t the end.

Swoosh!—

“Oh! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Jenny Chain Silver.”

“I never noticed before, but don’t you think this is a bit much?”

In an instant, Jenny approached and pointed her sword at his neck. Just at that split second, Jason pinched the blade with his fingertips.

“Too much? I consider this my own form of education.”

“What?”

Before the absurdity could fully set in, his sword swung.

What threat could an unsheathed sword pose? But the moment they clashed, the overwhelming pressure was beyond imagination.

“Gah!”

Even after parrying, Jenny was pushed back a step with tremendous force, tasting blood in her mouth from the impact; but there was no time to dwell on pain.

“Try blocking that again.”

Boom!—

Clang!—

The clashing sounds of their swords filled the air. The blade that remained sheathed unleashed a green aura, pressing forward.

With each impact, her muscles felt like they were tearing. Jenny suppressed her scream within.

“I can’t keep this up. This isn’t the way to win,” she swiftly decided.

“Snowfall.”

Jenny’s doll disappeared. But as Jason caught onto her strategy, he scoffed.

The fallen students were left aghast at Jenny’s unimaginable speed as she began to attack.

Of course, that was a reaction only coming from the students.

“Is that all you’ve got?!”

“Gah!”

With sharpened eyes, Jason jabbed to the side, causing Jenny to appear. Stabbed in the chest with the sheathed sword, she spat out water droplets.

No matter how fast she moved, it became useless before his finely-tuned reflexes.

“Impressive. You’re still standing after taking that hit.”

“Gah…!”

Stumbling to keep herself upright, Jenny shoved the sword into the ground. Reduced to a state where she could barely even aim it anymore.

Whoosh!—

Just then, a hail of arrows came raining down behind Jason.

“Hmm.”

Jason tilted his head several times to dodge them. The arrows flew from the direction where a girl with black hair and red eyes stood, holding a bow.

“Luska Mad Eye, right? You look just like the face I checked in the Archive.”

Before he could finish, another arrow shot out, but he deflected them all easily. Soon, Jason realized these were aura arrows, and a smile crept across his lips.

Then another arrow came flying.

“Eh?!”

The arrow was a distraction.

While he was deflecting it, another Luska, wielding twin daggers, charged at him, catching Jason off guard.

The blades and the sheath collided once again.

Bang!—

The sound this time was even more thunderous, almost tearing his eardrums. Once again, the sheath blocked the blade, but this time, it trembled slightly.

“Impressive strength. Truly the bud of that battle race, aren’t you?”

“Be careful.”

Suddenly, Luska greeted him casually. However, understanding the meaning behind her words, Jason scoffed, pulling his body to the side.

A sharp blue slash split the air.

“You’ve managed to keep your wits about you.”

Jason was impressed to see Jenny standing again sooner than expected.

In the meantime, Jenny scolded Luska.

“You idiot! How can you say to be careful!”

“You should have shot faster!”

“Enough already!”

An amusing sight unfolded before Jason. Two girls around the same age, bickering back and forth… suddenly closing in and swinging their swords again.

Although they appeared at odds, their timing was eerily synchronized.

The paths of their swinging swords never crossed. The smooth interplay of their strikes was even better than that previous duo.

“You get along well.”

So, Jason decided to needle them. But…

“What are you talking about?!”

“I’m better than a coward trembling at ghosts like you!”

“Shut up! You’re just as scared of being tickled!”

It seemed their anger intensified the weight behind their strikes, pushing Jason back with the final blow.

For the first time, he was pushed back without any will of his own.

“Not bad.”

Just as he decided on that positive evaluation, the surrounding temperature plummeted. The gymnasium floor froze, and blizzards erupted in a tornado around them.

Standing at the center of that blizzard was the blue-haired girl, poised to draw her sword.

The combination of Silver Age and Chain Silver Style reached its peak. The girl’s swordsmanship brought forth maximum potential, newly created techniques that borrowed from someone else’s teachings.

[Chain Silver Style – Snow Dragon’s Ascent]

As she drew her sword, the raging snowstorm shot forward, taking the shape of a dragon robed in snow.

Even though Jason intercepted it with an unsheathed sword, his body froze instantly.

With 40% output from Silver Age unleashed at once, the power was overwhelming.

“Now!”

“Don’t rush me!”

In that moment, Luska transformed her dual blades back into arrows, with crimson energy swirling around her hands.

The moment she grasped the bowstring, a massive aura was loaded as an arrow. Not one, but two.

[Twin Foxes]

With a flourish, they shot forth, becoming two rushing foxes.

The twin foxes born from the same birthplace lunged forward, claws sharpened and aimed at their target.

The dragon’s fangs and the twin fox sisters’ assault aimed to consume the frozen Jason.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.